Opelika Observer 08-12-2021 E-edition

Vol. 13, No. 44

Thursday, August 12, 2021

O GROWS FARMERS MARKET EVERY TUESDAY FROM 3 TO 6 P.M. AUBURN'S CITY MARKET EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8 TO 11 A.M.

Opelika, Alabama

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

City of Opelika Kicks Off Opelika 2040 Comprehensive Plan CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA The city of Opelika is excited to kick-off the 2040 Comprehensive Plan project.

Opelika 2040 will serve as the city's official guide for future growth, land use and development for the next 20 years. Informed by community consensus, community vision, existing conditions and future potentials, the comprehensive plan will serve as a road map to the future by guiding policy decisions and helping the community achieve its long-term objectives.

“The comprehenSee 2040 PLAN, page A3

Johnny Lawrence: A Servant

Lee County mourned one year without Johnny Lawrence on July 31. We published this story on Lawrence in our Veteran’s magazine last year.

But, marking the oneyear anniversary of his death to COVID-19, we wanted to share it with you again. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife, Maggie Lawrence, and their daughter Julia.

There are those who didn’t have the opportunity to serve in the United States Military, those who may have wanted to, who

found other ways to support their country and veterans. Johnny Lawrence, who passed away from COVID-19 in August, left a legacy behind. Johnny was a former Auburn Fire Fighter, Battalion Chief and Lee County Commissioner, but he had a passion — a passion for serving veterans in Lee County.

“In 1984, Johnny was in school in Auburnhe was in ROTC, he was a paramedic at Auburn at the time and he had a catastrophic accident,” Johnny’s wife, Maggie, said. The accident, which broke Johnny’s knee, left him unable to join the military, as he once hoped

and planned. “He had plans to go into the military himself,” Maggie said. “He had seen friends go off to the Vietnam War at the fire department, he had a number of colleagues who were Vietnam veterans and Korean War veterans. He saw how the Vietnam veterans were received and treated. And he had a lot of close friends who were veterans.”

Although perhaps feeling left behind, Johnny began supporting these friends, neighbors and even strangers who were veterans, in any way he could. Johnny served his community as a firefighter for 29 years. “I was honored

to serve with Johnny Lawrence as a firefighter with the city of Auburn for almost 10 years,” said Joe Lovvorn, who is appointed to the Alabama House of Representatives.

“Johnny obtained the rank of Battalion Chief, and never lost sight of the value of each person working under his command.

He would spend one-onone time with every firefighter and took steps to mentor and guide people as they dealt with career and life steps. “Whenever we responded to stressful emergency scenes, he went out of his way to make sure you knew he was

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

feeling the emotions with you. He would often offer comic relief at his own expense, just to return a smile to someone’s face.” Maggie said that her husband did what he could

as a fire fighter but had more authority to institute plans once he became a Lee County Commissioner. Johnny served the county as a District 2 commissionSee LAWRENCE page A2

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

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9

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

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B12

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

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . B12 PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

FOR MORE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PHOTOS TURN TO B5

A2 August 12, 2021

LAWRENCE >>

FROM A1

er for 18 years. “One of the things, once he became a commissioner, he wanted to do was see Lee County do things beyond the ceremony,” Maggie said. “The mayor’s prayer breakfast on Memorial Day, is an important honor but he wanted the county to do things to serve veterans on a daily basis.” Lee County Probate Judge Bill English said that Johnny was passionate about educating the community on the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. “Veterans Day honors all veterans, Memorial Day honors those that lost their lives,” English said. “And to Johnny, that ultimate sacrifice concept was a pretty big deal to him.” Some projects that Johnny had a hand in or supported as a commissioner included the creation of the Veterans Court Program renaming the Lee County Meeting Center to the Bennie Adkins Meeting Center and naming Lee County as a Purple Heart County “Through the years he got into a lot of what we do, he was our representative on the LeeRussell Council of Government’s Board of Directors,” English said. “He really had his heart in the aviation community. He served on the airport advisory board for most of his 18 years in office.”

District 4 Commissioner Robert Ham said that he always assumed Johnny was a service member himself because of the respect he carried for veterans.

“I started noticing that Johnny never said the prayer at any county commission meeting that he didn’t include something about the men and women in armed services,” Ham said. “So he was very consistent about his appreciation for the people in the military.”

Johnny was also a supporter of student veterans at Auburn University. “He thought it was important that Auburn make it easy for veterans to come here

and to use the benefits that they had earned, in terms of earning an education,” Maggie said. Paul “Puck” Esposito had been working as a Commanding Officer of the Tuskegee Commanding ROTC Unit for only a couple of weeks before Johnny showed up at his door. Johnny told Esposito that he wanted to do what he could to help support veterans as a commissioner. Johnny wanted to connect ROTC units with veterans so both groups could benefit, Esposito said. The more the two worked together, the closer they became as friends.

“You know Johnny, you don’t just work with Johnny, you’re Johnny’s friend,” Esposito said. “And then you’re part of Johnny’s family. And once you’re in Johnny’s family, you’re part of it all, good, bad and indifferent. He just sucks you in and what a great, great person to have. I’m blessed to be able to call him my friend because he just got himself involved.”

Esposito took a position with the Veterans Resource Center at Auburn University in 2016, and Johnny continued to bring his ideas to Esposito for veterans at Auburn University. “He intertwined himself with us, but it wasn’t just what ‘I’m going to do,’ or ‘What you could do for me,’ but it was, ‘What we’re doing together,’” Esposito said. Johnny was a part of Operation Iron Ruck. Operation Iron Ruck involves the ROTC units and student veterans of both Auburn University and the University of Alabama marching from Auburn to Tuscaloosa, or vice versa, with the game ball before the Iron Bowl. Backwater BBQ will provide this year’s Thanksgiving meal to the student veterans and ROTC cadets who make the march. Wayne Wommack, owner of Backwater BBQ, said that this year, his business will call the 2020 meal the ‘Johnny Lawrence Memorial.’ In addition to feeding the student veterans and their families, Backwater BBQ will be feeding

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

veterans, law enforcement, first responders and firefighters at home, too. Wommack said they hope to feed 60 families this year through donations that the community has provided. This does not include the student veterans and ROTC cadets that they will feed on Operation Iron Ruck. Wommack did

not attend the meal for Operation Iron Ruck last year, but was supposed to attend with Johnny this year. “That conversation was the last eye-to-eye conversation I had with my friend,” he said. “So one of the points I’m trying to drive home this year is: don’t miss an opportunity to see your friends, see your family, tell them you love them.” Nationally, on average, 22 veterans commit suicide each day. Twenty-three commit suicide each day in Alabama, Wommack said. “Every event that we do, we try to honor a veteran, a first responder, a fireman, whoever, that has crossed a wire,” he said. “And just to make them, their family feel good about what their family member has done.” Veterans who come to Backwater BBQ for a meal will get a complete set up.

They will have some dried goods, canned goods and food made in-house. The meals

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will even have allergy options for those who are allergic to peanuts, for example, since the food is cooked in peanut oil, Wommack said. The student veterans and ROTC cadets will have a full meal on the march, too. “[In past years] Johnny pulls up and he unloads a smoked turkey, a fried turkey, be even more inviting for service members.”

He not only supported veterans at Auburn University but was a proponent of honoring veterans at a high school level. “He also thought it was important for young people to understand the history and to understand why people serve, the pain that people go through when they serve and kind of beyond the textbook,” Maggie said. Johnny met Blake Busbin when Busbin taught Johnny’s daughter, Julia, at Auburn High School.

But Johnny continued supporting the high school long after his daughter was no longer in Busbin’s class.

Johnny helped to create programs to honor veterans, educate high school students and create the Auburn High School Veterans Project, which Revere Busbin leads. “Johnny was just such a people person that whenever we would have a call for veterans to participate, he’d send an email: ‘Hey have you talked to this person before, have you met this person before,’” Busbin, who is a social science educator at Auburn High School, said. “And just his personal connection to knowing the life story of so many veterans in our community, he was one who would always have someone he recommended we speak to.” Johnny invited The Dixie Division Military Vehicle Club to participate in an event at Auburn High School, where students and veterans alike could take a look at the different military vehicles. Johnny was known around town for his military jeep. “Johnny loved military history and

a smoked ham, everything is sliced,” Wommack said. “There will be baked beans, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato cassaroles. I mean, it’s a full Thanksgiving meal like you’re sitting down at grandmother’s house.” Before his death, Johnny had even more ideas for the Auburn Student Veterans Association.

He dreamed of creating a Veterans Center of Excellence, Maggie said. This would be a site for a VA satellite clinic, perhaps, or give Auburn students a place to learn, practice and study in engineering or medicine. “His appreciation for those that serve carried over to his overwhelming appreciation for our military,” Lovvorn said. “Johnny was a true friend to service members and veterans. It was important to Johnny that Lee County was welcoming to all veterans, and he was always sharing ideas he had to

finding ways to honor our veterans,” Lovvorn said. “Johnny was a great example of someone that appreciated the freedoms we enjoy, and worked to repay his civic rent through community service. He would not only attend events, he would be a key organizer of any parade, fly-in or ceremony for our veterans.” The late commissioner often rode in these parades too, in his jeep, with a veteran at his side.

Often this was Lee County Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins, who passed away in April 2020.

“That’s one thing that just sticks in my mind, too, is Johnny driving around, especially Bennie,” Busbin said.

“Seeing the smile on Johnny’s face, being able to chauffeur around Bennie in his jeep is just an image that will aways stand out in my mind when I think of the both of them.” Johnny’s legacy lives on behind him through Maggie, his daughter Julia and the countless veterans he served in the community. “Those of us that counted Johnny as a friend, know the mold was broken after he was made,” Lovvorn said. “He would drop whatever he was doing to help any of us. As a firefighter, commissioner, photographer, family man, collector or by sharing a patriotic smile when driving the old army jeep down the road, Johnny Lawrence left Lee County better than he found it.”

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A3 August 12, 2021

Auburn Holds Annual Blessing of The City

odist Church prayed a blessing over the business community.

“Gracious God, we thank you that you give us all life,” Smith prayed. “You are the one in whom we live and move and have our being. We praise you for the fabric of this

community, for those who own and manage and help our community function every day.”

Smith prayed that the community would follow the Auburn Creed: I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own

home, and that I can best serve that country by “doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God. Charlie Craig, lead pastor for The Plains Church, prayed for residents and visitors of Auburn. The Plains Church is a new church

which will launch in Auburn on Sept. 12, Craig said.

“I want to say to the visitors of our city that you belong here and that this is a place of refuge for anyone and we want the blessing that we receive to overflow to you as

well,” he said. “So God, would you bless each and every one of us in our community so that we can be a blessing to those around us and around the world.”

Matt Mobely Cornerstone Church blessed the essential workers, healthcare workers, public safety workers and governmental officials of Auburn.

Mobely quoted scripture before beginning the blessing, citing Mark 10:45: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

“We give thanks today to those who are giving their lives in service to others,” Mobely said. “Father, we give you thanks today for those who serve our community, who selflessly serve for the good of others.”

in vision meetings, mapping and surveys to develop a successful blueprint for Opelika."

The comprehensive plan will address several topics, including land use, housing and neighborhoods, economic development, transportation and mobility, community facilities and infrastructure and parks and open space.

"When completed,

Opelika 2040 will be a product of the community, for the community, with a vision and recommendations guided by valuable input received from all stakeholders," said Planning Director Matt Mosley.

Over the next year, residents should stay active and aware of the project as it progresses. Updates and meeting dates/loca-

tions will be provided on the project website at https://hla.fyi/ OpelikaCompPlan. A Comprehensive Plan

Advisory Committee (CPAC) has been established by Fuller to oversee the project.

CPAC members list is

attached.

For more information, contact Mosley, cmosley@opelika-al. gov or 334-705-5166.

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Every year the city of Auburn hosts a blessing for the city, often called “Blessing On The Corner”.

This year, however, the event was held virtually and can still be viewed here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=gTI61z3F7Ag “Our community is filled with so many wonderful components that help make it the special place that it is,” said Anna Hovey, president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. “Today our ministers will pray a special blessing over each of those components and I’d hope that you’d also be mindful of these things throughout the entire year.”

Dr. Cory Smith with Auburn United Meth-

2040 PLAN >> FROM A1

sive plan will help us set goals and objectives and create an action plan for the community," said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller." We cannot do this without your help.

We need residents, business owners, community leaders and city staff to participate

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce located at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited.

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

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

A4 August 12, 2021

The Little Girl

SEAN DIETRICH

T

here once was a little girl who lived in a tiny town, in the far off land of south Alabama.

A beautiful little girl.

A girl with braided brunette pigtails, chocolate eyes, skinned-up knees and a cherub smile.

Hers was an era when men wore fedoras and women wore summer dresses.

An era when bulbous, chrome-covered Fords and Chevys traveled 12 mph on the main drag. When distant

radios sat in window sills, playing Bing Crosby, Eddie Fisher and of course, Les Baxter.

From her earliest years, the girl’s favorite activity in the world was dirt. Oh, how she loved playing in dirt. She loved to put her hands in dirt. She loved squeezing dirt.

She loved smelling dirt. Other girls played with porcelain dolls, others liked coloring books. She preferred straight mud.

Her daddy owned

the hardware store.

Her mama was a math teacher. They were your typical small-towners. Her father spent his days sitting behind a shop counter with a floor fan aimed at his sweaty face, selling roofing nails, fishing rods and toilet lids.

Her mother sat at a blackboard, teaching kids the cosine.

Meantime, if the little girl wasn’t playing in dirt, she was usually eating. She has always been a great lover of food. Namely, cake.

Cakes of all kinds. But also candy bars. You never saw anyone love candy bars more.

Her favorite candy bars were as follows: Pay Days, Baby Ruths, Snickers, Almond Joys, Butterfingers, Heath bars, Milky Ways, Hershey’s bars, Mounds, Crunch bars, Kit Kats, Mars bars, Three Musketeers, Twix, Reese’s Peanut

Butter Cups and pretty much anything else that comes in a wrapper and isn’t good for your teeth.

And don’t even get the little girl started on ice cream.

One of the girl’s inherent gifts was the ability to make flowers grow. She was good at it. Some people just are. This is why throughout the girl’s lifetime her fingernails were often dirty, her skirts were stained with soil, and her arms were usually tan.

When she got a little older she went to Huntingdon College, a Methodist school.

She left her Alabama hamlet, driving in her first-ever automobile.

She took Highway 31 straight up to Montgomery, seated behind the wheel of a giant gray Plymouth that looked like a seasick Moby Dick.

The car was junk.

Sometimes it didn’t

even crank. And once you got it going, if you braked at an intersection the engine would die. So she learned to completely ignore stop signs. A lifelong habit she would carry into old age.

Going to a Methodist college was fun. Like all good Methodist girls, she would often sneak beer into the dorms, icing longneck bottles in the lavatory sinks, trying hard to ignore the framed portrait of Jesus on the wall.

Late at night, the girls would all congregate in someone’s room, sitting on filthy dormitory floors, eating homemade cookies and smoking unfiltered cigarettes. They would burn the midnight hours laughing and discussing the philosophical topics that all devout Methodist girls discuss.

Methodist boys.

But mostly the girls

just rode around in that hideous car. They took famously fun trips through town. And whenever the ugly car would approach a busy intersection, local traffic cops, who recognized the vehicle, would halt traffic to let the girl’s Plymouth blitz through the stoplight so she wouldn’t have to tap the brakes.

When the car rolled by, five or six beautiful girls leaned out the windows, blowing kisses to the patrolman, hair flying in the wind, all screaming, “Thank you, officer!”

And it was probably the greatest day of that officer’s life.

The girl eventually married. She settled down. She had kids.

Three of them. Two girls and a boy. She had a cute house. A nice backyard. Many colorful flowers.

She did the usuSee DIETRICH, page A5

Alabama Bucket List: Chewacla

BRADLEY ROBERTSON

I

n the beginning, Chewacla was not on our bucket list. I hought, “everyone local knows about Chewacla. Why include it?” I shortly realized my own little Shep had never been to Chewacla, and he’s six years old. I also

began to think of all the other local kids who had not yet had the opportunity to enjoy Chewacla. So this one is for Shep, and all the other kids and moms who need a convenient and adventuresome day out.

My mother took us to Chewacla pretty regularly growing up.

She’d pack a picnic, maybe a few towels and extra clothes and off we went. It was easy and simple and not a big fuss to get going. This is what I love about Chewacla today. It’s a grand adventure for kids with minimal effort and work from mom.

Located in Auburn,

Chewacla is a short drive for anyone.

It’s the coolest bit of outdoor space in our own backyard.

Whether you have just a couple hours of fun or spend an entire day, Chewacla will not disappoint.

We began our Chewacla adventure just after lunch on a Thursday. I packed a simple bag with beach towels and a few snacks and drinks for the trip back home. It was the perfect day to go because there was no one there. I’m betting the weekends are much busier, so plan to take your family on a weekday.

Another great bonus to Chewacla is easy

access in and out.

From the front entrance to the top of the hill to visit the waterfall is fewer than five minutes.

We quickly paid our entrance of $8.

The short drive up is a beautiful canopy of tall, luscious trees.

We rolled our windows down and the kids were giddy with their heads out the window and hair in the wind.

We arrived to an open green space atop a small mountain.

The kids jumped out, no time to waste when on the hunt for something new.

The trail to the waterfall is easy to find and an easy

stroll downhill.

You can hear the gushing falls among the shade trees. My children are fast and there is no walking involved except by me. They scurried down the hill in less than two minutes, dodging large roots and swinging on tree limbs. I have always admired the way they own every space they come into. No holding back, taking it all in and living in the moment.

When we arrived at the bottom, but stopped in our tracks at the beauty all around us. We found a tropical oasis on the outskirts of our little town. Towering trees,

rocks and beautiful rushing falls into pools and pools of freshwater.

My kids’ shoes were off in seconds and in true Sissy fashion, I quickly spotted her in her bathing suit wading into the water.

It’s a sight to see and a playground fit for anyone. Sissy and Shep jumped and skipped from rock to rock in search of the perfect space to explore and play. I followed behind, to enjoy their delight and make sure they don’t turn into daredevils, which usually ends up happening a time or two.

See ROBERTSON, page A5

THE KING AND I

WENDY HODGE

A

package came in the mail today. Thriftbooks has sent me the book that’s been on my wish list for quite a while now. The package is oversized, and sealed so securely that it takes both hands and a chainsaw to finally open it. And there it is — The Elvis Presley Solid Gold Memories Scrapbook.

Elvis’s young face with his crooked smile looks up at me, and I am lost in those eyes.

The book is heavy,

soft-covered, larger than a novel and filled with photographs (both staged and candid) of the legend’s life, with an emphasis on the younger years. Let’s face it — the later years weren’t so pretty to look at.

But this is no ordinary book; not for me, anyway. Just opening the cover takes me back to the summer of 1977.

It’s been 41 years since I first held a copy of this book in my hands, and yet it feels as if no time has gone by at all.

That was a watershed summer in my young Southern-girl life. My granddaddy was sick … my granddaddy, who was larger than life, stronger than Samson and braver than Batman, was lying in a bed out in their country home. We spent a good part of every day that June, July

and August — my aunt and cousin, my mother and I — in that house.

The adults cooked meals and fed their dad while my cousin and I drifted listlessly outside in the baking sun and then back into the stillness of a house that’s slowly losing the man who built it.

