Opelika Observer 09-16-2021

Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021

Vol. 13, No. 49

pelika Observer O

Opelika, Alabama

O GROWS FARMERS MARKET SATURDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON

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

New Opelika Public Library Set to Open Oct. 2

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SWEATMAN/OPELIKA OBSERVER

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Chappy’s Deli Earns Statewide Retailer of the Year Award

CONTRIBUTED

BY ALABAMA RETAIL

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library

(Cooper Library) has closed to move to its new home at 1100 Glenn St. The former facility,

completed in 1976, served Opelika for more than 40 years.

Originally intended to house 46,000

books, a children’s section with a reading well, an art gallery, a historical See LIBRARY, page A3

BBB Creates State's First-Ever Business Liscense Resource Guide A thriving business community across Alabama founded on trust and ethics. That is one of the Better Business Bureau Serving Central and South Alabama’ visions. To ensure the Alabama business community continues to grow and to make that growth as easy as possible, BBB Serving Central and South Alabama has developed the Alabama Business License Resource Guide — a document that did not exist until now.

This interactive document outlines the process of getting a business license in more than 400 cities and

towns across the State of Alabama. Currently, there is no universal process for obtaining business licenses around the state.

BBB Serving Central and South Alabama saw that as the opportunity to develop this resource.

The guide is a living document that will be updated frequently to ensure business owners have the tools they need to succeed.

“The last year and a half has been tough on everyone in Alabama,” said BBB Serving Central and South Alabama President and CEO Carl Bates. “The last thing business owners need right now is the added stress of tracking how, when and where to obtain a business license in different parts of the

state.”

Not only does the document share the specifics on obtaining a business license in more than 80% of counties in the state, but it also links business owners to state agencies such as the Secretary of State’s Office, the Alabama Department of Commerce, Atlas Alabama and many others.

“The guide is going to be an excellent resource for the small business community,” said Manager of Alabama’s Office of Small Business Advocacy Eddie Postell.

“The work that the Better Business Bureau has done to produce this particular resource is proving to be one of the See BBB, page A3

See CHAPPY'S, page A2

Habitat for Humanity Holds Groundbreaking CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN OPELIKA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity broke ground on Habitat Home #71 on Wednesday, Sept.

8, 2021. Sponsors, habitat board members and construction leaders, habitat partner family members, pastors and community members joined together to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new home for the Bufford Family.

Bishop Nolan Torbert of True Deliverance Holiness Church asked a blessing and favor on the new home, the family, all those who made it possible and the community.

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

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

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

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

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . B12

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY BBB — CENTRAL AND SOUTH ALABAMA

“Our team takes to heart our slogan ‘Serve with Love’ each and every day,” said David and Jeff Barranco of Montgomery-based Chappy’s Deli, a family owned

and operated business.

Besides David, and his son Jeff, other family members in the business include son Ben Barranco, daughter Laura Barranco Feely and Mike Castanza, “a huge part of the Chappy’s Deli family,” David said.

Mayor Ron Anders discussed the home with Torbert and talk-

ed about the community building support See HABITAT, page A3

A2 Sept. 16, 2021

Alabama Humanities Alliance awards $800,000 to 83 cultural organizations Recipients in Auburn, Opelika, Loachapoka CONTRIBUTED BY AHA

The Alabama Humanities Alliance has awarded $800,000 in one-time funding to 83 humanities-based nonprofits across the state. These grants supply much-needed support to many of Alabama’s most cherished cultural landmarks and community resources as they continue to recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auburn University’s Encyclopedia of Alabama, the Lee County Historical Society in Loachapoka and Opelika’s Museum of East Alabama were all named recipients of the grants.

Alabama Humanities Recovery Grants are funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the federal American Rescue

CHAPPY'S >>

FROM A1

The Barrancos and Chappy’s Deli are Alabama’s 2021 Gold Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales More Than $5 Million category.

Chappy’s is one of 11 retail businesses being honored by the Alabama Retail Association as Retailers of the Year.

“We are humbled, excited and forever grateful to our team and guests who are the real winners of this award,” David said, in accepting the award. “Thankfully, so many people generously blessed us during these most recent challenging times with seemingly non-stop visits to Chappy’s Deli carhop, take out, delivery and the dining room. We are grateful to God for all.”

Chappy’s Deli

Plan Act of 2021. The Alabama Humanities Alliance made the funding available through a competitive grant process, inviting Alabamabased nonprofits with a demonstrated commitment to public humanities programming.

Grant winners include museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, literacy groups, civic engagement organizations and more. Many are treasured institutions that serve as unifying gathering spots for their communities and provide invaluable resources for all Alabamians.

“Robust cultural organizations make Alabama a richer, smarter and more vibrant place to live and learn,” said Chuck Holmes, AHA’s executive director.

“These grants will sustain the humanities in our communities and contribute to the state’s economic recovery in the months ahead.”

The Alabama Humanities Alliance received a total of 125 applicants for these grants.

“It’s clear from the huge interest we saw in these grants that many of Alabama’s cultural organizations remain on tenuous financial ground due to the effects of the pandemic,” said Graydon Rust, AHA’s grants director. “Over the past year and a half, they’ve lost a lot

of their usual streams of revenue and have had more limited engagement with the communities they typically serve.”

Alabama Humanities Recovery Grants will help these nonprofits recover financially and look strategically to the future. Grants were awarded in amounts of $5,000 to $15,000 and were distributed to all corners of the state. In all, organizations in 46 cities, 32 counties and all seven congressional districts received a grant. The funding can be used for staff salaries, humanities programming,

capacity-building efforts, operational and marketing expenses and more.

Meeting the need In the past two years, the Alabama Humanities Alliance has now distributed $1.3 million in 162 grants statewide, using federal funds through the CARES ACT in 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. These one-off grant opportunities are provided in addition to AHA’s own quarterly grants that support humanitiesbased projects, including workshops, exhibitions, festivals,

offers Southern hospitality with New York flavor for dine-in and takeout breakfast, lunch and dinner at five locations — three in Montgomery and one each in Prattville and Auburn. Chappy’s also caters. Having served customers in the River Region and beyond since 1989, the staff went to extra lengths to overcome a year that was like no other.

“Our outstanding team helped us quickly pivot to a new ‘dining room’ — the parking lot,” David said about operating in a pandemic. “We called it CarHop. Our team began bringing orders to cars — rain, cold, windy, hot and sunny days. Even when dining rooms partially re-opened, CarHop remained our top sales performer.”

This effort was assisted by an online

ordering platform that helped facilitate contactless delivery.

“Online sales reached record levels,” David said. “For several months, we also waived delivery fees, and the Chappy’s team delivered to our guests’ homes and businesses.”

Anna Buckalew, president and chief executive officer with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, who nominated David, said, “His restaurants were among the first to adapt when impacted by COVID-19, implementing safety protocols and creating numbered pick-up stations for cars in his parking lot.”

In addition to great food and great service, the Chappy’s team is also known for its support of local charities, including Hope Inspired Ministries,

which trains adults and helps them land a job; That’s My Child, a mentoring program for youth in Chisholm and North Montgomery; and Joy to Life Foundation, which provides free mammograms and other breast cancer screenings to the medically underserved.

In addition, Buckalew said, “David hosts an annual fundraiser, Breakfast for Babies, to help with the high rate of babies born premature in Alabama. Breakfast for Babies at Chappy’s has raised more than $400,000

since 2006.”

As part of its response to the pandemic, Chappy’s Deli also implemented a matching community donation program, “Food for the Front Lines,” delivering more than $10,000 of food to nurses and doctors and others on the front lines.

The Retailer of the Year judges lauded Chappy’s Deli’s for being community-service driven.

“Our Chappy’s team willingly gets behind and supports our community,” Barranco said.

The Alabama Retailer of the Year

pelika Observer

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

Publisher: Michelle Key Sports Editor: Wil Crews Live Lee Editor: Hannah Lester Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Sports Writers: Rick Lanier, D. Mark Mitchell

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CORRECTIONS The Opelika Observer will correct any errors, omissions or inaccuracies deemed to be substantive. Corrections may be requested by contacting the editor at (334) 749-8003.

documentaries and more.

To learn more about AHA grant opportunities, visit alabamahumanities. org/grants.

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance The Alabama Humanities Alliance is a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Our mission is to foster learning, understanding and appreciation of Alabama’s people, communities and cultures. The ultimate goal: To use the humanities to bring Alabamians together and make our state a better place to live. Learn more at alabamahumanities. org.

awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities. This year’s winners were selected from 49 entries submitted from a pool of 80 nominees.

“The Barrancos and the entire Chappy’s Deli family are retailers of the year EVERY year to their customers, 268 employees and the Montgomery, Prattville and Auburn communities,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown.

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A3 Sept. 16, 2021

Citgo on Geneva Street Adds U-Haul Equipment to Business U-Haul Company of Alabama, Inc. is pleased to announce that Citgo signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Opelika community.

Citgo, located at 1405 Geneva St., will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks.

Normal business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling 334-759-6542 or visiting www. uhaul.com/Locations/ Truck-Rentalsnear-OpelikaAL-36801/002402/.

Citgo owner Mohammed Khan said he is proud to team with the industry leader in doit-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the

LIBRARY >>

FROM A1

room and an audiovisual room, current needs have outgrown the building’s capacity.

Over time, those spaces have transitioned to meet the needs of our rapidly growing city, and the new facility on Glenn Street is yet another transition.

The public is invited to the Grand Opening of the new facility on Saturday, Oct. 2.

A ribbon cutting will be held at 10:30

demands of Lee County.

U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer moving equipment since 1945. With the COVID-19 outbreak creating challenging times for small businesses, more than 20,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are creating supplemental income through their U-Haul partnership. When a customer rents from a U-Haul dealer, they are directly supporting an independent small business in their community.

As an essential service provider, U-Haul stores and dealers continue to serve the public. Our products are utilized by first responders, delivery companies bringing needed supplies to people’s homes, small businesses trying to remain afloat,

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL

college students and countless other dependent groups — in addition to the household mover.

Please visit www.uhaul.com/ announcement for more information on how U-Haul is keeping its team members and customers safe.

U-Haul is pleased to offer programs that inherently promote social distancing with minimal or no

contact with others.

U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 allows customers to create an online account and pick up their truck at any hour using only their smartphone with photo feature and GPS. Trained Live Verify agents interact with customers online, enabling them to skip the lines and go straight to their truck.

About U-HAUL Since 1945,

a.m. followed by a celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The new Opelika Public Library facility will expand on the library as a community space. Increasing individual study rooms appropriate for one to two people from two rooms to four rooms; adding two group study rooms suitable for eight to 10 people; and increasing community meeting space to two group meetings rooms suitable for 30 to 40 people; and a large auditorium seating

up to 250 people with a warming kitchen perfect for event catering needs. All spaces will be available for reservation and will be able to host a variety of events. Additionally, we will increase the computer lab capacity and add a family computer lab for those with small children.

“We are excited to use this new space to continue growing as a community hub.

Though you can borrow books and movies and attend fun and educational

programs, we want to continue to become a dynamic and responsive institution. We want to build up our community and work with other local agencies to make sure all community assets are fully utilized by those who need them,” said Rosanna McGinnis, who has been library director since 2016.

During the closure, eBooks and other digital resources are available at www. opelikalibrary.com

U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-ityourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology.

Our customers'

BBB >>

FROM A1

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

most value-added items that I have seen in quite a while. It will ensure that small businesses will have a resource that will provide them with the ability to access licensing requirements wherever they are located throughout the State of Alabama. This is something that has been really needed, and there have been numerous attempts in the past to provide this information.

However, the Better Business Bureau seems to be very well-suited to take on this particular task, and it is great to know they are going to be the repository for this information, as well as being able to continue to update the information so it is always updated and provided in a timely manner to the small business community.”

The easy-tonavigate guide can be accessed at wwwbbb. org/local/0463/csaleducation-foundation/ alabama-small-businessresources.html) on BBB. org. Better Business Bureau Serving Central

patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 126,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 825,000 rentable storage units and 71.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S. and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading “Best for Vets” employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America. and South Alabama is working to add the 13 remaining counties to the guide in the near future through a partnership with BBB serving North Alabama.

ABOUT BBB For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2018, people turned to BBB more than 173 million times for BBB Business Profiles on nearly 5.4 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. Incorporated locally in 1954, BBB Serving Central & South Alabama serves over 4,100 accredited businesses in 50 counties with offices in Birmingham and Mobile.

The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS CLAIMS HABITAT >>

FROM A1

in Auburn that will continue to build 11 affordable homes for hard working families in the Westview Subdivision.

Executive Director Mark Grantham and Board President Karen Turner thanked

and recognized the many community sponsors who support this ministry and make this home possible.

These sponsors listed here on our project sign make the dream of a new home a reality. Thank you to: East Alabama Health, Auburn Bank,

AU Panhellenic, AU Building Science, city of Auburn, Lee County Association of REALTORS, Wells Fargo, Auburn United Methodist Church, BancorpSouth, Publix, Auburn Reprographics, Archer Porta, Home Depot, Budget Blinds, Auburn High

Building Construction, Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates, Glynn Smith, Mu Alpha Theta Southern Union, Dennis Fussell, Professor Mike Hosey and Gatz Riddell.

Together we build homes, community and hope.

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

Call now for your free evaluation.

1-(888)432-6020 Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law ARPC 7.2.(e) “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

A4 Sept. 16, 2021

The Opry

I

SEAN DIETRICH

remember going to see the Grand Ole Opry as a boy. My father drove through the busy city of Nashville. I was five, he was thirty-six.

“Daddy,” I said, “Do you think that there will be anyone famous there?”

“Do I?” he said. “You better know it. There’s always famous people at the Opry, and famous ghosts, too.”

“Ghosts? Really?”

My daddy always was good with a ghost story.

“Why sure,” he said.

“The ghost of Hank Williams, for one thing.

And Hank Snow, and Lefty Frizzell ... There’s always ghosts at the Opry.”

“Are they nice ghosts?”

“Depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“On if you’re a nice little boy or not.”

“What happens if I’m not a nice little boy?”

“A ghost will swoop down from the rafters suck out your soul and send you to Hell and make you listen to classical music for eternity.”

Daddy’s ghost stories always were a little offbeat.

Then he would laugh.

My father had a laugh that sounded like Mister Ed. My father and I walked into the amphitheater and were greeted by the smell of hotdogs

and popcorn. I had the greatest evening of my life.

Men in ten-gallon hats. Women in rhinestones. Steel guitars, dueling fiddles, the sound of Keith Bilbrey's silky announcing voice.

We were suspended from the real world for a while. It was a star-studded dream, wrapped in a beehive hairdo, with a guitar strapped to its chest. Onstage we saw Jerry Clower, telling jokes.

My father laughed, slapping his armrest.

And there was that Mister Ed laugh again. His odd laugh was funnier than any joke that ever inspired it.

But the height of our evening was not the music, nor the laughs, nor the sparkling rhinestones. The apex of this memory happened after the show.

We made our way to the lobby. There was a horde of people waiting in line. We couldn’t see what they were excited about. Maybe the president was in town.

Or even better, George Jones.

When we got closer, I saw her. It was Minnie Pearl. The price tag on her hat dangled from the brim. Her voice was unmistakable.

Soon, we were standing in line to meet her. When she saw my father, she kissed him right on the cheek.

My father was so dumbfounded he could only mumble her classic one-liner. I heard him say to her, “I-I-I'm just so proud to be here.”

Minnie laughed and answered, “Hey, that's MY line, Sugar.”

Sugar. She called my daddy Sugar. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

Anyway, not long after my twenty-fifth birthday, I had a bad week. No, make that a bad year. I lost my job, and my confidence and I was starting to feel pretty sorry for myself.

If my father had been alive, maybe I would have asked him for advice. Maybe he would’ve given me a beer and assured me that everything would be okay. Maybe he could have treated me to that

Mister Ed laugh one more time.

But life doesn’t work that way. So I left one morning for a three-day trip to Tennessee. It was just me, an overnight bag and some Chili Cheese Fritos.

That Saturday night, I paid a few bucks to sit in a balcony at Opryland and become part of a dream.

The lights dimmed.

I felt myself tapping my foot with downhome music. The folks onstage were the sort I’d grown up admiring.

They were the kind who used more hairspray than allowed by the EPA. People who played fiddles like they’d been born with bows up their noses.

One woman wore so many rhinestones she looked like an aircraft landing light with a two-dollar perm.

Afterward, I exited through the lobby feeling a little better than before. That’s when I saw a crowd gathered.

I couldn’t see who they were swarming.

Maybe it was the president. Or even bet-

ter, George Strait.

I waited to get a better look, but I never got close enough. So I turned to leave. On my way out, I was interrupted by a voice. It was a woman wearing a large hat with a price tag hanging from the brim. She locked eyes with me.

“Well, hey there,” Minnie Pearl said to me.

“Who, me” I said.

“Yes, you. Thanks for coming tonight, Sugar.”

Sugar.

I walked to my truck and felt like I was floating. And somehow within these moments I knew that no matter how crummy my life got, no matter how bad I screwed things up, everything would be all right.

And when I looked into the night sky, I saw the stars of Nashville, twinkling like rhinestones never could.

And I could almost swear I heard Mister Ed laughing.

Well. I’m not as good with ghost stories as he was.

Second-Grade Uprising – PART I

WENDY HODGE

I

n the fall of 1974, there was no shortage of major events to fill the evening news — the oil crisis had recently ended, President Nixon had resigned in disgrace, The Exorcist was terrifying moviegoers everywhere, and Mrs. Taylor’s second grade class at Carver Elementary was in a state of crisis.

The school year was barely two months along when the trouble started. Items began disappearing … small things at first — a pencil case from an unattended desk, a book

from inside a locker left open, even a pair of shoes someone left outside on the playground.

Mrs. Taylor was mildly annoyed at first.

There were so many things to deal with when you’re in charge of 25 seven-year-old children. I imagine it must be quite like the guy in charge of the chimpanzees in the middle of Monkey Park, except Mrs. Taylor had to wear a dress and a smile every day.

“This is just someone testing me a bit,” she must have thought to herself.

But as The Iron Bowl approached (this is how we mark the Thanksgiving season here in Alabama), things escalated. The thief had discovered the art of graffiti. Words like “shut up” and “turd” appeared on bathroom walls. Smiley faces popped up on the blackboard one Monday

BE MORE. GO BUILD. Learn more at GoBuildAl.com

morning. No one knew where he would strike next.

The janitor must have welcomed the holiday break. His cart with the squeaky wheels could be heard rattling up and down the second grade hallway, back and forth, while he muttered “these dang kids” under his breath every single day of that third week in November.

Mrs. Taylor could be seen practically running out the back door to her car when the bell rang signaling the last day of school until the beginning of December. I imagine she shed her dress and smile for sweatpants and a sigh of relief. And probably a glass of wine or two.

It was cold the day we all trudged back into Carver Elementary to face the three weeks we had to get through before the Christmas break. I, for one, was excited to get back. I

loved school — I realize, and can now openly admit, I’ve always been a nerd. But, if I’m honest, I must confess that I was also slightly thrilled to see what brazen steps “our” thief would take next. What lies beyond graffiti for a seven-year-old? Skipping school? Cursing?

The possibilities were endless.

