Opelika Observer 10-28-2021 E-edition

Vol. 14, No. 3

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

Opelika, Alabama

pelika Observer O

This issue marks the 13th birthday for The Observer

TURN TO A7 FOR PHOTOS FROM THE ANNUAL 'ON THE TRACKS' EVENT THAT WAS HELD IN DOWNTOWN OPELIKA THIS PAST WEEKEND.

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

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Protestors Rally for Freedom of Choice PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Auburn students, faculty and residents are mad. And they’re asking for change.

Protestors gathered Tuesday afternoon to peacefully fight against

Auburn’s vaccine mandate which will require employees to receive a vaccine by Dec. 8 or lose their jobs.

“Let me ask you a question,” one protestor yelled. “What are you a fan of more? … Are you a fan of Auburn or freedom?”

The resounding cry was freedom.

“You’ve got friends, family, everybody employed here so it’s sorta affects everybody,” said Melisa Montgomery, Auburn resident. “It’s hitting home … I’ve got tons of friends and family employed by the

university and it’s just not right. Everybody has the right to make decisions for themselves.

I mean, that’s in our constitution. Nobody has a right to force anything upon us. This is an overreach, this is a government overreach.”

See PROTEST, page A3

Lee County Launches COVID-19 Fund CONTRIBUTED BY LAWTON VALLELY / ALABAMA RURAL MINISTRY

The Lee County Commission and Alabama Rural Ministry are excited to announce the launch of an Emergency Housing and Utility Assistance Program, a new program that will provide rental, mortgage and utility assistance to those citizens affected by COVID-19.

The official launch date for the Emergency Housing and Utility Assistance Program was July 26.

The Emergency Housing and Utility Assistance Program provides

income-eligible households rental, mortgage and utility payment assistance. The inability to cover these costs may result in an eviction of residence or the disconnection of utilities leaving the individual(s) without housing, power, water or gas. The total maximum award will not exceed $1,500 and can cover up to three months past due expenses.

Alabama Rural Ministry is a local non-profit focused on affordable housing, home repair and children’s ministry.

ARM coordinates home repair efforts and chil-

dren’s day camps in rural areas of Alabama. ARM is a faith-based organization with a mission to extend love to all.

Funding for the program was provided to the Lee County Commission by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs COVID-19 Grant Program For more information, application and eligibility requirements please visit us at www.arm-al. org/ covidassistance, or contact Lawton Vallely at 334-501-4276 EXT 500 or lawton@arm-al. org.

Lofton Announces Resignation From Opelika City Council Seat CONTRIBUTED

BY CITY OF OPELIKA

Opelika City Councilman Dr. Robert Lofton, Ward 3, who was recently diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, has tendered his resignation, effective Nov. 2.

“One year ago I ran for the office as Ward 3 City Council member on the basis of hardwork, honesty and integrity. As I have been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, I am no longer able to perform the duties that I feel responsible for and that the citizens of Opelika

LOFTON deserve,” Lofton said. “I want to thank my fellow council members, Mayor Gary Fuller, all city employees and the administration for their hard work. It has been a joy to work with them all. I ask

See LOFTON, page A2

All Roads Lead to Opelika CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Opelika Chamber is bringing CEO of Americana roadside oasis (and home of the famous pecan log), Stuckey’, Stephanie Stuckey, to Opelika to share her winding journey to buying back the family business and her commitment to revitalizing nostalgia, redefining travel and exploring the backroads of small-town America.

STUCKEY Stuckey will be headlining the Opelika Chamber’s luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 11:30

CONTENTS OPINION.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 OPINION

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B10

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

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

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

a.m. at the Bottling Plant Event Center in the heart of downtown Opelika.

“Opelika is full of hidden gems," said Ali Rauch, Opelika Chamber president and CEO. ". From our historic downtown full of unique shops & eateries, to renowned favorites like Mrs. Story’s, even cinematic landmarks like the Golden Cherry Motel. We are so excited to hear Stephanie’s unique perspec-

See ROADS , page A2

A2 Oct. 28, 2021

Get To Know the Oaks Agency: Auburn University’s Student-Run PR Agency The Oaks Agency is Auburn University’s student-run public relations agency.

The business started with a vision to give Auburn’s PR students real world experience that surpassed what they could learn in classes or through an internship.

In 2019, the Oaks Agency’s advisor, Terri Knight, started meeting with a group of students and touring similar programs at other colleges to figure out how to make it happen on Auburn’s campus. This group spent the year branding and developing a model of what they wanted the firm to look like. In 2020, the Oaks Agency officially opened applications.

Alyssa Turner is a senior at Auburn that has been with the agency since it began.

She has worked her way up from general member to firm director.

“My main duty is to manage the firm's

LOFTON

>>

FROM A1

for your prayers as I navigate this new journey in life.”

The city of Opelika will hold a special election for the Ward 3 city council seat on Jan. 11, 2022.

Candidates must reside within the boundaries of Ward

ROADS

>>

FROM A1

tive about redefining travel and I believe it will give all attendees a renewed hope in what we love about Opelika, but also some ideas of how we can drive tourism and economic impact by capitalizing on what makes Opelika unique.”

This event is open to the public, but registration is required. Opelika

overall operations by overseeing our members, committees and clients,” Turner said. “Most importantly it is my job to exercise social responsibility, to create a beneficial and efficient environment for learning, growth and fellowship amongst our members.”

When Turner began working at the agency, it had one client and 20 members. Since stepping into her leadership position, it has expanded to nine clients and 42 members.

The agency's nine clients are all based out of Auburn and Opelika. They are Autosport Bodyworks, Vinyl Guys, Builda-Bride, Southern Crossing, Rock’n’Roll Pinball, Amsterdam Café, Toomer’s Drugs, Auburn Public Relations and Auburn School of Communication and Journalism.

The agency bases its business off four different values — honesty, innovation, loyalty and dependability — when it comes to serving its

clients.

“We really try to tailor our services to our clients' needs but we usually use the general term of earned media because that is really what public relations is all about,” Turner said. “This could be social media needs, website redesign and management, getting hits and features in news outlets, organizing events, trying to partner with other business. It really just comes down to what the client needs, and we are there trying to achieve that goal for

them.”

Recently, the Oaks held its first formal event for one of its clients that the Auburn community is familiar with, Toomer’s Drugs.

It was a puppy event to display the items Toomers offers for dogs that the public may not be aware of. It also had the event with the goal of establishing a better relationship between Toomer’s and the community.

“Toomers has never had a public event before and we were really wanting to initiate their presence

in the community, Toomer’s is seen very much as a face of Auburn it is very well known but we have never seen them serve the Auburn community and say we're here to be a part of the community also,” Turner said.

Throwing its first event was a big goal accomplished for the agency. Other than gaining eight new clients in the last year, the agency has also tackled a major obstacle by becoming an official student organization on Auburn’s campus.

The Oaks Agency has another goal that it has set its sights on: striving to reach national affiliation status.

“There is an overarching society called public relations student society of America,” Turner said.

“We have a branch for them on campus that we call War Eagle PR, but for our branch to win any awards we must become nationally affiliated. We are now within our one-year existence so we can start the application process. That is our long-term goal. Our short-term goal is to keep encouraging new members to join and to keep facilitating these beneficial relationships between students and clients and the community.”

For more information about the Oaks Agency, you can visit its website at www. theoaksagencyau.com, email the agency at theoaksagencyau@ gmail.com or follow it on Instagram or Facebook at The Oaks Agency.

3 and have resided there for 30 days or more immediately preceding the date of the election. They also must be qualified to vote in the Lee County precinct which embraces and covers that part of the corporate limits of the city of Opelika in which the elector resides,

shall be authorized to participate in said election. Candidates may begin qualifying for office on Tuesday, Nov. 9. The last day on which a candidate may qualify by filing a statement of candidacy with the city clerk shall be Tuesday, Nov. 23. To file a statement of candidacy, please visit Russell Jones,

City Clerk at 204 S. 7th St. “We are eternally grateful to Dr. Lofton for his leadership and service to our community,” Fuller said. “He has represented Ward 3 with great honor and a proven love for Opelika. I know this decision was difficult for Dr. Lofton and his

family. We ask the community to pray for Dr. Lofton as he fights his battle with ALS.” ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. To learn more about this disease, visit www.als. org.

City Council President Eddie Smith added, “We’d like to ask that citizens respect Dr. Lofton’s privacy as he is not up to visits or phone calls. He has navigated his diagnosis with grace and humility and can step away knowing he served the people of Ward 3 honorably.”

Chamber members receive discounted tickets. Tickets are $45 for Chamber Members $55 for and non-Chamber members. Interested attendees are encouraged to visit www.opelikachamber.com or call 334.745.4861 to get registered before the deadline of Monday, Nov. 1 at 5 pm.

As a thank you for Stephanie’s willingness to travel and speak with our group, the Opelika Chamber

will be raising money for her charity of choice, the Society for Commercial Archeology, a group committed to preserving roadside attractions throughout small town America. Attendees are encouraged to bring their dollar bills or to purchase raffle tickets during the online registration process.

Twenty-plus prizes will be raffled off with a minimum value of $30 each. Grand prize will be a Stuck-

ey’s Mystery Prize Box valued at $100.

This event is brought to you by the Women’s Business Council of the Opelika Chamber and is made possible by the following sponsors: Presenting Sponsors: Alabama Power and Chicken Salad Chick Gold Sponsors: MAX Credit Union & Railroad Investment Group, Luncheon Sponsor: Three Sixty.

ABOUT STEPHANIE STUCKEY: After earning her law degree from the University of Georgia and practicing as a trial lawyer, Stuckey was elected to seven terms as a State Legislator before working in municipal government and non-profits.

In November 2019, Stuckey pivoted and bought the family business BACK after 50 years and assumed the role of CEO. Stuckey achievements include

being named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. She is active in her community and serves on many nonprofit boards, including the National Sierra Club Foundation, EarthShare of Georgia and her local zoning review board. You can learn more about Stuckey on LinkedIn or her recent feature in Garden & Gun Magazine.

pelika Observer

O

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

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A3 Oct. 28, 2021 PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

THINK PINK East Alabama Health and The Spencer Cancer Center hosted their annual THINK PINK event on Saturday. The drive-in event raised money for the East Alabama Health's Breast Health Fund.

FROM A1

Protestors had bullhorns, signs that read “I used to believe in Auburn…,” “Tyranny never wins!” and “Remember Our Body Our Choice” and cheered as trucks and cars honked while passing.

“We’re peaceful, we’re not starting anything,” Montgomery said. “We just, we all, every single person in this country has the right to stand up for what’s right for them and our constitution and that’s being trampled on every single day by the administration and we’re trying to show people that you may think that you’re the only person, but you’re not. There’s so many more people that are just like you who think the same that are just waiting for you to be the first on the dance floor.”

Dean Odle, candidate for the governor of Alabama, attended the protest and spoke in support of the crowd.

Odle is also a local pastor at Fire and Grace Church, raised in Opelika.

“This is great to see,” he said. “People are rising up, really all over the state. I’m getting calls from people all over the state that are

losing their jobs or about to because of this mandate because they don’t want to take this vaccine. And either they’re healthy, younger people or they have already had COVID, they have natural antibodies. I mean, there’s a lot of reasons.

And there’s also some legitimate concerns, there’s more adverse effects in this vaccine that’s being reported officially.

I just think it’s important that people rise up and stand up for freedom.”

One protestor with a bullhorn asked why Auburn won’t give faculty time regarding the vaccine to see the effects. Adverse affects was a concern of many, along with lack of freedom.

Chants included “Save Our Jobs” and “Let’s Go Brandon”.

“If the mandate was really about safety, why are they requiring people who work remotely from home to get the vaccine as well,” said one protestor. “It makes no sense.”

Many of the protestors were not faculty, but students.

“Students will be next. That’s why I’m here, because I don’t want the vaccine. I’m a student,” said Andrea Tobin, Auburn student.

“And I know they’re coming for us next.”

PHOTOS BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER

PROTEST >>

A4 Oct. 28, 2021

Americana

T

SEAN DIETRICH

hey are holding hands. I like it when young couples hold hands. I don’t see many kids do this very often anymore.

