LIVE Lee June-July 2023 - Lee County Soaks Up the Sun

LeeLIVE

BURGER WARS HEATS UP

DOWNTOWN OPELIKA

PHOTOBYROBERTNOLES

LEE COUNTY SOAKS UP THE SUN

CONTRIBUTORS

Emily Key

DESIGN / LAYOUT

Michelle Key

Hannah Goldfinger

MARKETING

Woody Ross

Rena Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jerry Ballas

Emily Key

Hannah Goldfinger

Robert Noles

STAFF BIOS

Michelle Key, Publisher

Originally from Albertville, Alabama, Michelle Key and her family moved to the Opelika-Auburn area in 2011 after her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Navy. She is a graduate of Troy University, and she joined the Observer in 2014 as an office administrator before assuming ownership of the newspaper in January 2018.

Hannah Goldfinger, LIVE Lee Editor

Hannah Goldfinger is an Auburn University 2019 journalism graduate who is originally from Birmingham. She started with The Observer in July 2020 and began as the Associate Editor for the LIVE Lee Magazine. She assigns, writes and edits pieces for the magazine, as well as helps to design the pages. She was named editor of LIVE Lee in July 2021.

Wil Crews, The Observer Sports Editor

Wil Crews is an Auburn University 2020 journalism graduate originally from Prattville, Alabama. He works as The Observer’s sports editor and assists in developing the weekly paper and LIVE Lee Magazine.

Kendyl Hollingsworth, Staff Reporter

Kendyl Hollingsworth is a Huntsville native and 2018 journalism graduate of Auburn University. She interned at The Observer in early 2018 before returning to north Alabama to work at two newspapers and a magazine. Following a brief hiatus to serve as a missionary, Kendyl has returned to The Observer and LIVE Lee to help tell the unique stories of people across Lee County.

Robert Noles, Photographer

Robert Noles is an award-winning photojournalist who has been with The Observer for more than 10 years. Originally from Tallassee, he is a graduate of Alabama Christian College and Auburn University.

Letter From The Editor

Summer is my favorite issue of the entire year! Maybe it’s my favorite season of the year. No, that’s not true. I love fall. But there are so many things I love about summer. In fact, as I write this, it’s only now just beginning to get warm. We are in that weird season where it’s in the 40s in the morning and the 80s in the afternoon. I even plan to maybe go sit by the pool this afternoon!

I’m sure when you read this, however, it will be well into that unbearable Alabama summer heat.

Nevertheless, summer offers so many different fun opportunities in our community! Maybe it’s tine to pick up a new hobby. If so, maybe check out a great water sport for summer — white water rafting. We featured Montgomery Whitewater this summer (see page 58). If water isn’t your thing, that’s OK (even if I think you’re crazy, haha). Maybe you want something active. Look into mountain biking. Recently, Auburn branched out and now has an extremely active and successful mountain biking team (see page 66).

Summer brings good eats, too, like new food trucks, restaurants and more. What a great season, despite the heat.

We hope you enjoy an issue tailored to everything fun under the sun!

I have a bit of a P.S. for this letter.

Hannah Goldfinger

You may have noticed my name change. The start of this summer brought something big and new to my life — a husband! Russell and I have started our marriage with a good bit of grief, however, as we lost his mom about two-and-a-half weeks after our wedding day. This is why this magazine is arriving to you a bit later than we would have liked, or expected. I hope you’ll meet us with grace and understanding and know that we are still committed to bringing you a great product in a timely manner!

The Saloon -- From A Barstool

From A Horse To

The Saloon is one of Auburn’s new downtown businesses. The downtown area has seen a lot of changes lately, from the closing of Cheeburger Cheeeburger, Tacorita, Fusion and more to the opening of Publix, Targe, other restaurants and — The Saloon.

The Saloon is housed in the old Tacorita building. Tacorita closed because the previous owner passed away, Jonathan Hart, manager of The Saloon, said. The Saloon owners had been looking for a downtown location, so when the space opened up, they moved in.

Hart was hired in August 2022, but The Saloon opened in February. Hart said the business had hoped to open in October but was delayed. So, the downtown business will experience its first football season in 2023.

The Saloon has found its unique niche in frozen drinks, which aren’t really offered elsewhere in the downtown area.

“We went with a Saloon theme because, you know, [in] Auburn, Alabama, people like cowboys,” Hart said. And cowboys there are. Well, sort of, anyway. Aubie adorns

the walls in different outfits in his paintings for a western theme.

There are cowboy hats on the walls and a full-service bar to quench the thirst of the man who ropes his horse out front the saloon — or his bike from campus.

There is food, too, like nachos and quesadillas, to fit a TexMex theme. Hart said they have learned that Mondays are too slow, so they closed. Things definitely pick up by Wednesday, however, and the weekend is much more crowded.

When October hits, Hart said he hopes that The Saloon will no longer be the new business around but an established favorite.

“We did open at a weird time, you know, last half of spring semester … so a lot of people don’t know who we are,” he said. “… By football season, we want that to change. We want everybody to know we’re here — good food, good drinks, all of that stuff. And it’s all affordable.”

Hart said there is nothing on the menu over $10 because it was created with college students in mind.

