Opelika Observer 11-14-18 E-edition

Vol. 11, No. 06

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

pelika O bserver O

Opelika, Alabama

Turn to A2 for photos from Opelika’s Veterans Day ceremony

“By local people, for local people.”

Opelika remembers

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

By Michelle Key Publisher The City of Opelika honored its military veterans in a touching

ceremony at Courthouse Square Saturday morning. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Mayor Gary Fuller spoke of the

importance of Veterans Day. “Today we remember the heroism and sacrifices of those who served,” Fuller said.

The National anthem was performed by the Opelika High School Ovations Chorus.

Dr. Marty Olliff was

See Ceremony, A2

City of Smiths Station holds groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for new Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores

Photo by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer

By Morgan Bryce Editor The City of Smiths Station held a groundbreaking ceremony last

Thursday to commemorate the construction of a new Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores which is slated to open in September

2019.

Attended by an abundance of local dignitaries and media outlets, the ceremony featured an invocation by Smiths

Station First Baptist Church Pastor David Kees, presentation of colors by members of See Loves, page A5

‘Small Business Saturday’ to be held Nov. 24 in downtown Opelika

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Merchants in downtown Opelika will participate in the annual “Small Business Saturday” Nov. 24

from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Launched by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is a national effort to promote local small businesses, which makes up 99.4

percent of Alabama’s economy according to statistics provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.

Organized locally by the Opelika

InRex

OPINION.....................................A4 COUNTY NEWS............................A5 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION..............................A10

Chamber of Commerce, participating merchants will offer special one-day sales in an effort to promote both their

See Business, page A3

SPORTS................................B1 LEGALS.........................................B4 CALENDAR .................................B5 PUZZLES...............................B10

In memory of Sharron Fuller 1971 - 2018

By Steve Bass For the Opelika Observer Last Friday night, I received the worst phone call of my life. My friend John Fuller called to let me know that his wife Sharron Fuller, one of my very best friends, was killed in a car wreck that night. I was devastated to say the least.

I collapsed in the floor in complete shock. Then, before running to their home to be with their family I had to do the unthinkable and call our other two best friends and relay the news. I’m still haunted by the shattered screaming of disbelief and sorrow that came through the phone.

The reason this hurts us all so much is because Sharron’s light was so bright and she impacted all who knew her for the better.

Sunday night’s attendance was evidence of this, as more than 700 people packed into our church for her memorial service.

We cried a lot, we laughed some, and we loved much. Hugs were plentiful Sunday night because she was a big fan of hugging, whether you liked it or not.

Each embrace helped us to feel as though she was still with us, so it was hard to stop hugging each other.

I want to pay tribute to a woman who changed my

life, and so many others for the better.

Sharron came into my life about a decade ago when she volunteered to teach a high school Sunday school class. Little did we know that this would blossom into something that would change the course of our student ministry and both of our lives forever. Sharron became the permanent high school Sunday School teacher shortly after and she discovered her true calling in ministry. She loved student ministry!

She would often talk about how her life changed after finding the place where she was called to serve because of the incredible satisfaction and joy she found in it. She would burst in the door each Sunday morning singing too loudly and certainly not on key, “GOOD MORNING!” Then she would proceed to hug every single person in the room, which was sometimes awkward for first time visitors, but she was going to show them love anyway.

Sunday school was just the tip of the iceberg for Sharron’s impact on our students at Trinity. The longer Sharron served in our ministry, the more roles she took on, and See Sharron, page A3

pelika O Observer.com

pelika O Observer

A2 November 14, 2018

City of Opelika provides veterans with day to remember Saturday

S

aturday’s remembrance of Armistice Day in downtown Opelika was one of the best Veterans Day events that I have had the privilege of attending.

From the breakfast prepared by Niffer’s at the Tracks, to the decorations in courthouse square, the speaker and the musical performances, it was all simply wonderful.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mayor Gary Fuller, the City Council, Leigh Krehling and the other members of the committee that organized

and planned this touching event. As the wife of a United States Navy veteran, it means a lot to me to know that our adopted hometown truly cares about its veterans and their families.

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching the faces of veterans from different eras and different branches of services coming together to share their lives with one another over breakfast. The smiles on their faces as they were given hand crafted thank you cards, made by the children at Carver Elementary

School were wonderful to witness.

These men and women served honorably, leaving their families behind for deployment.

Many saw combat, many suffered wounds that others may never see or understand, but they did it for those neighbors. They went and served to protect their country, their families, their friends, their neighbors, their country. They deserve the gratitude of every citizen that lives in this home we call America.

So to the parents and teachers that helped the children with those thank you cards, I say

Ceremony, from A1

of military service.

“After WWII, military service is something that Americans put on their resumes and take great pride in as part of their self-identification,” Olliff said. “This change in attitude changed Armistice Day.” Raymond Weeks, a US Navy veteran from Alabama, began a campaign to change the day dedicated to honoring those that served and died in World War I to a day to honor all veterans of all wars. But it was Alvin King of Kansas that helped to secure the new name by working on legislation with his congressman in 1952 and President Dwight Eisenhower signed the law that officially changed the name to Veterans Day in

1954.

Following Olliff’s presentation was a ceremony honoring those that are no longer with us. The “Missing Man” ceremony was led by Marine veteran Matthew Parks and gives honor to those military service members that are no longer able to join their brothers and sisters around the table.

From the round table, to the pinch of salt, each element on the table has a specific meaning designed to encourage all to remember those that were lost.

New American Freedom Train Band led by Army veteran Tim Maggart, performed several patriotic songs before the ceremony was closed out with a benediction by Dr. Douglas Pitt.

the guest speaker and gave the audience a brief history on Armistice Day. “We are called upon to remember. Not just our personal memories but societal memories, beyond our own lifetime of events that happened a while ago,” Olliff said.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, the guns that had roared in the most destructive war at that point in history, fell silent. It was that armistice signed 100 years ago that ended combat.”

He spoke of how World War I and World War II changed the way most Americans thought

thank you as well.

Thank you for taking the time to teach the children about Veterans Day, about veterans and why it is important to show them honor and gratitude. Thank you for bringing them to the ceremony and giving them the opportunity to meet men and women that have served.

Thank you to the family members of our veterans that lovingly support them through their deployments and long after those deployments have ended.

It is your unwavering support that makes a difference in the

your Saturday morning to come brave the wind and chilly temperatures just to say thank you to our veterans means a lot to my family and I am confident that I speak for many other veterans families as well.

Again, I say “Thank You.” Michelle Key A veteran’s wife

lives of these men and women.

I would also like to thank the men and women that are not veterans or family members of a veteran that came out to show your support to those that have served in the military. I know just how precious our hours and minutes are and to know that you gave up

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

WE KNOW HOW TO GET YOU HOME

BILL PRICE 334.663.1752

pelika Observer

O

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

Publisher: Michelle Key Editor: Morgan Bryce Marketing: Doug Horn and Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Sports Writer: Rick Lanier

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. Marketing mail postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS permit #205 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801

CORRECTIONS The Opelika Observer will correct any errors, omissions or

CAROL NOLAN 334.703.7515

Subscribe to the Opelika Observer Today!

Name: Address: City: Phone number: Email address:

State:

ZIP:

Payment Type (circle one): Check / Credit Card Visa or Master Card # Exp. Date:

/

Security Code:

Amount Paid:

• $32 for 1 year (inside Lee County) $42 for 1 year (outside of Lee County) •

inaccuracies deemed to be substantive. Corrections may be re-

Return to: Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th St. / Opelika, AL 36801

quested by contacting the Editor at (334) 749-8003.

Please do not send cash through the mail.

pelika O Observer

A3 November 14, 2018

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held Opelika’s La Quinta Inn for Point Broadband Friday introduces delivery robot service Special to the Opelika Observer

Point Broadband closed on its transaction last Thursday to purchase the fiber telecommunication assets and operations, known as OPS ONE, from the City of Opelika.

As part of the agreement, all OPS ONE employees will transfer to Point Broadband, and the company will lease part of the Opelika Power Services building at 600 Fox Run Parkway for their Opelika operations and customer service.

Additionally, Point Broadband has appointed Bruce Schoonover as General Manager for its Opelika region operations.

Schoonover is a telecommunications industry veteran, with more than 28 years of experience in the internet, cable and phone industry.

According to Todd Holt, CEO of Point Broadband, “Bruce’s experience and proven success in this industry will be vital as we grow our business in Opelika and surrounding area. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

“I am very excited to join the Point Broadband organization,” Schoonover said, “and especially happy to be a part of

Sharron, from A1

quite frankly the more successful our ministry became. She certainly had the Midas touch. She went on almost each and every youth trip for the decade she worked with us. She helped us create the Winter Retreat, which is our most attended and probably most looked forward to trip each year. Sharron ran the kitchen for the weekend and she was a rockstar!

She would organize the preparation, cooking, and serving of 40-65 people three times a day and everyone loved her cooking! Her leadership, abilities, and personality are what made the Winter Retreat such a great success year in and year out.

This January, it won’t be the same but we promise to honor her legacy by continuing the great work she always did.

Another of Sharron’s major roles in our ministry was one of the great joys of her life, which is the Mexico Mission trip, where we build houses for poor and needy families in the Baja Peninsula. Sharron participated in this mission trip for the last seven times as did both of her children. Sharron became

Special to the Opelika Observer

Photo by Woody Ross/Opelika Observer the excellent team in Opelika. OPS ONE has a reputation for extraordinary customer care, and I’m looking forward to continuing the great service and operations started by the City of Opelika.”

OPS ONE customers should experience a seamless transition, with no changes other than the name change to Point Broadband.

All plans and rates will remain the same as a result of this agreement. In addition, there are no changes to programming or local channel coverage. Customers will be able to pay their bills and add or make changes to their service in the same location if they prefer to do this in person.

The company plans to expand fiber coverage beyond the city limits of Opelika in the near future – something OPS ONE was unable to do because current Alabama law does not allow municipal service providers to expand beyond their municipal jurisdiction.

one of the key leaders in planning and implementing the trip as well. This is one of the places where Sharron shined the brightest. I believe this trip was a combination of many things Sharron loved: serving, building, loving others, family, friends and Jesus. Sharron not only was a leader and planner of this trip but would contribute financially to students who couldn’t afford to go so that they could share in this great experience. It is hard to understand Sharron’s amount of influence, but dozens of families in Mexico have had their lives and futures forever changed because of her.

That’s a legacy worth honoring.

Sharron loved her family, and she had a fantastic one. Her husband John and two children: Kathryn and Houston are as good as anyone I know. Sharron was the ideal wife and mom, and took care of her family with great pride. My heart breaks at the thought of her not being there for all the milestones that are to come. The holidays, the family gatherings, the weddings, the birth of grandchildren, will not have the same amount of joy that they would have had with her there. I love to think about what a crazy awesome grand-

In addition, Point Broadband offers fiber-fed fixed wireless services to customers in underserved areas, currently including Beauregard, the Gold Hill Community and other parts of Lee County.

About Point Broadband Point Broadband, headquartered in West Point, Ga., is a subsidiary of ITC Capital Partners, LLC. ITC has a century long history of providing innovative communication solutions to its customers, with a focus on meeting the needs of the communities we serve. We’re committed to providing fast, reliable Internet, voice and video service to help our customers connect with friends and family, stream music and TV service, allow businesses to connect with more customers and just simply make life better.

For additional information, visit point-broadband.com.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

mother Sharron would have been (however no grandkids in the history of the world would ever been sugared up as much as hers would have been)!

I know there will be a gaping hole left in a wonderful family, and a pain that can only be helped with the comfort that we have in Christ.

Sharron was an incredible person, the kind of person you want to be around and become like.

She served wholeheartedly with a smile on her face and joy in her heart.

She had a beautiful smile that would light up a room. She was a great encourager. She loved

Opelika’s newest hotel, the La Quinta Inn & Suites, introduced a Savioke Delivery Robot last week.

This delivery-service robot, affectionately named "TigerBot," serves as a butler, ensuring guests have a comfortable and memorable stay. The hotel is the first property in Alabama to implement the room service robot.

TigerBot is able to deliver everything from food and beverages to linens and toothpaste directly

to the guest’s room.

Using cameras and motion-sensing technology, the robot navigates through the hotel to the elevator and carries the requested items to the specified room, much like traditional room service.

The system integrates with the front desk phone lines so guests receive a call alerting them that TigerBot has arrived.

Once the items are delivered, TigerBot will give the guest an option to rate their service. Giving a fivestar rating will prompt

the new robot to dance and make noises, sure to entertain visitors staying in the hotel.

TigerBot is approximately three feet tall, weighs fewer than 100 pounds, and is designed to travel at a human walking pace, according to an article in the Robotics Business Review.

For more information about the TigerBot or the La Quinta Inn & Suites, contact Richard Richards, director of operations, by email at richard@ auhospitality.com or calling 334-246-3781, ext. 4.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama warns against nationwide robocall scam Special to the Opelika Observer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is warning their customers and Alabamians about a nationwide robocall scam. These calls falsely claim to be made by “Blue Cross Blue Shield.” They appear to be made for the purpose of marketing insurance products by using the Blue Cross and Blue Shield brands and coincide with enrollment periods for Medicare and the Federal Employee Program. to build up others. Her compassion for others was unmatched. She was a great friend who would go out of her way to help you in any way she could.

Sharron was the best of all of us. She was an amazing wife, an amazing mom, and an amazing friend.

The world got a little dimmer when her light was extinguished. I hope we all strive to live as she lived, love as she loved, and serve as she served: with our whole hearts, and a smile on our faces and joy in our hearts. Maybe then we can pick up the torch she laid down last Friday, and brighten the world more each day.

