Opelika Observer 07-08-2021E-edition

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Vol. 13, No. 39

Opelika, Alabama

pelika Observer O

FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE FREEDOM CELBRATION TURN TO A11

“An award-winning publication for local people, by local people.”

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Freedom Celebrated in Opelika

Opelika Parks and Rec hosted the 68th Annual Freedom Celebration on Saturday at the Opelika High School track. Before the fireworks reigned down, the Silver Wings Parachute team (pictured) made its jump from the sky. The free and open to the public celebration began at 6:30 p.m., with the band, Route 66, providing entertainment until nightfall. At 9 p.m., the largest fireworks display in the area commenced with a 15-minute fireworks extravaganza. Thanks to the contributions of the Orthopaedic Clinic, this year's show was the biggest ever. For more photos, turn to A11 and A12.

PHOTO BY ABBEY CRANK/FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

OPD Strives for Change

BY ABBEY CRANK FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER Change is coming, and Opelika residents welcome it with open arms. On July 1, Opelika Police Department’s community liaisons

gathered on a Thursday evening for their first official meeting.

Opelika’s Police Chief Shane Healey and Capt. Tony Amerson explained that their main goal is to create a strong bond between the

department and the community.

“We [the Opelika Police Department] need to do better at two things,” Healey said. “For one, listening … Second, we need to do a better See CHANGE, page A5

Lee County to Receive $32 Million, the Question is How to Spend It

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

The American Rescue Plan has designated recovery funds around the nation to help states recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lee County has been allocated $32 million.

“This money is coming directly to all the local governments, cities, counties, it’s mainly done based on population,” said Lee County Administrator Roger Rendleman. “There’s over a billion dollars that are coming to the Alabama counties.”

Lee County received the first portion of the $32 million in the middle of May. The second half will come no more than 18

months later, Rendleman said.

“There are specific things in the act that it says it has to be addressing,” he said.

In other words, the money cannot be spent however the county wants, there are stipulations in the act, but it is still broad.

“It has to be tied somehow, someway to the coronavirus,” Rendleman said.

It can be used for coronavirus response — which Rendleman said the county still needs to do.

But there are other options for the money: grant programs, for one.

Investing in infrastructure like water, sewer and broadband for another.

See MONEY, page A3

Circles Opelika Offers Poverty Prevention Program

BY MAGGIE CARAWAY FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER Circles Opelika is currently accepting applications for the July Cohort for Circle Leader Training.

Circles is a program created with the intent to reduce poverty.

Their website states, “Circles is a national relationship-based movement to help communities become educated about the causes of poverty and the barriers that keep people in poverty and directly helps individuals and families living in poverty to

achieve self-sufficiency.

Circles is in more than 70 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada.” Additionally, Circles Opelika’s goal is to “employ long-

term solutions versus short-term fixes to lead to economic stability and sustainability for families in Opelika.”

See CIRCLES, page A2

Contents OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4

SPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B7

RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11

COMICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A16

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . B11

JULY 13: MARTHA’S TROUBLE Jen and Rob Slocumb are living their musical dream. Their songs have received multiple awards, including Best Americana Album of the Year by Just Plain Folk Awards.

A2 July 8, 2021

Little Acorn Pottery: "The Rhythm of the Wheel"

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

FROM A1

Program director, Regina Meadows, says there are two parts to this goal. First, “Get our families that participate in this program to at least 200% of the federal poverty guideline,” she said. “And the other is to increase their social capital. And I like to refer to social capital as their ‘people power’, making sure that they understand what resources are available here in the community, how to access those resources and just how to make sure that they can reach selfsufficiency.”

The Circles program begins with a 12-week training session. “In those twelve weeks we talk a lot about behaviors and mindsets and perceptions and planning,” Meadows said. Families are paired with an ally that helps them stay accountable.

The Circles leaders

Auburn University.

“I just jumped right in,” she said.

The Open Studio course led to her wanting a wheel of her own. Once Jennings did have a wheel, she still didn’t have a kiln.

“So, I actually joined the Opelika studio and was a member there for a while,” Jennings said. “I would try different techniques there and work on different glaze combinations to make tons of different colors. The problem was, in a studio setting, they are firing on their own schedule and their own program setting.” are encouraged to attend weekly group meetings and set three goals during the first 12 weeks. These goals include a financial goal, a career goal and an educational goal. The goals are the basis of the relationship between the leader and the ally. The leader and the ally will then work together to accomplish those goals over the course of the next 18 months.

Circles leaders need to be at least 21 years old and able to make decisions for themselves. As well as “having a willingness to do what it takes to get the program completed, and that's being committed to the process and committed to the time frame that we're asking you to,” said Meadows. She also states that leaders will need to make sure their basic needs are met (food, clothing and shelter) prior to entering the Circles program.

Circles is a family-

pelika Observer

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

Jennings and her sister, who also works on pottery, decided to get their own kiln.

“I just practice all the time and make new pieces and getting my inventory up, trying different forms, different techniques,” she said. “I’m able to achieve the glaze combination results that I’m looking for because I’m able to control the program settings of the kiln.”

2020, of course, threw a wrench in everyone’s plans and careers. For Jennings, this meant making pottery her full-time gig

for a while.

“I decided to make an Etsy shop and I was able to start putting things on Etsy and selling that way,” she said.

Now that the pandemic has eased off a little, Jennings is able to work on pottery as a side gig again. And, as restrictions ease, craft fairs and similar events are returning.

“Doing those has really gotten my pieces out into the community,” she said.

Jennings has started small — attending events around Auburn like SummerNight Art

Effect is something that so many of our families experience. As soon as you start to gain more income, your income increases then you lose federal subsidies ... If you get a $200 raise, you may still lose $600 in federal subsidies, so there's a $400 deficit in your household. That is difficult and extremely challenging to plan for so it's really a deterrent,” she said. “There have

been some situations where people have had to turn down raises because they could not afford to live without.

That's a real challenge.”

Circles has many partnerships that aid the process of reducing poverty. One, for example, is with PRF Institute. They created a step-by-step process called poverty reduction and it is offered to families in the Circles program.

It paints a clear image of what they need to do individually by reviewing their credit report. Circles also offers a “helping hands loan program” which produces emergency loans to families in need.

If you are ready for a life-changing experience and are interested in becoming a Circles Leader call 334-203-1860 or email rmeadows@myops.net.

For more information about Circles Opelika visit circlesopelika.org.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

CIRCLES >>

Walk and Pride on the Plains. Still, her goals are lofty.

“My dream is for it to be primary income, traveling the U.S. and going to different markets,” she said.

Before that, Jennings envisions a retail space here in Auburn. If she had a physical space, there would also be the opportunity for renting out her kiln to other local potters, too.

She said she is also interested in collaborating with other creatives in Auburn.

The name of her business, Little Acorn Pottery, is a reference

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Jana Jennings had a bucket list. One of the items on that bucket list was to throw pottery on the wheel.

But, Jennings had no idea that checking that item off her bucket list would turn into a personal business.

Her business, Little Acorn Pottery, has grown a lot since she started learning the skill in 2019. Jennings began with dinnerware but has improved to incorporate new pieces and more intricate designs.

The business’ Instagram boasts of berry bowls, bracelets, jars and tea sets. She also makes decorative pipes.

“In 2019, I was working on a community art project and met a woman who actually was a member of the Opelika studio and offered to give me the rundown and teach me a little bit,” Jennings said.

So, a few lessons later, Jennings decided to take a class with

to Jennings’s father, who worked in construction all his life.

“I’ve always grown up around wood and craftsmanship and building materials,” she said. "So one of the most common building materials made out of wood is oak. The seed of an oak tree is an acorn.

He has three daughters and I happen to be the youngest. So, Little Acorn Pottery was born from being my father’s child.”

Jennings encouraged others to give pottery a try, especially as a method of stress relief.

“Pottery honestly for me has become a therapy,” she said.

“When I started it, I was really struggling with nightmares and anxiety and stress …

So, when I started pottery and there’s the rhythm of the wheel and the way the clay is formed under your hands and it’s such an organic thing, but if your mind wanders at all, you mess up your piece and you have to recycle the clay. So it really forced my mind to focus.”

oriented program and children are encouraged to be involved. There is a component of the program that allows children to be working while the parents work.

Circles has many partnerships that aid the process of reducing poverty. One, for example, is with PRF Institute. They created a step-by-step process called poverty reduction and it is offered to

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families in the Circles program. It paints a clear image of what they need to do individually by reviewing their credit report. Circles also offers a “helping hands loan program” which produces emergency loans to families in need.

The Circles network believes that the Cliff Effect is the biggest barrier when getting out of poverty. Meadows explains, “The Cliff

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A3 July 8, 2021

Big Blue Crawfish Serves It Up Cajun Style PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY BIG BLUE CRAWFISH

BY EMERY LAY FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER Clint Rogers is originally from Moss Point, Mississippi, a small town on the Gulf Coast. When Rogers was 13, he moved to Troy, Alabama, where he went to college before transferring to Auburn University.

Rogers graduated in 2000 with a bachelors in hotel & restaurant management and set off to New Orleans to begin his career in hospitality. During his time there, the city dropped two things in Rogers’ lap: his wife and his passion for crawfish.

After marrying his wife, Kim, the couple relocated to Auburn in 2005. To make new friends, the two decided to host crawfish and shrimp boils in their own backyard two or three times a year. This proved to be a great way to entertain and connect with the Auburn community.

“We loved sharing our Louisiana experience with friends and neighbors and really enjoyed getting feedback from them on their experience,” Rog-

ers said. “After several years of hosting boils, and being asked, ‘Have you ever thought about doing this as a business?’ I decided to take the plunge and open my own crawfish business.

“Before opening my business, I worked for 10 years as a food sales rep consulting and selling food to local restaurateurs.

During this time, I

learned a lot about the ‘do’s and don’t's’ of running a successful foodservice business.

My experience from these 10 years laid the groundwork for me to open my own business and made things a little less stressful than they would have been otherwise.”

Big Blue Crawfish was launched in October 2015. At the time, Rogers worked

a full-time job in food sales and was advised by most not to quit his day job. Hence, the business began as a food truck, which Rogers considered “the most economical way of starting a business” and would allow him to work on a part-time basis.

During that stint, Rogers would work full-time in food sales during the week and

boil crawfish on the weekends. That eventually changed when, after nine months, Rogers made the deci-

sion to make Big Blue Crawfish a full-time venture.

See BIG BLUE, page A5

Being Well — The Auburn Chamber to Host Women's Retreat

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM The Auburn Chamber of Commerce is hosting a women’s retreat this summer with a focus on "being well."

The one-day retreat will be based on the information from the book, "beingwell", lead by Eloise Stewart, and will

MONEY >>

FROM A1

The executive summary from the National Association of Counties said that the uses of the money include: supporting public health response, addressing negative economic impacts, replacing public sector revenue loss, premium pay for essential workers and water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

The public health response funding areas include vaccine programs, communication related to COVID-19, purchasing PPE, providing medical leave to public employees, ‘related to COVID-19 compliance’ and more.

For the economic section for households, examples included by the National Association of Counties include food, rent and mortgage assistance, ‘burial assistance,’ ‘counseling and legal aid to prevent eviction or homelessness,’ ‘home repairs and weatherization’ and more.

For the public sector, this could include rehiring employees. For communities

help women understand stress, anxiety, fear, burnout and managing their time.

“What does it mean to really be well,” said a release from the chamber. “Now more than ever we need to take time to re-examine what it means to be well and redefine our relationships with time, stress, anxiety and fear. Which all can

lead to burnout. As leaders in our workplaces, homes and community, we must first work towards being well so that we can lead and impact those we work with and lead.”

There are two days to choose from for the retreat — July 22 or 23. Attendees will only choose one of the two days, as the content is the same.

The retreat will be held at the Waverly Local and will include breakfast and lunch.

“This is a retreat for you,” the release said.

“Meaning it is not a networking event and it is not a team-building event. You will not have to partner up or play ice breaker games.”

Attendees do not need to bring their meals or a

laptop. The book, "beingwell", and a workbook will be provided to work through.

“We will work through a beautiful workbook together as Eloise Stewart facilitates conversation around these topics,” the release said. “You will find that the retreat conversation, topics and workbook are extremely practical. You will have

tools and resources that you can apply in your life and take into your workplaces and organizations.”

The chamber has asked attendees not to use their phones during the retreat, though there will be breaks.

To register, visit the chamber site: www. auburnchamber.com/beingwell/.

at large, the funds could be used to help the homeless population, provide early learning aide, help provide childcare and more.

“But the [Lee County] commission is going to have to kind of make a decision on what areas they want to focus on,” Rendleman said.

Some cities already passed resolutions for how the money will be designated, like Birmingham and Mobile.

“We’re already getting questions,” Rendleman said. “It’s going to be one of those things where they’re basically going to have to compile this list and make what is their determination as priorities.”

The state of Alabama does not allow the county to provide money to private individuals and businesses, as written in the state constitution.

However, Rendleman said there is a discussion on whether this money can be allocated to private individuals and businesses since it is being given by the federal government.

“If that’s what is determined, the county’s going

to have to make sure it does it absolutely right,” he said.

Should the county give money to local businesses and it is later determined that was not allowed under the American Rescue Plan, the county will have to take all that money from the general fund. Then, the money would no longer be coming from a federal source, but a state source, which is not allowed, Rendleman said.

One way the county can cover their bases is to have help from an outside agency.

During the Lee County Commission last Monday night, two county employees, Neil Cyriac and Wendy Swann, presented a presentation on The ACCA “Investing in Alabama Counties” program. “[The program] will help alleviate the compliance, intergovernmental, technical and educational challenges presented to participating counties in best utilizing their federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act,” according to information provided by the county.

The ACCA IAC plan would be able to provide

administration, planning, management, completion and support to the county, Swann told the commission.

The county would need to pay 6% on the first 7 million of the 32 million, Swann said, and 4% on the rest of the funds.

“They are going to have a dedicated staff that is going to address all of these,” she said. “They are going to be able to address multiple topics. So, if you wanna do the infrastructure and if you want to do the community aide projects, then they are going to be able to do all of those projects.”

The other option the county has is to pay staff members to handle the money management full time for the next five years, Rendleman said.

“If we did it in house, we would have to create all of that from scratch,” Swann said. “… I do not think we are experienced enough with multiple projects of this magnitude because it would be a lot of projects.”

Should the county choose to use the money on only one project, such as infrastructure, Swann said she thinks the county can do

that in house.

“What we would like for y'all to do is to take that information that we have given in your packets that’s more specific and look at it and decide which direction y'all really want to go,” she said. “If y'all want to go the multiple projects, to benefit a lot, then I really think the IAC is the way to go. But of course, that is obviously up to y'all. If you want to just focus on one, like infrastructure we could potentially pull that off.”

Rendleman agreed with Swann and said that should the commission focus on one area, the county can do it. Otherwise, he recommended the ACCA program.

“Envision with the way the county is growing, how fast we’re growing, we’re very busy now just doing our daily work,” he said.

One of the benefits of using the ACCA program, Rendleman said, is having a group to back up any decision made, should the federal government try to say the money wasn’t spent correctly.

However, the county will still need to hire an

employee on the local level to deal with this, Swann said.

The commission did not vote on whether to join the program. They have until the next meeting on July 12 to decide.

And there is even more time to decide how the money will be spent. The money must be obligated by the end of year 2024. The money must be spent, and all projects finished by end of year 2026.

Should the money be used for premium pay, it can be paid retroactively through January 27, 2020, according to the National Association of Counties summary.

“What I think a lot of people aren’t really realizing, this package that was passed, this recovery act is massive,” Rendleman said during commission. “There is a billion dollars coming to Alabama counties alone.

And the areas they’re covering is very wide. We’ve never seen this in our lifetime. I mean … I would say probably the closest I can think of historically is closest to FDR and the new deal during the great recession.

A4 July 8, 2021

Mamas

SEAN DIETRICH

I

watched one of those TV award shows last night.

You know the kind I mean. The award ceremonies where celebrities you’ve never heard of accept accolades for doing stuff you don’t actually care about.

There is always that miserable part of the ceremony when the winners say their thank-yous.

My wife and I watched one such winner wave his hood

ornament around and read through a prodigious thank-you list that lasted about as long as veterinary school. When he finished, my wife turned to me and said, “He didn’t thank his mama.”

I couldn’t believe it.

She was right. Here was a guy on television, winning a major award, sporting a modern hairstyle that looked like it had been coiffed by electro

shock therapy, and he didn’t even mention his mother. None of the other winners did, either.

Later that night, my wife and I attempted streaming a popular dramatic series. I am told this particular series is popular right now. Known for its “lifelike” authenticity.

In a heated scene that depicted an argument between a teenage daughter and her mother, things got out of control. They threw stuff. Vases shattered.

People screamed. Lots of crying.

The crescendo came when the daughter started cussing at her mother and called her everything but a child of God. At one point the scene became so “lifelike” that I canceled my monthly streaming subscription.

And all this has me

wondering what’s happened to the image of the American mom?

Our culture used to respect Mama. Mama used to be a sacred institution. Mama was everything.

Once upon a time, pro football players mentioned their mamas during Super Bowls.

On the nightly news, civilians inadvertently caught on camera were required by federal law to wave at the lens like an idiot and yell, “Hi, Mom!” And on ABC prime time, “Family Feud” host, Richard Dawson, could be seen French kissing half the mothers in North America.

Even TV moms were pretty cool back in the day. I remember turning on the tube to see Caroline Ingalls, Claire Huxtable, Carol Brady, Sophia Petrillo, June Cleaver, Lucy Ricardo

or Wilma Flintsone.

Where did they go?

And whose bright idea was it to replace them with Kris Jenner and the Kardashians?

And here’s something else: You would have never seen Elvis on an award show forgetting to mention his mama.

Elvis once told the world that his mother was the “love of his life.” His first hit song was about Mama. His mother, Gladys, is buried next to him in Graceland’s backyard.

Some other notable American mothers: Mary Kay Ash. Mary Kay was 45 years old when she founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963. She was a struggling single mom scraping to support three children.

Candy Lightner. In 1980 a drunk driver killed one of Can-

dy's teenage daughters. Within months after the accident, she started Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to help pass tougher legislation on drunk driving. MADD has claimed that drunk driving has been reduced by half since its founding.

And Alberta King.

Many Americans have forgotten this woman’s name. Alberta King was Martin Luther King Jr.’s mother. She had a hand in changing the world. Six years after her son was assassinated, someone shot and killed Alberta while she was playing the church organ.

There is one word in the world that is the same in nearly 6,500 human languages. It is four letters. It is the first word spoken by See DIETRICH, page A5

Gratitude. Gratitude. Freedom.

BRADLEY ROBERTSON

F

or the 4th of July holiday, the boys and I decided to take a refresher and kay-

ak the Tallopoosa River.

The farmer had an itch to relax in his own boat for a few hours and a good river float would do the trick. Sissy was invited to the lake for a couple of days and as a girl-teenmom, I obliged.

I packed a sack of bologna sandwiches and chips; the boys packed a cooler and we all loaded up in our little red Toyota pickup. Tagging behind the truck was a trailer used to stack the kayaks and drive them to our drop off point.

We would park the truck and float the few hours

down river to our friends’ treehouse-style, riverfront bungalow.

Driving to the river is an adventure itself.

It takes a maze of rural country roads, bridges, dirt paths and farmland to get to the canopy of trees that overlooks the river.

It is key that you keep the windows rolled down and you drive a good bit slower than usual so the father can tell long and magical stories of times gone by through family and country living.

We eventually arrive at our kayak drop-in point at a place called “the mud

house.” It’s an old shack that appears to be made of stucco or “mud” that apparently used to be a party place back in the '70s. Next to it is an ancient Burlington Northern yellow caboose train car covered in ivy and weeds. The boys always talk of going in but the idea of sneaky snakes always keeps them at bay.

We drag our boats off the trailer and grab our supplies for the next few hours. Sheppy boy has his life jacket strapped on tight and pulls one red boat down the muddy forest path. I keep my

eyes peeled for snakes; we are in the middle of nowhere land, completely secluded, a deep forest broken up by one very large, beautiful river.

Isaac helps us load into our boats at the bank, coolers, kids and paddles. In minutes we are afloat in this magnificent stretch of Alabama. We have taken this route at least five times and still every time we begin, we each sit back and stare; the sounds of birds for miles mixed with slow waters and space that never ends.

It is a dream.

Shep perches himself atop his father’s boat as the ultimate rower, and the father is always very happy about this. Braxton is seen far ahead of us as a small speck on a lime, green raft. He is much like his mother as he always finds an escape in solitude anywhere he goes. I love this about him, sinking into himself where he is certain, peace and wonder resides.

When the river is high, there are few stops on rocks and shoals, as they are covered and unseen See ROBERTSON, page A6

By the Sea – Part II

WENDY HODGE

T

oday was day five of our beach trip, and like every other day here the weather has been just perfect. For today’s activities, the men planned a golf game. They’ve dusted off their clubs, dug their golf shoes out of the back of the closet, set a tee-time for 11 a.m. and pretended to each other that 16 holes of golf were not going to wreak havoc on their respective aging bodies. Right on time, they piled into one car full of predictions of who would beat who. Neon Girl sped by just as they

were leaving, which led to a close call with another distracted driver. Heads turned, horns blared and Neon Girl never missed a step.

Skinny people can be so oblivious.

We ladies waved them off and promptly set about our plan for the day. Our itinerary read as follows: 1. Gather around the pool with a good book and snacks.

2. Meander down to the beach and spend some time dozing and snacking while getting browner by the minute.

3. Lunch — Fresh tomato slices on pillow-soft bread covered with mayo, salt and pepper with a side of crackers topped with summer sausage and cream cheese.

4. Resume our positions by the pool with snacks and drinks.

5. TALK!! (Step 5 is to be done simultane-

ously with Steps 1-4.)

This talk was a day-long conversation interspersed with laughter, filled with warm confidences and interrupted only when someone dozed off for a moment.

And the sun continued to shine on us all day long...