I loved my granddaddy, but I feared him as well. He was a state trooper, and he carried himself like one. His hands were massive, and you could see how easily he could wield them as weapons. But he was only ever gentle with us. He gardened with those hands and petted his beloved dog.

His artificial leg was an endless source of curiosity, like when you’re having a conversation with someone who has a bit of food stuck in their teeth and you can’t

seem to focus on anything else — that was my relationship with the few inches of pink plastic limb that peeked out when he sat down and his pant leg rode up. I would stare until I shivered.

He never showed discomfort with the absence of his leg. In fact, it was never mentioned.

It wasn’t until later in life that I learned that he lost that leg when he was protecting a school yard full of children from a rabid dog. The dog lunged, and he fired off two shots. One killed the dog, and the other killed his right leg from the knee down.

He was a skilled craftsman who could build anything. He could also take a plant that looked as if it had died a month earlier and have it producing fruit inside a week. He just

had that touch. But he was not the kind of man who hugged his grandkids or took us fishing.

He was quiet and felt most at home with his own private thoughts.

I think that was why I feared him. I loved him, but I knew instinctively that he was far more important to me than I was to him. So I held myself at a distance, much like the offspring of a very brave king.

Illness had shrunken him, the way it often does. He looked small and lost, and it felt like an invasion of his privacy when I looked at his face. Each day he got smaller and less present.

It was Aug. 15 when my granddaddy stopped breathing. There was no fanfare or outbursts from any of us who were there. There was, instead, an exhalation. It was as if the vitality was

gone from inside those walls. The house would, indeed, never feel the same again. A very large presence leaves a huge hole behind.

The next day, my aunt drove my cousin and I to the store. It was an errand meant to fill time — something we did because we honestly did not know what else to do. My mother was handling the arrangements.

The rest of us were left to wade through the aftershock that is the beginning stage of grief.

The radio was playing as it always did in my aunt’s car. And then there was an interruption with breaking news. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, had died suddenly that morning.

I’d heard his name and his music, but I was only nine years old. I See HODGE, page A5

A5 August 12, 2021

East Alabama YFC Collects Bibles, Backpacks For Local Teens CONTRIBUTED BY EAST ALABAMA YFC While some organizations are struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic, Youth For Christ (YFC) East Alabama finds just the opposite is happening for them.

“Ironically, COVID helped us expand our ministry efforts,” said Tabitha Vasilas, Executive Director at East Alabama Area YFC. The local YFC chapter found its ministry growing despite the COVID restrictions at many of the ministry sites. When Vasilas first came on board, YFC was only serving two of the five chartered counties throughout East Alabama. During the pandemic, however, “We expanded ministry into two additional counties, and then added another county to our chartered area here recently,” she said.

Over this past

ROBERTSON >>

FROM A4

We parked it here at the falls for well over an hour, and they still didn’t want to leave.

Sissy actually climbed into the falls and my heart was a nervous wreck. I watched as she maneuvered her little body on the rocks pouring over every edge with water.

She loved it. She is an adventurous girl, learning to be in her skin and embracing the wonder inside her.

Our next stop after the falls was the playground. I’m

HODGE >>

FROM A4

had not reached the age of cultivating a style of music that was my own preference. I was still at the mercy of whoever’s hand drove the car and tuned the radio. So this news didn’t strike me the way it did my aunt.

She was a diehard Elvis fan. She’d been to more than one of his live concerts, had every record he’d ever made, and had seen his movies more than once. Her prize possession, in fact, was a scarf Elvis himself had tossed to her during one of those concerts.

“He wiped his forehead with it before he threw it to me, so it has his very own sweat on it.

Elvis’s sweat!” She had told me that story often, each time with rounded eyes and a slap-happy grin that I associated with Christmas morning and the last day of school.

year, YFC learned that most of the youth it serves have no basic knowledge of the Word of God. Vasilas commented, “We learned that, despite the fact that we are located in the ‘Bible Belt,’ many of our students don’t own a Bible or even know basic Bible stories or characters such as Noah or Moses.”

Consequently, East Alabama YFC began a campaign to collect Bibles and backpacks for children in the detention center and schools.

The goal is to collect 500 Bibles and backpacks, then distribute them to children in the community who need them.

“I did some research and found it devastating; statistically, only 4% of Generation Z members (youth ages 11-19) have a biblical worldview,” Vasilas said. “This is a disturbing and alarming statistic. It is evidence of how far we have

removed God from our society. Without His standard of morality to influence and shape their thinking and decision-making, our youth will remain without hope.”

Vasilas and the YFC team found a serious problem when looking further into the struggles of the local kids in the community.

“We're seeing greater numbers of issues: identity struggles, insecurity, depression, mental health … We asked school administrators, ‘What's the number one need?

How can we serve you?’ They answered unanimously, ‘Can you get us mental health services? Kids as young as kindergarten are suicidal, and it's just awful,’” she commented.

“With all the many different voices coming at the youth of our society, and the access that they have to things we didn't have growing up, it

is just overwhelming for them and leading them into very, very dark places,” Vasilas said.

“We believe that The Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

And that Jesus is the light and hope of this world — the way out of the darkness. The Bible says, ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.’ And the word of God is the truth, and it points to the truth, which is Jesus. Jesus is the solution to everything. The youth desperately need access to the Bible in order to discover for themselves who this Jesus is and what he has done for them.

“At East Alabama YFC, we’ve found it’s the presence of caring adults that are willing to share the Truth in love that really makes the impact on youth,” Vasilas said.

For a generation who tend to identify themselves as hav-

ing no religion at all (the “nones”), these key moments of interaction are just as important as getting the Bible and backpacks into their hands.

YFC has chapters impacting thousands of communities across the nation that seek out and serve youth from all walks of life. Many teens are silently struggling through a variety of challenging issues — and now they see the living power of a loving God. YFC encourages staff and volunteers to be good news while also sharing the stories of the Good News of Jesus. It involves building relationships through the ups and downs of everyday life in order to lead people to Christ.

YFC has been a pillar of missional ministry since 1944, when the Rev. Billy Graham served as YFC’s first fulltime staff member.

Since then, Youth For

Christ has continued to be both a rural and urban ministry on mission, and it is always about the message of Jesus.

YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement.

Youth For Christ operates in over 100 nations and has approximately 140 chapters that impact communities across America.

Visit the Youth For Christ media page here. Learn more about Youth For Christ at its website, www.yfc. net, Facebook and Instagram pages, Twitter feed @yfcusa or on Vimeo.

pretty sure my kids will never outgrow a playground. They are like little monkeys.

They have to see and touch every little piece and find out all its fun for themselves.

It always makes me laugh. This is a vintage park, by the way, a special straight from the 70s. Maybe that’s why they like it so much. There are picnic tables everywhere and an excellent view of the swimming lake, which is in walking distance.

After a good 20 minutes at the playground, I coaxed

them towards the lake for a swim.

We walked over a wooden bridge and arrived lakeside within seconds. The lake was empty and still, but that didn’t last long. Sissy dove right in and quickly swam her way to the diving platform.

They have a highdive here that I’m guessing also dates back to the 60s or 70s.

Sissy shimmied up, took a good long look and then jumped off.

It’s very clean at Chewacla and the lake felt so good after our journey to

the waterfall. Shep is forever cautious around water, but he eventually wiggled in, life jacket on.

And low and behold, this kid amazed me and jumped off the high-dive. I could not believe it. One and done for him. He will do practically anything his sister tells him to.

Another bonus to Chewacla, especially for adults and older children, are the bike paths. The park has worked hard the last few years to develop and grow this unique style of fun.

Wooden paths, ramps and cycling through the forest are great for outdoor activities. My older kids have been often with their cousins and absolutely love it.

What makes Chewacla so great is it is fit for any age group of children, babies to teenagers. All the fun and activities are accessible by car, with short, easy walks.

All of the property is clean and well kept with plenty of picnic space. Campsites are well kept and Chewcla also has a

small selection of cabins.

Shep loved his first trip and the kids have already asked when we are going back. Next time, I’m planning to pack up food to grill out with the Farmer and Braxton. Chewacla is our own secret garden, away from the busy everyday life of parenting. Take time this summer to make a trip or two, your kids will thank you for it.

Publisher's Note: This column was previously published in the Observer in 2019.

As the radio crackled on, my aunt put on the blinker and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. She began to cry, silently at first with her face in her hands.

This escalated to sobs and progressed to wails – shoulder-shaking, nose-running, flat-out hysterical shrieks of grief. She was having a come-apart right there on Opelika Road at 10 o’clock on a Tuesday morning. My cousin and I sat slack-jawed, staring, absolutely riveted in place with awkward embarrassment, waiting and praying for this emotional storm to pass.

I was too young to understand that, for my aunt, the news of Elvis’s death gave her permission to grieve for the father she missed so much. It was as if a door had been opened for her, and she plunged across the threshold.

That same door opened for me, and I felt my lips begin to quiver. All

it took was for my aunt to reach into the back seat and pat my leg, and the dam burst. I wailed right along with her.

My cousin, still slightly shocked, finally joined in. And so we sat there, the three of us, in a beat-up old Nova bawling like babies while one Elvis song after another filled the air.

Eventually we did make it back to the sad house in the country.

We made it through the funeral and the days and weeks following that.

Life became normal again – normal, but altered.

My birthday was the following month, and my aunt took me to lunch. Just the two of us. She had a gift she’d found that she thought would be perfect for me. And it was. When I opened The Elvis Presley Solid Gold Memories Scrapbook, I saw that face that had been all over the news for weeks. I saw how

handsome he was, even if my little-girl heart couldn’t quite identify him as sexy. I saw what his fans saw. But I also saw my granddaddy – in the way they both carried themselves, so certain of their path and so comfortable in their uniqueness. Both of them untouchable for me, elusive and now forever gone.

And just like with my granddaddy, I couldn’t look away.

I don’t know what happened to that Elvis Presley Scrapbook, and that surprises me. I keep treasures, but somehow that one did not stay with me. But thanks to the miracle of the internet and ThriftBooks. com, I found one just like it. It’s even slightly worn around the edges.

I think I’m going to let myself believe it’s the same one my aunt gave me way back in the summer of ’77.

I think the King would like that.

DIETRICH >>

FROM A4

al mom stuff. She changed cloth diapers, attended school plays, went to Little League games. She was in Civic League, she made ridiculously good deviled eggs and she could whip up a tomato chutney that made grown men see visions.

And then she grew old.

It all happened so fast that hardly anyone noticed.

Why does age work like that? Why do the years get shorter? Why does life itself whirl past us at a breakneck tempo?

Her lifetime went by like a veritable blur. Often she wonders where it’s gone.

It seems like only yesterday afternoon that her lean, youthful body was seated

behind the great wheel of that godawful Plymouth.

Today, however, she lies in her hospice bed, drifting in and out of consciousness. She stares out her bedroom window, looking at her rainbow of geraniums, begonias, pansies, lantana, impatiens, and hydrangea-like clusters.

I’m sitting beside her, writing this.

My thoughts are interrupted when she struggles to speak through the confusion that overwhelms her mind.

But eventually she gets the words out so that we can understand her.

“Please,” she says.

“Don’t forget to water my flowers.”

We won’t, of course. We will never forget. Because we all know how much this girl loved playing in the dirt.

A6 August 12, 2021

United Way Kicks Off Campaign The United Way of Lee County kicked off its annual campaign by packing 20,000 meal kits for local people in need.

The United Way of Lee County supports 25 local agencies in the area through support and funding.

“United Way does so many great things for our county,” said EMA Director Rita Smith, who brought her team to the event to help pack bags. “They are phenomenal. They do a lot of great things to help a lot of agencies, a lot of individuals, a lot of people.”

Each year it holds an annual campaign from August through December, but the food packing event was a first.

The United Way of Lee County partnered with Numana to package the 20,000 meal bags at the Food Bank of East Alabama.

The meal bags each contained rice, a soy protein, freezedried pinto beans and

vitamins and minerals.

Director of the Food Bank of East Alabama Martha Henk said the food bank was glad to participate, have volunteers in their building and be able to pack food for those in need.

“We’re very proud to be able to be the site for this event,” Henk said. “We feel privileged that United Way asked us to be the host. We see it as just a complete win-win all the way around. So, we want to support United Way in their campaign that benefits a whole lot of agencies, including the Food Bank. So we want to have a very successful campaign.

But, also we’re delighted to have a great supply of food.”

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said he attended the event in support of both United Way and the food bank.

“They are serving so many people,” he said.

“There is such a need for organizations that make sure that people that are food insecure are able to put a meal on the table.”

The food packing

event, sponsored by the Industrial Development Board of the city of Auburn, was the official campaign kickoff and United Way of Lee County hopes to raise $925,000.

The campaign began Aug. 4 and will run through Dec. 15, with different events throughout, including the Boo Box Sale, ‘Lead the Way Wednesday’ and Santa on the Corner.

“The mission of the United Way includes ‘increasing the organized capacity of people to care for one another,’ and I Feel like today was an example of how we work to fulfill that goal,” said Leigh Krehling, campaign chair for the United Way, in a press release from United Way. “Seeing everyone working so enthusiastically today was incredible. I see a community energized and ready to show up for the families in need of a helping hand this year.”

For more information, visit: unitedwayofleecounty. org.

Blount County Native With AU, UA Ties Tapped To Lead State Young Farmers Division CONTRIBUTED BY MARLEE MOORE The Alabama Farmers Federation is welcoming a familiar face as director of its Young Farmers Division. Hunter McBrayer, a commodity director whose roots run deep in the Young Farmers program, will begin his new role on Aug. 23.

McBrayer said he is eager to travel the state, meet with members on their farms, increase engagement and help Young Farmers be more successful.

“I am excited to begin the next chapter of my Federation career,” McBrayer said. “Working for the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department allowed me to see the deep purpose of our policy and how it drives our organization from the ground up. It involves all farmers, young or experienced.”

McBrayer joined the Federation three years ago, serving as director of the Bee & Honey and Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod divisions. He also served as executive director of the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.

The Blount County native and former Alabama Cooperative Extension System agent has earned the respect and appreciation of members for his work on projects rang-

MCBRAYER ing from Sweet Grown Alabama and hemp production to developing new transplant suppliers for the state’s strawberry growers.

An alumnus of the Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) program, McBrayer was an avid competitor in Young Farmers contests, including Discussion Meet, where he was a three-time finalist.

“The Young Farmers program opened the door for me to learn more about the vital role the Federation can play in improving the lives of our farmers and rural Alabama,” McBrayer said. “I look forward to forging new relationships with Young Farmers across the state and working alongside staff in bringing in the next crop of Federation leaders.”

Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan said he’s excited about the future as the Federation

celebrates its centennial.

“Hunter has a passion for leadership development and already has strong relationships with many of our Young Farmers through the Leaders program and the Federation’s commodity divisions,” Pinyan said.

“I’m excited about the development of our next generation of leaders.”

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in biology, McBrayer is finishing his master’s degree with Auburn University. He and wife Brooke, who is Communications Department assistant for the Federation, have a 15-monthold son, Mason. They live in Deatsville.

McBrayer replaces Young Farmers Division Director Jennifer Christenberry. The nine-year Federation veteran is transitioning to a new, part-time role with the Alabama FFA Foundation and leadership development, including the A.L.F.A. Leaders program.

Pinyan said Christenberry is a natural fit for the FFA Foundation, having served as a state and national FFA officer.

Christenberry said she is excited to continue her work with Leaders while having more time with her husband, John, and son, John David. The Christenberrys reside in Montgomery.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS: Aug. 13: Not Our First Goat Rodeo at the Gogue Aug. 13: OTC's "Descendants" Opening Night Aug. 18: Auburn University Sustainability Picnic at the Davis Arboretum

Former Principal Laura Hartley Enjoys Gardening, Canning in Retirement PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

fter serving as principal at two Opelika City Schools, Laura Hartley retired in 2017 and has been enjoying gardening with her husband Marrell at a farm where her grandparents and parents farmed. Laura also enjoys making fruit jams, canning and freezing the bounty of fresh vegetables and sharing them with family and friends.

Laura was principal of Southview Primary School for six years and then became the principal at Northside for five years. When she retired from Opelika schools, Laura began working at a

school in Lanett where she was administrator of their cafeteria program.

With a love for children, Laura missed kids and went back to the classroom in Georgia and taught fourth grade. While she enjoyed teaching, she resigned when her mother became ill in order to help take care of her.

After their son, Graham, graduated early from Opelika High School, the Hartleys moved to Pine Mountain, Georgia, last winter. Their other son, Bence, lives in Montgomery and is serving in the Alabama National Guard.

Marrell has continued to work at Beshears Kubota in Opelika.

The Hartleys downsized from their Laura Hartley, right, is pictured with friend Becky Saggus as they look over canned spacious home in the items from the garden. Laura is sharing recipes for making fruit jams and canning Camelot neighborhood vegetables. Photo special to the Observer. to a 1,000-square-foot cottage near the Lodge them to the butterfly laway, this summer gardened before, they on Callaway Gardens center and the discovthey have spent most decided to give it a property. They enjoy of their time at their ery center.

She voltry since most of the living there and not farm, which is an hour unteers in the gardens equipment was still at having yard work to and a half away in and helps water some the farm. do. Instead, they are Clay County, Alaof the displays.

Laura had helped spending time at the Laura also volunbama.

Laura’s father her parents garden lake and beach, as grew up at the farm teers at Focus, a nonwhen she was growwell as riding bikes on and helped build the profit Christian outing up on Andrews trails throughout the farmhouse when he reach program, in Pine Road in Opelika. property. was 20 years old.

Mountain. This fall She remembered the “There are so many Laura and Marrell names of the vegetaincredible things right she will be teaching a garden on the same cooking class one day bles that she helped here, and we spend grounds that her her parents plant. The time at all the different a week for teenagers grandparents and her and their mothers.

Hartleys purchased places," Laura said. parents farmed.

While While they are enWhen family and See CIPPERLY, page A10 the Hartleys had not friends visit, they take joying living at Cal-

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Next weekend, Auburn Area Community Theatre will open its production of “End Days”.

The show, which is based in the aftermath of 9/11, will focus on a dysfunctional family coping with the tragedy of 2001.

Andrea Holliday, AACT’s artistic director, said she has wanted to perform “End Days” for a while, but felt it

should be performed around 9/11. And this year — the show will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“This play is set a couple of years after 9/11 and we want people to know that it’s a comedy but it’s really hard to shop a comedy about 9/11,” Holliday said. “This family has been wounded. They've lost touch with each other. They don’t understand each other. They don't even talk to each other. And this weird little dysfunctional

family that’s been traumatized by 9/11, you learn these facts one at a time.”

The show is a small cast performance with only six performers. But they have been preparing since June, three nights a week.

“This particular show and I think the reason that we chose it, was coming out of a pandemic, we were just wanting to put our toe in the water and test and see what the audience’s response is going to be,” said Director See AACT, page A9

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Auburn Prepares for 'End Days'

Descendants to Open Aug. 13

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Don’t you want to be evil? Sounds like a strange question. But when asked

by Maleficent to her teenage daughter — things begin to make a little more sense.

The cast has been hard at work since March and will open the show, Descendants, on Aug. 13.

For many of the actors and actresses, this is not their first performance with OTC. Some have been with the production company for years.

But one thing that many in the ensemble had to learn — how to work with a mixed cast of both children and adults.

Learning Young: Children are giggling,

teasing each other as they run across the Southside Center for the Arts, a spacious room that has now been outfitted with painted scenery representing Auradon Prep.