The robocallers’ identity is masked by “spoofing” technology making it extremely difficult to identify the source and take action to stop the calls. Additionally, this technology allows for the same calls to appear to come from different phone numbers, which prevents consumers from effectively blocking them.

These robocalls are not originating from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, and we are taking every step available to minimize public confusion. We

Business, from A1 business and the vibrant atmosphere in the city’s downtown area.

“The Chamber has been supporting this initiative since its inception, and I think it’s a great program to raise awareness of just how important it is to shop with our Opelika businesses.

It means more of the dollars stay local and

encourage consumers to be vigilant, protect their personal information, and guard against providing personal information during calls that claim to be from Blue Cross.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for over 82 years, offering coverage plans to corporations, individuals and seniors. For more information about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com.

you’re supporting your friends and neighbors and making the community better,” said Opelika Chamber of Commerce President Pam Powers-Smith.

“I want to encourage everyone to get out on Saturday and buy some gifts and you’ll feel good about it. These small business owners work hard every day so let’s show them we appreciate them.”

For more information, call 334-7454861 or visit www. americanexpress.com.

AlabamaWorks: Opportunity-Innovation-Accountability-Inclusion

Now there’s a way to recruit, train and empower, a highly skilled workforce driven by business and industry needs.

It’s your competitive advantage in Alabama.

It’s time to grow at: www.alabamaworks.com

A4 November 14, 2018

pelika O Opinion

Christmas lights in a college town

W

break with home and asn’t even family that is so hard Thanksgivfor Mother and Father ing and to accept.

Christmas Such as a Christmas lights were up. tree.

In general, I’m against Not every student this. puts one up.

I come from a tradition

By Hardy Jackson But riding around where Christmas decoratown, into the enclaves tions don’t appear until the and ghettos where students live, I turkey has become hash and they disappear before the big bowl games saw in windows tiny lights on tiny ring in the New Year. In general. trees.

They represent one more broken Which is sort of a mealy-mouthed, chord, one more student statement fuzzy-reasoned, exception-laced of how now, I am on my own, I have way of saying that though I my own place, my own friends, my wouldn’t be caught dead doing it, there are some circumstances where own routine, my own responsibilities, my own traditions and my own it is okay and I’m gonna tell you tree. one.

But there is something else to this.

For years I lived in a college town.

Despite parental fears and misgivJacksonville, Alabama. Seat of ings, most students have no desire Jacksonville State University. to break free from home and hearth And in a college town there are just yet. College is limbo, that recollege students, many of them gion between childhood and adultliving out on their own for the first hood. It can be liberating for it frees time. students for the future, but at the Now as a father who has already same time frightening for it takes raised two through this and who them out of the warm womb of famhas one more to go, I can speak to ily, to which as the years pass they the uneasiness a parent feels at the will return as relatives, relations, prospect of a child being out in the cold world without parental supervi- visitors.

Back home, back in their prevision. (I got a chill when my 14-year old son relocated his bedroom to the ous life, Mama, Daddy, siblings are basement – the “man cave” he called getting ready for Christmas. Their it – which gave him more space, his tree is going up. Their decorations are coming out. Their halls are being own bathroom, and a door leaddecked. ing outside to the great unknown.

Without their college student to Once he moved I began thinking about getting one of those electronic help.

And the student can’t go back to be monitoring devices to clamp on his part of it – not just because of term ankle? papers due and finals to take, but beBut I digress. cause getting ready for Christmas is College students arrive in the fall, an incremental thing, done in stages amid all the whoopla of football, that are enjoyed in stages: getting fraternities and sororities, clubs and (yes) classes, to set up house in what the tree, trimming the tree, hanging the greenery, putting out the yard sociologists call “a high context culture” – one you have to live in to decorations. Those involved savor every stage, every step of the way. understand. Students live in it and You can’t just drop in and get the understand it. Parents don’t. To full effect. parents it all seems so, well, indeSo students try, as only students pendent. Dorm rooms, apartments, can, to replicate those stages where houses are “decorated” in new they are. ways and accessorized according to A little tree, likely artificial. Lights. tastes picked up God-knows-where.

Clothes, books and papers are peril- A few ornaments which will be saved and in years to come will be ously spread in piles according to taken out to hang again and rememsome calculus neither Mama nor ber. Perhaps a wreath for the door.

Daddy can grasp. Near empty reAnd Christmas cards, sent to and frigerators contain evidence of past from their new address, evidence that meals of little nutritional value and remains of past parties, the details of the United States Postal Service considers this their home now, proudly which are vaguely remembered, if displayed on a table along with the recalled at all.

Manger Scene from WalMart or DolNot that parents see any of this, for lar General or Big Lots. unless there is a surprise visit (not And they will keep Christmas in recommended), when Mama and Daddy arrive the décor will be sani- their homes and hearts until finals are tized, the books and papers arranged over and they journey to where they once lived to visit, to find out how to suggest something resembling the family is doing without them. study, the clean clothes put away, Then, a few weeks later, they will the dirty ones bagged to take to the return to their new home. laundry, and all evidence of unwise And take down their tree. eating and drinking will have gone Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is out with the garbage.

Professor Emeritus at Jacksonville But even in its more “acceptable” State University. He can be reached state, any parent recognizes the imprint of independence that marks the at hjackson@cableone.net.

T

here is a chill in the wind today.

It’s not cold enough for me to put on shoes. I never wear shoes. They aren’t really needed for porch sitting, anyway. I pulled an all-nighter with my 12 month old, so I am enjoying my hot cup of coffee on the porch while Jody takes the girls to pick up lunch. I’m so thankful for his heart. He knows when I need a break, and I don’t even have to ask.

It’s quiet out here.

Quiet is subjective in

I

Mister Sean

“But what about now?” was interviewed by a “Now, I wear jeans that nine-year-old. I’ll call haven’t been ironed, and her “Kay,” but that’s not I do the Cha-Cha Slide at her name. weddings sometimes.”

Kay is my hero. Kay is Little Miss Auburn made a foster child who loves notes.

Auburn University football.

“What are your beliefs Kay is also serious about

By Sean Dietrich on God?” she asked. the sanctity of the interview Jiminy Christmas. This process. Kay wants to be a kid is tough. I was once interviewed by lawyer when she grows up.

Don Noble on Alabama Public TeleHer digital recorder sat on the table. vision, wearing makeup, under very She gave me a bottled water. She also bright studio lights. Don has nothing on had prepared homemade pimento this nine-year-old. cheese.

“My beliefs on God,” I said, loosenIt was very good cheese. However, ing my collar. “Well, I guess I believe instead of using pimentos, Kay used homegrown habanero peppers from her that God, um, loves everybody.”

“Please explain.” foster-mother’s garden. Lots and lots of “Well, that’s just it, I can’t explain peppers.

The skin on my tongue will be forev- because I don’t know enough. I’m not ermore mutilated by these peppers. My smart enough. What do you think about it?” lower intestinal tract will never be the “Me?” She furrowed her brow. “I same. think he watches over kids, and loves us The interview was for Kay’s school. all. And I know God is an Auburn fan.”

Kay was supposed to be writing about “Gimme a break, Sweetheart. Evpeople who were fascinating. But, she erybody knows that on the Eighth Day couldn’t find anyone, so she wrote God created Nick Saban.” about me.

“Nuh uh.”

She pressed the button on the record“Yes huh.” er. “Please state your name,” said Kay, “Would you like some more pimento her pencil poised. cheese, Mister Sean?”

“Sean Dietrich.”

“No thank you.”

“Your FULL name, please,” Kay “Who is your hero?” she asked for said, preventing obstruction of justice. her final question.

“Sean P. Dietrich.”

And I had to think about this. Truth “What does the ‘P’ stand for, be told, I have had a lot of heroes in please?” my day. Not famous people. Common “Percivus.” people. The old men who stepped into “Really?” my life after my father died when I was “No, not really, I was just trying to a boy. Men who sort of made me what I make you laugh.”

But Kay does not laugh or smile. Kay am. They treated me like I was somebody. would make a very good poker player.

Also, my mother. And the church “Sean, tell me how you started writladies who babysat me. And old bosses, ing?” who overpaid me because they cared.

“With a pencil,” I said.

And the people who told me I should “Please be serious.” be a writer, even though I showed no “Okay,” I said. “I’m a writer by actalent for it. And teachers who helped cident, really.” me complete my college degree by “Accident?”

“I was no good at anything else. And age thirty. And foster kids who want to believe me, I’ve tried it all. I’ve worked interview me.

“You are my hero,” I told her. a lot of jobs.”

“Me?” she said. “Why me?”

“What kinds of jobs?”

“Because, you just are.”

“Oh boy, let’s see…. I’ve been a “Are you serious?” drywaller, a landscaper, an electri“Yes, I am. You’re gonna go a long cian’s assistant, a commercial framer, a way in your life. I can feel it. ” house painter, an ice-cream scooper, a “Really? Do you think so?” commercial fishing deckhand, a church “With all my heart.” pianist, and once, after a wild night in She shook my hand. Then, she asked Biloxi, I was ordained.” if she could give me a hug. She threw “Is that true?” said Kay. “Were you her arms around me and said: really ordained?”

“It’s kinda hard being a foster kid I retrieve the little plastic card from sometimes, I never know what’s going my wallet to prove it. on in my life. Thank you for letting me “You mean you’re still ordained?” interview you.” she asked. “Remember, you’re under My eyes turned pink. I drove home oath, Sean.” that night and I thought about her. In “Yes,” I said. “One of my friends fact, I haven’t stopped thinking about wanted me to officiate their Baptist her. I was even thinking about her this wedding ceremony, so I had to get morning, when someone emailed me to ordained in the state of Alabama.” say that after a long time waiting, my “So are you Baptist?” hero has finally been adopted.

“A recovering one.”

Whoever those lucky parents are, I “What do you mean?” hope they’re saving for Auburn tuition.

“I was raised Southern Baptist, and Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and that means we ate pear salad, dancing novelist, known for his commentary on was a federal crime, and my mother life in the American South. ironed my jeans.”

Signs of Life distance, the the country, occasional though. We song of one all have our of the winddefinition chimes on of quiet. our porch, To some it and the means no sounds. To

By Lucy Winn Fuller creaking of the chain that me it means holds my porch swing no planes, no trains, as I let the wind carry and no automobiles. it ever which way it deIn my world, quiet is cides to go. That’s my the wind rustling the kind of quiet. I like to remaining leaves that think that I have earned are holding onto the this quiet after living branches of the woodthrough so much noise land trees. I can close in my crazy life. my eyes and hear the Some associate quiet crow cawing in 4/4 with stillness. Not me. time, the faint sound of a cow mooing in the Stillness means no

movement and no movement means no life. I love the signs and sounds of life. As mother nature breathes and blows her chilly fall air upon us, nature moves with her every breath. I see it in the falling leaves, the swaying pines, and the fluid motion of the flag that adorns our dear country home.

I love this time of year. Autumn. A season of change. Nature prepares for its long awaited winter’s sleep.

The earth quiets down and readies herself for

rebirth in the spring.

The days get shorter and the nights get longer. With death comes life. It all comes full circle. The year wanes and comes to an end. As the moon goes through its different phases, so do we. We transition into the next season of life.

The more I think about it, the more beautiful it becomes.

Seasons of death and rebirth are tragically beautiful. Natures love story. We rarely devote time to focusing on each season with

closeness due to our own life phases. Sometimes we find ourselves just getting by and trying to make it through instead of focusing on the beauty of death and rebirth.

With every leaf that makes its final journey to the earth’s floor, I am reminded that my daily worries and problems can be just as easily felled. I close my eyes and breathe in deep. I sit so still and silently that I can feel my heart beat in See Fuller, page A6

pelika O Observer

A5

Around Lee County

November 14, 2018

Opelika residents voice City of Smiths Station seeking concerns over sale of applications for memorial sidewalk OPS ONE at city council meeting last week Special to the Opelika Observer

Applications are available for the City of Smiths Station's Memorial Sidewalk in front of the soon-tobe-opened Jones Store Museum.

The sidewalk is a way for the city to honor the men and women who have contributed to the betterment and growth of their community.

Each brick is 4 x 8 in size and costs $50.

There is a maximum of

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Opelika resident Nelson Marsh addresses members of the Opelika City Council during last Tuesday’s meeting on the sale of OPS ONE. Marsh and other citizens expressed their concern over the pace of the transaction, which was completed last Thursday.

By Robert Noles Photojournalist Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council tackled a full agenda during last week’s meeting.

Fuller recognized the March of Dimes’ “World Awareness Day” Nov. 17 with a proclamation.

Hunter Thornton and Roger Bell received a proclamation from Fuller celebrating the 25-year existence of the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour. Former Opelika resident Jan Jones started the tradition with the placing of her hand-painted figures on the front porches or yards of more than 60 homes and 10 city blocks. It is now regarded by multiple magazines and publications as one of the South’s premier Christmastime events.

Fuller, OPS Director Derek Lee and Brent Poteet recognized the following OPS ONE employees for their contributions: Don Boyd, Jeff Johnson, and Kathy Pruitt. They will officially become Point Broadband employees Friday.

Fuller and Opelika Fire Department Chief Byron Prather announced those nominated for Fire Fighter of the Year: Jamie Williams, C Shift; Ryan White, B Shift and Dave Davis, A Shift. Davis received the award for his efforts to overcome serious injuries during a fire-training exercise earlier this year and return as a fullfledged member of the fire department.