I must interrupt here to let you in on exactly what my skin does when I emerge from an office lit by fluorescent lights and spend any real-time in direct sunlight. I don’t tan, at least not at first. I get a little red. Well, actually, I get very red. Okay, the truth is, I burn. Burn and peel.

It was just this afternoon that I realized that, although my arms and legs are a nice shade of crimson, it is my lips that are taking the full brunt of the sun. My lower lip, to be exact.

When we paused for lunch, I could feel the

familiar tingling begin.

By the time we came inside to get ready for dinner, it was so swollen I could actually see my lower lip just by glancing down. “Have you had Botox?” asked a 70-something-yearold lady whose t-shirt read ‘Retired Super Model’ as we passed each other on the sand.

“No, ma’am. I’m just hungry.” I answered.

She shot a look over her shoulder as if she feared for my sanity.

My best friend’s mom suppressed a giggle, but only barely, until we were safely inside.

As it turns out, tonight was our designated “dinner out” night. The fact that this coincided with Mens’ Golf Day, Ladies’ Day in the Sun and my enlarged lip, created a perfect storm for my little group. We planned to have the men return to the house, get ready for dinner and all

head to a lovely night out looking clean and fresh and oh-so happy.

We planned, and the gods laughed.

Around 4 p.m., the ladies were gathering on the porch, waiting for the men to return with triumphant stories of record-book scores and at least a half dozen holesin-one. But as we stood there primping and discussing the restaurant we had settled on, the first of a flurry of phone calls from the men came in.

“Wendy? Hey. We’re running a bit late … (unrecognizable mumbling in the background) … I’ll call you right back.”

“Hey, Wendy? Sorry, I don’t have a good signal. Can you hear me?

Hello??”

“Hey. What restaurant are we going to?

Wait. Dad’s saying something. (More unrecognizable chatter.)

Lulu’s? Are we eating at Lulu’s?”

“Hey. Call keeps dropping. Sorry. None of us like Lulu’s. Can you call and find somewhere else without such a long wait time?” “... Hello?”

“Just stay put. We’re coming home first. I need a shower and some Ibuprofen.”

The other ladies were having similar simultaneous conversations with their significant others. Apparently, all the men needed a shower and a dose of pain relievers. We all shot looks at each other, sighed deeply and started calling surrounding restaurants. A few minutes later, I texted my best friend the following, “We’re going to Sea and Suds. Come home and take a shower. I’ll wait for you. The others are going ahead See HODGE, page A6

A5 July 8, 2021

Alabama Humanities Alliance to Award up to $800,000 in Grants CONTRIBUTED BY CAROL PAPPAS Beginning July 1, the Alabama Humanities Alliance (AHA) will accept applications for $800,000 in special grant funding to help humanities organizations recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic.

AHA will award funding through individual grants of up to $20,000. Applications should be submitted through AHA’s online grant management system at alabamahumanities.org. The application process will run from July 1–30.

“AHA’s recovery grants will help humanities-focused organizations thrive beyond the pandemic,” said Chuck Holmes, AHA’s executive director. “Robust cultural organiza-

tions make Alabama a richer, smarter and more vibrant place to live and learn. These grants will sustain the humanities in our communities and contribute to the state’s economic recovery in the months ahead.”

Alabama Humanities Recovery Grants are available thanks to funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Grant eligibility Alabama Humanities Recovery Grants

are available to Alabama-based nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated commitment to providing public humanities programming, including museums, libraries and archives, historic sites and more.

To receive an Alabama Humanities Recovery Grant, an organization must: • Provide public humanities programming as a significant part of its mission and work • Be a registered nonprofit organization.

• Be physically located in Alabama and serve Alabama residents as its primary audience Detailed grant application guidelines are available at alabamahumanities. org/grants. Grant requests may include

•

• •

• • •

•

funding for a variety of needs, such as: Staff salaries and fringe benefits for personnel involved in humanities programming and administration Administrative, operational and marketing expenses.

Strategic planning, professional development, equity assessments and capacity-building efforts Professional fees.

Programming, publication and dissemination expenses Technical assistance, consultation or training provided by experts that will directly enhance humanities programming capabilities Collaborative activities that promote partnership, networking and leveraging the resources

of multiple public humanities providers, resulting in enhanced programming capacity Coming to the rescue, again In 2020, AHA administered and distributed $500,000 in CARES Act grants to 79 agencies across Alabama, which provided relief to retain staff and pay bills during the height of the pandemic.

“Our CARES grants were often the first, and sometimes only, relief funding that humanities organizations received,” AHA Grants Director Graydon Rust said at the time.

“Imagine your community with the public library shuttered, or public programming slashed at your local museum,” Holmes said. “Or be-

loved historical sites like the Jesse Owens Memorial Park or the Helen Keller Birthplace closed. Last year’s CARES Act funding helped those kinds of groups ride out the economic impact of the pandemic.

Now, we want to help these treasured institutions start thriving again, as invaluable resources for their communities and for all Alabamians.”

About Alabama Humanities: The Alabama Humanities Alliance is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Its mission is to foster learning, understanding and appreciation of Alabama’s people, communities and cultures. Learn more at alabamahumanities. org.

United Way of Lee County Taking Donations for Tallapoosa Girls Ranch

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

United Way of Lee County is taking donations to support the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, following a tragic traffic accident that occurred on June 19, taking the lives of 10 people.

Donations can be dropped off at the United Way of Lee

CHANGE >>

FROM A1

job talking about what we do.”

This is where the selected liaisons come in; they are here to communicate issues within their wards and spread awareness of the police department’s involvement.

Each ward aims to have two community liaisons who will serve over the next three years: Ward 1: Alexis Meniefield and Valestine Penn Ward 2: Sherry Cook Welch and Oscar Penn Ward 3: Michael Carter and Bobbi Yeo Ward 4: Susan Clark Ward 5: Robert Noles and Parker Hamilton as well as honorary liaison Thomas Sherfield.

“If we accomplish what we are talking about doing, we will change the world

DIETRICH >>

FROM A4

many infants worldwide. And according to military chaplains and medics, it is the most common final word uttered by dying soldiers in every war. Mama.

Mama taught us to

County office, located at 2133 Executive Parkway Dr. in Opelika.

Needed donations include: deep pocket twin sheets, bath towels, antibacterial floor cleaner, mops and brooms, washing detergent, light bulbs, toilet paper, paper towels, dishwashing liquid, clothes hampers, wasp, ant and roach spray, ant starting here,” Healey said.

The group will also work closely with Dr. Chenavis Evans from Critical Insights Consulting, LLC. Not only should the liaisons look for ways to improve the community, Evans said it is also important to share citizen accomplishments.

“I hear a lot of great things that we’re doing, and we need to recognize our wards and people individually,” Evans said.

Capt. Amerson also explained he wants to have a city-wide event for all five wards within the first two years.

“It’d be like a melting pot,” Amerson said.

“Everybody in the community is there … it’s the true representation of the city of Opelika.”

Liaisons are excited work fervently, to play hard and to love sincerely. She taught us to say we were sorry like we meant it.

She showed us how to iron our slacks. How to clean our fingernails.

Mama gave us Campbell’s chicken noodle when our tummies hurt.

She taught us to stand

pellets, large garbage bags, kitchen garbage bags, rugs for the girls’ bedrooms, vacuum cleaner, air filter 20x30 or 20x20, AA batteries, AAA batteries, insect bite/sting medicine, work gloves and safety glasses,

to be a part of the movement and ready to represent the city with integrity.

“I am for my community,” Meniefield said. “I have the ability to see both sides.

I understand the police department’s perspective, and I can understand history.”

For Opelika to flourish, Hamilton stressed everyone needs to do their part.

“I know the government can't do this alone,” Hamilton said. “It takes a community to work with the government in order to do what’s best for the residents.”

For upcoming meeting dates or more information, head over to the Opelika Police Department’s website www.opelikaal.gov/815/PoliceDepartment or contact Capt. Amerson at tamerson@opelika-al. gov. up for ourselves when Mark Tyler busted our lower lips on the playground. She made us biscuits.

Since the dawn of time, little kids have been shedding dirty clothes onto bedroom floors, and every day their clothes disappear only to reappear in

and water test strips.

Wishful donations include: torch rig with tanks, pipe wrenches, painting the water tower, use of bulldozer and backhoe with operator, PTO-driven 500-100 gallon sprayer for tractor, tiller for tractor, sheetrock to finish building walls in remodeled dorm, plumbing for college dorm, electrical services to put wiring

in remodeled dorm, steam clean carpets in girls’ homes, fencing, electric fence kit, wheelbarrow, iodine shampoo, hoof medicines, ear medicine, pallet and hay forks for tractor, wood plainer, use of stump grinder, mulch and security gate for front entrance.

For more information, visit www.unitedwayofleecounty.com/.

The business opened the Cajun market, located at 2611 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, in 2019, still adhering to the food truck business model for its hours of operation. Rogers expressed that he sticks with this model for how it allows him to be handson and offers flexibility for catering.

“I do all of the boiling when we’re open,” Rogers said. “Since we do a fair amount of on-site catering, having the flexibility of changing our weekly hours allows me to be flexible in moving between boiling at my market and catering jobs. I realize that this is a bit of an unconventional way of doing business, but it seems to be working okay thus far.”

For repeat customers, or first-timers Rogers recommends

checking their Google hours or following the Big Blue Crawfish Facebook page for updates. The business is currently working on creating a website for its customers to refer to in the future.

Rogers admits that picking a favorite food off the menu is difficult — but if he had to choose, he would recommend the Hot Boiled Crawfish.

Apart from crawfish, shrimp and crab legs, Big Blue Crawfish also serves soups: Seafood Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Crawfish Étouffée, Crawfish Chowder and Jambalaya.

In addition, Big Blue Crawfish offers Cajun-boiled peanuts. Both soups and peanuts are seasonal, with a more consistent presence on the menu beginning in the fall.

“There have been many challenges to starting a crawfish business in Auburn/

Opelika, but I would have to say that the biggest challenge is simply getting the crawfish from Louisiana to Auburn,” Rogers said. “The logistical part of that process has taken some time to figure out, but we found a consistent supplier of good quality crawfish and a delivery process that works."

Rogers said he could not talk about Big Blue Crawfish without giving his children, Rylee (13) and Parker (10), credit for the inspiration. Additionally, he considers the most rewarding portion of starting his own business has been meeting so many awesome people over the past five years.

“Seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces and hearing how excited they are about having a good, local Cajun market has been priceless,” Rogers said.

dressers, cleaned and folded. It’s not magic.

It’s Mama.

Mama reminded us to say “thank you,” to pray for the shut-ins and she showed us how to seek spiritual guidance during the final innings of the ‘95 World Series.

She kissed our boo-

boos, she used a Sharpie to write our names in the waistbands of our underpants. She could fix our hair with nothing but her own spit, and cure our broken heart with cubed steak. She gave us her best years and asked for nothing in return.

Maybe it’s been a

while since you’ve called her. Maybe you’ve been a little busy. Maybe you ought to pick up the phone right now.

Well, if you do happen to be lucky enough to talk to your mother today, for heaven’s sake, don’t forget to thank her.

shovels and rakes, printer paper, Rid Ex for new septic tanks, gift cards, gas hedger, two dump trucks of sand for riding corral, moth balls for snakes, Bio One drain cleaner, Lysol, hand soap, pool salt, chlorine granules

BIG BLUE >>

FROM A3

A6 July 8, 2021

Auburn Startup Among Alabama Launchpad Finalists CONTRIBUTED BY MADELIN OLIFF Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), is proud to announce that its Launch Advisor cohort has selected 11 finalists to participate in the Cycle 2, 2021 competition.

Alabama Launchpad has finalists in two stages of its competition: those in the concept stage, who are usually pre-revenue, and those in the early-seed stage, who are looking to accelerate the growth of their existing business. During its 15year history, Alabama Launchpad has become the state’s most active early-seed funding source and to date has funded 102 startups with over $5.6 million in non-dilutive money.

Its winning companies have an impressive track record, creating nearly 900 jobs in the state and reached a

combined post-money valuation of $400-plus million.

The concept stage finalists competing for $25,000 are: • Cheers, a food delivery service accessible by text message, bringing you the most convenient, affordable meals from local restaurants to your home and office • Etrak Technologies, an IoT company with wearable technology and supporting applications that collect and analyze a user’s movement, helping to predict and reduce overuse injuries • NanoXort, an Auburn-based startup that creates safe and multifunctional contrast agents for

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that will enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide patients with safer, more effective treatments • ProU Sports, a digital sports ecosystem built specifically for college fans to keep up with their favorite former athletes now in the pros • Solved!, a Madison-based company that uses proprietary mathematical software to develop algorithms that greatly reduce calculation times involving large datasets • The Help Project, a concept for a community hub designed as a safe space for creatives, parents, profes-

sionals and businesses to work, live, create and collaborate.

The companies in the early seed stage, who will be competing for $50,000, are: • Feast B’ham, an online platform helping local restaurants utilize catering to increase sales, create jobs & reach more customers • Field Culture Compost, a former Alabama Launchpad concept stage winner that uses organic wastes bound for landfills to produce compost that is sold to farmers, landscapers and home gardeners • Sandler Scientific, a Montgomery-based medical company with an innovative

and effective nasal rinse that offers a better customer experience • The Wealth Edit, a digital ecosystem focused on financial literacy for women through live classes, a library of courses, office hours and community discussions • Xcellent Life, an AI-powered mobile app that improves wellness by analyzing information captured from wearables and other sources to provide real-time insights into a person’s health.

The aforementioned companies are slated to engage in workshops and seminars with coaches and business consultants who will share field expertise.

The impressive cohort is comprised of entrepreneurs from Auburn, Birmingham, Madison and Montgomery, and a majority of founders identify as people of color.

“We are impressed with the applicant pool that was interested Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 2 2021, and look forward to progress with the eleven companies our Launch Advisors have selected,” said Miller Girvin, EDPA executive vice president of innovartion and entrepreneurship.

“Cycle over cycle, we are encouraged by the growth, commitment and creativity of entrepreneurs across the state. We are grateful to our Launch Advisors for providing their expertise to strengthen these promising companies and look forward to seeing the finalists’ growth over the next six weeks thanks to their mentorship.”

Please follow the future of Alabama Launchpad startup pitch competitions, specialized events and how to become involved at www.alabamalaunchpad.com.

‘Sip and Shop’ with Opelika Nutrition

BY MAGGIE CARAWAY FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER Opelika Nutrition is turning one! They are celebrating their first year in business with a customer appreciation event. “Sip and Shop” will be held on July 10 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Opelika Nutrition storefront, 1801 Market St. Owner Mallory Jenkins is welcoming the community into her store and serving hamburgers and hotdogs as well as giving away door prizes in an effort to “give back” to all the individuals that helped make the past year possible for her.

Local vendors will also be partnering up

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to get in line to wait for a table.” Just as I hit send, I got this text from him: “I’ll see you in a few minutes. We’re fine with any place other than Sea and Suds. See you soon!”

Sigh.

Two or three hours later, we are all seated around a table for 12, with plates that hold the remnants of our seafood dinner. Sea and Suds, it turns out, was perfect after all. Everyone has pushed back from the table and reclined slightly in their seat, full and drowsy from a day in the sun and a feast from the sea. Ibuprofen was passed around the table the moment we sat down. The men, apparently, aren’t as indestructible as they’d like to think. And not one hole-in-one was mentioned. I’m not sure

with Jenkins to provide individuals with a wide variety of items to shop.

Jenkins decided to open Opelika Nutrition after loaded tea, a healthy alternative to energy drinks packed with vitamins, became popular. “My husband and I were driving to Auburn every single day to get one of these drinks like crazy people,” Jenkins said.

Her friend helped her get the process started and after that it was smooth sailing. “I was dying to just put one in Opelika and things just kind of fell in my lap and it happened really fast. Really easy.”

Jenkins broke down exactly what loaded which hurts more — sore muscles or bruised egos. But they, like we women, had a day full of laughter they will not forget.

There’s an atmosphere that settles over a table full of people who are relaxed and content when the delicious scent of dinner still lingers, and there’s a sip or two left in the bottom of glasses wet with condensation.

And in that delicious, suspended moment, my best friend takes my hand and smiles at me.

That smile, so easy and warm, takes my breath away. Every single time. “Did you get enough to eat?” he asks, and I know that in his language that means, “I love you and want you to be happy.”

“Yes, I had way too much. It was delicious,” I answer.

“Good day by the sea, wasn’t it?” he leans

in to whisper and then asks, “Have any more Ibuprofen?”

One by one, we all stand and make our way out into the warm night.

We will head back to the house and begin to pack in preparation for our departure in the morning. Suitcases will be piled into trunks.

Food will be divided and stored in back seats.

Loaves of bread and packs of hamburger buns will be passed like a hot potato from car to truck and back again because who really needs 196 pieces of bread?

Kids will curl up with pillows and adults will set their GPS. This trip will be a memory soon enough. But for now, right this minute, I am taking my best friend down to the beach for one more moonlit walk by the sea. Neon Girl is not invited …

ROBERTSON >>

FROM A4

by the water, but there are still patches of lush green river grass found in the middle to stop and have a quick hangout.

Our favorite hangout being the bologna sandwich.

Have you ever had a bologna sandwich on a hot summer day? If so, it is the most fantastic thing you will ever eat.

There is no comparison.

My mother used to pack us a cooler full on trips to the beach or Calloway Gardens. It is essential to any summer and if you have yet to have a bologna sandwich this season, please make it a point to do so, even if for your own backyard picnic.

After the sandwich, my mind begins to get all juicy and thoughtful in my own solitude; something you kind of can’t help on a secluded river.

tea is, the benefits it can have and why they became so popular. “It's like a healthy energy drink … and it gives you basic energy. It has vitamin C, B12 and B6 in it, and there's about 200 milligrams of caffeine in it. But the caffeine is from herbal teas, and there's no sugar, so you're not getting all the bad stuff that a Monster or a Red Bull is offering you,” she said. Jenkins claims that anyone could benefit from drinking loaded tea.

“A lot of my customers have replaced their coffee with a tea every morning. Just because it's vitamins and

they're still getting their caffeine and a good base of energy without all the carbs and calories … our teas only have 24 calories.”

Jenkins said the first year of business for Opelika Nutrition has been a great success.

“It’s been absolutely amazing … it’s been a lot more than I imagined it being.”

Come out and celebrate the first of many years of Opelika Nutrition at the customer appreciation “Sip and Shop” event.

For more information visit the Opelika Nutrition and Customer Appreciation Sip and Shop Facebook pages or call (334) 444-0708.

I began thinking about the great nation we live in and all the chaos we perceive around ourselves. We are told of all the hardship on news and media, yet what I see in my own day to day is good. I am still here. I am still a child of God. My family is fed, our beds are made and we are together. There is still no place I’d rather live nor people I would rather do life with.

I am alone on a vast, open river, where I cannot see what’s around the corner. I’m paddling — right, left, right, left — and with every other stroke I think "gratitude … gratitude … freedom."

We are more united that we make out to be.

We are more connected than we often see. We are more blessed than we imagine being. Gratitude seems to get me every time.

And why is gratitude

something we forget about almost daily? How is it even intensely faithful people like me need a constant reminder?

We are today still one nation under God. No one has ever known what’s around the corner, so why are we any different than all those that came before us?

We aren’t. We are just as vulnerable as all the men and women that fought for us to be here today, we are also just as fierce, just as determined and just as brave.

I think the idea is that we do not give up. And that we remember to count the blessings and gifts of today.

The freedom we hold in our hands is due to another that persevered for us, and that job is now placed in the hands of me and you. We are Americans, land of the free and home of the brave. May we remember, that that person is us.

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS: JULY 16: OPELIKA CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING JULY 16: KIM RICHEY PERFORMS AT SUNDILLA JULY 17: SUMMER VINTAGE ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

Plan a Hawaiian-Inspired Party for Summer Hospitality PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

Hawaiian inspired party can be fun for gathering again with family and friends. While in Hawaii, a Kalua pig is cooked in a dirt pit with hot rocks or in an imu, an underground oven or a simple version can be oven baked with a few seasonings. Recipes for the party can blend many cultures, including Polynesian and Asian influences with rice dishes and flavorful salads. A make-ahead coconut dessert provides a delicious finale to a party with a Hawaiian theme.

Several years ago when one of our sons, Robert, was a chef, he decided to cook an entire pig for a luau party. He stuffed the pig with oranges and

lemons, then wrapped it in cheesecloth. Robert and our other son, Donny, dug a hole and filled it with hot rocks.

The stuffed pig was placed on the rocks and covered with soil. There must have still been an aroma as the dogs barked for hours.

The next day, the pig was dug up, carved and served at a festive luau party that was held outdoors. Of course, I was there every step with my camera, but the photos of the pig preparation turned out too dark to publish.

When Robert held this party, he was probably thinking of the Hawaiian inspired party I held years ago for our Sunday school class.

This was when I often took on large cooking

projects without thinking about it, which is how I learned to plan and cook ahead.

Our Sunday school class wanted to have a Hawaiian party, and I offered to cook the entire meal myself. I had fun putting together a menu, which featured a complicated main course of chicken in pineapple shells for 24.

With a can-do spirit, I did most of the cooking the day of the party.

A couple of ladies from the class stopped by just before lunch to see how things were going. When they saw me cutting up whole chickens and the pile of pineapples on the kitchen table, they moaned and headed for the door, saying they had to leave because just looking

Coconut Cream Pie is an ideal dessert for a Hawaiian inspired dinner or anytime during summer.

at the work to be done made them nervous.

They probably didn’t think I would have the meal ready in time.

Their nervousness made me uneasy for a few minutes, but I did not see the situation as being stressful. I got down to the business of cooking and had everything ready on time. The menu included shrimp cocktail, a Polynesian chicken dish with a glazed garlic and soy sauce in individual pineapple halves, a South Seas rice dish,

green salad, a large watermelon basket filled with fresh fruit and, for dessert, a rainbow of sherbets.