It didn’t take long to get my answer. Our second day back was an overcast Tuesday. Mrs. Taylor and her entire second-grade class returned from lunch in the cafeteria to find every single desk in our classroom had been turned upside down.

Papers and notebooks littered the floor. Crayons had been thrown around like a giant game of pick-up-sticks.

The smile slid off Mrs. Taylor’s face. A low, guttural sound escaped her lips. And then she said it —

1 OUT OF 10

ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING:

Abused, Neglected or Exploited If you suspect this is happening to someone you know, please report it to Adult Protective Services by contacting your local DHR office or calling the

ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214

HELP STOP THE ABUSE

IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT

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.”

“Dammit.” We all gasped in unison, all 25 of us. This was just too much to take in … chaotic vandalism and a teacher cursing … surely the world was ending.

Mrs. Taylor told us to stay put and stomped up the hallway, right past the janitor who was standing outside the door. “Dang kids,” he said and shuffled off, entirely defeated.

He abandoned his cart and walked right out the front door. I heard later he retired, took up drinking and moved out west somewhere, never to darken the doorstep of an elementary school again.

We stood and waited, all of us. We waited for Mrs. Taylor’s return, for someone to come set things right again and for the skies to open up and send lightning bolts down on poor Mrs. Taylor’s head. We all knew

that’s what happened when you said the D word.

Whispers started amongst us. “Who did this?” “Why would someone want to ruin everything?” “They broke my jumbo box of 72 crayons!!”

The rest of the day was a blur. We were herded outside for extra playground time while our classroom was cleaned up. Our belongings were returned to us, most of them none the worse for wear. But, sitting at our desks at the end of the school day, we were as deflated as last year’s birthday balloons. It’s an odd feeling knowing someone has handled your personal treasures – it’s a violation. But at seven years old, all we knew was that the whole thing was just icky.

Something had to be done. And Mrs. Taylor had a plan.

A5 Sept. 16, 2021

Red Cross, Auburn Fraternities Work Together to Recruit Blood Donors CONTRIBUTED BY RED CROSS ALABAMA

The fight is on to save lives. Auburn fraternities battle for donors to give the gift of life.

The community is invited to join the battle and answer the call of patients in need by donating blood Sept. 21 to 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Auburn University Student Center Ballroom (255 Heisman Dr., Auburn, Alabama 36849).

Donating blood is one

of the simplest things a person can do to help save a patient’s life.

For the hour it takes to give blood, there could be a whole community of people thankful for another birthday given to their loved one.

BLOOD DRIVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention public guidance.

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD

For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Sponsor code: Battle Donors of all blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license

or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using

RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, from a computer or mobile device on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of

disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information, please visit redcross. org or cruzrojaamericana.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

East Alabama Regional Inservice Center, ATIM Offer Training to Teachers CONTRIBUTED BY BIG

The East Alabama Regional Inservice Center and Alabama Technology in Motion (ATIM) at Auburn University announced last week a collaboration with Google to provide free professional training and certifications to public school K-12 teachers who successfully apply for the program.

The partnership will offer virtual courses for Google’s Educator Level 1 Certification, which equips teachers with skills and tools to manage coursework, inspire learning and boost collaboration to improve student out-

comes using Google’s digital tools.

“We’ve embraced Alabama students back with the understanding that learning digitally plays a large role in our education system,” said Director of East Alabama Regional Inservice Center Dr. Laura Crowe. “Thanks to Google, we are able to offer this training at no cost, and this unique opportunity can increase their effectiveness at using online tools in the classroom — thus improving learning outcomes and saving valuable time.”

The Google for Education training program is intended

for teachers across Alabama. The Educator Level 1 Certification seeks to help teachers utilize the latest cloudbased software and show how these tools can be used to enhance learning experiences for students.

Level 1 Certification areas of study include: • Latest features of Google Classroom and all applicable tools from Google Workspace • Workflow efficiency and the creation of paperless classrooms • Growing data and feedback collection from students and colleagues • Connecting and collaborating with

educators around the globe • Building students’ digital literacy.

“Teachers in Alabama have excelled in the face of incredible challenges this last year,” said Clark Gillespy, an Alabama native and Google’s Global head of Economic and Community Development. “It is our hope that this training provides teachers with new tools to make their work easier and even more impactful for the children and communities they serve.”

Publicly employed K-12 teachers interested in participating

should apply online.

Teachers will be asked to complete a brief application, and then ATIM will select final candidates to participate in the program.

Teachers can complete the Google training based on their individual schedules.

“In these times of great change in education, it’s more important than ever to empower teachers and students with collaboration tools like those Google offers schools for free,” said Amy Mayer, CEO and founder of Texas-based friEdTechnology and a Google for Education certified professional develop-

ment partner. “Whether we are face to face or working from home with students, we know that the skills teachers learn through our program of study will help them to better engage students and streamline classroom workflows.”

Every school district in the state has equal opportunity for teacher participation. Alabama Regional Inservice Centers will support ATIM and Google in facilitating the call for participants, who will be chosen by the Inservice Centers.

More information and details on the application can be found online.

Auburn Votes To Erect Plaque In Front of Wallace Hall

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

The Auburn University Board of Trustees voted on a recommendation from the Trustee Task Force to place a plaque outside of Wallace Hall during its meeting Friday morning.

The Trustee Task Force recommendation came after clamoring from students and the public to rename Wallace Hall. Instead, the recommendation was to place a plaque with more information in front of the hall.

“The request that we’ve received most frequently, in terms of the building that has been identified as being one of interest for this purpose most often, is the Wallace [Hall],” said District 9 Trustee James Pratt. “So we’re going to address that today and make a recommendation.”

Wallace Hall, located at 210 S Donahue Dr., is in the heart of campus, right near Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Trustee Task Force was formed last summer, in the wake of George Floyd’s death, with the purpose of evaluating the names of buildings around

Auburn’s campus.

Over a year ago, a change.org petition was created with the request that Auburn rename Wallace Hall.

“Auburn University's campus holds buildings named after very honorable and influential people within the state of Alabama: Helen Keller, James E. Foy, Katherine Cooper Cater, etc. Among these buildings is Wallace Hall which was named after George Wallace, the former governor of Alabama,” said Ashley Henton, creator of the petition. “As governor, Wallace promoted and encouraged segregation between black and white people, he tried to stop public schools in Alabama from integrating, and he personally stood in the way of two black students at the University of Alabama to stop them from registering for classes.”

Henton proposed the university rename the building after Harold Franklin, Auburn’s first African-American student.

Franklin passed away last week.

“On May 31st, in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd,

Auburn University tweeted, ‘While we acknowledge the painful reality that prejudice and bigotry exist, we stand resolute that they have no place in the Auburn Family. As an institution that values and embraces each individual, we oppose hate and exclusion and acts that promote them,’” Henton said. “Having a racist governor that was so against integration in schools be forever immortalized on Auburn's campus directly contradicts this statement.

“In order to make true on their word, I'd like to publicly ask Auburn University to rename Wallace Hall. There are countless influential people, especially people of color, that are related to Auburn University and the state of Alabama.”

The building has been standing since 1984.

The plaque will read: “Wallace Hall is named after George Corley Wallace, four-time governor of the State of Alabama and was erected on Auburn’s campus in 1984. The life of Governor Wallace was one of great complexity from his early actions as a self-described

segregationist to his later life when he apologized for his words and deeds promoting segregation. In his last election as governor of Alabama, in 1982, he won with more than 90 percent of the black vote. The complexity of Wallace’s legacy has been an ongoing conversation for decades. Auburn’s obligation as an institution of higher education is to promote challenging conversations, which is a valuable component of the academic process.”

District 6 Trustee Elizabeth Huntley said that there is no timeline right now as to when the plaque will be erected and that that will be the responsibility of the facilities department.

Huntley said that the task force did ask local student and community groups about the renaming process.

“We’ve met with several stakeholders … newly formed African-American advisory committee, with African-American student leaders, with members from the NAACP, state chapter, so yes we’ve heard from various groups,” Huntley said. “Let me be clear, that’s just overall in general, not specific to any

particular building but just on the process.”

She said that this does not mean the task force discussed the plaque in front of Wallace Hall with these local groups, however.

“It was a balanced decision and looking at recognizing, we needed to state the facts, state the facts about Wallace and being transparent about it,” Huntley said.

The President of the NAACP Alabama State Conference Benard Simelton said that in the past the Alabama State Conference has sent a list of buildings or structures on campus that the organization believes should be change. Some of those include Boyd Hall, Comer Hall, Graves Amphitheatre (which has since been removed) and Wallace Hall, among others.

Pratt said that the decision was made without regard to the personal opinions of those on the task force, pro or con when regarding Wallace.

“The task force took the request to evaluate certain names very seriously,” Pratt said. “This is a very serious issue for students,

for faculty and for all of the Auburn family. “… Our role is not to rewrite history, even if there are blemishes in our history that we don’t approve of. Our role is not to express our own personal opinions, of the person for whom the naming was made … We need to do our job based upon the task we were given and criteria that we were given.”

Pratt said that the task force looked into the history of Wallace’s views, opinions and decisions when evaluating the decision.

“The goal is to be fair, objective and to try to do the right thing for Auburn University,” he said.

Huntley said that the task force reviewed Wallace’s views both when he was for segregation and when he later recanted his views. Public civil rights leader John Lewis forgave Wallace but admitted he could not forget his actions, Huntley said.

“As a result, our task force came to the conclusion that the full historical of Wallace’s political career must be acknowledged through the See WALLACE, page A6

A6 Sept. 16, 2021

Auburn, Opelika Welcome New Businesses PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Top left: Ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening Celebration and Open House at Accentrics 2 — From kitchenware and accessories to mirrors, art and furniture, Accentrics Too is sure to have the perfect addition to your home or business. The business is located at 480 N. Dean Road.

Top right: Ribbon cutting for Auburn University’s Welcome Home to the Corner event including special guests, Aubie and the Auburn University Cheerleaders, to welcome the Auburn family home to the corner.

Bottom left: Ribbon cutting for HydraMed Infusion and Wellness — Offers rehydration and refreshing services by providing IV hydration fluids, vitamins, medications and B12 shots.

Bottom right: Ribbon cutting for Allergy Asthma and Immunology of East Alabama — From asthma and allergies to immune system and related disorders, the experts at Allergy Asthma & Immunology of East Alabama can help provide relief

WALLACE >>

FROM A5

contextualization of the Wallace Building,” she said. “We simply must tell all of the history. “… What we want is for Auburn students, perspective students and African-American alumni to walk on this campus and begin a campus tour, which will now begin at this enhanced historical marker for Dr. Franklin and know that this a university for everybody

and that’s the message that we will send.”

However, Simelton said he doesn’t believe Wallace needs to be contextualized.

“He is who he is and facts need to represent who he is,” Simelton said. “And I know that in that statement they said he was a ‘self-described segregationist.’ We don’t agree with that term.

We think he was just a segregationist. And not only a self-described, but that he was a segregationist.”

Simelton acknowledged Wallace’s recantation but said that history should show his actions as a segregationist as well.

“The NAACP is, of course, more of the opinion that that building should be named after someone who is, in our opinion, more deserving than George Wallace,” he said.

Naming the building after Harold Franklin, like Henton suggested in her petition, is something the NAACP would support, Simelton said.

Call me for all your real estate needs!

1810 E. Glenn Ave. Suite 130 Auburn, AL 36830 Cell 334.444.8041 duffystewartrealtor@gmail.com www.BHHSPreferredAuburn.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affliates, LLC

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS • SEPT. 17 - MEAN MARY AT SUNDILLA • SEPT 17-19: ALABAMA SENIOR PICKLEBALL OLYMPICS AT OPELIKA SPORTSPLEX SEPT 18: OPELIKA NATIONAL CLEANUP DAY

Bake Homemade Cookies For Family Treats, After School Snacks PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

W

hen family walks in the house, there is something wonderful and welcoming about the sweet aroma of cookies baking in the oven. While cookies are great for after school snacks, they are also popular with almost everyone to savor with a cup of tea or coffee any time of day.

Letting children help bake cookies is a good way to teach them to enjoy cooking. First, they learn to always wash their hands before starting to cook. Show them how to measure flour by stirring it in the canister first, then to dip a large spoon or a small measuring cup into the flour a few times until the cup is full. Then, let them take a table knife and scrape with the straight end to level.

When teaching grandchildren to cook, I have noticed that they want to hurry the process and dip the cup into the flour

canister and just dump it into a bowl. Last year a sweet family member told me that her pound cakes were not as good as mine. I watched her make one and saw that she was measuring the flour by dipping the entire cup and not leveling it off. She was adding much more flour than needed for the recipe, making the cake dry.

If children are cracking eggs, be sure they wash their hands again afterwards. Also, teach them not to eat raw cookie dough as it could make them sick. The cookie dough tastes much better after it is baked.

When baking cookies, I line cookie sheets with parchment paper. The cookies are easily removed without sticking, and it makes cleanup quicker.

My friend Cindy Avery, who I wrote about earlier this year, is in my Sunday school class and Bible study group. She

adores baking. As soon as September arrived she was in the kitchen making pecan bars with brown sugar and pumpkin truffles. Cindy also likes to share, and I was blessed with a taste of the first batch of both.

Although the truffles are not cookies, I am including that recipe too since they have a wonderful pumpkin flavor. Add a few of these among the cookies you are baking. The pecan bars are excellent too.

Bar cookies are the easiest to assemble and bake if you are in a hurry. Pumpkin bar cookies are especially good in the fall months. They mix up quickly and are ready quickly to slice and serve. Try the cream cheese filled pumpkin bars. It has four spices which are well blended for a tasty treat.

When baking with canned pumpkin, most recipes say pure pumpkin or just pumpkin. Do not use canned pumpkin

Cream cheese filled pumpkin bars are easy to assemble and offer a taste of fall spices. Prepare a batch or two of dropped or bar cookies this coming week as a special treat for your family.

pie filling unless the recipe calls for it.

During the fall months, anything with pumpkin spice is popular from coffee drinks to assorted pastries. You can purchase a container of pumpkin spice at the grocery store, or you can mix your own with a variety of spices.

Combine 2 tsp. ground cinnamon with ¼ tsp. ground cloves, ½ tsp. ground ginger and ½ tsp. ground nutmeg. You can increase the amounts and store in a tight fitting container.

Keep a couple of jars of peanut butter on hand to have for baking cookies on the spur of the moment without having

to go to the grocery store. Peanut butter is used in making dropped and bar cookies. One favorite peanut butter cookie involves placing the dough in a miniature muffin tin and adding a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup near the end of baking time.

The easiest cookies of all to prepare are only three ingredients. Easy peanut butter cookies combine peanut butter, sugar and an egg.

Children love to make these, and with no flour it keeps clean up to a minimum.

Years ago I judged a cookie contest at the fair. While all of the cookies were delicious,

one stood out, butterscotch apple cookies by Katlin Mulvaney. She found the recipe in her great grandmother’s cookbook. She added grated apple and other enhancements for a first place win. Since this recipe ran years ago, it is included now for those who missed it the first time around.

Whether you are baking drop cookies or bars, have a batch ready when the children come home from school this week.

Over the weekend, let the children help bake a batch for the everyone in the family to enjoy.

Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com.

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Isaac Jones wanted a dirt bike. As his mother, Alexis Meniefield, said, he is “mister need for speed”. But a dirt bike wasn’t exactly in the budget.

So, Meniefield said she offered 7-yearold Jones an opportunity. He could work for his dirt bike by selling lemonade. “‘We’re in the middle of a pandemic,’” Meniefield said she told Isaac. “‘Unfortunately, I can’t just go buy you a dirt bike, but would you like to sell lemonade?’ And he said yes. So we started in June.”

By the second weekend of selling lemonade, Meniefield said that it only took a half hour before the two had sold out of lemonade.

Since it was summer, and Jones had no school, they two got to work early every morning and sold

lemonade each day for thirsty passerby’s.

“It was like a summer job for him,” she said. “We would wake up about 5:30 and we would start working. We do everything by hand. It’s all freshly squeezed.”

The only goal in mind was to earn approximately $700 so Jones could buy a dirt bike — neither foresaw Jones’ lemonade becoming such a big hit in the county that people were clamoring for it.

“Around the second week, through social media, social media took it way further than what we expected,” Meniefield said. “People were stopping by like, ‘hey we just saw the post on Facebook and we just wanted to stop by and support.’ I think it got so big because he’s a kid.”

Jones’ lemonade was a hit. For a while, it was even stocked as a beverage for a local restaurant.

On June 2, Isaac’s

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Isaac’s Homemade Lemonade A Hit

Isaac and his mother, Alexis Meniefield Handmade Lemonade was created on Facebook. Each day, different flavors were offered, like strawberry, pineapple, blackberry, kiwi, lemonade punch and regular.

Jones said his favorites are pink lemonade and mango lemonade.

Jones even got the chance to meet Opelika Mayor Gary

Fuller and share a glass of lemonade.

“He got to do some of the stuff I never had the opportunity to do at seven,” Meniefield said. “At seven, he’s something.”

Now, school is back in session and Jones can’t make lemonade every day.

Meniefield said their next goal for Isaac’s Handmade Lemonade is to purchase a food

truck, but there is no timeline for that idea right now.

Selling lemonade all summer helped Jones learn a lot of skills, Meniefield said.

“Teaching him, first teamwork and team building skills, teaching him respect, teaching him business, teaching him money and the fact that he was literally

the happiest kid, it taught me a lot about Isaac,” she said.

Jones said he was able to practice his math skills, which he said he enjoys in school. “[I learned] how to count,” he said, by counting lemons.

Jones not only had the support of the community behind him, but the Boys and See LEMONADE, page A8

A8 Sept. 16, 2021

Making the Grade: Full Moon Bar-B-Que

Some holidays just scream, “Ribs!” Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day come to mind.

Now, my husband Mike is the griller in our home; however, cooking ribs isn’t in his culinary repertoire.

Our nephew Luke, who lives near Birmingham with his wife Lindsay (our niece) and their sons Patton and Thomas (our great nephews), are the kings of grilling/ smoking ribs in our family. I haven’t had the pleasure of eating his delicious ribs for quite some time, so I will be sure to mail him a copy of this review. hint, hint.

Luke’s ribs are really something. In fact, I once tried to talk him into opening up a rib shack. However, my niece Lindsay quickly said, “No!” and unfortunately, he agreed. I guess I can’t blame him.

After all, he has a very successful career as a mechanical engineer in Birmingham. I just would have loved to eat free ribs for the rest of my life. I’m also proud to say that Luke and Lindsay are both Auburn graduates, classes of 2004 and 2003. The Good Lord willing, Patton and Thomas will belong to the Auburn classes of 2030 and

LEMONADE>>

FROM A7

classic ribs that day.

Mike and I usually take our ribs home to eat because they are so messy, and I’m a big dripper, as I’ve mentioned before. In fact, I drape an ancient beach towel over me to avoid splashes of barbecue sauce. Sad maybe, but smart and necessary.

On Monday, Sept.

6, Labor Day, another “rib” holiday arrived.

My sweet husband was cutting our grass, so I volunteered to go pick up our rib plates at Full Moon. Back when I was a single teacher living in LaGrange, Georgia, I paid Rick, my yard man, $35 every two weeks. My husband is saving me $70 a month, so I thought it was the least I could do.

I jumped into my Sorento and drove down 280, listening to my Country music flash drive, which Mike had made me. He also made me Christian music and Pop/Rock music flash

drives so that I can listen to different music according to my mood.

