Opelika Observer 7-04-2018

Vol. 10, No. 39

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Opelika, Alabama

From the Opelika Observer - “By local people, for local people.”

New bakery coming to downtown Opelika

‘My country, ‘tis of thee’ 66th annual Freedom Celebration held Tuesday at Opelika High School

Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Anthony and Carie Tindill of Cakeitecture Bakery discuss plans for their new downtown Opelika location at 124 S. 8th St. The shop is expected to open by the beginning of football season.

By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor A local bakery is expanding and opening a new shop in downtown Opelika this fall.

Cakeitecture, owned and operated by Carie Tindill, will open in the former home of Occasions at 124 S. 8th St., a space nearly triple the size of their current location in downtown Auburn.

“We operate with 850 square feet now, and the things we’re able to create out of this small space is amazing, so I’m really looking forward to what we’ll do with 2,900 square feet in Opelika,” Tindill said.

A creative venture Tindill, along with her husband Anthony, relocated from Alabama to Olympia, Washington, in 2010 so that he could pursue a teaching position at a local college.

An architect by trade, Tindill’s inability to find employment led her to baking, which transformed

from being her creative outlet into a full-time job.

“No one was hiring. I didn’t know anyone, and I had no network out there,” Tindill said. “That’s what pushed me to try baking, because I wasn’t making any money at the time anyway.”

Through trial and error in baking, Tindill said she cultivated her cake-making skills and slowly grew a customer base.

Word spread, and Cakeitecture soon became a sweet-tooth destination in the Pacific Northwest, racking up the “Best Dessert Award” from South Sound Magazine and being voted as having the fifth-best wedding cakes in western Washington in 2014.

Back home to Alabama Five years after their move to Washington, Tindill said she and Anthony made the decision to return to the area to be closer to family and pursue the opportunity of becoming the first See Cake, page A6

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Pictured are highlights from Opelika’s 66th annual Freedom Celebration held last night at Opelika High School. Turn to B12 for more photos and be sure to check next week’s Observer for photos of the fireworks.

LCSRP holds 9th annual ‘Junior Deputy Camp’

By Anna Riley For the Opelika Observer The ninth annual “Junior Deputy Camp” held by the the Lee County School Resource Program was last week.

Children had the

opportunity to learn what a deputy does, such as making traffic stops, handcuffing, taser demonstration, SWAT demonstration, K9 demonstration, fingerprinting and many more activities. The program showed them what it is like to be a

cate children on law enforcement’s role in society.

“We’re bridging the gap between law enforcement and our youth. We want them to understand that we are here to help them and in order to do that, See Camp, page B9

New La Quinta location to open next week

By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor

Construction of the new La Quinta Inn and Suites location at Capps Landing is expected to be finished later this week.

According to Auburn Hospitality Inc. President Vic Patel, the four-story structure will possess a total of 82 rooms, fitness center, pool, entire petfriendly floor, spacious public area, bar with locally sourced beverages and conference room that will accommodate up to 75 people.

Index OPINION.....................................A4 COUNTY NEWS............................A5 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION.................................A9

deputy officer and educated them on all that they do. They provide two basic classes and an advanced class for those who have come several years in a row.

Event Organizer Cpl. Pam Revels said the reason behind the camp is to fully edu-

SPORTS.......................................B1 LEGALS.........................................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.......................B7 CALENDAR.............................B10

Built in the company’s new wave of “Del Sol”-themed inns, Patel added that it will be the first of its kind in Alabama.

“This is La Quinta’s prototype, and every single one they construct in the next few years will look just like this,” Patel said.

Another unique aspect of the building is its Auburn-themed decor, with orange and blue trim present throughout the building and murals on each floor dedicated to the school’s iconic mascots and places.

This will be the sixth hotel

now under Patel’s company, which currently has locations in Auburn, Columbus and Phenix City in addition to Opelika.

“This area, if you look from LaGrange all the way to Montgomery, there’s not a brand new La Quinta out there.

They’re all old locations out there,” Patel said. “We thought it was a good fit for this market, and it is a pet-friendly hotel, which many aren’t able to say. The design of the building, as well as the ability to See Hotel, page A2

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A2 July 4, 2018

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer A new La Quinta Inn and Suites, located at 3155 Capps Way, is set to open next week. The new inn possesses an Auburn-centric theme with murals dedicated to specific images and landmarks special to the area.

Hotel,

from A1 customize like what we’re doing with our Auburn theme, were other big factors in our decision to go with (La Quinta).”

Patel said the inn’s official opening date is set for July 12, but a joint grand opening ceremony with the Opelika Chamber of Commerce will be held during the month of August.

For more information, visit www.lq.com.

The inn is located at 3155 Capps Way next to Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers in Capps Landing.

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Phone: 334.749.8003 Fax: 334.749.8009 editor@opelikaobserver.com

Editor: Michelle Key Associate Editor: Morgan Bryce Marketing: Woody Ross, Doug Horn and Emily Key Photographer: Robert Noles

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

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

We are one family, and we mourn the senseless tragedy at the Capital Gazette together.

Our hearts grieve the loss of our fellow newspaper staffers.

We wish comfort and peace for their families, friends, co-workers and all who have been touched by this heartbreak – and healing to those who are recovering.

A4 July 4, 2018

pelika O Opinion

Developments and mullet

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to be developed on the coast. t is summer. So folks go to The Flora-Bama. the beach to complain.

Now the Flora-Bama has been They complain if it praised as something as pure as rains. the sands of Baldwin County, the They complain if it is Redneck Riviera distilled (no pun cloudy. Or windy. Or hot. intended) to its essence. Nobody Or the water is too rough. thinks of it as a “development,” but They complain if the breeze

By Hardy Jackson that is just what it was and is. shifts and brings in the deer Created on the premise that folks flies. They complain if there in Alabama would like to drink under Florida is no breeze. law on some days and Alabama laws on And when I ask them “just what do you others, the Flora-Bama was built astraddle want me to do about it?” They complain the border and made “let’s do it on the line” a about crabby me. But what I hate most is nationally known slogan. when they complain about the developments However, what makes the Flora-Bama being developed. an institution worthy of imitation is not its A complaint usually followed by “I wish creative approach to liquor laws, but the things were like they used to be.” outlook it imparts on all who spend time in its Friends, I can’t crank up much sympathy sheltering arms. for the “way it used to be” point of view Let me explain. Until a few years ago the ‘cause we know that things are the way they are because the very people who complain are Flora-Bama sat on the sand in semi-isolated splendor. Then some guy bought the land the ones who made ‘em that way – mostly.

Do you think tourists come down hoping to next door and started building a high-rise find things like they used to be? Do they go to condo that threatened to cast a late afternoon the beach to gaze upon pristine dunes and sea shadow across the Flora-Bama’s famous deck. oats waving in the breeze?

Now did the Flora-Bama folks complain?

Of course not, they go to the beach for what Of course not. developers have developed.

When asked what they were gonna do they Now I cannot say I am happy about this. replied, “drink in the shade.” And they did.

Condo-Row at Gulf Shores is an assault on the eye and an aesthetic abomination. Thomas And that’s not all.

When the condo was finished, I am told that Drive in Panama City is as bad, or worse. But the fact remains that the coast most folks want the Flora-Bama folks set about incorporating to visit and often buy into consists of develop- it into the nationally known Mullet Toss (the mullet are dead, so don’t sic PETA on me). ments just such as that.

No longer was the toss judged only on Look at Florida. distance – how far you throw your fish. They That state was created by developers. Only added a category for height. the most devoted environmentalist would go People on the balconies of the next door to Florida for scrub and sand and mosquitoes, condo judged who threw the highest, and which was just about all there was before the crass and the commercial came down, built up though there was no prize for the winner, the thrill of victory was enough. and sold out.

So, I say, if you are gonna have developAnd America bought it.

Why? Because the developers gave Ameri- ments, and you’re gonna, those developments should nourish attitudes like those nourished cans what Americans wanted.

So here is the irony (some might say hypoc- by the Flora-Bama.

Developments that instill in patrons and risy) of the situation. purchasers a gentle acceptance of things the Today, the most vocal anti-development folks, the most consistent complainers, are the way they are because that’s the way things are ones who just settled into their development – gonna be, sooner or later.

It will rain or maybe it won’t. The breeze house or condo – and don’t want anyone else will blow the flies in or maybe out. to come down and “spoil” it for them.

Things will be more like they are today Go to any of those community meetings than they ever have been before, or will be where planning is discussed and there they tomorrow. will be, dressed like they were just stopping As for developments, they are what the by on their way to a Southern Living garden people want. But if I could, I would push party, ranting and raving about how we have through an ordinance that says no condo can to protect the coast from despoilers whose be built higher than the developer can toss a biggest crime is that they arrived later than mullet. the despoilers already there.

But I can’t. And there is no use complainBut here I go, complaining about the coming about it. plainers.

Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is ProfesWhat I should be pointing out is that we all, sor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State the whole lot of us, should back off a bit and University. He can be reached at hjackson@ adopt the attitude of the owners and patrons cableone.net. of one of the most successful developments

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Destin

I was the most unt’s night and I handsome boy in four am on a beach in counties, and she knew Destin, Florida. I it. She felt bad for me. am sitting on the shore, And, since people our watching the mighty age were kissing, she Gulf of Mexico. It kissed me. never stops moving.

As soon as she Never. A few hours

By Sean Dietrich planted one on me, ago, I was in a beach I could tell that she wished she bar having dinner with an old hadn’t. I’ve never felt so hideous. friend. He looked good. He’s a Those docks are gone now. family man now, with a good They tore them down to build an job in Birmingham. Two kids. A amusement park resort. Think: zip nice wife. I haven’t seen him in lines, jugglers, fire swallowers and decades. Not since we were ugly funnel cakes. Funnel cakes. young men, operating nail-guns But at least this little patch of together.

Long ago, we had things in com- sand is still mine. It’s the same place where I celebrated the fivemon. His father left before he was born. Mine died when I was a boy. year anniversary of my father’s Back then, we had the same idea death, a lifetime ago.

I’ll never forget it: it was two in on life. Namely: that life wasn’t the morning. I was a teenager. I fair.

We had fun tonight. There was a waded into black water until I was chest-deep. I got lost in the stars. band playing top-40 hits. The lead That night, I stared at the Big guitarist sang “Brown Eyed Girl” Nothingness that hovers over like a donkey with a sinus infecthe face of the Gulf. And I told tion. And people danced. the sky I wanted to start over. I My friend and his wife ordered fruity drinks and two-stepped until wanted to begin again. I wanted to they were sweaty. I said Goodnight be someone else. Someone who wasn’t ugly. I wanted a different Gracie and left early. life—one that wasn’t unfair.

On my way home, I stopped I closed my eyes. I held my here. And the memories came back breath. I dunked myself. by the metric ton.

I leaned backward into the Gulf.

This used to be my beach. I When I emerged again, I cried. haven’t been here in years. We Not because I felt different, but lived a few streets over. Our fambecause I felt nothing. ily’s old block house was yellow.

I thought it would be a baptism And tiny. I slept on a pull-out sofa. of sorts. I’d hoped I’d feel difMy sister slept with my mother. ferent. But that’s not the way life I would sit on the back porch works. You get what you get and steps when I couldn’t sleep, and you don’t pitch a fit. There’s no look at the night. And I’d wonder use fighting it. things. Important things.

So I walked home in wet clothes Things like: why does the Pope and fell asleep on a cheap sofa bed wear pointy hats? Who invented in a block house. drive-thru liquor stores? Is it bad That was a hundred eons ago. luck to be superstitious? And why And tonight, I realize that I was does it seem like life is out to get wrong. So wrong, in fact, I had to me?