Director Marty Moore is gathering the young thespians together to practice something specific — walking across the stage so they don’t sound, as she later puts it, like a herd of Water Buffalo.

The children taking Moore’s acting class are learning the fundamentals of everything theatre-related — projecting their voices, walking quietly but purposefully, how to give a monologue, how to sing and dance and more.

“In April, when we first started, we kind of went over music a lot,” said Camilla Kitchens, 11,

who is playing the role of the Fairy Godmother’s Daughter. “We’d sit in the piano room with our music teacher and we’d just go over vocals.”

By the end of May, the group was choreographing and blocking their scenes.

In early July, blocking was finished and the group had a month to begin running the show through from start to finish.

The young performers are learning, too, about working with other people.

“The most difficult part is having chemistry with the people you’re working with,” Kitchens said. “In the show, there’s a couple people that I don’t like in real life, but I have to like in the show. I would just say it’s the chemistry that See THEATRE, page A12

A8 August 12, 2021

Making the Grade: On the Road to West Point, Georgia

T

uesday, Aug. 3, 2021, marked the second time that Mike and I haven’t gone back to Long Cane Middle School in LaGrange, Georgia, to teach with the most amazing faculty and staff on the planet. As teachers, Mike and I were very blessed to work with people we considered family and not just co-workers. We loved and supported each other at all times.

In addition, Mike and I had the best administrators in Troup County: Mrs. Glisson, our principal, and Mrs. Smith, Mrs. McInvale and Mr. Placide, our assistant principals. In May 2020, during the darkest days of the pandemic, our four administrators drove to all their teachers’ homes to deliver goodie bags during Teacher Appreciation Week. They even came all the way to our home in Auburn, as well as other places like Opelika, Valley, Columbus, etc. That really touched our hearts.

Mike and I both teared up when they left. No other administrator had ever gone to that much trouble for us.

Since we worked with and for people of that caliber, it feels a little sad when we don’t go back to school in August. Also, I taught for over half my life and Mike taught for exactly half of his. We are proud to have been a part of the teaching profession. In fact, I still have an old sweatshirt in my closet which says, “Teaching — the profession which creates all others.”

Mike and I had a great

like it) and a side of French fries. However, I chose the 7-ounce Pokey Burger with American cheese and fries. After all, it had been 17 months since I had eaten my favorite cheeseburger in Troup County, Georgia. All right, I see you grinning, so I’ll be honest.

I ALWAYS pick the full-sized Pokey Burger with cheese.

As usual, my cheeseburger was indescribably delicious.

Cheeseburgers made at Mom and Pop restau-

rants are always the best to me. Our friends’ Lil’ Pokes were also terrific, as were Mike’s grilled cheese sandwich and Jeannie’s chicken salad. Traviera also enjoyed her double chocolate chip cookie with cream in the middle. However, Traviera is young and in great shape. Since I’m neither, I passed on dessert, for once.

Besides incredible burgers, Pokey’s 8th Street Grill also offers a variety of sandwiches, tacos, catfish, chicken tenders, nachos and salads. The restaurant sells chicken salad, pimento cheese, broccoli salad and coleslaw by the half pound or pound if you are planning an event.

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

30-year run; however, our time is past. Now it’s time for another generation of young teachers to take our places.

On Aug. 3, Mike and I had a blast because we met some of our LCMS teaching family for lunch in downtown West Point, Georgia. We met them at Pokey’s 8th Street Grill. Mike and I hadn’t eaten there since we were teachers. We were really excited to see our teaching family. Also, I was happy to get to eat at Pokey’s because they make the best cheeseburger in Troup County, Georgia.

Pokey’s 8th Street Grill is a family owned and operated business and has been serving West Point since 2015. The restaurant is in a wonderful old building which used to be a furniture store in the 1960s, according to Mike, who is a West Point native. I love the restaurant’s original brick on one wall, Coca-Cola signs and an Old West Point Pepperell sign. The building is very similar to the restaurants I love in downtown Opelika.

When our friends arrived, it was so great to hug their necks and catch up with them.

Preplanning days go by quickly, and we were touched that they took time out of their very busy schedule to visit with us.

For his lunch, Mike chose the Three Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich, which had Pepper Jack, Provolone and American cheeses on grilled toast; it came with a side of French fries. Jeannie picked the Oven Roasted Chicken Salad, which included chicken, Iceberg and Romaine Mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons and cheddar cheese. Theresa, Joanie, Traviera and Sandy all ordered the Lil’ Poke, a 3.5-ounce burger with mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion (or however you

Pokey’s 8th Street Grill is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. (central time); closed on Sunday.

If you ever travel to Troup County, Georgia, believe me, you will want to eat at Pokey’s.

After lunch, I went to our car while Mike was still taking pictures of the restaurant for this review. As Mike crossed the street, a beautiful, young woman came up to him and said, “Mr. Wallace, is that you?”

It was Anica, a student whom we both taught 10 years ago. It was so wonderful to hug her neck and find out how she was doing.

We were not at all surprised to hear that she was doing great.

Anica told us that she is a rising senior at Ole Miss, pursuing a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Entrepreneurship. She has spent the summer in Washington, D.C., interning for a public policy and government affairs firm.

Someone once said that teaching is the only profession in which one doesn’t get to see the finished product; that’s usually true. Therefore, it was a special blessing to see a grown-up Anica. She said our meeting was, “a God thing.” I quite agree.

Mike and I are so proud of Anica; we always knew that she would be

very successful.

Our Long Cane Middle School Family, this review is for you. May God bless you with a safe, fun, productive school year.

Mike and I love and miss you.

Pokey’s 8th Street Grill 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

Circles Opelika Presents Second Annual Community Yard Sale CONTRIBUTED BY CIRCLES OPELIKA Circles Opelika began making small emergency loans available to its Program Participants (Circle Leaders) in the Fall of 2020 as an additional resource to our families that are working to create a life free of poverty. This program will be funded in large part by the annual Community Yard Sale/

Pop-Up. This year’s Community Yard Sale will be held Aug. 14 at Bubba’s Medicine Shop (512 2nd Ave., Opelika) from 8 a.m. to noon. Vendor tables will be available at a cost of $25 and all proceeds will support the Helping Hands Loan Program sponsored by Circles Opelika. Vendors will be able to set up as early as 6 a.m. The

morning will be filled with more than just great deals from the yard sale participants, sweet treats, delectable lemonade, business advertisements and more. To find out more about how to participate in the yard sale, please contact Regina Meadows at rmeadows@myops. net or 334-203-1860 (office).

Circles Opelika is very happy with the

progress we have made in our three short years. We are the only Circles Program in Alabama and we are extremely proud of this. Additionally, we have been able to touch 26 families and are currently beginning a new class of leaders that are slated to be certified in September 2021. The program addresses systemic causes contributing to

poverty, which is very enlightening in some instances. Poverty is a concern of the entire community, and it will take the entire community to resolve the concern. Together we can have a real impact on families in our community.

Circles Opelika is a Poverty Reduction Program whose mission is to inspire and equip families and communities to

resolve poverty and thrive.

The goal of the program is to employ long-term solutions versus short-term fixes to lead to economic stability in the lives of our Circle Leaders.

For more information about Circles Opelika, please contact Meadows at 334-203-1860 (office) 334-782-4490 (cell) or via email at rmeadows@myops.net.

A9 August 12, 2021

Lee County Humane Society Seeking Pet Fosters and Funding CONTRIBUTED BY LCHS Lee County Humane Society (LCHS) is in desperate need of pet fosters and funding during its Summer of Second Chances 2021 campaign. Puppy and kitten season is upon us and LCHS is maxed out for kennel space. In order for our shelter to maintain a live release rate or positive outcome of 95% or above, we must find foster homes for our homeless pets. In July, LCHS took in 263 pets and was able to get 252 pets out of the shelter. To

ACCT

>>

FROM A7

Steve Bice. “I’m curious.”

For many of the performers in this small show, this is not their first foray with AACT. Jackson Wells, who is playing Nelson in the show, attended a theatre camp with AACT eight years ago.

And this is one of his first shows with adult cast members, rather than with other young performers.

Sadie Sawyer, who will play Rachel in the

keep the positive outcomes going, we need community support.

Fostering doesn’t just save the life of the pet you take home.

It makes a kennel available for the next homeless pet taken in.

Fosters can take home a pet for as little as one night. For those who don’t have time during the workweek, we also offer a Weekend Warrior foster program.

Weekend Warriors pick up a foster pet on Friday and drop them off Monday morning before work so that you only have the pet for

show, performed in her first AACT production as a child, playing a Dalmation with 101 Dalmatians in 2011.

“When I was too old to be in the children’s shows … I got roped into helping with the kids’ shows,” she said.

“And then the Jungle Book came along.”

At that point, Sawyer took on a role of stage managing for five shows. Eventually, she stepped back into a role as an actress.

Speaking of stage managers, Camren Lyon-Toles will be

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serving as the “End Days” stage manager.

“I really like the script and I really like watching actors do their thing,” he said.

David Carter, who will play Arthur in “End Days”, said that although he hadn’t acted since high school, after seeing an AACT performance in 2010, he was hooked. “End Days” is his first nonmusical performance in years.

Sawyer said one of the difficulties of the show is identifying with her character.

“For me, trying to remember everything that my character’s been through, because my character’s seen a lot of trauma and a lot of different things in his life, but he’s always upbeat about everything,” Wells said, agreeing about identifying with his character. “And so, it’s hard acting upbeat but then you also have to remember these certain things that happened in his past, so when you’re acting and you’re trying to play it upbeat, you also have to remember

the weekend. To fill out a foster application or see pets in need of a foster home, please visit www.leecountyhumane.org/foster.

Summer of Second Chances is an annual LCHS fundraiser with a goal of $50,000. So far, we have raised just over $28,000 and have until Aug. 31 to meet our goal. These funds allow our shelter to care for each and every pet that comes through our doors, so it is more important than ever that we reach $50,000. It costs LCHS $20.69 per pet, per day they are

in our care. With over 200 pets in our shelter on a daily basis, that is a minimum cost of $4,138 per day just for basic care. Many pets require special care or treatment. Help us provide these pets with the second chance they deserve by making a donation today. www. leecountyhumane.org/ donate-now LCHS is open for adoptions from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. All available pets can be viewed online at www. leecountyhumane.org/ adopt.

there's this level of him that you also have to remember and kind of that bit of him will keep creeping up at different parts in the story.”

The family may be dysfunctional, but Carter joked that seeing how dysfunctional the “End Days” family was allowed him to be grateful his own life and family aren’t reflected in that.

The cast, however, have been able to work together and get to know one another as they prepare for the four-day show.

“It’s just a great group of people who work really hard,” Carter said. “It’s quite professional but it’s also just a great [group of] people who look out for each other and care about each other.”

The show will run from Aug. 19-21 at 7 p.m. and again on Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, 222 E Drake Ave. “When you tell the story, people can leave inspired, you can make them feel things,” Sawyer said.

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Thereʼs no excuse for

ELDER ABUSE

“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.”

As healthcare professionals, it is up to you to ensure your patients remain up to date with their vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommend the following vaccines for adolescents: • • • •

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

A10 August 12, 2021

CIPPERLY

>>

FROM A7

seeds, asked a lot of questions and watched YouTube on gardening.

When it came time to plant, they couldn’t find the roller that went behind the tractor. They planted their first garden with Laura driving a four wheeler while their son Graham sat on the back dragging a hoe to dig rows.

“As we planted the seeds, Marrell asked if we knew how to do this," Laura said.

"I told him I couldn’t remember how, but my feet do. My Dad would plow and till the garden. Then my mother would plant seeds, and I would go behind her with my bare feet, pushing a little dirt over the seeds.

“I am doing what I remember from my childhood growing up in Opelika. They are such good memories on Andrews Road before the businesses were there.”

When her Dad’s parents owned the farm, they also had a grist mill and country store.

They had tiny houses called Florida shacks

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> MAMA’S PEACH JAM Dene Bence 8 cups crushed peaches 6 cups sugar ½ cup water Combine peaches and water. Boil for 10 minutes. Add sugar and cook until thick, over low heat.

Place in sterilized jars ([pint, or ½ pint). Use a damp cloth, or paper towel, to clean the tops and rims of the jars before sealing with rings and lids.

Optional Water Bath: Place jars in a boiler which is deep enough to allow you to cover jars completely with water. Once water comes to a boil, set timer for 10 minutes.

Turn off the burner and let set for 5 minutes. Remove jars and allow them to cool before storing.

FROZEN PEACHES Fresh peaches, peeled or sliced, to desired size 1-3 Tbsp. lemon juice Wash the peaches.

Cut into slices. Soak peach slices in a lemon juice bath for 5 minutes. Drain. Transfer to a freezer bag, (I typically use pint or quart bags) labelled with the contents and date. Freeze for up to 1 year.

CANNED OKRA Gail Carroll I lb. cut okra ½ cup vinegar 4 Tbsp. salt Water In large boiler, add enough water to com-

that they would put on the back of a truck and carry to Florida where they would pick strawberries. They would bring the strawberries back and sell them at their grist mill and country store.

Laura’s father donated the major mill stone from the grist mill to the municipal park on Denson Drive in Opelika. The grist stone belonged to her great-great grandfather, William Sanderson Anderson Bence.

“Whether you are preserving fruits and pletely cover the okra.

Add vinegar and salt.

Boil until the color of the okra changes.

Use a ladle to jar both okra and liquid.

Use a damp cloth, or paper towel, to clean the tops and rims of the jars before sealing with rings and lids.

NO WATER BATH IS NEEDED. When ready to fry the canned okra, drain fluid from the okra in a strainer before battering.

OVEN BLANCHED OKRA Linda Dixon Cut okra ½ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup cornmeal Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Toss cut okra in flour and cornmeal until fully coated. (Depending on the amount of okra you’re processing, you may need to add more flour and cornmeal using the 1:2 ratio mentioned in the ingredients.)

Shake off excess coating and place okra in a single layer on large baking sheets. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes.

You should be able to smell the okra and notice a color change.

Remove from the oven to let cool. Then, place in pint, or quart freezer bags.

COWBOY CANDY Daniel Greathouse 12-15 pepper sliced 1/2 cup water 1 cup sugar Combine all in sauce pan and cook down to syrup consistency.

Pour in jar and seal.

Once cool enough to handle place in

vegetables or preserving history, you are saving a memory for a future generation," Laura said.

The Hartleys have “loved” gardening, and Laura has enjoyed making fruit jams, canning and freezing vegetables. “I didn’t know how to can or plant a garden,” Laura said. “We had to call on people constantly, and I still call on people.”

Her sister was a former home economics teacher and has helped her with the canning. refrigerator.

CANNED GREEN TOMATOES Gail Carroll 1 gallon water ½ cup vinegar 2 Tbsp. salt Put sliced tomatoes in jars.

Bring to a boil 1 gallon water, 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 Tbsp. salt.

Pour over tomatoes.

Put in water bath and bring to a full boil.

Turn off heat and let sit 10 minutes

CANNED GREEN BEANS Vista Blair Bence – my Grandmother Enough snapped beans for 7 quart jars., tightly packed.

3 Tbsp. water 1 tsp. salt Pack beans, add water and salt. Cover with water in pressure cooker. Bring to between 10 and 11 pounds of pressure for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let set for 5 minutes. Beans will rehydrate when cooking.

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE Karen and Russell Bush 2 cups cubed zucchini 1 cup cubed yellow squash 1 onion, chopped 3/4 cup diced tomato 6 slices of bread, cubed 3 Tbsp. melted butter 2 cups shredded cheese, divided 2-3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese 1 egg

“I call her constantly. I learned early on in education that you ask for advice. The business world calls it networking. I call it asking for advice from other people, but you have to be willing to listen. I don’t do anything on my own.

I learned early on that you ask for advice.

“My whole background is being a teacher,” Laura added.

“This entire process has made me be a lifelong learner. I keep my mouth shut, listen and learn.”

The Hartleys share their garden and feel there is no way to put a price on the time, love, sweat and tears.

“People ask why we are sharing with people instead of selling,” Laura said. “My parents drilled into me if you divide, it multiplies like the fishes in the Bible story. It is the idea of God multiplying. People won’t understand it. I have easily given away half of my garden this year.

“Marrell and I take so much joy in giving

Seasoning to taste (salt and pepper/Cajun/Greek/Emeril’s, etc.)

Mix all vegetables in a bowl, then season with about 2 Tbsp.

Cajun seasoning and mix again. Then put about a cup of cheese in and mix. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese in and mix.

Pour the melted butter over cubed bread and mix well.

Then mix the bread with the vegetables and add 1 egg and mix well.

Pour into a lightly greased baking dish.

Place another cup of shredded cheese on top. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake 30 more.

for 50 minutes. It’s yummy as is but reaches a whole new level when served warm with vanilla ice cream!

BLUEBERRY PIE Mrs. Phoebe Heath Mrs. Heath was the kindergarten aid when Laura was in kindergarten at Jeter and when Bence was there.

I cup sugar 1 stick butter, melted 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring ¾ cup self-rising flour ½ cup chopped pecans ¼ cup shredded coconut 1½ cups blueberries 9- inch deep-dish piecrust Using mixer, blend first 4 ingredients together. Add flour, mixing well. Using spoon or spatula, gently fold in pecans, coconut and berries.

Pour into 9-inch deepdish piecrust.

Bake at 350 degrees

BLUEBERRY CINNAMON ROLLS 1 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls Squeeze butter (enough to cover rolls in a thin layer) 3-4 Tbsp. sugar 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon ¾ cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, allow to thaw) 2 cups powdered sugar 3-4 Tbsp. water (Milk can be substituted for water) Do not separate crescent rolls. Unroll dough into a rectangle and place on a lightly floured surface. Cover dough completely with a thin layer of butter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon; adjusting amounts to fit individual tastes as needed.

Layer blueberries next, leaving about an inch of dough uncovered on one short edge of dough.

Roll dough, jelly roll style, from one short edge to the other. Slice into ¾ inch pieces. Place in 9-inch cake pan or pie plate, lightly coated with cooking spray.

Bake according to crescent roll directions, approximately 11 minutes at 350 degrees.

While rolls are baking, combine powdered sugar and water to create a sugar glaze. Top rolls with glaze after removing them from the oven and allowing them to

away. It is a way we express our love and express who we are as individuals.

“Never ever be afraid to try something new and always remember your roots.

If your mind doesn’t remember everything, there is a good chance that your heart will.

Never shy away from whence you came.

Your mind might forget, but your heart remembers.”

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com. cool slightly. Best when served warm.

RECIPE VARIATION – BLUEBERRY BUTTER ROLLS Follow all directions above to create rolls.

Place rolls in a 9 x 9 or 9 x 13 baking dish.

Substitute butter glaze for sugar glaze. Once again, cook according to crescent roll directions.

Butter Glaze 1 stick butter 1 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. water Bring ingredients to a boil on stovetop. Pour over rolls before beginning the baking process.

Cook according to crescent roll directions.

Serve warm. Goes great with vanilla ice cream!

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE DANISH 2 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls 2 blocks cream cheese, softened ½ standard size box of powdered sugar 1½ cups blueberries (fresh or frozen) Lightly grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Roll out one pack of crescent rolls without tearing apart and cover bottom of casserole. Bake according to package directions for 5 to 8 minutes.

While first crust is baking, cream together powdered sugar and cream cheese. After removing first crust from oven, top with cream cheese mixture. Evenly distribute blueberries on top of cream cheese.