During the citizen communications portion of the meeting, Opelika residents Nelson Marsh, Kelly Currenton, Joyce Newland, Garrison

Snelling and Michael Lusker spoke in reference to the sale of OPS ONE and the city’s telecommunication fiber network and assets to Point Broadband of West Point, Georgia.

“A few years ago, we had the opportunity to start discussing this, and as a city, we decided that we wanted to lay down this fiber network. The city pushed hard and we all came together and agreed by public vote that it should come about,” Marsh said. “Now, we’re at a point where it’s believed by many members of our city and indeed many professionals that we may not need to own this asset anymore ... I’m here to ask the council today if it’s reasonable that we sell the largest asset our city has sold in recent memory, possibly ever?

Is it reasonable that maybe we should give as much consideration, as much thought and as much pportunity for public engagement as possible to the sale of this very very iconic and special asset that we have?”

Minutes later, the council finalized the city’s sale of the assets to Point Broadband with the approval of a franchise agreement.

In other business, the council: - requests for the annual LRCOG Mardi Gras/Walk and Victorian Christmas Front Porch Tour - approved resolutions concerning the purchase of three city vehicles, annual appropriation contracts with the Alabama Council of Human Relations, Museum of East Alabama and EASE - entered into a tree management agreement with the NRC - appointed Sherri Reese to the LRCG.

BEAUREGARD DRUGS

Let Tucker Simmons and the staff at Beauregard Drugs help you manage your seasonal allergies.

Loves, from A1

Smiths Station High School’s ROTC program and speeches from Mayor Bubba Copeland and Love’s Real Estate Project Manager William Gleason.

Located at the corner of Lee Road 248 and U.S. Highway 280/431, the store’s opening will help create 50 new jobs and provide a significant boost to the city’s economy according to Smiths Station Mayor Bubba Copeland.

“Our city is growing … we’re part of the second fastest growing county in Alabama and

Photo by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer 18 characters per line, including punctuation and spaces.

Forms are available at the Smiths Station

Government Center, which is located at 2336 Lee Road 430.

For more information, call 334-297-8771.

this is just part of that.

We have (more than) 200 houses being built in Smiths Station, and this is just the beginning of our path to an overall economic boom here in the city,” Copeland said. “A great thing about Smiths Station is that here, everyone sticks together.

Everybody is for each other and that’s obvious by the attendance and support here at today’s event.”

Gleason added that construction is planned to begin in early January with an expected 6-7 month timeline until its completion.

“There’s a lot of tractor trailer traffic that goes up and down this highway every

day. Here, we’re going to have 50 parking spots, so truckers will be able to fuel, weigh, rest, eat and fulfill the amount of time they’re required to break and stay off the highway,” Gleason said.

Additional information provided during a Aug. 28 meeting indicated that the development is projected to produce more than $3 million in taxable sales and house locations of Chester’s Chicken and Godfather Pizza.

For more information or updates on its construction, visit www. loves.com or the City of Smiths Station’s website www.smithstational.gov and its social media pages.

Photos by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer

pelika O Observer

A6 November 14, 2018

Fuller, from A4

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Top, Mayor Gary Fuller presents a proclamation to organizers of the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour, which turns 25 this year. Bottom, David Davis (second from left) was recognized as Firefighter of the Year during last Tuesday’s city council meeting.

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

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

Eddie Smith CITY PRESIDENT

certificates of deposit and numerous electronic products and services.

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

ICK RD.

FREDER

Tiger Town

Lowe’s

R.

D AY TEW GA

Kroger

Our New Location

Visit us here: www.auburnbank.com MEMBER FDIC

I-85

1851 Frederick Road Opelika

Equal Housing Lender

334-275-9600

my chest. Bump bum, bump bum, bump bum.

Perfect rhythm. I hear the crow again. Caw caw, caw caw, caw caw. Then the whish of the wind joins my heart and the singing crow. The wind chimes ding faintly, and I catch myself swinging in perfect time to this orchestra that has formed around me.

Soon, the trees will be bare. The air will smell of rotting leaves and everything will be silent and still. The land sleeps and dreams of springtime as we hang our stockings on the hearth and string lights on our Christmas tree. It’s a lonely season. The noises

fall silent, and the world seems so still.

Sometimes the silence seems so loud. I find myself slowly falling into eternal sleep, just like the leaves on the cold ground. I close my eyes and listen for the life inside of me. I listen for the rhythm.

Bump bum, bump bum, bump bum.

My heart continues to beat in perfect time and I am reminded that as the earth prepares for its rebirth in the spring, I also am renewing myself for rebirth into the next phase of life. I am struck by the cruel realization that time doesn’t stand still for anyone. I then smile because I know that I have a fresh new year ahead of me. A new year to fill with memories. More thoughts to share. More kisses

to steal. More hugs to give. More life to live.

I smile because there is more life to live. The wind blows yet again and wraps its chilly arms around me. I look up and stare at the blue sky and close my eyes.

I breathe in again and again. I am so thankful for Mother Nature’s gentle reminder that life goes on. I lay dormant now only to prepare for rebirth, and my heart blooms with gratitude.

I have so much to be thankful for.

Lucy Fuller is a lover of nature, animals, gardening, and old houses. She is a full time mother and wife.

She currently resides in Dadeville with her husband, two daughters, 4 dogs, and cat.

She may be reached at fullalove2017@gmail. com.

Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

U PC OM I NG EVENT S: • Comedy Competition •Somthing Rotten!

•Thanksgiving Day Buffett •Christmas Parade • Habitat Cookie Walk •Martha’s Trouble

Tatum family shares recipes for a special Thanksgiving celebration Ann Cipperly’s

Southern

Hospitality

T

hanksgiving and Christmas are special family times for Lynn and Dr. Crawford Tatum Jr. and their four sons with their families, who all live in Lee County.

The menu is mostly the same for both holidays with Lynn and her daughters-in-law preparing traditional family favorites, many from Crawford’s grandmother and mother.

Lynn, who grew up in Mobile, remembers that her initial visit to Opelika was an eye opener. “The Tatums could really cook,” Lynn said. “My first experience with this was the Fourth of July celebra-

tion hosted by Crawford’s grandmother “Mimi”, Mrs. O. H. Tatum Sr., at her home on Geneva Street under the gazebo.

“It was a family feast to say the least,” Lynn added. “There was enough food to feed an army. I figured quite quickly that if I ended up marrying Crawford Tatum, then I would definitely need to learn to cook. And, the rest is history.”

While her grandmothers were excellent cooks, Lynn had little interest in cooking growing up. She didn’t become interested in cooking until she met Crawford. After graduating

from the University of Alabama, Lynn was working in Birmingham when she met Crawford during his first year in dental school.

They were married his last year.

After Crawford graduated from dental school, they moved to Opelika where he joined the family dental business started by his grandfather, Dr. O.H. Tatum Sr., in 1918 and continued by his father, Dr. Crawford A. Tatum Sr., and an uncle, Dr. O.H. ”Hilt” Tatum Jr. The first clinic was above the old Hagedorn’s mercantile in Opelika and moved in 1955 to the Phil-

Photo special to the Observer Lynn Tatum and her daughters-in-law are sharing their favorite family recipes for Thanksgiving. They are pictured in the Tatums’ cotton field where Lynn’s husband, Dr. Crawford Tatum Jr., enjoys working several afternoons a week. Their four sons helped pick the cotton this year in order to beat the hurricane weather. From left are Charmoin Tatum, Reynolds Tatum, Lynn Tatum, Payton Tatum and Emily Ann Tatum.

ips’ house on Avenue A. After moving to Opelika, Lynn discovered Thanksgiving wasn’t any different than the feast at her first family gathering on the Fourth of July. The Tatum clan, Crawford’s mother and father, brother and sister, grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins, would gather together at Mimi’s home on Geneva St. The Thanksgiving tradition began here for Lynn.

When Mimi passed away a couple of years later, Lil, Crawford’s mother, assumed the holiday traditions at her home. The extended families continued to come to Lil’s for several years to celebrate together, but as the families grew, they divided into family units and started new traditions. Crawford and his siblings and their families continued to celebrate at Lil’s home.

Lil’s mother, Crawford’s maternal grandmother, Deet( Flewellen) had always lived with Crawford Sr. and Lil after they were married. Deet enjoyed cooking the family meals.

She considered it a joy and her contribution through the years as her labor of love. Deet would prepare several desserts for every meal, not just holidays.

After the passing of Deet, See Recipes, page A9

Marriott at Grand National to host Martha’s Trouble to host 12th annual Christmas ‘Thanksgiving Day Buffet’ Nov. 22 performances Dec. 21-22 at ‘The Sound Wall’

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Those in the Auburn-Opelika area looking to avoid the hassles of preparing a large Thanksgiving meal for families and friends can join in the festivities at the Marriott at Grand National’s annual “Thanksgiving Day Buffet” Nov. 22.

Reservations are required, costing $38 per person, $19 for children 6-12 years old and free for children 5 years old or under. Time slots available are 11 a.m.,

1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

For more information or to make a reservation: call 334737-2187. The hotel is located at 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail.

Following is a full menu of the buffet’s offerings: Salad Bar Citrus Kale Slaw Roasted Beet Salad w/ Goat Cheese and Arugula Fall Quinoa Salad Ranch Broccoli & Bacon Salad Sweet Potato Salad Crisp Romaine Lettuce Cornbread Crou-

tons – Shaved Parmesan – Goat Cheese Crumbles Peppercorn Ranch – Blood Orange & Cranberry Vinaigrette – Grilled Lemon Caesar Salad Fresh Fruit Salad with Bay Leaf Simple Syrup Soup Station Gingerbread Butternut Squash Bisque Orange Yogurt Crispy Fried Leeks Carving Station Smoked Prime Rib Pan Jus Horseradish Sauce Action Station McEwen & Sons See Buffet, page A12

Located in Historic Downtown Opelika

334-745-4618

Special to the Opelika Observer The Opelika-based indie/folk duo "Martha's Trouble" will host their 12th annual Christmas shows Dec. 21 and 22 at The Sound Wall in downtown Opelika.

Martha's Trouble Christmas Shows are a fan favorite. These shows are a mix of their favorite Christmas songs, original songs and stories, and are a great way to enjoy the Christmas season with friends.

Tickets can be

purchased for $20 in advance through www. thesoundwallopelika. com or $25 at the door. This is a "bringyour-own-beer" event.

The studio is located at 605 Ave. B. 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. The idea for The Sound Wall was born out of the couple’s experiences with touring See Concert, page A8

11 AM - 3 PM Tuesday - Wednesday, Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM Thursday - Friday

pelika O Observer

A8 November 14, 2018

Local civic club meeting notes

Kiwanis Club learns about Opelika Lions Club members receive service awards, recognition The Creekline Project during recent meeting Special to the Opelika Observer Service awards to

Special to the Opelika Observer Rocky and Shealy Langley spoke to the Opelika Kiwanis Club on Thursday about The Creekline Project. The Creekline is a proposed system of nature trails and ADA-accessible shared use paths (for cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, skaters, wheelchair users, etc.) lining the creeks and roadways of Opelika. It would join existing and proposed bike lanes to connect points of interest around the city. The benefits of the project would be both to improve the quality of life for citizens and economic growth for businesses. The Creekline would highlight some of Opelika's most beautiful resources. The couple also has visions to turn the site of the former Pepperell Mill into a park that would connect to the Creekline paths. The Langleys hope to boost citizen support over the next year to get the project on the city's 2020 budget. Pictured are Shealy and Rocky Langley with Joanne Camp.

Concert,

from A7

and performing.

“When we were on the road a lot, we would always have the need for rehearsal space,” Jen said. “And more often than not, it was in our house, or we would rent out

storage spaces. For a number of years, we dreamed of having an ideal space where we could work and be creative.”

“We see people go to Nashville or New York or L.A. and work in some great studios, but The Sound Wall a getaway from a lot of the craziness and pressure inherent in bigger

cities,” says Jen. “It will be a place where folks can come and just create.”

The space is decorated using many materials repurposed from the house, with a design style that is an amalgam of ’40s glam meets modern meets reclaimed.

Two studio rooms grace the first floor

FOOD RATINGS Burger King 415 Second Ave. Opelika Score: 99 Which Wich Superior Sandwiches 2105 Interstate Dr. Opelika Score: 98 BurgerFi 2145 Interstate Dr.

Opelika Score: 98 Jack’s 1903 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika Score: 98 Waffle House 907 Fox Run Pkwy Opelika Score: 96

2400 Gateway Drive Opelika Score: 93 Checker’s Drive-In 2009 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika Score: 91

The Breezeway 213 S. 8th St. Opelika Logan’s Roadhouse Score: 90

Opelika Lions Club members representing 110 years of club membership were presented

at a recent meeting held at the Golden Corral Restaurant on Birmingham Highway.

Photo special to the Opelika Observer Left to right: Doug Hicks, Opelika Lions Club President, Glenn Stokes, 15 years, James Morgan, Jr., 20 years, William Browning, 10 years, Mark Aldridge, District Governor, presenter of award pins. Not pictured: Dewey Still, 30 years, Michele Gullate, 20 years, John Braswell, 15 years.

(which can be used for recording, rehearsals, songwriting sessions, post-editing video, photo shoots, video shoots, and will be available for special events and intimate concerts).

The space is rounded out by a gourmet kitchen with a large family-style farm table, which will

allow local chefs to prepare meals on-site for visiting artists and bands. And a 1000-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment is housed upstairs, offering lodging to artists using the studios downstairs or to people who want an inspiring place to stay in town.