Story And Photos By Hannah Goldfinger

OPELIKA’S FINEST AND ITS CITIZENS

Story By Hannah Goldfinger Photos Contributed By OPD

The Opelika Police Academy has been in business a long time, close to a decade, and has just finished its spring course.

“[The Opelika Police Academy] is an eight-week course offered to citizens in the East Alabama area, predominately Opelika, who are interested in learning more about the Opelika Police Department and what we do, basically,” said Allison

Duke, community relations administrator for the Opelika Police Department.

Over the eight weeks, a new topic is introduced each week from investigations to traffic control, patrol, canines and more.

The final week is an introduction to the virtual reality system the police department has called the Apex Reality System.

“[It] puts them in real-world situations to see how they might

react,” Duke said.

Each class lasts about two hours, from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday. For example, the detectives’ week began with a PowerPoint with information on detectives with pictures, videos and examples.

There is a video of a robbery, and it walks participants through the scene and what responsibilities are.

“It’s not just what they show on CSI or crime scene shows where

they solve the case in 30 minutes or 45 minutes,” Duke said. “[The detectives] want to really kind of give them the different aspects that go into the job. And then it kind of talks a little bit on the court process, and that’s about an hour of the class, and then we’ll break them into two groups. And one group will go out, and they have a mock crime set up outside, so they’ll get to kind of put their detective hats on and go and look at the evidence that’s marked, and

kind of try and figure out what they think happened in that situation because that is basically what the detectives are doing when they arrive on scene.

“… While that group’s doing it, the other group will be with our drugs and narcotics unit, and they have a bunch of different things that they’ve seized in cases — some different types of drugs and paraphernalia and they kind of just educate them on some of the things that they do.”

The groups switch and get to participate on both sides.

The canine week is also a favorite of participants, Duke said. Some participants are hesitant; others want to learn more.

“We had one lady a couple years ago that had been recommended to take the course by a police officer and she was scared to death,” Duke said. “She stood up the first class and said she was scared to death of law enforcement. She had had a terrible experience in

a different area it wasn’t with Opelika Police but it was with a different agency — and she was very emotional throughout the few weeks. And we slowly just allowed her to open up and ask questions and she saw different sides, and she saw the ‘why’ behind why things happen.”

Duke said by the time the course ended, she felt more secure. There has even been a participant who is now pursuing a law enforcement career with OPD.

“You get a great inside look at the department,” Duke said. The Police Academy did take a break for a few years, but it began in the fall of 2004 and ran until the fall of 2007; there was a break until 2016 when it resumed.

For those interested, unfortunately, the next course won’t take place until the spring, but go ahead and mark it on your calendars. Information about the class can be found on the OPD app.

Summer Is Calling

Photos and Words By

Hannah Goldfinger

Summer is calling at least, that’s what I’m hearing. The sounds of the crickets at night, the lightning bugs, the warm (sometimes just plain ‘ole hot) weather, the sound of the waterfall the

puffy clouds, I swear it’s all screaming. Screaming, I tell you, to get outside. So, are you going to ignore the call? Or are you going to go outside? How about this weekend, you grab the dogs and the children, and head out to Chewacla. This

park is a great amenit to our area with a public swimming lake, fishing, hiking, biking, dog-friendly areas, camping and more. It’s located at 124 Shell Toomer Parkway. Let me give you a little hint do some exploring. There are some

seriously awesome finds buried in that park. So go, take a look. For more information, visit www.alapark.com/parks/ chewacla-state-park.

LIVELee

Every Flavor, All The Colors

Story By Kendyl Hollingsworth

Photos Contributed By Deljen’s

For Della J. Morgan, “small business owner” has a double meaning. The 9-year-old founder and CEO of Deljen’s has been gaining some serious traction with her food truck business, proving you’re never too small to achieve big dreams.

Just three years ago, Della J. was a first-grader sitting in her bedroom, working on a journal prompt for school about a goal she had for that year. When her mom, Jennifer, poked her head in, she saw that her daughter was drawing and writing about her goal to sell shaved ice to friends and family.

“Whenever I was little … me and my mom would go get snow cones and shaved ice because I always loved it,” she told The Observer in 2022. “It has been, like, what we do as a family thing. Whenever we have a food, we get that as our dessert.”

Little did she know that her dream would soon become a reality. To Della J.’s surprise, a family vacation to Florida ended with a pitstop in Miami to purchase a food trailer for her future shaved ice business.

“She definitely wasn’t expecting it, but I think once everything came to light, she was very excited, so we were just kind of excited to fulfill her ideas,” said her father, Dan Morgan.

The family decided to call the business “Deljen’s,” which merges the first syllables of Della J.’s first and middle names. After all, she is the ‘CEODE’ — ‘cutest executive officer, designer and entrepreneur.’

Fast forward to today, and the colorful Deljen’s trailer is becoming a familiar sight around town.

You might have seen the Deljen’s team at Southern Union State Community College, East Alabama Medical Center, football games, Food Truck Fridays in downtown Opelika or any number of smaller, private events. If you went to the World Games in Birmingham last summer, you might have seen them braving the heat to serve up delicious treats as “the official shaved ice of the World Games.”