Anyway, this town has changed. write about it.

People do get to start over.

Once upon a time, Destin was a Every day, you get a brand sleepy fishing village. It had one new sunrise. Nobodies become traffic light—two at the most. It wasn’t swallowed by chain restau- somebodies. Ugly people discover rants. There were only a few dives, there’s no such thing as ugliness.

Fatherless boys with nail-guns bea Shell Station and the docks on come family men who dance with the harbor.

But progress brought thousands their wives. And the magnificent Gulf of Mexico will never stop of traffic lights, high-rise condos, moving. and two Walmarts, located ten Life isn’t fair. But it’s beautiful. miles apart. Two. And so are you.

The old docks on the harbor Sean Dietrich is a columnist, were where I first got kissed. It was during the annual Fishing Ro- and novelist, known for his comdeo. I sat on wood planks. My feet mentary on life in the American South dangling. A girl sat beside me.

Keep going - keep growing “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.

It’s what the sunflowers do.” - Helen Keller his spring I planted sunflower seeds. I have been anxiously awaiting their arrival as they are such a happy flower. I was inspired

by George’s Farmers Market to grow my own this year, since frolicking in their sunflower field last year brought me so much joy. I never really gave too much thought as to why I like these tall and stalky flowers so much, aside from the fact that they are just so vividly fun and whimsical.

We had a late start on our garden this year because of the typical unpredictable Alabama weather and a baby who decided to arrive sooner than

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our home so we planned. that we will God’s timbe able to ing is always enjoy them perfect. as they Jody and I bloom. planted some We have vegetables had some in our main

By Lucy Fuller storms visit garden but us lately my personal/ due to the inclement main focus this year weather in the gulf. was flowers. I planted Hurricane season is a flowering herbs, a doozy. We had sevvariety of roses, coneral days and weeks federate jasmine and of extremely hard rain my all-time favorite, and some gusty wind. sunflowers.

We are blessed that I absolutely adore no major damage ocsunflowers. I started them as seeds and have curred as a result of the weather, but unfortubeen watching them nately, it affected our every day since they gardens. Some plants poked their tiny, little survived and some green heads through struggled. the black soil. I excitThe heavy rainfall edly watched them inhibited the growth of sprout into seedlings, several of plants which and when they were have since recovered, old enough to place thankfully. Some had into the garden, I did so with enormous care. been knocked over and stems broken. I tried so I planted them in sevhard to prop them up eral locations around

gently by strategically placing stakes and ropes for which they could lean on. This added support seemed to help them thrive.

My happy little baby sunflowers seemed to withstand the storm’s damage and continue their steady growth. Then, they came again—this time stronger and heavier.

The rain pounded my already healing sunflowers to the ground.

Heartbroken, I was sure they were not going to make it this time around.

Again, I handled them with care and precision as I propped them back up and tried to tenderly nurse them back to health. I was sure they were goners.

As I ventured out to my garden over the next several days I was expecting to find the flower stalks

keeled over and dried up from the sun. To my surprise, they were still there. They were greener than ever, growing crooked and bent, but their little sleeping faces pointed directly to the sun. I was so impressed by their tenacity and willingness to survive.

These are tough flowers. I like them even more now than I did before I decided to grow them. I look at every experience as an opportunity to learn something new. I was and still am fascinated by this particular flower’s determination to survive after being knocked down so many times.

A dear friend explained this to be called “phototropism.”

The term states that it’s the orientation of a plant or other organism in response to light,

either toward (positive phototropism) the source of light or away from it (negative phototropism.) In this instance, since the plant was facing towards the light it would be considered “positive phototropism.”

In my 37 years, I have weathered many storms. I have nearly drowned in the heavy downpour of my own tears. I have been blown over and knocked down by winds of change. A few times I felt like I would never be able to stand on my own two feet again. A few times I didn’t want to. Something inside of me kept searching.

Something inside each of us urges us to move forward—to keep going…to keep growing. Something urges us to get back up See Fuller, page B2

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Around Lee County

July 4, 2018

Smiths Station forms historic Conway Twitty’s connection to preservation commission Smiths Station confirmed last week

By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Funding for the Smiths Station Historic Preservation Commission was approved during last Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Given a seed grant of $2,500 by the city, the commission will exist to mark and protect buildings and sites with historical significance, according to Mayor Bubba Copeland.

“One thing that we needed to do is preserve our history.

We’ve been a city for 16 years, and we have not been good stewards of what we have,” Copeland said. “We have made strides in finding our history since we started on this project, which I think is very key to remembering where we came from and establishing our future, and that’s the whole point of the commission: preserving what we have.”

Copeland added that the group will consist of 10 members, each volunteers who will serve rotating terms of one, two or up to three years in length.

Sarah West, a commission member, said she is excited to be a part of preserving the city’s past for future generations.

"I'm honored to be a part of developing Smiths Station's Historic Preservation Commission. As a passionate

advocate for historic preservation, community and resource conservation, I'm inspired by the progressive work taking place on Smiths Station's City Hall Campus, for posterity,” West said. “In a historically rural railroad town, there have been few known landmarks that people could seek out, and visit to learn more about their heritage, and the cultural geography of the area in which they live. Through the work of Smiths Station's Historic Commission, we will have that, and we are already working to locate and identify other landmarks. What has often gone overlooked or unseen will be unearthed, dusted off and renewed for posterity.”

The council also approved a resolution funding the city’s “Outdoor Family Movie Night” July 14 at the Smiths Station Sports Complex.

Admission to the event is free and includes a showing of “Despicable Me 3” as well as food trucks and live music.

In other business, the council: • approved May’s financial statements • approved a resolution authorizing a grant of $2,500 to be given to the Smiths Station Historic Preservation Commission • discussed the progress of the city’s planned veteran memorial.

By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Last week, two donations made to the City of Smiths Station’s soon-to-be-opened Jones Store Museum confirmed a longtime theory that legendary country singer Conway Twitty once resided in the area.

The first, a program from Smiths Station High School’s 1951 Junior-Senior Banquet, lists Harold Jenkins (Twitty’s real-life name) as in charge of the event’s invocation.

Eighteen years old at the time, evidence of Twitty’s brief residence in Smiths Station is further confirmed in the second donation, according to Mayor Bubba Copeland.

In an undated photo, Twitty is pictured visiting longtime Smiths Station resident Mattie Carden, whom he lived with for an unknown length of time in the early 1950s. Her house, located on Lee Road 222, is still standing.

Copeland said he is excited about these discoveries and believes that they should provide citizens with an increased level of civic pride and appreciation for the city’s past.

“It's been a lifelong project of mine to have concrete evidence that he in fact did live in Smiths Station, and as of this week, we can now say that (Twitty) lived several years here in his early and late teens. It's an exciting discovery, and we will definitely honor him in some way,” Cope-

land said.

Nearly eight years after leading the prayer at a school banquet, Twitty was doing the same on the top-40 charts with his breakout single, “It’s Only Make Believe.” A song on the B-side of a two-track record, it became a number-one hit in the United States and 21 other countries.

In 1965, Twitty switched musical paths and began to create hit songs that would later become pieces of country lore, including “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man,” “Lead Me On” and “Hello Darlin’.”

During a 1993 performance at the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson, Missouri, Twitty collapsed on stage and was taken to a nearby hospital. There, he was rushed into surgery but succumbed to an abdominal aortic aneurysm and passed away at 59 years old.

Twitty’s musical accomplishments were recognized with in-

ductions into the Country Music and Rockabilly halls of fame.

For more information or updates on the opening of the Jones Store Museum, visit the the City of Smiths Station’s Facebook page or www. smithsstational.gov.

Photos special to the Opelika Observer

Citizens express interest in county’s spay-neuter program

By Fred Woods Opelika Observer At last week’s Lee County Commission meeting, a standingroom-only group of citizens turned out to express their concerns about the county’s animal control/ spay-neuter program, which just completed its first full year of operation.

A number of citizens, including several veterinarians, expressed their concerns over a reported high euthanization rate (51.1 % for FY2017) for the county, low visibility

of the county program, difficulty for owners to locate and recover pets and the related low adoption rate for dogs and cats.

Dr. Elizabeth Yorke, professor in the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, set the tone for the mostly positive discussion with a reasoned power point presentation outlining her ideas as to how to strengthen the present county program. Yorke was the first of a succession of speakers to propose a task force, composed of veterinarians, animal

control personnel and pet owners to look at financial requirements, grant funding opportunities and manpower requirements for improving the present county program.

The Lee County Spay-Neuter Program is jointly administered by Dr. Buddy Bruce (Animal Health Center) and Drs. Colley and Gary Hunt (Opelika Animal Hospital) under the supervision of Lee County Director of Environmental Services John MacDonald. The county has a grand total of two animal control

officers, one of whom has reportedly been on sick leave for a number of weeks.

Bruce, Colley and Hunt were the only respondents to a request for proposals issued by the county, submitting a joint proposal.

The program is funded by a $15,000 contribution from each of Lee County’s four larger governmental jurisdictions–Lee County, Auburn, Opelika and Smiths Station.

It appears that most citizens’ concerns could be addressed by increased funding and manpower, to publicize where owners can recover pets, to put animal pictures on Facebook and/or a web site along with other relevant animal data and identifying and securing

grants and other funds for the program.

The commission also adopted an updated, streamlined county seal which will be enlarged and affixed to the wall of the new Courthouse Annex, now under construction. The old seal was judged too cluttered with detail to be used for this purpose.

In other actions, the commission: • Heard first readings (nominations) for vacancies on the Lee County Recreation Board (1), the East Alabama Health Care Authority Board (3), the Lee County 9-1-1 Board (2) and the Loachapoka Water Authority Board (1), • Voted to lower the speed limit, in response

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

July 10 Martha’s Trouble July 17 Fedoras July 24 James Brown Trio

to citizens’ requests, from 45 to 35 mph on a portion of Lee Road 246, between LR 179 and LR 935 and a portion of LR 035, • Approved Revenue Commissioner Oline Price’s Report of Litigations and Insolvencies in preparation for the report’s submission to the Alabama Department of Revenue, • Approved Sigma Nu Fraternity’s application to adopt one mile of Lee Road 50, which lies within the Auburn city limits, and • Authorized Commission Chairman English to execute a Federal Aid Agreement for the widening and resurfacing of 2.8 miles of Lee Road 95 (Stonewall Road).

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A6 July 4, 2018

Brooka Stokes named ‘Lion of the Year’ at recent Opelike Lion’s Club meeting

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Tindill said she and Anthony purchased their downtown Opelika space from local businessman John Marsh this spring.

The new location will offer the same customorder opportunities like their current Auburn location, but Tindill said she has a few wrinkles in store for her Opelika storefront.

“With the additional space that we will have in Opelika, we’ll be able to divide it up. We’ll be able to have a production space larger than our current shop, seating, as well as office and storage space,” Tindill said. “(Another exciting thing) is that we’re planning on opening a breakfast shop … and offering coffee and espresso to go with that and other items purchased (later in the day).”

For store-opening updates, more information or to see samples of baked goods made

by Tindill and her team, visit www.cakeitecture. com or follow the business on Facebook and Instagram.

Cake,

from A1 bakery licensed to create Auburn Universitythemed baked goods.

Following lengthy conversations and creating samples of her work, Tindill was able to establish a partnership with the school’s Office of Trademark Management and Licensing, which allows her to use pictures and images symbolic of Auburn in her culinary creations.

Relationships and connections made possible by the school played a crucial role in the early success of her business, according to Tindill.

“We had probably 200 guests from the university come through on that first day, with lots of departments and groups coming in to see what we were capable of. That’s what really helped us hit the ground running here and (keep growing),” Tindill said.