They are sitting on the same side of the booth.

I like it when they do that, too.

This is why I loved the bench seats in old cars and trucks. God bless the bench seat.

It’s extinct now. But before automobiles lost these long seats, young men and women would sit close when driving.

They would love up against each other.

If ever my mother spotted a truck window in traffic with two heads leaning close, she would remark, “Aw, look. That girl’s holding him up so he can drive. Ain’t that

sweet?”

It sure is. For a boy, there is nothing sweeter than the feeling of driving a truck with a pretty head resting on your shoulder.

The couple in the booth is somewhat of a rarity. They are not holding cellphones, they aren’t texting. They are saying things in soft voices. And it’s great.

I came here this morning for breakfast, I brought a newspaper with me. But I can’t seem to read it.

Not when I am people-watching in a classic American scene.

I flick open the newsprint. I watch the couple from the corner of my vision.

They talk to each other. She is your typical teenager—happy and

rosy-cheeked. He is your basic high-school boy. Skinny, a little awkward, a touch of Norman Rockwell to him.

The waitress refills my coffee. I am grateful for hot joe this morning. I didn’t sleep well last night. The folks in the hotel room above me were having a jump rope competition that ran until the wee hours.

“Anything good in that paper?” the waitress asks, nodding to the front page.

“Not today.”

“Yeah, I can’t read the news anymore, it’s too depressing, makes me sad.”

She’s right. The newspaper is just one disaster after another placed into sentence form, with pie charts to explain

ON PURPOSE

WENDY HODGE

H

ave you ever noticed that, when a song or an idea or even a word catches your attention you begin to see it everywhere? There’s a clinical term for that, but I prefer to think of it as the universe bestowing little gifts on our life, if only we are on the lookout for them.

These days it’s that way for me with the word ‘intentional.’ I’ve heard it used in so many unique contexts lately. In a business course I’m taking via Zoom, our instructor used the term ‘intentional journaling’ when referring to writing down our goals and struggles and plans.

“Writing with intent,” she says, “is the only way to inform your brain that you are serious.”

My best friend and I are watching a documentary series about prescription

drugs and the pharmaceutical companies that develop them. Lawsuits and criminal prosecution have resulted and revolve around that one word – intentional.

My daughter even used it last night when describing the young man she is dating. “He’s so…. intentional,” she said.

“He means everything he says, and he does what he says he will.” I think I like him already.

So now I’ve decided on a phrase that will be a new mantra for me, one that I can add to the list of words that I use as touchstones when I find myself losing my way.

Intentional gratitude: Making it a daily routine, like the first item on your To Do list when you start your day, to actively seek and acknowledge all the things in your world for which you should be grateful… every single day, without exception.

It turns out, that even when the times we’re in have brought out the worst in so many, when it is easy to see pettiness and hate and prejudice and shameful behavior, there are acts of kindness and moments of beauty that shine like rays of

light. Here are a few that have acted as a beacon of hope for me – a reminder that, from our souls outward, we are all citizens of an amazing planet: This morning the car behind me paid for my breakfast biscuit at Hardee’s. My grin got in the way of my chewing for a minute. What a nice start to the day.

Scrolling my phone yesterday, I saw a video of a man who risked his life to save a dog that was stuck on a railroad track.

A train was approaching, but the man jumped on the tracks anyway. And then he took the dog home and they lived happily ever after.

A conversation on the phone with a customer last week began as a routine appointment reminder but ended up with the two of us chatting as if we had been friends since high school. We laughed and commiserated on the state of the world and shared gardening tips.

I almost didn’t want to hang up and continue with more mundane calls.

I had the urge, in fact, when we both hesitated before ending the conver-

See HODGE, page A5

it. Even the weather reports look bleak.

She goes on, “My grandfather used to say, ‘No news is good news.’”

My waitress has a smile that tells me she knows what she’s talking about. You can tell a lot about someone by how they smile.

“I got enough problems to deal with,” she goes on. “I don’t need more problems to read about.”

“What kinda problems you got?” I ask.

She laughs. “Mostly, my crazy family, you know how families are, they’re freakin’ nuts, know what I mean?”

My uncle once spent five days in his attic during the boiling Atlanta summer, assassinating invasive squirrels

with a high-powered military rifle. Yes, I know.

The young couple is now leaning into each other. Foreheads pressed together. I like it when young people do that.

Would that all people could love so sincerely.

It’s too bad that I can’t see them better.

I don’t want to be too nosy. I can see that they aren’t eating, they aren’t touching their coffees, either. They are only inhaling the morning together.

Two old men come through the door. The bell dings. They are hobbling on old legs.

They could almost be twins. I wouldn’t be surprised if they still have bumper stickers that

See DIETRICH, page A5

Our Genius Life: Greg Bradshaw

BRADLEY ROBERTSON

I

recently started reading "The Genius Life of Birds" by Jennifer Ackerman. It is a remarkable book in which the author, a bird scientist, tells of the intuitive nature of birds today and how they have adapted and evolved over thousands of years. The author points out that their skill is not just instinct but also learned in the way they can think, plan and pass on their behaviors to others.

This cognitive function has marked them as an animal of ‘genius’.

Learning about birds from all around the world has been fun and enlightening, but what I’m gathering from the book is the idea that we humans too have our very own capacity of genius.

We are born a certain way into the world, but as we give and take bits and pieces of life, we morph into our own state of genius, learning to use who we are and what we know, to then create a better life for others.

A genius himself, Albert Einstein, who desired fantasy over popularity, said, “Try not to become a man of success, try to become a man of value.”

I attended the funeral of Greg Bradshaw last week. If you did not know Greg, he opened Mellow Mushroom in downtown Auburn in 1996, and ever since, he has had a noble and positive impact on the Auburn community. Greg was a huge supporter of the

downtown lifestyle and beyond business, Greg sought the fun and joy in his community, creating a space where anyone was welcome, and you always wanted to return for more.

Greg was contagious.

His spirt was jolly and I heard through many that he was the kind of guy who would literally hand you the shirt off his back. He was known as a generous man, giving away popsicles to the kids at Mellow and helping locals with work success that went far beyond just a weekly paycheck.

He was kind, he was tough, he was well read and he was the real deal.

The way in which Greg delivered life to Auburn could only be done by him, and no one else will ever be able to match that. He took his own skill and thought, joy and wild dreams, and poured them out, creating a

See ROBERTSON, page A5

Sunshine Pediatrics J. Rian Anglin, MD

197 E UNIVERSITY DRIVE, SUITE 2 AUBURN, AL 36832

WE ARE NOW OPEN! Schedule your appointment today at www.sunshine-peds.com or by calling (334)-329-7862

A5 Oct. 28, 2021

The Hotel at Auburn University Earns Great Place to Work Certification CONTRIBUTED BY ITHAKA HOSPITALITY PARTNERS The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center isn’t just a great place to stay – it’s also a great place to work.

Ithaka Hospitality Partners is proud to announce that its property, The Hotel at Auburn University, has been Certified™ by Great Place to Work®. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at The Hotel at Auburn University. This year, 78% of employees said it’s a great place to work — the industry average

DIETRICH >>

FROM A4

read, “I like Ike.” They get a table in the corner. They order two hot mugs. They hardly speak to each other.

They are old men from Everytown, USA. They are here because of routine. Words aren’t important. The waitress refills their mugs and one old man flirts with her.

Just because he’s old doesn’t mean he’s doesn’t remember how to be charming.

She is good with

HODGE >>

FROM A4

sation, to suggest we get coffee sometime. But I didn’t. Next time, I will.

Sunday morning, on the lake with my best friend, we both were fishing with an Alabama rig. This genius invention has five hooks and is perfect for trolling – my favorite way to fish. We both got a bite at the same time and reeled in our lines to discover we had both caught two fish each. A double for me and a double for him. A double double! In the pictures we took while wrestling several pounds of bass and stripes, we have that giddy glow that comes from hauling a load of fish into the boat… another moment we will recall for years to come.

is 59%.

The Hotel at Auburn University is one of only 28 companies in the state of Alabama with the Great Place to Work designation, and the only hotel in the state with the designation.

Additionally, the organization asked employees to agree or disagree with the following statements: · “When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome.” 96% · “I believe management would lay people off only as a last resort.”

94% · “Our customers would rate the service we deliver as ‘excellent.’”

92% · “People here are

him. She flirts back. I can see the years leave their faces. Something tells me she isn’t doing this for a tip, but because these are regulars. I’d put money on it. You can tell a lot about people by the way they flirt.

The young couple stands to leave. They pay their bill at the register. The young man buys Juicy Fruit chewing gum. I didn’t know they still sold Juicy Fruit.

He leaves cash on the table. They walk toward a white truck in the parking lot that looks like a vehicle

The Pandora station that serves as background music for the office where I work is set on “Dinner Party.” It is a mix of crooner classics and golden oldies. I am stunned by how much I love hearing it. I sway in my chair while Nat King Cole sings “The Thought of You.” When I am the first one to arrive in the morning, I dance across the room to the printer while Frank Sinatra sings “I Won’t Dance.” Oh, yes, I will, Frank. Yes, I will. I even enjoy Bobby Darin’s “Mac the Knife.” But I am clueless as to what exactly those lyrics mean.

There is a high school teacher in Arkansas who taught all his freshman students how to tie a tie and bought them all new shoes for the school

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

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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.”

given a lot of responsibility.” 91% Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue,

half the country grew up in. They are still holding hands.

“More coffee?” says the waitress, looking at me.

But I’m too busy watching young love in a Ford, outside the window. And I am thinking that this world isn’t as bad as the news claims.

The waitress sees what I am looking at.

She grins at the couple.

“Would you look at that?” she says. “She’s holding him up so he can drive. Ain’t that sweet?”

It sure is.

dance. I saw a picture of him, smiling with a look of profound contentment, surrounded by a couple dozen pimply-faced boys grinning at the camera.

They may still be boys, but they all stood a bit taller and prouder because of one man’s compassion and just plain sweetness.

There are at leave five dogs on this planet who love me with complete abandon and trust the way only a dog can do. There’s Elvis and Darryl, Shelby and Chico, and Camo.

No matter what I have failed to accomplish on any given day, if I reach for any of these five sweet beasts they will curl up next to me and remind me I am loved unconditionally. (Even Chico, who is a completely unlovable Chihuahua with terrible

employee retention and increased innovation.

“Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t something that comes easily — it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin,

ROBERTSON >>

FROM A4

better life for others.

Greg Bradshaw lived his own genius life.

Greg knew exactly who he was every day and he knew exactly what good he had to offer the world around him, and he did it. He leaned into his mind and heart, his talents and ideas and he offered it up as an act of service.

You see, we each have our very own inner genius. The question is, will we let it out to enhance our community or will we

hygiene and a slightly Satan-possessed demeanor.)

These are all just bonus gifts. We all wake up with an embarrassment of riches, don’t we? A home, a bed, clothes and food, phones and televisions, family and friends.

There are babies and kittens, Betty White and amusement parks, birthday cakes and daylilies… and chocolate!

There are sunsets on the water and the Hunter’s moon at night, clean sheets on the bed, Sunday morning sleep-ins, live music on Friday nights, and Hershey, PA where the streetlights look like Hershey’s kisses and the air is breathable chocolate.

I’m grateful for the new journal I have that will serve as my daily log of intentional gratitude. Next

vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture.

Earning this designation means that The Hotel at Auburn University is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”

“We have an amazing team at The Hotel, and we’re honored that they recognize us as a great place to work,” said Hans van der Reijden, Ithaka Hospitality Partners founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to become Great-Place-to-WorkCertified. We owe our continued success to our team of dedicated

hospitality professionals at The Hotel at Auburn University. We celebrate and thank them for all they do to earn this incredible recognition.”

Team members at The Hotel at Auburn University regularly cite the friendly atmosphere, great benefits and caring leadership team as reasons they love working at “The Front Door to Auburn.”

According to Great Place to Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are

hold it in and keep it hidden? The magic and influence of what we have to offer rests in our own hands.