If I were making this menu now, I would use chicken breasts or thighs instead of cutting up whole chickens, and I would adapt the fruit sauce to use all fresh fruit instead of pineapple and canned fruit.

Then, I would have prepared the entire menu ahead if there was space in the refrigerator.

Since it was a large group, the party was

held outside. I decorated tables on the patio with colorful sheets printed with huge flowers. A large palm accented the buffet table, and ferns were placed around the patio.

The buffet table was centered with a pineapple arrangement in a wooden bowl with greenery and fruit. Two large candles flanked the centerpiece, and sea shells surrounded the base. The dining tables held smaller pineapple See CIPPERLY, page A9

Auburn Knights Orchestra Alumni to Present Reunion Concerts On Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, the Auburn Knights Alumni Association will present three public concerts and a poolside barbecue as part of its 54th reunion at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National.

Friday's ticketed concert will be from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and will open with the cur-

rent Auburn Knights Orchestra, a 20-piece, professional big band formed in 1930. Also performing will be three other big bands showcasing music from the 1930s to the 1960s.

On Saturday, a poolside jazz jam session and barbecue will start at 11 a.m., followed by a free matinee bigband concert at 2 p.m.

Both of these events will be open to the public.

The Saturday evening show, also ticketed, will be from 7 to 11 p.m. and will feature three big bands showcasing music from the 1970s to the 2000s.

It will close with an encore performance by the current Auburn Knights Orchestra.

Tickets for the evening concerts and meal tickets for SaturPictured are members of the current Auburn Knights Orchestra at an event in Birchday’s barbecue can be wood, Tennessee. Originally formed in 1930, the professional big band will perform purchased at the door as part of The Auburn Knights Alumni Association’s annual reunion on July 9 and 10 at

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY PATRICK MCCURRY

CONTRIBUTED BY PATRICK MCCURRY

See KNIGHTS, page A8

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

116 S. 8th Street, Opelika

334-363-0390

www.booniehatcoffee.com

Let’s Get Artsy in the Outdoors CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Visit Boonie Hat and try the new line of Artisan Pops.

the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National. Photo credit: Michael Pendowski.

BY KINLEY BESHERS FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center (KPNC) is hosting canvas painting classes, titled Nature Art Series, every month this summer with Auburn University graduate and artist, Heather Jackson.

The paintings and art descriptions change every month, each having unique artwork and instruction.

The class this month will be on July 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. Jackson is calling it Hummingbird Zentangle Art. She said the class will be using Zentangle designs, patterns and watercolors to discover and draw the unique features of a humming-

bird.

A sample of the artwork is featured on the KPNC website at aub. ie/natureart.

On there, a schedule of the 2021 classes can be found with the

corresponding themes, descriptions and details.

“I do include a description of the class and materials that will be used as well as a See ARTSY, page A9

A8 July 8, 2021

Making the Grade: Good ‘Ol Boys

A

year or so ago, Mike and I were saddened to hear that Good ‘Ol Boys in Auburn had closed. We couldn’t remember when the original restaurant had opened, so I began asking people about it. I was told that the restaurant had first opened in 1993.

Back then, Tom and Barbara Patton, my sweet parents, would travel from Alexander City (“Eleck City” to the locals) to have their favorite dish: fried catfish.

Mama and Daddy also really loved their delicious salad bar. Before Mike and I were married, he went to the restaurant with friends back in 2004. After we married in 2005, we traveled numerous times from LaGrange, Georgia, to eat there, braving treacherous I-85 for Good ‘Ol Boys’ delicious steaks.

People of Lee County: Mike and I aren’t sad anymore. We recently dined at the newly opened Good ‘Ol Boys. Thank the Good Lord, delicious catfish and steaks are back, along with other delectable dishes.

We met our friends Jack, William and Thomas for supper on a recent Saturday night. It was so great just to be back in the building. We met Chef Anthony Shiffer.

He was so kind to take the time to speak to us since he was so busy. Good ‘Ol Boys was still having a soft opening, but Chef Anthony said that new items would be introduced weekly.

Also, the full menu will be available in a week.

In addition, McKenzie, our waitress, was really sweet, helpful and very attentive. She knew when to refill our glasses or ask if we needed anything.

Jack and William both ordered cheese curds with chili lime ranch dip for an

KNIGHTS >>

FROM A7

or online at auburnknightsalumni.org.

Inspired by hugely popular groups like those led by Guy Lombardo, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington, students at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, started the Auburn Knights Orchestra to perform gigs and shows throughout the southeastern United States.

The Auburn Knights Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a membership of over 400 former players and others connected with the band. In addition to

and braised greens for his sides. He said his steak was excellent and had a good flavor.

William ordered the fried chicken sandwich with caramelized onion bacon jam and house cut French fries. That was a huge sandwich. When he bit into it, William said, “Wow! That is fantastic.”

Thomas ordered fried catfish fillets with pickled onion slaw, hushpuppies and braised greens. He said everything tasted really good.

We also met Gwen Adams; she and her husband Dan are the owners of Good ‘Ol Boys. In addition, Dan is a singer/ songwriter who has been performing in Auburn since the ‘90s. He and other musicians provide live entertainment nightly at the restaurant.

Gwen was so kind and welcoming to us. She told us that their steaks are Hereford beef. Hereford cows are bred for the quality of the beef; she also said that Good ‘Ol Boys is the only restaurant in our area that serves this type of steak.

Gwen also said that 70% of her employees being trained come from Beauregard High School.

In addition, students from Auburn University who are studying Hospitality or are in Wild Life Management are training to work at the restaurant as well. I love that Good ‘Ol Boys is training young people in our county for their future careers. That warms this retired English teacher’s heart.

Good ‘Ol Boys is located at 1843 Sand Hill Road in Auburn. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Wednesday from 4-9 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 4-10 p.m.

Good ‘Ol Boys makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy.

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner.

Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in the Observer.

Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com

organizing its yearly reunion, the group accepts donations for scholarships that it awards to members of the current band who are also enrolled at Auburn University.

Joe Daughtry is the president of the association. He played trombone with the Knights in 1978-79.

“I have never, ever seen anything like what we do at the reunion,” Daughtry said.

“Where else could you go to hear music from every era of the big-band sound?”

Daughtry said the Knights are the longest playing big band in the United States.

Performers at all events will include former and current

members of the Auburn Knights Orchestra as well as guests.

Tim Burgess, director of event management at the hotel, said that some COVID-19 measures will be in place, and they are asking attendees to use their best judgement and to work within their own comfort zones.

Seating will be spaced out more than usual in the ballroom where the bands will play, and some open space will be available for people to distance themselves. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available, and masks are strongly recommended in the hotel's public areas.

PHOTO BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

appetizer. William sat next to me and asked me to try some. I am SO glad he did.

Good ‘Ol Boys had me at cheese curds. After all, frying makes everything better. Also, the chili lime ranch dip gave the curds a nice, little kick, which was great.

When it comes to spicy food, I’m a real wimp. My rule is: If my lips are burning while I’m eating, I am NOT having a good time, so, no thank you.

My sweet husband, on the other hand, loves spicy food, but it doesn’t love him back. Once, when he was 24, he had a bet with a friend. The friend said that he could eat two jalapeno peppers for each one that Mike ate, and they couldn’t drink anything. Mike had to stop at six peppers; the friend had twelve. I’m so glad that the old adage is usually true: With age comes wisdom. Mike is way too smart to do that again.

Other appetizers at Good ‘Ol Boys included: creamy crab dip with house chips and grilled baguettes (that will be on our next trip.), chiccarones (spicy pork rinds) with Cayenne honey drizzle and Creole potato chips with horseradish blue cheese dip.

For our entrée, Mike and I chose the 8-ounce filet mignon. Mike’s sides were a baked potato and cheese grits. I chose braised greens and fries.

Our steaks were delicious and tender; we could have cut them with a fork. Our sides were great, too. At first, I was somewhat dismayed when I learned that there was no hot pepper sauce for my greens. Our sweet waitress McKenzie even offered to go get me some at the grocery store. I declined her kind offer and asked, “Braised means y’all doctored the greens, right?”

She smiled and said, “Yes.” Not to worry. Those were some of the best greens this Southern girl has ever tasted. In fact, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but those greens didn’t need any hot pepper sauce. Please forgive me, great Southern cooks everywhere.

Jack selected the 12-ounce Kansas Strip.

He chose the salad bar

Tickets for the evening concerts are $15, $10 for students.

Children 12 and under

will be admitted free.

A discounted rate of $25, $15 for students, covers both evening

concerts. A cash bar will be open each night during the concerts.

Pictured is the 1937 Auburn Knights Orchestra. The professional big band, still in operation though with different members, will perform as part of The Auburn Knights Alumni Association’s annual reunion on July 9 and 10 at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National. Photo courtesy of the Auburn Knights Collection, Auburn University Archives.

A9 July 8, 2021

Local Historian to Discuss Book in Loachapoka Mike Bunn is a historian, author and director of historic Blakely State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama. Lee County residents can meet Bunn and discuss the topic of his latest book, “Fourteenth Colony: the forgotten story of the gulf south during America’s revolutionary era”, at Loachapoka’s Pioneer Park on July 11, at 2:30 p.m.

The free event is open to the public and sponsored by the Lee County Historical Society.

In his book, Bunn

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

BUNN introduces readers to the British colony of West Florida during America’s revolutionary era. Bunn details the political saga that

features attempts to institute a representative government that includes a host of bold and colorful characters.

Bunn has previously authored and co-authored many books and articles, including “Early Alabama and illustrated guide to formative years, 1798 – 1826”; and “Alabama territory to statehood: an Alabama heritage bicentennial collection.”

The meeting will take place outside under the pavilion and free homemade ice cream will be available on a firstcome, first-served basis.

For more information on Pioneer Park or the Lee County Historical Society, visit www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/.

Second Saturday at Pioneer Park CONTRIBUTED BY DEENA ROWELL Pioneer Park in Loachapoka will again be open on July 10, for its Second Saturday event. All buildings will be open and as always, free to the public. Blacksmiths are usually working at the forge, spinners and weavers, which are upstairs in the Trade Center. Come early to visit the unique gar-

stage. Come listen to dulcimers and other acoustic instruments.

Historical Society volunteers will prepare a traditional, Alabama lunch in the Cook House at noon for all visitors to enjoy. Fresh corn from our garden will be served.

A new, tasty batch of blueberry jam will be available for purchase — Don’t miss it!

Pioneer Park and Second Saturdays

den with Dr. Charles Mitchell leading a ‘Walk & Talk’ at 9 a.m. Hours for all other activities begin at 10 a.m.

The current Pine Needle Basket class will be demonstrating their craft. Mike Thuman will be leading.

His next class will be open for sign up in the fall.

The Whistle Stop Pickers will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. on

are hosted by the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, presentation and education about local history. All visitors are urged to wear masks and a keep social distance. Most activities will be outdoors, weather permitting.

More information can be found at www. leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/

Michael Reno Makes Sundilla Debut CONTRIBUTED

BY SUNDILLA Michael Reno Harrell makes his Sundilla debut on Friday, July 30. This will be an outdoor concert at Pebble Hill; showtime is 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are just $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at sundillamusic. com; admission at the door will be $20. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audi-

CIPPERLY

>>

FROM A7

arrangements, candles and seashells.

The food was arranged on wooden and wicker serving containers. Wicker baskets held the silverware and colorful napkins.

Tiki torches were placed around the patio

ARTSY >>

FROM A7

sample picture of the project,” Jackson said.

Each class and project uses different styles and techniques — some classes will be based around watercolor paint and others will use acrylic.

All materials needed will be included at the event, unless participants want to bring their own utensils and supplies.

With the upcoming

ence is welcome to bring their own favorite food or beverage.

Michael Reno Harrell is an award-winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer, and he’s from the South … the Southern Appalachian Mountains to hone it a bit finer.

One could compare Michael's performances to his granddaddy's pocketknife: well-worn and familiar feeling, but razor-sharp and with a point. His brand

of entertainment appeals to a very diverse audience.

A typical day for Michael might include a program for 4th graders in the afternoon and a concert for a mixed audience that evening.

Michael's recordings top the Americana Music Association charts year after year. His original songs and stories have been described as “Appalachian grit and wit” but, as his writing shows, Michael’s awareness is much broader

than the bounds of his boyhood home or even the Southern Experience.

Having toured throughout the British Isles and much of Europe, as well as most of the U.S., the songs he writes and the stories he creates reflect an insight into people’s experiences that catch the ear like an old friend's voice.

Michael's natural knack for storytelling, in print, song and spoken word has earned him praise from not only the music community

but from the literary and storytelling worlds as well, having had the honor of being a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival and to be Teller In Residence at the International Storytelling Center, as well as performing at major music events like MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival. Along with his performances, Michael often conducts workshops in songwriting and storytelling as well.

Michael's recordings

have for years received and continue to garner awards in Country, Americana and Folk circles. His humor and wit, as well as the emotional depth of his work, keep his fan base growing and staying tuned in for whatever comes next. Don’t miss the chance to experience what those faithful fans keep returning again and again to enjoy.

For more info, including videos and quotes, go to www.sundillamusic.com.

and throughout the yard.

Once everything was in place, the setting looked festive.

For the beverage, I served Tropical Nectar punch in a bowl with an ice ring filled with fruit and mint leaves.

Each glass held half of a pineapple core, a cherry and a pineapple cube holding a small parasol.

Straws were placed

in each glass for easy drinking so the garnish would stay intact.

The party was going along great until we had a tropical storm; that is, a southern thunderstorm, just as we were finishing the main course. As rain flooded the patio in buckets, everyone rushed in the house. At that time, we lived in a small home. I

was thankful the dessert was easy to eat standing up.

While you can plan a delicious menu and have lovely decorations for offering hospitality, something may happen you didn’t consider. I have learned this over the years, as once just minutes before a large party, a tornado went

over our house and left a dozen trees on the ground and no electricity. Being thankful that we were alive and the house was still intact made having a houseful of guests easy with just candlelight.

If you are thinking about gathering with family and friends this summer and would like to do a fun meal, plan

a luau. Decorate with flowers from your yard and bring out shells from the beach to place on tables. Whatever is on the menu, prepare as much ahead as possible, and forget about burying a whole pig. Believe me, you will enjoy your own party much more.

Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com.

few events taking place during the summer season, Jackson recommends bringing drinks and/or water bottles to stay hydrated in the heat.

KPNC is located at 2222 N. College St. in Auburn and can be contacted by phone at 334-844-8091 for any questions or further information.

Registration for the classes are open on the KPNC website, and the cost of classes differ according to the work-

shop, but generally range between $25 and $30.

About Heather Jackson Jackson attended Auburn City Schools and graduated from Auburn University in 1988 with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in visual communications and a concentration in graphic design.

Jackson has been working for Auburn University as a graphic designer for 23 years and is also currently in

the Office of Communications and Marketing.

“I’ve always been interested in art and believe everyone is born an artist,” Jackson said.

Jackson is inspired by Zentangle art methods and became a certified Zentangle® teacher (CZT) in 2015.

She has taught at the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center and is also enrolled in the Color of Woman Intentional Creativity® Teacher program.

She plans to become certified this summer and add five new paintings to her portfolio.

Jackson has been an artist for as long as she can remember. She said she is inspired by visionary artist, Shiloh Sophia. Her approach to art motivated Jackson to establish an intention before she creates a painting.

“Creativity is a wonderful and powerful way to express one’s self, especially creating art with intention and

mindfulness,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she has been wanting to find a way to bring the community together to celebrate and practice art and appreciation for nature, education and conservation, and she is excited to be teaching this series monthly.

“I believe everyone is a creative being and art is for all. I also maintain there is no right or wrong way to create art, just your way,” Jackson said.

A10 July 8, 2021

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> OVEN BAKED KALUA PIG I emailed family members living in Hawaii for this recipe. It is really easy to prepare, and the meat is tender.

For a luau party, our son Robert cooked an entire pig Hawaiian style and buried it with hot rocks overnight. The next morning, he dug the pig up, unwrapped it and served it.

This recipe is much easier.

5 to 7 lb. pork butt 2½ to 3 Tbsp. liquid smoke 2 Tbsp. Hawaiian salt, sea salt or kosher salt Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Trim excess fat from roast and pierce top with a fork. Pour liquid smoke slowly over pork, rubbing to cover. Sprinkle with salt and rub into roast. Cover tightly with foil.

Roast for about 45 minutes per pound.

Let roast sit for 20 minutes before shredding with two forks.

SOUTH SEAS RICE WITH SOY DRESSING 1 cup uncooked white rice (or black rice) 3 Tbsp. oil 2 cups chicken broth 1 tsp. salt ¼ cup chopped green onion ½ cup thinly sliced celery ½ cup roasted macadamia nuts, cashews or peanuts Soy Dressing, recipe follows Salt to taste In skillet, heat rice in oil, stirring until golden. Add broth; heat to boiling.

Cover and cook until broth is absorbed.

Add remaining ingredients, except nuts; toss lightly.

Chill. Add nuts when ready to serve. Can be prepared a day ahead. Serves 6 to 8.

Easy to double.

Soy Dressing 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 3 Tbsp. vinegar 3 Tbsp. oil 1 Tbsp. minced parsley Mix ingredients together.

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.

GLAZED POLYNESIAN CHICKEN The chicken is good baked as is without placing in pineapple shells with the pineapple sauce.

1 chicken cutup or use chicken breasts or chicken thighs ¼ cup vegetable oil 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. crumbled rosemary Place chicken pieces in a baking pan. Combine remaining ingredients and brush over chicken.

Bake in a 350 oven for 25 minutes, basting chicken occasionally. Turn chicken over and brush with remaining soy mixture. Bake for 35 minutes until chicken is done.

Serves 4.

Pineapple Shells and Sauce, optional 2 pineapple shells 1 can fruits for salad (1 lb. 14 oz.)

4 tsp. cornstarch ½ cup flaked coconut, toasted, optional Halve pineapples lengthwise, cutting through leafy crown. Cut around fruit to loosen from shell; lift out and cut out cores.

Cut pineapple into chunks; set aside.

Drain liquid from canned fruit and pour into a saucepan with the cornstarch. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and cooks for 3 minutes. Fold in pineapple chunks and canned fruit.

Heat until just hot.

Note. The sauce can be adapted by using pineapple juice and adding fresh fruit with the pineapple instead of canned.

Place pineapple shells on plates and fill each one with Polynesian Chicken. Pour sauce over chicken. Top with toasted coconut, if desired.

COCONUT CREAM PIE 1 rolled refrigerated piecrust 3/4 cup sugar 4 Tbsp. cornstarch 3 cups whole milk 4 egg yolks 4 Tbsp. butter 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, divided 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1½ cups whipping cream 5 Tbsp. sugar Place piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions.

Prick bottom and sides of piecrust with a fork. Bake according to package directions for a one-crust pie. Cool.

Combine 3/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Whisk together milk and egg yolks. Gradually whisk egg mixture into sugar mixture; bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat.

Stir in butter, 1 cup coconut, and 2 tsp. vanilla. Set aside for few minutes. Then spoon filling into prepared crust. Cover and refrigerate.

Bake remaining 1 cup coconut in 325 oven until lightly toasted.

Beat whipping cream, adding sugar. Beat until stiff.

When pie is cooled, cover with whipped cream and top with toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 8.

EASY COCONUT CAKE Make three days ahead and place in refrigerator. Cake is super moist.

1 box Duncan Hines Butter yellow cake 2 cups milk 1 cup sugar 6 oz. pkg. frozen coconut Bake cake in 13 x 9-inch pan as directed on box.

About 10 minutes before cake is done, mix 1 package coconut, milk and sugar; bring to a boil. Remove cake from oven.

Let cool about 10 minutes. Punch holes in top of cake with a fork; pour coconut mixture over cake.

Let stand at room temperature for an additional 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours or longer before frosting.

Frosting 16 oz. sour cream 1 cup sugar 8 oz. carton Cool Whip 6 oz. frozen coconut, thawed Combine sour cream, sugar and Cool Whip. Add a little coconut. Frost cake. Sprinkle remaining coconut over frosting.

Tightly cover for at least 3 days. No peeking.

HONEY AND SOY GLAZED SALMON 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice 2 Tbsp. water 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 to 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 4 (6-oz.) pieces salmon fillet, skin removed In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, lime juice, water and mustard.

In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and cook salmon 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden and just cooked through.

Transfer salmon to 4 plates.

Add honey mixture to skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a glazelike consistency.

Pour the glaze over salmon.

GRILLED HAWAIIAN STYLE CHICKEN 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup soy sauce 2-3 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger or 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 onion, sliced 4 Tbsp. melted butter 3 green onions, chopped In a large Ziplock bag or bowl, mix together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and onion; add chicken.

Marinate chicken in the refrigerator for four hours or overnight.

Place melted butter and chopped green onions in a glass pan; set aside.

Grill chicken until fully cooked; place in the glass pan with butter and green onion, turning to coat.

Place on platter and serve.

COLE SLAW WITH PINEAPPLE 1 head green cabbage, shredded ½ to 1 head red cabbage, shredded 3 carrots, grated or finely chopped ½ cup onion, finely chopped 1½ to 2 cups fresh or canned pineapple chunks 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 Tbsp. salad vinegar 1½ cups mayonnaise Combine cabbages, carrots, onion and pineapple.

Mix sugar, vinegar and mayonnaise together; fold into cabbage mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 8.

BOBBIE’S HAWAIIAN BANANA MUFFINS OR BREAD 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 cup chopped pecans, optional 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 4 eggs, beaten 2 cups ripe bananas, mashed 1½ cups vegetable oil 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained well 2 tsp. vanilla Cooking spraying Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, pecans, soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl mix together eggs, bananas, vegetable oil, crushed pineapple and vanilla. Add this egg mixture to flour mixture and stir by hand just until moistened.

Spray muffin tins with Pam or other spray oil. Fill about ½ to 2/3 full. Bake until light brown or the muffin springs back at touch.

Makes many muffins, according to size of muffin tins.

These freeze well.

Note: To make as a loaf, grease and flour 2 loaf pans.