Plans for Opelika

Special to the Opelika Observer Lion Brooka Stokes, right, was presented with the “Lion of the Year” award for 2018 by Outgoing Opelika Lions President Junior Morgan at a recent meeting. Stokes has been an active member since 1991 and has held several offices including District Governor.

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Eddie Smith CITY PRESIDENT

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Opelika E vents, Society, & Food Ann Cipperly’s

U PC OM I NG EVENT S: • SUMMER SWING • FARMER’S MARKETS • WAY 2 SERVE • PIZZA D’ACTION OPENING • MAMA MOCHA OPENING • SUNDILLA CONCERT

OTC entertains with ‘The Odd Couple’ Photo by Robert Noles/ Opelika Observer Left, actors pictured during the Opelika Theatre Company’s performance of ‘The Odd Couple’ last weekend.

Written by Neil Simon, the 1960s-based comedy has been a Broadway hit for decades.

Southern

Hospitality

Pizza D’Action of Smiths Station Shrimp dishes enliven summer meals holds grand opening Saturday

By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor

Photo by Ann Cipperly While shrimp has been a favorite for restaurant meals along coastal towns, it is easy to recreate those dishes at home with local markets carrying fresh and frozen shrimp. Boiled shrimp is ready in minutes by placing in boiling water and cooking for three minutes. For an easy summer supper, serve with fresh corn and salad.

W

hen visiting the beach or coastal towns during summer, shrimp is a popular choice for lunch or dinner. Now that local markets carry fresh and frozen shrimp, those vacation dining memories can be recreated at home by making your own shrimp dishes.

Shrimp cooks quickly, which makes meal preparation easy.

While we enjoy the simple fresh shrimp dishes along the Florida Panhandle, the coastal towns in South Carolina have their specialty Lowcountry shrimp dishes. In Charleston, shrimp and grits dishes abound in restaurants and in home-cooked meals.

In nearby Beaufort, shrimp fishing is a booming business. Fried shrimp and other shrimp dishes can be found on nearly every restaurant menu.

Along the bay in Beaufort, streets with antebellum homes are lined with tall palmettos and wind-swept branches of ancient live oaks draped with moss. On summer afternoons, the Beaufort River is dotted with sailboats, providing a picturesque setting in one of the country’s oldest and most historic towns.

Founded in 1711 by the British, the Lowcountry community has a rich history that dates back centuries, including ties to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

The second oldest city in South Carolina hosts approximately one million visitors annually.

It is considered one of the most diverse of any community its size due to its historic character and architecture, while preserving the charms of yesteryear.

Beaufort is home to one of the largest populations of Gullahs, a culture known for preserving its African linguistic and cultural heritage set between Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

A variety of restaurants, art galleries and shops are located in downtown Beaufort.

Plum’s is one of the oldest restaurants downtown. The current owner’s mother opened the restaurant 30 years ago with an art gallery in the front. When the son took over, he purchased the gallery and extended the restaurant space.

The most popular spot to sit is outdoors overlooking the river.

When we arrived at the casual, lively restaurant, the outdoor seating was full. We sat by a window to have a view of the water.

As we were seated, a basket of biscuits was served with whipped butter laced with honey and pecans. We found these to be addictive.

Wild caught fresh shrimp were available as “peel and eat” or fried in three sizes.

We ordered a quarter pound fried, which were top-notch with a light, crunchy coating. We completed the meal with flawless Carolina flounder fillets stuffed with crabmeat, accompanied

with grits and signature peach vinaigrette salad.

Breakwater restaurant downtown is located in an upscale setting. Upon being seated, small biscuits arrived with orange marmalade butter. Biscuits and shrimp are popular items in the downtown restaurants.

Since we knew the shrimp would be good, we ordered fried shrimp for an appetizer.

We were told the recipe came from the owner’s mother. The coating was crispy, and the shrimp were excellent. We decided we would try fried shrimp recipes when we returned home.

Being in the Lowcountry, we ordered seafood and fish for entrees with perfectly seared, succulent scallops with creamy mushroom risotto and grilled striped bass accompanied with crispy risotto cakes.

Pecan pie topped with bourbon ice cream and butterscotch sauce along with chocolate cake and ice cream capped the evening on a sweet note.

Light lunches in downtown Beaufort can be found at the Lowcountry Produce, which is decorated with local art. The menu features assorted Lowcountry favorites.

At our table we ordered she crab soup and the Lowcountry trio, a flavorful combination with pimento cheese, pickled okra and dill green beans.

While downtown, I discovered a delicious See Recipes, page B12

Smiths Station’s newest eatery, Pizza D’Action, held a grand opening ceremony last Saturday.

Owned by Tim and Vicky Clark, the restaurant features a diverse menu that extends beyond Italian cuisine and into Southern comfort foods like collard greens,

1.

Special to the Opelika Observer Vicky said. mashed potatoes, beef In addition to its Italian tips and more.

“We have a wide vari- fare, Vicky said that they ety of food here ... there’s offer daily, meat-and-two lunch specials for $6.99 a little something for during the week. everybody,” Vicky said.

Pizza D’Action is open Since its February Monday - Saturday from opening, Vicky said that her business has received 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and is solid community support. located at 2368 Lee Road 430.

“The response to us Visit their Facebook here in Smiths Station page for more informahas been overwhelming. tion or to view a full I couldn’t have asked menu. for it to be any better,”

safety tips

Use fireworks outdoors only. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

2. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks including sparklers. Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.

3. Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper.

This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

4. Be careful when lighting the fuse. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Light fireworks one at a time, then quickly back up to a safe distance.

5. Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

6. Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them. They can kill you!

7. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

8. Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the fireworks and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

9. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated fireworks shooter.”

10. Obey local laws. Shooting fireworks is illegal within the Opelika city limits.

www.opelika-al.gov 334.705.5136

www.leecoema.com 334.749.8161

pelika O Observer

A8 July 4, 2018

Randall Bramblett Band to perform at Sundilla July 12 Special to the Opelika Observer The Randall Bramblett Band, along with special guests Blackberry Possum, will perform an outdoor Sundilla concert July 12. Blackberry Possum will take the stage at 7 p.m. for an opening set, to be immediately followed by The Randall Bramblett Band.

"Randall Bramblett at

Sundilla has become an every-other-year tradition - but those are always solo shows," said Sundilla Organizer Bailey Jones.

"When we had the opportunity to book Randall and his band, there was no way we could turn it down. Randall playing solo acoustic is a wonderful thing to experience, but I think adding the full band - electric guitar, drums, keyboards and

even Randall on saxophone - will be unforgettable."

"Adding Blackberry Possum to anything always makes it better," Jones added.

In addition to his band and solo work, Bramblett was also a major part of the seminal jazz-rock group Sea Level, and has toured and recorded with The Allman Brothers, Traffic, Levon Helm,

Elvin Bishop, Steve Winwood, Govt. Mule, Widespread Panic and more.

Rolling Stone calls Bramblett, "one of the South's most lyrical and literate songwriters."

Bill Berry of REM says, "Randall is the most talented and prolific songwriter I have the privilege of knowing."

Chuck Leavell of The Rolling Stones and The

Allman Brothers said he believes, "Randall is the most gifted and talented Southern singer-songwriter musicians of the past several decades." Hittin' the Note puts it succinctly: Randall Bramblett is the William Faulkner of Southern music."

Showtime is 7 p.m.

Admission at the door will be $20, but $15 tickets are available at Spicer's Music, Blooming Colors,

World Cup Coffee and online at www.sundillamusic.com. There will be free coffee, tea, water and food, but as always, attendees are welcome to bring whatever food or beverage they prefer (but leave the glass at home, please!) Folding chairs will be available, but guests can bring their own.

For more information, go to www.sundillamusic. com.

Opelika Pilot Club names new officers

Special to the Opelika Observer

How to Feel Great at EAMC.

Volunteer!

AUXILIARY

334-528-5923 • www.eamc.org

Contact: Victoria Beasley

Volunteer Coordinator Victoria.Beasley@eamc.org

On June 19, the Opelika Pilot Club held its installation of officers for 2018-2019. This local club was organized 12/2/1974, and our mission is to influence positive change in communities throughout the world. From left to right: Faye Ford-Installation Officer, Carol Spivey Nelson-Director, Julie Stanley-President, Claire Plott-President Elect, Mary Browning-Treasurer, Fay McCrary-Director, Rhonda Spivey-Director, Nancy Barron-Immediate Past President.

Mama Mocha’s opens July 9

Photo by Michelle Key / Editor Sarah Gill of Mama Mocha’s held a soft opening of the new downtown Opelika location of Mama Mocha’s July 2-3. The new coffee emporium will officially open July 9 at 7 a.m. and is located at 715 1st Ave. Specialty drinks include butterscotch maple cinnalattes, raspberry white mocha, ‘The latte that shall not be named’ and the Honey Bomb Latte. Breakfast items such as biscuits with eggs, sausage, bacon or cheese and bagels are also available to order.

Opelika

A9

Family & Religion

July 4, 2018

When rights are wrong M

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

y generation has witnessed the call for every kind of right imaginable: from basic civil rights to rights for animals with even some now speaking of rights for vegetables (seriously). In between, there have been some things that aren’t so humorous—the right to put the unborn to death, the right to do what no civilization has ever done and redefine the marriage relationship, and now there are many who are calling to redefine gender.

It seems that we now have so many rights, we’re never wrong. If someone points to something in our behavior that they don’t think is right, we just look upon them as someone who needs to

that’s be re-eduabout cated and $1,000 per enlightperson. ened in reNo one gard to our wants to need and live in right to do

By Bruce Green a world whatever Teaching Minister at where it is they 10th Street Church of there is no quesChrist in Opelika judicial tioned. system or And if lawyers, but the empush comes to shove phasis and expansion we can always lawyer on our rights has not up. brought out the best Lawyers are now present at some parent- in us. We’re marching, fighting, strident, teacher conferences.

Watch any pharmaceu- shrill and we won’t back down. Those who tical advertisement on oppose in any form television and more or fashion are haters. time is spent issuing There is no toleration, disclaimers than actumoderation or reconally talking about the ciliation—just more product. and more fragmentaAccording to Paul tion.

Rubin, professor of In 1 Corinthians 6 economics at Emory Paul addresses a church, University, we spend mind you, where its about $310 billion per members were hauling year on litigation—

Church calendar

• Pepperell Baptist Church thru 6th Grade, and all age will have a “Game On Kickadults are welcome to attend off Fun Day” on July 7 from July 15-19 from 5:30-8:30 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to launch p.m. nightly. Please call 334VBS. VBS will be from 5:30 745-2482 or visit our website - 8 p.m. July 9 - 12. www.cbcopelika.com for Ages 4 - 12. The church more information. You may is located in the Pepperell pre-register online at www.

Village at 2702 2nd Avenue, kideventpro.lifeway.com/ Opelika. myChurch/?id=47391 • The popular contemporary • The gospel/bluegrass Christian group Big Daddy group “The Maharreys” will Weave will perform at First perform and minister during Baptist Church of Opelika the 11 a.m. service July 29 at Sept. 14 as a part of their “Je- First Freewill Baptist Church, sus, I Believe” tour. Brandon which is located at 103 19th Heath will serve as the show St. at the corner of 1st Ave. in opener. Visit ticketfly.com for Opelika. For more informatickets or call 334-745-5715. tion, call 334-703-3333.

• Gear Up! Get Ready!

Game On! It’s Vacation Bible Events can be emailed School time at Central Baptist to the Observer at Church 1611 2nd Ave, Opeeditor@opelikaobserver.com. lika. Children ages 3 years

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

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

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

each other to court (v.