Roll out second pkg. of crescent rolls and top blueberries. Cook entire casserole according to crescent directions.

Serve warm.

A11 August 12, 2021

See the Girl Scout Difference, Join Today.

CONTRIUTED BY GSSA Girl Scouts offers the best leadership development experience for girls in the world.

Girl Scouts isn’t just a moment in her life, it’s a movement dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

With unparalleled programming proven to unleash girls potential, Girl Scouts is the

place for girls! In fact, research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led environment where they’re encouraged to try new things, develop a range of skills, take on leadership roles and just have fun being themselves.

On Aug. 19, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) will be hosting a one-day membership drive. For one day only, any new girl that signs up to be a

Girl Scout will receive a free one year membership! This membership will be valid for one year. Girls will have the option to join existing troops, or aspiring troop leaders will be able to form their own.

So what are you wait-

ing for? At Girl Scouts she’ll discover who she is, what she’s passionate about, and what she wants to achieve — both today and in the future. Discover all she can be and everything she can accomplish when she has the right

tools and a safe space to shine –– and work together to change the world. Not a Girl Scout yet? No problem!

Troops are forming now –– to join or volunteer go to www.girlscoutssa. org/join or call 1-800239-6636.

About Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama serves more than 5,000 girls, ages 5-17 and 2,500 adults who believe in

the power of community, leadership, and friendship to change the world. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls for more than 100 years. With programming across 30 counties, GSSA offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success.

To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join call 800239-6636 or visit www. girlscoutssa.org.

Girls STEPS Inc. Welcomes New School Year PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

The non-profit Girls STEPS Inc., held its Back 2 School Bash for parents on Saturday. At the free event, parents engaged in a Q&A session with Dr. Laura Matthews (bottom left), director of Inpatient Pharmacy Services at EAMC, answering questions on the COVID Vaccine. Furthermore, all attendees enjoyed great food and lots of door prizes.

Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m. - Trivia with Caroline in The Jailhouse, “DC Universe” at Rock 'N Roll Pinball Aug. 12 - Live Music at La Cantina Aug. 13 - Dixon Darling at Resting Pulse Brewing Company Aug. 13 - Live Music at La Cantina Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. - Scott Grant performs in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball Aug. 14 - Cameron Dubois at Resting Pulse Brewing Company

A12 August 12, 2021

THEATRE >>

FROM A7

you kind of have to act like you really, really like this person and you want to throw a punch at them in real life.”

Or having to portray characters that don’t reflect their personalities at all.

“I’ve actually had to get a lot of help on this,” said Lucy Zellner, 13, who is playing Mel, one of the main players in the show.

“Because I’m not an evil person at all and just the fact that she is just the complete opposite of me.

I got people yesterday to help me, I’ve had people for months trying to help me. And honestly, it’s just so hard because I go from this bubbly person that I normally am to this evil, grungy, grimy kind of person.”

Dalton Ruth Bendinger, 11, who will be playing Evie, one of the leads in the show, said one of the challenges for her has been learning choreography.

And for Clayton McBurney, 14, who is playing Ben, the son of Beauty and the Beast, it is acting, his strong suit is singing.

Another challenge the children had to reckon with is performing with adults in the cast as well.

“Sometimes adults don’t understand that we’re supposed to be energetic on stage, we’re supposed to be happy and we’re supposed to be presenting ourselves in a show-like manner,” Kitchens said.

But the flip side is the adults are always present to help with challenges, help learn lines, keep the children in order.

“We know that they’ve been doing it longer than us because they have

more experience with it so they’re going to be better than us,” said Kinsley Williamson, 12, who is playing the part of the royal page. “And they like to help us out and teach us by learning their parts and ours so they can help us step up and help us do our parts.”

Playing Parents: Many of the adults in the Descendants cast are playing the parents of the children in the show.

But, the irony, is that some of the adult performers are actually the parents of these children in real life.

“I have five children and the two youngest are into theatre and so I saw a Facebook post years ago about a production called Emma that was being done and my next to youngest son auditioned for that and that’s how I got involved in this theatre group,” said Robbin Brasfield, who is playing Cruella De Vil. Her son Justin Brasfield, 12, will be playing Doug in the show. “[I enjoy] getting to

see them interact with other kids, and to see them develop their characters, and take in feedback, and improve their singing and dancing and just getting to know their friends so their friends are not just a name,” she said.

This is not Robbin’s first show with OTC, she also performed in Nunsense.

“The first time I did Nunsense, the first night we performed I was so nervous, I was just in the ensemble, but I was so nervous and I thought, ‘this is how my kids feel when they go out for their performance’ and I really had a new appreciation for what they do,” she said.

Douglas Bendinger,

playing Maurice and also serving as the understudy for Jafar, has been able to work with his daughter, Dalton.

“It’s very rewarding because she loves it so much, you can see it her face,” he said. “I enjoy watching her perform and sing.”

The Adult Players: There are a lot more children in the show than there are adults.

“The pace is different,” Robbin said. “When working with children or with teenagers, there’s a lot of repetition, there’s a lot of disciplining.”

One of the hardest parts is just keeping the children’s attention, said Seth McCollough, who is involved with his first production with OTC, serving as both a director and playing a role in the show as the Fairy Godmother.

Being an adult in a show with children has its other responsibilities too.

McCollough’s tasks vary from child wrangling to directing, applying makeup to gluing sequins on a costume.

“I guess you could call me a gopher director because I go wherever Marty wants me to go,” he said.

But there are rewarding moments when working with the talented children.

“Watching them have

the time of their lives on that stage ... and they’re performing and they have their costumes on and their makeup done and the music’s going and the stage lights are on ... watching them shine is the best part of the whole thing,” McCollough said.

Catherine Mayhugh, playing Malificent, raved about the talent in the children.

“If you come and see these kids when the show is opening night, you’re going to be like ‘oh my gosh, these kids, they’re amazing,’” she said.

Show Time: When it came time to begin running the show through in July, both the children and adults were given their costumes to wear.

In a red gown, with a fur color and a spotted puppy on her shoulder, Cruella de Vil makes her way to the stage, with children running up to ooh and aah.

Maleficent grabs the children’s attention in another way, with a cackling laugh that echoes around the room.

For months, the performers have been working together to move past the kinks in the show, get to know one another and perform together.

And despite the difficulties, the children and adults both say it’s all worth it.

“It’s just a great sense of performing,” Kitchens said. “And when you’re on that stage, you are hot, you’re sweaty, you have multiple layers on, you’re in a costume, your makeup might be dripping down your face, your hair might be messy but in the end, you’re all together, you’re all doing to the same thing and the audience is there and they’re enjoying it.”

Mayhugh said just being able to play a myriad

of characters in all of OTC’s performances is rewarding.

“If you want a good smile, and you want to have a feel good moment, come enjoy the show,” she said.

Community Theatre is something special, McCollough said.

“I love community theatre, I love all the people that are involved with community theatre,” he said. “You have all sorts of kinds and it’s just a place for everybody.”

The keyword is community. Opelika Theatre Company is made up of local people who all share an interest in theatre.

“Instead of going and seeing something on Broadway, with people you don’t even know, why not come here and see a show with people you know, people you’ve interacted with and just kind of get into the musical theatre community and see what it’s like,” Kitchens said.

For many of the children, Opelika Theatre Company is where they hope to get their start.

“I’ve always loved acting,” Zellner said. “Because my siblings did it, I’m the youngest, and so it’s been so amazing. My siblings would do it and I’d watch their shows and I’d be like, ‘I just want to do that so bad.’ And then I would not be able to because I was just so young … finally I was able to and I was like, ‘this is the best experience I’ve ever had.’”

Kitchens hopes to attend Baylor University for musical theatre and one day Juilliard.

“I’m sure people enjoy going to shows at the Fox and the Gogue and

stuff like that but this is where those actors get their start,” McCollough said. “So supporting these young actors and actresses, one day may get their dream role on Broadway and you can look back and remember, ‘I remember when they were eight and on the stage at Opelika Theatre Company.’”

Getting Involved: Almost everyone said that they encourage community members to come check out OTC and get involved.

“This place always needs new people,” said Jacob Kroll, 13, who is playing Carlos, one of the leads in the show.

Bendinger recommended theatre for more than just acting, but life skills.

“I‘ve gotten to meet a lot of new people and just see a lot of people in the community,” said Jay Collins, 14, who is playing Chad, Cinderella’s son in this show.

The Theatre Company is a place for children to come for fun, Mayhugh said. But it’s also a great place for adults.

“It is more than just a theatre group, it’s like a theatre family,” Robbin said. “Everybody is supportive of each other.

You can find out you had talents you didn’t know that you had.”

Descendants will be staging the show for the next two weekends, on Aug. 13, 14, 20, 21 and 22.

“We’ve just come such a far way from where we were before,” Justin said. “… It’s just turned out super well.”

For more information on showtimes and purchasing tickets, visit: www.opelikatheatrecompany.com/shows.

A13 August 12, 2021 ABOUT BRUCE GREEN

Barking At God their dog. Apparently, he didn’t have anything scheduled for the day because he remained there barking at me the entire time I was up there.

It made me think BRUCE GREEN about the “barkers” in Teaching Minister at 10th life — those peoStreet Church of Christ ple who are always in Opelika yelping about this or that. It’s not that there’s a particular ears ago, I was issue that has them up on the roof worked up, being doing some re- worked up just seems pair work that needed to be their default setto be done courtesy of ting. (As someone oba recent storm. When served, “They’re not I got up there and happy unless they’re started working, I unhappy.") They find could see over the fault like there’s a refence in our back ward for it. While I’m yard into our neighsure there are some bor’s yard. Of course, personality types that I could also be seen, are more susceptible and looking at me and to this and certain barking loudly, was families where this

Y

CHURCH CALENDAR

occurs more readily, I tend to look at it as a faith issue.

You remember that the nation of Israel spent a good deal of its time in the wilderness barking at God. He was going to let them die in the desert (Exodus 14); the people didn’t have enough to drink (Exodus 17), eat (Exodus 16), the right kind of food (Numbers 11), etc. It became apparent that it really wasn’t any of these things that had the Israelites troubled — they were just worked up and looking for something to vent about. And this was all due to their lack of trust that God would take care of them (Psalm

78:12ff,22,32).

Paul will use this wilderness backdrop when he tells the Christians at Philippi to “Do everything without complaining or arguing,” (2:14). It’s a temptation for us to try to rationalize away this command by pointing out that Paul didn’t have any children, he wasn’t married, he didn’t have a real job, and therefore knew little or nothing of “real” life. Of course, he doesn’t think we should complain. But the truth is, Paul knew plenty about real life (see 2 Corinthians 11:23) — probably more than most of us. And if we really do believe that God is working

in our lives (2:13 of Philippians), then it should be reflected in our attitude and behavior. Ranting and raving about the status quo is simply a confession of lack of confidence in our Father. It was for the Israelites, and it is for us.

The biblical alternative to barking at God is praising Him. It is to rejoice in Him knowing that He is greater than any of our circumstances (Philippians 4:4-7). If Paul could do this under house arrest unsure of life or death (1:20), then surely, we can do it in our circumstances.

Instead of finding fault, let’s find our faith.

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

Bible Verse of the Week

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.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. — PSALM 103:8

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.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

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

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

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

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

EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054

PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley

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

603 Pleasant Pleasant Drive 603 Drive Opelika, Opelika, ALAL 36801 749-1333 749-1333 Mon-Sat - 8pm Mon- Sat7am 7am-8pm Sun12pm 12pm-6pm Sun - 6pm

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

A14 August 12, 2021

Fixing and Protecting Our Primary Relationships one of those books you wish everyone in the world would read.

The title of the book is "The Four Things That Matter Most", written by Ira Byock, a palliative care doctor who served on the faculty of Geisel School of WALTER ALBRITTON Medicine of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. y good friend I must add to the Billy Gaither praise heaped upon sent me a Byock for offering us book recently. It’s not commonsense wisdom that can change a new book nor an old our lives. His “Four one but I had not seen Things” tell us how to it. First published in 2004, it was revised and heal, protect and nurture our relationships with republished in 2014. the people we love. The As I began reading it, older we get, the more I quickly realized it is

M

we realize our relationships are our greatest treasures.

Byock’s “Four Things” are really four simple statements which he calls “powerful tools for improving your relationships and your life.” They are short sentences comprising “the core wisdom” of what dying people taught the doctor about what matters most in life. These are the four simple statements: Please forgive me.

I forgive you.

Thank you.

I love you.

Dr. Byock invites us to “say” these things to

the people who mean the most to us. His book is filled with stories of people whose lives were changed when they became willing to speak those eleven words to their loved ones.

I love hearing this counsel from a physician because this is what I have been preaching for 70 years.

It is pure gospel. I know from personal experience these four phrases can resolve difficult relationships with grace and integrity. Why? Because it gives God a chance to melt and change our hearts.

Forgiveness was a central theme in the teaching of Jesus. He made it clear that to receive God’s forgiveness for our sins, we must forgive others for their sins against us.

Forgiveness saved my marriage many times because I became willing to say to Dean, “Please forgive me,” and because we both learned how to say often, “I forgive you.”

During Dean’s last days on this earth, every time anyone adjusted her pillow, gave her medicine or caressed her forehead, she said one of those Four Things — “Thank

you.” And not knowing anything better to say, I kept saying to her, “I love you.” In those painful hours, I experienced the power of those simple statements.

If you have an injured relationship with someone you love, now is the time to get busy “saying” those Four Things before it is too late. If you decide to wait, and death ends the opportunity for you to ask for forgiveness, you could spend the rest of your life regretting you did not follow Dr. Byock’s wise advice. Do not ignore it. Say what you need to say — before time runs out.

lifetime than Marion Mann. And generous?

She donated more money to the needy, causes, missionaries, churches – you name it – than you can count. If someone needed prayer, she was on it (or on the phone with her Pastor, Earl Ballard, asking him to pray for them). She had a long prayer list, that began with her family, that she prayed through every single morning.

What a treasure she was! She will be missed.

Visitation was downstairs in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika on Aug. 10.

The memorial service will be held upstairs in the sanctuary at noon. There will be no graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, Andy asks that you donate to the Alabama United Methodist Children’s Home – her favorite charity – at www. embracealkids.org.

many years at Auburn National Bank and for the city of Auburn.

Dot loved to be outside and could often be found working in her yard, enjoying the sunshine, or spending time with her family at Lake Martin. She loved animals and had many pets like dogs, birds, rabbits, ferrets and cats.

Dot loved the Lord and her church family at Trinity United Methodist Church.

She also loved to square dance and volunteered at East Alabama Medical Center for several years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and five sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Levi, children; Brenda (Ray) Havron of Spanish Fort, Sharon (Richard) Morgan of Alexander City and Lee (Susan) Knapp of Port Orange, Florida.

Grandchildren; Jennifer (Jordan) Parker, Andrew (Jarah) Knapp, Jeffrey (Megan) Knapp, Chandler Stapleton, and Erin Morgan.

Dorothy will be laid to rest in a private, graveside service with family at Memorial Park Cemetery in Auburn. There will be a Celebration of Life service at Trinity United Methodist Church on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at 1 p.m. with visitation immediately following in the fellowship hall.

Pastor Earl Ballard will officiate both services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to: Hospice Compassus 665 Opelika Road, Suite 200 Auburn, Alabama 36830 or to Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika.

OBITUARIES BAERBEL “BARBARA” DOLLAR Baerbel “Barbara” Dollar, 82, a cherished member of the OpelikaAuburn community, passed peacefully, surrounded by her friends and family, Thursday morning, Aug. 5 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband MSGT Charles ‘Charlie’ Dollar, married 56 years, siblings, Ursula Money, Karen Green, and her daughter Linda Eastep. She is survived by her son, Charles (Chip) Dollar and his children, Michael and Steven Dollar, her grandchildren, Grant (Max) Oberg, Tye (Tiffany) Edwards, Ally (Luke) Malone and her great grandchildren Carter and Harper Dee Edwards.

A well-traveled, well-read, lover of animals, Barbara was on trend at all times.

Beautiful inside and out, Barbara gave back to her community through her volunteering with the Food Bank of East Alabama where she served others with a beautiful smile and an open heart. Immigrating at the age of 19 from Germany and becoming an American citizen, Barbara embraced her new life. Charlie and Barbara met and married, and together created a life. After the military lifestyle took them to Illinois, Liberia and North Carolina. Charlie, Barbara, Linda, and Chip finally found their forever home in Alabama. Settling down in Opelika, Barbara took pride in her beautiful home, staying fit with her friends at the Opelika Sportsplex and escaping down to the gulf to relax on the beach. Her traditions will live on through

her family where every Christmas Eve will be celebrated through a German ‘Poor Man’s’ Dinner, and every summer spent on the porch playing a game of dice. Leaving behind a legacy of a life well lived, her family takes comfort knowing that she is reunited with her daughter Linda, her husband Charlie and her best friend and sister, ‘Ushi’.

The impact she made in the lives of family and friends will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Food Bank of East Alabama, where Barbara so loved to spend her spare time.

–––––––

COL (RET.) WILLIAM RICHARD (DICKIE) SIMS Col. (Ret.) William Richard (Dickie) Sims passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Dickie died peacefully with his beloved wife of 35 years, Lisa, and their children by his side.

He was 57.

Dickie was born on May 5, 1964, in Montgomery, Alabama. He held a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from Troy University.

Dickie was a proud employee of the United Parcel Service (UPS) for 37 years.

Aside from his family, Dickie’s greatest devotion was to the military.

Serving 33 years from the age of 19, some of his accolades include the Bronze Star medal, Iraq Campaign medal and Defense Meritorious Service medal. He retired at the rank of Colonel in 2016.

Dickie was known for his love of music and was learning to play the guitar. He

enjoyed spending time outdoors at his hunting club, riding his tractor, playing with the family animals, working on home projects and cooking. Dickie never met a stranger and would drop anything to help others. He truly exemplified living life to the fullest.

Dickie is survived by his mother Jean Blackmon Sims; his wife Lisa Corley Sims; and his children, Alexandria Sims (Nicholas) Hart, William Corley (Olivia) Sims, Chandler Sims (Krishan) Syal, and Bentley Margaret Sims. He was predeceased by his father, John Frank Sims, and his son, William Richard Sims, Jr. The funeral service was on Friday, Aug. 6 at First Baptist Church of Opelika. A graveside service was held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Luverne, Alabama at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dickie’s lifelong commitment to his country can make donations to the National Military Family Association (NMFA).

–––––––

MARION S. MANN Marion S. Mann was born Sept. 26, 1930 in Birmingham and passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 1, 2021 at Arbor Springs Health & Rehab Center in Opelika, Alabama. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, Judson Virgil (JV) Stuart and Margaret Sweet McCuaig Stuart, four siblings, JV Stuart, Jr, Helen Watson, Ruth Jones, and Herbert (Bud) Stuart, her husbands, Paul H Moore and George C Mann and her granddaughter,

Sandy Brown (Rick).

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Hargrove, her son, Andy Moore (Donna), grandchildren Michelle Mitchell (Sam), Kathleen Jones, Jake Jacobsen (Susan), Scott Moore (Katie), Leisa Askew, David Askew (Paula), Harrison Hall (Jennifer), Richard Hall (Julianne), George E Mann, Luanne Mann (Chau), a host of great-grandchildren (23) and eight greatgreat-grandchildren.

Marion graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1948 (with Bobby Bowden) and enrolled in Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1949.