Divide mixture between pans and bake at 350 for about 1 hour until tests done. Cool at least 10 minutes in pan.

TROPICAL NECTAR WITH ICE MOLD 46 oz. can apricot nectar 46 oz. can pineapple juice Two (6 oz.) cans frozen concentrate limeade

Two bottles (28 oz.) ginger ale Pour apricot nectar, pineapple juice and limeade into a punch bowl. Before serving gently stir in ginger ale.

Ice Mold Partially freeze a layer of water in a ring mold. Arrange a wreath of fruit, such as strawberries, grapes, lemon and lime slices. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Freeze.

When frozen, add another layer of water and freeze.

Instead of water, can use fruit juice.

Let mold sit for a few minutes, then place in punch bowl.

If necessary, quickly run hot water over mold for a few seconds.

PINEAPPLE TEA 6 tea bags 1/2 cup sugar 4 cups boiling water Fresh mint Juice of 3 lemons 5 Tbsp. pineapple juice Place tea bags and sugar in a 2-quart container.

Add 4 cups boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes; remove tea bags.

Steep fresh mint leaves in tea for at least 3 minutes. Add lemon and pineapple juices. Pour in pitcher; fill with cold water. Serve over ice.

Garnish with pineapple and fresh mint leaves.

GRILLED TERIYAKI STYLE CHICKEN 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup brown sugar 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. ground ginger Place chicken thighs in a glass bowl or gallon-sized Ziploc bag, set aside.

Combine remaining ingredients in medium-sized mixing bowl, blending well. Pour marinade over chicken; cover bowl tightly or seal plastic bag. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Remove chicken from marinade, and pour marinade into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Brush marinade over chicken and grill until chicken is fully cooked at 165 internal degrees.

Place chicken on platter and pour remaining boiled marinade over chicken and serve.

A11 July 8, 2021

Folks of All Ages Enjoy Summer Swing PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Summer Swing is a free concert series sponsored by Opelika Parks & Rec, occurring every Tuesday night until Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. at Monkey Park.

Freedom Celebration Draws Crowd

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

A12 July 8, 2021

Opelika Fireworks Color the Sky

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

A13 July 8, 2021

Noise Reduction At their worst, they can interfere with our sleep, disturb our peace and disrupt our focus.

The church in Ephesus was dealing with more than its share of backBRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th ground noise. There were Street Church of Christ people teachings things in Opelika that weren’t true (1:3), engaging in “controverhere’s backsial speculations” and ground noise “meaningless talk” (1 (think of the Timothy 1:4,6). There gentle lapping of the were “godless myths” ocean or a peaceful and “old wives’ tales” rain falling) and there’s (4:7), as well as “godbackground noise (a less chatter” and “the baby’s prolonged cryopposing ideas of what ing, a dog’s continued is falsely called knowlbarking). Those in the edge” (6:20). There was first group are pleasa lot of noise at Ephesus! ant, while those in the Timothy’s task was to second group are not. quiet things down. He

T

CHURCH CALENDAR CHURCH OF CHRIST The church at Cunningham Drive are meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

ST. MARYS CATHOLIC CHURCH/ ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass is also held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org.

UNION GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH In-person gathering with social distancing.

Masks are available.

Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m.

Services are streamed live on Facebook — the page is UGBChurch

couldn’t eliminate all of the noise (no one can), but he could dampen its impact by showing it was just noise and not something they really needed to pay attention to or be disturbed by. Moreover, through the public reading of Scripture and his preaching and teaching, he could provide the soundtrack for them to live by (4:13).

Twenty centuries later, we’re louder than ever. Our culture majors in background noise: social media, talk radio, television, our playlists, streaming services, etc.

There is a steady stream of verbiage and imagery pouring into our lives.

A study from the University of California at San Diego suggested we deal with 34 gigabytes of information each day.

In 1 Timothy 2:2, Paul encourages Timothy to pray for “kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Peaceful, quiet lives are conducive to godliness and holiness. Too much noise is not. It’s no coincidence that David speaks of being led beside “quiet waters,” or the psalmist tells us to “Be still and know that I am God” (46:10). While God can certainly give us peace within any storm,

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN noise reduction on our part is working in harmony with His purposes.

Quiet allows us to listen deeply and process fully as opposed to hearing superficially and not remembering anything 10 minutes later. Absorbing God’s truth and experiencing His presence enables us to cut through the din of voices telling us confusing, contradictory and destructive things. It allows us to live lives that are “in step with the Spirit” and full of His fruit (Galatians 5:25).

What are you doing to reduce the noise in your life so you can fully focus hearing God?

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

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

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

— Psalm 127:1 Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc 28 Sanford AvE., Opelika 334-745-0210 God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary

Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117 Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487 Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church

5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.d.a. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OPELIKA The following are held in-person and online on Sundays: Traditional Service in The Worship Center at 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Contemporary Service in The 3:16 Center at 9:45 a.m.

Evening Service in The Worship Center at 6 p.m.

Watch services online at fbcopelika.com.

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

A14 July 8, 2021

A Prayer of Thanks for My Brother Seth

ALBRITTON

L

oving Father, thank you for understanding how upset I was when you allowed my brother Seth to die of a heart attack last week.

Sudden death like that is so hard on the family even though most of us have said that is the way we would like to depart this life.

Seth’s death was such a shock to me and my sisters, and even more shocking to his wife Pearl and their children. But you know that because you made us to see life as very precious. You know

the pain we feel when our loved ones pass away, and it comforts me to believe that you hurt with us when death invades our ranks. I realize also that the length of our days is in your hands and not ours. As my friend Ken reminded me, if it were left up to us, Moses would still be alive.

I thank you for being “with us” as we slowly embraced the reality that Seth’s life on earth was over. Your loving Presence helped us move from shock to gratitude. And that’s the reason for this prayer — I want to thank you for giving us Seth for almost 78 years. He had qualities we admired and we know you helped him become the honorable man that he was.

Thank you for helping Seth to become a good man. I know we are all selfish and focused on ourselves until Jesus changes us, so I thank you for changing Seth. You

really did a number on Seth because the one thing everybody has said to me since Seth died is this: “Your brother was a good man.” So I am thankful, Lord, that what was said about your Son Jesus can be said about my brother, “he went about doing good.”

Thank you for Seth’s smile. All who knew him will never forget his smile. Somehow, he never learned to frown. But I hesitate to tell you that, Lord, because you gave him that smile when you put the joy of his salvation in his heart. Your servant, Saint Paul, said, “Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice!”

And if anyone ever took Paul seriously, it was my brother Seth. His disarming smile blessed everyone whose life he touched.

Thank you for inspiring Seth to say “Thank you” so much. You teach us in your Holy Word to let “giving thanks” become

our way of life. Seth did that and did it so well that we admired him for the way his daily life was characterized by constant gratitude.

Thank you for giving Seth the strength to work hard all his life. I know our Daddy inspired a strong work ethic in all his children but you gave Seth the desire to stay with the work until the job was done. And in all the years of supplying farmers with seed and fertilizer, Seth was making friends and encouraging people with his contagious smile.

Thank you for the bond of love you gave me with my brother, Lord. We were not always the brothers we should have been but one day you reconciled us to yourself and to each other, and from then on we were as close as the bark on a tree. You made that happen, Lord. You gave me a love for Seth that amazed me, and you gave

OBITUARIES

ALBERT BRUCE SMITH Albert Bruce Smith of Waverly, Alabama was born to the late Lonnie and Elizabeth Norrell Smith on Aug. 7, 1945 and passed away East Alabama Medical Center on July 1, 2021. He was 75 years old.

Bruce was preceded in death by his brothers, Alford Smith, and Woodson Smith.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Martha Gail Smith, children, Zina “Sissy” Davis (Chris), Thomas Bo Smith (Cindy), grandchildren, Brent Smith, Cody Davis (April Emery), Dusty Smith (Haley), Kasi Davis, Chelsey Rumfelt (Gabe), great grandchildren, Cannon Smith, Marshall Davis, Cason Rumfelt, sisters, Shirley Ann Lackey and Nancy Owens (Allen), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins,and other family members.

Visitation was held in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

A Celebration of Life service was held Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

DONALD GIBBS Donald Gibbs of Opelika was born to the late Leonard Cleveland Gibbs, Sr. and Agnes Smith Gibbs on Sept.

11, 1952 and passed away at East Alabama Medical Center on June 28, 2021. He was 68 years old.

He is survived by his wife Pamela C. Gibbs, daughter, Jessica Byrd (Calvin), and Bonita Morales, severn grandchildren, two great grandchildren, sisters, Georgia Decker, Marion Olson (Dick), Connie Moore (Gary), brother, Mark Gibbs (Belinda) and former wife, Teresa Olsen.

Visitation was held Thursday, July 1, 2021 in the Parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home and the graveside service was held Friday, July 2, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.

BEATRICE HAAS WALTON Beatrice Haas Walton passed away on June 30, 2021 in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Graveside services were held on July 3, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the LaFayette City Cemetery and at Jeff Jones

Funeral Home, LaFayette, Alabama.

Bea was born March 21, 1930. A graduate of Murphy High School (Mobile), she attended Sophie Newcomb College, Columbia University and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in education. At Alabama she was a charter member of the Pi Beta Phi chapter. It was at the University of Alabama that she met the love of her life, Bill Walton, a law student from LaFayette.

Upon graduation Bea did her practice teaching at Vigor High School (Prichard) and then married Bill Walton, moved to LaFayette and they began their 46-year journey together.

Bea was a teacher and principal for over 30 years in the public schools of Chambers County, Alabama, Troop County, Georgia, and six years at Lee-Scott Academy in Auburn. She retired in 1994 as Principal of Eastside Elementary in LaFayette. She was active in the Sun Belt Writing Project at Auburn University, a member of the State of Alabama Textbook Committee, a member of education groups Delta Kappa Gamma and Phi Delta Kappa and a frequent participant in the education

graduate programs at Auburn University. She was proud to be the first woman to be a tenured principal in the Chambers County School System.

As a community volunteer, Bea was involved in many causes in LaFayette and surrounding counties.

She was the first woman president of the Rotary Club of LaFayette, a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts, a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, Chair of the United Givers Fund and Chairman of the Board and two-term board member of the East Alabama Mental Health Center.

Her lifelong membership in the United Methodist Church was a strong constant. She was raised in the Chickasaw United Methodist Church and married in the Springhill United Methodist Church in Mobile. As a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of LaFayette she served in many capacities. She was a long-time member of the Administrative Board, Chaired the commission on Ministries, was on the pastor Parish Relations committee, was a Lay Delegate to the North Alabama Annual Conference, a Sunday School teacher, a leader of

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“This project was supported by Subgrant #18-VA-VS-050 #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.” The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.”

Seth a love for me that blessed me beyond my deserving.

I loved kidding Seth by telling others that Seth was my little brother. And he was, being 11 years younger than me. But in Seth’s presence, I was the little one for he towered over me. It thrilled me when he would put his arm around me and tell me my sermons had blessed him.

It thrilled me even more that for the past 20 years, we never left each other’s company without saying and hearing the words, “I love you.” Thank you Lord for the way you inspired my brother to look past my flaws and love me unconditionally.

Our Daddy had two sons. One, being me, preached the gospel. The other, being Seth, lived the gospel. In that sense we were both “ministers” of Christ, and for that I cannot thank you enough, Lord.

I wish you had let him live with us a little longer, Lord, but knowing I need to do it, I surrender to your will. Help me. Help Pearl.

Help their children. Help our family. Help us all to accept your will, give thanks for Seth’s life and move on to live life to the fullest until you call us home.

We all remember that whenever we parted company, Seth would have the last word and it was this invitation: “Y’all come see us.” Now that Seth is in heaven with you, Lord, give me, give us all, the faith to still hear Seth saying, “Y’all come see us.” And help us live so that one day we may see Seth again as we accept his invitation and yours to find our place in your eternal home.

Thank you, Loving Father, for Seth, my brother, your servant and a friend to all who knew him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

the UMYF senior youth group and a lifelong member of the choir.

Bea was predeceased by her husband William O. “Bill” Walton Jr. (Lafayette, Alabama), parents Marianne and George Haas (Mobile, Alabama), Aunt Sarah Robinson (Severna Park, Maryland), sister Nancy Haas Cowles (Fairhope, Alabama) and brother-in-law J. Richard “Dick” Walton (Birmingham). She leaves to cherish her memory her children Marianne Walton Terry of Mobile, Alabama, and William O. “Trip” Walton, III of Auburn, her beloved grandson Russell S. Terry Jr. M.D., his wife Tina O’Shea M.D. and their daughter, her namesake Beatrice ‘Bea’ Shea Terry of Gainesville, Florida.

Bea is also survived by her sisters Ellen Haas Cooper of Columbia, South Carolina, and Sara Haas of Phoenix, Arizona, nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Phyllis Phair Walton of Birmingham, step-grandchildren Reilly, Coleman and Forrest Taylor of Montgomery, devoted family friend Ginger Mayson of Mobile and Teresa Ward who, for the past few years, made Bea’s life a better place. Finally, Bea is survived by countless

friends met in Mobile, LaFayette, Montgomery and Spanish Fort where she lived her beautiful life; former co-workers in the schools of East Alabama; and the countless students who were a special part of the 36-year career as an educator that was at the core of who she was.

It was Bea’s request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County, the United Methodist Children’s Home (North Alabama Conference) or the charity of choice.

ALICE WILLIAMS Alice Williams, 84 of Opelika, passed away Saturday, July 3, 2021 at her home in Opelika. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour before the service beginning at 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directing.

A15 July 8, 2021

St. Dun's Buns Donate 'Dough' to Habitat

Burn Nutrition Holds Ribbon Cutting

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY MARK GRANTHAM

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN CHAMBER OR COMMERCE

Burn Nutrition, located at 1345 Opelika Road in Auburn, recently held its ribbon-cutting.

Mayor Ron Anders cut the commemorative ribbon. Burn Nutrition offers a large variety of loaded teas, delicious nutritional shakes and a line of pre and post workout products and shakes.

The St. Dun’s Buns group of the Mary and Martha Guild is honored to donate to Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity. The baking group held a bake sale on June 11 during the Auburn SummerNight Art Walk, which was a huge success. The group saw the need for a donation to Habitat for Humanity during this recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in construction costs. St. Dun’s Buns will continue to offer fresh-baked items upon request for a donation to the Community Outreach program of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and promoted through the Mary and Martha Guild. Baked items for sale can be viewed on the Facbook page of My St. Dunstan’s with a link to the sign up Genius. Orders may also be made by sending an email to heyjude1955@yahoo.com

KOB Holds Patriotic Porch Contest

MR. AND MRS. CRAIG MEADOWS

MR. AND MRS. WES CARTER

MR. AND MRS. JOE SEALES

MS. MELANIE CADENHEAD

MR. AND MRS. AL MADDOX

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MR. AND MRS. GREG LEIKVOLD

A16 July 8, 2021

COMICS

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

S

S

School Board Meetings Auburn: July 13 at 6 p.m.

Lee County: July 13 at 6 p.m.

INSIDE • OPELIKA SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

Opelika: July 27 at 4:30 p.m.

Opelika High's Shorter Inks Track & Field Scholarship PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY MADDIE JOINER FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

Dixie All-Stars Participate in State Tournaments

F

Lee County vs Troy (Harrelson Field) 6:30 and Opelika vs Auburn will start at 6:30 p.m. on field 2.

Play resumes Saturday morning with two games at 10 a.m., one game 12:15 p.m., two games at 4:30 p.m. and one game at 6:45 p.m. Sunday's schedule begins at 9:30 a.m. with the finals set for 2:30 p.m.

You can follow both state tournaments on twitter @AlaDixieBoys Alabama Dixie Boys will hold opening ceremonies around 6:15, Friday night. Special guests include, Auburn University head baseball coach Butch Thompson, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Opelika Council President Eddie Smith, First Baptist Senior Pastor Dr. Jeff Meyers and Alabama DBB Officials.

FOXSports the Game (910-1310) and Orthopaedic Clinic host High School Media Days The fourth annual, FOXSports the Game (910-1310) High School Media Days presented by Orthopaedic Clinic, will be held at The Bottling Plant Event Center on July 27 and 28.

Twenty high school football teams will be on display over the twoday event beginning at 8 See SPORTS, page B5

Pictured are Shorter (front middle) and family, OHS track & field head coach Jimmy Johnson (back left) and OHS Athletic Director Mike Pugh (back right).

His coach, Jimmy Johnson, is very proud of his former track athlete and is excited to see Shorter at the next level.

“It’s always great to see his hard work paid off … that’s my goal, try to get as many kids as I can in college if that’s what they want to do,” Johnson said.

“I’m just excited for

Justin. Coming in, Justin was one of those kids like ‘Oh my god what are we going to do with this guy? Man, hurdles!’ and now he’s signing a scholarship for something he enjoys doing so I’m elated for him.”

Shorter’s father, Angelo, shares the same feelings of excitement, saying,

“Hopefully he takes advantage of this academically as well as athletically and he keeps his feet on the ground and reaches for the stars.”

Limestone University is a private university located in Gaffney, South Carolina. Shorter will start school in August and will be studying criminology and law.

SportsPLEX to Host Junior Disc Golf Championship July 24

BY MADDIE JOINER FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER Disc golf is growing in the Auburn-Opelika area and now is the perfect time to get involved. The inaugural Alabama Junior Disc Golf Championship will take place in Opelika at the SportsPLEX on Saturday, July 24. The event is free and open to the public. The first age division will start at 8:30 a.m.

Anyone under the age of 18 can register, regardless of disc golf skill level.

The event is Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) sanctioned and entry is just $15. With that fee, athletes will get a t-shirt, a disc and towel. Tournament director Brad Moseley anticipates registration to cap at 70 people due to course limitations.

Due to interest in

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY BRAD MOSELEY

ive Opelika Dixie baseball all-star teams will participate in state tournaments this weekend. The five tournaments start Friday, July 9, and are double elimination brackets. The winner of each state tournament advances to the World Series.

Opelika Dixie Youth's Pee Wee All-Star team (78 year olds) travels to Troy for the State Tournament.

The ODY Minor All-Star team (9-10 year olds) will be in Greenville, while the Opelika Ozone All-Star team (11-12 year olds) play in Andalusia on Friday, July 9.

The Opelika Junior Dixie Boys All-Star team (13U) and Dixie Boys All-Star team play at West Ridge Park, Friday.

The Junior DBB all-stars play Dothan in a best of three-game series. Game one begins at 4pm Friday, game two Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and the "IF" game will be Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

The DBB All-Star State Tournament (14U) features seven teams: Troy, Dothan, Montgomery Metro, Montgomery Southern, Lee County, Auburn and Opelika. The double-elimination tournament is scheduled to be played in three days.

Friday's schedule: Southern v Dothan 4 p.m. (Harrelson Field),

Opelika High School class of 2021 graduate Justin Shorter signed a track and field scholarship to Limestone University Wednesday in the Sports Arena at OHS. “There is a lot of excitement and nervousness because I didn’t really expect for this to happen," Shorter said. “I was kind of like speaking it into existence and when the day finally came, just an unbelievable feeling because I worked so hard for so many years.”

Shorter decided to continue his education and athletic career at Limestone because, “they have everything I needed to get better, like dietitians and large weight rooms and coaches who wanted to work with different parts of my running skill and overall make me a better athlete.”

Shorter ran track at Opelika High for all four years of high school, competing in the hurdles and sprints.

the sport in the area, Moseley wanted to host the inaugural event to get more ath-

letes under the age of 18 interested.

See DISC GOLF, page B3

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B2 July 8, 2021

Southern Union Golf Seeks Community Support in Inaugural Season The Southern Union Bison mens’ and womens’ golf teams are looking for community support as they prepare for their inaugural season in 2021-22.

“Just starting from absolutely ground zero, I need to get the word out in the local community to help us raise awareness, get some fundraising efforts started and grow our status within the community,” said Southern Union head golf coach Jamie McQuaker.

The program will officially join the ranks of collegiate golf this fall, and the addition marks the first on-campus sports team at the Opelika campus of Southern Union.

Starting a program from the ground up can appear a daunting chal-

lenge for any coach – on any level. However, McQuaker is confident in the quality his squads possess.

“I think we will be competitive on both teams very quickly,” he said.

Both squads are filled with eight scholarship athletes; most are from surrounding area, some are from around the world.

“I’ve got some great players from all over the world,” McQuaker said.

“One from Scotland; One from Wales. One of them has got a world amateur ranking. So, I got some good players coming, and I just really need to get some kind of traction prior to us starting our tournaments in the fall.”

Despite having a very eclectic team in year one, McQuaker said he is going to strongly emphasize recruiting from a local and state level.

PHOTOS USED WITH PERMISSION

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Pictured is Peyton Bradley, future Bison and 2021 AHSAA Class 4A State Champion from White Plains High School.

“We’ve got roster spots open,” he said. “It means a lot to me that we have a lot of players from the state of Alabama, even though we are going to go outside to get some others. But I really want to keep the nucleus of the team from Alabama.

We have two players in Kenny Okins and Peyton Bradley who won the state championship at White Plains High School in Alabama. Tyler Poole played for Phenix City in Alabama.”

Furthermore, McQuaker said the Bison are still

Pictured is Shelby Oldham, future Lady Bison who was recently named to the GHSA All-State and All-Tournament teams.

in the opening stages of filling out the schedule, but are slated to begin competition with their first tournament on Sept.

9. McQuaker is already looking toward the future, imagining the benefits that a strong program can provide the school, and the community.

“My main focus is getting the word out in the community,” McQuaker said. “I think there is a lot of potential for local high school guys and girls to get scholarships and play at the next level, but we have to get the word out there to let everybody know that we are here.”

Southern Union Golf Camps Aim to Grow the Game

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Southern Union is offering summer golf camps. Two sessions are happening on July 26 - 28, at The Greens at Auburn (4315 Golf Club Dr.).

“The main goal of the camp is just to grow the game and get more people involved and playing at a younger age,” said Jamie McQuaker, leader of the camp and Southern Union head golf coach. “… And expose them to

some decent coaching and some good fundamentals and give them a fun environment so they understand that golf is a life-long game they can play. That it’s just something that can benefit them later in their life in business, in relationships or just in health.”