6)! (It makes you wonder how they handled things when brother Smith and brother Jones both requested the prayers of the church in regard to their court appearance. Who knows? Maybe they had a “Bring Your Lawyer Day” at Corinth).

We do know this: Paul tells them that their inability to work things out on their own (which would include getting the counsel of others in the church – v.2 and v. 5) and taking their dispute to court meant “you have been completely defeated already” (v. 7). He then goes for the jugular as he asks two penetrating questions: “Why not rather be wronged?

Why not rather be cheated?” (v. 7).

Is it possible that our

hypersensitivity and willingness to go for the jugular over everything means that we have already been defeated?

Is it possible that what we believe we have to have for our good isn’t as important as the greater good?

Is it possible for us to let go of some things so everyone can move forward? These are not questions for the immature or faint of heart.

The answers we chose to give, though,will say a lot about us and the kind of world we want to live in.

Sometimes our rights are wrong.

Green has written a new book on the prophets called Known Intimately Loved Ultimately. It is available through 21st Century Christian.

Verse of the Week “Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world.

If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

1 John 2:15-17 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 #749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. #745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. #745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy #745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 #741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd #745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. #745-3421 Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Rd #745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. #749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. #749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd #749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 #745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. #745-0832 Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd #745-2247 Church at Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy #705-0505 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. #737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. #745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy #707-3922

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

Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!

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

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pelika Observer O

A10 July 4, 2018

OBITUARIES Lillie Parr Jones Lillie Parr Jones of Opelika, Alabama was born in Notasulga, Alabama to the late John and Claudia Mae Parr on July 27, 1939 and passed away surrounded by her family on June 28, 2018. She was 78 years old.

She was a longtime employee of Diversified Products having been one of the first female hires and stayed until the doors closed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Sanford Jones;

Mary Mercedes Greene Mary Mercedes Greene of Opelika, Alabama was born to the late August and Elizabeth Kauderer on September 3, 1917 in Columbus, Ohio and passed away at EAMC on June 23, 2018.

She was 100 years old.

Mary worked 29 years as an accountant for The Ohio Hardware Association.

She moved to Alabama to be with her son and daughter-inlaw in 2006 at the age of 89.

Mary was a devoted Catholic for over 90 years.

She was preceded in death by her son, Robert Greene; grandson, Bryan Gilbert.

infant son, Faron Morgan; siblings, Thomas, Rosie, Elbert, Willie, Ben, Jean, and George Parr.

She is survived by her daughters, Connie Marie Hernandez (Jose), Lisa Morgan, and Mary Beth Reyes (Lorenzo); step daughters, Sandra Jones, Brenda Perry, Phyllis Roncadori, and Teressa Ashby; 8 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren; brother, Henry Parr, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation was held in the

She is survived by her sons, Michael Greene (Kitty), Ronald Greene (Linda); daughter, Carol Vandervelden (Bill); grandchildren, Jeff Greene, Darrell Greene, James Greene, Lisa Reich, John Gilbert, Greg Gilbert, Ken Gilbert, Jennifer Forbes, Suzanne Bland; 17 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Memorial Mass was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Opelika on Friday, June 29, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. with Father, Bruce Krause, C.M. officiating.

Reception followed after the service at the home of Michael and Kitty Greene.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Saturday, June 30, 2018 from 12:00 until 1:45 p.m.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home with Chaplain Tim Callaway officiating. Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sunil Sharma and Dr. Ramdas Kamath for their loving care of Mrs. Jones.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

Rickey Derwin Stewart Mr. Rickey Derwin Stewart of Opelika, Alabama entered heaven’s gates on June 27, 2018.

Rick was born in Victorville, California on February 25, 1954.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Estelle Marie and John Franklin Stewart, Jr. Rick and Terry were married for just fourteen months.

They reunited after forty-five years, and were high school sweethearts (West High – Anchorage, AK).

Rick is survived by his wife, Terry; brother, David (Kathy); children: Ryan (Mallory) Stew-

Edward F. McConnell Edward F. McConnell of Opelika was born on March 19, 1931 and passed away surrounded by family at his home on July 1, 2018. He was 87 years old.

Son to the late Albert L. and Ida Davis McConnell; preceded in death by 9 siblings; granddaughter, Dee Dee Abrams, step-son, Mickey Owsley.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Hazel J. McConnell; sons, Gary McConnell (Cindy), Larry McConnell (Sheila); daughters, Brenda McConnell, Donna Hill; step-son, Tony Owsley; grandchildren, Candace Michael (Matthew), Heather McConnell, Danita Harrelson, Michael McConnell, Christopher McConnell, Shayne Hurst and Wesley Parker, Michael Owsley (Stephaine), Adam Owsley (Alicia), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 5, 2018 in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home from 1:00 until 2:45 p.m.

The funeral service will be held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. with Brother Harvey Miller officiating.

Interment will follow at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is directing.

art, Carmen (J.W.) Danzey, and Danielle Donnelly. Rick loved his five grandchildren including, Holley and Blake Stewart; Easton and Walker Danzey; and Jaydon Donnelly.

He leaves behind his family and friends including his coworkers from Auburn University where he worked as an electrician.

Rick loved his family and friends and will be remembered for his kind gestures and hard work ethic.

While his battle with cancer was short, he leaves this world in peace knowing he will dwell in the house of the Lord our Savior.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed.

Fuller,

from A4 and keep moving towards the light. We have a built-in compass in our spirit that constantly navigates us towards that light through the darkness. We cannot thrive in the dark. We need light to grow.

Without light a flower cannot bloom. It cannot grow. It is determined to grow because that’s what it’s meant to do. It was planted to grow and bloom. It has a reason. It serves a purpose.

So do I. So do you.

I realized in that very moment that I have so much in common with that broken sunflower.

I think we all have so much in common with this fantastically strong plant. If I had to describe it in one word I would use “resilient.”

It gets knocked down countless times, yet never turns its face from the light. It never gives up. After all of the brokenness, after all of the growing and searching for that light, it blooms.

After all of our brokenness, the growth, regrowth, and searching for the light, we bloom.

And you know what happens when you bloom? You become a source of light for someone else.

When you are broken, stretch yourself into the direction of the sun.

Through light you will find healing and growth.

Then, you bloom.

Lucy Fuller is a lover of nature, animals, gardening, and old houses.

She is a full-time mother and wife. She currently resides in Opelika with her husband, two daughters, 3 dogs, and cat. She may be reached at fullalove2017@gmail.com.

LCC members unveil new county seal, logo at recent meeting To place an obituary in the Opelika Observer, please email editor@opelikaobserver.com For pricing call 749-8003

ASBESTOS LITIGATION

HEALTHY TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS CAN GET BACTERIAL MENINGITIS. HERE IS HOW IT SPREADS:

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THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINES RECOMMENDED FOR PRETEENS AND TEENAGERS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BACTERIAL MENINGITIS AND THE MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE, VISIT alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization or facebook.com/AlabamaImmunizationInfo. #PreventMeningitis #GetVaccinated

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Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law, ARPC7.2.(e) “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

pelika O Observer Trinity Presbyterian VBS Highlights

A11

July 4, 2018

Photos special to the Opelika Observer Pictured are highlights from Trinity Presbyterian Church’s Vacation Bible School held last month.

& Flea Mall

BARN DOOR ENTERTAINMENT CENTER LOOK

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A12 July 4, 2018

pelika Observer O

Pepperell Kids donate painting to Museum of East Alabama Photo by Ann Cipperly

In honor of their Pepperell Village heritage, the Pepperell Kids donated artist Elaine Western’s painting “Pepperell Memories” to the Museum of East Alabama.

A raffle was held at the 14th annual Pepperell Kids reunion with proceeds going toward purchasing the painting. Remaining funds from the raffle were also donated to the museum in honor of the “Kids” who have been lost over the years. Western’s inspiration for the painting of the Pepperell smokestack and water tower began years ago, as she liked how the two landmarks stood side by side in a way that was unique. In her travels, she has admired how landmarks are powerful historical symbols that always represent something. “In the case of the Pepperell landmarks, they represent a way of life from a bygone era in America,” Western said. Pictured at the museum donation are, from left, George Crawford, Pepperell Kid; Janet Crawford, Elaine Western and Glenn Buxton, director of the museum.

MEA opens First Responders Exhibit Thursday

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Museum of East Alabama’s new “First Responders Exhibit” was held last Thursday. The exhibit contains pieces of memorabilia from Opelika’s fire and police department, including a vintage 1948 Ford pumper truck that was used by the city for more than two decades. Food and refreshments for the event were provided by Niffer’s at the Tracks. The museum is located at 121 S. 9th St. and is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and 2-4 p.m. on Saturdays.

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

TURN TO B2 FOR MORE PHOTOS

Opelika City Schools creates new ‘Bulldog Broadcast’ team

Vann Riggs Special to the Opelika Observer Opelika City Schools is proud to announce the new members of the Friday night football “Bulldog Broadcast” team.

Vann Riggs will be the lead announcer, legendary coach Spence McCracken will provide color commentary

Spence McCracken

and Mac McCracken will be the sideline announcer.

Riggs is a 2007 graduate of Auburn University and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeart Media.

He has been the host of the 97.7 Kicker FM morning show since 2008.

Riggs’ broadcast

experience includes serving as the playby-play announcer for Smiths Station Football from 2009-2017 and as the Auburn University baseball play-by-play announcer from 20122016. He is a threetime ABBY winner for Sportscaster of the Year (2013, 2015 and 2017).

He and his wife Bobbi have two children,

Braden and Josie.

Spence was the head coach and athletic director at Opelika High School from 19952008. He led the Bulldogs to seven region titles and compiled an overall record of 13035 while at Opelika.

Spence attended Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery and earned a football

Mac McCracken scholarship to Auburn University where he lettered three years.

He began his coaching career at Decatur High School in Decatur, Georgia, as an assistant coach in 1974. After one year, he returned to Robert E. Lee as an assistant football coach and head track coach.

After five years, Spence was hired as

the head football coach at Montgomery Academy in 1979. From Montgomery Academy, McCracken rejoined his alma mater, Robert E. Lee, where he coached for 11 years and won three state championships. He began his coaching career in Opelika in 1995 and ended See OHS, page B3

Tommie Agee takes job with Andalusia Opelika, Auburn partnering Parks and Recreation Department to build new skate park

By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor

Tommie Agee, longtime assistant director for the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department, has accepted a similar position in Andalusia.

On June 4, the Andalusia Star News reported that Agee was chosen as the Director of Leisure Services and special assistant to Mayor Earl Johnson.

“We have been looking for a leader in this department, and

Agee

we hit a grand slam,” Johnson said in a press release about Agee’s hiring.

Johnson added that one of Agee’s primary tasks will be to help formulate plans for an aquatic center for the city.

A former Auburn

University running back and winner of two Super Bowls as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Agee started with the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department in September 1996.

Following his nearly 22-year stint with OPR, Agee’s last event was the 66th annual “Freedom Celebration” held Tuesday night at Opelika High School.

Attempts to contact Agee for this article were unsuccessful.

By Savannah Vicker For the Opelika Observer Auburn and Opelika's Parks and Recreation departments have joined forces to build a local skate park in place of the old tennis courts at the Indian Pines Golf Course.

Two companies, Spohn Ranch of California and American Ramp Company of Missouri, held separate meetings in Auburn and Opelika to discuss

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer design proposals for the new park, where residents were able to voice their opinions about what elements they’d like to see implemented.