She graduated from Auburn in 1952 with a degree in Physical Education and taught school in Lagrange, Georgia; Auburn; Ludowici, Georgia, Bamberg, Germany; Hinesville, Georgia and finally back in Auburn in the late 60s - early 70s. Following her teaching career Marion went on to a long and distinguished career at the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine, retiring in the early 90s. Marion was the epitome of a diehard Auburn fan. She attended, watched, or listened to anything Auburn. Her first honeymoon was the 1954 Gator Bowl between Auburn and Texas Tech with Vince Dooley at QB for Auburn. She played more bridge in her life than should be legal, and hosted the Monday afternoon bridge tournament at Monarch Estates in Auburn for 14 years.

And the term “life of the party” was likely coined just for her. If live music was playing, she was dancing. You’d be hard pressed to meet a more funloving person in your

–––––––

DOROTHY EVERLYN KNAPP (PATTERSON) Dorothy Everlyn Knapp (Patterson) was born to James and Dovie Patterson in Waverly, Alabama, on Nov. 10, 1929.

At age 91 on Aug. 2, 2021, she was freed from her years long battle with dementia and went home to meet her maker, her Lord and Savior. She was surrounded by family and holding the hand of her beloved husband of 72 years, Levi, as she peacefully passed.

Dot, as many fondly called her, spent most of her life in the Auburn-Opelika area.

She graduated from Auburn High School in 1947 and married Levi Alvin Knapp Jr. in April of 1949. She was in the banking business and worked

A15 August 12, 2021

COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are unnecessary with available vaccines

BY JOSEPH GIAMBRONE, AUBURN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR EMERITUS This editorial is not intended to offend, it is a plea for an acceptance of reality and to prevent unnecessary illness, misery and death.

Without question, COVID-19 is the preeminent epidemic of the U.S. in the past century.

We have experienced 34.4 million diagnosed cases and possibly three times as many infections that were not confirmed because of deficiencies in testing and a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. We have lost 610,000 of our fellow citizens, also an undercount, leaving millions of grieving relatives. We have spent trillions on alleviating the economic fallout arising from necessary quarantines and shutdowns implemented to control the infection during at least 12 pre-vaccination months.

The Trump Administration had the foresight to invest in technology that capitalized on 12 years of vaccine research and development, resulting in three effective, marketable vaccines. The Biden Administration, building on the contribution of the pharmaceutical industry, initiated a program of vaccination

that has resulted in 56.5% of our population receiving at least one dose and we have 48.8% fully vaccinated. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has undergone successive mutations with inevitable introduction of these strains into the U.S. despite restrictions on international travel. The Delta variant is now responsible for 83% of incident cases. This latest stain is as infectious as the chicken pox virus and one person can infect as many as nine people and can result in an increase in infection and more severe disease in a younger age group.

In the last seven days, the average increase in hospitalizations has attained 32% and deaths from COVID-19, a lagging indicator, have climbed to 223 per day as a seven-day average. Infections are predominantly in areas with low rates of vaccination.

It is calculated that 95% of those dying of COVID-19 were unvaccinated. It is therefore apparent that virtually every death could have been prevented by embracing science and complying with responsible public health recommendations to receive a vaccine.

Over the past 50 years, vaccines have been developed that effectively have eradicated specific infections both in the U.S. and the world. We no longer fear smallpox, and polio has been eradicated from

almost all nations. Vaccinated children are protected from common but previously serious diseases, including measles, whooping cough, mumps, chicken pox, tetanus, rubella, Human Papilloma virus, Hepatitis A and B viruses, meningitis, pneumococcal pneumonia and diphtheria.

Vaccinated adults are protected from influenza, shingles, pneumonia, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Somehow COVID-19 has emerged as an exception to the general adoption of vaccination as a means to suppress an infection.

COVID-19 vaccination has been transformed from a public health issue into the political spectrum. Only now, in the face of increasing numbers of incident cases, hospital admissions and deaths and higher positivity rates on testing, are the governors of the most impacted states speaking up to encourage vaccination among the hesitant and offering lotteries, which can provide monetary or college tuition incentives.

Clearly, the upsurge in cases is an epidemic of the unvaccinated amid a declining pandemic. The higher the proportion of susceptibility of the populace, the longer it will take to achieve effective resolution. The high proportion of unprotected in communities will result in the emergence of new variants

EAST ALABAMA HEALTH WELCOMES

Avery B. Lisenbe, M.D. EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Avery B. Lisenbe, M.D. recently joined the team at Emergency Medicine South, and will be practicing in the Emergency Departments at both East Alabama Medical Center and EAMC-Lanier as well as the East Alabama Medical Center Freestanding Emergency Department in Auburn. Dr. Lisenbe earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed her residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

During her residency, Dr. Lisenbe won the Emergency Medicine Spirit Award.

Dr. Lisenbe is originally from Montgomery, Ala. She chose to practice medicine after seeing her father, who is a surgeon, and her mother, who is a nurse, devote themselves to the care of others. After seeing the impact her father had on his patients while she was working in his office, Dr. Lisenbe knew she wanted to become a doctor.

Dr. Lisenbe and her husband of three years, Jake, chose to move to the Auburn/Opelika area because of its family feel and the sense of community she felt at East Alabama Health. In her spare time, Dr. Lisenbe is enjoys playing with her goldendoodles, water skiing, gardening, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

with potentially even greater impact on unvaccinated, susceptible individuals.

Many of the largest businesses in the U.S., U.S. governmental agencies, branches of the armed forces, hospitals, state and private universities and state- and public-school systems have mandated vaccination. For these institutions religious and health exceptions are allowed; however, unvaccinated individuals will be subjected to routine testing and must wear masks. In addition, some larger restaurants, department stores, European and cruise ship travel, rapid transit systems, musical concerts and Broadway theaters have mandated vaccination.

This proactive action along with other precautions has effectively secured their integrity and safety from the ravages of this disease.

In contrast, individuals in politics and some media personalities are discouraging vaccination both in the U.S. and worldwide through social media to the detriment of public health and recovery from the pandemic.

Let us collectively put aside our prejudices and fears and ignore those with political or financial agendas who spread misinformation.

At best they may be sincere but misguided. At worst they are cynics with figurative blood on their hands. Let us

adopt the recommendations of scientists, public health specialists and our personal physicians to accept vaccination as a safe (4.2 billion doses in 180 countries have already been safely given) and highly efficacious means of preventing serious disease and suppressing viral transmission. While rare cases of reactions to COVID-19 vaccines have occurred, they generally are mild and wane in a short period of time. In addition, a small percentage of vaccine breakthroughs have occurred in vaccinated individuals resulting in a mild form of disease, however, the majority of these have occurred in people over 65 and none have resulted in hospitalization or death.

Naysayers complain that changes in CDC recommendations for prevention of COVID-19 results in confusion. While recommendations may change, they result from ever-evolving variants.

Nonetheless, if we achieve population immunity, we will stop the evolution of new variants and have a chance to restore our pre-COVID-19 way of life and to protect children, the elderly and the immunosuppressed. Those among us who have not yet been vaccinated should consider doing so, if not for themselves then for their loved ones and even those whom they do not know who have lives to live.

About Joseph Giambrone: Joseph Giambrone is a professor emeritus in Auburn University’s Department of Poultry Science with a joint appointment in the Department of Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. During his graduate research career at the University of Delaware, he was part of a research group that developed the first vaccine against an antigenic variant of an avian coronavirus. During a sabbatical leave during his tenure at Auburn, he was part of a research group in Australia that sequenced the entire genome of antigenic variant of a coronavirus of chickens.

During his 42-year research career as a molecular virologist, immunologist and epidemiologist, he has made critical advancements in understanding the ecology of viral pathogens, led efforts to improve detection and surveillance of viral diseases and developed new and effective vaccines and vaccine strategies to protect commercially reared chickens as well as pathogens, such as avian influenza viruses, which have spilled over into human populations. His research has had a profound impact on practices used today to reduce the incidence and severity of viral diseases of commercially reared poultry as well in human populations.

EAST ALABAMA HEALTH WELCOMES

Shelby Rolader, D.O. PEDIATRICS

Shelby Rolader, D.O. recently joined the team at Pediatric Clinic, LLC. Dr. Rolader earned her medical degree at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and completed her residency at the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Rolader enjoyed her time training as a third-year and fourth-year medical student at East Alabama Medical Center and looks forward to being back in the area closer to friends, family, and her church community.

Dr. Rolader has been married to her husband, Drew, for three years. They have one child, Nora. When Dr. Rolader is not working, she enjoys exercising, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.

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A16 August 12, 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 Lee County: INSIDE • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

Opelika: Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m.

Lee County: Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.

Auburn: Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.

Lee County School Board Honors Longtime Smiths Station Band Director

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

PREVIEWING OPELIKA’s FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

T

are royal blue and white: Keith Etheredge begins his first season as the Tigers head coach.

Etheredge boast a record of 150 wins and 52 loses, winning five state championships, including last years 6A State Championship at Oxford.

AHS played for the 7A State Championship last year, losing 29-28 to Thompson. The Tigers will dress out 137 players.

OHS leads the all-time series 47-45-3. AHS is in Class 7A and have 2,034 students. AHS beat OHS 37-14 in 2020.

Sept. 2, Sidney Lanier at Crampton Bowl (Thursday): Sidney Lanier’s team colors are royal blue and white: Marvin Cunningham starts his sixth season as head coach with a 28-24 record. Lanier won three games in 2020: Jeff Davis (12-7), Bessemer City (12-7) and Russell County (26-17). OHS holds a 13-3 all-time series lead.

Playing at Crampton Bowl on Thursday is different, but Opelika should enjoy being off Friday night after this game.

OHS thumped LHS 42-6 last season.

Sept. 10, Eufaula at Bulldog Stadium: Eufaula’s team colors are red and white: Ed Rigby starts his fourth season See SPORTS, page B2

The Lee County School Board voted unanimously at its Tuesday night meeting to approve a motion to name the Smiths Station Junior High School band room in honor of Dr. Rusty Corson for his years of service.

Corson spent 22 years in the Smiths Station school district, teaching in the band program.

The idea to change the name of the Junior High band room came from the Smiths Station Band Association and the director of bands, Gene Butler.

“He [Harris] felt like it would be a great

CORSON honor to name the band room after Dr. Corson,” said Brian Roberson, District 7 Board Representative.

The board also heard from three citizens during the time

allowed for community speakers.

First up was Lee County resident Micah Messer, who presented the board with more than 100 signatures from parents requesting

that the board maintain its current mask-optional policy for students returning to school in the Lee County system.

“What I have in front of me here is over 100 parent petitions to make sure that Lee County schools remain mask-optional,” Messer said. “As we know right now, Lee County is not having a mask mandate for our schools in Lee County and all of these parents wish it to remain the same.

“I would ask that you respect the parent’s voice, their ability to choose their own health See LEE COUNTY, page B7

Storylines to Follow in Auburn’s Fall Camp

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM With the new Auburn football season less than four weeks away, and with practices and press conferences happening daily, the excitement for Bryan Harsin’s first season in charge of the Tigers is nearing its peak.

Still, however, there are many questions.

Outside of maybe the best running back in the country, Tank Bigsby, and loaded linebacker and secondary units on the defense, the unknown is much greater than the know when it comes to the 2021 Tigers.

Irrevocably, a new beginning is on the

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY TODD VAN EMST/AU ATHLETICS

he Opelika high football team “officially” started football practice last Monday, Aug. 2.

As you read this, the Dogs are less than eight days away from hosting Callaway High School at Bulldog Stadium. Opelika will play a nine-game, regular-season schedule, with five home games and four road games.

The Bulldogs play in 6A Region 2, along with six other teams, Carver, Eufaula, Lee, Park Crossing, Russell County, Lanier and Valley. Two of the three non-region games are against rivals, Auburn and Central.

The following is a breakdown of the OHS football schedule.

Aug. 20, Callaway High School at Bulldog Stadium: The Cavaliers team colors are red and black. The school has 810 students enrolled in the 9th through 12th grade, and play in Class 2A in Georgia. Their head coach is Pete Wiggins, with a record of 150-47 in 16 seasons, including winning the school’s first Class 2A State Championship in 2020, beating Fitzgerald 2217 in the championship game. Callaway will dress out 45 players.

Aug. 27, Auburn High at Bulldog Stadium: The Auburn High Tigers

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER

Auburn coach Bryan Harsin talks to his team after practice Saturday. horizon. The following are five areas of the team that should be carefully observed during the remainder of Auburn’s fall camp.

Wide Receivers The addition of wide receiver’s coach

Cornelius Williams, and the departure of top pass catchers Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz and Eli Stove, make this position by far the biggest question mark on Auburn’s roster this season. The late

addition of Georgia transfer Demetris Robertson (50 catches for 767 yards and 7 touchdowns at Cal in 2016) adds some hierarchical clarity to See CAMP, page B8

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B2 August 12, 2021

Auburn Caps Tokyo 2020 Olympics With Six Medals, Three Gold PHOTO BY USA GYMNASTICS/JOHN CHENG.

She continued the line of U.S. Olympic champions and became the fifth-straight American The Tokyo 2020 to take gold in the allOlympics wrapped up Sunday with the Closing around. Lee won the all-around with a 57.433, Ceremony. Auburn, topping Brazil’s Rebeca represented with a conAndrade (57.298) and tingent of 15 athletes Russia’s Angelina and three coaches, Melnikova (57.199). took home a total of six Lee added another Olympic medals, includmedal as she took home ing three gold medals. bronze in the uneven Now it’s on to Paris, bars final with a 14.500. the site of the 2024 With her three medals Summer Olympic in Tokyo, she became Games, but first here’s one of four Auburn a look back at the highOlympians all-time to lights from Auburn’s representatives in Tokyo. earn three or more medals in the same Olympic GYMNASTICS Games.

Incoming freshman SWIMMING Sunisa Lee competed for Competing in their Team USA in the womfirst Olympics for Team en’s artistic gymnastics USA, Zach Apple and competition and put together huge performanc- Annie Lazor each earned Olympic medals es throughout the week to come away with three in Tokyo. Apple won gold in both the men’s medals.

4x100m freestyle relay The St. Paul, and 4x100m medley Minnesota, product relay, anchoring both started with a silver in teams, while Lazor took the team competition. bronze in the women’s After superstar Simone 200m breaststroke, Biles was pulled following the first rotation, her only event of the Summer Games.

Lee guided the young There was a total of U.S. squad on uneven eight current or former bars and beam with Auburn swimmers at the huge scores and capped Tokyo 2020 Olympics. it with a great routine Marcelo Chierighini on floor to secure the made his third Olympic silver medal for the appearance and swam Americans. on Brazil’s 4x100m freeHighlighting her week was her win in the style and 4x100 medley relays. For Santiago individual all-around.

Grassi (Argentina), Peter Holoda (Hungary), Luis Martinez (Guatemala) and Julie Meynen (Luxembourg), it was their second Olympics.

Martinez reached the final of the men’s 100m butterfly and set a new personal best (51.09) to finish seventh in the world. He became the first swimmer in Guatemala history to make a final at the Olympic Games.

Adriel Sanes, a

graduate transfer who will swim for Auburn in the upcoming season, made his Olympic debut swimming the 100m and 200m breaststroke for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

He also served as one of the flag bearers for his country at the Opening Ceremony.

TRACK & FIELD High jumper Donald Thomas competed in his fourth Olympic Games and was the flagbearer for his home country of

the Bahamas, becoming the first Auburn track and field athlete to ever serve as flag bearer at the Summer Olympics.

Thomas cleared 2.21 meters to finish 13th in Group A. Discus thrower Rachel Dincoff became the first American woman to represent Auburn track and field at the Summer Olympics. Dincoff was 12th in Group A with a mark of 56.22 meters.

On the track, Nathon Allen – making his second Olympics appearance – ran the anchor leg of the men’s 4x400m relay for Jamaica as it finished sixth overall.

Running in her fourth Olympic Games for Trinidad & Tobago, Kai Selvon ran the third leg of the women’s 4x100m relay that placed 15th.

SOFTBALL A former three-time All-American as a Tiger and current Auburn softball assistant coach, Emily Carosone made program history as the first Olympian in Auburn softball history as she competed with Team Italy during the Tokyo Olympics.

Carosone started all five contests for Team Italy at designated player and held a .231 onbase percentage during her Olympic debut.

Carosone and Australia’s

last year.

Oct. 1, Russell County at Bulldog Stadium: Russell County team colors are cardinal and Vegas gold. Dillion Griggs begins his first season as head coach. The Warriors went through a difficult season in 2020 due to COVID-related issues. Last year’s head coach, Mark Rose, refused to field a team and was eventually relieved of his duties. Griggs has an uphill battle, but the administration is spending money, installing a new turf football field and a jumbotron scoreboard.

Opelika is 16-0 against Russell County with the first contest occurring in 1970. OHS and RCH did not play from 2009 until 2020 when the two found themselves in the same region. OHS beat RCHS

49-7 in 2020.

Oct. 8, Lee at Bulldog Stadium: Lee High School’s team colors are red and white.

Eric Hudson begins his third season as the head coach with a 14-7 record and one playoff appearance. The Generals finished 7-4 last season, advancing two rounds in the playoffs. OHS has won eight games in a row against Lee, but only leads the series 1211. Lee won 11 of the first 12 games, while the Bulldogs have dominated since 1998, holding a 9-1 lead. Lee’s enrollment is 1037 students in the 9-11 grades, only three students from moving to 7A. The Bulldogs shutout Lee 19-0 in 2020.

Oct. 15, Valley at Ram Stadium: Valley’s team colors

are royal blue and orange.

Adam Hunter starts his second year as head coach. The Rams finished 4-5 in 2020, forfeiting the game against OHS due to COVID. Opelika and Valley are tied with an all-time series record 23-23-1. The Bulldogs have a five-game winning streak over VHS and have won eight out of the last 10 games. The Rams are trying to get the program where they can compete, like in the 70s and 80s.

Valley has 578 students enrolled in grades 9-11, only seven students from being in Class 5A. Oct. 22, Park Crossing at Bulldog Stadium: The Thunderbirds’ team colors are, navy, scarlet and white. LC Cole begins his second season as head coach. Cole is 40-53 in

CONTRIBUTED

BY AU ATHLETICS

SPORTS

>>

FROM B1 as Tiger head coach, compiling a 23-12 in three seasons, including playoff appearances each year. The Tigers hold a 20-12 lead in the series, but OHS has won the last three games in 1994, 1995 and 2010. Prior to 1994, Eufaula’s last win was in 1973. The Tigers enrolls 574 students, only eight students from dropping to Class 5A. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers 28-21 in 2020.

Sept. 17, Carver at Crampton Bowl (Thursday): Carver’s team colors green and gold: Coach James Thompson begins his fourth season with a 19-12 record, including two playoff appearances in three seasons. OHS holds a 16-3 record in 19 games against the Wolverines, with the last loss coming in 2012.

CHS posted 37 players on

the roster as of this column. Coach Thompson led CHS to a 7-4 record in 2020, claiming the city of Montgomery Championship after beating Lanier, Lee, Park Crossing and Jeff Davis.

OHS beat CHS 24-7 in 2020.

Sept. 24, Central (PC) on at Garrett-Harrison Stadium: Central’s team colors are red and black. Coach Patrick Nix has an overall record of 74-27 in eight seasons. He won two 6A State Championship while at Pinson Valley (2018 and 2019). CHS advanced to the quarterfinals of the playoffs after beating Fairhope and Theodore last season.