That said, Country music seemed appropriate for a rib run.

My husband taught me to appreciate Country music, so I listened to Rodney Atkins, George Strait and Alan Jackson as I journeyed to Full Moon.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I was relieved to see that the crowd wasn’t too bad.

Also, as usual, Full Moon’s employees were smiling and working hard. I received my order in a very reasonable amount of time and headed to my car.

The amazing smell of those delicious ribs had my mouth watering by the time I cranked my car.

The diabetic smoothie, ten ranch Wheat Thins and a slice of 2% cheese had long since worn off.

Remember, I’m trying to eat healthier and

here: www.facebook. com/IsaacsLemonade.

“He’s 7 years old and I’ve been his mom seven years, but during that process of making lemonade,

it showed me who he really was,” Meniefield said. “I learned so much about him.

He had some of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen him have.”

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Girls Club of Greater Lee County has supported Isaac as well.

The club shared Jones’ story on their Facebook: “Meet Isaac — Isaac is not only a Club Member but the business owner of Isaac’s Lemonade!

Isaac and his mother joined us at our Board of Director’s meeting yesterday to share the impact that the Club has had on their life and his business! Providing a safe environment where young people, like Issac, are engaged and challenged to build and practice their essential skills is where Clubs fill a critical need. When every young person has access to quality out-of-school opportunities that intentionally support their workforce readiness, they are

primed for great futures. By offering career exploration, skill development and opportunities to apply skills through real-life experiences, Clubs are helping to develop today’s youth into tomorrow’s scientists, doctors, nurses, civic leaders, teachers, engineers, programmers, entrepreneurs and the inventors of jobs and workplaces that we can’t yet imagine. Stay tuned for more information on how our organization plans to $upport Isaac’s dream and how you can help invest in his great future! ($IsaacsLemonade14).”

And in good news, Jones did eventually earn the money for his dirt bike too.

“I wanted a dirt bike because they’re super cool,” he said.

Check back in with Jones and Meniefield to see where they are with the lemonade

PHOTO BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

2036.

But back to the subject of ribs. My all time favorite rib restaurant in Lee County is Full Moon Bar-B-Que in Tigertown. When Mike and I first moved to Lee County, we quickly discovered this wonderful restaurant. We also loved their slogan, “The Best Little Pork House” in Alabama.

I love that Full Moon has REAL ribs; that is, theirs come from pigs.

I am a pork rib purist.

Here in Alabama, ribs should come from pigs, while hamburgers and steaks should come from cows.

Years ago when Mike and I were visiting my much older brother Mike and his family in Texas, we went to a barbecue restaurant. Now, we were served COW ribs.

They were dry, stringy and terrible. My nephew told me a few years later that the restaurant had closed; I was NOT surprised.

Back last Memorial Day, one of our “rib” holidays, Mike and I went to Full Moon BarB-Que, eager to dine on their succulent ribs.

However, we came too late; they were out of our much loved classic ribs and had only ONE order of baby back ribs left. Being the well brought up Southern gentleman he is, Mike let me have them.

By Sunday, July 4, we had learned our rib lesson. After we left Central Baptist of Opelika, we drove straight to Full Moon. Wow! There were about a million people in the drive through and another million inside.

However, the crew members at Full Moon were AMAZINGLY fast and wonderful. Thankfully, we both were able to get those luscious

exercise. In just one month, my triglycerides have gone from 290 (high) to 102 (normal).

I give all praise, honor and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; I can’t do this by myself.

Mike ordered the classic ribs, baked beans and fried green tomatoes. My order was almost identical; however, I chose French fries instead of baked beans. Everything was so delicious!

Besides their awesome ribs, Full Moon Bar-B-Que also offers Hickory-Smoked Pork, Pulled BBQ Chicken, Smoked Turkey, Black Angus Beef Brisket, Smoked Pork Links and Bar-B-Que Chicken.

In addition, Full Moon has huge baked potatoes with tasty toppings, sandwiches, burgers, dogs, soups and salads. And I LOVE those wonderful Half Moon Cookies, which have been praised in

Southern Living and named one of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.” I quite agree. Other delectable desserts include Carrot Cake and Homemade Pies: Coconut, Key Lime and Chocolate.

Full Moon Bar-B-Que in Tigertown is open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m; Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Full Moon Bar-B-Que makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” 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

Holiday Art Sale Applications Now Available CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN / EMILLIE DOMBROWSKI — ART EDUCATION SPECIALIST

The Auburn Arts Association and Auburn Parks and Recreation will host its 15th annual Holiday Art Sale on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, the Frank Brown Recreation Center and the Harris Center. The Holiday Art Sale is a great opportunity to get you in the holiday spirit and get a head start on your Christmas shopping.

Local artists will be selling their own unique handmade work. Admission is FREE and open to the public.

If you are

interested in participating as an artist, applications are now available.

You can download an application at auburnalabama.org/ arts and auburnarts. org. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Participating artists will pay a $50 vendor fee.

Applications must be received by Nov. 5.

For more information on the Holiday Art Sale, please visit auburnalabama.org/ arts or auburnarts.org or contact Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist, at 334-501-2944 or edombrowski@ auburnalabama.org

A9 Sept. 16, 2021

Bring the Flavor, Flair of Hibachi Cooking to Your Next Event Hibachi on Wheels brings the excitement and flavor of Hibachi cooking straight to your door. The new food truck can cater your next tailgate, anniversary, birthday party or just about any event you want.

Eric Maldonado is the name behind this new business. Not only is he the chef who cooks all the delicious food and performs tricks for his parties, but he also provides everything customers need for a successful event.

“Hibachi on Wheels brings the entire experience of a restaurant to your place of choice," Maldonado said. "I can bring the whole set up; table, chairs, utensils and set up the whole dinner. I bring side dishes as well, like the soups and salads.”

Not only does Hibachi on Wheels offer the experience of Hibachi cooking, but it can also provide buffet style meals

for bigger events.

Maldonado has already done many events, including a party of six for a family dinner to a big party of 40.

All the food for an event is bought fresh the day of and prepared in front of guests with the flare of fire tricks and knife flips. The price per plate for meals can range anywhere from $22 to $75 depending on what type of meat you select for your event.

Maldonado has a long background in Hibachi cooking. He was born in raised in Puerto Rico before he moved to the U.S. where he began working in a Japanese Steakhouse as a bus boy. He worked his way up from there, making the jump from a server to a chef.

“One day I heard about a chefs position opening up in Kentucky, so I began training myself more and took my trade there," Maldonado said. "I've worked in five different states, including many restaurants all over

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY MEGAN MANN FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Georgia, Kentucky, and Miami.”

For the past five years he has been one of the main Hibachi chefs at a local restaurant, Mikata Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar. Maldonado decided it was time to make his transition from working for a restaurant to opening his own business primarily because he wants to be able to spend more time with

his family.

“The biggest difference from moving to my own business from a restaurant is not having a staff," Maldonado said. "At the restaurant you can use anybody. Right now I’m basically doing it by myself.

I do have my fiancé though. Since my English isn't perfect, she helps with my communication online.”

He hopes to expand his business and hire more help in the future when his business begins to pick up.

“Eventually I would like to expand," he said. "I am working with the market right now moneywise because I don’t want to charge too much or too little. I want to be able to hire other staff members eventually though because right now it’s just me

cooking. I want to be able to do bigger events like tailgates and fraternities.”

Get your next event catered by Hibachi on Wheels with Chef Eric to bring a fun, tasty and exciting experience to your party. You can book your event on his website at www. hibachionwheelscateri ng.com or contact him on Facebook at Hibachi on Wheels with Chef Eric.

m y g RK a A P H S A n L P a |S L O h O P t | e ESS N D T r I N F U P O o U R O G Y R A G m | PL | G N I H L C C T Y A C W TOT EA |

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A10 Sept. 16, 2021

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Dr. Sara SmithT 2 sticks softened margarine ¾ cup brown sugar, packed ¾ cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 large egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips Cream margarine and sugars. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; mix in well. Stir in chocolate chips (with a spoon). Drop with a tablespoon onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 minutes at 350.

PECAN BARS WITH BROWN SUGAR FILLING Cindy Avery 1 cup unsalted butter softened 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 3 cups all-purpose flour Filling: 1/2 cup unsalted butter cubed 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp. sugar 1/3 cup honey 2 Tbsp. heavy cream 1/4 tsp. salt 2 cups chopped pecans 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract or maple flavoring Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1 cup softened butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar. Gradually add in flour and salt until dough forms. Place in 13 x 9 casserole dish that has been lined with parchment paper, leaving enough paper on the ends to lift out when squares are done. Pat dough in bottom of dish and up the sides just a little. Bake for 16-20 minutes. Remove from oven.

In a medium saucepan, melt cubed butter, and sugars. When mixed, add honey, salt and heavy cream.

Stir continuously on low to medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, remove from heat and add pecans and flavoring.

Pour mixture on top of baked crust and spread evenly.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Let cool completely, then cut into bars enjoy!!

WHITE / CHOCOLATE COVERED PUMPKIN TRUFFLES Cindy Avery While these are not cookies, Cindy brought me a sample of these with her Brown Sugar Pecan

Bars, and they were so tasty that I had to include the recipe.

Note that this recipe calls for canned pumpkin pie filling not plain pumpkin.

1 cup graham cracker crumbs ½ cup canned pumpkin pie filling White chocolate melting wafers Mix cracker crumbs with pie filling un till a soft dough forms.

Spray hands with vegetable oil spray and scoop 1 Tbsp. dough and roll into a ball. Place on small baking pan and freeze for one hour.

Melt chocolate wafers according to directions. Dip pumpkin balls in white chocolate with two forks, shaking off excess.

Store in airtight container refrigerator until ready to serve.

ITALIAN CREAM COOKIES Betty Williams Bettye enjoys making these with her grandchildren.

2 cups sugar 1 cup butter, softened 15 oz. container ricotta cheese 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 large eggs 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt Icing: 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar 3 Tbsp. milk Cream sugar and butter. Add ricotta, vanilla and eggs; beat well. Add dry ingredients.

Drop dough

by Tbsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cookies will be soft.

Make icing by combining confectioners’ sugar and milk. Drizzle on cookies.

CREAM CHEESE FILLED PUMPKIN BARS 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter melted 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 15 oz. can pumpkin 1/4 cup water 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt Cream Cheese Filling: 8 oz. cream cheese softened 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 large egg Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, pumpkin, vanilla and water until well blended.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add dry ingredients to pumpkin/butter mixture, combining until well blended.

Spread about 2/3 of the batter evenly into prepared pan.

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese filling ingredients until smooth.

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over pumpkin batter. Dollop remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese batter and spread out as evenly as possible.

Use a table knife to swirl together the cream cheese and top layer of pumpkin batter.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until venter of the pumpkin batter springs back when touched.

Cool completely in pan, then cut into bars.

BUTTERSCOTCH APPLE COOKIES Katlin Mulvaney These cookies were the first place winner at the Lee County Fair years ago.

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg ½ cup butter, softened 1 egg ¾ cup grated apple (1 small apple) ½ cup raisins 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ground cloves ½ tsp. salt 1 1/3 cups firmly packed brown sugar ½ cup apple juice 12 oz. pkg. butterscotch flavored morsels, divided ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts Icing ¼ cup butter ½ cup butterscotch flavored morsels reserved from 12 oz. pkg.

1 ½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar 2 ½ Tbsp. light cream ¼ tsp. salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and egg; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour mixture alternately with apple juice. Stir in grated apple, raisins, and 1 ½ cups butterscotch flavored

morsels.

Drop by rounded Tbsp. three inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12minutes. Cool; spread with icing.

To make icing, combine butter and remaining ½ cup butterscotch morsels in saucepan; stir until melted.

Add sifted confectioners’ sugar, cream and salt; beat until smooth. Cool slightly. Makes 42 cookies.

CARAMEL BROWNIES 2 sticks butter 1 box light brown sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs 2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup chopped nuts Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat the butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar and vanilla; cream together. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Mix nuts with flour until coated. Add flour and nuts to batter; blend well. Pour into a greased 11 by 7 inch pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Cool in pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Freezes well.

EASY HEATH BITS O BRICKLE COOKIES Margaret Walker 1 yellow cake mix 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 8 oz. pkg. Heath Bits O Brickle bits Mix all ingredients. Shape into small balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees 12-15 minutes.

EASY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES These are the easiest cookies for children to make.

1 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy 1 cup brown or white sugar 1 egg Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized bowl, mix peanut butter and sugar.

Add egg and blend well. Drop by tsp. onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

RUTH’S PECAN TOFFEE CHIP COOKIES 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened ½ cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar 1 large egg ½ tsp. vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 1 ½ cups toffee

chips 1 cup chopped pecans, optional Preheat the oven to 350°. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter and sugars; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, mix flours, baking soda and salt until combined. Stir in toffee chips and nuts.

Drop cookies onto greased cookie sheets. Bake until golden about 10 to 12 minutes.

GLAZED PEANUT BUTTER BARS ½ cup shortening ¼ cup butter or margarine 1/3 cup peanut butter 1 cup light brown sugar 1 egg yolk 1 ½ tsp. vanilla 1 ¾ cups flour Glaze: 2 Tbsp. peanut butter 2 Tbsp. milk 1 cup powdered sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine shortening, butter or margarine, 1/3 cup peanut butter, brown sugar, egg yolk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat until light and fluffy; add flour and blend.

Press dough into an ungreased 9x9x2inch pan. Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Combine 2 Tbsp. peanut butter, milk and powdered sugar to make icing. Pour over warm cookies.

Cut into squares.

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES 1/3 cup butter or margarine 1/3 cup cocoa 2 cups sugar 1 small can evaporated milk 2 cups quick cooking oatmeal ½ cup peanut butter 1 tsp. vanilla In a medium sized saucepan, melt butter; add cocoa, sugar and milk.

Bring to a boil over medium to medium high heat. Boil for 3 minutes or until a soft ball is formed when dropped into a cup of cold water. Remove from heat. Add oatmeal, stirring well. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Drop by tsp. onto greased waxed or foil sheets. Cool.

For a fancier cookie, drop by tsp. into greased mini muffin cups and top each with a pecan half.

PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES Cheryl Hulsey 1¾ cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda ½ cup butter, softened

½ cup white sugar ½ cup peanut butter ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 Tbsp. milk 40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped Sift flour, salt and baking soda into large bowl; set aside.

Cream butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk.

Add the flour mixture a little at a time; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately press a peanut butter cup into each ball.

Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Makes 40.

PUMPKIN BARS WITH BROWN SUGAR FROSTING Donna Woodham 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup canned pumpkin For the frosting: 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tablespoon milk Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang.

In a large bowl combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.

In another medium bowl whisk together the butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla and pumpkin. Add flour mixture, stirring until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

With a mixer for making frosting, beating butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the cinnamon and salt.

Gradually add in the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk; beat until smooth, adding more milk if needed.

Spread evenly all over the pumpkin bars.

A11 Sept. 16, 2021

Cultivating Communities: Alabama Master Gardeners Celebrate 40 Years of Service “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” -Audrey Hepburn The Alabama Cooperative Extension System Master Gardeners (MGs) are celebrating 40 years of a belief in tomorrow. Through community gardens, tours, workshops and community outreach projects, MGs are making a difference in their communities across Alabama.

Alabama Extension MG Program Coordinator Kerry Smith said the MG program has touched thousands of lives throughout its 40-year history in Alabama.

“The MG program reaches much further than many people realize,” Smith said.

“Volunteers in some counties help feed food-insecure families with produce from community gardens.

Others host community events or garden tours.

There are even some counties where the MG volunteers are the backbone of the county fair.

JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES CONTRIBUTIONS

Alabama Sen. Clay Scofield introduced a joint resolution to the Alabama legislature recognizing the Master Gardeners for their service during the past 40 years.

The Alabama legislature jointly “commends the Alabama Extension Master Gardener Program for its contributions to the state of Alabama and hereby recognizes its impact toward making our state more beautiful and its citizens more capable of environmentally safe and sound decisions for their home landscapes.”

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND HUMBLE SERVICE

Since its beginning in 1981, the Alabama MG program has become an impactful and expansive statewide program.

In 2020, 1,565 members reported volunteer hours — even in the midst of a global pandemic.

Forty years of sweat, energy, time and talent contributed to communities all over Alabama equals thousands of hours of community service. The work of MGs has an estimated $112 million worth of volunteer efforts that has made Alabama more beautiful.

Gary Murray, an Extension agent assistant in Madison County in 1981, worked as part of the team who developed the first Alabama MG curriculum and volunteer training. He was encouraged to implement the program

by Huntsville resident, Mary Lou McNabb,

who participated in the MG program at Cornell University.

He said behind every successful program is a good team who makes it happen.

“The MG program is a quality program that has been led by many quality people over the years,” Murray said.

“While this is vitally important to program success, it comes down to the quality of people who choose to become MGs. These individuals are extraordinary.”

Murray said the MG volunteers are a community-minded group.

“I am a first-hand witness to the difference a MG group can make in communities,” Murray said. “These are individuals who want to improve their own knowledge base, then use what they learn to help others.”

ADVANCED MASTER GARDENERS TAKE NEXT STEP

Mallory Kelley, an Alabama Extension regional home grounds agent, said after becoming a certified MG, members can choose to work on an advanced MG training.

This training includes 40 hours of topic-specific study and presentations to peers and other groups, as well as a mentoring program. Kelley said the impact MG’s have on their communities is incredible and inspiring.

“The MG program is about gardening, but the thing that really ties people together is the unique and lasting relationships you cultivate,” Kelley said. “I applaud these volunteers because they give a lot of time, energy and love to their projects. The Prattvillage garden is just one example that makes a difference in an Alabama town.”

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY

Billie Crawford, a Montgomery County MG, comes from a

family of Alabama MG volunteers. She said gardening is in their blood. Crawford’s sister and brother-in-law are Tuscaloosa County MGs, but her initial introduction to the MG program was through her mother, Helen Bretz. Bretz was an Alabama MG member in Tuscaloosa County in 1991.

“My mother was involved with Master Gardeners in the early years,” Crawford said.

“She already loved the MG program and encouraged me to participate in the outreach programs and get involved with community service projects.”

Crawford’s mother, Helen Bretz, said the MG organization has been dear to her since her time as an active MG. “The MG program has given me so many wonderful friends,” Bretz said. “Many of them I am still in contact with today.”

The association that brought lasting friendships is the same one she said breathed life into her again after she fought colon cancer.

“After 24 cancer treatments, I was weak and tired,” Bretz said.

“I was offered the opportunity to have two mentors help me with a garden in my back yard through the Harvest for Health program and it really brought me back to life.”

HARVEST FOR HEALTH AND GROW MORE, GIVE MORECHANGE LIVES

In addition to community beautification projects, there are individuals and families reaping the reward of sewn seeds of kindness and the continued belief that MGs are planting today, believing for tomorrow.

Smith said MG volunteers donated 13 tons of fresh produce to area food banks for local families experiencing food insecurity in 2020 through the

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY ACES

BY KATIE NICHOLS

Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean Paul Patterson, Auburn University President Jay Gogue, Kerry Smith and Alabama Extension Director Mike Phillips were pleased to share the joint resolution from the Alabama legislature recognizing the 40 years of service by Master Gardeners.