According to Dan, the World Games was a great opportunity for them to figure out their capacity as they served an extra-large customer base. But through it all, the team prevailed and walked away with many treasured memories and lessons learned.

“It was fun,” Della J. said of the experience. “I got to see new people all over the world. … They appreciate the shaved ice so much because it was so good. They said it’s the best thing they ever tasted.”

When building their first menu, Jennifer and Della J. wanted to make sure there would be something for everybody. After some research, they came up with 30 flavors to offer — everything from classic favorites like tiger’s blood and blue raspberry to international

favorites like li hing mui — a Chinese dried plum flavor — and Mexican-inspired mango with Tajín. Deljen’s also offers three sugar-free options and a few that are free of dyes, such as the lemonade flavor.

“We make sure that we touch everyone across the board to make sure everyone is served in the community,” Jennifer said.

Because of the demand, the menu is often condensed down to about 14 flavors, especially for larger events. Still, if a customer requests a flavor off the menu that they’ve tried with Deljen’s before, the team is happy to bring it back out.

As they’ve begun to serve more and more corporate and commercial clients, Deljen’s has created a Spanish version of the menu so that Spanish speakers can order more easily.

Della J. has also served shaved ice for events at her school, West Smiths Station Elementary. In the beginning, she said many of her classmates couldn’t believe she had a business all her own.

“Some people thought that it wasn’t real, some people thought that it was real,” she said.

Once business started to ramp up, Jennifer said she wanted to hire another employee. A chance encounter with another mom at her child’s school eventually led to the addition of Rena Long.

Rena, 16, began working at Deljen’s a little over a year ago and is already like family to the Morgans. Not only does she bring a “beautiful smile” and “great customer service,” Jennifer said, but she has also brought several great ideas to the table.

In fact, it was Rena’s idea to begin offering popping boba as a topping/bottom for the shaved ice. Other popular toppings include Skittles, sour gummy worms, whipped cream and more.

“Rena’s really good at letting us know what’s out there, what people like,” Jennifer said.

Deljen’s also goes beyond the shaved ice, offering several “tidbits.” Some of these include beef hot dogs, nachos, chips, cotton candy, Coca-Cola products, bottled water and more. And as the seasons change, or when they travel further out for special events, Dan said special dishes like gumbo and jambalaya sometimes make an appearance — an idea from Jennifer’s father.

As the business continues to grow, the Morgans are quick to credit others who have helped along the way. Whenever Deljen’s has traveled for an event and needed an extra hand, Jennifer said her sister, Kimberly Williams, was there at the ready.

“She plays a very major part when we’re away from our home base in Lee County,” Jennifer said.

“Bottom line — she believes in the brand, Deljen’s, and she foresees us taking our experience and growing it in the future,” Dan added. “So she’s very supportive.”

Dan and Jennifer said it’s been rewarding to watch their daughter learn and grow, both as a business owner and as a person. And that goes for Rena, too. Not only have the girls learned things like money management and customer service, but they’ve also developed more interpersonal skills and become more confident in the process.

“I’ve definitely learned more about shaved ice, and about hospitality,” Rena said. “I’ve learned about business and how to serve people. That’s something I was going to go into in the future, so it helped me learn [the necessary skills].”

“[Della J.] knows who she is, and she’s not ashamed of what she has envisioned and what has become reality,” Jennifer added.

But the main ingredient of the team’s success is love — love for the customers and for each other. It’s a team effort, and while

it isn’t always smooth sailing, Jennifer said the experience has brought them all closer together and helped them develop more empathy for others.

Even as the business grows, the team remembers its roots. After all, at the end of the day, Della J. and her team demonstrate that Deljen’s is not just about business. It’s about putting smiles on faces and lending a helping hand to those in need.

“We want to make sure we give and bless and be charitable at some of our events as well,” Dan said. “We don’t always just

want to sell people stuff; we want to make connections in the community. If we see a need, we want to meet the need. … We’re very fortunate to be in our position, and it’s not always about making a dollar. Sometimes it’s about showing someone some love.”

To keep up with Deljen’s, visit deljens.com or find the business on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or YouTube. Book the team online or by contacting Jennifer at deljens.shaved.ice@ gmail.com or 706-538-3956.

Tails Are Wagging

Story By Kendyl Hollingsworth

Photos By Tails-A-Wagon

... For Tasty Treats!

Our pets will eat just about anything — but that doesn’t mean they should.

When Kate Millirons adopted her dog Scooby, a German shepherd-golden retriever mix, she sought out a professional opinion on how to keep him healthy. The answer would lead her to something bigger than she imagined.

Today, young Scooby isn’t the only “best friend” on the path to a healthier life. Plenty of dogs, cats and even horses in the area are enjoying all-natural treats that keep their health a top priority — without sacrificing the flavors they love.

“For the German Shepherd breed, they have joint problems when they get older,” said Millirons, who adopted Scooby in November 2021. “So, when I took him to the vet as a pup, they told me to make sure he’s not, like, jumping, feed him a lot of sweet potatoes, and all these certain things are supposed to help with joints.”

With this advice, Millirons said she began to seek out sweet potato dog treats from places like Petco and PetSmart, but it was

going to be a little more than she bargained for.