AHS beat CHS in the quarterfinals. The Red Devils hold a 46-32 record against the Bulldogs all-time, including winning the last five games.

OHS last beat Central in 2015, 27-21. Central narrowly beat OHS 21-19

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Lee brought home three medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She earned bronze in uneven bars, silver in the team competition and gold in the all-around

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Taylah Tsitsikronis led the entire Olympic field with three hit-by-pitches a piece. Following the conclusion of her Olympic run, Team Italy announced Carosone’s retirement from its national team.

TENNIS Tennis alumnus Tim Puetz made his Olympic debut paired with Kevin Krawietz to represent Germany in the men’s doubles competition held at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.

The Germans won their opening round match with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman and Facundo Bagnis on the first day of Olympic competition. In the Round of 16 match, delayed twice by rain, Puetz and Krawietz fell to Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury of Great Britain by a 6-2, 7-6 (2) score.

From Usingen, Germany, Puetz – Auburn’s first Olympian in men’s tennis – was a four-year letterman at Auburn (2008-11) and a two-year All-American.

Puetz is currently ranked No. 33 worldwide in doubles and has won four career ATP event titles, including victories this season at Lyon, Estoril and Hamburg. nine years as head coach, with stops at Sidney Lanier, Wilcox Central, Fairfield and Loachapoka.

Opelika is 3-0 against PCHS. The school opened in 2014. Park Crossing has 701 students in grades 9-11. Opelika downed Park Crossing 35-7 in 2020.

Opelika, with an enrollment of 953 students, continues to prepare for the season opener on Aug. 20. Tickets will be on sale at Bubbas Medicine the week of each game.

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

B3 August 12, 2021

Bulldogs Begin Fall Practice PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

The Opelika High School Varsity football team began its fall practices on Monday, Aug. 2. The Bulldogs are preparing for their season opener against Callaway High School on Aug. 20.

Triathlon Triumph

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

The Opelika SportsPlex hosted its annual Triathlon for Kids on Saturday. Participants ages 6 to 15 competed in running, swimming and cycling.

B4 August 12, 2021

The School Bell Rings For Young and Old will be setting new trends in the format of elderly care.

Intergenerational programs will increase in years to come.

The National Council on Aging defines intergenerational programs “as activities that increase cooperation and exchange between any two generations.

It has been shown that a relationship between young and old enlightens both generations.”

As I have been blessed to serve both “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. the young and old, intergenerational relationships are something that goes beyond anything that guidance to the next he 2021 school money can buy. What year has begun! generation. is exchanged mentally, This Baby Boomer, I know we are physically, socially a retired teacher with all excited about a and emotionally is so brand new school year 34 years of teaching rich in benefits for the young children, still full of dreams, goals, young and elderly. I gets so excited when learning, newness and have done so much friends. As I engage in the school bells rings. educational settings in I love the smell of new research from an early childhood and crayons, sharpening which I have worked activity assistant for new pencils, putting with the young and the elderly points of new notebook paper elderly adults, I have view. I’d like to share into brand new colorobserved and seen the some important facts benefits of how the ful notebooks, seeing about Intergenerational young and old are able the school bus stop to encourage one anright outside my home settings.

I invite you to share as children load on the other. I know we have my heart felt dream bus with new backhad an interruption with COVID this past packs, clean fresh uni- of setting up interyear, but I still hang forms and new shoes. generational settings on to a star of hope of I reflect back on for young and old. setting up everyday the poem by Robert I’d like to share my educational settings Fulghum, “All I Ever philosophies which of how the young and Really Needed to I have gleaned from old can encourage Know I Learned in research and hands-on each other physically, Kindergarten.” It ends experiences. It’s my mentally and emotion- with the statement, hope that you might “And it is still true, no could incorporate the ally. This can be done matter how old you few ideas I share with in family settings, new ideas, visions and schools and communi- are, when you go out joy as we explore new ty settings. This article into the world, it is best to hold hands and possibilities for our shares an intergenerstick together.” This young children and ational framework of is the truth in the relathose young at heart, how the young can the elderly. bring joy, enthusiasm tionship between the As we stroll into and encouragement to young and old. our Intergenerational the elderly – and how The Baby Boomer the elderly can provide generation, because we Center, which we will hypothetically time, wisdom and are many in number,

T

call “Rainbow School Across the Generations”.

1. We approach the table with intergenerational nametags and supplies. Nametags are so helpful for the adult-child pairs to get to know each other. Older adults and children work in pairs to decorate their nametags. The Intergenerational objectives achieved are interaction and communication; self-esteem enhanced; team work; encouragement of creativity; moderate exercise.

2. The art center has a fresh white sheet of paper stretched out on an easel or table, just waiting to be painted or drawn on by the hands of a young child and older adult.

The blank easel page is waiting for the intergenerational artist’s touch. Paint smocks, washable paints and water wait for the chubby hands of the young child and the soft hands of wisdom of our elderly friend.

Special rules or considerations are gently stressed not to eat the paint and for wet surfaces to be dried to prevent falling and slipping. This can be done by staff and volunteer facilitators who understand the needs of young children and the elderly.

The project of painting portraits of each other creates a loving bond.

3. The intergenerational puzzle center offers objectives in cognitive development, social interaction, as well as team work and cooperation. Full body pictures of children,

adults or animals offers teamwork challenges for the young and old to put the pictures together and offer good discussion time.

4. The block/Lego center provides small motor exercises as well as teamwork in creativity. The older adult can reminisce with his younger friend about how to build a car from the past.

5. Walking over to the Home Center, we see small trowels, seedlings and plant cuttings, gardening gloves, plastic containers, dirt and water cans all ready for an intergenerational gardening experience by a team of young and old.

6. Story book corner has a rocking chair for older adults and small chairs and carpet squares for the young children to gather around to listen to a good story. With the dynamics of our society and culture, many young children are away from their grandparents due to parents having to take a job far away.

Storytime not only provides a warm time for listening and communicating, but it provides a socialization need of grandparenting as well.

7. Intergenerational math centers provide opportunities for hands-on counting which is good for the young and elderly mind. One-on-one correspondence helps young and older minds to recognize a set of objects and their assigned numbers.

8. Cooperative learning is taking place in the science

center where young and old make a hypothesis. For example: on different objects that float and don’t float. Taking care of different kinds of pets is part of the shared responsibilities for the young and old.

9. Free play is a child’s work.

Adults of all ages can still play too.

We all instinctively know how to play.

Intergenerational play promotes cognitive, social, physical and emotional benefits for young children and we older adults.

I have provided just a very brief framework of thought of the advantages of the Intergenerational community. Young children provide such a spark of energy and enthusiasm to older adults. Children are truly blind to age differences. Effective intergenerational programming is very strong and benefits everyone involved.

It takes a lot of work and perseverance, but when a staff and intergenerational volunteers witness daily the warm interaction of facilitating situations where the young and old come together, this complete outlook between the young and old is a blessing forever.

As we Baby Boomers provide new trends, I hope that intergenerational concepts and programs will be one of those positive trends. We Baby Boomers need to grab the hand of a young child and follow a rainbow of JOY! Beth Pinyerd, Classroom Observer

Dr. Anne Leader to Present The Florentine Way of Death

CONTRIBUTED BY OLLI Dr. Anne Leader, visitng fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, will present “The Florentine Way of Death” at an OLLI at Auburn Public Lecture on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Her presentation will be held at the Auburn Public Library at 2 p.m. (CST).

Caring for and commemorating the dead is a fundamental human activity, as old, if not older, as human civilization itself. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended cherished burial rituals worldwide and has also renewed interest in the pandemic of 1348 that killed upwards of 60% of

Europe’s population.

Fourteenth-century authors have become newly relevant as their vivid descriptions of the plague seem ripped from today’s headlines.

Florence, Italy ranked among the largest European cities at the start of the fourteenth century and lost approximately half of her citizens in the summer of 1348, putting great stress on survivors torn between protecting themselves from illness and attending to the sick and dying. Giovanni Boccaccio lamented the abandonment of funeral customs and bemoaned the many who died alone.

Leader will present her award-winning research on burial customs in early

Renaissance Florence, providing an overview of the memorial landscape of the city as Boccaccio and his contemporaries knew it and the ways in which Florentines reformed and renewed their interrupted memorial traditions.

Leader is visiting fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities (IATH) where she is developing Digital Sepoltuario, an interactive website that chronicles the memorial landscape of medieval and

Renaissance Florence.

She holds a HistoryArt History BA from Emory University and earned her MA and PhD in the History of Art and Archaeology from the Institute of Fine Arts (NYU).

She was Rush H. Kress Fellow at Villa I Tatti, The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, where she completed her monograph The Badia of Florence: Art and Observance in a Renaissance Monastery (2012).

More recently she edited and contributed to Memorializing

the Middle Classes in Medieval and Renaissance Europe (2018), and her work has appeared in several essay collections and exhibition catalogs.

Her articles and reviews can be found in a variety of journals including The Burlington Magazine, The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Renaissance Quarterly, Renaissance Studies, Speculum, and Studies in Iconography.

The Osher Lifelong

Learning Institute at Auburn University (OLLI at Auburn) hosts its live Public Lecture 2 to 3 p.m. at the Auburn Public Library. The free program is open to the public.

OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach. OLLI administrative offices and select classes are located at the historic Sunny Slope property, 1031 S. College St., Auburn, Alabama. For more information or to learn about becoming a volunteer faculty member, volunteer service assistant or sponsor, contact Barbara Daron, OLLI Program Coordinator, at 334-844-3102, olli@auburn.edu or visit our website at www. olliatauburn.org.

B5 August 12, 2021

School is Back in Session Throughout Lee County PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES/OPELIKA OBSERVER

Opelika students arrive at Carver Primary on Monday, Aug. 9 for the first day of the 2021-22 school year.

Teachers at Jeter Primary School in Opelika had classrooms ready for students.

West Forest Intermediate School welcomed students.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS

Auburn City Schools returned to in-person instruction on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

B6 August 12, 2021

Following Footsteps Local Students Receive Scholarships, Carry On Legacy of Opelika’s First African American Doctor

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Members of the J.W Darden Foundation gathered at the J.W Darden House in Opelika last week to honor two Opelika High School graduates who are carrying on the legacy of Dr. J.W. Darden, Opelika’s first African American doctor.

“We started giving the scholarship as a way to pay tribute to Dr. Darden and also all of our instructors, administrators and our experiences there [J.W. Darden High School],” said Elaine Burton, president of the J.W. Darden High School Alumni Association.

“As our fellowship grew in getting together for the reunion, we realized we needed to do more in order to pay tribute … it was all about education.

What better way to pay it forward than recognizing young people from our area?”

Benet Harris and Taylor Smith were selected out of 15 applicants to be honored by the foundation through the presentation of scholarships for their outstanding academic record, philanthropic efforts and ambitions to service communities through their education.

“They are just so extraordinary,” Burton said.

Harris graduated Opelika High School with a 4.34 GPA and plans to attend Georgia Tech this fall to pursue a degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

“I love math and science, so I wanted to go into engineering,”

SMITH Harris said. “Since the pandemic, chemical engineers, pharmacists, everybody has worked together for the vaccine, and I feel like it’s something that I’m interested in.”

During her time at OHS, Harris was a member of the Student Government Association (treasurer in 2020), the French Club, the Anchor Club, the cheer team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, show choir, Key Club, FBLA, FCCLA, the Guidance Advisory Committee and was class president from 2017-20.

She said she is honored to receive the scholarship in the name of J.W. Darden and wants to continue his legacy through her own work.

“It’s inspiring,” Harris said. “He did set goals – he achieved them – like I plan to do for myself. You look around and see how far he’s come. Me personally, you will see how far I’ve come by the time I graduate Georgia Teach and I feel like the scholarship will help me achieve my goals.”

Harris earned many honors and distinctions during her time as a Bulldog, including: being a member of the National Honor

Society, Lee County Young Leaders, Rho Kappa National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and Homecoming Court, as well attending the National Youth Leadership Forum for Engineering in 2020 and more.

She has also been involved in community service projects for numerous organizations, including: Delta Gems, Church Youth Workers, Habitat for Humanity, East Alabama Food Bank, Lee County Youth Development Center and Southern Showcases.

Harris has also completed AP courses in US History, Physics and Biology, and her personal interest include baking, math and drawing.

“I’ve watched Benet

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grow up … she has such a willing heart,” Burton said of Harris.

"She’s intelligent, and she has strived to exemplify that in everything she does.

Through her community service, through her interactions with people generally, she’s always gracious and sweet. And then to find out what her goals are.

I’m just so thrilled it seems what her future holds.”

Smith graduated Opelika High School with a 4.0 GPA and is planning to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. in the fall in pursuit of a political science degree.

“Being a lawyer is a dream of mine,” he said.

During his time at Opelika, Smith earned inductions into the National Honor Society, the Science National

Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Student Government Association at OHS, Key Club, FBLA, Pho Kappa and Anchor Club.

He spoke on the honor of receiving a scholarship from the foundation and how unique it is for he and Harris to share the acknowledgement together.

“It’s cool because you know, we have been friends since middle school, so to kind of still be beside her [Harris] is cool,” Smith said. “Going into law, – to give African Americans fair and equal treatment – that’s kind of something I’m trying to do. To get this scholarship, it kind of goes hand in hand.

There is pressure to succeed, getting such a scholarship, but I’m okay with the pressure.”

Smith has also

worked as an extended day instructor at Northside Elementary School, been a member of the Church Choir Cabinet and the Opelika City School Advisory Committee and completed AP courses in US History and Biology. His personal interests include football, show choir and playing the piano and saxophone.

“Taylor is special too,” Burton said. “He too has been involved in community service.

Both of them will be in new cultures, city life instead of our beautiful, sweet, sleepy Opelika. But we are excited for that. What they have inside, its more than their intellect. So I just think all of that is important, how they are willing to serve their community as well as do stuff in the books.”

Ultimately, with these scholarships, the foundation hopes to establish a lineage of giving back to the deserving youth of Opelika and surrounding communities.

“It’s important because, we hope that we are building something,” Burton said.

“We are a finite organization … so we are trying to do something that will encourage our children and even grandchildren to hopefully keep some of this going.”

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B7 August 12, 2021

4-H is Back Stronger Than Ever CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM As 4-H prepares for another club year amid pandemic surges, its main focus continues to be on Alabama’s young people. For more than 100 years, Alabama 4-H has empowered youth to use their heads, hearts, hands and health to become their best self and achieve their goals. After a year of social distance and

separation, 4H is more prepared than ever to pour into Alabama’s youth.

These opportunities help develop accountability, cognitive skills, community pride, citizenship and leadership skills.

Molly Gregg, assistant director of Alabama 4-H, is confident that the adversities endured during the pandemic have made 4-H members stronger.

“The past year has taught us that our young people are resilient and courageous,”

Gregg said. “They have the capacity to face the future with optimism, confidence and creativity regardless of the challenges before them.”

Program Enrollment The Alabama 4-H club year officially began Aug. 2. 4-H is now accepting enrollment for the new club year.

4-H curriculums open new worlds of learning for young people seeking fun, adventure and knowledge.

“We invite all young people ages 9 to 18 to

join 4-H,” Gregg said.

“Let’s work together to learn, lead and make a difference in our communities.”

Each Alabama county has different programming opportunities available, both inschool and after-school programs are available.

Find out what is happening by contacting the local Extension office and asking to speak to the local 4-H agent.

About Alabama 4-H: Alabama 4-H is the state’s leading

youth development organization. As a branch of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 4-H agents work with young people in each of Alabama’s 67 counties.

The organization uses regional Extension agents as well as community volunteers, corporate partners, alumni and parents to deliver educational programs. Animal science, healthy living, leadership, outdoor education, science and technology are among the plethora of

activities 4-H offers. In addition to these activities, Gregg said 4-H provides experiences for youth to develop life skills. “The program has a commitment to helping young people thrive by providing opportunities to be healthy, caring and responsible,” Gregg said.

More Information Contact your county Extension office to learn about local opportunities, or visit www.alabama4h.com for more information.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY VICKY YARBROUGH

Local 4-H participants competed in the Annual AJCA Roundup at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Jewel and Victoria Thompson, Mary Elliot Martin, Mercer Shirah, Elizabeth and Philip Belcher, Jay Collins and Mary Gullatt (not pictured) all won awards. They are coached by Smokey Spears.

FROM B1 for their own children moving forward. As we know this is a very fluid situation; Iwould ask that you remember that every child matters and that the parents decisions on the health of their child matters,” Messer said.

He ended with a quote from Milton Freeman: “‘Whenever we depart from voluntary cooperation and try to do good by using force, the bad moral value of force triumphs over good intentions.’”

A parent whose child attended school in Smiths Station addressed the board requesting a hardship placement in order for her child to be able to continue attending the Smiths Station school.

Superintendent Dr. James “Mac” McCoy said that he would be in touch with the parent

following the meeting.

Donna Carr addressed the board regarding her concerns on the lack of COVID-19 precautions being taken at South Smiths Station Elementary School.

Carr’s grandson attends the school. “I am very concerned about the mask ordinance,” she said. “I am not the type person that is against people that don’t want to wear a mask, but I wish there was some type of compromise.”

Carr described her grandson’s classroom, which she visited with him, and talked about how the children were seated at tables facing one another and how her grandson was the only child wearing a mask.

“That was very concerning to me; my grandson has asthma and I have heart problems,” Carr said. “I wish there were some other safety precautions put in place.”

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She suggested the possibility of potentially separating the children who are not wearing masks from the ones who are wearing masks.

Larry Patterson, District 6 board representative, asked to speak on the matter of the mask policy following the community speakers. Patterson implied that he did not agree with the statement that the board had decided to have a mask-optional policy and went on record to have his name removed from that statement because he was not present when the decision was made.

“I want to go on record; where it says [the] board made the recommendation about masks, having choice as to masking, as Dr. McCoy and I talked about this before I left town … take my name off of this where it says ‘board,’” Patterson said.

"Sometimes we don’t

PHOTO BY MICHELLE KEY / OPELIKA OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY >>

make the right decisions as adults, you know we are acting like children when they need to be doing what is right.”

District 2 Representative Larry Boswell assured Patterson that the board would monitor the situation on a daily basis.

“We will review on a daily basis … if it changes, we will go back to the drawing board,” Boswell said.

In other business: • The board voted to approve five out of town

field trips for the Smiths Station High School.

• The board received a report from David Lane regarding the annual audit for the period from Oct. 1, 2019 through Sept. 30, 2020.

No negative findings were reported as a part of this audit.

“I am certainly pleased with this report, this is one of the best ones thus far under my tenure here,” McCoy said.

• The board voted to approve the financial

report given by Ken Roberts for the month of June 2021. The report showed that local revenue was up 12.5% as of June 30.

• The board voted to approve various human resource recommendations.

• The board voted to approve a human resource board meeting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 31.

McCoy informed the board that there are still several positions within the school system that need to be filled.

B8 August 12, 2021

GIVING MULTIPlIED WITH BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FREUND As the new school year approaches, Operation Christmas Child shoebox packers are making use of backto-school prices to purchase gifts and essential items for children in need overseas. Participants are collecting school supplies, along with hygiene items and fun toys, to pack in shoeboxes. Samaritan’s Purse will deliver these gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 100 countries.

For many children, access to these simple items is critical to education as it was for Luis Gonzales, a shoebox recipient raised by a single mother in the ghetto of Panama City, Panama.

“I know what it is like to not have enough money for basic school supplies,” Gonzalez, whose experience is not uncommon for many children living in poverty, said.