Grow More, Give More(GMGM) campaign. This topped 2019’s donations by 2,000 pounds. GMGM encourages a produce-sharing partnership where gardeners share extra produce with neighbors in need or local food banks.

Harvest for Health pairs cancer survivors with MG volunteers who mentor them while growing a four-season backyard garden. The program has impacted more than 400 cancer survivors throughout Alabama who partnered with nearly 500 MG volunteer mentors.

Harvest for Health is a partnership between Alabama Extension’s home grounds team and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Smith said this research would not be possible without Alabama MG volunteers and their contributions of time, talent and heart.

about so much more than gardening and soil, although these are the initial ties that bind,” Smith said. “MG volunteers are enthusiastic and service-minded. Their efforts have helped others learn more and truly made Alabama a better place to live.”

She said the volunteers are the heart of the program.

“This outstanding Extension program owes gratitude to the Alabama MG program pioneers for their energy and determination, especially Mary Lou McNabb for launching the idea in Madison County,” Smith said.

“Thank you to her and to all of the Alabama Master Gardeners who volunteer in their communities.

Way to grow.”

MORE INFORMATION

Alabama Master Gardeners also manage a helpline. MGs help gardeners and homeowners throughout the state diagnose and treat common issues in the lawn and garden. Call 1-877-ALA-GROW to let a certified MG assist you.

For more information about the Alabama Master Gardener program, Harvest for Health or Grow More Give More, visit www. aces.edu.

40 YEARS OF SERVICE

From humble beginnings came a program that humbly and consistently serves in many communities throughout Alabama.

Smith said she has had the privilege of watching the program grow during her tenure.

“The Master Gardener program is

DOWNTOWN EVENTS • Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. — Trivia with Caroline in The Jailhouse, “Star Wars” at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Sept. 17 — Cameron Dubois at Resting Pulse Brewing Company • Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. — The Brokers perform in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball

Craig Leonard, R. Ph. Lisa Leonard, R. Ph. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

334-821-4493 464 N. Dean Road, Auburn

• Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. — Bambi and Fong7 perform electronic funk in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Sept. 18 — Thomas Hind at Resting Pulse Brewing Company

A12 Sept. 16, 2021

Auburn Family Participates in Gospel Series CONTRIBUTED BY MCDONALD’S NEWSROOM Just in time for Gospel Music Heritage Month, the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration® Gospel Tour is back with its fourpart, virtual “Gospel City Playlists” series to settle the debate on which U.S. region has the biggest gospel hits. Auburn’s very own Marshall family, who together own and operate seven McDonald’s restaurants in Auburn-Opelika-Shorter and Tuskegee, Alabama, were invited to provide the opening remarks for the event.

The Marshall family, consisting of husband and wife Paul and

Dolly and two sons, Malcolm and Marcus, serve as active members in the Lee County community. They are founding members of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lee County, and are passionate about enabling young people to reach their full potential. Additionally, they are in their 30th year of awarding financial scholarships to deserving high school students in both Macon and Lee counties to help further their education and build the next generation of Black Excellence. They are also huge supporters of the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham.

As part of the 15th annual tour, award-win-

THE MARSHALLS ning artists Sir The Baptist, Jonathan Nelson, DOE, L. Spencer Smith and Pastor Mike Jr. Bri Babineaux will shine

NAMI East Alabama to Hold Monthly Meeting Sept. 21 CONTRIBUTED BY NAMI OF EAST ALABAMA NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce which is 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.

Artisan Coffee Beverages made to order.

Beginning Monday Sept.13, we will open each weekday at 7 a.m.

116 S. 8th Street, Opelika

334-363-0390

www.booniehatcoffee.com

on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ET. Brought to fans by the Black and Positively Golden movement, the concert

— which airs on BET. com, BET Network’s YouTube channel and the McDonald’s app — will collect donations

to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, RMHC needs our support more than ever.

For the first time, McDonald’s app users can enjoy exclusively curated playlists with 15 of the top hits from artists in each region. Fans can join the conversation around their favorite artists and rep the experience using #blackandpositivelygolden.

The Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour will air weekly on Sundays from Sept. 19 to Oct. 10. More information on participating artists can be found on the McDonald’s Newsroom.

A13 Sept. 16, 2021

Less Than Paradise

less included in Scripture.

Fair enough.

The place to start is with the recognition that many of our cultural sensibilities are just that — our cultural sensibilities. Whenever we want to impose them on people in the past, it almost BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th always leads to trouble. After all, do you really want your Street Church of Christ descendants two hundred in Opelika years from now to judge he Book of Esther is a you by whatever the cultural head turner. It’s about standards are of their day? a Jewish woman (Es- Probably not. Whether we ther), who parlays a place in care to admit it or not, we the king’s harem into becom- are all, to some degree, the product of the time in which ing queen of Persia. And oh yes, her cousin (Mordecai — we live. (Go find your yearbook and look at your senior who is her surrogate father), picture from high school if encourages and helps her you don’t believe this). And to accomplish this. Sounds like the latest from Netflix or yes, two centuries from now people will shake their heads Hulu, doesn’t it? over some of the things we But it’s not. It’s straight do now — just accept it and out of the Scripture, which move on. makes it problematic rather We make a huge mistake than trending from the perthen when we try to squeeze spective of many. There’s so the story of Esther into our much that sounds so wrong 21st century worldview. with the story that they don’t Esther wasn’t a Disney know where to start. They princess.

She was a Jewish wonder why this story has person living under Persian even been preserved, much rule in 5th century BC.

T

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

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

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

Masks are available.

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

Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m.

Services are streamed live on Facebook — the page is UGBChurch

While we chafe at the idea of arranged marriages, they didn’t bat an eye at it. Living under foreign rule might represent a nightmare to many of us but it was a reality for most people in Esther’s time. Being someone else’s servant bristles our brow, but they didn’t look at it that way. In short, we must park many of our 21st century sensibilities when we step into Esther’s story.

When Ester is taken to be part of the king’s harem we’re horrified, but neither Esther nor Mordecai seem to have viewed it that way.

Being part of the king’s harem was the royal version of an arranged marriage (albeit a polygamous one).

Still, many, if not most people would have regarded that as an honor (the Vashti situation notwithstanding).

And Mordecai apparently saw it as more than that — he was convinced that God was using the situation (4:14 and his actions throughout the book).

And knowing how it all turned out, it would be difficult to argue against him,

wouldn’t it?

Maybe that gets us to the real point, we’re not pleased with the way God rolled all this out. Couldn’t He have done things in a different way? Why did He allow this godly young woman to become the wife of the tyrant we see in the first chapter?

(And yet there is nothing in the biblical record to suggest he ever mistreated Esther this way — in fact, quite the opposite.)

Hmm . . . Maybe there’s more to this story for us than simply being aghast at the conditions Esther lived under. After all, the biblical witness majors in displaying how God’s people, through His power, learned to survive and often thrive in far less than ideal circumstances. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers as a teenager. Later, he was falsely accused and imprisoned.

He not only survived these injustices, he transcended them to become second in Egypt to Pharaoh and was reconciled with his brothers.

Then there are the hopeful stories of Ruth, Hannah,

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN Daniel’s three friends and so many more.

If the Scripture teaches us anything, it is that while idealized conditions are wonderful, they are not necessary for us to serve God. It might help us to also keep in mind that it was in paradise that rebellion broke out. As I write this, I’m studying the Bible online with a Muslim woman who lives in Afghanistan — where the Taliban has taken over. I have another student in Haiti, where the president was assassinated this summer.

He told me recently there is violence in the streets (a pregnant woman was shot) and the economy is in the tank. I imagine they find something much different in these hopeful stories than the critics do.

Well, enough of that.

Let’s sit down with our ten-dollar cup of coffee, open up our Bible in the comfort of our climate-controlled residence and rant about how God allowed people in biblical times to live under such crude and cruel conditions.

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

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

Bible Verse of the Week Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

MATTHEW 28: 19-20

CHURCH DIRECTORY APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc. 28 Sanford Ave., Opelika 334-745-0210 God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270,

Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117 Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487 Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 High Hope Baptist Church

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.

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

EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054 METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151 Place your ad here!

Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!

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 Sept. 16, 2021

The Influence of One Small Woman WALTER ALBRITTON While visiting Methodist mission stations in Southeast Asia, my wife and I worshipped one Sunday at an English-speaking church in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. Arriving early, we were greeted warmly by our host and invited to take a seat in the fellowship

BOBBY RODGERS Bobby Rodgers, age 76 of Cusseta, Alabama, passed away on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 at his residence.

Mr. Rodgers was born on June 27, 1945 in Chambers County, Alabama, to the late Jinks Rodgers and Bertha Kate Rodgers. He was also preceded in death by three brothers in law and one sister-in-law.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at 11 a.m.at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Chapel in Opelika, Alabama. Interment followed in Garden Hills Cemetery and Rev. Lynn McClain officiated. Family received friends on Friday morning from 10 a.m. until the service hour in the Chapel.

Mr. Rodgers is survived by his wife of 53 years, Melba Rodgers. His daughter, Wendy Sides and son-in-law, Michael Sides.

Grandchildren, Lacie Brown, Jake Sides, and Morgan Sides. Siblings, Betty Glass, Lola James; Sister in Jaw Brenda Bleskoski and brother-in-law Joe Bleskoski. As well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Rodgers was a hardworking man and loved his family and friends very much. He was the owner and operator of Circle "B" Mobile Home Park for over thirty years.

Mr. Rodgers was a BIG avid Alabama fan and enjoyed being on his lawnmower as he would say, ''Taking Care of God's Land."

There are no words to describe how truly missed Mr. Rodgers will be by so many!

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

––––––– DARYL NICHOLAS “NICK” BLEDSOE Daryl Nicholas “Nick” Bledsoe of Opelika born May 25, 1980, passed away Sept. 5, 2021 at EAMC. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.

A graveside service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 at Garden Hills Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Bledsoe;

hall with those who were listening to the pastor’s devotional message. We sat down beside a nondescript woman and a little boy whom I assumed was her grandson.

As the meeting concluded, our host walked over and asked, “Have you met Mrs. Aylward?” Somewhat embarrassed, I said we had not, for I had paid no attention to the little woman. Our host introduced us to Mrs. Gladys Aylward, whose name meant nothing to me.

He went on to explain that Gladys was the remarkable woman whose life was portrayed by Ingrid Bergman in the movie, “The Inn

of the Sixth Happiness.”

Suddenly our interest in this little woman went from zero to ten because we had seen the movie and loved it.

The movie is based on a book about Gladys written

by Alan Burgess and titled The Small Woman. It is the true story of a chambermaid in Great Britain who believed God wanted her to go to China as a missionary.

Incredibly, with no formal education, no support from anyone and no money of her own, Gladys works as a maid and earns enough money for a train ticket to China. She served there during the years leading up to World War II.

Aylward’s courage in the face of invading Japanese soldiers is the focus of the movie. Tenacious and courageous only begin to describe this remarkable woman who led dozens of children to safety over a treacherous mountain range.

There, in that fellowship hall in Taipei, I was recalling scenes from that movie as I looked down at the frail little lady who was smiling as she shook my hand.

Gladys shared with us that, still caring for children, she was now operating two homes for orphans who were mainly abandoned children. Putting her arm around the boy beside her,

she said, “This little fellow was left at my door when he was an infant. I have raised him as my own child.” I assumed she had adopted him when she told me his name was David Aylward.

Thinking again about the movie about her life, I asked Gladys if the movie had portrayed her life accurately. I was stunned when she replied, “I have never seen the movie.” Tears filled my eyes. I felt like taking off my shoes in the presence of a woman who was too busy caring for abandoned children to bother looking at a Hollywood movie describing her life.

Our conversation with

Gladys Aylward lasted no more than 15 minutes but meeting her made a profound difference in our lives. Dean and I were never the same. We had met an authentic servant of Jesus whose devotion to our Lord inspired us to seek a new level of surrender to his purpose for our lives.

There, for a few minutes, looking into the face of that small woman, I know now I was seeing the face of the Christ. And He was reminding me that there is no limit to his power to transform and use a person who is totally sold out to Him.

children: Jodi Johnson, Austin Bledsoe, Justin Bledsoe, Baileigh Bledsoe; parents: father Daryl H. Bledsoe (Donna), mother Katrina H. Flournoy (Lamar); siblings: Joshua Bledsoe (Kim), Preston Lee Flournoy, Deanna Flournoy, Mary Daniel (Kevin), Kristie H. Clark (Joe); grandchildren: Harlee, Charlie Mae, Paisley Grace; and several niece and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Milton Hamm, Sr., Fay Thrift Hamm, and Art Bledsoe.

He was a local business owner that was family owned and operated since 2011. Also, he was a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club and enjoyed spending time on the beach with his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Tim Tebow Foundation www. timtebowfoundation.org/ Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

–––––––

Lillian Bright, 2, and Janie Cortland Bright, due this November.

Melton was preceded in death by his father, John Melton "Pete" Sheppard; his mother, Jean "Big Momma" Sheppard; and his sister-in-law, Betty Huey Sheppard.

The memorial service was held Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel, officiated by Brother Tom Grantham. There was no burial. Jeffcoat-Trant directed the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Purpose Baptist Church of Opelika P.O. Box 2161 Opelika, Alabama 36803 Phone: (334) 750-5338.

–––––––

Hodge Sr., at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021 at Garden Hills Cemetery with Minister Bruce Green and Minister Tom Hodge officiating.

Born in South Carolina, Harold was a veteran of World War II. He fought bravely as a Marine on the Island of Saipan and was awarded The Purple Heart.

Opelika was his home for more than 60 years.

He was a member of the Tenth Street Church of Christ where he served as a deacon. He loved his God, his country, and his family, and he loved them well.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Hodge, as well as a son, Harold Thomas Hodge, Jr., a daughter, Wendy Lynne Hodge and a sonin-law, Mark E. Kelly.

He also leaves behind six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by a daughter, Carol Hodge Kelly.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

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8, at 11 a.m. at Ramsay Memorial Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Alabama, with Bobby Hornsby and John Sasser officiating. Pallbearers were Wade Davis, Sid Davis, Wendell Davis, Larry “Buddy” Floyd, Wes Davis and Curry Arnold with nephews serving as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Ramsay Memorial Church c/o Ed Henderson 254 Sunnyside Lane Notasulga, Alabama, 36866 or Community Hospice 1526 Gilmer Ave. Tallassee, Alabama 36078 or to the charity of your choice.

–––––––

Paul Sartain Powers, Sr. died at his home in Opelika, Alabama, on Sept.10, 2021 at the age of 90. Born in Red Bay, Alabama, on July 12, 1931, Mr. Powers graduated from the local high school in 1949 and then Auburn University in 1954. While at Auburn, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta and the ROTC. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1956, followed by the Naval Reserves. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, he met his wife of 65 years Carol June King at a wedding; they married on April, 29, 1956.

The couple moved their family to Opelika, in 1972 to open a box plant.

In later years, Mr. Powers enjoyed working in real estate. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Opelika for decades, where he served in many church leadership roles. He was also a longtime member of the Rotary Club and served as President twice.

Mr. Powers was preceded in death by his sister Jan Powers Correll and brother-in-law Ray Correll; his parents, Robert Clyde and Pearl Jane Sartain Powers. Mr. Powers is survived by his wife Carol June King Powers; his five children: Mara Lindsey Powers McKay (Hays), Beth VanTuyle Powers Barks (Allen), Paul “Bo” Sartain Powers, Jr. (Janet), Gretchen Powers Hood (Kenny), and Rory Stutzman Powers; eight grandchildren: Hays “Trey” McKay, III (Abby), Mary Carol Barks Howell (Chris), James Hopson Barks, Holland Elizabeth Powers Daniel (Taylor), Paul “Tripp” Sartain Powers, III (Kayla), Lindsey June McKay Snellgrove (Quinton), and Turner Stutzman Powers; and two great-grandchildren: Lilly Grant McKay and Tanner Grace Daniel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Food Bank of East Alabama. Visitation was held Monday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Opelika.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

MELTON SHEPPARD Melton went to Heaven to be with His Lord and Savior, Sunday Sept. 5, 2021 at EAMC. He was born on Sept. 19, 1949. He proudly served as a U.S. Army Combat Medic in Germany. He retired from Opelika Utilities in 2001.

His greatest passion in life was his family and loving them dearly. He had a love for golf; he golfed at Indian Pines almost daily. He was skilled with electronics and computers and enjoyed playing computer games in his spare time. His smile and sense of humor, that was one of a kind, could brighten anyone's day.

Melton is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Gina Sheppard, in Opelika; His children: son Mac Bright and his wife, Roxie; daughter Brandi Sheppard Smith and her husband, James. His brothers: Willie Sheppard and his wife, Linda; Roy Sheppard; Tony Sheppard, and his wife, Cyndi. His sister: Yvonne Capps and her husband, Danny. His Grandchildren: Joshua Bright and Lauren; Jonathan Bright and his wife, Karley; Jackson Cook. His Great-granddaughters: Mac

OBITUARIES

JAMES LARRY BRYAN Funeral servicews for James Larry Bryan of Salem, Alabama were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept.

8, 2021, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Visitation was from 12:30 until 2 p.m. and burial followed in Garden Hill Cemetery.

Reverend Bill Bryan officiated.

Mr. Bryan, who died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at his residence in Salem, was born Jan. 5, 1945 in Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Bryan was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved his family. He was in the textile business for 41 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Crystal Bryan of Salem; four sons: David Bryan, Richard Bryan, James Bryan and Robert Muller; two daughters: Kellie Hatcher and Carrie (Peter) Rutherford; one sister: Sharon (Terry) Johnson; his fatherin-law Donald Hawkins and mother-in-law Joyce Sawyer; two sisters-in-law: Cindy (Terry) McCulloch and Barbara (Jack) Young and one brother-in-law Ronnie Hawkins. He had 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

––––––– HAROLD THOMAS HODGE SR. A graveside service was held for Harold Thomas

WILLIAM JEROME “JERRY” FLOYD William Jerome “Jerry” Floyd was born on Nov. 9, 1942, to William Andrew and Lula Carolyn Floyd.

He died peacefully at home on Sept. 3, 2021, at the age of 78.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Anita Durham Floyd; his daughter Jeri Ann Johnson; son William Andrew “Andy” Floyd and his wife Kelli; daughter Carrie Henderson and her husband Ed. He also leaves to cherish his memory granddaughters Elizabeth McCaskey (Matt) and Amber King; great- grandsons Jaxon Joyce and Jace Joyce; brother Larry Floyd; and a special Aunt Patricia Anderson; caregivers Sandy Hornsby, Charlie Mae Felton, And Renee Segrest; along with many other beloved family members and friends.

Visitation was held at Union Christian Church in Little Texas, 1111 Co. Road 69, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Sept.

BARRY L. CRENSHAW Barry L. Crenshaw, 61, of Opelika, passed away Sept. 8, 2021.

Mr. Crenshaw was born May 30, 1960. He was native to Lee County Alabama, where he has lived most of his life and attended Victory Baptist Church. Mr. Crenshaw served in the Navy for eight years and then went on to instruct truck driving courses for Southern Union Community College.

He is preceded in death by his father, Wallace Crenshaw; stepfather, Bruce Parker; and brother, Russell Crenshaw.