At the camp, participants can expect to learn all aspects of the game, including: - Ball striking - Chipping - Putting - Bunker play - Shot selection.

Course management.

The first session is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is tailored for beginner to intermediate golfers in grades 4 to 8.

“This camp is structured for beginner golfers to instill fundamentals and good practice habits,” read a Southern Union Facebook post.

“We cover just basics, fundamentals from grip, posture and alignment,” McQuaker added.

The second session is from 1 to 5 p.m., and is tailored for more advanced golfers at the

high school level.

According to the Facebook post, “This camp is structured for advanced level high school golfers with aspirations to play at the next level.”

“We work a little bit more on technical stuff,” McQuaker said. “Swing path, trajectory, hitting some different shots, making sure they have good technique that is

repeatable and consistent."

This is the first year Southern Union is hosting this camp. Registration costs $150; call (334) 559-0887 or email Jamie McQuaker (jmcquaker@suscc.edu) to register. Bringing your own clubs is strongly recommended.

“If they don’t [have clubs] we have some

that they can utilize, but we don’t have a bunch for everybody,” McQuaker said.

Snacks and water will be provided. Payment can be made to the Southern Union Foundation (Cash App: $SUFoundation).

For more information, visit Southern Union golf’s Facebook page, @SUSCCBisonGolf.

Auburn S&D Alum Julie Meynen Makes Second Olympic Games Julie Meynen is headed to Tokyo. The former Auburn swimmer received an email from FINA over the weekend, inviting her to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics where she will represent her home country of Luxembourg.

Meynen’s 50 freestyle time (24.78) from the FINA World Championships in 2019 was 0.01 off the Olympic A Standard (24.77), and though she did not earn automatic qualification, she was fast enough to earn an invitation from FINA. She will compete in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events while in Tokyo.

“It means so much,” Meynen said. “It’s been tough because I

wasn’t sure if I was going to go, so I’m really relieved that all the work I’ve put in here at Auburn I can show at the Olympics.

Even though it was a tough year this past year, I’m so excited to go. After training for five years, this is kind of the gift for me to go. I’m extremely excited.”

This will be Meynen’s second Olympics. In the 2016 Rio Games, she placed 26th in the 50 freestyle (25.12) and 25th in the 100 freestyle (55.09). She set the Luxembourg national record in both events – records she has since broken.

“In Rio I was going for the very first time,” Meynen said.

“It’s different when you go for the first time. Everything seems so amazing.

I know these Olym-

PHOTO BY SHANNA LOCKWOOD / AU ATHLETICS

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

pics are going to be different especially with COVID, but my intentions, I want to swim really well, I want to race really well. I kind of know what to expect on some sort of level.

I’m really excited to go and race.”

Meynen will swim the 100 freestyle heats on July 28 and then the 50 freestyle heats on July 30. If she advances, the semifinals follow a day after the heats and the final for each event is the day following the semifinals.

While at Auburn, Meynen was a 14-time CSCAA All-American and was part of four SEC champion relay teams. Individually, she won bronze medals in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events at SECs as a senior. She

is the second-fastest all-time at Auburn in both events.

Meynen, who has been training in Auburn since graduating, is scheduled to depart for Tokyo on July 12 with fellow Olympian and Auburn alum Luis Martinez.

B3 July 8, 2021

Fill the Picnic Basket

uly provides many celebrations.

It is known as Baked Beans Month, Blueberry Month, Grilling Month, Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream month; but my favorite is that July is celebrated as National Picnic Month.

As a teacher, it seems right after the celebration of July 4 we begin to see “Back to School” sales in the papers, television and stores. I love teaching, but I am on the same page with my students in wanting to savor and enjoy each moment of the cherished golden days of summer. I love the summer sounds of singing morning birds, croaking frogs, the chirping crickets,

the soft gentle lapping of waves at the lake or ocean, the splash of skipping pebbles on the surface of the pond, the rustle of the tree leaves in the morning breeze, drifts of clouds mounting up for an afternoon shower and the sweet fragrances of summer flowers. I store these in my memory to reflect back on during a cold winter day.

A wonderful family togetherness activity in celebrating the “odes to summer” is picnics.

The younger and older children both enjoy the planning, the outdoors and the delicious foods of a picnic. Whether there are just two family members or more, take the time with your child to enjoy several

picnics before we look toward school beginning again. Picnics are a wonderful outdoor experience of not being rushed, enjoying the fresh air and inexpensively having a planned family meal. It is so neat to dine under the sky as a whole family.

This reminds us who the Creator of the universe is, one who made our world and cares for every one of His creations.

With your infants to toddlers, they can be part of the meal planning process. It's best to keep the meal simple with tasty foods that both children and adults enjoy. When working and teaching young children, I have them help me plan a field trip picnic. I use this time to develop language arts skills and plan thinking skills. It doesn't take much time for you to do this with your child. It's all part of planning. Show the love of Jesus to your child through patience, kindness and understanding. You are making memories for them.

Picnic baskets, whatever form or size, are not that expensive.

Picnic baskets can be made from brown paper bags, vegetable baskets or can be purchased very inexpensively. Ask your child what is needed in the picnic basket.

DISC GOLF >>

in Alabama that needed to be filled,” he said. “We had a lot of juniors in Alabama traveling to Georgia, Florida or South Carolina to go play junior tournaments and there weren’t a lot of junior tournaments being hosted, so we decided to do it ourselves, basically.”

During the event, participants will be split up by age and there will be shorter tees for younger age divisions and standard

tees for older age divisions.

The 12 and under divisions will play one round in the morning. The tournament will break for lunch around 11 a.m. and this is when the 12-and-below division awards will be given out.

The older divisions will play one round in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Awards will begin following the final hole.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

J

FROM B1

“It’s a good outdoor activity for the kids and we’re just trying to enhance the visibility of it and give them a competitive outlet,” Moseley said.

Before now, kids in the area were traveling out of state to compete and Moseley wanted to find a way for them to compete locally.

“There was a niche

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Guide them to respond to the simple necessities of paper plates, cups, plastic utensils, napkins and wipes to clean hands. Let your child count out the necessities that are needed for your family and friends as a math lesson. As you decide what kind of picnic you want – such as bringing sandwiches or grilling out – ask your children what would be appropriate for each type.

Would it be hotdogs or hamburgers, or cold cuts? This would be a language arts lesson.

As your child verbally tells you his/her wishes, write a list that they can see. Your child can learn many new words this way. Too, have your youngest children to place the items in the basket. Don't forget the picnic tablecloth or blanket. As a parent, God has chosen you to be their teacher.

These are some very simple, fun activities that I have enjoyed playing with young children. ”What’s Inside" is a guessing game where a child has to guess the object from its description as it's hidden in the basket. This emphasizes listening and language skills. Young children love to play guessing games. Too, young children love to help set the table. This covers the math skills of

one-to-one correspondence and patterning.

"Can You Remember?” is an excellent memory and comprehension exercise. You put a plastic tablecloth in the middle of an area. Put several items under the tablecloth that you would take on a picnic. Let the children see the full group of items. Have the children close their eyes as you remove some of the items. Lift the tablecloth and have the children guess what you have removed.

Young children love this game. You can even play this game on a picnic. God created the family. Too, pray together on your picnic, thank God for His world. You may have heard that a family that prays together stays together.

Be sure to grab a quilt or bedspread for your infant to crawl on; bring the stroller as well. One thing young children love to bring is their favorite stuffed toy, such as a teddy bear. As a teacher, I love to have a Teddy Bear Picnic.

Think about this as you plan a fun afternoon for your family.

Make it simple. Grab your basket and cooler and meet Classroom Observer author in one of our beautiful Lee County parks. Focus on living today. School will come, but enjoy

the sights, sounds and smells of summer. Hey, look at that beautiful sunset. Ecclesiastes 3:1-There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.

Beth Pinyerd has taught young children in the Early Childhood Classroom for 34 years as well as outreaching to the elderly in intergenerational settings. She has taught and outreached in the schools in the Opelika Community and Baldwin County Community. She holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Family and Child Development both from Auburn University.

Her husband is the late Carl Pinyerd and she has one son, Gus Pinyerd who has taught her so much about learning. The Classroom Observer is here to serve the community in sharing the wonderful teaching programs in our local public schools, private schools and homeschools. The column is provided to enrich the education of our children, youth and families. Classroom Observer welcomes educational news, school news, pictures and events by e-mailing her at donnapinyerd@ charter.net.

If anyone is interested in participating but has little to no knowledge of the sport, Moseley urges them to reach out and ask questions.

“If someone has a kid that is interested in the sport, I promise you that the disc golf community in the area can get some discs in their hands,” Moseley said. “Somebody would probably be happy to go out there and you know, kind of show them, show

them the course, give them some tips and pointers and things like that like. We’re trying to grow the sport; we’re trying to get more people playing.”

While Opelika currently only has one disc golf course, Moseley mentioned the possibility of adding more in the area due to the growing interest in the sport.

The Opelika Auburn Disc Golf Club hosts multiple events

throughout the year, which cater to a wider age range, but Moseley wanted to focus on getting a younger crowd involved for this specific event.

For more information on the event or if anyone is looking to learn more about the sport before the tournament, email opelikaauburndiscgolf@gmail.com. To register for the tournament visit: www. discgolfscene.com/ ajdgc2021.

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B4 July 8, 2021

Opinion: NIL is Good for Fans, Better for Players, Great for NCAA

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM The NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved an interim name, image and likeness (NIL) policy last Wednesday, allowing college athletes to make money from endorsements and sponsorships while retaining eligibility.

The ensuing hours on Thursday morning were pure capitalistic chaos. Good chaos.

The first near-tohome example of this was by Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. Just after midnight on Thursday morning, Nix posted on Instagram revealing a sponsorship with the well-known tea brand, Milos, saying, “How SWEET it is to partner with @ drinkmilos for my first sponsorship as a college athlete!

Milo’s Tea is a family tradition at the Nix house—especially for holidays—so I’m excited to represent the best sweet tea ever!”

Since then, the demand of Milos sweet tea in the Lee County area has gone from f lippant to fervent. I’m speaking tongue-in-cheek, of course, but Nix is by no means the only collegiate athlete to jump at this new opportunity. Tigers’ running back Tank Bigsby revealed his own personal trademark logo and several other Auburn athletes have publicly acknowledged planned sponsorships or upcoming marketing campaigns.

With the debate over amateurism and college athletes

receiving a piece of the pie (or not) spanning back decades, the decision by the NCAA comes as a refreshing step of progress (to most).

The doubters will question things like compliance issues, taxing and a potential volatility in recruiting that will lead to a lack parity (as if that deficit does not already exist.).

These outcries will not fall entirely on deaf ears, however, time will prove the cynics incredulous.

Yes, there are still large question marks; and the NCAA’s historically negative stance on NIL has put them behind the 8-ball, scrambling for regulations instead of affirming calculated plans.

But, if you read between the lines of the NCAA’s decision, there are already certain contingencies in place.

Reminder: NIL does not turn the amateur athlete pool into a free agent market of sorts. The reason five-star athletes will commit to upper-echelon schools remains the same: brand exposure. The only difference now is the athletes will now be able to capitalize on that exposure financially. In fact, for the purveyors of parity among us, NIL may swing the pendulum back toward the little guys (i.e. Is it better to be the face of Houston or the umpteenth face of Alabama?).

So, if you are hating on the decision and wondering how your D-3 alma mater is going to compete athletically, don’t. I see NIL as a positive

Three days after the NCAA announced its new policy on NIL, Auburn running back Tank BIgsby announced his own personal logo via Instagram. through and through.

Here’s why. The overarching effects of the NIL decision positively impacts the talent in the NCAA. For example, in recent years, high school basketball players have forgone their college careers to make the leap to the professional development leagues.

This trend has been present in college baseball for years; most of the time, the decision to go “pro” directly relates to the financial instability that aff licts most university-attending

students. This school of thought also applies to potential Olympians and women’s sports, too.

Compared to developmental leagues, the NCAA provides a larger platform — ten-fold. In the case of professional women’s leagues and the Olympianin-training’s path, the breadth of the exposure gap may be even larger.

Now, instead of having to weigh the pros and cons of forgoing a potential life-changing monetary deal in exchange for the college

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix was the first Auburn athlete to take advantage of the NCAA's intermim NIL policy, announcing a partnership with Milos tea brand via Instagram on July 1. experience and delayed gratification of earning a degree, student-athletes can begin to monetize their brand and earn money of their NIL while in school.

Imagine the benefits NIL can provide for a non-scholarship college athlete who is working two jobs – outside of their sport – just to make ends meet. Free meals, sponsored social media post and autograph sessions will make their life easier.

So, what does all this mean to the average fan? It

probably means more access to your favorite players – which can only be a good thing. The only thing for certain is that collegiate athletes are getting more equitable compensation for their contributions. If you were a college athlete, what sponsorships would you try to lock up?

Which of your favorite athletes do you want to see endorse which of your favorite restaurants? For me, I’ll sit back and contently watch the chaos ensue. With my Milos sweet tea, of course.

B5 July 8, 2021

BY EMERY LAY FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

This summer, the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center (KPNC) is hosting its first Summer Adventure Camp for rising 5th through 8th graders. The camp will begin on Monday, July 19 and conclude on Wednesday, July 21. Vans will depart each day at 8 a.m. from 2222 N. College St. and return at 3:30 p.m.

“I’ve actually been working on this for four years,” said Jennifer Lolley, the KPNC Outreach administrator.

“This year we’re finally getting to do it. I’m so excited.”

Lolley, who is on the State Board for Environmental Education, drew inspiration from a trip she went on with a program called Mountains to the Gulf. The teacher conservation workshop took its attendants across the

state of Alabama with a handful of scientists to point out the wonders of the Alabamian landscape.

“That’s kind of what I want to do with the kids — I want to show them (Alabama) through science and history,” Lolley said.

Each day centers around a different aspect of either natural or historic Alabama wonders, with a focus on geology. Swimming,

SPORTS >>

FROM B1

a.m. each day. You can listen to High School Media Days presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic (LIVE) on FOX Sports the Game 910AM and 1310AM, online at foxsportsthegame.com and on television station WOTM (Channel 80 Charter Cable).

Alabama High School Athletic Association Executive Director Alvin Briggs will lead off media days on Tuesday.

Alabama Independent Schools Athletic Director Roddie Beck will lead off day two.

hiking and climbing will all be activities that are available over the course of the three days.

“We’re combining fun with science,” Lolley said. “That’s our theme at the preserve: learning with leisure.”

On Monday, July 19, campers will visit three historic sites: the Imerys-Gantts Quarry, Desoto Caverns and the Kymulga Grist Mill. The first stop is home to some of “the finest white marble in the world”. In fact, the marble for the White House was quarried in Alabama. Campers will be able to see the origins of the marble, how it is extracted from the earth and how the use for marble has evolved over time.

“The marble mine is incredible!” Lolley said.

“Not many people know that that’s the longest line of marble in the world.”

The next step of the day will be Desoto Caverns. Once used

by Native American traders and mined for gunpowder by Confederates, it stands today as a prehistoric marker. Campers will explore the caves, which rest at a cool 60º, and later the rest of the park.

“A lot of people don’t realize that we have 5,000 caves in Alabama,” Lolley said.

“But the closest one, and Opelika will be the last team Tuesday, appearing around 11 a.m. Other teams attending media days include, Auburn, Lee-Scott Academy, Beauregard, Beulah, Loachapoka, Notasulga, Smiths Station, Chambers Academy, LaFayette, Springwood, Southern Prep, Dadeville, Benjamin Russell, Lanett, Reeltown and Glenwood.

Local, high school athletics are important to iHeartRadio and the Orthopaedic Clinic. iHeartRadio Auburn/ Opelika airs multiple shows during the fall concentrating on high school football sponsored by the

the furthest one south, close to us, is the one in Childersburg — Desoto Caverns. We’re going to have a bit more of a science-y tour for that than they normally give, so that’ll be kind of fun for the kids … It’s just neat to see. There’s a lot of history in that cave, too.”

Kymulga Grist Mill marks the third stop of the day. The mill — made completely from materials in the surrounding woods — was built in 1864. Campers will enjoy a guided tour where they will hear about the vitality of milling grains in early America.

The following day, June 20, will be dedicated to seeing the Martin Dam Hydroelectric Plant, traveling to Smith Mountain and Fire Tower, dropping by the D.A.R.E. Power Park and finishing the day by kayaking on Lake Martin.

Considered the “flagship” of the Alabama Power hydroelectric system, the dam stands at 168 feet tall. Campers will take a tour of the plant to learn about the power of water in generating electricity for homes in the area.

That same day, campers will learn about the history of forestry in Alabama and the purpose of fire towers at Smith Mountain. Built in 2939, the tower stands 80 feet above the top of Smith Mountain, giving a great panoramic landscape of the land below.

Later that day, campers will make their way down Lake Martin to the D.A.R.E. Power Park, a 30-acre facility developed in 1997.

Campers will have the opportunity to swim in the lake and embark on a guided kayaking trip to several surrounding islands. Additionally, campers will learn about the wildlife that resides in the area.

Finally, on June 21, campers will visit Cheaha State Park and Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.

Cheaha State Park, marked by an "X" as the highest point in Alabama, sits at 2,411 feet. It was established

Orthopaedic Clinic.

The High School Coaches Show will air every Thursday night at 6 p.m., the Orthopaedic Clinic Recap Show airs Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. and you can listen to "On the Mark" weekdays 6 to 9 a.m. on FOXSports the Game.

Fans can continue listening to Opelika High School football on WKKR 97.7FM and Valley on WCJM 100.9 The Bull. The Encore High School Scoreboard Show airs Friday nights, 10 p.m. to midnight.

OHS FOOTBALL Last week, I inadvertently wrote the wrong

in 1993 and offers beautiful views of the Talladega National Forest. Campers will be able to explore the park’s trails, overlooks and historic structures, with additional history provided by Renee Raney, the park operations supervisor.

“I love it all, but I love Cheaha, so I cannot wait to take them to Cheaha,” Lolley said. “Going out on that point is really special. And there’s some trails there that are just gorgeous to go to, and great, big, giant boulders that you can walk out on.”

Campers will make one last stop at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park which wraps about the Tallapoosa River.

On the trip, campers will learn about the impact the site had on the future of the Native American people and a name when retrenching the quarterback competition.

JT McArdle is a rising senior and is one of four players trying to earn the stating job.

McArdle played in several games last year, including the OpelikaAuburn game.

I apologize to JT for making the mistake!

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director of iHeartMedia, the host of "On the Mark," Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

heroic story of defense.

“I just think they’re gonna have a great few days,” Lolley said.

“Our preserve is a beautiful place, but it’s fun to go explore, too.”

Registration for the Summer Adventure Camp is open now and available to all members of KPNC who wish to join.

Memberships allow the park to remain free and open to the public and can be obtained at www.wp.auburn.edu/ preserve/membership/.

The cost of attendance is $250 per camper, with a discount of $10 for each camper that brings a sibling. Cost of attendance will cover a daily snack, transportation from the nature center, all camp activities and entrance fees, a camp t-shirt and a water bottle.

Campers will need to bring their lunch each

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

'Combining Fun With Science'

day and must be able to swim. To register, visit www.secure.touchnet. net/C20021_ustores/ web/store_main. jsp?STOREID=175.

The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center is a nonprofit, outreach facility of Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, providing education, recreation and leisure resources for local communities and the region. With nearly 120 acres of preserved forest and waterways, the nature center features over 6 miles of shaded hiking and running trails, in addition to a yearround calendar of nature-focused events, workshops and educational opportunities for all ages. Kreher is open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. Visit www.auburn.edu/preserve to learn more.

TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS CLAIMS If you began working in a Textile Mill, Tire Plant, Paper Mill, Steel Mill or any other industrial setting before 1980: You may have a claim against the asbestos manufacturers.

Call now for your free evaluation.

1-(888)432-6020 Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law ARPC 7.2.(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.”

B6 July 8, 2021

Junior Deputy Camp Makes a Splash

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

The Lee County Sheriff's office hosted their annual Junior Deputy summer camp and wrapped up the program with a splash day with the assistance of the Beauregard Fire Department. The program is designed to help build character and relationships.

CORRECTION PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Back to the DAWG House is hosted by the Opelika Rotary Club's Charitable Foundation. We incorrectly stated that it was hosted by Opelika Parks and Recreation. We apologize for any inconvenience our error may have caused.

'1/a.ssle hee Va.cat:on..Whj Not Ca.II Us. www.mytravelatmidtown.com

334 749 0877 3051 Frederick Road, Suite 7, Opelika -

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MilhonA1r 2010 & 2011 & 2012 --------(between Sam:� Club and Tiger Town)

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B7

July 8, 2021

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Inside the Statehouse John Patterson

A

STEVE FLOWERS

labama lost its oldest past Governor when John Patterson passed away last month. He died on the same land where he was born in rural Tallapoosa County.

Patterson was 99 years old, and he would have been 100 in September. He was the epitome of the greatest generation. He was a veteran of World War II. He volunteered for the Army as a private and left the Army at the end of the war as a major. Patterson then came home and obtained his law degree, then joined his father in the practice of law. He soon thereafter became attorney general of Alabama, then governor, then spent several decades as a justice on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Patterson’s involvement with state government spanned half a century.

John Patterson served as governor from 1959 to 1963. He holds the distinction of being the only person to ever beat George Wallace in a governor’s race.

Patterson and Wallace were both making their first race for governor in 1958.

Patterson beat Wallace, soundly. Wallace never stood a chance. It would have been hard for anyone to beat a man in a race for governor of Alabama, who had both the race issue and sympathy vote.

Patterson had the Ku Klux Klan endorsement in that race. Wallace was actually considered a progressive and softer on the race issue than Patterson.

Patterson had become Attorney General of Alabama at a very young age after his father, Albert Patterson, was assassinated just 16 days after winning the race for Alabama’s attorney general in 1954.