One day, Gonzalez received a giftfilled shoebox from Operation Christmas Child and found it filled with the school supplies he needed. >>

FROM B1 the position, but a litany of unproven names stand in line behind him. Following his impressive A-day performance, Elijah Canion figures to further build upon his chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix. Furthermore, first-year Auburn offensive coordinator will hope to see production out of the likes of Kobe Hudson, Ze’Vian Capers and Shedrick Jackson. Tight end usage will factor into how many of these guys see significant play time, too, but a significant amount of improvement must be seen in the receivers to prevent the Tigers from becoming too reliant on the run game.

Offensive Line Offensive line coach Will Friend came over

our first calculator — a small, gray one we still love to use.

Through the shoebox gifts, we learned that you don’t have to be close neighbors in order to help each other.

These gifts came from strangers” National Collection Week is Nov. 1522. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/ buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish

from Tennessee in the offseason and inherits an Auburn offensive line that has been much maligned over the past couple of years. His goal: to keep Bo Nix (or whoever is under center) from scrambling for his life. The center position of Friend’s unit is all but locked up, with senior Nick Brahms owning 21 career starts. There is going to be a battle between seniors Austin Troxell and Alec Jackson at the left tackle spot, however, with both splitting time there in 2020.

The right side of the line has questions marks too – with Brandon Council (who started four of five games in 2020) recovering from an ACL injury and redshirt sophomore Keiondre Jones battling starting positions.

Other players to watch include Brodarious Hamm, Kilian Zierer

and Tashawn Manning.

Friend and his offensive line will have two “warm up” games against lesser opponents to start the season. The real test comes in week three when the Tigers travel to face a Penn State defense that recorded 21 sacks in just nine games last season.

Defensive Line It just hasn’t been the same since Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson left The Plains. Last year, the defensive line unit saw a significant drop-off in production, but also saw an invaluable amount of experience given to young talent. Now, that young talent should morph into experienced leadership. The addition of UAB transfer and seventh-year defensive tackle Tony Fair amplifies that fact. If there was a standout to last year’s

MAKARETS

SHANIKA & SHERIKA

Lee County Chapter Alabama State University Alumni Association to Meet The Lee County Chapter Alabama State University Alumni Association will meet Aug. 19, on Zoom at 6 p.m. CST. The chapter will begin to have a "meet and greet the lee County Chapter Asu Alumni Hornet Nest Membership".

Each month a member of the chapter will have an opportunity to let other members get to know them better.

packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement. Boxes built online go to hard-toreach countries.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 186 million giftfilled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

This month the organization will get to know the 2021 scholarship recipient to Alabama State University.

Join the group on zoom and meet the most recent Lee County Hornet and find out what is happening with the local alumni association chapter.

For membership, please contact President Dwight E. Howard, or Secretary Bernice R. Howard at 334-745-7293.

GONZALEZ PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY TODD VAN EMST/AU ATHLETICS

CAMP

“My shoebox gift gave me the opportunity to pursue an education and taught me to never lose hope,” he said. “These gifts can truly impact a child’s life forever.”

For Olesea Makarets, who was born and raised in a family of nine in a small village in Moldova, the thing that stood out to her the most was a pack of colorful markers.

“I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I didn’t know some of the colors existed. I was so excited I jumped up and started running around the room. The markers my family had at home were dried out. We would dip them in water just to make them last a little longer. I always wished I could color and draw — the markers were exactly what I wanted. I could hardly wait to show my friends at school the new markers.”

Sisters Shanika and Sherika who grew up in rural Jamaica received notebooks and pencils in their shoebox gifts at age 8.

“Before this, our father cut a notebook and pencil in half so we’d have school supplies. We also received

Tashawn Manning in practice Tuesday. underwhelming defensive line, it was Colby Wooden. The rising sophomore recorded 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in his freshman season, earning himself lofty expectations in 2021 from the coaching staff and fan base alike.

Juniors Dereck Hall and Dre Butler, senior T.D. Moultry (who returns to edge after spending much of the previous two season at linebacker) and sophomore Zykevious Walker are all significant names looking to cement themselves into the Tigers’ regular pass-rushing rotation this year.

QB Battle Having started every game for the Tigers since stepping on campus, junior Bo Nix is the betting favorite to win the starting quarterback job for Auburn this season.

But he does have competition. LSU transfer, the 6-foot-7-inch TJ Finley, came to the Tigers in the spring and looks the part.

There are major questions about his accuracy and decision making – having thrown for five touchdowns and five interceptions with a 57.1% pass completion rate – but similar concerns apply to Nix. Regardless of Finley's potential ability to usurp his predecessor, this is the first time Nix will have legit competition for the starting role.

This should force Nix to elevate his game and take a commanding presence of the locker room. If he doesn’t, at any time, there will be a competent player behind him that can be given the reins.

Loaded Secondary As stated earlier, Auburn’s secondary is probably the most

well-rounded unit on the team. That doesn’t mean there are a lack of questions regarding the group.

Defensive stalwarts like Smoke Monday and Roger McCreary return to spearhead the unit, but the battle for second starting safety and cornerback is up for grabs. Cornerback Nehmeniah Pritchett impressed last year, as well did rising sophomore Jaylin Simpson, and West Virginia transfer Dreshun Miller is rated highly as he was a part of a Mountaineer unit that was ranked No. 5 overall by PFF through week 14 of last season.

At the nickel safety position, Ledarius Tennison generated buzz in limited play time last year, and Zion Puckett looks prepared to challenge for significant snaps.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

August 12, 2021

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Inside the Statehouse Status of Race for Shelby’s Seat

T

STEVE FLOWERS

he field may be set for the race to fill the Seat of our iconic senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby.

When Shelby announced that he would not seek a seventh six-year term in the United States Senate earlier this year, many of us expected a stampede of candidates to throw their hats in the ring. When a U.S. Senate seat opens for the first time in 36 years, you might expect everybody who had ever won a 4-H speaking contest to enter the fray. However, I guess politics does not have quite the allure that it used to in bygone days.

The election will be held on May 24, 2022. I say election rather than Republican Primary because a Democrat cannot win in a statewide race in Alabama. Winning the GOP Primary is tantamount to election in the Heart of Dixie.

The four GOP candidates are Huntsville Congressman Mo Brooks, 67; former Trump Ambassador to Slovenia, Lynda Blanchard, 62; former Shelby Chief of Staff and more currently Business Council of Alabama CEO, Katie Britt, 39 and finally Jessica Taylor who is only 37. Allow me to outline the attributes and foibles of all four. However, their order of description does not indicate my preference or their likelihood of winning.

You may have noticed that besides all four names, I have acknowledged their chronological age on earth. This is important because seniority is not only important but is paramount in the pursuit of power and the ability to be an effective broker for Alabama along the Potomac.

Obviously, the younger you are, the more likely that you have the potential to be an effective senator for Alabama because time in Washington equates to seniority, which results in power for our state.

If someone had told Shelby when he entered the Senate 36 years ago in 1986, that the race to be his successor would field four major candidates and three of them would be ladies, he would have been dubious. Speaking of Shelby and his successor, it is no secret that the fine senior gentleman senator from Tuscaloosa would like to see his former Chief of Staff, Katie

Boyd Britt, follow him in the U.S. Senate.

Those of us who have followed young Britt since she was a girl growing up in Enterprise, knew she had potential governor or U.S. Senator written all over her from the get-go.

Katie was miss everything in Enterprise. She was governor of Girls State, went on to the University of Alabama where she was President of the student government, went on to graduate from the University of Alabama Law School. She worked for Shelby, then practiced law for a while and then became CEO of the Business Council of Alabama.

She is married to Wesley Britt, a former Alabama football star from Cullman.

They have two children and reside in Montgomery. Britt will be the moderate pro-business, Shelby-like, Republican in the race. She raised a record-breaking $2.4 million in her first month in the race.

Jessica Taylor is a strikingly attractive, aggressive and vivacious firebrand conservative. She ran a respectable third in the race for the open 2nd congressional seat last year. She may be hampered by an inability to compete with the other three in campaign funds.

Lynda Blanchard, 62, is from Montgomery. She is indeed a lifetime resident of Montgomery except for three years as Ambassador to Slovenia. She is a quiet, well-spoken, sincere lady who would be a good senator. Undoubtedly, she has been successful in business. She has contributed over $5 million to her campaign.

Congressman Mo Brooks enters the race as the frontrunner. Brooks has staked out the conservative right-wing of this GOP race, which probably constitutes the majority of primary voters in Alabama.

He quite deserves his label as the most conservative. He would more than likely be one of the most conservative senators in Washington if elected as our next senator. He has been a diligent right-winger during his entire 40-year career in politics. His 10 years of being the congressman for the Tennessee Valley has proven that he is more interested in being on Fox News than bringing home the bacon for Alabama. He will proudly proclaim that he will be a United States Senator and not a Senator for Alabama.

He has been totally ineffective during his time in Congress and would be ineffective for the entire state. In fact, if elected, he would be an albatross. However, having Trump’s total endorsement, Mo Brooks enters the race as the favorite.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers.

He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www. steveflowers.us.

COVID-19 Policies Re-enacted

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM The Lee County Commission agreed to re-enact COVID-19 policies amidst a rise in cases in different departments.

“The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus has become a significant risk to those who are unvaccinated because being highly contagious and now transmittable thru those who have been vaccinated,” said County Administrator Roger Rendleman, in a memorandum to the commission.

“Within the last two weeks, almost every Appointing Authority has had a department with entire groups of employees exposed or sickened by COVID with most of those employees not being

vaccinated.”

Rendleman temporarily reenacted policies for county employees on Aug. 4, but brought them before the commission Monday for approval.

Employees are now required to wear a face covering, whether that be a mask or shield, indoors.

“We need to minimize the risk of exposure and particular the amount and time of that exposure,” the policies state. “Since we have no idea who has or who hasn’t been vaccinated, we need to unfortunately go back to some level of masking and distancing.”

The policies also state that personnel should, if they test positive for COVID-19 and exhibit symptoms, return to work after ten days of first symptoms. Additionally, employees will need

to not have had fever for 24 hours and shown improvement in COVID-19 symptoms.

If the employee is not showing symptoms, then they can return to work after 10 days of a positive test.

Should the employee be hospitalized, they will follow the conditions for showing symptoms, but return to work ten days after hospital release.

The county is asking anyone who is unvaccinated and comes in contact with someone with COVID-19 to quarantine for seven days if they receive a negative COVID-19 test, and 10 days if they take no test.

Additionally, quarantine will be unnecessary if the employee has had COVID-19 within See LLC, page B10

Stewart Wins Top Spot in Alabama 4-H CONTRIBUTED BY DEBORAH STEWART / 4-H FREA On June 22, The Alabama 4-H State Ambassadors elected their officers for the 2021-22 year. The results of the election declared Neely Stewart, an Auburn native and rising senior at Auburn High School, as the newly elected vice-president of the Alabama 4-H State Ambassadors. This will be Stewart’s third term as a State 4-H Ambassador.

Stewart also served as committee chairs of the Ambassadors See WINS page B11

NOW OPEN

STEWART

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 August 12, 2021

We Dare Defend Our Rights. OK, but What About Our Health?

GREG MARKLEY

A

n old maxim is “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” That may be what the 34% of Alabamians not vaccinated for COVID virus (as of Aug. 3) is doing.

After all, the state motto is “We dare defend our rights.” Translated into Latin it is: “Audemus jura nostra defendere.”

State mottos are not usually on the lips of citizens, but in Alabama the motto is well-known and used often. It is a battle cry for state versus federal conflicts such as “water wars” or cases of the Feds’ role in public schools or in matters of race and

voting rights.

“Folks are supposed to have common sense,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in Birmingham on July 23.

“But it’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.”

Reporters asked if she would create a mask mandate or restrict employees, but she referred to the role of unvaccinated citizens in the crisis.

“Almost 100% of the new hospitalizations are with unvaccinated folks,” Ivey explained.

“And the deaths are certainly occurring with unvaccinated folks. They are choosing a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain.

Why would we want to mess around with just temporary stuff (such as a mask mandate)?”

The governor herself received both doses of COVID vaccine in December.

In an editorial, The Dothan Eagle said it understood the governor’s

frustration. Asked what she would do next to remedy the lack of vaccinated people, Ivey told a reporter, sharply: “I don’t know; you tell me!” She is genuinely concerned that people are unnecessarily getting ill when they can get a free shot with a high performance rate.

The Eagle was not hysterical, like Kyle Whitmire’s dystopic column of Aug. 1, at al.com. Sure, this is a crisis, but that column minimized what the governor has tried thus far. And, in a shallow attack column, Whitmire wrote ‘With an election less than a year away, Ivey seems more worried about opposition in the Republican primary than she is about the health and safety of her constituents.” One thing is for sure: al.com loves words more than solutions. .If Ivey was scared of the Rights’ electoral power, she would have more gently blamed them for not getting

vaccinated. Instead she told it like it is. Her tone would have been muted, if she was afraid of tough GOP opposition. Yet Whitmire whimpers that she is too political. For goodness sake even the NYT and CNN noted her bold approach. Recently two potential challengers (both are constitutional officers) decided to run for reelection, not for governor.

The fractured state economy is another Ivey motivation for getting beyond the COVID-19 era.

Despite a bullish economy before the pandemic, with Alabama a leader nationally in high employment, she got little recognition from national media.

The old economy will be tough to regain soon. Dr. Ricardo Maldonado, an infectious disease doctor at East Alabama Medical Center, said people should not minimize the dangers in skipping the vaccine.

“I have already

witnessed too much death and pain from this virus,” Maldonado reported. “I wouldn’t wish dying from COVID-19 on my worst enemy.

There are two things in common among the vast majority of those patients who are severely ill with COVID-19: They are not vaccinated, and they truly never thought it would happen to them or their family member.”

In excess of 85 percent of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are due to the Delta variant, according to Maldonado.

The variant is at least 50% more contagious and maybe more serious than other variants from earlier in the crisis. He adds: “The good news is that mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) still provide excellent protection against the Delta variant at nearly 90 percent.”

The governor’s remarks of July 23 were frantic. They were also forceful and came from the heart, not a focus group. Ivey told us what

is at stake, medically and societally if vaccinations do not rise.

(There was a small uptick in people taking the shots, just days after her remarks.) But Alabama citizens still need to roll up their sleeves — literally — and get the shot.

There are several reasons for that, but Ivey’s “sound bites” were probably part.

We have far to go to escape from having our recovery from COVID-19 being stopped by its Delta variant. What to do?

Alabama would benefit from a two-line motto.

“We dare defend our rights ... we dare defend our health.

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 11 years. gm.markley@ charter.net

Why Only Citizens Should Vote

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE — JOHN MERRILL

growing number of left-leaning political activists and

thinkers are proposing that Democrats should legalize non-citizen voting in a purely political power grab. In America, voting is one of our most sacred privileges as U.S citizens and playing partisan games with our voting laws will weaken the integrity of our elections. Even setting aside the problematic motivations of non-citizen voting, the political, cultural and public policy effects of non-citizen voting would prove

LCC >>

Monday night, District 2 Commission Sarah Brown, said that she thinks it is time to share with the county some information on how things will be decided moving forward.

“I wanted to put this on the agenda tonight, so we could really talk about our plan and process,” Brown said. “I believe there’s been a lot of questions from people in the community and we’ve had quite a few people that have come and are asking for money and asking for funds.”

The commission has discussed infrastructure (water, sewer, broadband), public safety and community aid as the top three priorities right now, Brown said.

“I think our first priority should be to talk with our current departments,” she said.

The county may wait on approving any broadband projects, given the state of Alabama has shown potential to provide that aid to the state, Brown said.

“Us putting in money toward that when we possibly will be getting that from Alabama, I think we’re all in a waiting game for that,” she said. “But I wanted people to understand that we know that that’s a priority.”

Brown said she believes the commission should wait until the budget process is finalized before addressing the federal funds.

However, the commission, once the budget process is done, would like to have an organized list of all interested organizations.

Brown said she discussed with District 1 Commissioner Doug Cannon the idea of a

FROM B9 three months, recovered and has no symptoms.

The commission also agreed to add 80 hours of sick leave to every employee balance. The commission also permanently raised the maximum cap for sick leave balances from 1040 hours to 1120.

Probate Judge Bill English said that he has three employees currently out.

American Rescue Plan Funds: Lee County has received $32 million from the federal government and local organizations want a slice of the pie.

Each meeting, a new group or organization approaches the commission to ask how the funding will be spent and to throw their name in for consideration.

A

equally problematic.

The idea of non-citizen voting on its face seems to be an outlandish proposal and something similar would never be allow in other segments of American life.

Let me ask you, would it make sense for the local Catholic parish to allow the neighboring Baptist church membership to select their next priest? Should the Lions Club membership select the next president of the Rotary Club? Should

the Auburn University administration decide who coaches The University of Alabama’s football team? The obvious answer to all three questions is absolutely not, even though the Auburn faithful may like that idea.

If we would not allow similar actions in these instances, then we should not allow non-citizens to decide the leaders of our nation, or even our local communities. Expanding the electorate to include

non-citizens would weaken the public’s faith in both election security and integrity at a time when we need to reassure Americans that our elections are both safe and secure.

As we are all aware, our electoral institutions are in a fragile and delicate position following recent events, and radically altering a bedrock principle such as citizen voting would be disastrous. Noncitizen voting reduces

one-sheet that each organization representative would use to list who they are, what they are asking for, what the organization does for Lee County and how the need is COVID-19 or pandemic related.

“It’s time that we do have a plan of action for the use of the allotted money so it’s great to see that we’re coming up with a plan,” said District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand.

“So the one-sheet is a great tool.”

District 4 Commissioner Robert Ham reiterated the sentiment that Cannon expressed a few weeks back — the commissioners want the money to last and to be able to see visible results fifteen years down the line.

English also said that having organization to the process will help the

commissioners better evaluate which organizations they want to support.

The commission agreed that each member would think of what they would like the one-sheet to include, which already has the following: - Who the organization is - What the organization does for the community - What the organization’s greatest needs are COVID-19, pandemic or preparation related - Goals and objectives - A timeline - Requested money - Impact evaluation “This is an unprecedented opportunity and I think we all know and understand the significance of it,” Brown said.

Other Business: - The commission approved an educational reimbursement

request from Online Price’s office.

- The commission approved a retail beer and retail table wine license application for The Quick.

- The commission approved a special events retail license application for Legacy at Serenity Farms.

- The commission approved the Rebuild Alabama Act and County Transportation Plan.

- The commission approved a speed limit reduction for Lee Road 319.

- The commission approved a timber sale at the location for the new highway department.

- The commission also heard a report for the establishment of 25 MPH Speed Zone in all of the Lee County subdivisions, which the commission will vote on during the next meeting.

See CITIZEN, page B11

B11 August 12, 2021

Community Marches for Peace

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER Aied Harris from Montgomery was the guest speaker at this years Non-Violence Peace Rally and March held in the Samford Community in Opelika last weekend.

Harris lost two of her children to violence. One this last September when a man just started shooting at him at a service station in Montgomery and one of Harris’s other sons, Edward Reeves, a well-known rapper known by the stage name Bambino Gold, disappeared on Nov. 5, 2017. Reeves and his cousin were found deceased in Macon, Georgia.

WINS >> FROM B9 in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 years.