Greg chose to let his genius out, willingly and free, and he offered it to everyone. Greg brought out the best in others, and under our own flattery, Greg was simply bringing out the best in himself.

Greg left many sad hearts in Auburn last week, but the greatest thing he left behind was his willingness to make a difference in the lives of others.

We each have our own inner genius. We have remarkable and

outstanding gifts, ideas, behaviors and thoughts to offer this world, but will we actually do it?

I think we should. I think what we all need right now is the very best of ourselves.

Our genius life is just around the corner.

It’s inches and minutes away from possibility and the pursuit of happiness. Greg was proof that genius is not only in aptitude, rather it is our greatness we share, adding value to others and helping steer them through life.

Thank you Greg Bradshaw, for you have been an exceptional teacher for all of us.

on the list is this column I am privileged to write and all of you who spare a few

minutes now and then to read it. May you all have a list as long as mine.

See HOTEL, page A6

A6 Oct. 28, 2021

Luxury Townhowns Available in Auburn CONTRIBUTED BY HARRIS DOYLE HOMES

Harris Doyle Homes (Harris Doyle) is pleased to announce they are now selling The Townes at Moore’s Mill Club, a new luxury townhome community in Auburn. Construction has now started, and new townhomes are currently available for purchase.

“The Townes at Moore’s Mill Club is an exclusive neighborhood offering low-maintenance luxury living in Auburn.” said Harris Doyle Homes Chief Development Officer Brooks Harris. “We’re excited to offer a new townhome community that is close to Ogletree

Village, Tiger Town, Moore’s Mill Club and Lucy’s in the Moore’s Mill area while being minutes from Auburn University.”

Harris Doyle will offer 24 townhomes for sale in The Townes at Moore’s Mill Club starting in the high $300’s, with floorplans ranging from two to four bedrooms and 1,376 to 1,971 sq. ft.

Harris Doyle specializes in creating well-crafted neighborhoods and beautiful new homes with unique exterior and interior designs. The Birmingham-based builder’s team works with home buyers to ensure each stage of the home buying and

building process is held to a standard of excellence.

As part of the home building process, each townhome’s design selections have been chosen by one of Harris Doyle’s Interior Designers. Harris Doyle’s designers each hold an interior design degree from accredited programs and have a licensed interior designer on their team.

For more information, please visit Harrisdoyle.com or contact The Townes at Moore’s Mill Club agent, Debbie Whitley at Debbie. whitley@harrisdoyle. com or 334-740-0140.

HOTEL >>

FROM A5

93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.

ABOUT ITHAKA HOSPITALITY PARTNERS Ithaka Hospitality Partners is a hospitality management company, focused on all aspects of hotel management as well as special event and catering management.

Ithaka consults with properties to deliver strategic and tactical methods to achieve overall profitability, guest satisfaction and employee engagement. Additionally, Ithaka works with the Hospitality Management Program at Auburn University to educate students in the classroom by partnering with faculty in a variety of competencies within the Hospitality Management Program.

For additional information, visit www. ithakahp.com.

About The Hotel at Auburn University Centrally located near the shops and restaurants of downtown Auburn, Ala., The Hotel at Auburn

University & Dixon Conference Center is just a short walk from the excitement of Auburn University and a diverse array of cultural and entertainment attractions. Whether in town for the big game, a special party, or a productive business meeting, the hotel’s 236 guestrooms and suites offer true Southern hospitality in an ideal setting. For authentic Italian cuisine, visit Ariccia Cucina Italiana, located inside the Hotel. Adjacent to Ariccia, enjoy Piccolo: Auburn’s only true jazz lounge, with specialty cocktails and a large variety of appetizers and desserts. The property is owned by Auburn University and managed with Heart and Soul by Ithaka Hospitality Partners. For additional information or reservations, please call (800) 228-2876 or visit www.auhcc.com.

ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK CERTIFICATION Great Place to Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace

experience — specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace.

Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience.

Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place to Work-Certified.

ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All™.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Great Pumpkin Splash PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Sponsored by the Opelika Parks & Recreation Department, the Great Pumpkin Splash at the Opelika SportsPlex on Oct. 22 invited local community members to come enjoy fall activities and allow children to pick out pumpkins.

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS Oct. 29: Market Street Paint Shop Chalk Paint Workshop Oct. 29, 30: 9th Annual Haunted Auburn Walking Tour Oct. 31: Fall Festival on the Square

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER.

Lyn Littleton Shares Family Recipes For Fall Get-Togethers Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

t her home in Opelika, Lyn Littleton enjoys getting in the kitchen to bake her mother’s and grandmother’s passed down recipes for yummy desserts for her husband, David, and their family. Along with wonderful desserts, Lyn is sharing a variety of recipes, including slow cooker chili, stew and dressing that are great for fall get-togethers, tailgating and upcoming holidays.

Lyn was born in Opelika, and her parents moved to Montgomery when she was five years old. Since her grandmother, Dora Jones, lived in Opelika, Lyn visited her often.

Her grandmother was active at First Baptist Church and worked at Montgomery Fair in downtown Opelika.

When Lyn moved to Opelika to attend

Auburn University, she felt it was coming back home. Lyn met David when she worked parttime at Tender Care Nursery, which was owned by his parents, Mary Martin and Pete Littleton.

After Lyn and David married, they lived next door to his parents on Geneva Street. Both of the houses were built

by David’s grandfather and great uncle who owned Littleton’s Wholesale next door.

David’s family history goes back for generations in Opelika, including his mother’s father, M.C. Carden, who was known by many for his service in the church and generosity to those in the community.

Later, Lyn and David moved to Camelot to raise their children.

Lyn and David have three children and two

grandchildren. Their son, Kevin, and his wife, Kaitlyn, have two children, Jones, 22 months old, and Carter, two weeks old. Kevin and Kaitlyn recently moved back to Opelika.

Dr. Kaitlyn Littleton will be practicing at Auburn Pediatrics and Adult Medicine, and Kevin works in medical device sales.

Their daughter Emily lives in Nashville and is engaged to Alan Alexander, while their other daughter, Rachel, resides in Washington, D.C. and works for the U.S. Senate.

While David retired two years ago as a RN with East Alabama Medical Center, Lyn is employed at the Auburn University Department of Campus Safety and Security. She does training for the department, including teaching a self-defense class

Lyn Littleton is sharing favorite recipes from her mother, grandmother and others. Lyn and her husband, David, have a love for Opelika and are thankful they raised their children here. Lyn is pictured with their first grandchild, Jones Littleton, who is already enjoying good food from her kitchen.

for women RAD (rape defense aggression defense) to students for extras credit and also a class for the community with the sheriff’s office. Lyn partners with instructors at the

sheriff’s office for page East Alabama teaching self-defense Women’s Self-Defense.) classes without charge When she is not to females 13 years and working, Lyn, as well older. One participant as David, both enjoy was 90 years old. (For information check their spending time with Facebook See CIPPERLY, page A10

Opelika Gets Back 'On Track' PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The outdoor, downtown Opelika event "On the Tracks" took place last weekend and featured a walking wine tour, live music and more.

A8 Oct. 28, 2021

Making the Grade: the Mandarin House-Taste of Asia

M

ike and I really enjoy eating Chinese food. Therefore, when we moved to Lee County in 2015, we quickly found our favorite Chinese restaurant in our area … the Mandarin House-Taste of Asia at 3800 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika.

Recently, Mike and I had supper at the Mandarin House, and, as usual, we spent a delicious evening there. I love the restaurant’s beautiful décor. Also, Minji, our waitress, was so sweet, attentive and helpful. For our first appetizer (Yes, I said first. When we eat Chinese food, we don’t kid around.), Mike and I ordered the Crab Angels, which are fried wontons with cream cheese; what’s not to love? We also ordered two egg rolls (our second appetizer), which we quickly devoured.

Next came the soup for two. Mike was a sweetie; although he prefers Hot and Sour Soup, we ordered my favorite, Egg Drop Soup. I’m a real

Alan Wang, the owner of the Mandarin House Taste of Asia. He asked us to try Chinese Dumplings, which contain pork and cabbage with a minced ginger sauce which he comes in to make at 9 a.m. They were excellent!

Also, Wang had us sample a new entrée, Coconut Shrimp, which was also very tasty. We ate so much; they could have bounced us to our car.

Mike and

I really appreciated the fact that Wang was so kind and took the time to talk with us, even though he was so busy.

Wang was born in South Korea and lived in poverty, he said, and he saved $2,000 to come to the U.S., starting out working as a bus boy. Wang said that he and his family have lived and worked in Opelika since 1994. He had owned another Man-

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

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

wimp when it comes to spicy food, so I really appreciated his gallant gesture.

For his entrée, Mike chose Mongolian Beef, which consists of sliced, tender beef, sautéed with red peppers and green onions, bedded on shredded rice sticks. I ordered Sesame Chicken, which has white meat and is deep fried and tossed with sesame sauce. We both ordered fried rice because anything fried just tastes better. Everything was SO delicious.

Besides the wonderful appetizers we chose, the Mandarin House - Taste of Asia also offers many other choices, some of which include: Chinese Fantail Shrimp, Fried Calamari and Thai Sweet Basil Rolls.

The Mandarin House serves a large variety of chicken, seafood, beef, pork and Chef’s Specialties, some of which include: Sweet and Sour Chicken, Almond or Cashew Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, Sesame Shrimp, Schezuan Shrimp or Scallops, Kung Pao Shrimp, Pepper Steak, Sweet and Sour Pork, Lobster Peking Style, General Tso’s Chicken and Peking Duck.

Also, a lunch buffet is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday through Saturday.

Believe me, this buffet is amazing and is NOT to be missed. Mike and I have grazed there often.

We chatted with Mr.

darin House in Columbus; he sold that restaurant in 1996. Mike told Wang that he and his parents had eaten at that restaurant frequently.

“I love America,” he said. “If you work hard, you can become anything you want in this country.”

He also said the he is a proud parent of two Auburn University graduates.

Mike and I love to support small family businesses such as the Mandarin House - Taste of Asia.

Hardworking immigrants such as Wang make this the greatest country in the world. After all, our ancestors were immigrants, too, coming to America for religious freedom and to start new

lives.

Thank you for making us feel so welcome, Mr. Wang.

The Mandarin HouseTaste of Asia is closed on Monday. The restaurant is open on Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Run, do not walk there, soon.

The Mandarin HouseTaste of Asia makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in the Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com

COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS You’re Invited to attend a FREE event concentrated on coping with grief over the holidays. Lunch will be provided followed by a balloon release.

Thursday, 4th of November 1001 Sportsplex Pkwy, Opelika, Al 36801 11:30 A.M Guest speaker will be discussing various ways to cope with grief during the upcoming holidays Balloon release memorial will follow.

Please bring only one guest Presented by Compassus Hospice Sponsored by Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home

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

A9 Oct. 28, 2021

Pumpkin Carving: Staying Spooky All Season CONTRIBUTED BY ACES / WRITTEN BY MARY LEIGH OLIVER Nothing says spooky season like a glowing Jack-O-Lantern on the front steps. While they can’t last forever, there are a few things people can do to extend the lives of their pumpkins and Jack-OLanterns. To stay spooky all season long, preventing rot in all pumpkin carving creations is key.

Pumpkin Pickin’ “One of the biggest parts of preserving a pumpkin is selection,” said Alabama Extension regional home grounds agent, Jack LeCroy.

When choosing a pumpkin, they should be free of cracks, blemishes or soft spots. This will help to ensure the pumpkin is healthy and free of rot.

“Rot will be the quickest detrimental factor for a carved pumpkin,” LeCroy said. “It is important to store pumpkins in a location with good air circulation and dry conditions

to avoid rot as much as possible.”

As the spooky decorations begin, make sure to keep other plants that require watering away from the pumpkins. This will help to avoid any type of moisture buildup. Also, placing the pumpkins in shaded areas is best for their longevity. Sunlight can begin to breakdown the pumpkins quicker. If there is a heavy frost predicted, cover the pumpkins or bring them indoors. Overall, conditions that are dry, shaded, cool and have good air circulation are the best for pumpkins to thrive in.