“They were extremely expensive, for one, but then they also had all these big words on the bag that I didn’t know what any of them were,” she remembered. “So I had to stand in Petco for like an hour [researching the ingredients] which still wouldn’t explain what it was. … I just didn’t feel comfortable giving it to him because if I wouldn’t eat it, I don’t want him to eat it.”

Millirons decided to take matters into her own hands and make the dog treats herself. She started with frozen yogurt treats, but as Scooby grew tired of them, she said it was time to see what else she could make.

An avid home cook, Millirons said she likes to try new things in the kitchen and often posts pictures of her meals on Facebook. She started doing the same with Scooby’s treats and was surprised at the positive response from her friends.

“I would post [the treats] because I thought they were cute because they were pawshaped,” she said. “Then, people would be like, ‘Oh, do you sell those?’ and so I’d sell them to my friends super cheap.”

Soon after, a light bulb came on and an idea started to take shape like those paw-shaped treats she was baking. With all the extra Mason jars she had around the house, and local demand to boot, Millirons said it was a perfect opportunity to start up a side hustle — one she would truly enjoy.

With the help of her boyfriend, Alex Nosenzo, Millirons created an Instagram account to start showcasing and selling her homemade treats. Nosenzo’s education and background in business proved to be a major asset to the formation of what would soon become known as “Tails-A-Wagon.”

Millirons started posting about her treats in local Facebook groups and quickly picked up some new customers. She has also met new clients through her main job at Chick-fil-A and at local parks when she takes Scooby.

“Right now, my pickup and delivery is in Auburn and Opelika,” she said. “… It’s just face to face with like, coworkers and friends in the area. Auburn Facebook pages is where I’ve been posting a lot of stuff at. … Every day I’m getting at least one or two people that want something.”

As a native of Atlanta, Georgia, Millirons said many of her Georgia friends on Facebook were interested in the treats as well, so she has been working on developing and growing her shipping options. Many of the treats are available for shipping, but frozen treats are only for orders local to the Auburn-Opelika area.

All treats are made to order, Millirons said, and there are currently multiple options for dogs, cats and horses. The menus are listed in the Google forms where customers can place their orders. She researches every ingredient before using it and lists the

health benefits for each menu item, but she’s also open to customizing the treats or trying something new if the customer has something specific in mind that isn’t already listed.

One customer purchased some treats for her dogs and said she loved the option to pick the ingredients.

“These happy pups are loving their new homemade all natural treats made by Tails a Wagon!” the customer wrote on Facebook. “Love that you can pick your ingredients from her list to mix and match different recipes! Highly recommend their company and treats to all your purrrfect pets!”

Millirons said the cat treats and horse treats come in one standard size to suit the size of the animal, but dog treats come in small, medium and large due to the different weight classes.

She also hopes to expand in the future to make treats for more animals, such as rabbits.

For now, the menu lists nine different treat types for dogs, five for cats and three for horses.

Some of the dog treats, such as the Sweet Potato Jerky, are good for joint health, she said. But other recipes target things like skin, hair and nails (“Oats and Coats”); digestive health (“Probiotic Power”); eye health (“Carrot Craze”); and bad breath (“Fresh Breath”).

From her research, Millirons learned that the commonplace bleached white flour isn’t safe for dogs, so she typically uses wheat flour — or another alternative, like rice or coconut flour.

She’ll also use coconut oil, blueberries, carrots, oats, yogurt, bone broth and herbs like mint and parsley. She’ll even throw some of the eggshells in when she bakes her dog treats, but she won’t do it for cat treats — as cats can’t eat eggshells like dogs can, she said.

Millirons’ job at Chick-fil-A — which includes prep work for salads and making biscuits in the mornings — has actually been a small source of inspiration for her process as well, she said.

“It’s kind of where I got the idea for my cookies, too, because … it’s a lot of dough, so I kind of mimic their tools to make my life easier,” she added.

Customer Rebekah Dean said on social media that her dog, Sokka, enjoys the treats.

“She makes AMAZING treats and Sokka agrees!” Dean posted on Instagram. “I purchased the hair/nail/coat treats and the sweet potato jerky! Amazing all natural ingredients that he loves. I will definitely be continuing purchasing from @tails.a.wagon.”

Some of the cat treats offer different health benefits. “Tuna Licking” treats are “great for allergies,” according to the menu, while “Bye Bye Hairballs” does what the name suggests: It contains coconut oil and pumpkin to help keep hairballs under control.

“Apple Crisps” for horses, on the other hand, are “high in fiber

[and] great for inflammation.”

Tails-A-Wagon offers a deal in which customers can bring back their Mason jar from a previous order, and Millirons will wash it and fill it back up with treats at a discount. For reference, a large Mason jar is 32 ounces and holds about 40 large treats or 100 smaller treats, she said.

Ultimately, Millirons said that if she wouldn’t eat it, she doesn’t want her pet to eat it — and a lot of other pet owners she’s met feel the same way.

“I have a lady who buys, and she eats her peanut butter treats with her dog,” she said. “She likes that they have no sugar in them; they’re healthy, so they’re safe for animals, but they’re also human-grade.”

If Tails-A-Wagon continues to succeed, Millirons said she would love to keep expanding and turn it into a full-time career.