Tito Porrata, custom skatepark architect for ARC, led the meeting and presented several different designs during See Skate, page B3

pelika O Observer Back to the Dawghouse

B2 July 4, 2018

Special to the Opelika Observer Cornerstone Chiropractic is holding a Back-to-School event benefiting the BigHouse Foundation, and they need volunteers. The event will be August 17 from 4-7 p.m. at Cornerstone Chiropractic located on Airport Road in Auburn.

Volunteers are needed from 3:15-8 p.m. (there are two shifts available), and volunteers will need to wear a BigHouse t-shirt (if they have one) and comfortable shorts.

Back-to-School Bash The BigHouse Back to School Bash is also coming up. This year,

the goal is to match all children in foster care, adopted siblings and biological siblings with a sponsor. In order to do this, your help is needed.

To sponsor a child (or family) by shopping for their school supplies or monetarily sponsoring their list, please visit: fs20.formsite.com/bighouse/form29/index. html.

To sponsor more than one child, or to get answers to questions about being a sponsor, please email BigHouse at bighouse@ourbighouse. org.

BigHouse is currently collecting school supplies for the event and is accepting all types of

school supplies: notebooks, pencils, scissors, calculators and more through the end of July.

Please help fill the backpacks of all the foster children in the area.

Support BigHouse by shopping at Kroger and Amazon.

Go to Kroger.com and click the Community tab to link your card to BigHouse. Search for “BigHouse” or the organization number 49001 to register.

Go to smile.amazon. com to sign in and select BigHouse as the charity.

Each quarter, BigHouse will receive a donation on behalf of their shopping partners, and every little bit adds up.

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Pictured are highlights from the 14th annual “Back to the Dawghouse” camp held last week at Opelika High School.

Ozone All-Stars advance to Sub-State tourney

Special to the Opelika Observer The Opelika Ozone All-Star team competed in the Dixie Youth Disctrict 10 tournament held in Opelika June

22-27. They finished as Tournament Runner-up and will advance to the Sub-State Tournament in Montgomery July 5-7.

Game recaps from the Disctrict Tournament are following.

Opelika 7–Smiths Station 4 Taylor Fields started the game on the mound before being relieved by Parker Killcreas in the 3rd inning.

See Ozone, page B4

pelika O Observer

B3 July 4, 2018

New roofs, equipment focus of Opelika OLLI at Auburn hosts Brown Bag Lecture series City School board meeting last week guest Stacie Money

By Savannah Vicker For the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University (OLLI at Auburn) will host its Summer Brown Bag Lecture Series on July 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities (also known as Pebble Hill) located at 101 Debardeleben St. at Auburn University.

OLLI members, guests and the public are all invited to enjoy this lecture series and to learn more about OLLI at Auburn course offerings, social engagements and initiatives.

Featured lecture guest will be Stacie Money with the Lee County Literacy Coalition providing a presentation titled “Real Life Literacy and Our Community.”

This presentation centers on a discussion about the issue of illiteracy.

How does it affect those in our community, our community as a whole, and what can we do to make a difference?

In May 2017, Money was hired as the Administrative Director at the Lee County Literacy Coalition.

Money has a bachelor’s degree in education from Auburn University.

With this degree, she taught in the public school system for several years before operating and owning her own business for more than 11 years in downtown Opelika.

She won the Retailer of the Year Gold award in 2013

from the Alabama Retail Association for businesses with annual sales of fewer than $1 million and was awarded a Community Leadership Award from Main Street Alabama in 2014 after serving on the Board of Directors and being involved in Opelika Main Street for several years.

Along with Tina Tatum, Lee County Literacy Coalition’ program director, Money’s goal is to reach more adults in our community who need assistance reaching their education goals.

Literacy affects every social issue, and readers make better workers, better parents and better citizens.

OLLI at Auburn offers academic not-for-credit programs for adults aged 50 years or older through program sites at Auburn University, AUM in Montgomery and the Chambers County Public Library in Valley.

OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach at Auburn University. OLLI administrative offices and select classes are located at the historic Sunny Slope property, 1031 South College St. in Auburn.

For more information regarding this event or if you would like to assist the organization as a volunteer faculty member, volunteer service assistant or sponsor, contact Ileeia A. Cobb, Ph.D., OLLI Director, at 334-844-3105, olli@auburn. edu, or visit the website at www.olliatauburn.org.

The Opelika City Schools Board of Education approved a bid for the roof replacement and exterior wall recladding of the activities building at Morris Avenue Intermediate School during its monthly meeting last Tuesday.

According to OCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Neighbors, the activity building at Morris Avenue was one of the last buildings to be designed using EIFS, a low-grade building material, which has slowly fallen apart overtime.

Describing it as a roof that not only leaks but seeps, Neighbors voiced

OHS,

from B1 his time coaching the Bulldogs in 2008 with a record of 280-76-1.

Coach McCracken received the USA National Coach of the Year Award in 1986 and was inducted into the AHSAA Hall of Fame in 2004.

He and his wife Pegge have three sons and seven grandchildren and attend Trinity Lutheran Church.

his full approval for the project.

"This is a building that we have been chasing for 20 years. I say, 'fix it,'" Neighbors said.

The school board also approved the reroofing of the low slope roof areas at Jeter Primary School.

Built in 2002, Board Chairwoman Patsy Parker and OCS Assistant Superintendent Kenneth Burton said the repairs are long overdue.

“We have been patching that roof for (a while), and it’s gotten to a point where we felt that we couldn’t continue to patch it," Burton said.

In other business, the board: -approved a bid for cafeteria equipment for the

Skate,

Child Nutrition Program at Carver Primary, Morris Avenue Intermediate, Northside Intermediate and Opelika Middle schools.

-approved an administrative procedure that gives credit for years of experience to certified teachers that have teaching experience in private schools that are accredited by institutions that are recognized by the Alabama Department of Education -approved the 2.5% State Legislative pay raise to be effective at the beginning of each employee's contract -approved an amendment to the FY 2018 budget, which authorized a $42.2 million general fund budget.

Tuesday's meeting at the Opelika Sportsplex.

Porrata, who specializes in customization, said he prides himself in his abilities to incorporate his designs into the physical land.

“The goal is to challenge the individual skaters to kind of skate creatively and then take all these elements to just express themselves and at the same time do something positive in a physical-mental and physical activity," Porrata said.

According to Porrata, the most important aspect of the design is that it is accessible for skaters of all skill levels and hopes to incorporate elements that will challenge the individual skater.

Those in attendance showed interest in park components ranging from pool and flow bowls to a multilevel street plaza.

Final park proposals will be posted online, and the public will have the chance to vote on their favorite designs.

For more information or updates, visit www.opelikaal.gov.

from B1

pelika O Observer

B4 July 4, 2018

NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2018-B-040 TO: UNKNOWN FATHER Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Ronald David Tielking and Alicia Nichole Tielking, on June 5, 2018, for the Adoption of Z.B.T., born on October 25, 2016 to Michala Nichole Owen. A hearing has been set for the 15th day of August, 2018 at 11:00 o'clock a.m. central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Should you intend to contest this adoption, you must file a written response within thirty (30) days of the date of the last publication herein, with the Clerk of said Probate Court at 215 S. 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801 or appear on the date of the hearing a set above to contest said Petition.

Done this 14th day of June, 2018.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 6/20, 6/27, 7/4, 7/11

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO.: CV-2018-900100 TRACI AMIRI, PLAINTIFF, VS. THOMAS MICHAEL FULLER, DEFENDANT. NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: THOMAS MICHAEL FULLER, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, whose whereabouts are unknown; and, Take notice that a Complaint has been filed against you in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, in case styled, “Traci Amiri vs.

Thomas Michael Fuller”, Case No. CV-2018-

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA. CASE NO 2018-A-233 IN RE: The Estate of Edwin Joseph Bengtson, Sr., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Linda McPheeters, as Executrix of the Estate of Edwin Joseph Bengtson, Sr., deceased, on the 30th day of May, 2018 by the Honorable Bill English.

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

LINDA MCPHEETERS, Executrix of the Estate of Edwin Joseph Bengtson, Sr., deceased Legal Run 7/4/18, 7/11/18 & 7/18/18

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY L. KELLEY, DECEASED PETITION TO PROBATE WILL NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of MARY L. KELLEY, deceased, having been granted to the SHERRY D. THARPE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL JULY 17, 2018 7:00 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with §23-4-2, Code of Alabama, 1975, that the City Council of the City of Opelika will conduct a Public Hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Opelika City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 204 S. 7th Street, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to receive the benefit of public input concerning a proposal to vacate the portion of Priester Road lying between Lots 2 and 3 of Dixie Baker Subdivision, according to plat of said subdivision of record in Plat Book 40 at Page 33 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee

LEGALS

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: Extra Space Storage 1412 Opelika Road. Auburn AL, 36830 on 07/18/2018 at 2:00 p.m.

King Hutchinson Jr

OLIVER, on the 19th day of June, 2018, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. s/Raymond L. Jakcson, Jr./ Raymond L. Jackson, Jr.

County, Alabama. All persons interested in the proposed vacation are invited to appear at the public hearing and express their views. Written statements or objections may be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the time of the hearing.

The portion of Priester Road proposed to be vacated is more particularly described as follows: Commence and begin at the northwest corner of Lot 3 located on the Eastern right-of-way of Priester Road of a parcel of land more fully described as follows: From this point of beginning thence South 02°35’35” East, a distance of 139.03 feet; thence South 86°09’45” West, a distance of 60.02 feet; thence North 02°35’35” West, a distance of 146.61 feet; thence South 86°37’17” East, a dis-

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF) IN THE PROBATE COURT OF) ROBERT MORRIS BYRD, DECEASED. ) LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 28th day of June, 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.

ROBERT MORRIS BYRD, II DAVID SCOTT BYRD Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 7/4, 7/11 & 7/18

Ozone,

give Opelika its first loss in the tournament.

Jake Cummings was the starting pitcher for Opelika, pitching into the 4th inning before being relieved by Russell Copous. The duo scattered 6 hits while striking out 6 batters. The offense was led by Russell Copous, D’Andre Smith and Jackson Killcreas with one hit each. Jackson Sanders scored 2 runs on 2 walks.

Nine runners were left on base.

Opelika 6–Auburn Blue 5 Jackson Sanders was the starting pitcher for Opelika pitching into the 4th inning before reaching the pitch count limit.

Sanders allowed no hits

Russell Copous finished the game. Leading the way at the plate was Jackson Sanders and Taylor Fields with 2 hits followed by Russell Copous, Carter Dees, Jack McKay, Judson Cherry, D’Andre Smith and Jackson Killcreas with a hit also. Max Littleton, Ethan Lewis and Jake Cummmings each scored a run.

Opelika 4–Auburn Orange 6 In a game that saw 5 lead changes, Auburn pushed two runs across in the last inning to

Attorney for SHERRY D. THARPE OLIVER Executor of the Estate of MARY L. KELLEY, Deceased Attorney for Personal Representative: Raymond Jackson Alsobrook Jackson 126 S. 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 991-3143 Legal run 6/27, 7/4 & 7/11

tance of 60.33 feet to the point of beginning of a parcel of land, said parcel containing 8,569.6 square feet or 0.20 acres, more or less.

A copy of the Petition to Vacate and the proposed resolution approving the vacation will be available upon request at the office of the City Clerk, 2 nd Floor of City Hall, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Please contact Lisa McLeod, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5131 at least two(2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

DATED this the 13th day of June, 2018. /s/ R. G. Shuman ROBERT G. SHUMAN, CITY CLERK Legal Run 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 and 7/4/18.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF) IN THE PROBATE COURT OF) GLADYS MARIE TARVER BYRD, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA DECEASED.)Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 28th day of June, 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.

ROBERT MORRIS BYRD, II DAVID SCOTT BYRD Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal run 7/4, 7/11 & 7/18/2018.

from B2

900100.