Carved Pumpkins Once a healthy pumpkin is picked and spooky creations have been carved, preservation measures are essential. LeCroy and fellow regional home grounds agent Hannah Dykes share the following tips for preserving pumpkins before carving: Rinse pumpkins with soapy water before carving.

Mix one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water

in a bucket large enough to submerge the pumpkin.

Submerge the pumpkin in the water, holding it under the water for two minutes. Make sure to wear gloves.After soaking, let the pumpkin air dry.

These pre-carving steps will help to prevent microbial growth, which can set in quickly and wilt the pumpkin. For additional prevention, spray the same bleach mixture onto the carved pumpkin every day.

“This will help to keep the carved flesh hydrated while preventing microbial growth from getting out of hand,” LeCroy said.

While carving a pumpkin is one of the best traditions of the fall season, carving too early can cause it to rot before Halloween. Carved pumpkins are more likely to deteriorate quicker than whole pumpkins. The hollowed-out spaces allow pests to burrow in and feast on the pumpkin as well.

Post Carving After carving and preserving with the bleach mixture, add a final layer of petroleum jelly to the inside and outside of the pumpkin. This will help to keep moisture in the pumpkin. If pests present an issue to the pumpkin, mix the petro-

leum jelly with hairspray, acrylic finish spray and Tabasco sauce. Apply this in the same way to the pumpkin.

Here are a few additional tips to prevent carved pumpkins from wilting too early: Instead of using real candles to light pumpkins, try using battery-operated lights.

If the pumpkin does begin to wilt, it can be salvaged by soaking it in cold water. Fully submerge the pumpkin in the cold water overnight. The pumpkin skin should come out rehydrated and ready to

shine again. Make sure it is thoroughly dried before displaying again.

In addition to the petroleum jelly, spray the outside of the pumpkin with clear acrylic spray.

This provides another layer of defense against bacteria and pests.

More Information Don’t let the ghoulish sights on the front porch be a rotting pumpkin.

Preserve your carved pumpkins to let them shine through Halloween. For more information about preserving pumpkins, visit the Alabama Extension website, www.aces.edu

Healthy Halloween Treats for the Whole Family CONTRIBUTED BY ACES / WRITTEN BY DUSTIN DUNCAN

eyes and mouth. Nut butter or toothpicks can be used to hold the eyes in place if needed.

To make the tangerine pumpkins: Peel a tangerine.

Cut a celery stalk into thirds.

Place the stem in the top of the tangerine.

The result is a beautiful little pumpkin that is full of nutrients kids need, like potassium, fiber and vitamin C. GHOST POPSICLES Ingredients Greek yogurt Popsicle sticks Raisins Greek yogurt, raisins and popsicle sticks are the only ingredients for these eerie frozen visitors.

To make the ghost popsicles: First, get out a cookie sheet and lay a few popsicle sticks out.

Take a sandwich bag and cut out a small hole in the corner.

Put the yogurt in the sandwich bag and pipe onto the stick in the shape of a ghost.

Use the raisins as eyes and the mouth.

Put them into the freezer for about 30 min-

utes. Then, enjoy.

PRETZEL BROOMS Ingredients Pretzel sticks Cheese sticks Who doesn’t like a delicious snack with a bit of magic that may clean up after itself? Well ... it probably won’t do any cleaning, but it definitely doesn’t take long to make.

To make the pretzel brooms: Peel a mozzarella cheese stick (or any flavor of cheese stick) and cut it into thirds.

Cut the bottom of each cheese stick piece into strips diagonally to make it look like a broom.

Take a pretzel stick and place it inside the top of the cheese to make tiny brooms.

Now, you’re ready for a snack, sweeping the counter or possibly a ride around the neighborhood.

FRUIT/PRETZEL SPIDERS Ingredients Plum Pretzel sticks Dark grapes These creepy little crawlers will add a touch of nutrition and flavor to any Halloween snack this year.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

It’s the season for spooky ghosts, pumpkins and a few delicious treats. Children and adults alike are looking forward to costumes and candy, but fruits and vegetables can be part of the holiday fun too.

Parents may look for ways to limit the amount of sugary foods, like candy for their little ones, during the spooky season. But, it’s also a great time to introduce new healthy foods to children through kitchen crafts and themed snacks, according to Alabama Extension specialist and registered dietitian Katie Funderburk.

“Letting kids play with food or participate in cooking or preparation can actually help picky eaters try new fruits and vegetables,” she said.

Step into the Live Well Kitchen for a few fun and healthy Halloween-themed snack options, but be forewarned — some of these recipes are frighteningly adorable.

BANANA GHOSTS AND TANGERINE PUMPKINS Ingredients Bananas Tangerines Raisins Celery stalks There’s nothing like going simple, but effective when making spooky treats. Start with a simple treat easy for smaller children to help create. Banana ghosts and tangerine pumpkins are a Halloween favorite.

To make the banana ghosts: Peel a banana and cut it in half.

Use raisins for the

To make the fruit/ pretzel spider: Use the plum as the base of the spider. Poke a few holes in the side of the fruit with a toothpick.

Round up several grapes and poke a hole with a toothpick.

Stick a pretzel stick into one of the holes in the plum.

Slide the grapes over the pretzel stick until it is completely covered.

At the end of the leg, poke another hole into final grape.

Place another pretzel stick inside the final grape.

Begin the process of creating another leg.

Repeat that process to make eight legs for your spider.

VEGETABLE MONSTER Ingredients Lettuce leaves Live Well Alabama’s Creamy Cucumber Dill

Dip Black olives Celery stalks Baby carrots Cauliflower Bell peppers Cucumbers Mushrooms Grape tomatoes Broccoli Be careful when creating this vegetable monster because it may come alive. In all seriousness, this creation does have plenty of ingredients that were living at some point. It’s best to follow these directions and use the visual aid to help construct the monster.

To make the vegetable monster: Grab a small bowl and use lettuce leaves to form the monster’s hair.

Fill the small bowl with Live Well Alabama’s Creamy Cucumber Dill Dip. Take two black olives and place them on top of

the dip as eyes.

Use celery stalks as the shoulders, baby carrots as the arms and cauliflower florets as hands.

Place several cucumber slices overlapping each other in a row to look like a spine and use bell pepper slices as the ribs.

Use sliced mushroom as the hips.

Place stalks for the upper legs, cauliflower as a knees, bell peppers as the lower legs, grape tomatoes as the feet and broccoli florets as the toes.

As you put it all together, watch the monster come alive. Feel free to mix up the veggies as desired.

MORE INFORMATION For more recipes or tips for nutrition, visit LiveWellAlabama.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

A10 Oct. 28, 2021

CIPPERLY

>>

FROM A7

their children and grandchildren.

Lyn enjoys baking desserts and was inspired by both her mother and grandmother Dora Jones. Her grandmother would have a big Sunday dinner with her good china for a lovely meal. She did that for as long as she could cook.

Her mother enjoyed baking, and Lyn enjoys baking on weekends and holidays. She cherishes the memory of baking at Christmas time with her mother.

They would bake all day on Christmas Eve. She carries on that tra-

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> SLOW COOKER CHILI 2 lb. ground beef or ground turkey 2 cans diced, fire roasted tomatoes 1 1/2 — 2 cans tomato sauce 3 Tbsp. tomato paste 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup water 1 whole sweet onion, chopped Chili Seasoning: 2 ½ Tbsp. chili powder 2 Tbsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. onion salt 1 ½ tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. paprika ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp. salt 1 tsp. ground black pepper Brown the meat and drain.

Add tomatoes sauce and cooked meat to the slow cooker and stir.

Mix tomato paste and water together in a bowl then pour into slow cooker and stir.

Add diced tomatoes and onion and stir.

Add chili seasoning and minced garlic to the slow cooker and stir.

Set to low and cook for 4 ½ to 5 hours.

Stir occasionally.

Change temperature to medium and cook for another 1- 1 ½ hours.

(Total cook time should be 6 hours.)

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese on top and Frito scoops.

CROCK POT STEW

1 lb. ground beef 1 chopped onion 1 can Castleberry Barbecue Pork 2 cups cooked chicken 2 cans stewed tomatoes 1 can whole kernel corn 1 can cream style corn ½ bottle hot ketchup ½ bottle regular ketchup 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce Combine ingredients in crockpot and cooked on low for 8 hours.

CROCK POT DRESSING

6 cups crumbled cornbread 2 ½ cups crumbled white bread

dition for her children and now grandchildren.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are big holidays for the family with Lyn’s siblings and their families coming to their house. Generally, there are 25 at both holidays at their home. Everyone will bring a favorite dish. Grandmother’s Corn Casserole is a must have at holidays.

Lyn makes the Crock-Pot Dressing, which will stay hot for serving. The Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler is also good for company as it stays warm for serving with vanilla ice cream.

Other favorite desserts include her maternal grandmother’s Mama Hocutt’s White

cake with Caramel Icing, which is great for Thanksgiving, Mother’s Apricot Brandy Pound Cake and Myrtle Poe’s Chocolate Pound Cake.

Lyn has treasured her family’s recipes that are handwritten by her grandmother and mother. To preserve them, she has framed some of her favorite ones. “They are like heirlooms,” said Lyn. “I was looking through my grandmother’s recipe box, and there were so many there from her friends. They shared recipes. It is such a personal thing when you write it down and give it to someone. I am afraid we are going to get away from that with

digital recipes.”

Miss Lyn’s Fudge, a recipe from a marshmallow jar, is a family favorite for Christmas.

Lyn makes it in a heavy saucepan that was her mother’s. The family calls it “the fudge pot.” When Emily tried making the fudge in a regular saucepan, it scorched. Lyn and David found the saucepans at an online store selling vintage items and purchased pans for the girls to continue the tradition.

Lyn is looking forward to cooking family favorites for their grandchildren.

Her daughters and daughter-m-law enjoy cooking too. They enjoy sitting around the

table in the kitchen and talk while cooking.

Lyn feels there is nothing like living in Opelika. “I think it is the best kept secret in Alabama.. It has changed in many ways since I was little and came to see my grandmother, but in a way it is just the same. It is the people who grow up here who want to stay here to raise their families. With the friends we have, we raised our kids together and are now welcoming their grandchildren.

“Kevin and Kaitlyn wanting to move back here to raise their family speaks volumes for Opelika and the support,” added Lyn. “In the short time they

2 cans cream of chicken soup ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped celery 4 cans chicken broth, divided 1 stick butter 1 tsp. poultry season mix Sauté celery and onion in 1 can chicken broth.

Heat 3 cans of chicken broth and butter.

Mix all ingredients and put in crock pot.

Cook on high for 2 hours then low for 2 hours.

Cook rice by directions on package. Mix all ingredients and pour into casserole dish.

Cover with crackers crumbs. Bake at 250 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Batter cubed steak in flour, salt and pepper mixture. Heat oil in electric skillet and brown steaks slightly. Add water to cover steaks. Simmer until steaks are tender, approximately 40 minutes.

pepper, breadcrumbs Worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt and minced garlic in large bowl.

Mix thoroughly. Stir in milk 1 tsp. at a time until mixture is moist.

Pack firmly in lightly greased 5 x 9 loaf pan.

Next, combine mustard, brown sugar and ketchup. Mix well and pour over meat loaf. Place bacon slices on top.

Cook at 375 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

SLOW COOKER PEACH COBBLER

2 21-oz. cans peach pie filling 1 box vanilla cake mix 8 oz. butter ½ cup walnuts Place all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 2 ½ hours. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream.

FAMILY FAVORITE EASY CHICKEN CROISSANT CASSEROLE

1 can crescent rolls 1 cooked chicken breast Grated cheese 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 cup milk Combine 1 cup milk and can of cream of chicken soup in bowl and set aside.

Pull apart chicken breast then separate crescent rolls into triangles. Add chicken and grated cheese to each triangle and roll, turning corners up.

Place in greased baking dish and cook at 400 degrees until slightly brown.

Remove dish and pour milk and soup mixture over the croissants then place back into oven. Continue baking for approximately 5 minutes or until dough in done and cheese is melted, and soup mixture is bubbling.