“Artists get a place

to stay, a place to create, a place to record, a place to have great meals together, and there is the walkingdistance proximity of what downtown offers, too," Rob said.

"We hope The Sound Wall will become an extension to the already existing and expanding arts community."

pelika O Observer Recipes,

from A7 Lil graciously fell in line practicing what her mother had taught her over the years.

“A yearly ritual for Thanksgiving Day was the donning of camouflage of our four sons and their Dad in the wee hours of the morning, as hunting was a definite happening before the gathering at Lil’s,” Lynn said. “While they were in the country, I was assembling and cooking my green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole, while catching glimpses periodically of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, a tradition I grew up with in Mobile.

“Finally, the men would return, with or without game but happy just to have been outside together.”

Lil would prepare the tables during the week, which were elegantly set with the finest china and the beautiful centerpieces she had created adorning the tables. Lil would never allow paper products to be used even though the women encouraged her that cleanup would be much easier, but that was a definite “no, no.”

Lil’s daughter and daughters-in-law gathered in the kitchen making final preparations of the Thanksgiving meal that each contributed. They all had their specific dish to bring from year to year.

Freshly smoked turkey, dressing, rice, gravy, cranberry salad, asparagus casserole, squash casserole, butterbeans, homemade rolls, chocolate cake and charlotte were just a few things on the menu every year.

“The men relaxed in the den or living room, chatting about their morning and munching on toasted pecans and devouring Lil’s to-die-for cheese straws,” Lynn remembered. “The children were busy playing or as they grew older, they would catch up on the news about each other.

Not knowing who or what was stuffed more, us or the bird, we would finish up our meal, head home for a much needed nap or back to the farm, only to return to Lil’s for leftovers that night, if there were any.

That was when the paper products came out.

“We all continued to get together for the holidays for over 40 years,” Lynn said, “but as our families are growing and expand-

ing, we are finding it more difficult to find a time to all get together during the holiday season. Our family is still expanding. We are so thankful each of our four sons have married precious girls we now have as daughters-in-law.”

Crawford III and Charmoin have two daughters, Anslee, 14, and Leila, 9; Myles and Payton have two sons, Myles Jr., 10, and Banks, 7; John’s and Emily Ann’s daughter is Mary Berkley, 2 ½, and are having another child in December; while Drew and Reynolds’ child, Rutherford, is 3 months old.

The family has fond memories of Thanksgiving at Lil’s, who is now deceased, who was always the gracious hostess, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother. “Now that our children are grown, married, and have families of their own,” Lynn added.

“We have been trying to develop our own tradition in addition to carrying on some of what was so lovingly instilled in us through the years.

“Charmoin, Payton, Emily Ann, Reynolds, and I all hope to live up to what we have experienced being in the Tatum family. It has truly been a blessing.”

Their sons and their families alternate Christmas and Thanksgiving being in Opelika and going to their wives’ families for the holidays.

Lynn and the girls have combined some of their Thanksgiving recipes served over the years along with others that are tried and true. Lynn feels some recipes will probably change through the coming years with others added, while a few may be deleted. “They definitely have to pass the men’s taste test around our house,” she says. “When in doubt, it gets tossed. We shall see which ones survive the Tatum recipes hall of fame for the holidays.”

However, they all agree that Thanksgiving is a time for gathering together as one family and enjoying each other’s company, reminiscing about the past and looking forward to the future.

“Food is just a delectable by-product that brings us together,” adds Lynn. “The most treasured heirlooms are the sweet memories of our family that we pass down to our children. The best thing about memories is making new ones.”

Cipperly can be contacted at recipes@cipperly. com.

Cornbread Dressing Charmoin Tatum 1 cup butter or margarine, divided 3 cups white cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. sugar 7 large eggs, divided 3 cups buttermilk 3 cups soft breadcrumbs 2 cups finely chopped onion 3 cups finely chopped celery 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh sage or 2 tsp. dried sage or more to taste, optional

A9 November 14, 2018

Turkey Rub for Smoked Turkey Payton Tatum I box (26 oz.) salt 1 1/2 oz. ground black pepper 2 oz. bottle ground red pepper 1 oz. bottle pure garlic powder 1 oz. bottle chili powder 1 oz. carton monosodium glutamate (Accent) Mix all ingredi-

ents together and dust turkeys (whole or breast) liberally inside and out.

Place turkeys in smoker with full pan of water and smoke according to smoker instructions.

Note: I usually place a cut up apple and onion in the water pan and use apple or hickory wood to smoke.

Cranberry Chutney Payton Tatum 1 lb. tart apples, chopped 1 lb. fresh whole cranberries 1 cup light brown sugar (maybe more to taste) 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/4 Tbsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/4 lb. white raisins Simmer all ingredients in saucepan for 25 to 30 min. Great served with turkey.

Can also serve with white cheddar and crackers, over cream cheese with crackers or over vanilla ice cream.

Zucchini Cranberry Tea Bread Emily Ann Tatum 3 cups flour 2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 3 eggs 1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 2 cups shredded zucchini 8 oz. crushed pine-

apple, well drained 3/4 cup chopped nuts 1 cup dried cranberries Combine first 5 dry ingredients. Add eggs.

Melt butter; add sugar and vanilla.

Blend.

Add zucchini, pineapple, nuts and cranberries; blend.

Pour into greased loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until tests done.

Southern Style Green Beans Emily Ann Tatum 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces 2 lbs. fresh green beans, ends trimmed and snapped in half 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper Rinse beans in a colander, then wrap up in a clean dish towel to dry.

Cook bacon pieces in a large saucepan until crisp. Add green beans to pan and

continue to cook on medium heat, tossing beans well to coat in bacon dripping, until beans turn bright green, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the chicken broth, then the salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.

Simmer on low, covered with the lid cracked just a bit, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.

I serve them with a splash of the cooking liquid on top and adjust seasoning. Serves 4 to 6.

Winter Fruit Tea Payton Tatum 4 quarts water, boiling 2 cups sugar 4 family-sized tea bags 2 tsp. whole cloves 2 sticks cinnamon 2 cups pineapple juice

6 (10 1/2 oz.) cans condensed chicken broth, undiluted 1 Tbsp. freshly ground pepper or less to taste (can use regular pepper) Place 1/2 cup butter in 13 x 9 pan; heat in oven at 425 degrees for 4 minutes.

Combine cornmeal and next 5 ingredients; whisk in 3 eggs and buttermilk.

Pour hot butter from pan into batter, stirring until blended.

Pour batter into pan.

Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until cornbread is golden brown.

Crumble cornbread

6 oz. frozen orange juice (undiluted) ¾ cup lemon juice Steep first 5 ingredients for 30 minutes or longer.

Strain.

Then add pineapple, orange and lemon juice.

Serve hot or cold.

into a large bowl; stir in breadcrumbs and set aside.

Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter in large skillet over medium heat; add onion and celery and sauté until tender.

Stir in sage if using and cook one more minute.

Stir vegetables, remaining 4 eggs, chicken broth and pepper into cornbread mixture.

Pour into a lightly greased 13 x 9 pan and one 8-inch square baking dish.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and firm.

Asparagus and Cream Sauce Lynn Tatum 1 1/2 lbs. fresh asparagus 1 Tbsp. butter 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 cup half and half 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded 2 Tbsp. buttery crackers Cook asparagus in a little water in a non-stick skillet until just tender.

Drain.

Put in a two quart casserole dish. Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and cook one minute.

Pour in half and half; whisk to blend with flour. Bring to a boil.

Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add cheese. Blend until cheese is melted. Pour over asparagus. Sprinkle cracker crumbs on top.

Place under broiler for 3 minutes or until very lightly golden. Serves 4.

Pickled Okra-Ham Rolls Emily Ann Tatum 1/2 lb. sliced Virginia ham 8-oz. container whipped cream cheese with chives 12-oz. jar pickled okra Lay ham pieces out flat. Spread cream cheese onto ham.

Trim ends of okra. Lay okra end to end across one side of ham.

Roll up so there will be several layers of ham.

Chill until ingredients are firm.

Slice into 1/2 inch pieces and serve. Makes 50.

Looks best served on green leaf lettuce.

Turtle Cheesecake Reynolds Tatum Crust: 3 cups graham cracker crumbs 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 3 Tbsp. sugar Filling: 6 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened 2 ½ cups sugar ½ cup flour 1 cup sour cream 1½ Tbsp. vanilla 5 eggs Topping: 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels 1/2 pkg. (14 oz.) Kraft Caramels 1/4 cup milk 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate Crust: Mix crust ingredients together. Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Pour into bottom of pan and press up on the sides Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Filling: Mix cream cheese for

3 minutes. Then add sugar and flour; add sour cream and vanilla.

Add eggs 1 at a time; do not overmix. Pour in pan. Wrap pan in foil.

Set pan in roasting pan.

Ladle boiling water into roasting pan half way up the sides of pan.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Reduce to 325 for 30 minutes.

Turn off oven and leave door partly open for an hour.

Refrigerate uncovered for 6 hours. Put topping on before serving Topping: Microwave caramels and milk in small bowl on high 3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Drizzle over cheesecake.

Melt chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over cheesecake.

Sprinkle pecan crumbles and mini chocolate chips on top.

Then drizzle the rest of the chocolate and caramel mixtures on top. Chill until ready to serve.

Buttermilk Pie Lynn Tatum 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup butter, melted 3 eggs 1 cup buttermilk 2 rounded Tbsp. flour 1 Tbsp. lemon extract Two 8-inch pastry shells Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients,

except pastry shells, in a bowl.

Pour mixture into two pastry shells.

Bake 30 minutes.

Turn oven off.

Leave in oven overnight to cook. Very easy to make.

The secret of success is leaving pies in oven overnight.

No peeping.

Grandmother Deet’s Coconut Cookies Reynolds Tatum 1 can Eagle Brand Condensed Milk

1 can coconut 1 cup chopped nuts 1 3/4 cups graham crackers Mix graham crackers with condensed milk;

add coconut and chopped nuts.

Drop onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes.

Lil’s Cranberry Salad Lynn Tatum 6 oz. box lemon Jell-O 6 oz. box orange Jell-O 2 cups boiling water 1/2 cup cold

water 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained 20 oz. can crushed pineapple 16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce

Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water.

Add cold water; cool.

Blend with remaining ingredients.

Mold and refrigerate.

Opelika

A10

Family & Religion

November 14, 2018

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

he parables of Jesus offer us yet another dimension of His teaching. But knowing what we know about Christ, should we really be surprised that He found so many creative ways to talk about the kingdom of heaven? After all, the subject matter lends itself to the highest and most powerful expressions we know.

Working from Matthew’s gospel, we noted last week the parable of the two builders used at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount (7:24-27). But, that was at the end of an extended message whose meaning was clear and the parable simply served to illustrate the importance of putting into practice the teachings of Jesus. When we get to chapter 13, the landscape has completely

the people in changed. parables?” I Matthew intake this as a forms us that thinly veiled Jesus “did objection on not say anytheir part that thing to them what Jesus without using

By Bruce Green had just said a parable” Teaching Minister at was diffi(v. 34). If Christ hadn’t 10th Street Church of cult for any Christ in Opelika of them to spoken so understand. clearly to the And it’s true. Many of point that the parathe parables leave us bles were about “the scratching our head. kingdom of heaven” Even after we hear Je(v. 11), we would be sus’ explanation of the tempted to say that parable we still may parables in chapter not fully understand it 13 don’t illustrate the it—there are elements subject—they are the that confuse us and subject! parts we are uncertain It’s also imporof. tant to note that the There’s a reason parables of chapter Jesus moved in this 13 aren’t anywhere direction in His near as readily transteaching. We’ve seen parent as the story of the rejection of Him the two builders. We growing in chapters know that because when we read them we 11-12. Matthew lists the Pharisees, Jesus’ have something of the family, and four refersame reaction that the ences by Christ to a disciples did in v. 10 when they asked Jesus, “generation” (11:16ff) “Why do You speak to that was “wicked and

Church calendar

• Pepperell Baptist is offering a Wednesday evening ministry program from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. for preschool and elementary Children called “Wow-Worship on Wednesday.” The evening program of music, Bible messages for children, crafts, fun activities, and snack began in September. Registration forms are filled out on the first evening. Contact Ryno Jones Childrens, Youth Minister, or Beth Pinyerd at 334745-3108.

• First Baptist Church of Opelika will hold a Christ-

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

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

mas Celebration Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., which will include musical performances by the church’s childrens choir, youth ensemble and Sunshine Singers.

• Christian comedian Tim Hawkins will perform at First Baptist Church of Opelika Feb. 7. Besides comedy, Hawkins is known for his songwriting and singing abilities. For more information or ticketing options, visit www.timhawkins.brushfire.com.

adulterous” (12:39) and would be condemned (v. 41-42) as forming the foundation for this. That’s a substantial basis—the religious leaders, the people and your family. As a result, Jesus began to speak differently. He spoke in a way that wouldn’t be understood by those who didn’t want to understand and would be understood by those who wanted to understand. That’s the essence of 13:11-17 in light of the overall context of what has happened in Jesus’ ministry.

Parables then are in a sense, insider talk about the kingdom of God. As Jesus’ focus and attention turned from teaching the crowds to almost exclusively teaching the twelve and preparing them for what was ahead, He adopted a method consistent

with that. He taught in a way that would lessen the crowds and (ultimately) deepen the disciples.

It’s hard for us to appreciate this aspect of insider knowledge due to the fact that more has been written and said about the teachings of Christ than any other subject known to man. It has been dispersed on all continents and in all countries. Even the most militant outsider today has access to the insider truths of the kingdom. All of that makes it difficult to appreciate what Jesus was doing and what it must have been like.