Mr. Crenshaw is survived by his wife, Lisa Long Crenshaw of Opelika; son, Chris (Kristen) Grimes; mother, Ms. Louise S. Parker; two grandchildren; brothers: Randy (Jenney) Crenshaw of Opelika and Kenneth (Leigh) Crenshaw of Cusseta, Alabama. brothers-inlaw: Dennis (Diane) Long and Terry (Carol) Long; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held Saturday, Sept.

11, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Rev. Drew Thomas officiated.

Go Dawgs & War Eagle!

––––––– PAUL SARTAIN POWERS, SR.

A15 Sept. 16, 2021

OCTOBER 15-17, 2021

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OPELIKA

THE WAR AND TREATY

SHAWN MULLINS DARK WATER SARAH LEE GUTHRIE JOHN PAUL WHITE DAN NAVARRO JEFFREY STEELE MINDY SMITH JEFF BLACK KIM RICHEY GRAYSON CAPPS AMY LAVERE CHARLIE MARS LEIGH NASH CHRIS STILLS STEVE POLTZ MARTHA'S TROUBLE ADAM HOOD ABE PARTRIDGE LIZ LONGLEY PIERCE PETTIS JANET SIMPSON WYATT EDMONDSON KATIE MARTIN BRADLEY COLE SMITH JENNIFER LYNN SIMPSON HARAWAY BROTHERS BB PALMER MARK TRUE EVAN STEGNER BRET MCDANIEL STEPHANIE JECK MAKE SURE WEBSTER’S WHEEL MUTT COOPER DAVE POTTS SCOTT SINGER EDUARDO LEON TED MCVAY BRIAN ATKINS COLEMAN.X

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A16 Sept. 16, 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 – OCT 12. AT 6 P.M. INSIDE • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

AUBURN – OCT. 12 AT 6 P.M. OPELIKA – OCT. 26 AT 4:30 P.M.

Next Man Up: Gators Running Back Room Leads Glenwood to Victory

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

Bulldogs 2-2 After Beating Eufaula

T

gaining only 139 yards.

The Bulldogs play Carver at Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, Thursday at 7 p.m. The Wolverines (2-1, R -20) lost to Enterprise in the opener, 12-28, beat Valley 29-14 and Park Crossing 27-12. CHS is led by first year head coach Marcus Gardner.

Opelika lead the series 16-3, dating back to the first game in 1983.

Carver’s three wins occurred in 1983 (6-0), 2010 (55-34) and 2012 (47-27). The Bulldogs have won the last four games, including 24-7 last season.

OHS played without 20-plus players last week. Opelika head coach Eric Speakman, appearing “On the Mark” radio show Friday morning, said several players could be out for the game against Eufaula, but did not elaborate.

An Opelika win would leave the Dogs as the only team in the region left undefeated and in perfect shape to win another title. Fans can listen to the Opelika versus Carver football game on WKKR 97.7 Kickerfm, online at kickfm.com or download the iHeartRadio app on your smartphone and search See SPORTS, page B3

rhythm in the early going and squandered a pair of opportunities in which the squad was handed the ball deep in enemy territory.

The head coach claimed that the first quarter struggles serve as a testament that his team is not where it needs to be yet.

“We are nowhere near where this team needs to be,” Gibson said. “It’s not even in the vicinity of

where we can be. We just got a long way to go.”

As the game progressed, the Gators began to figure out what was working best for them: handing the ball to junior running back Aaron Burton. Burton led his team with nine touches for 47 yards in the first half alone, relieving struggling quarterback Dallas Crow of stress in offensive

production. Once the junior tailback got rolling, Crow was able to settle in and deliver a 34-yard touchdown strike early in the second quarter.

Gibson attributes much of his team’s offensive success to that of his junior speed back.

“He’s a weapon,” Gibson said. “I’ve got to figure out how to make See GLENWOOD, page B3

Explosive Third Quarter Seals Ideal Two-Game Start for Tigers PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

he Opelika High School varsity football team (2-2, R 2-0) forced five fumbles, intercepted three-passes and scored 21 points to beat Eufaula on Friday night, remaining unbeaten in region games. JT McArdle started at quarterback in place of injured Jackson Bates, and threw a 23-yard pass to Jayvontay Cooper for the first TD of the game.

Kaden Cooper scored the second TD on an 8-yard run with 1:07 left in the second quarter. Calvin Hughley ran 16 yards for the Dogs last touchdown with 7:09 left in the game. (Gagliano added all three PAT’s, 21-0).

The biggest takeaway from the game was that the Bulldog defense recorded their first shutout of the season. Defensive back Jamaroun Satterwhite led the defense, recording 10 tackles, recovering two fumbles and adding one interception. Other players helping preserve the shuotout included: Jayden Stinson (intercepted two passes) and Tay Gay (recovered a fumble). George Meyers thwarted off a potential score, running down a Tiger player and tackling him at the the 2-yard line. The Opelika offense struggled, however,

Following what head coach Jason Gibson describes as the most embarrassing loss to Lee Scott in school history, Friday night presented a clean slate and the opportunity for the Glenwood Gators to break back into the win column against region foe Valliant Cross.

From the very beginning, Friday night’s contest between the Gators and the Warriors was a back-and forth slug fest.

After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, VCA fumbled the opening kickoff on its own 26-yard line, opening the door for Glenwood to post early points.

The favorable field position did not prove fruitful for the Orange and Green, however, as Gibson’s team was unable to find any resemblance of an offensive

PHOTO BY HARRISON TARR / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Through two weeks of the 2021 college football season, the Auburn Tigers have had one of easiest schedules in the country.

Still, however, the Tigers have done what they were supposed to do — and then some — dispatching Akron 60-10 last week and dominating Alabama State University, 63-0, See TIGERS, page B6

Smoke Monday (21) and Nehemiah Pritchett (18) celebrate after blocking a field goal.

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East Alabama's "Go-To" Center For Orthopaedic Care Auburn 1800 Lakeside Circle, Auburn Opelika 18 Medical Arts Center 121 North 20th Street, Opelika

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B2 September 16, 2021

PLAYERS OF

Glenwood School

116 ALL-PURPOSE YARDS AND 1 TD

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

SENIOR RON BEAUCHAMP

‘The Mental Game’ Southern Christian Fail to Get Over Hump Against Evangel

of the

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Week Congratulations from

Lee Co. Revenue Commissioner Oline Price Opelika 215 S. 9th St. Opelika 334-737-3655

Smiths Station 2366 LR 430 Ste. 140 Smiths Station 334-664-0296

Auburn 1266 Mall Pkwy Auburn 334-737-7298

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

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

JUNIOR DB JAMAROUN SATTERWHITE 10 TACKLES, TWO FUMBLE RECOVERIES, ONE INTERCEPTION

IT’S THE OPELIKA WAY.

GO DAWGS!

Last time out, the Southern Christian Patriots narrowly defeated Alabama Christian Sports Conference (ACSC) powerhouse Evangel, but ultimately fell to the Lightning, 148, as the comeback effort fell short.

The game itself was a defensive showdown — somewhat of a surprise given Evangel entered the game averaging 48.5 points per contest.

Despite the overall sluggishness on offense, Southern Christian began the game in a rhythm.

The Patriots marched down the field in quick succession until running back Jagger Scott plunged into the end zone on a 15-yard run, shedding multiple wimpy Evangel tacklers in the process.

The score was set up by a secondary-busting 25-yard pass from quarterback Jackson Dooley to slot receiver Tripp Vaughn.

Looking to establish a dominance early, Southern Christian then attempted the two-point conversion, and Dooley took a direct snap off the edge of the line, to the sideline and into the end zone. The Patriots took an early 8-0 lead.

“[Southern Christian] really came here and punched us right in the mouth,” said Evangel head coach Jon Parker.

“To be honest, we were not expecting that.”

Defying expectation even further, Southern Christian held its lead and deterred the Lightning from the end zone until just three minutes before the end of the half.

Ultimately, however, the game was decided in the next three minutes.

That’s when the Patriots defensive brigade faltered as the Lightning flipped momentum with two scores before the break.

One offensive, one defensive — the Lightning were opportunistic and used a broken coverage and a fumble recovery to take a 14-8 lead into the locker room.

The second half was a battle of attrition between both teams. Neither offense established a rhythm and the defenses seemingly bellowed at their opponent’s attempts to move the ball.

Defensively for Southern Christian, Scott and his brother Jed, River Nelson and Vaughn led the way.

Scott had two deflections, Nelson had one and Vaughn forced the only Evangel turnover of the game, interception

JUNIOR QB/DB NOAH HIGDON 10 TACKLES ON DEFENSE

#myOpelika • #beOpelika www.opelika-al.gov 2018 observer

the Lightning quarterback’s pass.

Offensively, excluding the scorers of the first half, the Patriots offense posed little to no threat.

The stellar defensive play of the Lightning dashed all hoped of a comeback as the Patriots left Alabaster with the loss.

“We have got to do the little things every play if we are going to beat teams like Evangel,” said Southern Christian head coach Billie Watts. “We have to work on moving the football and playing a complete game start to finish. We are on the verge of being a good team if we can get over the mental game.”

Southern Christian now turns its sights to non-conference opponent Southern Preparatory Academy (formerly Lyman Ward), who the Patriots travel to face in Camp Hill on Thursday night.

The Patriots will look for similar aggression and dominance out of their defense and more efficiency out of an offense averaging just 15.3 points per games through three contest.

Watts said his team will be outnumbered nearly three to one. But there’s been bigger surprises with worse odds.

Regardless, Watts is confident “his boys will bring home the win.”

B3 September 16, 2021

THE WEEK GLENWOOD

>>

FROM B1 him, how to get him the ball more.”

On the opposite side of the ball, the Gator defense continued to give the visiting Warriors fits. The Warriors’ inability to hold onto the football in their own territory proved costly late in the second quarter, as a turnover set the Gators up for a 19-yard field goal to take an 11-0 lead as time expired in the first half.

Despite the significant challenge presented

by VCA quarterback Antavious Jackson’s mobility, the gator front seven was able to keep the Warriors in front of them, forcing three punts and a fumble before heading to the locker room.

“It was good considering where we’ve been the last two weeks,” Gibson said.

“We gave up 500 yards against Escambia, we had a horrific blown assignment against Lee Scott. So we made some adjustments; made some personnel changes, some alignment changes.”

For the hometown Gators, the second half of play brought forth a

SPORTS >> FROM B1 WKKR. The game will be live streamed on nfhsnetwork.com; set up an account and search for Opelika high school.

OHS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS SET TO HOST “OPELIKA INVITATIONAL” The Opelika High cross country teams will host the annual “Opelika Invitational” Saturday at the Sportsplex. The meet will start at 8 a.m. with varsity girls, followed by varsity boys at 8:40 a.m. and the middle school teams at 9:20 a.m.

The Opelika Invitational is open to the public.

Opelika competed in the “Fort Gilmmer Grind” at Central High School last Saturday.

Opelika’s Breckin

seemingly completely revamped offense. Despite an apparent injury to Burton on Glenwood’s first snap of the half, senior running back Austin Ondurusek picked up where his teammate left off in the first two periods of play.

“Austin stepped in,” Gibson said. “He did a great job. Austin is such a team player, a team guy and he can play receiver, fullback, tailback. He did it all. He came in and drove us down the field second half.”

Ondurusek’s ability to provide productive touches bolstered the confidence of his quarterback. The Gators marched down the field on their first possession capped off by a 19-yard touchdown off the arm of Crow.

Gibson claims that the decision to start taking downfield shots was based — in large — upon the promise in the run game.

“We ran it pretty good going into the half,” Gibson said. “They’ve got players, so I was just like ‘we’re going to go north and south.’”

Although the impact of Ondurusek was most certainly important to opening

up the passing game, his role on the ground also helped his team find paydirt for the second time in the third period of play. On the ensuing drive, the senior received three consecutive touches — tallying north of 25 yards — before hurling himself across the plane, pushing the Gator lead to 26-0 entering the fourth quarter.

After a series of traded possessions heavily packed with inside runs, the Gators wound down the clock in the final quarter before losing the shutout bid to a late touchdown by the Warriors.

Gibson said he was just happy to get the win.

“At the end of the day, it’s a win.” Gibson said.

“It was a region game, we needed a win and we got it.”

Following a schedule alteration, Glenwood has just six days to regroup and recharge before traveling to Springwood on Sept.

16. The Gators will now do battle with the winless Wildcats in Lanett on Thursday night with kickoff still set for 7 p.m. CST.

Gould won the meet, running 22:49.62 in the 500-meter race. Two other Lady Bulldogs finished in the top ten: Poala Torres placed eighth with a time of 25:52.34 and Mary Evans Cooper placed 10th, running 26:20.77.

The OHS boys placed five runners in the top 20. Michael Hart was 10th (21:51.18), Conner Mullins 11th (21:58.66), Sam Kemp 15th (22:12.71), Zane Sexton 18th (22:52.21) and Peyton Weston placed 19th (11:52.21).

The two teams participated in the “AT&T Panther XC Meet” in Smiths Station two weeks ago. Opelika’s top finisher in the girls and boys meet was Breckin Gould, who placed ninth out of 200 runners.

Gould ran a 19:30.02 in the 500-meter race and continues to dominate most cross country meets for OHS. LEE COUNTY GAME OF WEEK Two top-five 1A football teams will battle in Lee County this Friday at 7 p.m. as Loachapoka host Maplesville. This will draw statewide media attention because Maplesville is ranked No. 2 while ‘Poka is ranked No. 5 in the Alabama Sports Writers Poll.

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

Beauregard High School SOPHOMORE QB TRENT MOULTON 2 TD PASSES

of the

Week Congratulations From the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Download the app today

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SMITHS STATION PANTHERS

Serving Lee County since 2006

JUNIOR TE/DE JAKE MIDDLETON CAUGHT THE LONE TD OF THE GAME FOR THE PANTHERS ON A 13-YARD PASS Serving Lee County since 2006

TRIPP VAUGHN HAD SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN'S ONLY DEFENSIVE TURNOVER — AN INTERCEPTION — IN A 14-8 LOSS TO EVANGEL

B4 September 16, 2021

Bulldogs Suffer From Bumpy Week

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSEREVER The varsity Opelika volleyball team (pictured top row) had a tough week, losing to Smiths Station, Benjamin Russell and Harris County. The varsity team's record now sits at 1-6 on the season (according to MaxPreps). The junior varsity (pictured bottom row) improved to 2-3 with a win over Smiths and a loss to Benjamin Russell.

Opelika Defense Dominates, Trounces the Tigers

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSEREVER The Opelika varsity football team defeated Eufaula, 21-0, in a region game Friday night to improve to 2-2 on the season. The 'Dawgs forced eight turnovers for the game as the defense stifled the Tigers.

B5 September 16, 2021

REALITY CHECK

Lee-Scott Fall to Pike on Heels of Big Win PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSEREVER Following their upset win over Glenwood last week, the LeeScott Warriors fell to rival Pike, 28-0, on Friday night. The loss brings Lee-Scott to 1-2 on the young season.

LUAU LETDOWN

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

The Beauregard Hornets student section came dressed in its Luau best Friday night, but its noise was drowned out by a 21-14 defeat at the hands of the visiting Holtville Bulldogs. The loss brings the Hornets to 2-2 on the season.

B6 September 16, 2021

Proving Your Worth How Auburn Takes Care of Business in Happy Valley

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

After back-to-back blowout victories, the time is now upon Bryan Harsin and the No. 22 Auburn Tigers. This week, the stakes are high. This week, the true skill of the orange and blue will be put to the test.

This week, Harsin proves his worth in the midst of a whiteout in Happy Valley.

With a third consecutive week of posting

TIGERS

>>

FROM B1 on Saturday.

“Overall, it was good,” said Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin in the opening statement of his post-game press conference Saturday. “Our guys came out there and executed it. So our staff, players, it was a credit to them.”

Auburn was sluggish to start the 11 a.m. kickoff game. The Tigers only led 20-0 at half, as the offense failed to find a rhythm with a struggling offensive line and junior Auburn quarterback Bo Nix being out-passed by ASU, 83 yards to 80.

“So, we missed a few opportunities early, and maybe the momentum wasn’t quite there because of that,” Harsin said of his team’s early-game struggles.

a wide margin of victory off the table, here are five things Tiger fans should expect of their team when Auburn travels to State College, Pennsylvania, to take on the No. 10 ranked Nittany Lions of Penn state: 1. ESTABLISH THE RUN GAME EARLY. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has a trio of weapons in his running back room.

Tank Bigsby has looked as-advertised

in his first two appearances; true freshman Jarquez Hunter has established himself as a weapon when his counterpart needs relief minutes; and veteran Shaun Shivers looks prepared to carry out his job as a situational back. Use the trio early and often.

Forcing Penn State to respect the running game will open up endless possibilities in the passing game.

2. SET BO NIX UP TO PROVE “THIS IS THE

YEAR.” Internet memes aside, protecting Nix must remain high on Harsin’s list of priorities. Despite early struggles against Alabama State in week two, the junior quarterback has shown an improved ability to step up in the pocket and use his ability to scramble strategically. The game plan heading into Happy Valley must incorporate an emphasis on setting

the third-year starter up for success.

3. CLEAN UP THE DEFENSE. After an impressive display against Akron in week one, Derek Mason’s squad was seemingly lost in the first two periods in week two. Pulling themselves together in the second half was sufficient to maintain the shutout against an FCS opponent but will not go over well when relied upon against a top-10

See AUBURN FOOTBALL, page B8

“I think we bothered ourselves probably more than anything, but they played hard, and we felt like that too.”

Following some halftime adjustments, the Tigers exploded for a five-touchdown third quarter (tied for most in a quarter in school history; New Mexico State 1993) to stretch the lead and establish the forthright dominance that was predicted pre-game.

Despite the lackluster beginning, by game’send, it was a record-setting performance on The Plains Saturday.

For the game, the Tigers had a pair of 100-yard rushers — Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter — for the first time since 2014 (Nick Marshall and Cameron Artis-Payne against Louisiana Tech) and had scored 60

points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1932.

Auburn also blocked a field goal and a punt in the same game for the first time since Alabama 2013, registered the most second half points (42) since 1985 and scored a touchdown in all three facets of the game — offense, defense and special teams.

Individually, there were more record-breaking performances.

The freshman Hunter had the longest run in Auburn history (94 yards; the previous long was 92 yards by Ralph O’Gwynne vs. Loyola in 1936.), and Bigsby’s 51-yard run in the third quarter was a new career long.

Transfer Georgia wide receiver Demetrious Robinson also had his

first breakout game of the season, scoring three touchdowns. His 36-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter had shades of Anthony Schwartz against Texas A&M in 2019 written all over it.

“Yeah, he’s got great speed,” Harsin said of the play. “He was able to take a little reverse and go score. I thought that was a really good run.”

Robinson’s performance Saturday reiterates his ability to step up and claim the lead receiver role that was, and is, a gaping question mark for the Tigers this season.

“I think he needs to be an example for the younger players, and I believe that about the older players on our team, especially the ones that are on the field,” Harsin said of Robinson.

“He’s a really bright

player and a great person; I think he’s done a good job.”

Defensively, senior Zakoby McClain led the way with 10 tackles and his middle linebacker running mate Owen Pappoe finished second with six. Defensive coordinator Derrick Mason’s unit had 11 tackles for loss, two sacks and two turnovers forced.