Serve with rice and favorite green vegetable and enjoy.

DORA JONES’ CORN CASSEROLE

1 oz. package yellow rice 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can Mexicorn 1 stick margarine Crackers

MOTHER’S FRIED OKRA AND POTATOES

Slice okra into ¼ inch slices. Peal and cube potatoes. Dredge okra and potatoes in a mixture of two parts self-rising flour and one-part self-rising meal. Fry in oil until slightly brown and potatoes are tender.

Drain on paper towels.

Lightly salt.

MISS. LYN’S CHOCOLATE FUDGE

3 cups sugar 5 oz. can evaporated milk 1 lb. semi-sweet chocolate chips 7 oz. jar marshmallow cream 1 tsp. vanilla Mix sugar, butter and evaporated milk into heavy saucepan, or double boiler. This is important to keep the mixture from burning.

Bring mixture to rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for 5 minutes.

Stir frequently to avoid burning.

Remove from heat, add chocolate chips, and stir until melted.

Stir in marshmallow cream and vanilla, pour into pan. Cool for 30 minutes.

BRUNCH CASSEROLE

1 pkg. crescent rolls 1 pkg. sausage 8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated 4 eggs ¾ cup milk ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Butter 13 x 9 casserole dish. Roll out crescent rolls in pan and pinch edges together. Sauté sausage until partially done and drain well. Spread sausage over rolls then cheese. Mix mild, eggs, salt and pepper and pour over cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

MOTHER’S COUNTRY FRIED STEAK

MAMA HOCUTT’S WHITE CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING.

2 ½ cups sifted cake flour 2 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt Sift above ingredients together.

2/3 cup shortening 1¼ cup sugar 1 cup milk 1 ½ tsp. vanilla 5 egg whites ½ cup sugar Cream 2/3 cups shortening with 1 ¼ cups sugar.

Add dry ingredients alternately with 1 cup milk and 1½ tsp. vanilla to creamed sugar and shortening. Fold in 5 egg whites beaten to meringue with ½ cups sugar.

Bake in 2 layers 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Caramel Icing: 3 cups sugar, divided 1 cup milk ½ stick oleo Measure 2½ cups sugar and 1 cup milk in saucepan and bring to boil. Remaining ½ cup sugar caramelize.

(To caramelize, put in iron skillet and slowly cook. As it gets hot it will turn brown.

Keep it hot until ready to pour into other mixture.) When first mixture comes to a rolling boil, have caramelized sugar hot, pour into syrup at one time.

Frost cake.

DAVID’S MEATLOAF

1½ lbs. lean ground beef 1-2 beaten eggs 1 white chopped onion ½ cup chopped bell pepper 1 cup soft breadcrumbs 1 cup milk ½ Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp. black pepper ½ tsp. salt 1 clove minced garlic 2 Tbsp. brown sugar ½ cup ketchup 1 tsp. mustard 3-4 slices uncooked bacon Combine ground beef, eggs, onion, bell

MOTHER’S APRICOT BRANDY POUND CAKE

3 cups sugar ½ lb. (1 cup) margarine , room temperature 6 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup soda ½ tsp. salt 1 cup sour cream ½ tsp. rum flavoring 1 tsp. orange flavoring ½ tsp. almond flavoring ½ tsp. lemon 1 tsp. vanilla ½ cup apricot brandy Cream margarine and sugar, add eggs one at a time. Add soda and salt to flour and mixed alternately with sour cream. Add flavorings and brandy. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees in greased tube pan.

MYRTLE POE’S CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE AND ICING

½ lb. butter (1 cup), room temperature ½ cup shortening 3 cups sugar 5 eggs 3 cups plain flour ½ tsp. salt ½ Tbsp. cocoa 1 cup sweet milk 1 Tbsp. vanilla Cream butter and shortening, add sugar and eggs. Sift dry ingredients together and add vanilla. Add alternately with cream mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 80 minutes.

Icing: 2 cups sugar ½ cup coca 1 stick oleo ½ cup sweet milk Mix and boil approximately 1½ minutes.

Pour over cooled cake while hot.

EGG BITES

1 dozen eggs Salt and pepper to taste 1 Tbsp. garlic powder

Paprika (a few

have been here, people have come to welcome them and brought food.

I am so thankful David and I decided to live here and raise our kids, and they are thankful to have grown up in Opelika with the support of church, school and others.

“I think being in a community that embrace people is so important and so obvious in Opelika,” Lyn said.

“The other day I took Jones to ride the train at the park, and Christmas in a Railroad Town for families is coming up. All the things for families make it a wonderful place to be.”

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

pinches)

Diced onion Diced peppers Ground sausage (optional) Optional: Just a little bit of milk to make them fluffy.

Tools: 12 cup muffin pan, mixing bowl Preheat oven to 350.

Cook sausage over the stove on medium heat until fully cooked.

Drain grease and let cool during next steps.

Mix eggs, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a mixing bowl.

Pour egg mixture into muffin tin only filling the cups about 80%.

Tip: Use silicone muffin cups for easy removal. Do not use paper muffin cups.

Next add ground sausage to the muffin cups, along with your diced peppers and onion.

Sprinkle just a little paprika on top.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Because oven temperatures vary, it might take a little more or little less time. Start out with 10 minutes then see how they look. They should be fluffy with no liquid remaining.

Try not to let them brown.

Serve hot and enjoy.

Refrigerate leftovers.

They will keep for about a week. This is a great way to meal prep breakfast for the week.

GLADYS STOKLEY’S BROWN RICE

1 stick butter 1 cup long grain white rice 1 can beef consommé soup 1 can French onion soup Melt butter in pan, then pour in white long grain rice. Stir until hot.

Pour both cans of soups into serving dish; add hot rice and stir until well blended. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

EASY CHICKEN POT PIE

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 ¼ cup chicken broth 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken 1 bag frozen peas 1 bag frozen carrots ½ tsp. salt

See CIPPERLY RECIPES, page A11

A11 Oct. 28, 2021

Walmart Distribution Center Provides 20 Million Pounds of Food Last week the Food Bank of East Alabama held a joint celebration with the Opelika Walmart Distribution Center, which announced it has donated over 20 million pounds of food.

The Opelika Walmart Distribution Center began offering donations on June 9, 2000, and now, 20 years later, has donated 20 million pounds of food.

“We could not have envisioned in our wildest imaginations how far that support from Walmart was going to go,” said Martha Henk, executive director of the Food Bank of East Alabama.

The mayors of both Auburn and Opelika, Ron Anders and Gary Fuller, attended the celebration to read a proclamation created in the center’s honor.

“Whereas when the first donation from the Walmart Distribution Center was received, we had no way of knowing just what an important role Walmart would play in the Food Bank’s outreach efforts,” Anders said. “We couldn’t have envisioned what Walmart’s support would grow to provide, 15.4 million meals for

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

food-insecure families locally.”

Fuller said that in Alabama, one in five citizens is food insecure.

“It’s hard to fully express just how big an impact the Walmart Distribution has on feeding the food insecure people in our community,” Henk said. “We are just more grateful than we can say.”

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, was proclaimed as Walmart Appreciation Day in both

Auburn and Opelika.

Additionally, a video was played with messages from Gov. Kay Ivey, Auburn Chamber President Anna Hovey, Auburn Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl, Reverend Clifford Jones, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones and more.

“On behalf of the [Food Bank of East Alabama] I want to reach out to all you folks at the Walmart Distribution Center,” Pearl said. “Do you have any idea the impact that

mixture into pie dish lined with pie crust.

Top with pie crust and cut slits to allow steam to escape.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

for 15 minutes or until bubbly.

you guys have made?

You guys are amazing, we’re blessed to have you in our community.

War Eagle.”

The Food Bank of East Alabama has numerous programs from food pantries, to backpack programs, to senior food programs to a community market.

“On behalf of the Food Bank Board of Directors and staff, Feeding American and most importantly, the 225 agencies that receive their food from us, thank you,”

said Anne Whittlesey with the Food Bank of East Alabama. “Thank you for your amazing generosity that you have helped feed the food insecure in the East Alabama area.

Today is a celebration and it’s all about y’all.

It is all about you and all the team members at the Walmart DC. You are the reason that 20 million-plus pounds of food over the last 20 years have gone to help feed hungry and the food insecure.”

According to the

bank’s website, the Food Bank of East Alabama provided over 4.5 million meals last year.

“These donations have greatly benefitted the Alabamians in seven counties served by the Food Bank of East Alabama and beyond, including here in Montgomery,” Ivey said. “So, thank you to every one of you at the Walmart Distribution Center for working to make Alabama stronger … may God continue to bless each of you in the great state of Alabama.”

THIS CHRISTMAS, INVITE THE

Party Party Guest

¼ tsp. poultry seasoning ¼ tsp. pepper 1 onion Garlic to taste Pillsbury pie crust Sauté finely chopped onion, garlic, peas and carrots.

Melt butter in a heavy Dutch oven; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add broth and milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Pour chicken

HOT CHICKEN SALAD

2 cups cooked shredded chicken ½ chopped onion 1/3 cup celery 1 can water chestnuts diced 2/3 cup cooked rice 1 can cream of chicken soup ½ cup mayonnaise Miz all ingredients and place in baking dish. Spread crushed crackers on top.

Bake at 400 degrees

WHIPPING CREAM POUND CAKE

3 cups sugar 2 sticks butter, room temperature 6 eggs ½ pint whipping cream 1 tsp. vanilla 3 cups cake flour, plus 3 tsp.

Cream sugar and butter.

Add eggs one at a time.

Add flour and whipping cream alternately. Add vanilla. Pour into wellgreased tube pan or two loaf pans. Put into cold oven and bake at 300 for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting toothpick near center.

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A12 Oct. 28, 2021

Fall Boogie Delights Waverly Community PHOTOS BY JOHN HILLSMAN / FOR THE OBSERVER

The Standard Deluxe in Waverly held its annual Fall Boogie earlier this month which featured musical performances, food and vendors.

DOWNTOWN EVENTS • Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. — Trivia with Caroline in The Jailhouse, Horror Movies at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. — Rocky Horror Picture Show movie in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Oct. 29 — Live Music by Kasey Kaschak at Resting Pulse Brewing Company • Oct. 30 — Live music by Cameron Dubois at Resting Pulse Brewing Company • Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. — Jailhouse Haunted House at Rock 'N Roll Pinball

A13 Oct. 28, 2021

Surprised By God mother-in-law (Naomi) to Israel.

Still, this doesn’t do justice to the enormity of Ruth’s decision for Naomi strongly discouraged her from going with her (1:11-14), and successfully dissuaded her other BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th daughter-in-law who had the same intention (v. 14).

Street Church of Christ But it didn’t work with in Opelika Ruth.

She was not just committed to going with Naomi, he story of Ruth she had thought through the must have knocked consequences of her decithe socks (or at least sion. Naomi’s people would the sandals) off its Jewish be her people. Naomi’s God audience. It’s the account would be her God. Where of a young Moabite woman Naomi was buried, Ruth who, rather than remain in a would be buried. This last pagan land with her people statement is perhaps the most upon the death of her Jewish incredible because all things husband, makes the radical being equal, Naomi would decision to accompany her probably die a couple of

T

decades before Ruth. Ruth was promising to remain in a foreign land long after Naomi’s death out of her desire to honor her. And, she invoked Yahweh’s wrath upon her if she failed to follow through on all she had spoken (v. 17).

If you were a Jewish person hearing this story, your mind would undoubtedly be spinning. A Moabite woman was saying these things?

Their nation came into existence due to an incestuous act between Lot and his oldest daughter (Genesis 19)! And didn’t Balak, the king of Moab, try to employ Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:11)? Didn’t the Moabite women eventually seduce Israel into immoral pagan rituals (Numbers

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN

25)? The most jaundiced Israelite would wonder what Ruth’s “true agenda” was in returning with Naomi. The less cynical would simply wonder.

And what brought about Naomi’s desire to return?

She heard “the Lord had visited His people and given them food” (1:6). And where did she hear this good news?