Nonetheless, making the effort to do so provides a helpful context for understanding the parables.

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

REVIVAL MEETING'S PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH LEE COUNTY ROAD 401 SALEM, ALABAMA Last Night: Nov. 14 6:30 p.m.

Evangelist: Rev. Aaron McCollough, Freshfire Ministries, and Associational Director of Missions, Lagrange, Georgia.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

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

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

Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!

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

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

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

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

pelika O Observer

A11 November 14, 2018

OBITUARIES Sharron Robinson Fuller Sharron Robinson Fuller, 47, of Opelika, Alabama, died on Friday, November 9, 2018, as a result of a tragic automobile accident.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, John Fuller and their two children, Kathryn and Houston of Opelika. She is also survived by her mother Sue Neal Robinson of Cullman, two sisters: Susan Eller (Jim) and their daughter Sarah of Cullman; Sandee Burney (Jay) and their sons Jadie, Judson, and Jack of Huntsville; and brother, Jeff Robinson (Mary) and their daughters Meg, Gracie, and Kate of Birmingham. She is also survived by John’s parents, Dr. Earle and Ann Fuller of Opelika, John’s sister, Beth Susan Boothe Kelly 1954-2018 Mrs. Susan Boothe Kelly, 64, of Opelika, put her ten year battle with cancer behind her Sunday, November 11, 2018 and opened her eyes in our Savior’s glory. Those she taught and worked alongside at Opelika Middle School remember her as

Fuller of Birmingham, and brothers Steve Fuller (Dee) of Kernersville, North Carolina, sons Josef and Clayton, and daughter Elizabeth of Chattanooga; Eric Fuller (Andrea), son Rush of Ozark, and son Jones and daughter Leslie of Auburn.

Sharron was preceded in death by her father, Elwin Ray Robinson, and her grandparents, Ethel and Fred Robinson and Grace and Ernest Neal, all of Cullman.

She was born on September 7, 1971, in Colbert County, Alabama. She graduated from Good Hope High School in 1989, where she was Miss Heritage and homecoming queen. She attended Wallace State Community College and was a 1994 graduate of Auburn University with honors in Civil Engineering. Sharron their consumer science teacher. Her church family and the community will miss her bubbly, loving presence that followed her as she served them with her many talents.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama to Charles Boothe and Louise Cayton Boothe, she grew up in Opelika.

She is survived by

was employed by the Alabama Department of Transportation for 26 years where she worked as a project manager and assistant district manager.

Sharron was an incredibly faithful and active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Personnel Committee. She also served in many leadership roles in the Student Ministry including Sunday School teacher, Discipleship leader, and key leader in the Mexico Mission Outreach.

She was an incredibly beautiful person, full of life and contagious energy, who brought joy to everyone. She devoted her life to helping family and friends of all ages and from all walks her spouse, Mark Kelly; and sons: Daniel (Leah) and Adam (Ginny); her grandchildren: Drannon, Lecy, and Carter were precious to their “SuSu” and siblings: Sandie (Huey) Ford and Chuck (Sue) Boothe; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family will join with the community

Tomb N' Groom Crew, LLC ✓ We repair and maintain cemeteries ✓ We manage cemetery restoration projects ✓ We safely clean markers & monuments Located in Opelika, AL Serving east AL, west GA, & Montgomery 334-744-9809 www.tombgroomcrew.com

of life. She never hesitated to welcome a stranger. She was known for her culinary skills and creative and artistic projects. She will also be remembered for her warm and generous hospitality.

Many hearts are broken over losing such a loving and compassionate wife, mother, loved one, and friend.

A graveside service was held Sunday, November 11, 2018, at 2:00 pm at Garden Hills Cemetery, followed by visitation from 2:30 to 4:00 pm, and funeral at 4:00 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, Opelika, Alabama.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Mexico Mission Fund, at 800 Second Avenue, Opelika, Alabama, 36801.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed. and brothers and sisters in Christ at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Church of Christ on Tenth Street in Opelika for a celebration of a life well lived.

A visitation for Mrs. Kelly will be held one hour prior to the Memo-

Genevieve Stebbins Mrs. Genevieve Stebbins, age 97, of Opelika, passed away on Monday, November 5, 2018. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.

Visitation was held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment followed at Auburn Memorial Park. Reverend David Camphouse officiated.

Mrs. Stebbins is preceded in death by her husband, Lew Stebbins, a U.S. Army Veteran, in 2010.

She is survived by her daughters: Linda Chance rial service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m. at Tenth Street Church of Christ.

Thank you to the staff at EAMC, Dr. Linda Farmer, and the Oncology teams, for the support and direction on this journey.

(James) of Opelika; Micki Baker of Loachapoka; son, Donald Stebbins (Suzanne) of Chicopee, Massachusetts; as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Stebbins was a longtime resident of Opelika. She went to the School of Nursing in Columbus, GA. She had worked for several years ago as an LPN at the Medical Center in Columbus. Mrs. Stebbins worked many years as an Avon Representative. Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins were long time members of Grace United Methodist Church of Auburn and of the Auburn Square Dancing Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the church for the Romania mission’s work, which would bring Susan much joy.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral home is directing.

— SMALL CHANGE —

BIG

DIFFERENCE Follow these tips to lower your power bill.

Program your thermostat to 68° or lower.

Set ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter.

For more ways to save by making your home more energy efficient, visit AlabamaPower.com/tips.

© 2018 Alabama Power Company

Raise your blinds to let the sun help heat your home.

pelika O Observer

A12 November 14, 2018

Feast,

from A7

Stoneground Grits Spicy Corn Relish, Bacon Jam, Etoufée Sauce, Creole Lemon BBQ Sauce Fried Catfish, Shrimp Sauté Grilled Jalapeno Peppers, Green Onions, Garlic Roasted Tomatoes Smoked Gouda, Sharp Cheddar Hot Selection Wild Mushroom Cornbread Dressing Roasted Root Vegetables Sautéed Green Beans with Bacon and Roasted Chestnuts Sweet Potato Casserole with Spiced Pecan Crumble

Sweet Garden Peas and Pearl Onions Au Gratin Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Buttery Sautéed Leeks Bourbon Maple Glazed Roast Pork Loin Herb Roasted Turkey Pan Gravy Cranberry Relish and Cranberry Sauce Desserts NOLA Bread Pudding with Amaretto Glaze White Chocolate Crème Chef’s Selection of Assorted Desserts Dessert Action Station Bananas Foster with Smoked Maple Bourbon Pecan Ice Cream.

Bighouse Foundation releases calendar of upcoming events Special to the Opelika Observer There are multiple ways for people to get involved with the Bighouse Foundation this December.

Donating toys, giving financially and volunteering are just some of the ways people can help. For more information, visit www.ourbighouse.org.

• "A-O Christmas Market will benefit BigHouse Foundation, Women's Hope" Proceeds from the inaugural "A-O

Christmas Market" Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 will benefit the missions of the BigHouse Foundation and Women's Hope. Admission is $10 or $5 with the donation of a new, unopened toy.

• "Ornament Decorating Party Nov. 20" Taylor Made Designs will host an ornament decorating party Nov. 20 from 3-6 p.m. to benefit the BigHouse. Ornaments cost $5 each.

• "10th Birthday Bash scheduled for Feb. 21" BigHouse's "10th

Birthday Bash" will be held Feb. 21.

Jason Johnson will serve as the guest keynote speaker.

The event is free to

attend, but there will opportunities to donate. To reserve tickets or tables, send emails to bighouse@ ourbighouse.org.

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

Upcoming Football Playoff Games

Nov. 16

Auburn v. Lee-Montgomery (H) Opelika v. Bessemer City (A)

‘Special Olympics Iron Bowl’ to be held Nov. 18 in Auburn

By Morgan Bryce Editor

On the Mark

By D. Mark Mitchell

Opelika defeats St. Paul 38-20, will travel to take on Bessemer City in second round of playoffs

T

he Opelika football team (6-4) defeated St Paul’s 38-20 last Friday night at Bulldog Stadium in the first round of the 6A State playoffs.

The win propelled Opelika to a second round game at Bessemer City Friday night at 7pm.

The Bulldogs scored 24 first-half points while holding the Saints scoreless for the first two quarters.

Cade Blackmon started the scoring, diving one yard for a touchdown with 6:14 left in the first quarter, which was followed by a successful Baker Rowton extra-point

attempt.

Fewer than four minutes later, Marshall Meyers nailed a 35-yard field goal to extend the Bulldog lead to 10-0.

Opelika added two more TDs in the second quarter, with Brantan Barnett running three yards for a score and Blackmon scoring his second TD on a 1-yard run. Rowton made both PATs, giving the Bulldogs a 24-point lead at halftime.

St Paul scored their first points of the game on a 15yard run by Jordan Ingram with 8:06 left in the third quarter to cut the Opelika See Bulldogs, page B3

The public is invited to attend the annual “Special Olympics Iron Bowl” Nov. 18 at Duck Samford Stadium in Auburn.

Special needs athletes from Lee and Tuscaloosa counties will participate in the flag football contest as a part of the ongoing “College Rivalry Series,” a way to promote both county’s Special Olympics programs and help raise vital funding for the organizations.

“We are really encouraging the

community to come out and support our athletes, and we’re using the Iron Bowl both as an opportunity to raise awareness and help support our efforts,” said LCSO Director Elizabeth Kaufman.

Beginning at 1 p.m., members of Auburn High School’s self-contained classroom and marching band will lead off with a performance of the national anthem followed by a statement of encouragement from newly elected City of Auburn Mayor Ron Anders.

Two Lee County

athletes will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and in a recitation of the LCSO oath.

Representatives from Auburn University’s Via College of Medicine and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity will serve as peer partners on the field with athletes.

Throughout the contest, Auburn High School’s pep band and cheer squad, along with Auburn Junior High’s and LCSO’s special needs cheer squads, will provide sideline entertainment.

This will be Kaufman’s second

Iron Bowl event to coordinate, and she said she is looking forward to seeing the genuine happiness and excitement on the faces of her athletes.

“I was very excited to see the Iron Bowl come to life … the moment that our athletes ran out on the field to start the game (last year), I was so pumped up.

You know how hard they worked and you see the looks on their faces, they’re in full concentration and they’re ready and they’re fired up See Iron Bowl, page B3

Beulah comes up short v. thirdranked Thomasville Friday

Hornets start strong, blow lead in loss to Pleasant Grove

By Morgan Bryce and Rick Lanier For the Opelika Observer

Beauregard ended its season in melodramatic fashion Friday night, falling 42-21 to the Pleasant Grove Spartans.

Playing with the absence of impact wide receiver Jared McDonald, the Hornets still managed to generate 21 first-half points and more than 200 yards of total offense.

On the game’s opening drive, senior quarterback

Quatavious Seroyer helped march the Hornets down the field, connecting with Jaion Goodson on a 38-yard touchdown pass to take the early 7-0 lead.

The Spartans countered four minutes later, as quarterback Zyquez Perryman hit Jaivian Willis on a 19-yard TD strike to tie the game.

Beauregard reclaimed the lead on a 14-yard TD toss to Collin Sumner with 1:26 left in the first quarter.

Pleasant Grove tied Beau See Hornets, page B3

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Beulah quarterback Lonzie Portis runs through the Thomasville defense during last Friday’s first-round playoff game at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats dropped a tight 7-0 contest to finish 8-3 for the season, their best record since the 1995 season. Coach Cody Flournoy has compiled an 11-10 record in two seasons at the school.

By Morgan Bryce Editor Beulah’s magical 2018 season came to a close Friday night, as the Bobcats dropped a hardfought 7-0 defensive first-round playoff battle to Thomasville.

Stellar defensive play, sloppy field conditions and chilly temperatures played a major role in the contest being a tight affair.

The usually efficient Bobcat rushing offense was limited to

52 yards on 34 rushing attempts, a mere 1.5 yards per carry average.

Thomasville’s Jayla Tolar rushed fourstraight times inside the redzone to cap the game’s only scoring drive, plunging in

from a yard out late in the second quarter.

Beulah’s defense forced two turnovers in the second half, but failed to capitalize.

In his final game as a Bobcat, Caden See Bobcats, page B3

B2 November 14, 2018

pelika O Observer

Beauregard Player of the Week

Player of the Week brought to you by

Zone 2 screens

Senior wide receiver Collin Sumner was named the Beauregard Player of the Week. In Friday's 42-21 first-round playoff loss to Pleasant Grove, Sumner finished with five receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.

1804 Thomason Dr. Opelika , AL. 36801

Beulah Player of the Week Senior linebacker Caden Dowdell was named the Beulah Player of the Week. In Friday’s 7-0 first-round playoff loss to Thomasville, Dowdell finished with nine tackles, fumble recovery and a sack.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK The City of Opelika is proud to sponsor the Opelika High School Player of the Week.

We applaud you for your HARD WORK and DEDICATION on and off the football field.

Senior quarterback Cade Blackmon was named the Opelika Player of the Week. Blackmon completed 21-of-27 passes for 200 yards and rushed nine times for 30 yards and two touchdowns.

IT’S THE OPELIKA WAY.

GO DAWGS! #myOpelika • #beOpelika www.opelika-al.gov Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

2018 observer

pelika O Observer Opelika,

from B1

lead to 24-7.

Barnett ended any thoughts of a comeback moments later, sprinting 80 yards for a TD. St Paul’s added two TDs and OHS tacked on the last score with 5:51 left in the game, coming on an eight-yard run by Kani Kellum.