You must file any answer to said Complaint on or before thirty (30) days from the date of the last publication of this Notice or a default judgment will be taken against you. Your answer must be filed with Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr., Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff, 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201, Lanett, Alabama 36863, and also with this office.

Dated this 26th day of June, 2018. /s/ Mary B. Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County, AL Legal Run 7/4, 7/11, 7/18 & 7/25/18

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE UTILITIES BOARD OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the regular July 23, 2018 meeting of the board of directors of the The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika will be held on July 16, 2018 beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the board room of the Administrative Building located in the W. War-

ner Williams Water Resource Park, 4055 Water Street, Opelika, Alabama. The meeting agenda will be posted as specified in State law. This is further to advise that the regular scheduled meeting of the Board for July 23, 2018 has been cancelled. DATED this the 25 day of June 2018.

Herbert Slaughter SECRETARY OF THE UTILITIES BOARD OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 7/4/2018

Unit# K137 5020 US HW 29S Auburn, AL, 36830 Household furniture and boxes Demetria Massengale Unit# V378 117 Mountain View St Goodwater, AL, 35072 Couch, chair, few boxes, table and a bed.

Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 6/27 & 7/4/18

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF C. C. TORBERT, JR., CASE NO. 2018-B-045 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary upon the Last Will and Testament of said decendent, having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of June, 2018, by the Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are regis-

tered to file an itemized and verified statement of such claim in the office of the said Judge of Probate within six months from the above date, or said claim will be barred and payment prohibited.

GENE H. TORBERT and CLEMENT CLAY TORBERT III, Executors Legal Run 6/27, 7/4, 7/11

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Rita Faye Griggs, Deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration have been granted to Michael Edward Griggs, as Administrator of the Estate of Rita Faye Griggs deceased, on the 22nd day of June, 2018, by the Hon.

Bill English.

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

James E. Hall, Attorney for Administrator Legal Run 6/27, 7/4, 7/11

FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Diversified Steel Fabrication, Inc., Contractor, has completed the Contract for (Construction,) (Renovation) (Alteration) (Equipment) (Improvement) of GRAND NATIONAL HOTEL ADDITION at Opelika, AL for The Retirement Systems of Alabama, Owner, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim

for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Goodwyn, Mills, & Cawood, Inc. (Architect), Diversified Steel Fabricators, Inc. (Contractor) 195 Jeanette Barrett Ind. Pkwy, Wetumpka, AL 36092 (Business Address) NOTE: This notice must be run once a week for four successive weeks for projects exceeding $50,000.00, for projects of less than $50,000.00 run one time only. Proof of publication is required.

Legal run 6/27, 7/4, 7/11 & 7/18/2018.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MAMIE L. HAYWOOD, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE OF DAY SET FOR HEARING TO PROBATE WILL TO: Kathy Early Leo Dewayne Haywood, Jr. WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN AND ANY OTHER UNKNOWN HEIRS On the 28th day of June, 2018, a Petition to Probate the Will of Mamie L. Haywood, deceased was filed in the Lee County Probate Office. The 31st day of August, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. CST is appointed the day for hearing thereof at which time you can appear and contest the same if you see proper.

Given under my hand the 29th day of June, 2018. BILL ENGLISH, JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA LEGAL RUN 7/4, 7/11 & 7/18/18

while striking out 10.

Russell Copous pitched the remainder of the game, allowing no walks while holding a one-run lead. Leading the way hitting were Copous with 3 hits, while Parker Killcreas, McKay, Cherry and Jackson Killcreas had one hit each. Sanders walked three times in the game, scoring two runs.

Opelika 1–Auburn Orange 11 Jack McKay, Carter Dees and Ethan Lewis pitched for Opelika.

Leading hitters were Taylor Fields, Sanders, Dees, Max Littleton, Cummings, Cherry and Jackson Killcreas with one hit each.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LEO D. HAYWOOD, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE OF DAY SET FOR HEARING TO PROBATE WILL TO: Kathy Early Leo Dewayne Haywood, Jr. WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN AND ANY OTHER UNKNOWN HEIRS On the 28th day of June, 2018, a Petition to Probate the Will of Leo D. Haywood, deceased was filed in the Lee County Probate Office.

The 31st day of August, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. CST is appointed the day for hearing thereof at which time you can appear and contest the same if you see proper.

Given under my hand the 29th day of June, 2018. BILL ENGLISH, JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA LEGAL RUN 7/4, 7/11 & 7/18/18

In the Matter of: BLF, a minor. Notice of Filing of Partial Accounting Interested persons: Kenneth R. Ferguson, Conservator of the minor, has filed his accounting requesting approval of partial settlement. August 20, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. is the time set to review said accounting at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th St. Opelika, AL. at which time all persons interested can appear and contest the appointment if they deem it proper.

Done this the 2nd day of July, 2018.

BILL ENGLISH/PROBATE JUDGE LEGAL RUN 7/4, 7/11 & 7/18

NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE SALE To be held on Monday, July 30, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Best 4 Less at 2509 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801.

KNDUP131626331432 - 2002 KIA SEDONA LEGAL RUN 7/4 & 7/11/18

IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA A.L.D., a minor child (DOB 6/10/2010) Case JU-2015 374.04 NOTICE TO: Any alleged or unknown father of A.L.D. born at Columbus Regional Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia on 6/10/2010 to Jessica M. Darling. The Legal custody of A.L.D. was

vested in Connie Waites on April 30, 2018. Any alleged or unknown father must answer the Petition to Terminate hisparental rights filed in the Family Court of Lee County, Alabama, within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this Notice with the Clerk of Court located 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, or

thereafter, a final judgment may be rendered in Case JU-2015-374.04 terminating his parental rights and placing said child for adoption.

MARY ROBERSON, CIRCUIT CLERK LEGAL RUN 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25/18

IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA J.M.J., a minor child (DOB 03/23/2006) Case JU-2015 373.04 NOTICE TO: Any alleged or unknown father of J.M.J. born at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama on 03/23/2006 to Jessica M. Darling. The Legal custody of J.M.J. was

vested in Connie Waites on April 30, 2018. Any alleged or unknown father must answer the Petition to Terminate hisparental rights filed in the Family Court of Lee County, Alabama, within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this Notice with the Clerk of Court located 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika,

AL 36801, or thereafter, a final judgment may be rendered in Case JU2015-373.04 terminating his parental rights and placing said child for adoption.

MARY ROBERSON, CIRCUIT CLERK LEGAL RUN 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25/18

Opelika, Lee County & A labama Politics RUN-OFF ELECTION WILL BE JULY 17

John Andrew Harris endorses Jeremy Gray in District 83 race Special to the Opelika Observer

Inside the Statehouse

O

By Steve Flowers

tto Whittaker wrote the following essay, “I Am the Nation” in 1955 as a public relations advertisement for the Norfolk and Western Railway.

The message found in Mr. Whittaker’s essay is still appropriate for this Independence Day, so I have chosen to include it below as part of my weekly column.

“I was born on July 4, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate. The bloodlines of the world run in my veins, because I offered freedom to the oppressed. I am many things and many people. I am the Nation.

I am 213 million living souls – and the ghost of millions who have lived and died for me. I am Nathan Hale and Paul Revere. I stood at Lexington and fired the shot heard around the world. I am Washington, Jefferson, Patrick Henry. I am John Paul Jones, the Green Mountain Boys and Davy Crockett. I am Lee and Grant and Abe Lincoln.

I remember the Alamo, the Maine and Pearl Harbor. When freedom called I answered and stayed until it was over, over there. I left my heroic dead in Flanders Fields, on the rock of Corregidor, on the bleak slopes of Korea.

I am the Brooklyn Bridge, the wheat fields of Kansas and the granite hills of Vermont. I am the coalfields of the Virginias and Pennsylvania, the fertile lands of the West, the Golden Gate and the Grand Canyon. I am Independence Hall, the Monitor and Merrimac. I am big. I sprawl from the Atlantic to the Pacific – my arms reach out to embrace Alaska and Hawaii – 3 million square miles throbbing with industry. I am more than 5 million farms. I am forest, field, mountain and desert.

I am quiet villages – and cities that never sleep.

You can look at me and see Ben Franklin walking down the streets of Philadelphia with his bread loaf under his arm. You can see Betsy Ross with her needle. You can see the lights of Christmas, and hear the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” as the calendar turns.

I am Babe Ruth and the World Series. I am schools and colleges, and churches where my people worship God as they think best. I am a ballot dropped in a box, the roar of a crowd in a stadium and the voice of a choir in a cathedral. I am an editorial in a newspaper and a letter to a congressman.

I am Eli Whitney and Stephen Foster. I am Tom Edison, Albert Einstein and Billy Graham. I

am Horace Greeley, Will Rogers and the Wright brothers. I am George Washington Carver, Jonas Salk and Martin Luther King. I am Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman and Thomas Paine.”

Today, we have Donald Trump. Our current president is the most unbridled and shoot from the hip president I have witnessed in my lifetime. He is amazingly similar to Alabama’s most colorful and uninhibited governor, Big Jim Folsom.

Similar to Folsom, Trump has a childlike disrespect for decorum.

Recently, Trump was making a speech that someone had written for him. He read to a large audience, “This 2018 election is as important as the 2016 election.” He paused and said, “I don’t know who wrote that. I don’t know that I really believe that, and I don’t think y’all think I do either.”

Similarly, Big Jim Folsom in his day was to address the American Textile Association meeting, which was being held in Montgomery. At that time Textiles was Alabama’s largest industry. Ole Big Jim had been in Mobile for a week on a fishing expedition with some of his buddies. As Governor Big Jim was to give a welcoming speech to the Textile executives and dignitaries from throughout the country, the state troopers drove Big Jim hurriedly from Mobile to Montgomery.

As he was getting out of the car to walk into the hotel to give his welcoming speech, an aide handed him the speech to give, which Big Jim had not seen.

He got up and started reading the speech and it was full of all kind of statistics. He read, “Alabama has over 200,000 people employed in the textile industry.

It accounts for one out of every four jobs.

We are the second leading textile state in America.” Big Jim paused in childlike amazement with his mouth wide open and blared out in a loud and astonishing voice, “I’ll be doggone, I didn’t know that!”

Have a safe and happy Independence Day. We will continue next week with the sagas of Alabama politics.

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.

On June 30, 2018, I, John Andrew Harris, have decided to endorse and give my full support to the candidate I believe is the best person to serve as the next Alabama House of Representatives for District 83.

After the primary on June 5th, I was contacted

by Councilwoman and retired teacher Patsy Jones who stated she thought I should support her campaign because of her experience as the councilperson in Opelika as well as her work at the Alabama Educators Association (AEA) and the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC).

Patsy and I really know one another and have been around each other for a long time. We both have been in Opelika and Lee County politics for some time; however, I’ve really tried to serve the people, protect the people, and do something for the area I represent in Opelika and throughout Lee County, and I know

that the people know the difference and understand that.

Although faced with the disappointment of running a hard-fought race and not having the outcome I was hoping, I have served this community for 30 years and will continue to serve the community. And, it was the call I received a week after the primary when I talked to Jeremy Gray, Mr. EYG that helped me to understand what the people see in this young man. Jeremy Gray said he contacted me to thank me for running a good race and the service I have provided to the community and asked me if I would serve as a mentor or an advisor to him. I appreciated that. I had heard people saying good things about Jeremy “Mr. EYG” Gray and all the good thing he was doing with his business, his nonprofit, the community resource center, and the people, but it was at that point, I really experienced who Jeremy Gray, the man, is for myself.

That is important.