In Moab of all places! The ESV says it was in the “fields of Moab” (v. 6). In the fields of Moab, they were talking about Israel’s God! Who would have thought it? My guess is that there’s a lot of talk about God that goes on “in the fields of Moab” that would surprise most of us. We don’t give God, or people outside His covenant, enough credit. I’m

afraid we tend to see it as a cut and dried situation — either they’re following Him, or they’re not interested. The result is that we end up being surprised by God. That’s when the real challenge comes. We can delight in God’s surprises and grow with them, recognizing that our old wineskins need to be discarded. Or we can put our heads back inside them where we will be surrounded by what is familiar, comfortable — and stifling.

Mark it down: if you serve the Almighty, He will surprise you. Delight in it and the newness and challenges it brings.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com

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 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

— EPHESIANS 5:15-16

CHURCH NEWS

DIRECTORY APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc. 28 Sanford Ave., Opelika 334-745-0210 God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117 Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487 Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika 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!

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

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

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

A14 Oct. 28, 2021

Do It Anyway

I

WALTER ALBRITTON

n my twenties, when I was struggling to learn to write, a friend said to me, “Walter, you quote too many people; why don’t you tell us what you think.” Well, 60 years later I am still trying to learn to write but my friend was right. Early on, I tried to

substantiate every observation with a quote from some famous person.

I still love memorable quotes, especially those I may use to spin an important truth. An example is one attributed to Mark Twain: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” So much truth packaged in 14 words! Like Twain, Churchill left us some splendid quotes like this one: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. If you are going through hell, keep going.” Words that inspire perseverance!

The trouble with quoting people is that there is always someone who will rain on your parade by informing you the words were not original with the person you cited.

One reader apprised me that Twain’s “kindness” quotation originated with Christian Bovee. I checked it; he was correct. Bovee and Twain were contemporaries, both authors.

However, Twain did edit and improve Bovee’s statement.

I had my Twain “error” in mind when I decided to share an awe-inspiring quotation by Mother Teresa titled “Do It Any-

way.” So I checked. Sure enough, the author of this stirring poem was Kent Keith, not Saint Teresa.

Keith, like Bovee with Twain, was a contemporary of Mother Teresa.

Unfortunately for Kent, his poem is usually attributed to Teresa. No matter who wrote it, this qAuote offers advice we all need to heed, and it sounds like something Mother Teresa may have said: People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.

Build anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

While I am quoting famous people, I shall close with words attributed to Mother Teresa’s best friend whose name you will no doubt easily recall: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” And that, my friends, is a quote more to obey than to admire! If we are wise, those words will affect our daily behavior in a world that pays more attention to famous people than to the God who created us to love one another.

Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Mary Claire and C.L. "Shot" Senn, Sr. on Aug. 29, 1939 and passed away on Oct. 23, 2021. He was 82 years old.

Cary graduated from Auburn High Class of 1957. He furthered his education at Baylor Prep School in Tennessee where he played football and soccer. Cary had a football scholarship to Auburn University four years and graduated Class of 1962. He taught school and coached football and basketball in Pensacola, Florida. for five years. The team he coached there won the state championship.

After moving back to Opelika he worked for Uniroyal Goodrich until retiring in 2002.

While working at Uniroyal he spent his afternoons and evenings coaching football for Scott Preparatory. He was one of the coaches when Scott Prep won the state championship in 1977. He also helped coach football at Lee Academy and Beauregard High School.

Cary initiated and organized the Providence Baptist Church softball team where he enjoyed playing weekly games with all three of his

sons. In 1988, the softball team won the state championship.

Cary was on the Lee County School Board of Education for 20 years.

Cary is survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn Johnson Senn of Opelika, children, Kenneth (Melanie) Senn, Tim (Tammy) Senn, and Jeff (Rachel) Senn; grandchildren, Maggie (Thomas) Ingram, Kenslei (Drake) Sasser, Abbey (Will) Abner, Casey, Heath (Taylor Statum- fiance), Cullen, Jeffrey, Kate, Aliyah Broach, and Alexa Broach; great grandchildren, Claire and Cade Ingram, Gentry Senn, and Deuce Sasser; siblings, Jane Senn Elliott (Ewell Hank); niece: Laura Lee (Zack) Bumpus; nephew, Scott (Donna) Elliott; great-niece, and greatnephew: John and Christina Bumpus.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 28, in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home from 12:30 until 2 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at FrederickDean Funeral Home Thursday, Oct. 28 with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Interment will follow at Garden Hills Cemetery.

OBITUARIES GREG BRADSHAW Greg Bradshaw, Age 56, died unexpectedly Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at his home in Auburn. He was born Sept. 14, 1965, in Decatur, Georgia, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bradshaw, Jr. and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Forth and Mr. and Mrs. Fonso Bradshaw, all of Dublin, Georgia.

Following graduation from Marist School in 1984 he attended Presbyterian College on a football scholarship before graduating from St. Johns College. At Marist, he started lifelong friendships and enjoyed a state championship in wrestling along with being a fullback on a team that played for the state championship in 1983.

Teaching and coaching at Woodward Academy and Brentwood School stimulated his interest in literature and his personal library contains over 500 volumes. There were some high school literary awards that he treasured.

The love for teaching and coaching was overcome by the need for income and this led to entering the restaurant business

in 1996. Two very successful restaurants are busy in downtown Auburn. Some core employees were with him for the entire duration. Greg was active as chairman and CEO. He was active with hobbies including wing hunting in South America, Louisiana, and the family farm in Dublin, Georgia. Many sports interests were enjoyed as he played Rugby worldwide.

He followed the Braves, War Eagles and Georgia Bulldogs along with a dozen high school teams.

There was still time left for literature.

Greg is survived by his parents Bobby and Betty Jean Bradshaw and brother Robby Bradshaw along with a large group of aunts and uncles as well as many cousins.

There was a funeral service at Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church conducted by his minister, Reverend Thomas Joyner at 1 p.m. on Oct. 21 followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Oct. 22 at Dublin Memorial Garden conducted

by Reverend Kevin Tanner.

Funeral Services were provided by Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory in Opelika, Alabama

and Stanley Funeral Home in Dublin, Georgia.

––––––– SCOTT CAMERON SPROUSE Scott Cameron Sprouse, beloved husband, father, teacher and coach, passed away Oct. 18, 2021 following an extended illness. He is survived by his wife, Erika; son, Justin and mother, Ginger. He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Sprouse and sister, Sherrill Sprouse Lewis.

Scott was a selfless, gracious and kind soul who touched many young lives during his 31 years at LeeScott Academy as an English teacher and coach. His legacy will live on through the many lessons taught to all his students and players, as well as the memories made.

We are so grateful to have had Scott in our lives. Thank you to all who knew and loved him.

A private service will be held at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Food Bank of East Alabama or Lee County Humane Society.

––––––– MARIAN LEDBETTER COGGINS Marian Ledbetter Coggins, born Jan. 3, 1931, passed away Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

Marian was preceded in death by one of her great-grandchildren, Vivian Leigh Matchen, both of her parents, and all of her siblings.

Marian is survived by her daughter, Teresa C. Gorham and her husband, Phil Gorham; As well as her granddaughter, Amanda Gorham Matchen (Ray Matchen); grandson, Phillip Gorham (Scarlett Gorham); and great-grandchildren, Olivia and Parker Matchen, Jackson Gorham, and Mason Warlick; also, Marian’s husband, Lyn Coggins.

Graveside service was held at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Garden Hills Cemetery with Pastor Josh Agerton officiating.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lisa Chance for her help in the last few weeks of Marian’s life.

––––––– CARY LAMAR SENN, JR. Cary Lamar Senn,

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

A15 Oct. 28, 2021

05 OCT 2021

14 NOV 2021

07

25

DEC 2021

JAN 2022

PiloboluS: The biG five-oh!

The Simon & G a r f u n k e l S T o ry

million Dollar QuarTeT: ChriSTmaS

The kniGhTS wiTh aaron Diehl

Pilobolus at 50 is still wowing audiences with its irresistible mix of wit, sensuality, and stunning physical acumen, bringing its greatest-hits mix of dances, plus the dynamically reimagined and never-beforeseen, using new projection technology and hand-held cameras operated by the dancers themselves.

The timeless music of folk-rock legends, Simon and Garfunkel, comes alive in a staged tribute to the record-breaking reunion concert in Central Park, September 19, 1981.

Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis are all back in Memphis, reunited in Sam Phillip’s legendary Sun Records studio for a jam session of their favorite Holiday songs.

The Knights, New York City’s eclectic and internationally sought-after orchestral collective, returns to Opelika with an electrifying program including Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” and George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue”, featuring acclaimed jazz pianist, Aaron Diehl.

30

27

Scan each QR code with the camera app on a smart phone or tablet to watch a preview!

07 FEB 2022

28 FEB 2022

MAR 2022

APR 2022

a TribuTe To areTha franklin: The Queen of Soul

S y n C o PaT e D laDieS

mnoZil braSS

an ameriCan i n Pa r i S

Damien Sneed’s new multimedia production celebrates the life and career of the most successful female recording artist in history, featuring fourtime Grammy Award-winning gospel legend, Karen Clark Sheard

Take Chloe Arnold’s cross section of today’s most popular music, mix in the swing of syncopation, the thrill of improvisation, and the energy of tap, and you have a recipe for the empowerment of young women ready to take on the world.

Mnozil Brass, the Austrian band known as the Monty Python of the music world, seamlessly combines slapstick comedy with extraordinary musical ability for an over-the-top fun, virtuosic, and laugh-out-loud experience.

With gravity-defying dance, this four Tony Award-winning Broadway production, based on the Academy Award-winning film, soars with youthful optimism and the power of love. Featuring the songs of musical geniuses George and Ira Gershwin - I Got Rhythm, Liza, ‘S Wonderful, But Not for Me, and Stairway to Paradise - who could ask for anything more!

for TiCkeT informaTion Call 334-749-8105 or viSiT www.eaSTalabamaarTS.orG

A16 Oct. 28, 2021

COMICS

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

S

S

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AUBURN: NOV. 9 AT 6 P.M. INSIDE • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

LEE COUNTY: NOV. 9 AT 6 P.M. OPELIKA: NOV. 30 AT 4:30 P.M.

Area Football Roundup

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS DOMINATES IN LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME

O

Class 6A State playoffs Nov. 5. The Jaguars (63), who finished fourth in Region 4, play rival Tuscaloosa County Friday night.

The state playoffs are governed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association, which means Tickets will be sold online at gofan.co. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., Nov. 5 at Bulldog Stadium.

OHS FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM 8-0 The OHS flag football team defeated three teams by way of shutout last week. The Bulldogs dominated Dothan (190) and Russell County (43-0), and escaped a tough matchup against Smiths Station (14-0).

Head coach Jaclyn Button's team continues to steam roll through the schedule with ease.

Haley Sanders, Ashley Hilyer and KeKe Williams scored TD's for the Lady Bulldogs against Dothan, while the defense held the Tigers scoreless.

Haley Sanders, Fatima Santamaria, Ashanti Thomas, Nya Walton and Kaitlyn See SPORTS, page B3

wins over Smiths and Enterprise. Only Central and Enterprise have scored more points this season in the region, while only Central and Prattville have allowed fewer. As of this week, the Alabama Sports Writers Association ranks Auburn as the No. 9

team in the state and the No. 6 team in Alabama Division 7A. The Tigers have a non-region shapeup game against Florida’s IMG Academy (7-0) this Friday. Although it will not affect postseason standings, the matchup should be another good indicator of where

Etheredge’s team stands going into the playoffs, as IMG has allowed just 53 (7.57 per game) points all season, while scoring 352 (50.3 per game). With their win over the region’s current No. 4 team, Enterprise, See ROUNDUP, page B3

Auburn, Lee County, Opelika Schools Make Masks Optional

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKA OBSERVER.COM Local students in Opelika, Auburn and Lee County will have autonomy over their decision to wear a mask in school as COVID-19 cases throughout the state are decreasing.

At last week’s Lee County School Board meeting, the decision was made for the district to switch to a mask optional policy for its faculty and students as of Oct. 20. The decision comes two months after the board made masking mandatory, following a spike in cases in the first two weeks of the school year.