Opelika finished with 468 yards of total offense, passing for 213 yards and rushing for 245.

The Bulldogs will play the four-seed Bessemer City High School Purple Tigers (7-4) Friday night. The second-round playoff game will be the firstever meeting between the two schools.

Bessemer City enters the game with wins over: Huffman 21-14, Spain Park 16-14, Paul Bryant 32-13, Wenonah 21-0, Brookwood 47-18, Northridge 50-10 and Park Crossing 21-13.

The Purple Tigers four losses are 53-34 to Hilcrest, 33-14 to Hueytown, 16-12 to McAdory and 35-23 to Minor.

The two teams depend on the run first as you can see from the following stats. Bessemer City averages 122 yards passing yards and 228 yards rushing yards per game. The Purple Tigers have scored 269 points while allowing 219 points.

Opelika averages 132 passing yards and 187 rushing yards per game. The Bulldogs have scored 304 points and allowed 197 points.

On the defensive side, both teams have recorded 20-plus sacks. The big difference, Bessemer City has 20 interceptions compared to Opelika’s three.

The winner advances to the quarterfinals against the winner of Saraland v. Hueytown.

Fans can listen to the

game on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM and online at kickerfm.com.

OPELIKA BASKETBALL The Opelika boys basketball team opened the 2018 season with a 69-47 blowout win over 7A Prattville at the school’s Sports Arena last week. Taye Fields led the Bulldogs with 20 points. Trey Boone scored 18 with Brandon Howard and Ant McGuire adding eight points each.

Coach John Wadsworth’s team jumped out to a 19-8 first quarter lead and increased the lead 41-20 at halftime. The defense was led by Jaylin Cumins, Trey Boone and Caleb Phillips.

The Opelika girls basketball team played in the “Hazel Green Invitational” Friday and Saturday. The Lady Bulldogs finished 2-1.

Opelika beat George W. Carver 58-22 and Lee of Huntsville 5741. Tuscaloosa County defeated Opelika 4441 for the Bulldogs’ only loss. They also defeated Northside in Dothan on Sunday, winning 75-36.

AREA BASKETBALL ACTION The girls host Lafay-

ette Thursday at 5:30 p.m. while the boys host Loachapoka at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Lady Bulldogs travel to Columbus Saturday to play LaGrange.

PERSONAL NOTE Last Friday afternoon, Sharron Robinson Fuller went to be with the Lord after a tragic accident. As a friend for more than 25 years and serving as a groomsman in she and her husband John’s wedding, I send sincere condolences to the Robinson and Fuller families.

Sharon leaves behind two beautiful children, Kathryn and Houston, and 25 years of marriage to John. Sharron always smiled and had a “glow” about her, as if she was an Angel from God! Those of us who were blessed to meet and know Sharron, understand her Godly thoughts and that beautiful smile.

Rest in peace, Sharron. The Mitchell Family loves you.

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

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer The Opelika boys basketball team cruised to a 69-47 beatdown of 7A Prattville last week. Opelika’s Taye Fields led the Bulldogs in scoring with 20 points. The boys will return to the court Thursday v. Loachapoka. First tip is set for 6:30 p.m.

Iron Bowl,

from B1

for the game,” Kaufman said. “Seeing that look of passion in their eyes is so exciting to see.”

Lee County looks to

Hornets,

from B1

regard 14-14 early on the second quarter with Jamaryon Furlow cashing into paydirt from two yards out.

Hornets running back Ashton Moss scored his team’s final touchdown, slicing in from 12 yards out to give his team a 21-14 halftime advantage.

The second half saw the Hornets unravel as a team, allowing 28 points and multiple players leaving or

Bobcats,

from B1

Dowdell turned in a solid performance, finishing with nine tackles, sack and crucial fumble recovery inside Tiger territory. Even with starting field position at the Thomasville 12-yard line, the Beulah offense went backwards on four consecutive plays before turning the ball over on downs.

A late defensive stand

B3 November 14, 2018 defend its title after a close win last year in Tuscaloosa.

Admission is free, but there will be a freewill offering at the gate and concessions will be offered during the game.

Proceeds will directly benefit the mission and event of the LCSO as

well as equipment and travel costs.

For more information or updates on the event, like and follow the “Special Olympics Alabama - Lee County” Facebook page or call 334-501-2939. The venue is located at 1600 E. University Drive.

taken out of the game for unknown reasons, most noticeably Seroyer.

Pleasant Grove’s coaching staff identified their team’s first half defensive lapses and adjusted them for the second half, limiting Beauregard to 72 yards of total offense and star receiver Isaiah McKissic to one reception during the contest.

Perryman followed a 38-yard TD run by Kavon Dunn with two more TD passes, coming on throws to Tyler Christopher and

Furlow.

Beauregard trailed 35-21 for most of the fourth quarter, until Furlow scored his third TD of the night on an 8-yard run with 3:30 left in the contest.

With the loss, Beauregard falls to 5-5 overall for the season.

Pleasant Grove improves to 9-2 overall and will host 9-2 Demopolis this Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

Beauregard Coach Rob Carter was not available for comment at the conclusion of the game.

in the fourth quarter gave the Bobcat offense the ball on their own 1-yard line with a chance to tie. With two seconds left, Beulah attempted a trick play, utilizing multiple laterals in an attempt to catch the Tiger defense napping.

However, an alert Thomasville defender knocked a weak lateral pitch out of bounds to end the game.

Finishing with 125 yards of total offense, Beulah was led by quarterback Lonzie Portis and tight end, who finished 9-of-23 passing for 73 yards and

three receptions for 36 yards.

L.C. Moore, Colt Abney and Hancock played well behind Dowdell, holding the Tigers to 203 yards of total offense.

With the loss, Beulah falls to 8-3 overall, its best finish to a season since 1995.

The Bobcats graduate 12 seniors from a class loaded with talent, including Dowdell, Hancock, Portis, punter/defensive end Isaiah Glidewell, offensive lineman Jacob Burdette and running back Quin Page.

pelika O Observer

B4 November 14, 2018

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA; IN THE ESTATE OF HAROLD L. JOHNSON, DECEASED; CASE NO.: 2018-C-045; NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take notice that Letters Administration of said deceased having been granted to J. BRANDON RICE, Personal Representative, on the 31st day of October, 2018, 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.

J. Brandon Rice Administrator of the Estate of Harold L. Johnson Legal Run 11/07/18, 11/14/18 & 11/21/18

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NELL F. HANS, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 23rd day of October, 2018, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

DIANE H. HENSLEY Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 11/07/18, 11/14/18 & 11/21/18

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA THE STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE WILL OF ANNA ELIZABETH SMITH, DECEASED NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters Testamentary on the Estate of Anna Elizabeth Smith, deceased, having been gratned to Henry Lewis Smith on the 31st day of October, 2018, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of said county, 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.

Henry Lewis Smith Legal Run 11/07/18, 11/14/18, 11/21/18

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN RE: THE ESTATE OF TAYLOR ALEXANDRA WEBSTER, DECEASED, CASE NUMBER: 2018-B-016 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration have been grated to John Hopkins as Administrator of the Estate of Taylor Alexandra Webster, deceased, on the 3rd day of July 2018

by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

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

BY John Hopkins, Personal Representative of the Estate of Taylor Alexander Webster Legal Run 11/07/18, 11/14/18, & 11/21/18

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers in the Public Works Administrative Building located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: 1. A public hearing on a request

by John C. Beard, authorized representative for William S. Beard Sr., property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of the John Beard, William Beard, Jr. subdivision consisting of 2 lots accessed at 8370 Highway 29 North.

2. A public hearing on a request

by Joshua Howard, authorized

representative for Bobby & Shirlene Parker and Michael & Jacqueline Brown, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Michael C. Brown and Jacqueline M. Brown subdivision, consisting of 2 lots at 1390 Lee Road 166.

3. A public hearing on a request by James L. McCrory, authorized representative for HWS, LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of Winding Creek Acres subdivision consisting of 2 lots accessed at 601 Lee Road 0148.

4. A public hearing on a request

by Al Keeler, authorized representative for ALDI, Inc., for preliminary and final plat approval of the Redivision of Lot 1 Center Point Subdivision, First Revision, First Addition, consisting of 2 lots at 2400 Frederick Road.

5. A public hearing on a request

by Blake Rice, authorized representative for 280 Land Company, LLC for preliminary plat approval of the Hidden Lakes subdivision consisting of 190 lots accessed at 1520 West Point Parkway.

6. A public hearing on a request by Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc., authorized representative for the Retirement Systems of Alabama for preliminary plat approval of the National Village Plat GV subdivision consisting of 3 lots accessed at 3000 block Robert Trent Jones Trail.

7. A request by Dino McDowell, authorized representative for D.H. McDowell Family, LLLP, property owner, for final plat approval of The Reserve at Wyndham Gates subdivision, Phase two, consisting of 85 lots accessed from

Gateway Drive.

8. A public hearing on a request

by Travis Taylor, authorized representative for Stephen T. King, property owner, for conditional use approval for an automobile towing and storage business at 2001 Airport Road.

9. A public hearing on a request by Marcus D. Thomas, authorized representative for Intellivest, Inc., property owner, for conditional use approval for an automobile wash & detailing business at 284 Columbus Parkway.

10. A public hearing on a request by Rod Goldie, authorized representative for West Fraser, Inc., property owner, for conditional use approval for a new planer mill and storage buildings at 2100 Industrial Boulevard.

11. (a) An agenda item relating to a rezoning request (see b below) concerning an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 5 acres at 2015 Gateway Drive from institutional to light commercial if the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the property. (b) A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on the request by the Foresite Group, Inc, authorized representative for Bush Properties, Inc., property owner, to rezone 5 acres located at 2015 Gateway Drive from an I-1, GC-P zoning district to a C-2, GC-P zoning district.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox

Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/ public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings.

The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council.

Please contact Lisa McLeod, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5132 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 11/14/2018

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO: 2018-C-012 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES URIAH CHESTNUTT NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary of said deceased, having been granted to Pamela A. Chestnutt, on the 6th day of November 2018, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Pamela A. Chestnutt, Personal Representative Legal Run 11/14/18, 11/21/18 & 11/28/18

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS Looking for Work English tutor, proofreader, editor for writings available now.

Qualified for high school, college, business and translation work. Email embak@ me.com

Help Wanted CyberZone is currently hiring for a variety of positions: Saturday and night availability is required. Interviews start

next week. Immediate openings for: • Supervisor, experience required, avg 2535 hours per week • Key Holder, experience required, avg 1525 hours per week • Attractions Rotation, avg. 5-15 hours per week • Event Coordinator, experience required, avg. 8-20 hours per week plus commission Near Future openings for: • Party Host, avg 4-12 hours per week plus

tips • Kitchen cook/runner, avg. 4-12 hours per week All we require is a cheerful, outgoing, welcoming disposition, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high energy environment, self-motivation, initiative, and a drive for excellence.

For Rent 809 2nd Avenue 7000 sq. ft. commercial building for rent or sale.

Contact The Brown Agency at 334-7453584 or visit thebrownagency.com/rentals/ listing/127 Affordable office space Located in downtown Opelika for low traffic business. Utilities included. Two small offices for $395.00 each and 1 large office for $525.00. All are upstairs. Call Rice Rentals at 334-364-0480.

100 B 4th Ave., Ope-

lika 2 bdrm/2 bath apt. with screened back porch. $750.00 per month Call Rice Rentals 334-364-0480 82 Lee Rd. 2146 Salem, AL 4 bdrm/2 bath with double car garage.

Smiths Station School District. Available 12/1/2018, $1250.00 per month.

Call Rice Rentals 334-364-0480

Coming Soon!

459 Lee Rd 2087, Salem - Cute & Clean, 3 bd/2 bath with single carport and large back yard. Smiths Station School system. $900.00 per month.

Call Rice Rentals 334-364-0480 Coming Soon!

900 Cutler Ridge Rd., Opelika - 3 bdrm/2 bath with garage and fenced back yard. $1375.00 per month Call Rice Rentals 334-364-0480

ALASCAN CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES LEADING SMART home provider Vivint Smart Home has an offer just for you. Call 1-877220-8817 to get a professionally installed home security system with $0 activation.

HEALTH/BEAUTY A PLACE For Mom has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you.

Call 1-855-398-9908.

WANT YOUR ad to be seen in 120 newspapers statewide? Place your ad in our Classified Network for just $210 per week!

Make one call to this newspaper (a participating ALA-SCAN member) or call 1-800-264-7043 to find out how easy it is to advertise statewide!

ATTENTION DIABETICS! Get Your Diabetic Testing Supplies at Little to No Cost and Have Them Delivered Right to Your Door. Shipping is FREE! We accept most insurance and Medicare Part D. Call Now! 1-866602-7010

INSURANCE LOWEST PRICES on Health Insurance. We have the best rates from top companies! See how much you can save, CALL NOW! 1-844335-8693.

SAVE ON your Medicare supplement! Select Quote is dedicated to finding a Medicare plan right for you and your wallet. Call 1-833-8416243 today and receive a free quote from one of our multiple carriers

ATTENTION: VIAGRA and Cialis Users! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special-$99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed.

Call Now: 1-855-3824115 HAVE A CPAP machine for SLEEP APNEA? Get replacement FDA approved CPAP machine parts and supplies at little or no cost! Free sleep guide included! 1-855667-6541 (Mon.-Fri.) OXYGEN -ANYTIME. Anywhere. No tanks

to refill. No deliveries.

The all-new Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds!

FAA approved! Free info kit: 1-844-264-9500.