I am a man that is for the people, and it’s the voice of the people that has always moved me into action. And, now the time has come for me and those who support me to be a part of the change that is needed today. Special interests groups and the will of rooted politicians have far too often prevailed over the legitimate voices and concerns of the people they were entrusted to serve. City council meetings and county commission meetings and public hearings have become exclusive member gatherings instead of the halls of representation and the vehicles of change they were supposed to be. I heard Jeremy Gray as Patsy and I debated him.

I liked that Jeremy Gray has a presence that stands on its own. Even before the election season, I had seen Jeremy Gray in the community working hard. So, District 83, it’s time for real change.

Therefore, today, June 30, 2018, I am placing my full endorsement, my See Gray, page B9

Voter registration numbers on the rise in Alabama Special to the Opelika Observer

It's morning in Alabama, and Alabamians are registering to vote and turning out to cast their ballots in record numbers.

Secretary of State John H. Merrill is proud to announce that the upward trend in record voter registration across the state has continued, and we have reached a milestone of 1

million newly registered voters. Since Merrill took office on January 19, 2015, he has tracked registrations to document the progress made with the implementation of new programs like the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), online voter registration and the Photo Voter ID and voter registration awareness campaign.

As of today, Alabama

currently has 3,389,018 registered voters. In addition, 1,004,250 of those voters have registered since January 19, 2015, or the date since Merrill took office.

When Merrill was elected in 2014, he was determined to transform the State's Elections Division into a voter-focused office that embraced tech-

See Voters, page B9

Smiths Station resident visits with Rep. Mike Rogers

Special to the Opelika Observer Dalton Harrelson, of Smiths Station, visited with Rep. Mike Rogers in his Washington office this week. Harrelson was nominated by Rogers for the U.S. Naval Academy. He and his family came for a tour of the U.S. Capitol before he heads to Annapolis.

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B6 July 4, 2018

Alabama Tax Amnesty Senator Jones Applauds Passage of Application Period opened Farm Bill that Protects Alabama Priorities July 1, ends Sept. 1 Special to the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer The Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) would like to remind taxpayers that the Alabama Tax Delinquency Amnesty Program of 2018, created by Act 2018-153, began taking applications July 1. The application period runs through Sept. 30, and eligible taxpayers can submit applications at alabamataxamnesty. com.

The Alabama Tax Delinquency Amnesty Program applies to eligible taxes due before, or for tax periods that began before Jan. 1, 2017.

All applications must be submitted electronically through the Alabama tax amnesty website. The website

also provides all the information taxpayers may need on the program and answers to frequently asked questions.

The amnesty program will be available to eligible taxpayers who have not been contacted by the department within the last two years and are not a party to a criminal investigation or litigation in any court of the United States or Alabama pending as of March 6, 2018, for nonpayment, delinquency or fraud in relation to any Alabama taxes administered by the Department.

Most taxes administered by ADOR, with the exception of motor fuel, motor vehicle and property taxes, are eligible for the 2018 Amnesty

Program. This includes, but is not limited to, corporate and individual income, business privilege, financial institution excise, consumers use, sellers use, withholding and sales taxes.

All penalties and interest will be waived for approved amnesty applications.

Taxpayers who believe they may have delinquent tax liabilities in Alabama should consult with their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for the tax amnesty program.

For more information on taxpayer eligibility, eligible tax types, leniency terms, the application process and more, visit alabamataxamnesty.com or email amnesty@ revenue.alabama.gov.

Smiths Station High School student receives recognition for her artwork in U.S. Capitol

Special to the Opelika Observer Pictured, Rep. Mike Rogers, Ragan Floyd and her artwork titled “Russ” that was recently hung in the Cannon tunnel to the U.S. Capitol. Floyd, a rising senior at Smiths Station High School, won the 2018 Third Congressional District Art Competition. Floyd’s artwork will be on display for one year.

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today announced that the Senate has approved his bipartisan Rural Health Liaison Act, the first original legislation he introduced in the Senate, as a part of the Farm Bill package. Communities across Alabama stand to benefit from increased federal support as part of the Farm Bill that passed in the Senate this afternoon. The legislation, which is undertaken only once every five years, is a comprehensive bill that encompasses a wide range of issues from commodity price supports and rural development to agricultural conservation and food assistance. The version that passed in the Senate today provides protections for Alabama’s farmers as well as critical support for key Alabama issues such as health care, sewage infrastructure, and broadband.

“Farming is a risky venture. Bad market conditions or natural disasters could devastate the livelihood of Alabama’s farmers in any moment. This Farm Bill offers important protections and safety nets to ensure our farmers are covered. Throughout this process, I have advocated to protect our cotton, peanut, and soybean producers among all the other important commodities our state produces. I will continue to do so as the bill moves to a conference report,” Jones said. “I’m also proud to have worked with my colleagues to include my first original legislation in the Farm Bill text to improve rural health care delivery, in addition to addressing several critical needs for the state of Alabama like expanding access to high-speed internet and combatting our sewage system crisis.”

The Senate-approved Farm Bill also includes

several specific provisions championed by Jones for Alabama’s rural communities, including: Health Care The Rural Health Liaison Act (S. 2894): establishes a rural health liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better coordinate federal resources and expand health care access to Americans who have for too long struggled to receive quality, affordable care in their own communities. Jones introduced this bipartisan legislation last month with Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (DMinn.).

Sewage Infrastructure The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (S.2772): expands the USDA’s Household Water Well System Grant Program to provide grants of up to $15,000 to low- and moderate-income households in rural areas for installing or maintaining individually-owned decentralized wastewater systems. Jones was an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to help address the rural sewage system crisis facing Alabama and other states.

Jones has visited impacted Alabama residents in Lowndes County and recently co-hosted a public health fair in Hayneville, Alabama, with Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) to provide information and other resources to the community.

Broadband The Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act (S. 1676): increases the authorization from $25 million to $150 million annually for the USDA to provide loans and loan guarantees for broadband services in rural communities. Jones cosponsored this legislation led by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and

Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.).

The Community Connect Grant Program Act (S. 2654): authorizes $50 million annually for the USDA Community Connect Program, which provides broadband grants targeted to the most rural, unserved, and high-poverty communities in the country.

The program expands high-speed internet by providing new grants that will connect unserved households and businesses with modern internet access and streamlines broadband application process.

Jones cosponsored this legislation led by Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

Farmers and Ranchers The Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act (S. 3117): requires the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide farm numbers to farmers with certain documentation, including in concert with Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Laws in some states. The bill also authorizes FSA to make loans to qualified intermediaries to re-lend to families seeking to resolve heirs’ property issues. Jones introduced this legislation with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to ensure that farmers of color don’t face unnecessary obstacles to use inherited land and to help them preserve this important source of wealth for future generations.

The Assist Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Act (S.2839) and the Next Generation in Agriculture Act (S. 2762): these two bills were combined to create permanent, mandatory baseline funding to educate the next generation of farmers and reach more minority farmers.

Jones was an original cosponsor of both bills.

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July 4, 2018

Community Calendar: Events around town

Ongoing: • Village Friends/Village Values is a nonprofit organization that supports seniors who prefer to stay in their own homes as they grow older. For info or to schedule a presentation to your group, call 334-2094641. For the website, Google “village friends village values.”

• The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR chapter is appealing for sweaters, jackets, trousers, shirts and socks, women’s clothing, soft soap in individual containers, shaving supplies, disposable razors, denture cleanser, toothpaste and toothbrushes, DVDs, games, books and magazines to take to veterans at the CAVHCS in Tuskegee.

The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR Chapter regularly visits veterans living in assisted living, the homeless domiciliary and psych (trauma) ward in Tuskegee. Donations are tax deductible and will be much appreciated. Pick up is provided. Please call Linda Shabo at 887-6659 or at 256307-1449.

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

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

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

• Smiths Station Military Chapter of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) meets weekly at Mike & Ed’s at 5 p.m. For more information, call 2975581 or visit www.nonukesforiran.org.

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

• The Touched by Suicide Support Group meets the first Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the East Alabama Medical Center Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway. For more information, contact Deborah Owen, EAMC’s director of Psychiatric Services at 334528-4197 or deborahowen@ eamc.org.

• The fourth Monday of each month a Community Grief Support Group meets from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the EAMC Health Resource

Center. No reservations are necessary; everyone is welcome. For more information call 826-1899 or 502-0216.

• T.O.P.S (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), a weight loss support group, meets every Monday night from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Ave., Opelika. For more info contact Mary Johnson, 7491584.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• A monthly educational program on topics for autism parents, caregivers and teachers will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Ave., Opelika from 6-7:30 p.m.

Childcare is provided, but reservations need to be made by contacting Maria Gutierrez at mariag@leecountyautism.

com to make sure there are enough volunteers.

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

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

Meetings are preceded by non-voting work sessions that typically begin about 6:306:45 p.m.

• Every second Tuesday, a country, gospel and bluegrass music jam session is held at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Beauregard.

The event is free and open to the public. Those who play an instrument should bring it and plan to join in. The jam session is held from 6–8 p.m.

8685 AL Highway 51.

• A Grief Support Group meets at Oak Bowery United Methodist Church Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone dealing with the pain of loss and feeling the need for support on their journey as they attempt to bring order and wholeness back into their life. Attendance and participation is strictly voluntary for any and all sessions. There are no fees or charges involved.

The church is located on U.S. Highway 431 – eight miles north from Southern Union State Community College and Opelika High School. For more information contact Bill Parker at 459-0214 or 706518-9122.

• The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Regional Airport. The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit organization that is Congressionally chartered to be the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and focuses on three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. For more information visit www.auburncap. org or find the organization on Facebook.

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.

• Auburn-Opelika Chapter of Citizen’s Climate Lobby (CCL) meets every fourth Wednesday. CCL is a nonprofit, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. We consider a national carbon fee which would be distributed as a dividend to all U.S. households as the most important solution to climate change.

Meetings are held at the Hubert and Grace Harris Center Meeting Room (425 Perry St., Auburn, AL 36830 --- directly across from the Auburn, AL U.S. Post Office), 7 -8:30 p.m.

To learn more about CCL go to our website: citizensclimatelobby.org.

• 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: • 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 334737-5215 or cheri.paradice@ gmail.com for more information or luncheon location of

the month.

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

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

Call 334-528-1076 for more information.

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

• Auburn/Opelika MOPS & MOMSnext Summer Play Dates • July 19: Meet us for a fun craft at Monkey Park in Opelika.

• August 30: Meet us at George’s Farmers Market for a fun day on the farm.

• July 11 - East Alabama Mental Health Center will provide a “Mental Health First Aid Training Seminar” July 11 at the Smiths Station Ruritan Club, located at 2000 Lee Road 430. The course is free but space is limited. For more information or to register, call Chelsea Neighbors at 334742-2112 or email chelsea. neighbors@eamhc.org.

• The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art in Smiths Station is now offering summer studio art classes. The weekly classes are open to all skill levels, and cost of registration covers the cost of art supplies. For more information, call 334-4802008.

• The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art holds evening and after-school studio art classes year-round. Open to all skill levels, art supplies are included with the cost of registration. Call 334-480-2008.

Early enrollment for afterschool art classes taught by Michele and Sarah West of the Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art are now open for the 2018-19 school year. The course is available and open to all skill levels, and art supplies are provided. For more information, call 334-480-2008.

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

B8 July 4, 2018

pelika O Observer

‘Family Day’ celebration held at Bandy Park Saturday

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer A celebration of Bandy Park’s upgrades was held last Saturday. The event featured free food, music, 3-on-3 basketball and entertainment for participants.

pelika O Observer Camp,

from A1 show them what we do and how we do it,” Revels said.