The elder Patterson had run with the promise to clean up Phenix City, which had been the most corrupt, sinful city in the South — if not the nation. It was the redneck version of Las Vegas. However, unlike Las Vegas, everything they did in Phenix City was not legal or condoned.

The east Alabama town near Ft. Benning and Columbus, Georgia, was run by a corrupt, rural mafia. This mafia

gunned down Albert Patterson in an alley behind his law office. The younger Patterson was then picked to replace his father as the Democratic attorney general nominee. John Patterson became Alabama attorney general at age 33. Just days after his election, a movie was made about the Phenix City saga. Between that and his well-publicized anti-civil rights actions, by the time John Patterson got ready to run for Governor of Alabama, he was a folk hero to Alabamians.

Wallace thought he was going to win the governor’s race in his first try in 1958. However, when he got into the heat of the campaign, he realized that he was running against a legend. It seemed like everybody in the state had seen the movie “The Phenix City Story.” The sympathy for Patterson was too much to overcome. In addition, the race issue had become paramount, and Patterson owned it.

After Wallace lost, he was in a deep depression for a few weeks, but finally got out of bed, shaved and looked in the mirror and said aloud, “I got out segged and I will never be out segged again.” A governor could not succeed himself at that time. He knew Patterson could not run again in 1962. He grabbed the race issue and ran nonstop for four years and captured the governor’s office in 1962.

Patterson did a good job as governor.

He was governor during the beginning of the volatile first movements towards Civil Rights. A lot of it played out in plain view of his governor’s office looking down on Dexter Avenue. He took a very adamant, stringent position against integration and all of the protests.

Governor Patterson wrote his biography published by New South Books in 2008 entitled Nobody but the People, which, by the way, was his campaign slogan in his 1958 race for Governor.

We visited at length during the year he was touring the state with his book.

During our visits, he revealed remarkable stories surrounding the era when he was attorney general and governor of Alabama.

In the last few years, we visited his farm home in Goldville. He was amazingly sharp. His friends and relatives were surrounding him when he passed away. John Patterson has a special place in Alabama political history.

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.

Auburn Council Member Sues City

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Auburn Ward 5 Council Member Steven Dixon filed a lawsuit on Friday against the city of Auburn, his fellow council members, Mayor Ron Anders, City Manager Megan Crouch and other city employees.

Dixon’s lawsuit stems from the short-term rental regulations that the city council passed in March.

The lawsuit names those above in addition to the City’s Principal Planner, Logan Kipp, the City’s Acting Planning Director, Katie Robison, Revenue office employee Cheryl R. Van Tuyl, and the city’s Finance Director, Allison Edge.

The regulations the council passed specify that short-term non-primary rentals and homestays are only allowed in certain areas of the city.

“Unfortunately, the decisions that were made by the council impacted me and the lives of Alabamians and citizens of Auburn,” Dixon told the Observer. “And we could sit back and just let the ordinance go through, or we can challenge it.

And that’s what I’m doing.”

A homestay, defined by the city, is: “A home occupation in which an individual who owns a dwelling unit and uses it as his or her permanent residence hires out such dwelling, or any portion

thereof, as lodging.”

A short-term, non-primary rental, defined by the city, is: “A dwelling unit that is not a permanent residence and that is leased in its entirety to one party for periods of less than 30 consecutive days.

The term party as used in this definition shall mean one or more persons who as a single group rent a short-term non-primary rental pursuant to a single reservation and payment.”

Homestays and shortterm rentals are allowed in the following zones: • Comprehensive Development District (CDD) • Corridor Redevelopment Districturban, Suburban, Easts and West (CRD-U, See AUBURN, page B9

Point Broadband Relocates Headquarters to Opelika

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER Point Broadband of Alabama, LLC has decided to relocate its headquarters to Opelika. The city council voted to approve an agreement with the company following a public hearing at Tuesday night's meeting. The move is expected to create an additional 25 jobs in Opelika, and the city will provide financial incentives to the company which may include cash incentives, performance incentives, tax abatements and tax exemptions.

Chief General Council

NOW OPEN

for Point Broadband Chad Wachter said that the company discussed the significance of the acquisition of the OPS One in November 2018.

“It was a really early significant milestone when we reached the agreement with Opelika to purchase OPS system,” Wachter said.

He was complimentary of the support that Point has received from the city over the past few years.

“Frankly, the city of Opelika does a tremendous job of supporting us and we try to support them.” When asked about why the decision was made to relocated

to Opelika, Wachter said, “A lot of our people are here, and it is a centralized location for us. We have a great relationship with the city, and it just made a lot of sense.”

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said he is honored that the company decided to move its headquarters to Opelika.

"Point Broadband is a great company that would be welcomed anywhere in the world," Fuller said.

"We are honored that they chose to locate their headquarters in Opelika."

See OPELIKA, page B9

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B8 July 8, 2021

Opelika Shows Out for O-Day

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Opelika's annual giving-to-the-community event, O-Day, took place last Saturday. There, Opelikians enjoyed free food, drink, music, games, horse back riding, inflatables and more.

B9 July 8, 2021

Critical Race Theory is Both Controversial and Misunderstood

GREG MARKLEY

T

hree months ago, I visited Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.

Late one afternoon, I saw 15 to 20 cadets relaxing on a parade field after doing physical training. A tape was playing relaxing flute music. Getting closer, I saw they were using pillows to rest on after spurts of exercise.

Military traditionalists might call these cadets and their instructor “woke,” as in being in tune with liberal orthodoxy. Yet, I believe what was I saw was a bit of “mindfulness” (a big Army buzz word). I also knew that the military is incorporating elements

AUBURN >>

FROM B7

CRD-S, CRD-E, CRD-W) • Medium Density Residential District (MDRD) • Neighborhood Redevelopment District in the portion east of north Donahue drive (NRD) • Redevelopment District (RDD) • Rural District (R) • Urban Core (UC) • Urban Neighborhoods – West, East and South (UN-W, UN-E, UN-S).

“The Short-Term Rental Ban arbitrarily and capriciously inhibits Dixon’s use of his Home and his pursuit of lawful activity,” Dixon said in a letter sent Wednesday. “Prior to enactment of the ShortTerm Rental Ban, neither

OPELIKA >>

FROM B7

EAMC Vice-President of Support Operations Bruce Zartman, Operations Manager Christine Hill and the mayor recognized Opelika Library Director Rosanna McGinnis and President of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Ali Rauch, for their partnership with the Community Vaccine Clinic. The vaccine clinic ended up administering approximately 91,000 vaccines in the four and half months that the clinic was in operation.

“We could not have done this without the support of the city of Opelika, and certainly the support of Rosanna,” Zartman said.

“I don’t know what the final count was for volunteers, but she [Rosanna] partnered with Joe David with Auburn United Methodist Church and at the last count, they had 1,900 volunteers.”

Rauch expressed her

of East-Asian relaxation styles.

Cadets at VMI have tough training but they are also students at a revered institution. I don’t know if they are “woke” but most are “wonks.”

Purists could hear the flute, see the pillows, and say the world is ending soon. In the same way, opponents of Critical Race Theory say using it in school will turn children into Marxists. That’s a stretch, but the theory does have weaknesses.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., accused Miguel Cardona, U.S. secretary of education, of doling out grant money to schools that back the 1619 project (a major journalism project on slavery) and Critical Race Theory.

Walberg believes that studying race in such a manner will make students hate America.

“This is going backwards,” the congressman told Newsmax. “It’s sad to see curriculums that are encouraging students to believe that they can’t achieve anything outside their particular race and

class and that if you’re white you ought to feel privileged and badly about that.”

Cas Mudde, a professor of international affairs at the University of Georgia, noted that Fox News mentioned Critical Race Theory almost 1,300 times since March and 250 in one week. Meanwhile, he said conservative legislators in 20 states are promoting bans in teaching SRT in schools.

“Thanks in part to efforts by conservative activists to turn this previously esoteric academic idea into a catch-allphrase for the excesses of anti-racist politics, CRT has become an overnight bogey of the right,” Mudde wrote in Guardian U.S. “Just as conservatives attacked anything to the left of the far right as “communist” during the red scare of the 1960s, reactionaries today denounce anything with a whiff of anti-racism as ‘Critical Race Theory’ or ‘wokeness’ run amuck.”

So what exactly IS this theory? How long has

it been publicly known?

What motivated intellectuals and activists to create this movement?

Per the Britannica Encyclopedia, “CRT is an intellectual movement and loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings, but a socially constructed category used to oppress and exploit people of color.”

This says race has been a construct, as many historians call slavery, for not years or decades but apparently since the two or more races were joined in certain societies. Who has been in on this – Bull Conner and every solitary white in Alabama since the 1960s? Was Lester Maddox just a bystander who could not turn the construct into a lovefest for all even if he tried? Or did he make unwise and prejudicial errors on his own, as history tells us?

To the conservatives, religious people, parents and media personalities

who are outraged and fearful about CRT, I think things will work out. The advocates of CRT have so much planned but the devil in the details will halt them before they do permanent danger. And, I sense that this sudden hysteria on the right has a hidden cause. That is, it should be called “Critical Base, not Race, Theory.”

Republican strategies and conservative TV and radio celebrities needed a controversial issue to rally the base again for the 2022 Midterm elections.

For a theory that has been around 30 or more years, it sounds not very well thought-out. And taught to even high school seniors, it may be hard to follow, nevermind, digest.

Critical race theorists, since our current century began, focused on race.

For them to escape the towers of academia and concentrate not just on theory but real problems, is admirable.

At a June 23 congressional hearing, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, handled himself like the

combat-tested man he is.

“I personally find it offensive that we are accusing the United States Army being of being “woke” or something else because we’re studying some theories that are out there,” Milley said elegantly. “I’ve read Mao Tse Tung. I’ve read Karl Marx. I’ve read Lenin.”

Learning key ideas and about historic leaders should continue at the U.S. service academies. Critical Race Theory is unlikely to be instituted in its original form soon. A political science major as an undergrad, I read Mao, Marx and Lenin. Yet, I have not in 41 years since wanted to be a Communist. I do, though, need more time to get used to flutes and pillows at PT. Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has Masters’ in education and history.

He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer for 10 years. gm.markley@charter.net

the City nor the Auburn City Council enacted any laws or ordinances that prevented homeowners from leasing their property on a short-term basis.

Therefore, any such rentals were permissible uses of the property.

“Prior to enactment, Auburn homeowners were free to use their property as they saw fit, including using it to earn income from renting on a shortterm or long-term basis.

Dixon rents a portion of the home on a short-term basis and has rented the Home on a short-term basis since 2018.”

Dixon said that he has upcoming contracts to rent his home that were established before the regulations went into place.

“Dixon requested a business license in an

attempt to comply with the Short-Term Rental Ban as a pre-existing, non-conforming use,” he said in the email. “Citing the Short-Term Rental Ban, the City denied this license despite its pre-existing lawful use. On June 10, 2021, the City’s attorney issued Dixon a letter setting out that the City would not permit Dixon to use his Home as he saw fit. This letter sets out incorrect facts, but overall makes clear that any further attempts by Dixon to obtain a license or resolve this matter would be futile.”

Dixon recused himself from discussions and votes related to the short-term rental matter.

He said that he has not heard feedback from any of the other council

members regarding the decision.

Dixon said that he and his legal counsel attempted to set up a meeting with City Manager Megan Crouch but were denied.

The City Attorney said that they would meet with Dixon and his lawyer, but Dixon said they declined.

“I will be serving my full term on the Auburn City Council,” he said. “I am not stepping down or backing down because of this.”

There was feedback from both sides of the issue when the council made its original decisions. And Dixon said he is not alone in his opinion on shortterm rentals now.

“I may be the only plaintiff on this suit, however, there are others that are being represented by the

same legal counsel,” he said. “So, we are fighting very hard for the citizens of Auburn and citizens of Alabama.”

Additionally, Dixon has asked that anyone who supports the cause donate to the GoFundMe he has set up to cover legal fees.

“We know that there are many people that have been impacted by this, so we are here to represent everybody that has been impacted by this ordinance,” Dixon said.

The gofundme link is: www.gofundme.com/f/ support-short-term-rentalproperty-rights.

When asked for comment from the city, a statement by City Attorney Rick Davidson was provided.

"By filing a lawsuit individually, and on behalf

of "a group" who seek to overturn the very laws of the city he swore to uphold, Mr. Dixon has demonstrated a complete lack of understanding and appreciation of his role as member of the city council and his oath of office," said City Attorney Rick Davidson. "One would question why the same conflict of interest that led to his decision to recuse himself from voting on the challenged legislation would not also lead Mr. Dixon to revisit his desire to remain as a member of the city council. Beyond those comments, I am not at liberty to discuss the substance of the lawsuit, other than to say that the City will vigorously defend all the allegations including the validity of the Ordinance in question."

gratitude to the city of Opelika that made it possible for the Chamber of Commerce to provide meals.

“I am very proud to be up here on behalf of the Chamber to accept this. We did the logistics of making sure food got delivered, but if it wasn’t for the financial support from the city of Opelika, we wouldn’t have been able to.”

“She [Rauch] marshalled together the best cooks in Opelika and brought us wonderful food and kept us well-fed,” Zartman said.

“This is truly a community that is unmatched.

Everytime East Alabama needs something, the community steps up. This was absolutely no exception to that, and I am grateful from the bottom of my heart,” he added.

During the meeting, Fuller recognized the Opelika Parks & Recreation Track Team that participanted in the Alabama State Games in Enterprise and

the qualifiers for the State Games of America 2022, which will be held in Iowa.

Four team members were recognized by the mayor: - Isaac Murphy – first place in the 400-meter, first in the 200-meter and first in the 100-meter - Kendrick Evans – third place in the 100-meter and second in the long-jump - Ava Thomas – first in the 400-meter, third in the 200-meter, third in the 100-meter and fourth in the long-jump - Alana Thomas – first in shot-put.

Other Business: - The council approved a request from Dreamz Lounge & Pool Hall, LLC dba Dreamz Lounge, for a retail liquor Class I and on-premises beer license.

- The council held a public hearing regarding the demolition of a structure located at 600 Meadow Ave. and later voted to approve the demolition.

- The council held public

hearings and voted to approve several weed abatement assessments for the following properties: - 1733 1st Ave. - 308 Brannon Ave. - 206 Byrd Ave. - 1109 Magnolia St. - 514 Old Columbus Road - 105 Vaughan Ave. - 810 Williamson Ave. - The council held a public hearing and the first reading on the rezoning and master plan amendments for 3.91 acres of land located on the Robert Trent Jones Trail.

- The council voted to approve expense reports from various departments.

- The council voted to designate city personal property surplus and authorize the disposal of said property.

- The council voted to approve the purchase of 624 Toter 96-gallon universal and nestable carts for Environmental Services.

- The council voted to approve the purchase of a 17.5 Ton RTU HVAC replacement system for the public

works department.

- The council voted to approve the purchase of the licensing for a salesforce platform.

- The council voted to approve the purchase of Google Cloud Computing and Disaster Recovery Services software for the IT Department.

- The council voted to approve the purchase of a SalesForce Government Capsule - Implementation and Services for the IT Department.

- The council voted to approve a request for a refund of occupational license fees.

- The council voted to approve the abatement of building permit fees for the Fuller Center for Housing.

- The council voted to approve a letter of agency to granite telecommunications for the billing of communications services.

- The council voted to authorize an agreement with Auburn University for Alabama Recycling

Funds Grant Program Administration.

- The council voted to approve the 2021 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant application for the Opelika Police Department.

- The council voted to authorize the submission of a grant application for the Veterans Parkway extension project.

- The council voted to approve a special appropriation in the amount of $1,000 for National Night Out 2021 to be held on Aug. 3.

- The council voted to approve a special appropriation from Ward 2 discretionary funds to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center in the amount of $500.

- The council voted to approve an ordinance to amend the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

The Opelika City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday nights of every month and start at 7 p.m.

B10 July 8, 2021

Short-Term Rental Ordinance Cleaned Up

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER @OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM The Auburn City Council amended the short-term rental zoning policy Tuesday night to define a couple of terms and add necessary language.

The new text amendments reads as follows: - Lodging: A building, or portion of a building (including, without limitation, any guest room) that is used or advertised for transient occupancy - Occupancy, Transient: The use of any building or structure, or portion thereof, as overnight accommodations for any individual(s) for any period(s) of thirty (30) or fewer consecutive days, in return for a fee or charge.

No transient occupancy shall be deemed or construed as being a residential use of any dwelling, or portion thereof.

Additionally, language had been left out of the prior draft, which specified that homestays do not have to comply with “the maximum floor area of a dwelling unit allowance where a home occupation might operate.” There is also clarification on parking.

This was a second reading of the ordinance, since Ward 4 Council Member Brett Smith denied unanimous consent at the June 15 council meeting.

The short-term rental discussion has been in the works for years, as prepared by the shortterm rental task force.

The council finally passed a resolution in March allowing shortterm rentals in some city zones, while denying them in others.

For more information on the short-term rental conversation and ordinance, see the following stories: - www.opelikaobserver.com/auburn-may-regulate-short-term-rentals/ - www/opelikaobserver.com/auburncity-council-makes-decision-on-short-termrentals/ - www.opelikaobserver.com/auburn-city-council-passes-short-term-rental-business-license-regulations/.

There were several Auburn residents, and one from Opelika, who attended the meeting to voice opposition to the

short-term rental ordinance as a whole, not just the language added Tuesday.

“I’ve told y’all how I feel about this ordinance many, many times,” said resident Susan Bolt. “But tonight, I’m asking you to back up and reverse what you’re doing and not go forward with the changes and amendments that you’re proposing tonight. The creation of the definitions that y’all are looking at tonight trample on people’s rights.”

However, the ordinance as a whole was not up for debate, only the changes.

“The meat of the ordinance and what it means stays the same,” said City Manager Megan Crouch. “It is clarifying a few things

Fired Up For Opelika CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

The Opelika Fire Department is excited to announce the launch of its official social media accounts on Facebook (www. facebook.com/ opelikafire) and Instagram (@ opelikafire) as of Thursday, July 1.

Fired Up for Opelika is a new social campaign that focuses on community engagement, events, education and fire safety, new branding and recruitment for the Opelika Fire Department.

Social media presence will give the fire department a new way to interact and engage with the public.

Followers can expect to see posts with safety tips,

weather updates, local disaster/traffic notifications, day-to-day operations, community outreach and events.

“Our firefighters wear several

hats daily,” said Fire Chief Shane Boyd. “We invite the community, friends and family to follow our social accounts.

We’re fired up for Opelika and ex-

cited to show how these amazing men and women serve our city.”

For more information, please call Community Relations, 334-7055136.

Call me for all your real estate needs!

1810 E. Glenn Ave. Suite 130 Auburn, AL 36830 Cell 334.444.8041 duffystewartrealtor@gmail.com www.BHHSPreferredAuburn.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affliates, LLC

that could be confusing in the zoning ordinance and it’s making sure that they track as they were intended to track.

There isn’t any major change you’re making tonight.”

Therefore, most citizens spoke during citizens’ communications at the end of the meeting.

Several asked the council to revoke the ordinance as a whole.

The changes passed on a vote of 8-1. Smith voted against the ordinance.

He said that while his questions regarding the ordinance were answered, he could not discuss his concerns with the ordinance given the pending litigation on the matter.

For more on the lawsuit filed by Ward 5

Council Member Steven Dixon regarding shortterm rentals, see B7.

Wright Street Parking: The city council amended the city code Tuesday night to allow for parking fees in the Wright Street Parking Deck.

“More downtown parking has long been a priority of Auburn residents as identified in the citizen survey and citizen input over the years,” said information from the city’s e-packet. “Changes to provide more parking over the years have included the move to downtown parking kiosks, the creation of the Gay Street parking lot (once occupied in part by the AuburnBank See AUBURN COUNCIL, page B11

National Parks Service Selects Opelika For Project Assistance

E

ACC

CONTIBUTED BY OPELIKA PARKS AND RECREATION The National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) announced the selection of the city of Opelika to receive expert consultation from the NPS on the Johnny Ray Rail to Trail Line.

The Johnny Ray Rail to Trail Line aims to create a trail along a railbed that will connect schools, parks, other trails and points of interest in the Eastern Alabama region. The multi-use trail will promote outdoor recreation access with a strong emphasis on bicycling and health. The primary goal of the project is to establish a community-supported master plan that will act as a blueprint for the trail and provide best steps for an overall implementation strategy.

The Johnny Ray Rail

Line will run through Lee, Randolph and Chambers Counties.

The trail is named after a train engineer who worked on the line, transporting travelers between the cities of Opelika and Roanoke for more than 75 years.

RTCA supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. RTCA’s national network of conservation and recreation planning professionals partner with community groups, nonprofits, tribes and state and local governments to design trails and parks, conserve and improve access to rivers, protect special places and create recreation opportunities. To learn how RTCA may support your community, please visit Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program.

B11 July 8, 2021

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AUBURN COUNCIL >> FROM B10 drive-through), transitioning the ground floor of the Gay Street parking deck from leased to metered and changes to parking times and rates to encourage parking turnover.”

The resolution the council passed specifies that to park in the new deck, residents will pay $1 an hour up to $15 over 24 hours.

The rates are subject to change by the City Manager on event days, such as game days, the e-packet said.

The new deck will not change the parking rules that already exist downtown, including the two-hour time limit in spaces in front of buildings.

“The ordinance also repeals language enabling valet parking

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in the Gay Street parking deck and the downtown employee parking lot which AuburnBank provided space for prior to their current parking deck and site construction projects,” the e-packet said. “Finally, the ordinance adds provisions for a forthcoming app to pay for downtown street parking, which will require a surcharge be added to the parking fee. At launch, that surcharge will be $0.35 cents.”

To use the Wright Street deck, patrons will take a ticket when they enter the deck and then pay when they leave.

The machines will take credit, debit and prepaid cards. There is also the option to pay on a smartphone.

One of the stipulations for the new deck is that parking fees will be

enforced 24/7, a change that prompted discussion among council members.