“I just like animals,” she said. “… I just want to get into the whole world of being around dogs all the time, so I think that goes

hand-in-hand with the career that I want.”

For more information, or to place an order, visit Tails-A-

Wagon on Facebook, on Instagram at @tails.a.wagon or email tailsawagon26@gmail.com.

A Hot Spot For KPot

Story By Michelle Key

Photos By Michelle and Emily Key

KPot Korean BBQ & Hotpot (KPot) is the new dining hotspot in Opelika. It is where the traditional Asian hotpot melds with Korean barbeque, creating a unique experience for diners.

Being a consumer with food allergies, dining out can always be a bit tricky, the best part of KPot for me was that by preparing most of the meal at the table, I had a lot of control over what I was eating. Many of the meat and vegetable options were naturally gluten-and-dairy-free and I knew that they would be safe.

My daughter Emily and I decided to go to KPot for lunch on a Friday afternoon.

We were promptly seated and a member of the wait staff asked if this was our first time there. He introduced himself as Fendy and then gave us a short tour and explained how the meat and vegetable choices were laid out. Since we had chosen the hotpot for our meal, we were shown which ingredients were reserved for the barbeccue entrees and which were available for the hotpot.

Back at the table, we quickly perused the menu and made our soup base selections. I chose Thai Tom Yum, and Emily went with the basic mushroom soup. We did not have to wait long for Fendy to bring the pots of soup to the table and place them on burners to keep the broth simmering.

Meanwhile, Emily and I went back to the food bar and started making our selections to add to our soup pots. For my protein choices, I selected thinly sliced chicken and beef, a quail egg and a tiny sausage. I also picked mushrooms, bean sprouts and a small piece of corn.

Emily made similar selections, adding crab. We decided to share bowls of fresh spinach and broccoli as well as a bowl of Mei Fun (rice noodles). We both dished out a scoop of steamed white rice as well.

All this food and we still were not finished. We had to pick our sauces and toppings. We both selected the Thai Chili sauce, and Emily also tried the peanut sauce. We decided on fresh chopped

cilantro, green onions and minced garlic for our toppings.

Once back to the table and our simmering pots, we paused a moment to snap a few photos and then got down to the business at hand. We added our selections to our soup base. The meats are sliced so thin that it only takes a few minutes to cook. There is a convenient chart on each table to give guidance. I added the Mei Fun noodles to my soup.

We scooped out the now-cooked meat, vegetables and, in my case, noodles, and then sprinkled the cilantro, green onions and garlic on top.

It was time to eat, and it was delicious. The flavors of the meat and vegetables blended with the flavors of the soups and created

a mouth-watering experience. In my opinion, the sauces, while delicious, were completely unnecessary. In hindsight, I would probably bring my own gluten-free soy sauce the next time as they did not have one available.

We took our time cooking and eating and simply enjoying each other’s company. We went back to the food bar one time, selected a few more pieces of meat and slowly finished our meal. This is a place where you can linger over your meal within reason. There is a two-hour limit, however.

We do plan to return to KPot and the next time we will try the

barbecue. One thing to note is that the entire table has to select hotpot, barbecue or a combination of both. During the week, it is $19.95 at lunch for hotpot or barbecue and $29.99 at dinner. There is a $5 upcharge per person when choosing both hotpot and barbecue. The price is $29.99 all day on the weekends.

KPot Korean BBQ & Hotpot is located at 2301 Birmingham Highway and opens at 11 a.m.

My recommendation grab some friends and go, enjoy the experience. Find Fendy and tell him Michelle sent you.

Fresh greems are plentiful at KPot.

MONTGOMERY’S OUTDOOR OASIS

Story By Wil Crews

Photos Contributed By Lou Hammond Group

Nestled in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, along the bustling I-65 corridor, a transformative project that promises to invigorate the region’s economy and enrich the lives of its residents.

Anchored by an Olympic-standard recirculating whitewater course, this world-class Whitewater and Outdoor Lifestyle center, Montgomery Whitewater, is set to become a haven for adventure enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

With an array of thrilling activities both on water and land, coupled with state-of-the-art hospitality amenities, this upcoming 120-acre development aims to position Montgomery as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, boost tourism and create a vibrant community hub.

“So many people immediately think because it’s a man-made park that involves water, they think it’s a water park, with slides and a lazy river,” said Meg Lewis, vice president of the public

relations firm, Lou Hammond Group, which is partnering with Montgomery Whitewater. “It’s so completely different from that.”

A Thrilling Adventure for All:

At the heart of this extraordinary venture lies the Olympicstandard recirculating whitewater course, a magnet for adrenaline seekers. Offering courses suitable for beginners to experts, Montgomery Whitewater ensures that everyone can experience the

thrill of navigating rapids regardless of their skill level. Whether you’re a seasoned rafter looking for a challenge or a novice seeking an introduction to the sport, this facility caters to all, promising an unforgettable adventure on the roaring waters.

“What we always do is start with the core attraction, which is the whitewater,” said Scott Shipley, Montgomery Whitewater COO and three-time Olympic kayaker. “That’s two channels. One channel is exactly what you’d expect — the Olympic standard whitewater. You

know, great champions can paddle there. Interestingly, everybody can raft on that channel with a guided raft trip. If it’s your first time getting wet, you can still rap down that channel.