Revels said that they have seen an increase in children wanting to participate over the years, with nearly 100 participants this year. “We’ve even had some that have grown up and gone to college, and we were able to write them a letter

Voters,

from B5 nology to help Alabama's voters better transition into a more modern and efficient elections system. His first steps included building and hosting a committee of elected representatives, community leaders and private citizens, to review changes to the felony disenfranchisement laws, the implementation of electronic poll books and changes to the voter registration system to ensure the state was fully compliant with the National Voter Registration Act. The committees reviewing felony disenfranchisement laws and electronic poll books produced legislation to allow implementation.

The team of Secretary of State staff reviewing the state's compliance with NVRA determined the state needed to make arrangements with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to

of recommendation for their college applications”, said Revels.

LCSRP started enrolling kids around February by hanging flyers and having a sign up on their website.

“We’re just thankful the sheriff allows us to do this and give back to the community to say we’re not just out there doing the regular patrol, but other things as well to ensure a partnership with the community,” Revels said.

become compliant with federal law, which required Alabamians to be given the opportunity to register when they obtain a new license or update their Alabama driver's license. This process was accomplished and helped Merrill's team implement the state's new online voter registration system, which verifies a person's identity by checking it against their driver's license information. Utilizing this new interactive resource that resulted from a partnership with ALEA, the Secretary of State's Office was able to utilize a program called ERIC, which allowed the Office to contact all Alabamians with a driver's license who were not yet registered to vote.

The team that reviewed the electronic poll book systems prepared a pilot program for the 2016 General Election and followed it with an RFP process that certified three poll book vendors for statewide use. These systems accelerated check-in times, allowing voters more

Gray,

from B5 effort, and my support for the type of change we need, and I appeal to all the people to consider Jeremy Gray’s run for office and encourage you to groom and support this next generation leader as our next Alabama State House of Representative for District 83. Lee and Russell County, on July 17th, Jeremy “Mr. EYG” Gray has my vote. He is a candidate with an independent voice.

“I would like to thank Commissioner John Harris for his immediate access to their ballot. In Mobile County, poll workers were able to process more than 600 voters an hour.

Early in his tenure as Secretary of State, Merrill discovered that the Secretary of State's Office had been given approval to conduct online voter registration via an Attorney General's opinion issued in 2009.

Merrill directed his team to develop a low-cost solution to this issue. The team began in late 2015, and by January of 2016, a solution was in place.

By March of that same year, an accompanying phone app had been developed for users to register or update their voter record and find their polling location on Election Day. To date, 26 Alabama counties have begun utilizing this equipment, and Merrill hopes to have them in every polling location in the state by 2022.

The automatic voter registration system has accounted for more than two-thirds, or 650,341 of the new registrations

B9 July 4, 2018

support and his commitment to vote for me in this upcoming run-off. I am honored because I know that Commissioner Harris has been a true and Harris Gray dependable voice for more than 30 me with his vote on July 17th. years in this community. It is his I understand the weight of this knowledge, instruction, and com- responsibility. With his help and mitment I value, and I promise yours I will diligently run a great to incorporate all I can into my campaign during the general own service. Furthermore, I want election and ultimately serve the district to know that I do not as the next Alabama House of take lightly the assistance ComRepresentative for District 83,” missioner Harris has provided to Gray said in response in Harris’ my campaign. He has entrusted endorsement.

since Merrill took office.

Another area Merrill has sought to improve within the Secretary of State's responsibilities is the Boards of Registrars offices in all 67 Alabama counties. These board members are appointed by the Governor, the Auditor, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and are responsible for ensuring that each Alabamian who wishes to become a registered voter is given that opportunity. Merrill has ensured the implementation of a rigorous training schedule for these board members by partnering with Auburn University's School of Election Management. This training ensures that registrars are equipped to handle the system and the various day-to-day issues.

Additionally, the training provides continuing education credits through Auburn University.

Merrill has also implemented a traveling voter registration and Photo Voter ID unit that travels to festivals, churches and businesses across the

state and conduct voter registration drives. Merrill has also made home visits a reality for voters who are unable to attend a mobile unit event. Citizens can request these units either by calling the Secretary of State's Office at 334-242-7200 or by visiting alabamavotes. gov.

The final and most well-known effort that Merrill implemented to reach each and every Alabamian who wishes to become a registered voter was a marketing campaign that utilizes recognizable Alabamians as a way to carry the message of voter registration and Photo Voter ID to people across the state. These efforts included the following famous Alabamians (who provided this service at no cost to the taxpayer): - Nick Saban (Alabama Head Football Coach) - Gus Malzahn (Auburn Head Football Coach) - Deontay Wilder (World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion)

- Charles Barkley (2time NBA Hall of Fame Inductee) - Dr. Mae Jemison (First Black Female Astronaut) - Jessica Proctor (Miss Alabama 2017) - Taylor Hicks (Season 5 American Idol Winner) - Rick and Bubba (Syndicated Radio Hosts) Merrill produced posters and radio and TV commercials that encourage voters to prepare for Election Day by registering to vote and ensuring that they obtain a government-issued Photo ID prior to the election.

These programs led to the largest increase in state history for voter registrations at more than 1 million newly registered voters. Each of these programs has placed power in the hands of Alabamians to ensure that they have access to be participants in the electoral process which makes Alabama and the United States great.

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B10 July 4, 2018

pelika O Observer

Last week’s answers:

6-27 SCRAMBLER ANSWERS: 1), Amaze 2), Range 3), Direct 4), Patrol Solution: Camera

pelika O Observer

B11 July 4, 2018

COMICS

There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

-Erma Bombeck

pelika O Observer

B12 July 4, 2018

Cipperly,

from A7

way to serve iced tea.

Scout Southern Market serves a tea float.

It is made by adding a scoop of fruit sorbet to a glass ofsweet or unsweet tea. It is especially good with lemon sorbet on a hot afternoon.

Other Lowcountry towns along the South Carolina coast offer outstanding shrimp and seafood dishes. Charleston is a favorite with many superb restaurants.

Bluffton, known for their special oysters, and Palmetto Bluff

are also interesting towns.

If you can’t make it to the Lowcountry or beach this summer, treat your family to a few shrimp dishes at home. Shrimp can be boiled or baked and served with cocktail sauce for quick meals.

Many of the following recipes are simple to prepare and enhanced with garlic, lemon and other easy-to-find ingredients.

The following recipes are a few favorites from our home and other Opelika families.

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

Recipes Shrimp Dip Lucy Whatley 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1 lb. shrimp, cooked and peeled 1 jar marinated artichokes, drained Garlic salt Old Bay seasonings, optional

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and onions. Chop shrimp into two or three pieces, and chop artichokes. Add to mixture. Add garlic salt to taste and a sprinkle of Old Bay. Let shrimp sit overnight in refrigerator.

Serve with crackers.

Don’s Cocktail Sauce 1/2 cup chili sauce 1/4 cup ketchup 2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish, drained (more or less to taste) 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. gin, optional 7-8 dashes Tabasco sauce

Coarse salt and white pepper In a bowl, combine all ingredients.

Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Prepared, jarred horseradish is found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

Grilled Marinated Shrimp ½ cup oil ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup lemon juice 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined Combine all ingredients except shrimp; blend well. Add

shrimp. Chill 2 to 3 hours.

Thread shrimp onto skewers. Grill 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until shrimp turn pink.

Can thread shrimp onto woody end of rosemary branches. If using wooden skewers, soak in water for a few minutes.

Smoked Gouda or Cheddar Grits Prepare Creamy Grits recipe and add 1 to 2 cups grated smoked Gouda or

cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and blended into grits.

FOOD RATINGS Ross House Coffee 150 N. Ross St. Auburn Score: 100

Little Italy 129 E. Magnolia Ave. Auburn Score: 98

Honey Baked Ham 1451 Gateway Dr. Opelika Score: 100

New China 1515 2nd Ave. Opelika Score: 98

One Bike Coffee 2415 Moore’s Mill Rd. Auburn Score: 99

Del Ranch 4920 Lee Road 430 Smiths Station Score: 98

Little Caesar’s 1621 S. College St. Auburn Score: 99

The Rockin’ Robin Bar & Grill 2102 Alabama Highway 169 Opelika Score: 97

Low Country Shrimp Boil Pete Mitchell was known for his wonderful Shrimp Boil. ½ pot of water ½ cup salt 1/3 cup vinegar 3 pkg. Zataran’s shrimp boil seasonings 30 small new pota-

toes 4 lbs. Hillshire original smoked sausage 12 half ears frozen Green Giant sweet corn 5 lbs. headless shrimp with tails and shells, deveined Fill stock pot half full of water; add salt,

Beaufort Fried Shrimp 2 lbs. shrimp 2 cups flour 2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. black pepper 2 tsp. paprika 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1 Tbsp. hot sauce Oil Peal and devein shrimp, leaving tails on. Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl and all the wet

in another.

Place the shrimp in the dry ingredients first, then in the egg wash and back into the flour a second time.

Fry at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Be sure the oil is hot and don’t over crowd the fryer.

Serve with cocktail sauce.

Shrimp and Grits Casserole Ginelle Weissinger 4 cups chicken broth ½ tsp. salt 1 cup uncooked regular grits 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 2 Tbsp. butter 6 green onions, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and cooked 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes, drained ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Bring 4 cups chicken broth and ½ tsp. salt to a boil in a large saucepan; stir in grits.

Cover, reduce

heat, and simmer 20 minutes.

Stir together grits, ¾ cup Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add green onion, bell pepper and garlic, and sauté 5 minutes.

Stir together green onion mixture, grits mixture, shrimp and next 3 ingredients.

Pour into a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish.

Sprinkle top with remaining ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. Can prepare ahead and bake the next day.

vinegar and Zataran’s seasonings.

Bring to a boil.

Add potatoes; return to fast boil, cook 5 minutes.

Add sliced sausage and corn; bring back to a boil, cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Remove potatoes, sausage and corn; keep hot.

Add shrimp; boil for 3 to 5 minutes until all shrimp are pink.

Cut heat and let sit covered 3-5 minutes.

Remove shrimp.

Serve with cocktail sauce. Serves 8.

Charleston Shrimp and Creamy Grits Creamy Grits: 3 cups chicken stock 1 cup milk (or chicken stock or water) 1 cup stone ground grits 1 tsp. salt 4 Tbsp. butter ¼ cup heavy cream to taste, optional Combine first four ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer about 20 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add butter and cream. Can cover and keep warm in oven until ready to serve.

Charleston Shrimp 3 slices or more bacon 1 lb. medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined ¼ tsp. black pepper 1/8 tsp. salt ¼ cup all purpose flour ½ cup chopped green onions 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ cup chicken broth 2 Tbsp. lemon juice ¼ tsp. hot sauce,

optional Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp; remove and drain on paper towels; set aside.

Pour 1 Tbsp. bacon grease back into skillet or use 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil.

Cook green onions in oil for 2 minutes.

Sprinkle salt and pepper on shrimp; toss in flour. Add shrimp and garlic and sauté 2 minutes or until shrimp begin to turn pink, adding more oil if needed.

Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice. Cook 2 more minutes, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet.

Remove from heat. Do not overcook shrimp.

Sprinkle crumbled bacon over top. Serve over grits.

Pour into a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle top with remaining ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. Can prepare ahead and bake the next day.

Shrimp Salad Havlin Wise 4 oz. pasta shells of choice (boil and drain) 1 lb. boiled shrimp (peeled and deveined) ½ cup celery, finely chopped 4 Tbsp. mayonnaise ¼ cup sweet pickle

relish ½ - 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped 1 tsp. black pepper In a large bowl, mix all ingredients and salt to taste. Chill for about 1 hour prior to serving.