As of last week, Superintendent Mac McCoy said there were between 25 and 30 positive

COVID cases among students and staffers in the district. With that number reaching above the thousand mark earlier in the school year, the board said the decision was ultimately based on the drop in cases.

Following in the footsteps of the Lee County School Board’s decision, the Auburn and Opelika School Districts (who have mandated masks since the onset of the school year) also announced a switch to mask optional policies, taking effect on Nov. 1.

“The number of positive COVID cases in the Opelika Schools has been consistently low over the past few weeks,” read a press release from Opelika City Schools. “After consulting with members of the local medical

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

pelika's football team (7-3 / 5-3) finished the regular season Thursday, beating Park Crossing 37-0 at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.

The Dogs scored 37 first half points while shutting out the outmanned Thunderbirds.

Both coaches agreed to play two six-minute quarters in the second half in an effort to hold down the score.

Offensively, quarterback Roman Gagliano was 6-for-6 with 105 yards; Shawn Jones caught three passes for 56 yards and Kaden Cooper caught two for 46 yards. OHS scored on its first three offensive possessions of the game, added a special team TD, Bryce Speakman scooped up a fumble and returned it for a TD and the defense recorded a safety.

Charles Gagliano made all five PAT.’s The defense allowed less than 100 yards of offense and held PCHS scoreless.

Opelika, open this week, will host Northridge in the first round of the AHSAA

High school football playoffs in Alabama are around the corner and local teams are wrapping up their regular seasons. Here’s a look where some of the most notable area teams stand going into the last weekend of October.

AUBURN (7A) In head coach Keith Etheredge’s first year at the helm, the Tigers of Auburn High currently sit at 8-1 (5-1 in region), good enough for second place in the Class 7A Region 2 rankings.

The only team to beat the Tigers this year was Central Phenix City (90), with a 21-7 victory at Auburn on Oct. 1. Since then, the Tigers have ripped off two regional

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

community, OCS has decided to make mask optional for students, staff and visitors beginning Nov. 1.”

The release went on to say that if the positivity rate in Opelika schools and the community increases “significantly”, the mask requirement will be reinstated.

For Auburn City Schools, masks will remain

optional as long as the number of positive cases is 52 or less every two weeks and the total positivity rate for the student and staff populations remains under half a percentage point, according to its press release.

Lee County, Auburn and Opelika City School’s official statements went on to add that masks are still required on buses.

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B2 Oct.28, 2021

Glenwood School

PLAYERS OF Shorthanded Patriots Fall to Ezekiel

SOPHOMORE QB DALLAS CROW 18-29, 173 yards and 1 TD

of the

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 BRYCE SPEAKMAN had a scoop-and-score TD

Junior Varsity Lose in Final Seconds

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Both the varsity and junior varsity Southern Christian Patriot football teams were on the losing end of a conference battle against Ezekiel Academy on Friday.

The varsity, limited to just 13 players at kickoff, fought valiantly, but could not hold off last year’s state runner-ups, losing 40-6.

The Patriots were paced offensively by junior Levi Marchio, who rushed for 85 yards, passed for 13 yards, returned two kickoffs for 84 yards and caught a pass for 19 yards. Marchio was responsible for the only Patriot touchdown of the game — a 53-yard scamper around the left end in the second quarter.

Besides the lone Marchio score, offense was a struggle for Southern Christian.

Senior quarterback Daniel Adams was held to just 31 yards passing, however, he was a factor in the run game, registering 55 yards on the ground.

Other offensive contributors include: sophomore Josiah Frick, who had two carries and two receptions for 12 yards; freshman Noah Freeman, who caught one ball for 7 yards.

Defensively, Marchio also led the way with seven tackles. Sophomore Joshua Adams followed him with five and Frick finished behind him with four. Senior Daniel

Freeman had two tackles (one for loss) and a QB hurry. In a silver lining of sorts, Adams had an effective day punting, flipping the field multiple times with an average kick distance of 41.5 yards.

Things looked to be going better for much of the game in the matchup for the junior varsity Patriots.

A defensive battle, the teams remained deadlocked at zero after three quarters.

The Patriot’s had kept Ezekiel at bay for most of the game with consistent commitment to their own run game and a disruptive defensive line.

Defensively, Elijah Bailey had a teamhigh five tackles; Tripp Vaughn and Lawton Curran had four; River Nelson had an interception; Brandon Williams, Levi Banks and Eliot French had two apiece; and Vaughn and Jedd Scott both registered a pass deflection.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Jagger Scott found the end zone for the only Patriot touchdown of the game. He led the way for his team with 97 rushing yards; Curran had 58 to back him up.

After a missed extra point, leading the game 6-0 late in

the fourth quarter, Southern Christian needed one more stop.

Ezekiel moved the ball down the field swiftly and finally found its breakthrough, scoring — and adding the extra point — to go up 7-6 with just 30 seconds remaining in the game.

The Patriot’s lastditched attempt to get the ball into field goal range ended on the 31-yard line as time expired on the drive.

“We have been in every ball game we have played this year,” said coach Billie Watts. “No one has just lined up and drove the ball down the field on us. Not including our seventh and eighth grade game against Evangel, we scored 112 points to our opponents 80 and had more total yards on offense in every game.

This team will be a great team one day when they learn how to play a complete game. When they figure this out, they will be unstoppable.”

The loss for the junior varsity Patriots concludes their season with a 2-5 record, according to MaxPreps. The varsity squad will close out its season this Friday at Lafayette Christian in LaGrange, Georgia.

IT’S THE OPELIKA WAY.

GO DAWGS!

JUNIOR QB/P NOAH HIGDON 6 punts for 169 yards

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

B3 Oct. 28, 2021

THE WEEK ROUNDUP>> FROM B1 last weekend, the Tigers have clinched a home playoff game against the Class 7A Region 1 Baker Hornets (6-3 / 5-2) on Nov 5. On paper, Auburn looks to be the favorite, scoring 210 points (34.8 per game) and allowing 104 (15.4 per game), both metrics ranking No. 3 in the region. Baker’s offense is just as deadly on paper, scoring 32.3 points per game; however, the Hornet’s defense may be susceptible as they are allowing 19.4 points per contest.

SMITHS STATION (7A) Mike Glisson’s fourth year leading the Smiths Station Panthers has resulted in a 2-7 (1-5 in region) record. The problems in a down year for Smiths began in week one with a 29-22 loss to rival Russel County (a team that the Panthers had a 89% historical win rate against before this season). The Panthers bounced back in a big way with a 50-0 win the next week but momentum plummeted with six straight loses ensuing from there. The biggest downfall of the Panthers this season has been the defense, as Smiths is surrendering 32.7 points per game to its opponents to date. Smiths Station defeated Dothan High, 43-17, last week to get its second win of the season. Smiths Station’s playoff drought is now up to eight seasons. The Panthers will look for one more win to close out the season this Friday against Stanhope Elmore (4-5).

Smiths has an 8-3 alltime record against the Mustangs.

OPELIKA (6A) In his fourth season as head coach of the Bulldogs, Erik Speakman’s team has finished its regular season with a 7-3 (7-0 in region) and sit atop the Class 6A Region 2 standings.

Opelika lost its first two regular season non-region

matchups to Callaway and Auburn. The only other loss was also non-region, to 7A powerhouse Central on Sept.

24. Since then, Opelika has ripped off four straight wins by a margin of 90 points. Opelika has scored the most points in the region (218) and allowed the fewest (63) this season. The Bulldog’s plaudits on the field have earned them a first round home playoff matchup against Class 6A Region 4 Northridge (6-3, 3-3 in the region) on Nov. 5.

On paper, Opelika is the clear favorite, averaging 26 points per game and allowing 15.2 compared to 30 points per game scored and 26.5 points per game allowed for the Jaguars.

BEAUREGARD (5A) In head coach Justin Jones’ first season in charge at Beauregard, the Hornets are 3-6 (2-4 in the region). Eliminated from playoff contention for the third year running, the Hornets looks to cap off their season with a victory against Holt High School (2-7).

Beauregard’s 2021 season began 2-1 as the team showed real promise; however, five straight loses followed and effectively ended any hopes of postseason play. Thus far, the Hornets are averaging 18.8 points scored per game, while allowing 27.7. Beauregard’s biggest issue this season has been inconsistency, as the offense has worked through multiple quarterbacks and the defense has been hit or miss, holding opponents under 22 points five times, but allowing over 34 four times.

BEULAH (3A) Head coach Matthew Johnson has his Beulah Bobcats at 2-7 (2-5 in region) with one remaining game in the 2021 season.

Wins have been hard to come by as the Bobcat’s only two wins were over Pike County, 14-12, on Sept. 3 and Goshen, 42-6, on Oct. 15. In what has been a tough season, the

Bobcats have been shut out three times on their way to averaging just 13.9 points per game.

Defensively, Beulah is giving up 38 per contest.

The Bobcats have been eliminated from postseason play for the third season in a row and have a final game against 2A Lafayette (6-3) — a team they have 40%-win rate against all time — on Thursday, Oct. 28.

LEE-SCOTT (CLASS 3A AISA) After finishing 2-7 in 2020, the Lee-Scott Academy Warriors have improved significantly in year two under head coach Buster Daniel.

The Warriors now sit at 6-2, having beaten rival Glenwood in a mammoth of an upset earlier this year and have clinched a home playoff game against Bessemer (3-5) on Nov. 5. Lee-Scott, making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2016-17, is the clear favorite against the Rebels. Daniel’s team is averaging 24.1 points per game and allowing just 14.6, compared to 19.1 points scored per game and allowing 26.6.

GLENWOOD (CLASS 3A AISA) A down year for the Gators still equates to a playoff berth.

Losing 2020 all-state players BJ Snellgrove, Jackson Griner and Kye Robichaux — and the absence of 5-star defensive back AJ Harris for multiple games this season — have contributed to Glenwood (5-3) dropping games to Escambia (59-47), Lee-Scott (23-22) and Pike Liberal Arts (49-13). The Gators are averaging 33.9 points per game and allowing 19.6 to their opponents in 2021. They will begin their 2021 playoff journey by visiting Morgan Academy (5-4) on Nov. 5.

Despite being the lower seed, Glenwood appear the favorite on paper with the Senators averaging fewer points per game (27.2) and allowing more points per game to their opponents (20.9).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SMITHS STATION PANTHERS

Serving Lee County since 2006

THE ENTIRE OFFENSE WHICH REGISTERED A SEASON HIGH OF 43 POINTS Serving Lee County since 2006

Beauregard High School WAS ON A BYE WEEK

of the

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

SCA JUNIOR LEVI MARCHIO 85 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, 13 passing yards and 1 TD

SPORTS>> FROM B1 Spoon scored touchdowns along with two from KeKe Williams in the game versus Russell County.

Morgan Watts and Thomas were responsible for the two touchdowns against Smiths Station.

The Dawgs are no the

No. 1 ranked team going into the impending qualifying tournament. The Bulldogs played Auburn on Tuesday, but the game was not completed at press time.

CROSS COUNTRY The OHS girls and boys Cross Country Team's will compete in the Sectional 2 Meet, Saturday at Auburn's Kiesel Park. Breckin

Gould is the favorite to win the girls sectional.

Details will be in next week's column.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 9101310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

B4 Oct.28, 2021

Queen Bee: Beauregard Names Miss Homecoming PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Senior Beauregard student Grace Sosebee was named 2021 Homeocming queen at halfitme of the Horent's game versus Elmore County on Oct. 15.

Glenwood Gators Gashed By Pike PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / THE OBSERVER

The Glenwood Gators (5-3) lost, 49 to 13, to the Pike Patriots on Friday night, dropping them to the No. 3 seed in Class 3A AISA.

B5 Oct. 28, 2021

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

Auburn freshman Jabari Smith was named to the 2022 Karl Malone Award Watch List, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor — now in its eighth year — recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. Smith is one of 20 candidates on the watch list, which was determined by a national committee of top college basketball personnel.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to annually recognize the

best student-athletes in the collegiate game with positional awards bearing the names of some of the greatest players of all time,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “To be named to the watchlist of the Naismith Starting Five is a great honor and I know our Hall of Famers sincerely enjoy the opportunity to watch these players compete.