In totality, Auburn has begun the season like a greased up hibachi grill — on fire. The Tigers’ third quarter on Saturday — eight plays, 299 yards, 37.38 yards per play and two interceptions — is the embodiment of that.

The Tigers now rank No. 1 in the FBS in: scoring offense (61.0), offensive yards per play (9.84) scoring defense (5.0, tied with UGA) and defensive yards per play (3.03).

Their two-week start to the season has taken the Tigers from unranked to No. 22 in the AP coaches poll.

The real tests begin this week, however.

Auburn travels to Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, to take on No. 10 Penn State at 6:30 p.m. on ABC. “The goal is every week that we continue to get better in the things that we’re doing and then we focus on the most important things each and every week, which goes right back to our process and what we do Sunday through Friday,” Harsin said. “A new challenge with the Penn State game being on the road with the travel and obviously the environment. We’ll talk about that as the week goes on.”

program. The manufacturing of turnovers against the Hornets was a sight for sore eyes and something that will make the orange and blue tough to beat if recreated on Saturday.

4. DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING ON SPECIAL TEAMS. It’s not every day that fans can walk away from a game raving about their team’s play on special

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSEREVER

Auburn defensvie back Roger McCreary celebrates as he takes an interception for a TD against ASU on Saturday.

Auburn receiver Demetrious Robinson follows a blocker on a jet sweep.

Auburn University Autonomous Racing Team Makes History at Indianapolis Motor Speedway CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Auburn University’s world-renowned autonomous vehicle research program literally lapped the competition last month — and made history in the process.

Comprised of students in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s GPS and Vehicle Dynamics Lab, or GAVLAB, Autonomous Tiger Racing, or ATR, was the first to run the Dallara AV-21 autonomous race car around

the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for the first-ever Indy Autonomous Challenge on Oct. 23.

“Dallara, as an engineering company, has always had a worldwide impact on innovation and technology,” said Stefano DePonti, CEO of Dallara USA. “We know the importance of collaborations with universities in continuing to support and grow innovation.

We are pleased to learn about Auburn University’s recent

performance achievement at the track and we look forward to seeing the results as other university teams meet the challenge.”

Designed to push the boundaries of autonomous technology, as well as elevate consumer confidence in autonomous vehicles, the Indy Autonomous Challenge will pit teams from around the world head-to-head for 20 laps around the famed 2.5-mile oval at speeds of up to 185 mph.

Top prize? $1

million.

Using LiDAR, GPSINS, computer vision cameras, radar and other sensors, teams must design a software stack that not only allows an Indy Lights car to travel at race pace but interpret draft influence and the movements of competitors.

Though chase vehicles are employed in testing, cars will soon traverse the track alone. Auburn’s pace was limited in its historic, Aug. 27 outing in order to validate

track boundaries and to calibrate its software. That will soon change.

“When we start to get to speeds in excess of 130 mph, then we are in uncharted territory,” said ATR Team Lead Will Bryan.

“We’re looking for how the sensors behave, the quality of the measurements, motion blur in the cameras and lidars. These are higher speeds than many of these sensors have ever been tested with. Then layer in multi-vehicle detection and tracking

at high speed — these are the major challenges in front of us.”

David Bevly thinks the team can meet them head-on.

“It was exciting to see Auburn’s software controlling the vehicle completely autonomously to make history at IMS,” Bevly, the Bill and Lana McNair Distinguished Professor and GAVLAB’s founder and co-director, said.

“It was incredible to see how quickly the See RACING, page B7

B7 September 16, 2021

ASMS OFFERS ALABAMA FREE, COLLEGE-LEVEL STEM EDUCATION The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) is transforming educational outcomes for high school students in Alabama, and ASMS officials will be traveling to Central Alabama to recruit students who are seeking an advanced education and looking to challenge themselves inside and outside the classroom.

Through a tuition-free, college-level STEM education in math, science, computer science and the humanities, ASMS students gain access to academic, leadership and research opportunities that are unmatched for high schoolers in the state of Alabama. For 30 years, diverse students have come to ASMS motivated to learn and grow, and they have graduated with a stand-out resume along with a myriad of choices to attain their college and career goals.

ASMS recruits students

from all 67 counties in Alabama, and the school is inviting current Alabama 9th and 10th graders in the Central Alabama area to join them for a one-hour information session in October for any of the following dates and locations: - Auburn/Opelika/Lee County: Monday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. (Southern Union State Comm College - Student Union Bldg) - Alexander City/ Tallapoosa County: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m.

(Central Al Comm College - Library - Large Meeting Rm) - Troy/Pike County: Monday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

(Troy Univ - Hal Hall) - Thomasville/Clarke County: Monday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. (Coastal Al Comm College - Tombigbee Rm) - Montgomery/ Montgomery County: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m.

(AL Assoc of School Boards) - Eufaula/Barbour County: Tuesday, Oct. 19,

6 p.m. (Wallace Comm College - Bevill Center Auditorium) - Livingston/Sumter County: Monday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. (University of West Alabama Student Union Bldg Rm 205) - Greenville/Butler County: Tuesday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. (Ritz Theatre Reception Room) “Our goal is to be sure that every student and family in Alabama know about ASMS as a premier educational opportunity for them," said ASMS Director of Admissions and Outreach Ken Robinson. " Throughout the month of October, we are going into communities across the state, so anyone and everyone can learn more about ASMS, what makes us a STEM-legacy school and how to apply."

Students and families can register for an ASMS information session of their choosing on the school’s website: www. asms.net/admissions/

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY ASMS

asms-in-your-town They are also invited to visit the school’s campus in Mobile, Alabama, for ASMS Day on Nov. 13 and Dec. 4.

ASMS Day is an annual event for attendees to tour the campus, meet faculty and staff members and take part in classroom demonstrations with current ASMS students.

Registration for this event is also open on the school’s website: www.asms.net/ admissions/visit

ASMS is fully funded by the state of Alabama.

Therefore, applying to ASMS is free for prospective students, and tuition, room, meals and board are free for enrolled students.

Current Alabama 9th and 10th graders are eligible to apply for the 2022-2023 school year admissions cycle on the school’s website: asms.net/admissions.

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science is the state's only fully public

and residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in math, science, and the humanities. ASMS is a research-focused learning community committed to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and diversity with an aim to empower motivated Alabama students to improve their community, state, and nation. Tuition, room, and board are free.

Learn more at asms.net

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Celebrates, Honors Teachers

Third Annual ‘Teacher of the Month’ Initiative Launches Across the Country CONTRIBUTED BY LILLIAN BRAND

firm expands nationally, it’s time our community impact does, too. I am thrilled for the third year of this campaign and the opportunity to highlight the committed teachers across the country that are shaping our children’s future.”

Last year, the highly successful initiative received over 1,200 nominations and honored 16 teachers in Alabama. This year, the third annual ‘Alexander Shunnarah Teacher of the Month’ initiative will celebrate teachers from across the country, accepting nominations from every state and region.

“I was so surprised and honored to be chosen as an Alexander Shunnarah Teacher of the Month,” said Kelsey Penn, past winner from Mountain Gap Middle School. “The 2020-21 school year was very overwhelming and

draining, so when I got the email notifying me of my nomination it seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel. My friends, family and coworkers were all so proud of me, and it gave me joy to finish out the year strong. Thank you to Mr. Shunnarah and his team.”

As a token of gratitude for their work, selected teachers will receive a $250 VISA gift card and their headshot on an Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys digital billboard for a day. To nominate a teacher, visit https://shunnarah.com/ teacher-of-the-monthinitiative/ and complete the form with detailed and specific information explaining why your nominee is deserving of the ‘Alexander Shunnarah Teacher of the Month’ honor. Nominations opened Sept. 6, 2021 and continue monthly until

May 2022 for the 2021-22 school year.

For more information on the third annual Alexander Shunnarah ‘Teacher of the Month’ initiative, please contact Krista Conlin at krista@kcprojects.net.

About Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, P.C. Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is

committed to protecting the legal right to be compensated for individuals who have suffered loss, accidents or injuries the chance to rebuild their lives after misfortune.

The practice was founded on the belief that the civil jury system is the best means to provide compensation and deter wrongdoers from

injuring others in the future.

With over 400 attorneys and staff, the firm has a vast knowledge and experience in handling all types of claims for clients who have been injured. The firm consistently recovers substantial settlements in lawsuits involving personal injury, auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, social security disability, pharmaceutical litigation, drug recalls, medical devices and mass torts throughout the United States.

The premier, award-winning and nationally recognized firm has represented over 60,000 clients and recovered over $800 million for them to date. The firm prides itself on providing outstanding legal advice and excellent representation for their clients.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research

with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education

experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful

scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement,

professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, P.C. is excited to announce the third annual ‘Alexander Shunnarah Teacher of the Month’ initiative.

The Birmingham-based personal injury law firm, known for the eye-catching billboards across the state, is now launching a nationwide campaign spotlighting K-12 teachers throughout the United States for their work and commitment to impacting their students’ lives.

“This year marks 20 years of Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys and while our values have remained consistent, our scale and scope have expanded to best serve the incredible people we represent,” said Alexander Shunnarah, president and CEO of Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. “As the

RACING

>>

FROM B6 car reacted compared to our chase vehicle.

You could really see the software at work.”

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

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B8 September 16, 2021

Lee County Displays Autumn

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

I

love South Alabama, Mobile.

I lived there in Baldwin County for 30 years.

To be honest with my readers, however, I must admit I didn’t ever truly witness much autumn — the changing of leaves, a little nip in the air — in that area. When my mother came to live in South Alabama, she would strain to look into the forest near her home in September and October, trying to witness tree leaves and foliage changing colors for the fall. She quickly let me know that Opelika, Auburn and Lee County win the prize for displays of beautiful autumn changes.

Being back in Opelika, I totally agree with her observations.

I just love the fall time with all it has to offer — the leaves beginning to change, the beautiful red sunsets, a nip of cool, fresh air, animals

bustling about getting ready for winter and the fall holidays that come year after year.

In planning for the preschool children I teach, so many times those tried and true ideas from years gone by are the best. I have loved teaching in this area of the country because Lee County, Alabama, offers cheap, rich lessons for young children that can be remembered for a lifetime.

I’d like to share some of these lessons for families with young children to enjoy. I know autumn does not officially begin until next Wednesday, Sept.

22, but we can already see the changes which welcome the season of fall.

1. Seed collections are a good activity to do during the fall. It is fun to gather seeds either on the ground or in fruits, vegetables and plants. Going into our local parks, I

enjoy gathering pinecones and showing my class of children the seeds. Too, pinecones can be saved for Thanksgiving turkeys or Christmas trees.

Gathering flowering plants and having children observe the seeds with a magnifying glass is always fascinating and a wonderful science lesson. Another seasonal favorite is scraping pumpkins out, separating the inside “mush” from the seed, washing and drying them and letting the children plant. Yes, new pumpkins will grow if properly taken care of. One of my former second-grade students planted the seeds from his classroom science experiment to provide holiday pumpkins for each grade year after year. Too, cutting an apple in half sideways is another favorite fall activity. Slicing it this way makes a star appear and the children can pick out the seeds.

This just takes a little bit of time and the children are so fascinated by this.

2. Leaf rubbings are a special hit during the fall. Take a piece of white paper with crayons, turn the leaf over with the leaf veins sticking out and let the children color over this. They will be fascinated at how the leaf appears. You can point out how the leaf, through the main vein, drinks up the water and nutrients from the soil.

Making fall colors such as orange, yellow and red with food coloring is a special fall remembrance with young

children. Taking the children’s hands and making hand leaves is another fall favorite that you can tape and hang in the kitchen windows to celebrate the season of fall. I like to add a little glue glitter so the hand leaves shine.

3. Animals do many different things in preparing for fall. Have your little scientists observe the many different habits. I love to see birds migrating to travel to warmer places for them to find food.

This simply means they travel to other places.

Especially over in the early morning sky, when your children are heading to school, this can be observed by birds traveling in a V-formation — it is a beautiful sight. Too, many fish migrate.

They swim south into warmer waters. Also, some insects migrate.

Take, for example, and moths which travel some distance to their winter homes to the far south where it is warmer. But also, some insects remain dormant during the winter or in a state of “diapause” which resembles hibernation.

As we look around, some animals remain just where they are during the winter. It is neat to see squirrels scampering from tree to tree gathering nuts and other goodies to store for their winter survival. Too, animals may eat a variety of different foods as the seasons begin to change. Some find lodging in holes in trees or logs, under a mossy rock, leaves or

even under the ground.

Some animals, like bears, chipmunks, skunks and bats, hibernate during the winter.

Hibernation is a special, deep sleep. These animals survive from their stored body fat.

Some animals that live in the water move to the lake, pond, river bottoms or bay bottoms to live during the winter. It is a science fact that cold water holds more oxygen than warm water, so animals like alligators, frogs and turtles are able to still breathe by absorbing it through their skins. During these cold months as you drive over rivers, by ponds, or around lakes, you can point out that animals may be sleeping at the bottom.

4. Also celebrate the season of fall with different seasonal food favorites such as cooking baked apples with butter, sugar or cinnamon. This is nutritious but also a favorite of young children. I love to surprise my classes with a treat by safely making this in my crock-pot. What a treat just smelling it all day long. There are so many recipes out there for this kind of family activity. Too, pumpkin pies, if you choose to do it from the real pumpkin or from a can, can be enjoyed by children this fall season.

Boiled peanuts are another Southern seasonal favorite with families. We also seem to crave hot chocolate as the cool fall air begins to turn our thoughts toward winter. Children certainly get caught up with the excitement as

the seasons begin to change. Spread out a quilt or blanket and enjoy an autumn picnic.

5. Point out to your child that people are beginning to buy and make warmer clothes to wear during the fall.

A gentle reminder of grabbing that sweater will keep your child healthy and warm.

It is so neat to rake leaves during the fall and make a family fun activity by jumping into the pile. One sees chopped wood beginning to pile up by the sides of homes and stores as fall brings the excitement of cool nights. Even in Lee County, when the first really cold night hits, point out to your childrenthe smell of the smoke coming from people’s fireplaces in the neighborhood.

6. Of course, a lot of family time is spent with the fall sports.

Many weekly nights are spent cheering on leagues in Lee County as young children learn the rules of the game. It is not about who wins, but how you play the game and sportsmanship that matters.

I hope some of these fall delights will get you and your family enjoying the simple pleasures of fall, truly savoring every minute of the season. As you look back over what I have suggested, you will see the activities are not costly. Simple pleasures of sight, smell, touch, sound and taste are the best and most remembered by your young child!

Classroom Observer Beth Pinyerd

OLLI at Auburn presents Elicio Winds Performing Alabama-focused Lunchtime Concert CONTRIBUTED BY OLLI As part of an eightpart series of public programs focused on the wilderness and wild places of Alabama, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Auburn University presents Elicio Winds, a musical ensemble comprised of current Auburn University Music faculty Virginia Broffitt Kunzer (flute), Kathleen Carter Bell (oboe) and Conor Bell (bassoon). The program is from 11 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Caroline Marshall Draughon

AUBURN FOOTBALL>> FROM B6 teams; following last week’s display, Auburn fans became the exception to that rule. After a blocked punt and field goal

Center for the Arts and Humanities at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St. in Auburn. The trio will present two Alabamafocused pieces composed especially for the ensemble.

Clockwork by California-based internationally known composer, conductor and pianist Craig Michael Davis is a five-movement work inspired by the varied landscapes of Alabama. Video depicting these Alabama landscapes will accompany the piece as part of a multimedia collaboration with the Auburn University

Media Studies department.

Elicio will also perform Birds of Maycomb by internationally acclaimed composer and flutist Timothy Hagen.

Hagan used characters in Harper Lee’s iconic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird as a starting point for the composition wherein each movement imagines Lee’s fictional citizens of Maycomb, Alabama, as different species of birds native to Alabama, complete with the distinct calls of each bird.

“Rather than a retelling of the story, the

piece is a reflection on the nature of the characters, an exploration of their identities as much as their actions,” Hagen said.

Elicio Winds commissioned the original compositions from Davis and Hagen with help from a grant from The Alabama State Council on the Arts.

This performance as well as the six other public presentations to follow in OLLI’s

fall series, “Wild Alabama” is supported by a generous grant from the F. Allen and Louise K. Turner Foundation.

Please note that earlier advertising announced this program as taking place at Boykin Community Center.

OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach. Its mission

is to enrich the lives of senior adults by providing opportunities to engage with ideas, one another and our community. OLLI administrative offices and select classes are located at the historic Sunny Slope property, 1031 S. College St., Auburn, Alabama. For more information about OLLI programs, membership, and scholarships or to learn about becoming a Volunteer Faculty Member contact Barbara Daron, OLLI Program Coordinator, at 334-844-3102, olli@ auburn.edu, or visit the website at www. auburn.edu/olli.

resulting in a scoopand-score, Harsin’s commitment to putting together the best squad available for special teams has already proven noteworthy. Aggressive moves like this can

prove game-changing against opponents like the Nittany Lions.

5. MAKE AGGRESSIVE DECISIONS ON OFFENSE. To this point in the season, fans have had few grievances about

offensive decision making; there has seldom been an instance worth getting f lustered over. This week will be significantly different. The Tigers are taking on a Penn State team

who loves to run the football just as much as they do and who is content to chew as much clock as possible. Possessions hold an exponentially higher amount of value than in the

first two contests, placing decisions on third-and-manageable and fourth-and-short under a microscope.

Game plan to keep possession of the ball and beat PSU at its own game.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

September 16, 2021

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Inside the Statehouse Census Results — Revealing

STEVE FLOWERS

W

ell folks, the final census figures are in from last year’s 2020 nose count. The census is taken every 10 years to determine the lines and boundaries of congressional and legislative districts. However, the census reveals a lot more information about us as a state and nation than just how many of us there are. It paints a picture of who we are as people and what we look like.

The most recent census unveils an America much different than those of us who were born in the 1950s and are referred to as the “Baby Boomer” generation. We are one diverse country.

Indeed, we are a true melting pot. The United States is now less than 60% white/ Caucasian — 57% to be exact. The black/ African American population has basically remained the same at about 12% of the population. The most remarkable figure is that 20% of our population identifies as Hispanic. The Asian population has doubled over 10 years from 3% to 6% percent.

It is a new America.

What do these numbers portend and what is the story for Alabama? First of all, we did an amazing job on our count.

The Census Bureau has remarked that Alabama was one of the five best states in America when it came to counting our people. We actually came up with 103,000 more people than what was projected.

Gov. Kay Ivey’s efforts deserve some credit for this success.

The most significant fact in our successful count is that we saved a congressional seat. It had been projected for the last five years that we were going to lose a congressional seat from seven to six in Congress. We will fortunately keep seven.

This will make the legislature’s job much, much easier when they meet in about a month to draw the lines.

After the reapportionment session, we will still probably have six Republican congressmen and one Democratic member of Congress. In fact, when the members of the legislature begin drawing the lines, they will begin with that lone Democratic seat of Congresswoman Terri Sewell. She and that district will come first when dividing up people for

two reasons. One is that Alabama is still under the eye of the Justice Department by virtue of the 1965 Voting Rights Act whereby we must have at least one majority-minority district. Because the Black Belt region of the state has lost significant population, she will have to take in a larger area. She will probably go all the way from Birmingham to Mobile. She will pick up a large chunk of Tuscaloosa and almost all of Montgomery, as well as at least three to five more sparsely populated Black Belt counties on the way between Birmingham and Mobile. As projected, the Black Belt counties lost population and the growth in the state was in fast growing Republican leaving counties such as Baldwin, Shelby, Jefferson, Lee and especially in the Huntsville / Madison / Limestone area.