“Our recreational channel is designed for unguided raft trips for people who have never ‘funyaked.’ It’s where you’ll learn the basic skills and you’ll be able to be in a raft, whether it’s guided or not, with family and friends. You’ll still get wet, but people who might be intimidated can just choose to stay on that easier channel.”

Beyond the Whitewater:

The allure of the center extends far beyond the rapids, as dryside outdoor activities abound for those seeking excitement on land. With climbing areas, ziplines, ropes courses and a network of hiking and biking trails, visitors can immerse themselves in the natural splendor surrounding the facility. Whether conquering towering rock walls or soaring through the air on a zipline, outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for exhilarating experiences and heart-pounding thrills.

“As we move forward, adding the climbing in the ropes and the trails, those things will also be included,” Shipley said. “The idea is that we want people to come out and not have a reason to leave, right?”

A Hub of Festivals and Activities:

The center aims to foster a strong sense of community by hosting a variety of festivals, competitions and weekly activities. From adrenaline-pumping whitewater competitions to vibrant cultural festivals celebrating the region’s rich heritage, there will be no shortage of events to engage visitors and locals alike. This dynamic calendar of festivities will bring people together, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and creating lasting memories within the breathtaking surroundings of the center.

“You will just see this wonderfully manicured park, full of adventure,” Shipley said. “It’s got a great restaurant as well. We’re going to have a stage for music and festivals.”

A Haven for Recreation and Relaxation:

Recognizing the need for a balance between exhilarating activities and serene relaxation, the center will provide a range of hospitality amenities designed to cater to visitors’ needs. A conference center will serve as a hub for meetings and gatherings, while cabanas and other inviting spaces will offer a place to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of the surrounding channels. The facility’s tranquil ambience will entice people to linger, encouraging them to revel in a day or night of outdoor leisure.

“The thing I would emphasize to people is we are a lifestyle,” Shipley said. “It’s fun to hang out in the outdoors and see kind of the beauty that’s down there along the Alabama river.”

A Catalyst for Economic Development:

Beyond its recreational offerings, this ambitious project holds significant potential for economic growth in the region. By positioning Montgomery as a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts, the center aims to boost tourism, attract investment and stimulate job creation. As the center’s popularity grows, local businesses will flourish, and Montgomery will become an increasingly attractive location for a talented workforce seeking a high quality of life.

“This ‘Why Montgomery?’ thing has been a partnership between our team, the city of Montgomery and the county as well,” Shipley said. “Montgomery has been looking for a way to brand itself as a destination and a fun place to live and work. And so it’s the kind of thing that we promise, which is [that it] will be a stimulus for the community.

“The question has been, what can we bring to our town, like I said, that will get kids out living the healthy active outdoor lifestyle? Which is kind of my mantra in life — what’s going to get people out there on trails, out there on boats or mountain bikes [or] what have you, to be active?

With the construction of the World-Class Whitewater and Outdoor Lifestyle center, Montgomery is on the cusp of a thrilling transformation. Montgomery Whitewater is slated to host its grand opening July 8, with certain aspects of the park to be added in phases.

“Features will be added season by season to keep things fresh and to add more aspects to the experience,” Lewis said. “We want it to be a place that people continue to come back to.”

Entry into the park is free, and day passes for activities are $49. Annual passes are $199. And the center offers discounts for groups of 12 or more.

By combining a heart-pounding Olympic-standard whitewater course with a host of land activities and top-notch hospitality amenities, this development promises to make Montgomery a

“And so we’ve brought that into Montgomery and it’s going to have economic impact, which number one, is quality of life. Number two is, other businesses will come and locate here because we have this great place to live and work.”

Enriching the Local Community:

The impact of this project extends far beyond economic benefits. By adding a world-class outdoor recreation center to Montgomery’s offerings, the city takes a significant step toward enhancing the lifestyle and well-being of its residents. Families, individuals and groups will have access to exhilarating adventures, team-building opportunities and swift water rescue training, strengthening bonds and promoting personal growth.

premier destination for adventure enthusiasts and a vibrant hub of community life. Through its economic impact, recreational offerings and enhancement of residents’ lifestyles, this project has the potential to position Montgomery as a city that embraces both the allure of the great outdoors and the aspirations of a thriving community.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Shipley said. “It’s hard to understate how challenging it was to build this during COVID. And during the supply chain crisis — you know, things that you would normally just get more of that or don’t worry about it. But, at the end of the day, it’s the thing that will make your kids put down their iPads, go outside and interact and play, and that’s what we’ve tried to create.”

Auburn Walks

Into Summer

Auburn held its annual SummerNight Downtown Art Walk in downtown Auburn last weekend, welcoming in the warm weather, the creativity and the fun.

“The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk is an arts festival that transforms downtown Auburn into its very own arts district, featuring the work of local and regional artists, live music, merchant specials, children’s activities and a culinary contest,” said the city of

Auburn’s website. “Each year, the city of Auburn/Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC), Auburn Arts Association, Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association host this event to highlight the many talented artists in our community in addition to promoting our unique downtown area.”

The 2023 art walk featured lots of local artists, in addition to activities for children, like face painting.