HELP WANTED THE UNIVERSITY of Alabama is currently accepting applications for Police Officers-507655.

The Police Officer performs law enforcement duties and provides services that enable the University of Alabama to achieve its mission. The Police Officer will work day, evening, night shift to include weekends, and holidays as assigned, which may include voluntary or mandatory overtime. Starting pay rate: $24.75 to $27.02.

For more information on the requirements, skills and knowledge needed for the job along with details of the hiring process and a link to submit your application, visit the UAPD Recruitment webpage at https://police.ua.edu/ recruitment. Job close date 11/21/2018. To apply, go to staffjobs. ua.edu. The University of Alabama is an equalopportunityemployer (EOE), including an

EOE of protected vets and individuals with disabilities.

FINANCIAL SERVICES SAVE YOUR Home!

Are you behind paying your Mortgage? Denied a Loan Modification?

Threatened with Foreclosure? Call the Homeowner’s Relief Line now for Help! 844-745-1384 WANTED TO BUY FREON R12 wanted: Certified buyer will pay cash for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. 1-312291-9169; www.refrigerantfinders.com FOR SALE CHURCH FURNITURE: Does your church need pews, pulpit set, baptistery, steeple, windows? Big Sale on new cushioned pews and pew chairs. 1-800-2318360. www.pews1.com.

MISCELLANEOUS DONATE YOUR Car to Charity. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup.

Call for details. 1-844810-1257

real estate

Haz

auctions

88 Properties Throughout Alabama Upcoming Auctions & Homes Available to Buy Now!

Homes & Land in Ashville, Athens, Atmore, Bessemer, Birmingham, Cherokee, Cullman, Decatur, Dothan, Florence, Fultondale, Gadsden, Hartselle, Huntsville, Madison, McCalla, Mobile, Montgomery, 6390 Cove Lane #5, McCalla Pelham, Pinson, Selma, Tuscaloosa & more!

800.801.8003 • williamsauction.com/AL AL DANIEL NELSON RE LIC 94692-0. THOMAS BARNES 1024. BUYER’S PREMIUM MAY APPLY.

HPV VACCINE FACTS:

Prevents 90% of HPV Cancers.

HPV 4 out of 5 vaccine can people will prevent get HPV in at least 6 their lives. types of cancers.

HPV VACCINE IS CANCER PREVENTION!

alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

pelika O Observer

B5 November 14, 2018

Community Calendar: Events around town

Ongoing: • Village Friends/Village Values is a nonprofit organization that supports seniors who prefer to stay in their own homes as they grow older. For info or to schedule a presentation to your group, call 334209-4641. For the website, Google “village friends village values.”

• The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR chapter is appealing for sweaters, jackets, trousers, shirts and socks, women’s clothing, soft soap in individual containers, shaving supplies, disposable razors, denture cleanser, toothpaste and toothbrushes, DVDs, games, books and magazines to take to veterans at the CAVHCS in Tuskegee. The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR Chapter regularly visits veterans living in assisted living, the homeless domiciliary and psych (trauma) ward in Tuskegee. Donations are tax deductible and will be much appreciated. Pick up is provided. Please call Linda Shabo at 887-6659 or at 256-307-1449.

Mondays: • “Gimme A Break” Support Group for parents whose children have autism will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika. This is a monthly event on the first Monday of each month for parents to connect with each other.

• The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary meets the third Monday at 7 p.m. at 910 West Point Parkway in Opelika.

• The Opelika Community Band practices from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Auburn High School band room.

Everyone is welcome, amateurs and professionals alike.

• Smiths Station Military Chapter of Military Officers Association of Ameri-

ca (MOAA) meets weekly at Mike & Ed’s at 5 p.m.

For more information, call 297-5581 or visit www. nonukesforiran.org.

• The Lee County Voters League meets the first Monday of every month at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1335 Auburn St. in Opelika.

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

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

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

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

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

sentation, participants can send questions via email.

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

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

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

• A monthly educational program on topics for autism parents, caregivers and teachers will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Ave., Opelika from 6-7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided, but reservations need to be made by contacting Maria Gutierrez at mariag@leecountyautism. com to make sure there are enough volunteers.

• The East Alabama Old Car Club meets every first Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Monarch Estates Clubhouse, located at 1550 East University Drive, Auburn.

A program of interest to the old car enthusiast is presented. Car ownership is not required.

• The Opelika City Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of each

month at 7 p.m. Meetings are preceded by non-voting work sessions that typically begin about 6:30-6:45 p.m.

• Every second Tuesday, a country, gospel and bluegrass music jam session is held at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Beauregard. The event is free and open to the public.

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

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

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

• The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Tuesday evening from 6:308:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Regional Airport. The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit organization that is Congressionally chartered to be the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and focuses on three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. For more information visit www. auburncap.org or find the organization on Facebook.

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

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

in Opelika.

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

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

• Every Wednesday is Wine Down Wednesday at the Bottling Plant Event Center from 5 - 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.

• TNT – Teens N Transition is a monthly program for teens and young adults ages 14 and up. The group uses this time to learn social skills as well as connect with others on the autism spectrum. They have enjoyed cooking, bowling, laser tag, movies and game nights. This event is held the third Thursday of each month. Visit leecountyautism.com for more information.

• Opelika-Auburn Newcomers’ Club provides a variety of programs for the betterment of the Auburn/ Opelika community to assist women transitioning into the area or to help women adjust to recent lifestyle changes. The club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon at various local restaurants.

Please call or email Cheri Paradice at 334-737-5215 or cheri.paradice@gmail. com for more information or luncheon location of the month.

• The Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group meets at the Health Resource Center at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.

• T.O.U.C.H. Cancer Support Group meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at EAMC’s Health Resource Roundup_NY_Press_2018.qxp_W&L

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.

• The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, a center for cultural arts located in downtown Smiths Station, is delighted to announce a New Season of Studio Classes, and specialty programs for Continued Fine Art Education. *New Youth Portrait Classes beginning Dec. 3, held every Monday 6-7 p.m. E.S.T. *enrollment is limited Tuesday Evening Classes Return Nov. 27 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. E.S.T. (weekly) *open to adults 18 years old and over New Thursday Afternoon Classes Begin Nov. 29th 3 - 4 p.m. E.S.T. (weekly) *open to adults 18 years old and over Portrait Classes every Wednesday *open to adults 18 years old and over All fine art supplies are always provided. Beginners are welcome and there are no studio use fees.

New After School Weekly Drawing Classes begin November- December For more information or to enroll, call 334-4802008. The studio is located at 2750 Lee Road 430.

• The November meeting of NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will take place at 7 PM on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 East Glenn Avenue in Auburn.

NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy.

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

• Nov. 29 - Dec. 2 Cirque Italia, the spectacular water circus from Italy that will be in Columbus, GA from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. For more information or to purchase tickets, which range in price from $10 - $50, visit www.cirqueitalia.com.

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

8/28/18 1:31 PM Page 1

Attention Homeowners, Farmers & Landscapers have you been diagnosed with

CANCER

after being exposed to the weed killer ®

Roundup ?

If you’ve developed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after using the weed killer Roundup (or other Glyphosate herbicides), the law firm of Weitz and Luxenberg wants to discuss possible compensation. For a free and confidential consultation, call us at 1-866-509-4514 or visit us on the web at www.WeedKillerCancer.com.

WEITZ

&LUXENBERG

PC

700 BROADWAY | NEW YORK, NY 10003 | BRANCH OFFICES IN NJ, CA & MI

866-509-4514 www.WeedKillerCancer.com ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a future outcome. We may associate with local firms in states wherein we do not maintain an office. If no recovery, no fees or costs are charged, unless prohibited by State Law or Rule.

pelika O Observer

B6 November 14, 2018

All I really need to know I learned in Opelika

Beth Pinyerd The Classroom Observer

I

am gently reminded of Robert Fulghum’s poem “All I re-

ally Need To Know, I Learned in Kindergarten” when I think of

how much I love and respect my hometown of Opelika.

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, what to do, and how to be, I learned from the “Greater Generation” here.

School teachers, principals, counselors, parents, community helpers and leaders took time to teach the younger generations about how to prepare our lives when we go into the world.

The Opelika community has always realized that time spent with the younger generations spells love, care, and wisdom! Home is where

the heart is, and this Opelika native has taken her Opelika teaching wherever I have lived.

I attended Auburn University where I earned my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. My husband, the late Carl Pinyerd, and my son, Gus Pinyerd, moved from Opelika in 1987 to Mobile, where my husband’s job took us to live for 31 years. I have taught 34 years in early childhood classrooms in Opelika as well as Baldwin county.

Because of my love in teaching children, I wrote a column titled “Kids Corner” for the

Gulf Coast News as well as Senior Spotlight. My editor was Cliff McCollum, another Opelika native and editor of The Opelika Observer.

Again, Opelika gave me a love for newspaper writing when I wrote for “The Bulldog” newspaper for Opelika High School in 1971.

I want to thank the Opelika community, my hometown, for welcoming me back home. I want to serve the community by providing an educational column that shares events, lessons, and programs that are being held in different educational settings

such as public schools, private schools, Christian schools, home schooling, etc.

It is also my hope this column will be an encouragement to parents to talk to their children and participate in age appropriate activities. There are many new ways in teaching students that we want to learn about!

The Opelika community has always had wonderful educators. I welcome your ideas, advice, and news. You can e-mail these to editor@ opelikaobserver.com or call 334-749-8003.

Beth Jones Pinyerd

Auburn native, ASMS junior finishes fall internship with Auburn University’s Civil Engineering Department Special to the Opelika Observer Sam Dunlop, an Auburn native and junior at the Alabama Schools of Mathematics and Sciences, recently worked as a technical assistant in the Civil Engineering Department at Auburn University.

“I knew I wanted to be somewhere in engineering, and I thought it would be fun to experience real-life ap-

plication,” Dunlop said.

“I wanted to determine what exact field I wanted to go into.”

This opportunity was a summer-long paid internship with Associate Professor Dr. Brian Anderson and other Auburn students.

“I was able to go out in the field and run lab tests on soils,” Dunlop said. “We were trying to determine the strength of rock on a given embankment near Cullman. We also

put stakes in ground at foot intervals and attached wires to each stake to shock the ground with electricity.

We were determining the stability of the soil to prepare for future sinkholes.”

Dunlop’s favorite part about the internship was the real-life aspect of this potential career.

“It was cool to see the non-corporate side of engineering and see more of the scientific

research,” Dunlop said.

“I was also able to talk to college students about their experiences in finding their passions to help understand my future.”

ASMS has given Dunlop many opportunities to learn more about his passion for this career field. Dunlop hopes to become an engineer in the future.

“I wouldn’t trade the experience of learning soft and hard skills here for anything,” Dunlop Dunlop said. “It has given me pursue new things and more of an opportunity meet diverse people.” to be involved with For more informaschool, and it’s given tion, visit www.asms. me opportunities to net.

& Flea Mall

Turkey Table Decor Get ready for Thanksgiving with us!

334-745-3221 • ANGELSANTIQUEANDFLEAMALL.COM 900 COLUMBUS PKWY, OPELIKA 36801 OPEN EVERYDAY 10-7 • SUN 1-5

Best lunch in town . . . any town

Just $5.95 includes a drink

917 So. Railroad Ave. Opelika, AL 36801 334-787-5989

1151 Opelika Road Auburn, AL 36830 334-821-3118

www.niffersplace.com dine in only, Mon-Fri 11-2

Buying or Selling?

Call:

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

www.thedensongroup.com

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Roberson seeks to lead with a ‘servant’s heart’ in LCBOE District 7

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Inside the Statehouse

T

he legendary Alabama storyteller, Kathryn Tucker Windham, used to say, “Alabama is like a big front porch.” She was right, I have found that to be the case my entire life.

Even recently, as I’ve traversed the state, I am always amazed at how you can visit with someone in one part of the state who is kin to or were college roommates with someone in another corner of Alabama.

The Alabama that Kay Ivey and I grew up in was even more like a front porch. Ivey grew up in Wilcox County where her family had been for generations. Therefore, she knew most everybody in the county and Camden. There were and still are fewer than 12,000 people in Wilcox County.

There have always been more pine trees than people in the county.

She grew up with and has always been best friends with a trio of very accomplished people. As I sometimes say when I see someone who I’ve known all my life, I’ve never not known them.

Ivey has never not known Jeff Sessions, Jo Bonner, and Judy Bonner. She was like a big sister to them

By Steve Flowers growing up in Camden.

It’s truly amazing that a small South Alabama County just north of Mobile would spawn our U.S. Senator for 20 years: Jeff Sessions, Mobile Congressman, Jo Bonner who served Mobile, Baldwin and southwest Alabama for more than a decade and former University of Alabama President Judy Bonner and now a governor of Alabama. Even more amazing is that they grew up together and are contemporaries.

They all have impeccable southern manners, and are all quick to say yes m’am, no m’am and thank you religiously. Some of you might think that Kay’s Black Belt accent is accentuated. It is real and unique and indicative of someone who has roots in that area of the state. You might notice that Jeff Sessions diction and accent is similar.

The most important thing that can be said about Gov. Kay Ivey, Sen. Jeff Sessions, Congressman Jo Bonner and President Judy Bonner is that you have never ever heard one comment or even one inkling of anything unethical or improper or taint of scandal about their

public or personal lives. Folks, they were brought up right in Wilcox County.