Crouch said there is concern that if they do not enforce parking on holidays and in the later hours of the day, people will park their cars and leave them there without penalty.

Ward 2 Council Member Kelley Griswold proposed an amendment to remove the language stipulating 24-hour enforcement.

“The basic intent would be to have the same hours as the other city parking hours,” he said.

However, Ward 3 Council Member Beth Witten said that this would affect a lot of other aspects of the ordinance.

Griswold agreed with Witten and removed his amendment and said

that the hours could be something the council looks at later.

“I would be happy to go ahead and approve this, evaluate it over time and we’ll come back and look at it once we have some more data,” he said.

Dixon added an amendment that specifies Juneteenth as a holiday in the city code, which was passed by the council.

Other Business: - The council approved a tax abatement for Seohan Auto USA Corporation for the Auburn Technology Park West.

- The council approved street closings for the Pine Hill Lantern Tour in October.

- The council approved an agreement with Inline Electric, Inc. to purchase nine

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traffic signal mast arm poles as part of the improvements the city is making on South College Street, Samford Avenue and Gay Street.

- The council approved a renewal contract with Tyler Technologies for maintenance of the city’s financial management software for over $106,200.

- The council approved a contract with Projility, Inc. for support for the city’s project management software for $35,000.

- The council approved a contract with University Ace Hardware for the purchase of an Exmark mower for the soccer complex for over $34,000.

- The council approved a contract with Dell Marketing L. P. for 12 Dell Latitude

laptops for the Auburn Police Division for over $24,800.

- The council approved an agreement with the Green Pond Volunteer Fire Department to declare a 2010 KME Customer Pumper as surplus property and authorize the sale of a vehicle.

- The council approved a facility encroachment agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. for the Highway 14 Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement Project for over $57,680.

- The council postponed a development agreement with Edgar Hughston Builder Inc. for Plainsman Lake.

- The council approved three appointments to the Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority.

or discriminates against any employee(s) based on the employee’s race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic prohibited by law ; and general harassment, pushing, shoving or other intentional acts perpetrated in whole, or in part, because of the employee’s race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law. In addition, harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to: epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening bullying, intimidating or hostile acts; denigrating jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group and that is placed on walls or elsewhere on the employer’s premises or circulated in the workplace. (e) That Section 4.4.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: 4.4.3 Application Forms All applications for employment will be submitted via the City of Opelika’s website.

Applications should be submitted in accordance with the vacancy notice or advertisement instructions. Applications are accepted for vacant positions, except as listed below. Certain Police and Fire department positions require a lengthy application process. For this reason, job postings for those departments may be posted prior to an actual vacancy. (f) That paragraph one of Section 4.5.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: 4.5.2 Selection of Classified

and Part-Time Service Employees Selections to fill vacancies in the classified and part-time services will be made by the appointing authority as established in paragraph 4.5.1. Each selection will be based on the knowledge, skills and abilities determined to be required for the position without regard to race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law (except where such factor may constitute a bona fide occupational qualification). Reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals, who are otherwise qualified, will be made when practical. Consideration will also be given to the requirements of the city's affirmative action plan. (g) That Section 4.5.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 4.5.2.3 Inquiries Appropriate inquiries of former employers and other references, when required, and background checks will be made by the Human Resources Department. Background checks may be performed by the Police department on applicants for police department positions.

If agreeable to an applicant, inquiries may also be made to his present employer. (h) That the first paragraph of Section 4.6 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 4.6 Employment Offers Employment offers for classified, and part-time service positions will be made in writing or

PUBLIC NOTICES ORDINANCE NO. 013-21 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA WHEREAS, the City of Opelika, Alabama, (the “City”) has previously adopted general provisions pertaining to personnel rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, staffing, separations, disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, compensation and employee benefits, which are set forth in the “Personnel Policies and Procedures of the City of Opelika” (hereinafter referred to as the “Personnel Manual”); and WHEREAS, City staff has recommended to the City Council that the Personnel Manual be updated at the present time to provide for additional and revised policies and procedures pertaining to the administration of City employees and personnel; and WHEREAS, the City Council realizes that periodic adjustments must be made to the Personnel Manual must be made in order to keep the manual current and consistent with state and federal labor and employment law requirements as well as policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations established by the City on the local level for employees; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the public health, safety and general welfare to amend the Personnel Manual at this time as recommended by City staff to update the policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendments.

That the Personnel Manual of the City of Opelika, adopted on November 19, 2002, as previously amended, is further amended in the following respects: (a) That Section 1.7 is amended to read as follows: 1.7 Equal Employment Opportunity The City will provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals and will employ applicants on the basis of their job-related qualifications and performance potential without regard to race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law (except where age, sex, or disability constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification). (b) That Section 1.12.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1.12.1 Nepotism No individual will be employed by the city in the classified, part-time, temporary, or contractual service, if he would be subject to administrative or supervisory control by a member of his immediate family.

For this purpose, immediate family will be interpreted to include an individual's spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, and the like relationship of the individual's spouse. Individuals who are employed in such situations at the time of adoption of this provision will be exempt from

its restriction. In the event that such situation would be created because two (2) employees elect to be married, one or both employees may transfer to any non-conflicting comparable vacant position if he or she is qualified and such transfer is approved by the Mayor. If such transfer is not possible, or is not approved, one of the employees will be required to resign. If one of the employees does not resign, the Mayor will initiate action to dismiss one of them. (c) That the first paragraph of Section 2.1.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: 2.1.3 Harassment Policy It is the policy of the City of Opelika to provide a work environment free from all forms of harassment. The City of Opelika does not tolerate harassment of employees and others based on or related to, race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law. This policy applies to the actions of Department Heads, Division Managers, Supervisors, co-workers, independent contractors and any other individual who comes into contact with an employee while an employee is performing his job duties. Department Heads, Division Managers, Supervisors and employees who violate this policy are subject to severe discipline, including termination of employment. (d) That Section 2.1.3(C) is hereby amended to read as follows: (C) Race, Color, Sex, Religion, National Origin, Age and Disability Harassment (1) Race, color, sex, gender

identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, and pregnancy harassment is defined as unwelcome statements, name-calling or other verbal or physical conduct based upon an employee’s race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, or pregnancy when any of the following occurs: (a) Submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of an individual’s continued employment, promotion or other condition of employment; (b) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting an employee or job applicant; or (c) Such conduct is intended to interfere or results in interference with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

(2) Prohibited actions include but are not limited to: use of derogatory terms or descriptions of an individual or group of individuals based on race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law; stating stereotypical classifications concerning the race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law of an employee or group of employees; display of signs, pictures, cartoons, written statements or other material that denigrates

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B12

B12 July 8, 2021 verbally by the appointing authority. A copy of written offers will be provided the Human Resources Department. No individual may consider that an offer has been made to him until he has been so notified. (i) That Section 4.6.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 4.6.2 Contingency of Offer All offers will be contingent upon the individual meeting the following requirements before he starts work, or within a reasonable time after starting to work, as established by the appointing authority in coordination with the Human Resources Department. When agreed to by the Human Resources Director and the department head, the appointing authority may make such investigations and checks that are better accomplished by the department. (a) report of successful completion of a medical examination, when required; (b) the individual successfully undergoing a criminal background investigation; (c) the individual successfully demonstrating through a driving record check that he will be accepted by the city's insurance carrier under preferred rates, when driving is required because of job duties; (d) the individual successfully being issued a bond, when required because of job duties; (e) the individual successfully undergoing a drug test, when the individual is being hired for a safety sensitive position; (f) the individual successfully meeting any standards or certifications as required by law; and (g) the individual successfully meeting any other job-related requirements established at the time of the offer. (j) That Section 4.7.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 4.7.3 Evaluation A probationary status employee's performance will be evaluated at least every three (3) months during his probationary period. The first evaluation will come no later than during the third month. Subsequent evaluations will occur no later than at the end of each additional three (3) months of the probationary period. All evaluations will be conducted in accordance with SECTION 6 EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL. (k) That Section 4.7.8 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 4.7.8 Appeals A probationary status employee will not be eligible to file an appeal from a separation, or any disciplinary action taken against him, or to file a grievance as provided by the city grievance procedure unless such grievance is based upon his claim that he has been discriminated against because of race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law. (l) That Section 5.2.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.2.4 Ineligible Employees No employee who has been given a last written warning or suspension shall be eligible for promotion within eighteen (18) months of a final written warning action or within (12) months of a suspension action. (m) That Section 5.3.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.3.4 Selection The appointing authority will ensure that each eligible applicant whose name is provided by the Human Resources Director is considered for the announced vacancy. Such consideration will be based upon the criteria

contained in paragraph 5.2 above. A department head may, at his discretion, establish an internal selection procedure for his department that includes the use of a screening committee to assist in the selection process.

Such procedures, if established, will be coordinated with the Human Resources Department prior to implementation. All eligible employees who apply for the vacancy will be interviewed by the appointing authority. Upon completion of the selection process, the department head will immediately notify the Human Resources Department. The Department Head or the Human Resources department will notify in writing those employees who applied for the vacant position but were not selected by the appointing authority. A copy of all written notifications will be provided to the Human Resources Department. (n) That the first and second paragraphs of Section 5.7.1 are hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.7.1 General It is the policy of the City of Opelika to provide promotional opportunities whenever possible to qualified employees.

Employees are encouraged to qualify themselves for advancement by developing new skills, by expanding the knowledge of their work, by assuming greater responsibilities, and by maintaining a high level of job performance, service, interest, and loyalty.

The selection of candidates shall be determined in a manner whereby those individuals having demonstrated the required knowledge, skills, abilities and personal characteristics, while possessing the greatest potential qualities of leadership for the higher position, may be selected, regardless of race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law (except where age, sex, or disability constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification). (o) That Section 5.7.1(E) is hereby amended to read as follows: (E) Selection shall be made from among the best-qualified candidates, without discrimination among them for any reason such as race, color, sex, gender identification or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic prohibited by law (except where age, sex, or disability constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification). (p) That the first paragraph of Section 4.5.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.7.4 Posting Procedure Vacancies will be posted citywide for a period of five (5) working days or as otherwise requested by the department head and approved by the Mayor. Due to the time-in grade requirements for Sworn Police and Certified Fire Fighter positions, those positions will be posted only within the department except entry-level positions or as allowed in Section 5.8.6. Entry-level positions will be posted citywide. Eligible employees who register for the vacancy within the time-period will be further considered in accordance with the following procedure: (q) That Section 5.7.5(3) is hereby amended to read as follows: 3. The Mayor shall have overall authority and responsibility for the administration of all

validated selection procedures, with the direct assistance of the Human Resource Director. The Mayor will make a good faith effort to recruit qualified minorities and females as examination or exercise panel members, assessors, or raters in its selection processes. It shall be the responsibility of the Mayor to ensure that, before assuming their duties, all exercise panel members, assessors, and raters receive appropriate training from a qualified source as determined by the Human Resources Department

of the City of Opelika. (r) That Section 5.8.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.8.2 Time in Grade Requirements The following total years of service within the Fire Department or Fire Service are required in order to promote as shown below.

At least twenty-four (24) months service is required to be eligible for consideration for promotion to the next ranking positions within the Fire Department except Fire Chief and the Administrative Coordinator

Rank

Min. Required Service Years

Apparatus Operator

2

Lieutenant

4

Captain

8

Battalion Chief

12 or 10 with 4-year degree

Deputy Chief

15 or 13 with 4-year degree

“Service” as used in this section means continuous, unbroken service from the employee’s most recent hire or promotion date with the City in his or her present position.

The positions of Fire Chief and Administrative Coordinator are exempt from years of service requirements. (s) That Section 5.8.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.8.3 Selection Procedure for the Positions of Battalion Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, and Apparatus Operator.

A composite assessment score obtained from the “Assessment Center” will be combined with the total points from a “plus and minus” evaluation of eight factors to determine a “final score” used to select for promotion.

The Fire Chief will prepare a list of candidates in a rank-ordered format and will be responsible for notifying candidates of their standing on the register.

Promotions will be made from the list of final scores in rank order and in accordance with the “Rule of 5 plus 1” procedure in Section 5.7.5. (t) That Section 5.8.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.8.4 Assessment Center The City uses validated examination procedures to selecting candidates for promotion in the Opelika Fire Department. These validated examinations are often referred to as the “Assessment Center”. The Assessment Center evaluations are designed to measure relevant knowledge, skills and abilities for the positions. Depending upon the position, a combination of written tests, work samples, role play exercises, and/or structured oral interviews may be used in the Assessment Center. The results of all validated examinations for a position will be combined to one numerical score in the range of 0 to 100. This numerical score will then be added to the total score from the plus and minus factors to determine the “final score” used to promote.

The Assessment Center is also pass/fail in that if an employee does not obtain a predetermined cutoff score, he or she is not eligible for promotion. (u) That the first paragraph of Section 4.5.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.8.5 Plus and Minus Factors The City uses the following eight validated factors in promotion decisions in the fire department: (1) formal education; (2) promotional training; (3) other fire service training; (4) attendance; (5) length of service; (6) disciplinary actions;

(7) awards and commendations; and (8) performance evaluations. Accordingly, these factors are listed on the plus and minus factor and will be used in promotion decisions in the fire department. (v) That Section 5.8.5(2) is hereby amended to read as follows: (2) Required for Promotional Training: Individuals who have completed training for the promotion for which they have applied will be awarded 1/2 point per completed course, regardless of when the course was completed (See the table below for courses required for specific positions). For example, if an individual was being considered for promotion to Lieutenant, points could be awarded for Fire Officer II, Paramedic, Haz-mat Tech, and Fire Inspector I, but would not be awarded points for Fire Officer II or Fire Instructor II, since those are required for Captain and not Lieutenant. In the latter instance, credit for completing the Fire Officer II or Fire Instructor II courses would be awarded credit as Job Related Training (see #3 below) if the training were completed within the last 5 years. Courses required for promotion to the next position would be counted as “Required Promotional Training” and cannot be simultaneously counted under “Job Related Training.” Prior to June 1, 2022, individuals who are promoted without completing the Required Promotional Training will have 12 months from the date of promotion to complete the training. Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the promotion. As of June 1, 2022, Required Promotional Training for each rank must be completed prior to being allowed to test for promotion to that rank in accordance with Section 5.8.6 Apparatus Operator Officer I A/O Pumper Aerial Pumper Instructor I Lieutenant All A/O Training Fire Officer II Paramedic Haz-mat Tech Fire Inspector I Captain (also Training Officer, EMS/Haz-mat, and Fire Inspector) All Lieutenant Training Fire Officer II Fire Instructor II Incident Safety Officer Public Information Officer Assistant Chief All Captain Training other than Paramedic Fire Officer III Fire Instructor III

Haz-mat Inc. Com. Fire Inspector II (w) That Section 5.8.5(6) is hereby amended to read as follows: 6. Disciplinary Action: Deductions will be made in accordance with the chart for disciplinary actions in the last three years. If there is more than one disciplinary action associated with one incident, only the highest deduction will be applied. For example, if there is a Written Warning (-2) and Suspension (-4) associated with the same incident, there would only be a deduction of 4 for those disciplinary actions. If there is a Written Warning (-2) and a Suspension (-4) related to two different incidents, there would be a deduction of 6. An individual who has received a final written warning within the last 18 months or suspension within the last 12 months at the time of testing is not eligible for promotion. If such disciplinary action is under appeal, it cannot be considered until final adjudication of the action. (x) That Section 5.8.6 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.8.6 Policy Regarding Training and Promotions The following training policy regarding the specific training required for promotion to the various positions in the fire department is hereby adopted and approved: In recognition of the importance of training in the fire service, individuals who are being considered for promotion will be awarded 1/2 point for each course required for the specific position for which they have applied. Prior to June 1, 2022, individuals who are promoted but have not completed the training, must complete the training indicated for that classification within 12 months after the effective date of the promotion. Individuals who fail to complete the required training in the 12 months following promotion will be demoted to the previous rank. Exceptions to this policy may be made for good cause, if failure to complete was due to reasons beyond the incumbent employee’s control, such as being called for active duty during the initial 12 months, or the needs of the fire department were such that the training could not be completed.

Effective June 1, 2022, all required training for the classification must be completed prior to an employee being eligible to test for promotion to that classification. Exceptions to this policy may be made for good cause, if failure to complete was due to reasons beyond the incumbent employee’s control, such as being called for active duty during the initial 12 months, or the needs of the fire department were such that the training could not be completed.

In order to receive maximum credit when being considered for promotion, employees are encouraged to take courses that are required for the next level prior to being considered for promotion.

Effective August 1, 2021, in the event that a vacancy exists within the department for any position other than entry-level, administrative coordinator, or a position that is appointed directly by the Mayor and where one of the following situations exists: A. no current departmental employee is eligible to test for promotion to the position or, B. no current employee has been tested within a valid testing time period and obtained a passing assessment center score and minimum required overall score on the Plus and Minus

Form.

The Fire Chief, with the approval of the Human Resources Director and the Mayor, may advertise the position publicly as described in Section 4.4.2.

The Fire Chief shall ensure that any applicant hired through the advertisement shall have, in the determination of the Fire Chief and the Mayor, comparable training, skills, and experience as would be required of a current Fire employee to fill the vacancy. .

Apparatus Operator Officer I A/O Pumper Aerial Pumper Instructor I Lieutenant All A/O Training Fire Officer II Paramedic Haz-mat Tech Fire Inspector I Captain (also Training Officer, EMS/Haz-mat, and Fire Inspector All Lieutenant Training Fire Officer II Fire Instructor II Incident Safety Officer Public Information Officer Assistant Chief All Captain Training other than Paramedic Fire Officer III Fire Instructor III Haz-mat Inc. Com. Fire Inspector II Prior to June 1, 2022 - Example A firefighter is promoted to apparatus operator and has completed A. O. Pumper. He or she must complete A. O. Aerial, E.V.O.C., and Firefighter II training in the 12 months following promotion. (y) That Section 5.9.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.9.1 General The following police department policies supplements the general City of Opelika Policy on promotions. These policies apply to promotions to all sworn positions within the police department except Police Chief.

A composite assessment score obtained from the “Assessment Center” will be combined with the total points from a “plus and minus” evaluation of validated factors to determine a “final score” used to select for promotion. The Police Chief will prepare a list of candidates in a rank-ordered format and will be responsible for notifying candidates of their standing on the register. Promotions will be made from the list of final scores in rank order and in accordance with the “Rule of 5 plus 1” procedure in Section 5.7.5. (z) That Section 7.1.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 7.1.1 Return of City Records and Property At the time of separation, or prior to payment of any final compensation, all records, assets, and other items of city property in the employee's custody will be returned to city control. The cost of unreturned assets or other City property will be deducted from an employee’s final paycheck as allowed by law. (aa) That Section 7.1.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 7.1.3 Final Compensation A separated individual will receive payment for all compensation that he is due. Final payment will be made at the end of the pay period in which he is separated or within a reasonable period, if additional time is needed to process the individual's final entitlement. Any indebtedness due the city will be withheld from his final compensation as allowed by law. (bb) That Section 7.2.1.2 is

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

B13 July 8, 2021 hereby amended to read as follows: Section 7.2.1.2 Request for Withdrawal of Resignation An individual may request that his resignation be withdrawn up to the earlier of the effective date of his resignation or the date upon which an employment offer is made to a selected replacement. Such a withdrawal request will be submitted in writing to the individual's Department Head. If the Department Head and the Mayor approve the request, the Department Head will notify the individual in writing and furnish a copy of his approval to the Human Resources Department. When the withdrawal of a resignation is approved, the individual will suffer no loss of benefits, entitlements, or pay. If the department head denies the request, he will notify the individual of his denial in writing and the individual will be separated on the effective date of the resignation. A copy of the denial will also be furnished the Human Resources Department. The individual may, however, apply for the vacancy along with other outside applicants in accordance with the vacancy notice and the guidelines of SECTION 4 if the job is advertised outside the City service. (cc) That Section 7.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 7.2.3 Disability Any employee may be separated from the city service when he cannot perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable accommodation as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act. (dd) That Section 8.2.1(k) is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 8.2.1(k) Firearm/ Weapon Possession - unauthorized possession and/or use of firearms, or other weapons including knives and explosives or other dangerous materials on/ in city property (other than such possession and/or use as may be required of law enforcement personnel in the line of duty or

by City Security Officers appointed by the Mayor). (ee) That Section 8.5.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 8.5.2 Procedures Before any action is taken against the employee, the disciplining individual will advise the employee orally of the reason(s) that he is considering disciplinary action and allow the employee an opportunity to respond. If the disciplining individual determines that the facts of the case do not support a written warning, the employee will be notified orally of such decision and advised that the matter is closed. If the disciplining individual determines that the facts of the case do support disciplinary action and a written warning is not necessary to correct the situation, he will issue the employee a verbal warning and advise him that in any future case more severe disciplinary action may be taken. If the disciplining individual determines that the facts of the case do support disciplinary action and a written warning is sufficient to correct the situation, he will prepare and deliver a written warning to the employee. Both the employee and the disciplining individual will sign the warning. A copy will be provided to the employee and a copy will be provided to the Human Resources Department for inclusion in the employee's personnel file. If the disciplining individual determines that the facts of the case do support disciplinary action, but more severe action is warranted, he will notify the employee orally

and proceed with the guidelines required for the anticipated disciplinary action. If an employee receives no additional written warnings of any nature during the following eighteen (18) months after receiving a written warning, he will not be disciplined further by the fact of reference to the past warning(s).

Form #0361 (Employee Written Formal Warning) will be completed for all written warnings and form #0362 (Employee Last Written Warning) for last written warnings. (ff) That Section 8.7.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 8.7.2 Notice of Proposed Action Before any action is taken against the employee, the disciplining individual will notify the employee in writing that he is considering a dismissal action and the employee has the right to request in writing within seven (7) calendar days a due process determination hearing concerning the allegation(s). A copy of the notice will be provided to the Human Resources Department for review and inclusion in the employee's file.