The second reason that Sewell will get deference is that she is our only Democratic congressperson. With the U.S. House of Representatives being majority Democratic, as well as the White House, Sewell is our only conduit to the majority party. In addition, she is on a fast leadership track in Congress and sits on the all-important House Ways and Means Committee.

Huntsville’s amazing growth is the remarkable story of the census in Alabama.

Huntsville is now Alabama’s largest city. It far surpasses Birmingham. In fact, Birmingham lost 5% of its population. There is essentially a tie between Montgomery and Birmingham as to who is second. Montgomery held its own.

Huntsville city grew by 20%. The metro area by over 40%. The Birmingham/ Hoover metro area is still by far the largest metropolitan area. The suburban cities of Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Trussville grew substantially. Hoover, itself, grew by 13%.

After the Madison (Huntsville) / Limestone area, the fastest growing county in the state is Baldwin County. While Daphne had significant growth, the darling in the group is Fairhope, which grew by 47%. Lee County and Auburn grew by whopping numbers.

What does this mean politically? These growth counties of Baldwin, Madison and Lee will see increased Republican representation in the legislature and the Jefferson/Shelby suburbs will hold their own. It will be hard to not increase the super majority Republican control of the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.

Commission Discusses ARP Money; Noise Ordinance

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

The Lee County Commission discussed the qualifications, and the questions, that will need to be answered, of groups seeking money from the commission from the American Rescue Plan on Monday night during the commission

meeting.

Lee County was allocated $32 million from the federal government, and the commission has been discussing the best ways to allocate this money so that the effects are seen long-term.

Different groups have approached the commission, asking what they will need to do to receive money.

Up until last night, the commission informed groups that the commission was working on that process and questions would eventually be provided that everyone seeking money would need to answer.

District 2 Commissioner Brown provided that list to the other See COMMISSION, page B10

Alabama Track Owners Association Launches Media Campaign CONTRIBUTED BY ATOA The Alabama Track Owners Association (ATOA) has launched a statewide media campaign to communicate the following message directly to the citizens of Alabama: Alabama is losing hundreds of millions of dollars in gaming and lottery revenue to Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. This continues to happen year after year because the Alabama State Legislature has not approved the comprehensive gaming and lottery plan that would give the people of Alabama the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment. If the constitutional amendment approving the comprehensive gaming and lottery plan were to pass, the state

NOW OPEN

of Alabama would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue that could be used to fund Alabama priorities including broadband, healthcare, college & trade school scholarships, new job growth, workforce development and new business opportunities.

The Alabama Track Owners Association (ATOA) is asking the citizens of Alabama to call their legislators and tell them to pass a comprehensive gaming and lottery bill now. The toll-free phone number is 1-855-Gaming-1 (1-855-426-4641).

To view the commercial, please visit www.alabama4gaming.org.

About Alabama Track Owners Association (ATOA): The ATOA is a non-profit

organization with four charter members: Birmingham Race Course, Greenetrack Bingo & Racing, Mobile Greyhound Park and VictoryLand. The ATOA believes the citizens of Alabama should have the opportunity to vote on a comprehensive gaming and lottery plan that creates, regulates and taxes an education lottery, sports betting and casino gaming.

The comprehensive gaming and lottery plan, if approved by the voters via constitutional amendment, will provide the state of Alabama with additional tax revenue to fund initiatives that will improve the quality of life for Alabama residents. For more information, please visit www.alabamatrackowners.org.

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 September 16, 2021

Alabama County Officials Unite on Covid-19 Efforts, Extended State Inmate Care CONTRIBUTED BY ACCA Earlier this week, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) released two resolutions with statewide relevance — one urging unity among Alabama residents in their approach to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the other urging financial relief for counties in their extended care since early 2020 of inmates responsible to the Alabama Department of Corrections. The resolutions were voted on and approved by county commission members

COMMISSION>> FROM B9 commissioners Monday night.

- How long has your agency been in existence and operation?

- Who is your primary decision maker?

Your Chief Executive?

- Is there a board of directors?

- What was your organization’s overall budget for each of the last two or three years?

- Please give a generalized breakdown of your expenses: i.e. salaries, operational costs, etc. for each of the last two or three years.

- What is the primary ongoing source of your funding?

- What other governmental agencies contribute to your operations?

- How many Lee County residents does your agency serve on an ongoing basis?

- How you will continue this proposed program after this onetime appropriation?

District 1 Commissioner Doug Cannon said he would like to see the agencies explain how they will use the money to provide long-term change

participating in ACCA’s Aug. 26 annual business session.

“Every year, county leaders come together to consider the adoption of various resolutions expressing the sentiments of Alabama counties on a myriad of pressing state and federal issues and policies,” said ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield. “In light of the recent resurgence of COVID-19, county officials felt it important to call attention to a few of the virus-specific issues continuing to plague our county governments and our state as a whole.”

The first resolution released by ACCA highlights the journey of COVID-19 in Alabama since the state’s first recorded case on March 13, 2020, and references the continual recommendations and latest concerns of federal and state health authorities. The resolution concludes with a call to action for Alabama residents “to actively work together in the fight against COVID-19 by taking advantage of available vaccinations, facial coverings and other widely-recommended medical advancements approved to help reduce coronavirus

transmission.”

The resolution can be read at length here: www.acca.informz. net/ACCA/data/images/COVID-19%20 Resolution.pdf.

The second ACCA resolution points to the burgeoning crisis in county jails involving the care of an overwhelming number of state-responsible inmates and the subsequent increased housing, medical and legal costs for counties. The resolution concludes by requesting “the Governor’s Administration and the Alabama Legislature to retroactively reimburse

county governments for their extended care of an increased number of state-responsible inmates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a consequence of the Alabama Department of Corrections’ decision to drastically reduce its intake activities in 2020 and 2021.”

The resolution can be viewed here: http:// acca.informz.net/ ACCA/data/images/ Inmate%20Costs%20 Resolution_3.pdf.

Other statewide association matters addressed during the ACCA business session include the election of the 2021-2022

Association officers and board members.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization speaking for all 67 counties with ONE voice. It promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies.

in Lee County. District 4 Commissioner Robert Ham recommended rewording the last question to include that.

“We’re making this obvious that there’s no guarantee because they fill out an application and it may be a multistep process,” Brown said.

NOISE ORDINANCE: Two citizens approached the commission Monday night asking about the possibility of a noise ordinance for the county.

One citizen, Carl Gagliano, spoke during citizens communications and informed the commission that he lives nearby a piece of property that keeps over 20 dogs.

“Over the two holidays, the Fourth of July and the Labor Day weekend, we could not sit outside,” he said.

“We tried to barbecue and sit under our car port, and when you get 20 dogs singing at the same time, and they start at 6 o’clock in the morning, there’s no peace. I’ve spoken to the owner, he’s tried to do some things and what have you, but it’s not resolved.

This county needs an

ordinance.”

Gagliano said that most counties the size of Lee County have some sort of noise ordinance in place.

Marie Maples asked to be placed on the agenda to discuss the same issue.

She informed the commission that there are still noise problems coming from Margaret Brown’s property.

The commission was informed of problems at Brown’s property in April — former noise complaints include recorded, non-EMA tornado and air raid sirens, the sounds of coyote mating calls, animal noises, church bells and more.

In May, Brown was arrested on warrants from the noise complaints.

Probate Judge Bill English shared Monday night that there is a case in the system regarding the noise complaints.

“The local judges have recused themselves from it, and the state will have to assign an out-of-county judge to come in and do the case,” he said. “So that’s now in the hands of the state court system and I’ll be honest, I

don’t know where they are with that today.

I had heard that they were having some difficulty getting an outof-town judge to come hear the case.”

OTHER BUSINESS: - The commission heard an update on the Lee Road 321 paving situation.

- The commission voted to form an exclusive contract with Arrow Disposal now that the county has

transition to curbside pickup.

- The commission heard a report from the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department who is need of members for the board of directors and volunteers. A letter will be sent to houses in Lee County that fall under the district asking for volunteers.

- The commission voted to approve a special retail license application for

Choctafaula LLC. - The commission voted to approve a special events retail license for Trinity Hospitality Group, LLC. - The commission voted to approve a retail beer and retail table wine license for Backwaters Restaurant and Convenience Store.

- The commission voted to approve the SIDP Safety Incentive Discount Verification.

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B11 September 16, 2021

‘America First’— What the Heck Does That Mean These Days?

GREG MARKLEY

“F

reedom is not free,” “My country right or wrong” and especially “America First” are famous patriotic phrases in the U.S. They are often said at veterans’ group meetings, seen on bumper stickers and heard from the lips of political candidates. Hal Holbrook, who portrayed Mark Twain for decades on stage, offers his opinion on one of these phrases.

“Man is the only animal that deals in the atrocity of war,” Holbrook said. “He is the only one that gathers his brethren about him and goes forth in cold blood and calm pulse to exterminate his kind. He has a motto for this — Our country

right or wrong. Any man who fails to shout it is a traitor. Only the others are patriots.”

America First is the slogan Donald Trump carried to victory in 2016. He capitalized on the desire of Americans towards isolationism.

Even after victories such as in World War II and the relatively short Persian Gulf War, folks wanted a break from war. They sought to spend the country’s wealth, for example, in social services or infrastructure. President Trump’s interpretation of America First also called for U.S. withdrawal from international treaties and organizations.

A wrinkle with America: First if there is a war, the U.S. may operate largely on its own. Joint wars cut down on American casualties and expenditures. For example, the Kurds were allies with the U.S. in beating back ISIS. Yet in late 2018, Trump prematurely declared victory against ISIS. Not extending the U.S. role in Syria was widely seen as an abandonment of the Kurds who had saved the lives

of more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers.

The term America First was not created by candidate Trump.

The idea of isolation, instead of intervention, grew between the two World Wars (1918-1939).

One of the leaders of non-intervention in Europe was Charles Lindbergh, an American aviator, former military officer and national hero for his successful flight from New York to Paris, in 1927. Lindbergh and the group disbanded after Pearl Harbor, and supported the war from then on.

President Woodrow Wilson won reelection in 1916 under the slogan “He kept us out of war.” But events and the need of the U.S. to play a dominant role brought the Americans into the war. America First sounds like it is an approach to self-defense to make everyone happy. But to be a world player and keep its status as “the indispensable nation” the U.S. will likely get drawn into more conflicts despite its citizens’ desire for

concentrating on home affairs rather than those of the world.

When a person does not support an emerging war or military conflict, a man or woman who backs the impending action will respond with: “Freedom is not free.”

I have seen people using that phrase in a condescending way in which they thought the four words they just said were profound and original. Come on, folks!

Freedom has not been free of challenges and consequences for Texas Congressman Daniel Crenshaw. He deployed three times to Afghanistan, as a member of Navy SEAL Team 3. On the last deployment, he was wounded and lost his right eye. His contributions to America have not been “free” in any way.

One freeloader is Josh Hawley, the Junior Senator from Missouri.

At age 41, he has 89 U.S. Senators senior in rank to him. Before he encouraged thugs to break into the Capitol, he could have double-checked his U.S.

Constitution to see if it was legal. It wasn’t.

Hawley not only wants freedom to be “free”, he wants to get it with actions like calling for the Afghanistan War to end months before it did, and then urging the impeachment of the president because he ended the war later.

Nice try.

If a very wealthy man startles you by saying “Freedom is not free” tell him yes it is, for national defense skinflints like him. In the early part of the Afghan war, a bill was offered to add just $1,000 to very rich people’s taxes. The money would make Humvees more secure from enemy gunfire and mines. Freedom was provided “free” for these high earners, as the vote was against the funds to save troops.

Here’s an aphorism for people like that: “My money: Right or wrong.” “(President) Biden has become the emblem of the hour: headstrong but shaky, ambitious but inept,” Bret Stephens of the NYT wrote after the disastrous American withdrawal from

Afghanistan. “… The military and intelligence assumptions were deeply flawed, the manner in which it was executed was a national humiliation and a moral betrayal and the timing was catastrophic.”

Here’s how to make sense of it: Just accept the tragedy because “Freedom is not free,” so you stand by “My country right or wrong,” and above all else, think of “America First.” In the 1960s, Denis Johnson, author of “Tree of Smoke” wrote about Vietnam: “The Americans won't win. They're not fighting for their homeland.

They just want to be good. In order to be good, they just have to fight awhile and then leave.” Now they tell us.

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

Let’s Empower Women and Be a Voice for Unborn Children

BY ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY

T

he notion that one cannot be an advocate for both women and unborn children is simply wrong. Those that pit women against their unborn babies are not advancing solutions, but instead making these children the unjustified scapegoats when we could be making real, meaningful progress, not only for the women of today, but also of tomorrow. No doubt, that includes those unborn baby girls. If we truly want to continue taking steps forward for women’s rights, let’s empower women and be a voice for unborn children.

In 1973, before our country had even seen a woman serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, Roe. v.

Wade was decided, but

the debate would fiercely continue. Nearly fifty years later, the people of Alabama and folks around the country hold this issue with such high importance that they put candidates in offices ranging from the White House to their State Legislature based on their willingness to fight for life. Here in Alabama, we will continue this fight until all unborn children are protected once and for all.

Nearly five decades after Roe v. Wade — and we are still fighting this fight.

Many will soon be turning their attention to the abortion case the Supreme Court is hearing this fall: Dobbs v.

Jackson Women’s Health Organization. I recently joined on an amicus brief with 11 of my fellow governors urging the Supreme Court to

overturn Roe v. Wade and restore the authority of states to protect lives of unborn children. This case out of Mississippi not only matters to Mississippi, it matters to Alabama, Texas and all 50 states, because at the end of the day, people’s interests should be, and are, protected through their elected legislators and governors.

Here in Alabama, we have a deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God. Many Americans, myself included, disagreed when Roe v. Wade was handed down in 1973, and in those almost five decades since, so much has changed. We have made incredible advancements — in areas from medicine to the workplace— much of which has to do with

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women. Since Roe, the viability marker has moved from 28 weeks to 22 weeks, and we can only expect science will further advance that.

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and culture. It should be commonplace to see mothers in places like the Supreme Court or in CEO posts. During the pandemic, nurses and teachers, fields dominated by women, were on the frontlines for

us. In 2019, for the first time, women made up a majority of law students entering class at The University of Alabama School of Law. The list goes on. We have seen increased paid leave help retain mothers in the workforce. A little more than two years ago in Alabama, I signed the equal pay act into law to help fight any pay disparity. Women no longer have to make a choice between motherhood and a career.

As I like to say, sometimes the best man for a job is a woman. So, why is it that those who are not pro-life continue to say women can’t do both? It’s time we drop that ultimatum.

Being pro-life is being pro-women. As long as I am governor, Alabama will continue forging a path for women and the unborn.

B12 September 16, 2021

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED DIRECTOR OF MODERNIZATION & DEVELOPMENT KIND OF WORK: This is administrative work in directing & managing activities of modernization, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects & initiatives for the Opelika Housing Authority.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks, which may be found in positions of this class.)

Manages and directs all phases of construction, renovation, revitalization, rehabilitation, modernization and work order initiatives; Plans, budgets, schedules, and coordinates projects and work order initiatives; Prepares materials and equipment specifications; Prepares specifications to acquire architectural, engineering, and related professional services; Prepares specifications for contract work; Ability to perform the procurement requirements and functions for services needed;

Supervises work of contractors; Supervises the inspection of substandard housing and prepares reports for scope of work and cost estimates for repair; Performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORK: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of multi and single family housing design, development and building construction methods, practices and materials; Comprehensive

knowledge of principles and practices of construction, maintenance, and project management; thorough knowledge of labor and materials costs related to construction and repair; thorough knowledge of building codes, ordinances, regulations and standards governing construction and maintenance of residential housing; thorough knowledge of federal and state public bid laws and Section 3 requirements; working knowledge of public housing development, modernization and

maintenance programs desirable; thorough knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of administration and management; ability to plan, manage and direct multiple projects and initiatives; ability to plan and supervise the work of professional and technical subordinates; ability to prepare comprehensive and accurate reports and records; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional and technical personnel, contractors, government and public officials, other

employees and the general public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Attainment of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in business or public administration, civil engineering or a related field and a minimum of five years’ progressively responsible managerial and administrative experience in the housing development, construction, rehabilitation or maintenance industry; or a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements.

PUBLIC NOTICES CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 19, 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 and the Zoning Map. 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 (BLACKBERRY RESERVE) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) William B Lowe, Jr., (“Lowe”) is the owner of record of that certain real property consisting of approximately 166 acres located along U.S. Highway 431 and Cusseta Road. (b) Lowe heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) , entitled “Blackberry Reserve”, consisting of approximately 166 acres. (c)The proposed development consists of approximately two hundred forty-two (242) single-family lots open space areas, and on-site stormwater detention. The proposed density is 1.45 dwelling units per acre.

(D)The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development.

(E)It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a residential planned unit development.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18N of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

Section 3.

DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-1 District (Low Density Residential District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City.

Commence at the Southwest corner of Section 29, Township 20, Range 27 East, in Lee County, Alabama and thence run North degrees 30 minutes West for a distance of 4009.0 feet; thence run North 87 degrees 25 minutes East for 195.7 feet to a point on the easterly margin of the right of way of Central of Georgia Railway and which is the point of beginning of the tract of land here to be described. From said point of beginning run thence North 87 degrees 25 minutes East for 2484.3 feet; thence run North I degree 40 minutes West 3821 feet more or less to the southern margin of Lee Road 389; thence run Southwesterly along the Southern margin of said road for 2875 feet more or less to the easterly margin of the right of way of Central of Georgia Railway; thence run Southerly along the East margin of said right of way 2792 more or less to the point of beginning.

Less and except certain one-acre of real estate, more or less, which has been used as a cemetery as described in Deed Book 2225 at Page 398, Probate Office, Lee County, Alabama.

Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.

Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 7.

PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time 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 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 16th day of September, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 09/16/2021 ------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of PAUL KIM, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Seung Hee Kim on September 9, 2021, pursuant to Section 432-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be required to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 09/16/2021 ------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY STATE OF ALABAMA TAMICHA A. DAVIS and SALLYE MAE FRAZIER DAVIS, PLAINTIFFS, VS. CIVIL ACTION NO.: CV 2021-900125.00 TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND IN LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: Tax Parcel # 43-0205-15-0-000-006.000 Commencing at the Northeast corner of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 15, Township 20 North, Range 28 East, Lee County, Alabama; thence in a Westerly direction along the Southerly right of way of Lee County Road No. 272 for a distance of 519.2 feet to a ½” rebar on the Southerly right of way of Lee County Road No. 272 and the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING thence leaving said right of way South 00 degrees 56 minutes 20 seconds East a distance of 221.13 feet to a Prior White survey pin; thence South 01 degrees 00 minutes 36 seconds East a distance of 199.66 feet to a 3/4" open top pipe; thence South 88 degrees 10 minutes 11 seconds West a distance of 58.62 feet to a 1/4" iron bar; thence South

89 degrees 09 minutes 48 seconds West a distance of 98.38 feet to an iron pin set; thence North 00 degrees 58 minutes 04 seconds West a distance of 417.78 feet to an iron pin set on the Southerly right of way of Lee County Road No. 272; thence along said right of way North 87 degrees 41 minutes 39 seconds East a distance of 157.00 feet to the Point of Beginning.