Photos By Jerry Ballas

The Spokes Of Life

Story By Hannah Goldfinger

Photos By Dirt Life Media

Wheels racing over rocks, roots and mud. There’s a group of dedicated students in the Auburn area who choose their bikes over a ball.

Jere Colley, who started the Alabama Cycling Association, said he got his children involved in mountain biking because they were homeschooled and he wanted to expand their community.

“It was important to us to have them around kids that are different than them,” he said. “… It’s been awesome. [My son is] a senior and he’s raced since fifth, sixth grade.”

The biking community is a lot like a family. Sometimes the group is traveling around the country to race with as many as 20 participants. Often, they are camping together. Meals are cooked together and the community spends time with each other.

Colley’s son has participated in several races already this year.

Pre-season practice begins in October with once-a-week sessions. Then, the season officially begins in December with a break for Christmas. There are three practices a week — a spin practice at Crunch Fitness, a practice at Duck Samford Park and then on Sundays the team goes to Chewacla State Park.

“We do races all summer; there’s other race series that we stay involved in,” Colley said.

Colley and his family joined in the team’s second year of formation.

“We were under a national umbrella that was called NICA’s, National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and they’re out

of Berkley, California,” he said. “… They had some policy that I didn’t agree with, and so I started checking into it and I realized that Alabama Cycling was sending California 40 cents on every dollar we make.

“So, it was considerable. Now, we were getting back accounting services, we were getting back name recognition, we were getting back some internet platforms for kids to sign up, we were getting back a few things. But 40 cents on the dollar is a lot, so we decided to start our own.”

What that meant for the team, however, was giving back the trailer, equipment and everything else.

“We went from $60,000 in the account to nothing overnight,” he said. “So, we started it on a wing and a prayer — literally on a wing and a prayer.”

Everything had to be taken care of, Colley said, from designing a new logo, to creating sign up forms and a website.

“The pressure on us was to do not only what the previous league did, but to do it from scratch,” he said.

There were 682 children and their families watching, Colley said. Now, there are two teams, the Lee County Mountain Biking Team and the Auburn High Mountain Bike Team. Both fall under the new league, the Alabama Cycling Association.

“We started it here in Auburn; our first race was in Chewacla,” he said.

That was earlier this year, in 2023.

“Taking on the league was a huge undertaking, but they’ve given us so much that I owed it,” he said. “I had red in my ledger. It’s been really good. I feel like we have a program that can last a while.”

One of the challenges Colley said that he and the team faces is people’s perception of the sport.

“‘You’re riding bikes around in a circle,’” he said of peoples’ thoughts on racing.

The sport is challenging, Colley said, like any other. It would be difficult for an older student, say late high school, to just jump in — just like it would be with football.

“My kids like to be challenged,” he said. “My kids like to push the envelope and be challenged.”

It is a dangerous sport, Colley said.

“People that go to NASCAR to watch crashes have never seen

anything like putting 50 eighth-grade boys on bicycles and saying, ‘Y’all start,’” he said.

One of the difficulties many people face in deciding to race is the cost of the equipment, namely the bikes, Colley said.

“That knocks a lot of people out,” he said. “And I can understand that.”

But to him and his family, he said, the investment was worth it. The team has fun, he said. It’s one big family.

“It’s been pretty cool,” he said. “Last race, somebody made me a hula skirt out of race tape and I stood at parking and did it in a hula skirt. It’s just something else; it’s a good, family thing.”

Summer Is For Grillin’

Photos By Robert Noles

Burger Wars, held in early June, is an opportunity for the whole community to have the best of the best burgers. This year, the Opelika Police Department won the title of “Crowd Favorite.”

HFC Auburn won first place in the Tailgater Division, Borland Borland PC took first place in the Corporate Division and Bama BBQ Supply took top honors in the Pro Division. Go ahead and mark your calendars for next year so you can get a taste of those mouth-watering burgers.

Let’s Go, LeGos

Story By Emily Key

Photos By Emily Key And Contributed

School is out for the summer. Every routine built over the past nine months has been thrown out the window and chaos has ensued. Why are the children fighting this time? Who just screamed? Are they literally bouncing off the walls right now? Summertime is difficult for everyone. Children are missing their friends and recess, and they lack the engagement in activities that they receive at school. As parents, it’s a struggle to find enough places to go and things to do to keep their creativity alive (and your sanity intact).

Legoland Discovery Center in Atlanta closed last year for renovations but reopened this spring with new and exciting things to offer. It is now simply the “LEGO” Discovery Center. While they’ve shortened the name, the company didn’t take

away any of the excitement and wonder of the facility. You’ll find the space on the third level of the Phipps Plaza in Atlanta, just over 100 miles from Lee County.

As soon as you walk through the doors, you are immersed in the LEGO experience. It is difficult to not label the LEGO Discovery Center as a theme park, as there are so many interactive opportunities. Feel the twists and turns and small stomach flips of The Great LEGO Race VR Experience. Battle trolls and skeletons in order to save the princess on the Kingdom Quest ride. Walk through an incredibly detailed mini version of Atlanta, built out of Legos. Build a racecar out of legos and race down the side of a volcano. Can your car pull some “Fast and Furious” moves and clear the chasm over a river without

crashing? The level of creativity and focus all the children were exhibiting was ridiculously impressive. They would wreck their car, think about why or how it happened, then rebuild it and try again. After a few attempts, everyone would burst into applause when the car cleared the gap and landed on the other side safely. Do your children dream of being an astronaut or of going to space? Leave the auto-mechanics to their cars and step over to the spaceship building area.