Form # 0351 (Notice of Possible Disciplinary Action) will be completed for all dismissal actions. (gg) That Section 10.1.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 10.1.2 Work Period In accordance with the provisions of the FLSA, a twenty-eight (28) day work period is established for non-exempt police classified, part-time, and temporary service employees who are engaged in law enforcement activities. A fourteen (14) day work period is established for employees who are engaged in firefighting. The actual date(s) and time(s) that the work period will commence for an employee will be determined by the Department Head. Those non-exempt public safety employees who do not meet the FLSA requirements to have a work period established or who do not have a work period established by the Department Head will have a workweek established in accordance with paragraph 10.1.1 above. (hh) That Section 10.1.3.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 10.1.3.2 Police/Fire/ Communication Schedules Police and fire employees will be assigned to either a general schedule as specified in paragraph 10.1.3.1 above or to an extended schedule shift as needed for the effective operation of the department. Normally, fire protection personnel who are required to work extended shifts will be scheduled to work twenty-four (24) hour tours of duty. Such extended shifts will involve twenty-four (24) hours on and forty-eight (48) hours off with three (3) shifts (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) being established to ensure adequate coverage. (ii) That Section 10.2.1.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 10.2.1.3. Overtime Police and Fire Personnel Law enforcement personnel (sworn officers normally scheduled to work a 28-day work period) shall be paid at one and onehalf (1 ½) of their regular rate for hours worked in excess of one hundred seventy-one (171) hours in any applicable twenty-eight (28) day work period.

Fire protection employees who are normally scheduled to work twenty-four (24) hour shifts shall be paid at one and one-half (1 ½) of their regular rate for hours worked in excess of one hundred six (106) hours in any applicable fourteen (14) day work period.

(jj) That Section 10 is hereby amended by adding a subsection to be numbered 10.4.4.5, which said subsection shall read as follows: Section 10.4.4.5 Health When considered necessary for the health of City employees due to a hazard to life or a serious risk to employee health, the Mayor may authorize closure of city offices and activities and/or a late arrival time or early departure time due to a life-threatening or other serious health risk. Such time will be reported on department attendance reports as administrative leave (hazard to health). When a hazardous health situation occurs, employees who are needed to perform essential City operations may be required to work.

Such employees will be notified by their supervisors when their attendance for work is required.

Part-time and temporary service employees will not be entitled to any pay for hazardous health risk leave. Time off for these individuals will be charged as leave without pay. (kk) That Section 10 is hereby amended by adding a subsection to be numbered 10.4.4.6, which said subsection shall read as follows: Section 10.4.4.6 Investigation When a serious allegation has been made against an employee or possible policy violation has been committed, the employee’s department head, with the approval of the Human Resources Director, may authorize the employee to be placed on administrative leave for a period not to exceed 7 calendar days (or 3 shifts for Fire shift personnel) in order to determine if any disciplinary action is warranted. The department head shall notify the Human Resources Director in advance of placing an employee on administrative leave for investigative purposes.

If required, the Mayor may upon recommendation of the department head, approve up to an additional 7 calendar days (or 3 shifts for Fire shift personnel) of administrative leave. While on leave due to an investigation, an employee is expected to be available during normally scheduled working hours to be contacted or called in to work by the employee’s Department Head or supervisor. The Department Head will ensure that such time will be reported on department attendance reports as administrative leave (investigation). (ll) That Section 10 is hereby amended by adding a subsection to be numbered 10.4.4.7, which said subsection shall read as follows: Section 10.4.4.7 Catastrophic Event Upon request by the Human Resource Director and an employee’s department head, an employee may be granted Administrative Leave at the discretion of the Mayor for a period not to exceed 14 calendar days (or 6 shifts for Fire shift personnel) for events including but not limited to short-term circumstances involving an unforeseeable catastrophic event affecting an employee that was beyond control of the employee and which renders the employee unable to attend work. (mm) That Section 11.7.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 11.7.1. Salaried Employees All exempt employees and such non-exempt employees as are designated salaried employees by the Mayor will be paid a salary each pay period.

Normally, such salary will be based upon an average of eighty (80) hours of work per pay period, except that fire protection

employees who are regularly scheduled to work extended twenty-four (24) hour shifts will have their salary based upon an average of one hundred twelve (112.62) hours of work per pay period. The actual salary will be determined by the hourly rate as established by the appropriate pay plan, its corresponding classification plan schedule, and the hours that are normally worked during the pay period. If the employees are regularly assigned to extended shifts, their pay will be determined in accordance with these guidelines. However, the extended shifts pay plan will be used to determine their rate of pay. (nn) That Section 11.7.5 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 11.7.5. Establishment of Pay upon Reassignment When an employee is reassigned to a new job in accordance with SECTION 5 EMPLOYEE TRANSFER, PROMOTION, DEMOTION AND TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT, his pay level will be established in accordance with the following guidelines. The new employee pay shall become effective in the pay period that the reassignment occurs and in accordance with applicable law. (oo) That Section 11.13 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 11.13 OTHER PAY SUPPLEMENTS The Mayor will establish eligibility criteria for an employee to be entitled to receive a particular pay supplement and the number of employees who may be awarded such supplement.

However, any individual who is being paid a supplement at the time of adoption of these policies and procedures will continue to draw such supplement so long as he continues to meet the eligibility criteria previously established for entitlement to supplement.

The City will pay eligible employees the following supplements: Fire Department Employees Only: Prior to August of 2021: (a) Emergency Medical Technician I

$10.00 per pay period (b) Emergency Medical Technician II $40.00 per pay period (c) Emergency Medical Technician III $200.00 per pay period An additional $1.25 per hour for each hour assigned to a rescue vehicle.

Effective August of 2021: Upon certification – (a) Emergency Medical Technician I $ 260 additional annual base salary. (b) Emergency Medical Technician II $ 780 additional annual base salary. (c) Emergency Medical Technician III $4,160 additional annual base salary.

An additional $1.25 per hour for each hour assigned to a rescue vehicle An additional $430 of annual base salary for Fire employees assigned to a twenty-four (24) hour shift schedule.

Police Department Employees Only: (d) Polygraph Operator

$50.00 per pay period (e) Detective: An amount equal to three percent (3%) of the two-week base salary per pay period. (Officers will draw Detective supplement pay only if they are assigned to the Investigative Services Section) All Applicable Employees: (f) Bi-lingual Pay An amount equal to three percent (3%) of the two-week base salary per pay period provided an employee meets the

requirements for bilingual pay: 1. Fluent in a non-English language 2. Job duties that require the use of non-English skills on a regular basis.

3. The employee must have direct public contact on a regular basis with residents or citizens who do not speak English.

4. The Human Resources Department may require the employee to take and pass a proficiency test.

5. Supplemental pay will be discontinued if the employee is reassigned to a different position where the usage of bilingual skills is no longer needed.

6. Employees receiving bilingual pay are expected to translate for employees who are not bilingual in the event such services are needed.

7. Employees receiving bilingual pay may be required to report to work during non-scheduled working hours and may have a role in disaster recovery efforts and may be expected to work during periods of emergency response by the City.

The pay supplement will be awarded the pay period following certification meeting the above criteria. (pp) That Section 12.5.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 12.5.2 Requirements for Participation in the Educational Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement Program (a) Only full-time classified employees are eligible. (b) Employees must have worked in a full-time capacity for the City for the previous twelve (12) months. (c) The employee must be in an active work status. (d) The employee must not have any serious disciplinary actions within the previous eighteen (18) months. Serious disciplinary actions are written final warnings, demotions or suspensions. The employee must be working at a satisfactory or better level of performance as determined by his/her performance evaluation. (e) Employees receiving financial assistance from other sources such as the school, or from any other source, Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), federal or state student loans, either subsidized or direct, financial assistance from a pre-paid tuition plan, military financial assistance, military grants, Pell grants, grants from non-profit or private organizations, scholarships, fellowships or any other type of educational assistance, including loans from any other source are not eligible for benefits under this Program. (f) Employees must have their application for educational assistance/tuition reimbursement approved by their Department Head, the Human Resources Director, and the Mayor. (g) It is expected that educational activities will not interfere with the employee’s work and unsatisfactory job performance during enrollment may result in forfeiture of all benefits under this Program. Efforts should be made to attend courses during non-scheduled work hours. If, however, this is not possible, courses may be attended during scheduled work hours subject to the approval of the employee’s Department Head and the Mayor. In the event that approval is granted for class attendance during employee’s scheduled work hours, the employee shall make up the missed time or use annual leave to cover time away from the workplace. It shall be the responsibility of the employee’s department head to ensure that missed time is fully made up or that annual leave is appropriately used.

(qq) That Section12.5.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 12.5.3 Eligible Education and Tuition Expenses (a) Educational assistance will be provided for courses of study which are directly related to the employee’s present job or which will enhance the employee’s potential for enhancement to a position within the City which the individual has a reasonable expectation of achieving as determined by the Human Resources department. (b) Eligible courses shall only be available through an accredited college, university, community college, technical school or business school approved by the Mayor. The educational establishment must have a campus within a sixty-five (65) mile radius of the City or online classes specifically approved by the Mayor – i.e. Columbia Southern University. (c) Reimbursable costs and expenses comprise registration fees, tuition, lab fees and shop fees. No other expenses shall be considered for reimbursement.

Employees are prohibited from requesting tuition reimbursement for allowable costs for which they have received financial support from other sources, such as the school, or from any other source, Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), federal or state student loans, either subsidized or direct, financial assistance from a pre-paid tuition plan, military financial assistance, military grants, Pell grants, grants from non-profit or private organizations, scholarships, fellowships or any other type of educational assistance, including loans from any other source. (d) The maximum reimbursement the employee shall receive within one (1) calendar year is $8,000 and $4,000 for one (1) semester. (e) Student activity fees, late fees, books, school supplies, parking fees, lodging, meals and transportation costs do not qualify for reimbursement. (f) Successful completion of coursework is defined as: • A grade of C (or 2.0) or better for an undergraduate course • A passing grade or better for a graduate course • A grade of “pass” for a pass/ fail course (g) Employees will be reimbursed using the following criteria: Associates and Bachelors Degrees Percent of Reimbursement / Grade Obtained 100% - A 85% - B 75% - C 100% - Pass (Pass/Fail courses) 0% - D, F or Fail (Pass/Fail courses) Master’s Degrees Percent of Reimbursement Grade Obtained 50% - A 40% - B 30% - C 50% - Pass (Pass/Fail courses) 0% D, F or Fail (Pass/Fail courses) (rr) That Section 12.5.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 12.5.4 Application for Participation in Program Prior to commencing any course of study, an employee must complete application form and forward it to the Human Resources Department with his/her department head’s recommendation. All requests for reimbursement must be approved by the Human Resources Director and the Mayor.

Employees will be notified of approval or denial of their reimbursement application by the Human Resources Department.

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14

B14 July 8, 2021 (ss) That Section 12.5.10 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 12.5.10 Continuation of Employment/Repayment of Reimbursed Tuition By implementing this program, the City, in good faith, is investing in its employees. There is an assumption that employees are participating in the program in good faith as well. If, within twenty-four (24) months of the date of successful completion of the course(s), the employee receives prohibited financial assistance from another source, terminates his/her employment, retires or resigns for any reason other than a reduction in force, is separated due to unsatisfactory service, or is dismissed from employment for cause, the employee shall be obligated to repay in full the last twenty-four (24) months of reimbursed fees.

In other words, all tuition assistance received by the employee within the last twenty-four (24) months of employment, except as otherwise provided herein, INVITATION TO BID 21019 Sealed bids for the construction of the New Police Department Training Facility shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, July 26, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. The successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for 2:00 pm Thursday, July 8, 2021, for prospective bidders.

The pre-bid conference will be located inside the City of Opelika 2nd Floor Conference Room, Opelika, Alabama.

After the meeting, there will be a site visit to the construction site.

Bid documents may be obtained from the City’s website at www.opelika-al. gov/Bids.aspx. Any technical questions should be directed to the Public Works Director at 334-705-5413 located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him by the City of Opelika.

All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: New Police Department Training Facility LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 06/24/21, 07/01/21 & 07/08/21 –––––––

shall be repaid to the City. If the employee retires due to disability or dies before the completion of the period of time specified above, he/she shall have no obligation to repay the City. Prior to the City’s reimbursement to the employee, the employee shall execute a Tuition Reimbursement Agreement which stipulates the terms of repayment of the course for which the City has paid should the employee voluntarily terminate employment, be dismissed, or be terminated for unsatisfactory service. To the extent allowed by law, the City may deduct the amount of any tuition repayment obligation from any compensation due and owing to employee at the time of separation from employment. When the Tuition Reimbursement Agreement has been executed by the employee, the Human Resources Department shall request the reimbursement check. (tt) That Section 12.5.12 is hereby amended to read as follows:

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF MARK RALEY MORRIS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 21st day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 21st day of June, 2021.

JAMES N. DELAMAR, JR. Legal Run 06/24/21, 07/01/21 & 0708/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF WALTER LEROY BOWMAN, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration with Will Annexed of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 24th day of June, 2021.

EDWARD EARL THOMAS, II Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF WILLIE G. SMITH, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 24th day of June, 2021.

KENNETH ROGER BLACK Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF PUBLICATION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA ELIZABETH MARTINDOWDELL V. GARNARD DOWDELL 43-DR-2020-000194.00 NOTICE TO: Garnard Dowdell must answer the Bill of Complaint for divorce filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, AL, within thirty (30) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Circuit Clerk located at 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801

Section 12.5.12 Short Courses, Seminars, Workshops—City SelectedThe City will pay the full cost of short courses, seminars, workshops, etc., when an employee is required to attend specific education and training for the benefit of the City.

Allowable expenses include tuition, materials, transportation, lodging and meals if such training is approved in advance by the department head. These types of training expenses are normally paid from the respective department training budgets. For the Police and Fire departments, each department head will compile a list of courses and training that provides significant benefit to the employee’s position or that is required for the position. These courses and training will be fully funded through the department budget for each employee.

By funding these items, the City, in good faith, is investing in its employees. There is an assumption that employees are participating in the program in

good faith as well. If, within thirty-six (36) months of the date of successful completion of the course(s) for the Police or Fire Department, the employee terminates his/her employment, retires or resigns for any reason other than a reduction in force, is separated due to unsatisfactory service, or is dismissed from employment for cause, the employee shall be obligated to repay in full the last thirty-six month of reimbursed fees. In other words, all tuition assistance received by the employee within the last thirty-six months of employment, except as otherwise provided herein, shall be repaid to the City. If the employee retires due to disability or dies before the completion of the period of time specified above, he/she shall have no obligation to repay the City. To the extent allowed by law, the City may deduct the amount of any tuition repayment obligation from any compensation due and owing to employee at the time of separation from employment.

Section 2. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any section, subsection, clause, sentence or phrase of this ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.

Section 3. Cumulative of All Other Ordinances. The provisions of this ordinance are cumulative of all other ordinances or parts of ordinances governing or regulating the subject matter as covered herein, provided, however, that all prior ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with or in conflict with any of the provisions of this ordinance are hereby expressly repealed to the extent of any such inconsistency or conflict.

Section 4 Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 5. Publication. The City Clerk of the City of

and with Hon. Russell K. Bush (334)737-3733 or thereafter a final judgment may be rendered in the Circuit Court of Lee County, AL, for Final Judgment of Divorce.

Legal run 7/1/21, 7/8/21, 7/15/21 &7/22/21

said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 29th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 29th day of June, 2021.

JOHN WESLEY ELLIS, III Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07//15/21

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF DAVID ROGERS SCUDDER and HANNAH RODGERS SCUDDER CASE NO.: 2021-356 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Unknown Father, address unknown Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by David Rogers Scudder and Hannah Rodgers Scudder on June 23, 2021, for the adoption of N.R.A.E. born on March 25, 2021 in Opelika, Alabama to Angel Echols.

A hearing has been set for the 4th day of October, 2021 at 10 0'clock am Central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Ross Kinder, 1400 2 1 st Way South, Birmingham, AL 35205 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published, or appear on the date of the hearing as set above to contest said Petition.

Dated on this the 24th day of June HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 7/8/21, 7/15/21, 7/22/21, & 7/29/21

––––––– IIN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH ANN VAUGHAN, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-337 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of June, 2021, 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.

JAMES DOUGLAS VAUGHAN Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE DIVISION S.D.F.W. a minor child (DOB: 09/22/2020), Case No. JU2020-243.02 NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: William Henry, putative father, and any unknown putative father of S.D.F.W. a minor child, born at The East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama on 09//22/2020 to Cynthia Walker. 'The legal Custody of S.D.F.W. was vested in the Lee County Department of Human Resources on September 23, 2020. William Henry and any unknown putative father must answer the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of William Henry and any unknown putative father filed in the Juvenile Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at the Lee County Justice Center, 231l Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, or thereafter, a final judgment may be entered in Case JU 2020-243.02 terminating his parental rights and placing the child for adoption.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Hon. Harold S. Patrick Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 741-0809 Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21, 07/15/21 & 07/22/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF JOHN WESLEY ELLIS, JR., DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of

––––––– NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF EMERSON JOSEPH DUHON, Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021-240 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of EMERSON JOSEPH DUHON are hereby granted to Sharon Lemoine on the 29th day of June, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Sharon Lemoine Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ________ CASE No.: 2020-214 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID SCOTT DARNELL, DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION have been granted to Jill R. Darnell on the 24th day of June , 2020 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 the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

JILL R DARNELL Legal Run 07/08/21, 07/15/21, & 07/22/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF HORACE R. HAYES, DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Deborah Black Hightower, as Executrix of the Estate of Horace R. Hayes, deceased, on the 28th day of June, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

Deborah Black Hightower, Executrix Of the Estate of Horace R. Hayes, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 07/08/21, 07/15/21, & 07/22/21 –––––––

––––––– NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: JEREMY BROWN gives Notice of intent to sell these vehicles at 1418 2nd Ave., Opelika AL, 36801 on July 25, 2021 at 1 P.M pursuant to subsection 32-133 of the Alabama Statutes.

JEREMY BROWN reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

Black 2007 Dodge Dakota SLT - VIN#1D7HE4­ 8P87S211352 Black 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster - VIN#1HD1CZ31 58K417455 Legal Run 07/08/21, 07/15/21 & 07/22/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA RE: IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARVIN EDWARD PARKER A/K/A MARVIN PARKER CASE NO.: 2021-366 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY EXECUTRIX Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to DENISE PARKER DIAL, on the 28th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. BY: James E. Hall, Attorney for Executrix.

Legal Run 07/08/21, 07/15/21, 07/22/21

Opelika, Alabama is hereby authorized and directed to cause this Ordinance to be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 6th day of July, 2021. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 7th day of July, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 7th day of July, 2021. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/08/2021

––––––– IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA ARMETTA JOHNSON, Plaintiff, V. CV-2021-900182.00 A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama, to wit:Lots 4 through 9, inclusive, in Block A of the Realty Investment Corporation, as shown on the Plat of Survey opf the said Realty Investment Corporation, which appears of record in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Plat Book 1 at Page 24., and MARY L. ROSS, THURDELL DRAKE, ZOLA LITTLETON, WILLIAM COOPER, and Unknown heirs or assigns of Arthur Cooper and Ida Mae Cooper, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 2nd day of June 2021, a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: Lots 4 through 9, inclusive, in Block A of the Realty Investment Corporation, as shown on the Plat of Survey of the said Realty Investment Corporation, which appears of record in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Plat Book 1 at Page 24.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 1st day of July, 2021.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-7496999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal Run 07/08/21, 07/15/21, 07/22/21 & 07/29/21 ––––––– NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF BARBARA D. CRUM, Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021-269 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of BARBARA D. CRUM are hereby granted to Edward C. Crum on the 28th day of June, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Edward Crum Legal Run 07/08/21, 07/15/21 & 07/22/21

B15 July 8, 2021

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B16 July 8, 2021

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED The Greater Peace Child Development Center is seeking applicants for the following jobs: • Child Development Center Director, • Kitchen Manager/Cook • Part Time Teacher For more information or to apply for these positions please email: alvena.williams@greaterpeacechurch.org or come by the Greater Peace Baptist Church office at 650 Jeter Avenue, Opelika, AL 36801.

HELP WANTED Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to fill the Full-time position of Maintenance Technician for properties in the Opelika, AL. . area. Duties will include, but not be limited to: Promptly handle unit and facility work orders Complete repairs in a consistent and correct manner

Provide excellent customer service Work well with other team members Willing to clean grounds as needed Be well organized to coordinate and perform unit and site inspections Able to complete make-ready of units proficiently Ideal candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in apartment maintenance (or similar skills). Candidates should have an understanding of and repair capabilities in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, appliance repair, and/or other tasks related to maintaining the communities in excellent condition.

HVAC Certification not required, but preferred. This position will offer competitive pay and benefit package.

Education: High school or equivalent (Required) License or certification: Driver’s License (Required)

HVAC Certification (Not required, but preferred) To apply please visit our office, located at 1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application on-line at http:// www.opelikaha.org/Default. asp?ID=123&pg=Employment+Opportunities HELP WANTED Auburn, Alabama homebuilder seeks an EXPERIENCED RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER capable of estimating materials and coordinating the construction of multiple homes concurrently. Local project. No traveling. Must possess good people skills, be computer efficient, and be capable of learning the use of scheduling and plan editing software. Building Construction or Architecture related degree/training or two years’ experience in a related position preferred. Email resume to carol@connerbros.com.

HOUSING AUTHORITY of the CITY OF OPELIKA 1706 TOOMER STREET P.O. Box 786 OPELIKA, ALABAMA 36803-0786 (334) 745-4171

JOB OPENING NOTICE DATE: May 12, 2021 1)

CLASSIFICATION:

Staff or Senior Accountant

2)

SALARY:

Depending on Qualifications

3)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

See Attached or go to www.opelikaha.org for job description and application

4)

PERSONS INTERESTED:

Submit resume and application with qualifications in writing to: opelikaha@opelikaha.org or via mail: Human Resources Opelika Housing Authority P.O. Box 786 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0786

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED (Please No Telephone Calls)

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE OR APPLICANT FOR EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION OR HANDICAP.

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334-745-4618

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