Said property containing 1.512 acres, more or less, and being located in Section 15, Township 20 North, Range 28 East, Lee County, Alabama.

AND MATTIE EILAND HINKLE; her heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns; AND FICTITIOUS PARTIES A, B, C, D, E, AND F; and all persons, individuals, firms, associations, partnerships, corporations or other entities whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff but who are the persons, individuals, firms, associations, partnerships, corporations, or other entities claiming any present interest, mortgage, security interest or lien in and to the abovecaptioned parcel of land, and including any persons claiming any future, contingent, reversionary, remainder or other interest therein who may claim any interest in the abovedescribed real property and whose correct names and legal identities will be added by amendment when ascertained,

DEFENDANTS. NOTICE OF SERVICE

BY PUBLICATION TO: DEFENDANT REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; and, DEFENDANT FICTITIOUS PARTIES A, B, C, D, E, and F, being any and all persons, individuals, firms, associations, partnerships, corporations or other entities who may claim any present interest, mortgage, security interest or lien in and to the abovecaptioned parcel of land, including any persons claiming any future, contingent, reversionary, remainder or other interest therein who may claim any interest in the abovedescribed real property.

Take notice that a Verified Complaint to Quiet Title has been filed to have determined any interest you may have in the below described real property and to have the title to said real property quieted and vested in the name of Tamicha A. Davis and Sallye Mae Frazier Davis.

The real property that is the subject of this cause, lying situate and being in Lee County, Alabama, is described as follows: PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY:

Parcel # 43-02-05-15-0000-006.000 Commencing at the Northeast corner of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 15, Township 20 North, Range 28 East, Lee

County, Alabama; thence in a Westerly direction along the Southerly right of way of Lee County Road No. 272 for a distance of 519.2 feet to a ½” rebar on the Southerly right of way of Lee County Road No. 272 and the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING thence leaving said right of way South 00 degrees 56 minutes 20 seconds East a distance of 221.13 feet to a Prior White survey pin; thence South 01 degrees 00 minutes 36 seconds East a distance of 199.66 feet to a 3/4" open top pipe; thence South 88 degrees 10 minutes 11 seconds West a distance of 58.62 feet to a 1/4" iron bar; thence South 89 degrees 09 minutes 48 seconds West a distance of 98.38 feet to an iron pin set; thence North 00 degrees 58 minutes 04 seconds West a distance of 417.78 feet to an iron pin set on the Southerly right of way of Lee County Road No. 272; thence along said right of way North 87 degrees 41 minutes 39 seconds East a distance of 157.00 feet to the Point of Beginning.

Said property containing 1.512 acres, more or less, and being located in Section 15, Township 20 North, Range 28 East, Lee County, Alabama.

You must file any answer to said Complaint on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the last publication date or a default judgment will be taken against you.

Your answer must be filed with: Jacob J. (Jake) Key, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiffs Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 and also with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, Lee County Courthouse, Opelika, Alabama 36801. /s/Mary B. Roberson CIRCUIT COURT CLERK Legal Run 09/02/21, 09/09/21, 09/16/21 & 09/23/21 ------------NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) dated April 16th. 2021 executed

by David A. May (the “Mortgagor”) in favor of John & Julia Smith (the “Mortgagees”), said Mortgage being recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in RLPY 4720, at Page 798; and WHEREAS, John & Julia Smith, as Mortgagees and holders of the Mortgage, by reason of such default having declared all of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage due and payable, and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in the Mortgage,

holder will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Lee County Courthouse located at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801 on Thursday, September, 30, 2021 between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the following described property, commonly known as: 533 Lee Road 57, Lot 44, Auburn, situated in Lee County, Alabama, to wit: Commence at the Southwest corner of Section 16, Township 20 North, Range 28 East, Lee County, Alabama, and thence run North 1°-25’ East, along the West boundary line of said Section 16; for a distance of 270 feet to the intersection of the West boundary line of said Section 16 with the Southeasterly margin of U.S. Highway #29; thence run North 44°-0’ East, along the Southeasterly margin of said Highway #29, for a distance of 375 feet; thence run North 48°-7’ East, along said margin of said Highway #29, for a distance of 678 feet to a point, which point is the point of beginning of the real property to be herein described and conveyed: From said point of beginning, thence run North 48°-7’ East, along the margin of said Highway #29, for a distance of 210 feet to a point; thence run South 41°-53’ east for a distance of 210 feet to a point; thence run South 48°7’ West for a distance of 210 feet to a point; thence run North 41°-53’ West for a distance of 210 feet to the said point of beginning.

Containing 1 acre, more or less. Also being part of the property conveyed in that certain deed from R.W. Thompson and Mary Thompson, who are now both deceased, to Hila Mae McKemie, who is the same person as Hilda Mae McKemie, dated September 24, 1952, and is of record in Deed Book 383, at page 445, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. Being the same property conveyed in that certain deed from Hila Mae McKemie and Ralph C. McKemie, wife and husband, to Robert Kenneth McKemie, John Marcus Smith and Julia Karen Smith, dated December 3, 1982, and is of record in Deed Book 1136, at Page 744, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS-IS”, “WHERE IS” BASIS AND WITH ALL FAULTS. THIS PROPERTY WILL ALSO BE SOLD SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, LEASES, ENCUMBRANCES, RESERVATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND ALL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

B13 September 16, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B12 OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO TITLE, USE AND/ OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Payment terms are cash or cashier’s check (United States Dollars in immediately available funds) made payable to the Mortgagees on the date of the public sale.

Mortgagees reserve the right to bid for and purchase the aforementioned property and to credit its bid against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage.

The public sale is subject to postponement or cancellation; contact Benjamin H. Parr at (334) 749-6999 prior to attendance.

This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage as well as the expenses of collection and foreclosure.

JOHN & JULIA SMITH Mortgagees ATTORNEY FOR MORTGAGEES: Benjamin H. Parr, Esquire Benjamin H. Parr, P.C. 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 (334) 749-6999 LEGAL RUN 09/09/21, 09/16/21, & 09/23/21 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WALLACE E. KILGO, JR., Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2021-319 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of WALLACE E. KILGO JR., deceased having been granted to Alfred Douglas Davidson, on the 8th day of September 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

ALFRED DOUGLAS DAVIDSON Legal Run 09/16/21, 09/23/21 & 09/30/21 ------------INVITATION TO BID 21021 Sealed bids for the construction of the WESTSIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, October 11, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud.

Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. The successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

The Project consists of an expansion of a 4 MGD wastewater treatment plant to 6 MGD and is generally described as follows: • Influent Bypass Structure • Upgrade to influent pump station.

• Upgrade to headworks structure including new screening and grit equipment.

• Modifications to Splitter

Box No. 1 • Cleaning and equipment demolition of Oxidation Ditch Nos. 1 and 2 • New mechanical aeration equipment for Oxidation Ditch Nos. 1 and 2 • New Oxidation Ditch No. 3 • Upgrade to return sludge pump station.

• Modifications to Splitter Box No. 2 • Cleaning and equipment demolition of Clarifier Nos. 1 and 2 • New clarifier equipment for Clarifier Nos. 1 and 2 • New Clarifier No. 3 and return sludge pump station • Waste sludge pump replacement A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 2:00 p.m. local time on September 8, 2021, at Opelika Public Works, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama. A site visit to the Westside WWTP will follow the meeting.

Attendance at the prebid conference is not mandatory.

Bids will be received for a single prime Contract.

Bids shall be on a lump sum basis as indicated in the Bid Form. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Bid documents may be obtained from the City’s website at www. opelika-al.gov/Bids.aspx.

Any technical questions should be directed to the Public Works Director at 334-705-5413 located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder.

The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 08/26/21, 9/16/21 9/30/21 ------------ORDINANCE NO. 016-21 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 parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From a R-1 District (Rural District) to a C-3 District (General Commercial District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: Lots 1, 2 and 3, HEWITT SUBDIVISION, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 15 at Page 4 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

The above-described property contains 26,780 square feet, more or less, and is located near Columbus Parkway and adjacent to Anand Street.

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.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of September, 2021. /s/Eddie Smith CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of September, 2021. /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of September, 2021. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 09/16/2021 ------------In The Probate Court Of Lee County Alabama In Re: The Estate Of: Alfred L. Ly les, a/k/a Alfred LeNard Lyles, Deceased TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to: Annice Lyles Johnson, as Executrix of the Estate of: Alfred L. Lyles , a/ k/a Alfred LeNard Lyles , Deceased, on the 30th day of August, 2021 by the Honorable Bill English.

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

ANNICE LYLES JOHNSON EXECUTRIX Legal Run 09/16/21, 09/23/21 & 09/30/21 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA ESTATE OF NANCY POOLAS MCKEMIE, DECEASED Letters of Administration with Will Annexed of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of September, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 8th day of September, 2021.

RHONDA ANN MCKEMIE Legal Run 09/16/2021, 09/23/2021 & 09/30/2021

JUNETEENTH AS A CITY PAID HOLIDAY WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest recognized celebration observing the freedom of AfricanAmericans from slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is a historic milestone reminding Americans of the triumph of the human spirit over the harshness of slavery and the basic civil rights of freedom and equality for all; and WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, but it had minimal immediate effect on the majority of enslaved people who remained in captivity; and WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Confederatecontrolled Texas to take possession of the state and to enforce the emancipation of enslaved people throughout the state; and WHEREAS, two years, five months and eighteen days after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the last of those enslaved within the borders of the United States were freed; and WHEREAS, the word “Juneteenth” became the name for the joyous celebration of freedom from slavery as a result of the words “June Nineteenth” combined together in speech; and WHEREAS, Texas celebrated Juneteenth beginning in 1866 with communitycentric events, such as parades, cook-outs, prayer gatherings, historical and cultural readings and musical performances; and WHEREAS, on January 1, 1980, Juneteenth officially became a Texas state holiday; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth officially became the eleventh federal holiday on June 17, 2021, and Juneteenth National Independence Day is the first holiday to be added to the list of federal holidays since the recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in 1983; and WHEREAS, in addition to the federal government recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, 49 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation recognizing it as a holiday or observance; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to recognize Juneteenth as an official paid holiday for eligible employees.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama as follows:

Section 1.

Designation of Holiday.

That Juneteenth is hereby designated as an official City holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories.

ORDINANCE NO. 01721

Section 2.

Amendment. That Section 10.3.3 of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual of the City of Opelika, as previously amended, is further amended to read as follows:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 10.3.3 OF THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL TO DESIGNATE

10.3.3. Regular Holiday Schedule. The following days, and such others as the City Council may proclaim are approved paid holidays for all eligible employees

-------------

except, public safety, emergency, and public utility departments employees. (a) New Year’s Day January 1 (b) Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Third Monday in January (c) Memorial Day - Last Monday in May (d) Juneteenth – June 19 (e) Independence Day July 4 (f) Labor Day - First Monday in September (g) Veterans Day November 11 (h) Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday and Friday in November (i) Christmas Day December 24 and 25 When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the holiday shall be observed on the preceding Friday.

When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a holiday, unless otherwise designated by the City Council.

Section 3.

Effective Date. That this ordinance shall become effective upon its passage, approval and publication, as required by law, and the Juneteenth holiday will be observed beginning June 19, 2022.

Section 4.

Cumulative of All Other Ordinances.

The provisions of this ordinance are cumulative of all other ordinances or parts of ordinances governing or regulating the subject matter as covered herein, provided, however, that all prior ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with or in conflict with any of the provisions of this ordinance are hereby expressly repealed to the extent of any such inconsistency or conflict.

Section 5.

Publication. The City Clerk of the City of Opelika, Alabama is hereby authorized and directed to cause this Ordinance to be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of September, 2021. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of September, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of September, 2021. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 09/16/2021 ________ NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA ESTATE OF NANCY POOLAS MCKEMIE, DECEASED Letters of Administration with Will Annexed of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of September, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 8th day of September, 2021.

RHONDA ANN MCKEMIE Legal Run 09/16/2021, 09/23/2021 &

09/30/2021 ________ FORM OF ADVERTISMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given, that ADAMS CONSTRUCTION AND ASSOCIATES, INC, CONTRACTOR, has completed the contract for Construction of DINIUS PARK, at 1435 E. Glenn Ave. for the State of Alabama and the (County) (City) of Auburn, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract.

All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify: N. Shane Yarbrough , P.E., Foresite Group Richard Meinert, Meinert Architecture (Architect I Engineer) Adams Construction & Associates, Inc. /Contractor 6053 Stage Rd. Auburn , AL 36832 Legal Run 09/16/21, 09/23/21, 09/30/21 & 10/07/21 ________ NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of PAUL KIM, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Seung Hee Kim on September 9, 2021, pursuant to Section 432-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be required to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 09/16/2021 ________ IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EVERLENA DENNISON, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-498 Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 3rd day of September, 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.

ROGER DELL DENNISON Administrator Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 09/16/21, 09/23/21 & 09/30/21 ________ IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHARLIE LEROY HERRON, II, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-499 Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 3rd day of September, 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.

LARRY GENE CLARK Administrator Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 09/16/21, 09/23/21 & 09/30/21 -------------

B14 September 16, 2021

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B15 September 16, 2021

Letters to the Editor

I

will never forget, the day I thought the world was ending. The day I was up getting ready for work when the news broke and said a plane had hit the towers, I knew instantly it was not an accident. I remember being so shaken by what I witnessed as the world watched in terror not believing what their eyes were telling them. Life in America forever changed that day. I, too, have changed since then.

I believe that was the day I started loving my America for what she stood for instead of taking her for granted. I started seeing her differently. My worse fear came to being, she was attacked. She didn’t bow down, even though she wept, she came back fighting. Made me proud to be an American, made me real proud.

She has struggled since then because of what we have allowed. Instead of us fighting for her, it seems most are fighting against her. Instead of rallying around her, we as a nation divided. We use guns to solve our fights, we use hatred

PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B13 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, September 28, 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 2:45 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 Blake Rice, authorized representative for Opelika Equities, LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of The Ballfields subdivision consisting of 5 lots accessed from Pepperell Parkway & 30th Street.

2. A public hearing on a

as an excuse, we silence those who differ, we protest at the hint of infringement, lawlessness has become accepted and justice is banished, right has become wrong and wrong has become right.

We have become busy bodies attending to everyone’s business but our own, we expect everything but deserve nothing, we want what isn’t ours and we demand one give it to us no matter the cost. The truth is no longer the truth, it’s my truth, your truth, her truth, his truth. The media spreads more lies than Satan on Sunday’s when you are trying to go to church. Church has become optional and families have become broken. The word he and she has become so unidentifiable, gender has become an it. We scoff at social injustice but we laugh in the face of our constitution and our f lag.

America, the land of opportunity, the land of freedom, the land that believed in justice for all, the land that was founded by in God we trust. I

request by Nathan McBride, authorized representative for Timberlands LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of Rock Ridge Farms subdivision consisting of 14 lots accessed from Lee Road 154.

3. A public hearing on a request by Brian Lee, authorized representative for SP Opelika Ventures, LLC, property owners, for preliminary plat approval of The Villages at Opelika subdivision plat consisting of 126 lots accessed at from Hi Pack Road.

4. A public hearing on a request by Vic Patel and Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for AU Hospitality, LLC, property owners, for preliminary plat approval of the Opelika Marketplace Second Revision of Lot 5 subdivision plat consisting of 126 lots accessed at from Hi Pack Road.

5. A request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Gary L. Hunt, property owner, for final plat approval of the Oak Bowery Pines Phase 2 subdivision consisting of 12 lots accessed from 1301 Oak Bowery Road.

6. A request by Daniel Holland, authorized representative for Holland Homes, LLC, property owners, for final plat approval of the Foxrun Phase 1C subdivision consisting of 42 lots accessed from Village Drive & Burrow Circle.

want her back. I want to know my neighbors, I want to sit on the front porch without fear of being shot, I want to have a discussion about what I believe and why without fear of being bullied, called a name or harassed. I want to love not hate.

I want to reach for my dreams and I want you to do the same.

Come on people, we are better than what we have become.

America deserves more ... she is ours and when she is gone, there won’t be another one … we say we haven’t forgotten but have we? Praying for my America.

If my people, who are called by my name and will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 #neverforget

7. A public hearing on a reqest by Vic Patel and Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for AU Hospitality, LLC, property owner, for conditional use approval for a miniature golf course in the C-3, GC-P zoning district accessed at Parker Way. 8.A public hearing on a request by Deanna Blackwell, authorized representative for Jimmy Kirk, property owner, for conditional use approval for a kitchen/bath showroom and cabinet manufacturing in the C-2, GC-P zoning district at 1508 2nd Avenue.

9a. An agenda item related to a rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 3.2 acres accessed at the 1200 block South Fox Run Parkway from a light commercial to a general commercial land use category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 3,2 acres and Council approves the rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

9b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Michael Johnson, authorized representative for Hud-One Properties, LLC, property owners, to rezone 3.2 acres accessed at the 1200 block South Fox Run Parkway from C-2, GC-P to C-3, GC-P zoning district.

A

friend has a loved one incarcerated at the Lee County Detention Center. She does not drive anymore, so I told her that I would set up a visitation and take her for a visit.

To my surprise you have to go online and set up a visit. The first visit is free, then it’s $7.50 per visit thereafter. I’ve never heard of having to pay to visit a loved one that is incarcerated. Does the public incur that expense?

She does not have a computer, nor knows how to operate one. Isn’t there a system still in place so a visitor and inmate can visit face-to-face?

Are there others that have the same dilemma? Looking for a solution to already divided family. They need that special look, touch or encouraging word to keep their spirits up.

Debra Walters Auburn, Alabama

10. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on proposed text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance: Amend Section 9 “Sign Regulations”; Section 2.2 “Definitions”, Section 7.3B “Outdoor Advertising”, Section 7.8 “Village Commercial District”, Section 8.4 “Home Occupation”, Section 8.18.1 “Planned Residential Development”, Section 8.24 “Adult Business Regulations”, and Section 8.27 “Body Art” 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.

Legal Run 09/16/2021 _______

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

In The Probate Court Of Lee County Alabama In Re: The Estate Of: Alfred L. Ly les, a/k/a Alfred LeNard Lyles, Deceased TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to: Annice Lyles

STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021-478 RE: ESTATE OF JAMES M. NEWTON, DECEASED: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of August, 2021, by the Judge of 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. /s/ Gwen S. Newton, Executor Gwen S. Newton, Executor Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr., Esq. Attorney for Executor Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171 Legal Run 09/02/21, 09/09/21 & 09/16/21 _______

Martha Leonard Opelika

Johnson, as Executrix of the Estate of: Alfred L. Lyles , a/ k/a Alfred LeNard Lyles , Deceased, on the 30th day of August, 2021 by the Honorable Bill English.

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

ANNICE LYLES JOHNSON EXECUTRIX Legal Run 09/16/21, 09/23/21 & 09/30/21 _______ NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of LARRY STEPHEN HIGHTOWER, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Carla Hightower on September 14, 2021, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing the Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH/PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 09/16/2021

B16 September 16, 2021

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