All the Legos you could ever need are at your fingertips waiting for you to create a masterpiece. When you’ve perfected the dream spaceship, “send” it into space on the big screen.

Speaking of big screens, the LEGO Discovery Center has a 4D theater with showings of various LEGO short movies every 30 minutes or so. Put on the 4D glasses and watch as Master Wu from the “Ninjago” movie manipulates elements right before your eyes. Children were reaching out to touch objects that were seemingly right in front of them as the Ninjago warriors showed off their moves. Nya, an elemental master, picked water up into the air and as she released it, water sprayed onto all the

unsuspecting folks in the audience.

This caused so much laughter (and screaming) from both young and old alike. Suds fell from the ceiling when a snowy part of the movie occurred. More water sprayed when someone drove through a big puddle. The children couldn’t get enough of such an exciting and unique experience.

The creators of the LEGO Discovery Center focused heavily on learning activities, through the playing/building with the Legos.

At the center, children can play at their own pace and bounce back and forth between activities.

The true meaning and value of Legos is evident in the construction of this new facility. There are no “rules” to what you can do with Legos.

Your imagination is the only boundary given. At this center, your children will be able to push the limits of their imagination, learn from master builders on staff, experience wild exhibits, watch how other children create things and build lasting memories.

SUMMER SWING

Every Tuesday evening, beginning May 2 and ending Aug. 1, the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika. This 14-week concert series offers a wide variety of musical entertainment including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, big band swing, folk and community band music.

The Opelika Band Boosters prepare hamburgers and hot dogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. South State Bank of Opelika provides complimentary lemonade during the concerts.

The Rocky Brook Rocket, a vintage train with a long, rich history, has been restored and is back on the tracks for complimentary rides.

Attendees are advised to come early. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the bank of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information, please call 334-705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.

Community partners for Summer Swing include the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, The Observer, WKKR 97.7 and FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 AM.

The remaining 2023 Summer Swing schedule is as follows:

JULY 11: FEDORAS

This acoustic duo plays folk, pop and bluegrass tunes the whole family will enjoy.

JULY 18: JAMES BROWN TRIO

The James Brown Trio is a Southern gospel group that will have your toes tapping and heart stirring to songs from the past as well as current tunes that are soon to be classics. The namesake — James Brown — started the group 20 years ago with Charles Story and Adam Traylor, but since the deaths of Brown and Story, the trio has continued the tradition of good ol’ Southern gospel music with new members. Today the trio consists of Adam and Teel Traylor, as well as Kevin Webb from Auburn. You will not want to miss this group’s harmonious sounds beneath the beautiful summer night sky.

JULY 25: MARTHA’S TROUBLE

Jen and Rob Slocumb are living their musical dream. While building their family, they have continued to write and play music, producing about a dozen albums and touring around the country and the world. And their work has not gone unnoticed. Some of the most influential and well-respected music critics have paid tribute to the duo.

AUG. 1: BACK TO SCHOOL BASH

Enjoy a final concert as we bid summer farewell.

Photo By Robert Noles

Photos By Robert Noles

OPELIKA’S NEW ART

Check out Opelika’s newest mural located at 719 1st Ave., in Opelika. The newest installation is titled Ghost Town and joined Opelika’s mural scene in early 2023.

Photos By Hannah Goldfinger

Allen Asphalt, 58

AuburnBank, 83

Ballard Pest Management, 27

Beauregard Drugs, 82

Budget Blinds, 59

Closet’s By Design, 3

Cusseta Laundromat, 82

Day Hair Salon, 5

Edward Jones, 27

Frederick Dean Funeral Home, 2

Glynn Smith Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, 84

Goree’s Furniture Express, 19

Harvest Thrift, 2

Hilyer & Associates, CPAs, 49

Huddle House, 6

Jay & Susie Gouge Performing Arts, 34,35

Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home, 66

Key Media LLC, 83

Market St. Paint Shop, 27

Meals Chiropractic, 49

Oline Price, Lee Co. Revenue Commissioner, 13

Orthopedic Clinic, 7

Perception Therapy, 6

Price Small Engine, 48

Sheriff Jay Jones, 50

Stitch Therapy, 82

Summer Village, 49

Sweet Gee’s Restaurant and Catering, 59

Tripp Walton Law, 41

Whitt’s Auto, 41

Meet David Hedges

AUBURNBANK PRESIDENT & CEO

Leadership succession in any business is essential to its sustainability, especially one that has been strong and viable for 116 years. Since our founding in 1907, AuburnBank has had eight presidents—and now David Hedges succeeds Bob Dumas as our ninth. Joining the bank in 2006, David has demonstrated his commitment to AuburnBank and its shareholders. He and his wife, Jill, are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika, and they enjoy raising their three children who attend Auburn City Schools. David is excited to lead AuburnBank into the future, while upholding a tradition of service to our customers and our communities.

Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com