Ivey was born to be a leader. She was president of everything in her high school. She went to Girl’s State and was a leader there. By the way, she continues to go back to Girl’s State every year to counsel and help lead the organization. She spent a short stint as a teacher, then banker in Mobile. Then politics beckoned and another Black Belt, Speaker of the House, Joe McCorquodale, made Kay the Reading Clerk in the House of Representatives.

She parlayed that job into a job as Legislative Liaison for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

I really got to know Ivey at this point. I was a legislator with a major university in my district. She was plain spoken, straight forward, and very honest. Kay has always been known for her integrity and upfront frankness and honesty.

To use an old saying, her word is her bond.

She will not lie and she will not cheat or steal. She was raised right.

Ivey then got into the arena. She was See Flowers, page B8

After upsetting longtime Democratic incumbent Napoleon Stringer in the Lee County School Board District 7 race during last Tuesday’s elections, Republican Brian Roberson said he now has his sights set on how he can make a difference for those in his community who elected him.

“I am excited to get to work and am ready to learn all that is expected of me in this new role,” Roberson said.

Roberson defeated Stringer by a 1,500 - 1,069 vote margin during last Tuesday’s midterm elections, inheriting a district that includes West Smiths Station and Wacoochee Elementary schools and covers portions of the

Roberson city of Smiths Station.

While on the campaign trail in District 7, Roberson said he noticed a plethora of issues to address if elected, ranging from improving the functionality of Smiths Station High School’s Panther Stadium to increased student safety with the hiring and placing of school resource officers at schools in his district and around Lee County.

In office, Roberson said his 15-plus years of leadership experience will help him be an easily accessible

and approachable board member for constituents who have concerns or issues they desire to be addressed.

“I have pledged to always be easily accessible and approachable to everyone. I want to be visible at each and every school function that I am able to,” Roberson said. It is my goal to know what each school is celebrating and struggling with, in order to better help them as I serve on this board. We are all in this together...students, teachers, and families.

I have a servant’s heart and want to see student in our schools succeed.”

Roberson will be sworn into office at the Lee County School Board’s Dec. 10 meeting.

For more information, visit www.lee.k12. al.us.

Opelika’s Jeremy Gray sworn in as House District 83 representative

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

By Robert Noles Opelika Oberver Jeremy Gray was sworn into office of Alabama House of Representatives last Thursday afternoon at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church by Judge Michael Bellamy. Gray’s

mother, Valerie Gray, grandmother and brother accompanied him as he took the oath of office. His mother held a Bible as he was sworn into office.

A large number of family, friends and supporters attended the ceremony which was

followed by a reception in his honor.

Gray stated that it has been a battle from the beginning of the race and now he was asking for prayers as he goes to Montgomery to fight to make changes for those that have elected him to serve.

B8 November 14, 2018

Flowers,

from B7

elected state treasurer twice where she served for eight years. Then she was elected Lt. Governor twice. She ascended to governor 20 months ago and has done an excellent job of steadying the Ship of State. She seems

keenly interested and driven by economic and industrial development. That will be her hallmark legacy. The state is poised to grow economically and industrially over the next four years.

In the closing days of her very successful race to be Alabama’s 55th Governor, she revealed in an ad a letter from her days as a young girl visiting

pelika O Observer Gov. Lurleen Wallace in the Governor’s Office, a letter she had written about the Governor’s desk. “This is the closest I’ll get.”

However, deep down, I believe she dreamed that one day she would sit in that chair and now she does.

Ivey is the second female elected governor of Alabama.

However, she is the first elected Republican female and the only female elected in her own right.

She will be a good governor. Probably the best we have had in a while.

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.

Opelika’s Jeremy Gray readies to serve in House District 83

By Morgan Bryce Editor

A long, grueling campaign process in the House of Representatives District 83 race ended in a decisive victory for Opelika native Jeremy Gray during last Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Winning by 4,801 votes over Republican challenger Michael J. Holden II, Gray fills the seat once held by George “Tootsie” Bandy Sr., who served from 1994-2018.

Because of the solid, supportive efforts of his campaign workers and volunteers, Gray said he is ready for the challenge of represent-

ing his district and providing citizens a listening ear and willingness to address their concerns and issues.

“The first issue I will address is creating more opportunities for the people of District 83 to voice the issues that they collectively believe is most important for the area. I will take with me that collective voice as I serve on committees and help create a balanced state budget that allows for immediate resources allocated to both Russell County and Lee County alike,” Gray said.

“This perspective gives me a roadmap for creating rela-

tionships with other representatives who have championed for the same issues.”

Gray was sworn in last Thursday in a ceremony held at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika, the beginning of his journey toward “being the change” in Montgomery for District 83 constituents.

“Simply amazing is the only way to describe realizing a dream that I never knew I had. The people wanted change and it was the people who put me in office, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity given to me by the voters,” Gray said. “The moment was surreal.”

How to Feel Great at EAMC.

Volunteer!

AUXILIARY

334-528-5923 • www.eamc.org

Contact: Victoria Beasley

Volunteer Coordinator Victoria.Beasley@eamc.org

pelika O Observer

B9 November 14, 2018

Emily Hall crowned Southern Union Homecoming Queen Special to the Opelika Observer Emily Hall of Ranburne was crowned Southern Union State Community College’s 2018 Homecoming Queen Nov. 3.

Hall attends Southern Union on a Presidential Scholarship. She is a member of the school’s music department, Baptist Campus Ministries, Mu Alpha Theta and Phi

Theta Kappa Honor Society.

First runner-up to the Homecoming Queen was Opelika native Molly McMurray.

Other members of Southern Union’s homecoming court were Julianna Kelly of Wedowee, Claragrace Jensen of Auburn and Katie McGill of Ashland.

Candidates were nominated by members of

the student body for the Homecoming Court. The queen was selected based on popular votes among the students.

Southern Union State Community College has campuses located in Wadley, Opelika, and Valley, Alabama.

For more information regarding Student Life at Southern Union contact Lori Daniel at 256-3952211.

Photo special to the Opelika Observer Pictured with Southern Union President Todd Shackett (third from left) are members of the 2018 SUSCC Homecoming Court Katie McGill, Homecoming Queen Emily Hall, First runner-up Molly McMurray, Claragrace Jensen and Julianna Kelly.

Annual ‘Farm-City Breakfast’ held Tuesday

By Robert Noles Photojournalist The annual “FarmCity Breakfast” was held Tuesday morning at the Lee County Extension Office to kick off Farm-City Week, which runs from Nov. 14-21.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller read proclamations celebrating and recognizing the partnerships between rural and urban communities that grow and make the food sup-

ply safe and plentiful.

Other proclamations were read by Loachapoka Councilwoman Patricia Conover and the City of Smith Station’s Brenda Dockery who represented Mayor Bubba Copeland.

Sen. Tom Whatley also had a proclamation to promote FarmCity week.

Since 1955 National Farm-City Week founded by Kiwanis International to bring a established to unify farmers on and off the

farm with a theme of “Partners in Progress.”

Lee County has a number of activities around the county and has placed second to Cullman in the state of Alabama for having events that promote such values this last year.

To promote the partnership, the Lee County Farm City group visits various farms including the wine tour, kiwi farm, dairy farms, and other farm and industry tours.

Lee County’s Farm

City group also supports local 4-H group, FFA and other youth events and host the annual Lee County Farm City Banquet at Lazenby Farms in Beauregard.

The group also promotes National AG Day, and Alabama Farm-City theme “Agriculture: Food for Life.”

For more information about the Nov. 19 banquet or to join the Lee County FarmCity Committee, call 334-749-3353.

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Left to right, Loachapoka Councilwoman Patricia Conover, Lee Vanoy representing Mike Rogers, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Brenda Dockery representing Smiths Station Mayor Bubba Copeland, Bob Harris Farm City Chairman, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Lee County Commissioner Robert Ham.

Haddie’s Home holds donor appreciation reception Special to the Opelika Observer Haddie’s Home held a donor appreciation reception to say “thank you” for supporting their efforts to improving the lives of girls six - 16 years old in Lee County who are in the midst of a personal crisis.

“Right here in our backyard in lee County and surrounding areas, children live in situations of poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse, homelessness, emotional abuse and neglect - all leading to the cycle of families in crisis,” said Hddie’s Home Executive Director Gina Allen.

According to the most recent statistics compiled from 2011-2014 in Alabama, more than 300,000 children had experienced two or more adverse experiences, often rooted in neglect and abuse.

The Haddie’s Home Board of Directors and professional staff are working to lower

this number. Haddie’s provides a safety net for girls in crisis and services for their families.

The end goal is to reunite these girls with their family.

This nonprofit is funded by individual donors, churches, businesses and philanthropic groups. Currently, the

Photos special to the Opelika Observer Pictured center: Haddie’s Home former resident, Shaunica and her counselor, Bailey Padgett share a hug.

Far right, Earlon and Betty McWhorter were recognized for their ongoing support of Haddie’s Home.

Photos special to the Opelika Observer Above: Scott Lett, Brenda Aughtman, Angie Jacobs, Tricia Peterson Yound, Debbie Hobbs, Gina Allen, Executive Director of Haddies Home, Bailey Padgett, Anita Smith, Melanie Cadenhead, Kennie Kay Halley, Denson Lipscomb. Right, GTR, Water Fire and Roof was a presenting sponsor of the event.

facility is undergoing updates to bring the home into ADA compliance which will allow them to broaden their reach. The renovations are being done in partnership with the Auburn University McWhorter School of Building Science.

At the reception, Earlon and Better McWhort-

er were recognized for their ongoing support to Haddie’s.

“It’s not about us. It’s about the people who are here and the girls they serve,” Earlon said.

For more information or to partner, serve, support or volunteer with the nonprofit, visit www. haddies.org.

B10 November 14, 2018

pelika O Observer

Last week’s answers:

11-7 Scramblers Answers: 1. Resign, 2. Range, 3. Forage, 4. Adjourn Solution: Jogging

pelika Observer O

B11 November 14, 2018

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile rolled into Opelika last Thursday night

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Pictured left, the Oscar Mayer “Weinermobile” made a stop in downtown Opelika last Thursday because of a contest won by Opelika native George Brown. Right, Oscar Mayer representative Connor O’Neal, George, Rachel Brown, Chipper Brown and fellow Oscar Meyer representative Josie Balderrama.

By Robert Noles Photojournalist Opelika native George Brown’s winning submis-

sion for an Oscar Meyer contest resulted in a visit from the company’s mascot, the “Weinermobile,” which came to downtown Opelika last Thursday

evening.

As the contest’s winner, George won a year of hotdogs and a chance to drive the Weinermobile for one hour. Instead of

keeping it to himself, George wanted to share the experience with the Opelika community. A large crowd turned out to view and go inside the

Weinermobile on South Railroad Avenue. Those that did were given a “Weinermobile” whistle The Weinermobile was driven by the Southeast-

ern eam of “Hot Doggers,” Josie Balderrama and Connor O’Neal.

The company is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Civitan Club of Alabama’s annual Thanksgiving sale to be held Nov. 18; accepting ham and turkey orders now Special to the Opelika Observer The Civitan Club of Auburn will continue a 46-year holiday tradition by smoking turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving. Last year, Civitans smoked 120 turkeys and 90 hams for the Thanksgiving season.

Joe Liddy, President of the Civitan Club of Auburn, wants everyone to know, “Turkeys and hams will be available hot off the pit on Nov. 18. They are the most delicious $40 you will find anywhere.”

Orders can be placed with any Civitan member or by calling Laurel Hendrix at 334-545-0069. Leave your name, order (turkey or ham) and contact information. Both turkeys and hams are $40 each. Pre-

orders can be picked up at the smoking pit behind the Elk’s Club at 1944 Opelika Roard in Auburn anytime on Nov. 18. Only pre- orders can be guaranteed. Pre-orders are being taken for a possible Christmas smoking also.

Charles Mitchell, another Auburn Civitan, has been involved in smoking turkeys for more than 27 years. He says the best part of the turkey is what is left after all the smoked turkey is consumed. He boils the bones in water with salt and herbs, adds fresh vegetables and makes the best smoked turkey soup you can find anywhere.

Mitchell said he does not have a recipe because each year it changes depending upon the vegetables

and herbs available but he swears it is always good.

“Save this to season your holiday collard greens or turnips or freeze it to cook later with your New Years Day black-eyed peas and collard greens.

It converts a ho-hum dish into a gourmet meal,” Mitchell added.

The Civitan Club of Auburn is part of Civitan International, a civic club headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. 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 in Dadeville, 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 every Friday at noon at local restaurants or at Chappy’s in Auburn on the second Tuesday at 6:30 pm.

Programs emphasize volunterism and building good citizenship.

Special to the Opelika Observer Cured picnic hams are slowly smoked using green hickory and pecan to achieve a smoky tenderness unlike anything that is available from the market.

YOUR BEST HEALTH IS IN THE CARDS ARE YOU A VETERAN AND ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE?

If you carry both a Medicare and a Veterans Administration card, you may qualify for a Humana Medicare Advantage plan—for even better benefits.

ASK ME HOW.

Special to the Opelika Observer Auburn Civitan, Charles Mitchell, bastes a batch of golden brown smoked turkeys for Civitan’s annual Thanksgiving and Christmas smoked turkey and ham sales.

Call a Licensed Humana Sales Agent Tina Cuevas 334-524-0807 (TTY: 711) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information.

Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premium and member cost share may change on January 1 of each year.

English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 855-791-4087 (TTY: 711).

Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 855-791-4087 (TTY: 711).

855-791-4087 (TTY: 711).

Y0040_GHHK5YNEN 0118

B12 November 14, 2018

pelika O Observer

COMICS

“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.” ― Veronica Roth, Divergent