The Alabama 4-H Ambassador Officers are chosen by their peers. This year there are 27 state ambassadors from multiple

CITIZEN >> FROM B10 the public’s faith in secure elections and burdens local authorities with administering elections with no ability to verify the immigration status of some prospective voters. Non-citizen voting could even have effects on our nation’s immigration system, by disincentivizing the naturalization process which has successfully integrated millions of immigrants into the broader American identity.

Many Alabamians would disagree with the assertion made by non-citizen voting advocates that it is “just good civics” to radically alter the long-established traditions of citizen voting and naturalization. The naturalization process is greatly incentivized by the fact that new citizens are officially accepted into our political community and have earned the privilege

counties across the state of Alabama.

The Alabama 4-H State Ambassadors are the top 4-H’ers in the state. After the rigorous application and interview process, Lee County has secured an ambassador representative for the last six years

which proves Lee County 4-H programs to be impressive across the state.

The 27 Alabama 4-H State Ambassadors not only represent their county and region in 4-H programs but also have the main responsibility of

planning events for 4-H youth across the state. Their main event is the Alabama 4-H Midwinter Teen Leadership Retreat, which is held at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama, in early February. The Midwinter Retreat is

for any 4-H teen from ages 14-18. This elite Ambassador group plans every aspect of Midwinter from workshops, social activities, the theme and even the menu for the weekend. It is also the responsibility of a state ambassador to spread the word

about 4H in their communities.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact: Lee County Extension Office/ Lee County 4-H; 600 S. 7th St., Suite 4 in Opelika, or call 334-749-3353.

to shape our nation’s future through voting.

Nationalized citizens must take an oath to the U.S. Constitution, and they have shown they are dedicated to learning about our institutions, laws, and political culture. The naturalization process serves as an essential, shared experience for millions of past and present immigrants to the U.S. In comparison, non-citizens do not have this same shared experience nor have they shown the same verifiable degree of dedication to understanding and joining our national community. It is not “good civics” to allow legal residents to vote before they receive a proper education in our political culture.

Non-citizen voting advocates point to instances of non-citizen voting in U.S. history to justify their present-day proposals, but they fail to put non-citizen voting in its proper historical context.

Non-citizen voting disappeared long ago

because it outlived its usefulness and justifications. In the early days of our republic, the idea of a national citizenship or identity had not fully developed, and it was not until the well into the 1800s that state citizenship started to slowly give way to the idea of national citizenship.

Even before this period, many states that allowed non-citizen voting required that aliens declare their intentions to become citizens, and some even required oaths to the U.S. Constitution.

Unsurprisingly, at the beginning of the 20th century, as our national identity became centered around a set of collective ideals and principles of what it meant to be an American citizen, non-citizen voting disappeared from our political culture.

If the goal is to increase voter participation, then non-citizen voting is not the correct answer. In Alabama, since taking office on January

19, 2015, we have registered 1,890,152 new voters and as it stands today we have 3,599,224 registered voters in this state.

Ninety-six percent of eligible African American residents are registered, 91% of eligible White residents are registered and 94% of all eligible residents in this state are registered to vote. To increase voter participation,

you don’t irrationally expand the electorate; instead you make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. In Alabama, we have worked hard to both streamline voter registration and ensure the security of our elections.

Consequently, we have broken records for participation in every election since January 2016. This is the model that should

be replicated throughout the country to increase participation and representation as opposed to partisan power grabs.

Our republic is the envy of the world for both its ability to hold safe and secure elections, as well as its ability to integrate newcomers, and non-citizen voting would further jeopardize both of these cherished traditions.

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PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL August 17, 2021 7:00 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with §23-4-2, Code of Alabama, 1975, that the City Council of the City of Opelika will conduct a Public Hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to receive the benefit of public input concerning a proposal to vacate a portion of an unnamed street lying between Lots 5, 6 and 8A of a subdivision plat entitled “Revision of Lots 3,4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18, a re-subdivision of Lots 4 and 7 of Fox Run Industrial Park, First Revision First Addition”, according to and as shown on plat of said subdivision of record in Plat Book 20 at Page 89 in the Office of the Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama.

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

The portion of said unnamed street proposed to be vacated is more particularly described as follows: LOTS 8A AND 9A, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF REVISION OF LOTS 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18 A RE-SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 4 & 7 FOXRUN INDUSTRIAL PARK, FIRST ADDITION, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN PLAT

BOOK 20, PAGE 89. BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGIN AT A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "15722") FOUND AT THE SW CORNER OF LOT 8A OF SAID PLAT, SAID REBAR ALSO LYING ON THE EAST RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF AN UNNAMED ROAD (60 FEET INWIDTH RIGHT OF WAY); THENCE RUN NORTHERLY AND NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE THE FOLLOWING THREE (3) COURSES: 1.)

N00°05'40"W, A DISTANCE OF 205.58 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "15722") FOUND; 2.)

ALONG A CURVE TO THE RIGHT (RADIUS= 150.00 FEET) A CHORD BEARING AND DISTANCE OF N28°34'21"E, 143.76 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "15722") FOUND; 3.) N57°12'47"E, A DISTANCE OF 160.39 FEET TO A 6" x 6" CONCRETE MONUMENT FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAID EAST RIGHT OF WAY LINE AND THE SOUTHWESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF FOX RUN PARKWAY (U.S. HIGHWAY 431) (ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT NO. OLB-041-000-001) (RIGHT OF WAY WIDTH VARIES); THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE THE FOLLOWING THREE (3) COURSES: 1.) S32°49'21"E, A DISTANCE OF

171.84 FEET TO A 6" x 6" CONCRETE MONUMENT FOUND AT A RIGHT OF WAY FLARE; 2.)

S44°08'51"E, ALONG SAID FLARE, A DISTANCE OF 101.65 FEET TO A 6" x 6" CONCRETE MONUMENT FOUND; 3.) S32°48'55"E, A DISTANCE OF 388.00 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE AND THE NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF GREATER PEACE DRIVE (60 FEET IN-WIDTH RIGHT OF WAY); THENCE RUN S57°12'45"W, ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE, A DISTANCE OF 262.95 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR FOUND; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTER ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE AND A CURVE TO THE RIGHT (RADIUS= 270.00 FEET) A CHORD BEARING AND DISTANCE OF S62°25'37"W, A DISTANCE OF 47.92 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "11282") FOUND; THENCE LEAVING SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE RUN N31°32'31"W, A DISTANCE OF 339.52 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR FOUND; THENCE RUN S89°58'51"W, A DISTANCE OF 136.31 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PARCEL OF LAND LIES IN THE SW 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 5, T19N, R27E, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AND CONTAINS 4.79 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.

A copy of the Petition to Vacate and the proposed resolution approving the vacation will be available upon request at the office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor of City Hall, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-7052083 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

DATED this the 22nd day of July, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones RUSSELL A. JONES, CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/22/21, 07/29/21, 08/05/21 & 08/12/21 ––––––– CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:30 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: 1. A public hearing on a request by Chao Han, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the South Lake Area Bank Parcels, Redivision

of Lot 2 subdivision consisting of 5 lots accessed from the 1500 block South Uniroyal Road. .

2a. An agenda item related to a rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 166 acres at the corner of Highway 431 and Cusseta Road from a low density residential land use category to a mixed use development category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 166 acres and Council approves the rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

2b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for William B. Lowe, Jr. and Mary S. Haines, property owners, to rezone 166 acres at the corner of Highway 431 and Cusseta Road from R-1 zoning district to a PUD zoning district.

2c. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for William B. Lowe, Jr. and Mary S. Haines, property owners, for preliminary plat approval of the Blackberry Reserve subdivision plat consisting of 245 lots accessed at the corner of Highway 431 and Cusseta Road.

3.A request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for W.S. Newell & Sons, Inc., property owner, for final plat approval of the Towne Lakes, Phase 5 subdivision consisting of 102 lots accessed from Bush Creek Road off Towne Lake Parkway.

4.A public hearing on a request by Jack Johnson,

authorized representative for Opelika East, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a Climate-Controlled Self-Storage building in the C-2, GC-S zoning district accessed at the 300 block Samford Avenue.

5.A public hearing on a request by Zami Ali, authorized representative for Deke Hilyer, property owner, for conditional use approval for a lounge in the Z&Z Cigar Shop in the C-1 zoning district at 108 South 9th Street.

6.A public hearing on a request by Marrell McNeal, authorized representative for Family Farm Limited Partnership, property owners, for conditional use approval for an outdoor wedding and parties business located on 81 acres in a conservation easement in a R-2 zoning district at 2500 Willis Avenue.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings.

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

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-7055132 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 08/12/2021

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

B13 August 12, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B12 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: CV-2021900126 JOHN L. BELFANCE, II and TINA L. BELFANCE, Plaintiffs, v.

Parcels of Real Property described as: Lee County, Alabama Tax Parcels 43-12-08-28-0-000002.031 and 43-12-08-28-0-000002.044, said parcels being legally described according to the Legal Descriptions included herein, And Jewel V. Meeks, and/or the unknown heirs Of Jewel V. Meeks, And David L. Allmond, and/or the unknown heirs Of David L. Allmond, And Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D, E, F & G, Being Persons, Individuals, Firms, Associations, Partnerships, Corporations or other Entities, Whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff, but who claim interest in and to the above-captioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added

by Amendment when ascertained, 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 21st day of April, 2021, a Complaint to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: John L. Belfance, II and Tina L. Belfance, as Plaintiffs; Jewell V. Meeks and/or the heirs of Jewell V. Meeks, and David L. Allmond and/ or the heirs of David L. Allmond, and A Parcel of Real Property, described below, as Defendants; and unknown persons or entities who cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows: PARCEL ONE: That certain lot, tract or parcel of land containing 16.439 acres located in Section 28, Township 19 North, Range 29 East, Lee County Alabama, more particularly described as follows: Commence at an iron pin marking the Southeast corner of said Section 28 and run North 01 degree 05 minutes West along the East line of said Section 28 a distance of 2298.4 feet to iron pin found located on North right of way line of Lee Road 250 (f/k/a Bleecker-Riverview Road); thence run along the northerly margin of said Lee Road 250 as follows, to-wit: South 65 degrees 05 minutes West 209.6 feet to a concrete right of way monument (P.C.138+18.3); thence South 63 degrees 28 minutes West 40.2 feet to a concrete right of way monument (P.C. 138+40.6); thence South 61 degrees 22 minutes West 483.6 feet to a point; thence South 57 degrees 15 minutes West 409.8 feet to a point; thence South 53 degrees 45 minutes West 455.5 feet to the intersection of the East right of way line of Lee Road 435 and the North right of way line of Lee Road 2 50; thence continue southwesterly along the North right-ofway line of Lee Road 250 a distance of 60 feet, more or less, to its intersection

with the West right of way line of Lee Road 435; thence leaving the right of way line of Lee Road 250 run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West along the West right-of-way line of Lee Road 435 a distance of 3796.3 feet to the iron pin marking the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes West 1960.0 feet to an iron pin located on an old abandoned road; thence run North 43 degrees 00 minutes West along said abandoned road 870.0 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 00 degrees 16 minutes East 257.7 feet to an iron pin on the Southeast margin of the former Chattahoochee Valley Railroad; thence run North 42 degrees 50 minutes East along said railroad margin 176.0 feet to a point located at the centerline of Wacoochee Creek; thence run along the centerline of Wacoochee Creek as follows, to-wit: South 35 degrees 19 minutes East 209.2 feet to a point; thence South 19 degrees 45 minutes East 531.0 feet to a point; thence South 45 degrees 15 minutes East 364.0 feet to a point; thence North 26 degrees 45 minutes East 506.0 feet to a point; thence North 83 degrees 13 minutes East 231.0 feet to a point; thence North 59 degrees 21 minutes East 102.0 feet to a point; thence North 78 degrees 49 minutes East 266.2 feet to a point; thence leaving the centerline of Wacoochee Creek run North 15 degrees 37 minutes West 59.7 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes West 888.0 feet to an iron pin located on the West right of way line of Lee Road 435; thence run South 21 degrees 15 minutes East along said right-of-way line 250.0 feet to the iron pin marking the POINT OF BEGINNING. SAVE AND EXCEPT THEREFROM: That portion of the above described property containing 3.09 acres, more or less, being more particularly described as follows; Commence at the intersection of the North right of way line of Lee Road 250 and the West right of way line of Lee Road 435 and run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 3796.30 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 285.59 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 597.41 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 224.92 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 68 degrees 45 minutes East 597.41feet to an iron pin; thence run South 21 degrees 15 minutes East 224.97 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning. Together with a perpetual, nonexclusive easement for ingress, egress and utilities running along the northernmost boundary of the abovedescribed property to the West right-of-way line of Lee Road 435 as same is described in that certain deed dated December 11, 2001 recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in Deed Book 2215, Page 896. The description of this, save and except portion together with the easement for ingress, egress and utilities, is based on a survey prepared by Jack B. Shay, R.L.S., dated November 12, 2001.

Subject to easements and restrictions of record.

PARCEL TWO:

That certain lot, tract or parcel of land containing 3.09 acres located in Section 28, Township 19 North, Range 29 East, Lee County Alabama, more particularly described as follows:

Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 08/05/21, 08/12/21 & 08/19/21

Commence at the intersection of the North right of way line of Lee Road 250 and the West right of way line of Lee Road 435 and run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 3796.30 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 285.59 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 597.41 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 224.92 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 68 degrees 45 minutes East 597.41feet to an iron pin; thence run South 21 degrees 15 minutes East 224.97 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning.

Together with a perpetual, non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and utilities running along the northernmost boundary of the above-described property to the West right-of-way line of Lee Road 435 as same is described in that certain deed dated December 11, 2001 recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in Deed Book 2215, Page 896. The description of this, save and except portion together with the easement for ingress, egress and utilities, is based on a survey prepared by Jack B. Shay, R.L.S., dated November 12, 2001.

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.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GRACE W. COLLIER, DECEASED

Done this the 12th day of July, 2021. /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Of Counsel, Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 324 East Magnolia Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 07/22/21, 07/29/21, 08/05/21 & 08/12/21 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of Mary Weeks, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any relatives or interested parties: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian for the person of Mary Weeks.

It is ordered that the 9th day of September 2021 at 2:00 p.m. be appointed the day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested may file their notice of appearance and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Said hearing may be conducted electronically. Done this the 2nd day of August, 2021.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE

-------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to William T. Collier and Dorothy C. Kolander, as Personal Repr esentatives of the Estate of Grace W. Collier, deceased on the 27th day of July, 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 the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred WILLIAM T. COLLIER, Personal Representative and DOROTHY C. KOLANDER, Personal Representative PREPARED BY: Phillip E. Adams, Jr. 205 S. 9th Street Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 745-6466 Legal Run 08/05/2021, 08/12/2021 & 08/19/2021 ------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION ONE FACILITY – MULTIPLE UNITS Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 at 10:00AM Sherry Hicks Unit 173 PO Box 652 Alexander City, AL 35010 totes furniture The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property Legal RRun08/12/21 & 08/19/2021.

------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA RE: IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHRISTA WALKER, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2021-411 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED

BY CO-PERSONAL REPRESE NTATIVES Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Leigh Thompson and Bruce Thompson, on the 26th day of July, 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 Co-Personal Representatives.

Legal Run 08/12/21, 08/19/21 & 08/26/21 -------------

STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION ONE FACILITY – MULTIPLE UNITS Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 10:00AM Galen Palmer - Unit Z413 420 N Dean Rd Apt 210 Auburn, AL 36830 chairs dryer boxes Tracie Owens - Unit C52 3825 Foxrun Dr. Apt 1337 Cincinnati, OH 45236 Cloths, misc items The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 08/12/2021 & 08/19/2021 ------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991.

At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcels of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcels from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From a R-1 District (Rural District) to a R-3 District (Low-Density Residential District), the parcels of land hereinafter described: Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as shown on the “Harwell Hills Sixth Addition” subdivision plat recorded in Plat Book 43 at Page 154 on May 27, 2020, at the Lee County, Alabama Courthouse.

The above-described property contains 1.26

acres, more or less, and is located in the 500 block of Rustic Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-7052083 two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 12th day of August, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run -8/12/2021 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHARLES R. ROSSI, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-425 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 6th day of August, 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.

CLAUDIA M. ROSSI Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 08/12/2021, 08/19/2021 & 08/26/2021

------------ IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF WALLACE E. KILGO, JR., DECEASED ESTATE NO.:2021-319 ORDER SETTING HEARING ON PETITION TO PROBATE A WILL AND APPOINT A GUARDIAN AD LITEM A Petition to probate the will of the Estate of WALLACE E. KILGO, JR., deceased was filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Alfred Doug Davidson on May 28, 2021. It is hereby : ORDERED by this Court that a hearing be set on this matter on the 8th day of September, 2021 at 9 o'clock a.m. central standard time.

It is further ORDERED by this Court that notice of this hearing be mailed or served on the following: Hon. Zachary D. Alsobrook 114 N 9TH Street Opelika, AL 36801 Julie Kilgo 2019 Lee Road 241 Salem, AL 36874 DONE this 1 6th day of July, 2021.

BILL ENGLISH PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 07/29/2021, 08/05/2021 & 08/12/2021

B14 August 12, 2021

Lee County Commission Watch

T

his page space is purchased in response to "streamlining" Lee County Commission meetings to impede citizen input from being viewed and placed into the official record — putting commissioners on notice of actions done well or poorly; ethical or unethical; legal or outside politicians’ authority. The prayerful hope is print after each Commission meeting - i.e., twice a month. Knowing those who fear freedom of speech will disapprove this purchased print, a humble request of forgiveness is submitted. Those not wanting to suffer this freedom of expression are asked to skip-over reading this purchased space.

Many thanks for all [positive/negative] input on the first printing; ‘beating a dead horse’ complaints are easy to understand. The whip is the same, and citizens trying to save the horse are accused killers. Sadly our politicians have destroyed many different good/productive horses citizens tried to keep alive by advocating openness and transparency. To provide input in the spirit of our First Amendment civil right to express and notify, please contact: LeeCounty Commission Watch@ gmail.com.

The most addressed issue included for public record at Monday's [8/9/21] Commission meeting; was comment on efforts to restart the county zoning commission.

Morris Lewis: feared proposed property ordinance would prevent his business of buying/ selling trucks.

Rudy McCumsey: asked for improved meeting

times and provision of documents at planning commission meetings.

McCumsey felt Beat 13 was mislead into voting for zoning power to block the quarry after Chairman Kevin Flannagan claimed they cannot stop quarries.

Last to address zoning was Peter Byrd, reiterating prior citizen comments on lack of beat/zoning maps, etc. to keep the public informed at planning commission meetings. Byrd reported that Chairman Flannagan encouraged every Planning Commission member contact the Lee County delegation to legislate zoning on all remaining beats instead of allowing each beat to vote, just as Beat 13 has. This citizen found it presumptuous to assume every beat wants zoning. Some beats may NOT want more Lee County rule over them on land use — advocating people of each Beat decide instead of block vote remaining unincorporated areas.

Pastor Roland Austin: requested assistance providing Green Chapel (now sandwiched between two housing developments) broadband access which may require the approval/ cost of one utility pole; this would be a one-time expense for Green Chapel to adapt under these difficult pandemic circumstances. Pastor Austin also requested placement on next meeting’s agenda.

Citizen commentary was again not included in this second 'streamlined' meeting format, successfully blocked from being on audio/video feed purchased and maintained by citizen taxpayer dollars and not included in our county record.

This is a paid advertisement and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Opelika Observer and its staff.

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