“We thank Mr. Malone for his unwavering support over the years and the unique perspective he brings to ultimately selecting a winner.”

Smith is one of two freshmen on this year’s watch list, along with Duke’s Paolo Banchero.

As a senior at Sandy Creek High School last

season, the 6-foot-10inch Smith averaged 23.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He was a Naismith First Team All-American and became the fourth player in program history to be named a McDonald’s All-American.

In the class of 2021, Smith was ranked No. 4 nationally by Rivals and No. 5 by 247 Sports and ESPN, making him the high-rated signee in the history of Auburn basketball. Earlier in the week, he earned Preseason Second Team All-SEC honors.

In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2022 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Mr.

Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee where a winner will be selected. College basketball fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting presented

by Dell Technologies in each of the three rounds.

Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include Drew Timme, Gonzaga (2021); Obi Toppin, Dayton (2020); Zion Williamson, Duke (2019); Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018); Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017); Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016); and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).

Smith will make his Auburn debut on Nov. 5 when the Tigers host

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SHANNA LOCKWOOD / AU ATHLETICS

Auburn’s Jabari Smith Makes Watch List for Karl Malone Award

Southern Indiana for an exhibition game beginning at 7 p.m. CST. 2022 Karl Malone Award Watch List: Azoulas Tubelis, Arizona Jabari Smith, Auburn David Roddy, Colorado St. Paolo Banchero, Duke Drew Timme, Gonzaga Trayce JacksonDavis, Indiana Kenneth Lofton Jr., Louisiana Tech Eli Scott, Loyola Marymount

Darius Days, LSU Donta Scott, Maryland DeAndre Williams, Memphis Dawson Garcia, North Carolina EJ Lidell, Ohio State Quincy Guerrier, Oregon Trevion Williams, Purdue John Fulkerson, Tennessee Tre Mitchell, Texas Isaiah Mobley, USC Jayden Gardner, Virginia Keve Aluma, Virginia Tech

Kessler Named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List Auburn newcomer Walker Kessler was one of 20 players selected to be part of the 2022 Kareem AbdulJabbar Center of the Year Watch List, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Friday.

Named after Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the annual honor recognizes the top centers in men’s college basketball as determined by a national committee of top college basketball personnel.

“Rounding out the Men’s Starting Five watch list is the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Mr. Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most accomplished and decorated athletes of all time, so it is truly

fitting to have his name associated with such a prestigious award. As a strong advocate for education and character, he brings a significant and meaningful perspective when evaluating talent and we truly cherish his involvement.”

Kessler, one of four SEC centers to make the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List, transferred to Auburn from North Carolina where he averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 block last year as a freshman.

He scored in double figures five times with a season-high 20 points at home against Florida State. He shot 57.8% from the floor.

Coming out of high school, Kessler was the 2020 Gatorade High School Player of the Year and was also named Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia.

He averaged 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SHANNA LOCKWOOD / AU ATHLETICS

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

game as a senior and led Woodward Academy to the first boys’ basketball state title in the school’s 120-year history.

Kessler is the second Auburn player to be selected to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Watch List, now in its eighth year. Former Tiger Austin Wiley made the list in 2017 and 2018.

The watch list of 20 players for the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Award will be narrowed to 10 in late January and then to just five in late February. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee where a winner will be selected.

College basketball fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies in each of the three rounds.

Previous winners

of the Kareem AbdulJabbar Center of the Year Award include two-time winner Luka Garza, Iowa (2021, 2020); Ethan Happ, Wisconsin (2019); Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (2018); Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga (2017); Jakob Poeltl, Utah (2016); and Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin (2015).

2022 Kareem AbdulJabbar Award Watch List: Walker Kessler,

Auburn Nick Muszyinski, Belmont Mark Williams, Duke Colin Castleton, Florida Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga Kofi Cockburn, Illinois David McCormack, Kansas Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky Ahsan Asadullah, Lipscomb Qudus Wahab, Maryland Jalen Duren, Memphis Hunter Dickinson, Michigan Armando Bacot, North Carolina Moussa Cisse, Oklahoma State Nate Watson, Providence Zach Edey, Purdue Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure Myles Johnson, UCLA Fardaws Aimaq, Utah Valley Liam Robbins, Vanderbilt

Auburn’s Zakoby McClain Lott Impact Trophy Quarterfinalist PHOTO BY TODD VAN EMST / AU ATHLETICS

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER The Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation has named 20 QuarterFinalists for the 2021 Lott IMPACT® Trophy presented by Andersen / Mark & Liz Vorsatz.

The Lott IMPACT® Trophy, now in its 18th year, goes to the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT® on and off the field.

IMPACT® is an

acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Semi-Finalists will be chosen in late November and four finalists in December.

The four finalists will be invited to attend the annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy award show, Dec. 12, 2021, in Newport Beach, California. The emcee will be Joel Klatt of FOX Sports and the guest speaker will be

Hall of Famer, Charles Woodson.

There are eight linebackers, six defensive backs and six defensive linemen on the list.

The 2021 Lott IMPACT® Trophy Quarter-Finalists: Alonzo Addae, CB, West Virginia Thomas Booker, DE, Stanford Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati Damone Clark, LB, LSU See ZAKOBY, page B6

B6 Oct.28, 2021

Auburn High School Teacher Wins $50,000 for Building Science

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

same time facing a major shortage of skills-trade workers, it is clear that high school skills-trade teachers will be front and center in this unique opportunity to train the next generation of skillstrade professionals,” Kang said.

Bowlin has been at Auburn High School for five years and was a part of the effort to establish the Building Science program in the first place.

“Thank you for what you’re doing for students, I thank you for what you’re doing for Auburn High School and the Auburn community,” said State Superintendent Eric Mackey. “… We

Partying Like its 1999 Braves Earn Trip to World Series HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

On April 1, 2021, the Atlanta Braves took the field to begin a season which was full of high expectations.

After a disappointing loss to the Dodgers in the 2020 NLCS — which involved the collapse of a 3-1 series lead — the squad sought to redeem itself and earn a trip to the World Series.

Six months later, manager Brian Snitker’s team finds itself exactly where it hoped to be: winners of the Eastern division for the fourth consecutive year, owners of the National League pennant and — for the first time in 22 years — ready to compete in the annual fall classic.

To casual fans of baseball, the results manufactured by the Braves in 2021 were unsurprising. For the people of Atlanta, this season was an emotional roller coaster where — at one point in time — all hope was seemingly lost.

Atlanta began its season playing average baseball. Reigning MVP Freddie Freeman could not find a way to return to the 2020 form of himself, the Braves offense struggled to develop consistency in late-game

ZAKOBY >> FROM B5 Yusuf Corker, S, Kentucky Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia JoJo Domann, LB, Nebraska Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame Tre’vius HodgesTomlinson, CB, TCU Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan Drake Jackson, LB, USC Josh Jobe, DB, Alabama George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue Devin Lloyd,

situations and the bullpen found new ways to blow leads on a nightly basis.

On May 17, starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa punched the dugout bench, fracturing his right hand. On June 26, Mike Soroka suffered a recurring injury in his right Achilles tendon. A capable starting rotation was in shambles and morale around the clubhouse was low.

At the mid-season All-Star break, the Braves were 44-45 and sitting at third place in the NL East.

On July 10, disaster struck Atlanta when all-star power hitting and gold glove outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a torn ACL, effectively ending the young star’s MVP-caliber season.

It was at this point that general manager Alex Anthopoulus knew he had a decision to make: make moves at the trade deadline or chalk the season and begin building for a serious run in 2022.

Anthopoulus chose the aggressive route and went to work reconstructing a team who had already been counted out of postseason contention.

Before the July 31 deadline, the Braves acquired the likes of

Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall and Alex Jackson.

The new-look Braves went on a run which will be remembered

by Atlanta natives for generations to come, posting a 44-28 record in the latter portion of the season, surging to first place in the east and clinching a berth in the 2021 postseason.

The celebrations were far from over.

Despite entering the National League Divisional series as heavy underdogs against the NL Central-champion Milwaukee Brewers, Snitker’s team continued to build upon its “why not us” mentality, defeating the Brew Crew in just four games.

It was at this point that the revamped Braves had earned the opportunity to redeem themselves in the NLCS against a familiar foe: the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For the second time in the 2021 postseason, Atlanta emerged from a series after entering as extreme underdogs. Behind the red-hot bat of recently acquired Rosario, the Braves defeated the Dodgers 4-2, earning

LB, Utah Zakoby McClain, LB, Auburn PJ Mustipher, DT, Penn State Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas Mike Rose, LB, Iowa State Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon Zach VanValkenburg, DE, Iowa Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT® Trophy: 2004 – David Pollack, Georgia 2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama 2006 – Dante

Hughes, Cal 2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU 2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State 2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU 2010 – J.J. Watt, Wisconsin 2011 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College 2012 – Manti Te’o, Notre Dame 2013 – Anthony Barr, UCLA 2014 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA 2015 – Carl Nassib, Penn State 2016 – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

See BRAVES, page B6

appreciate you very much for building not just buildings, which are important, but building students.”

Bowlin, who did not know she had won the award until it was announced on stage, said the experience was surreal.

“I’m just super grateful and thankful that I teach here at Auburn High School. I feel like I’ve been given the lottery of a job, just to be surrounded by the people I love and the people who support the program. Just immensely taken aback by it and just kind of in awe about the whole thing.”

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Teachers hushed the room full of students.

Jessica Bowlin rounded the corner and took a step back, not realizing the packed auditorium of people was there for her.

Tae Kang from Harbor Freight started talking and announced that Bowlin had won the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence!

And then — there was cheering. Teachers sent confetti flying at Bowlin and students were blowing noisemakers.

Kang announced that

Bowlin, Auburn’s building construction teacher, won $50,000 for Auburn High School.

“We can do so much with this $50,000 award,” she said. “I’m just super appreciative of Harbor Freight, and my school, and my faculty and staff that I work with and all the students that I teach.”

The purpose of the award is to honor skillstrade teachers, Kang said. Bowlin was one of 726 to submit an application and only one of 18 to be chosen.

“As our country is looking to make major investments in infrastructure, while at the

Running Away From the Rebs How AU Handles Ole Miss HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

It has been nearly two weeks since fans of the Auburn football program have gotten a taste of gameday. The last time the Tigers took the field was at 11 a.m. CST on Oct. 16 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where head coach Bryan Harsin’s squad defeated the No. 17 Razorbacks in a victory that reignited a flame of hope within the orange and blue faithful.

With the week eight scheduled break from game action, Harsin and company had the opportunity to recover, improve and prepare to take on one of the most potent offenses in college football — the No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels.

Morale on the Plains is as high as it has been all season, so much so that murmurs about the possibility of the Tigers winning out have begun to cycle; the likelihood of such a feat occurring relies more upon Auburn’s ability to emerge victorious over Lane Kiffin’s rebels on Saturday; supporters of Auburn athletics should look to the matchup on Halloween eve with cautious optimism.

Should Harsin’s squad wish to win out, they must be sure to check every box in all three aspects of the

2017 – Josey Jewell, Iowa 2018 – Josh Allen, Kentucky 2019 – Derrick Brown, Auburn 2020 – Paddy Fisher, Northwestern ABOUT THE LOTT IMPACT® TROPHY: Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT® Player of the Year.

Founded in 2004

by The Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation,

game.

Here’s how the Tigers get the job done inside of Jordan-Hare on Saturday evening: 1. GET AFTER MATT CORRAL EARLY. A preseason Heisman candidate, Corral has lived up to every bit of hype he was awarded before even taking the field in 2021. The junior sits at No. 21 in FBS passing leaders with 1,913 yards and 15 touchdowns while giving up just one interception. He’s liable to take over a game at any moment and is not afraid to scramble or keep defenses honest on designed QB runs. Auburn’s ability to force Corral to the ground — or merely limiting his time in the pocket — in the early going will prove an immediate indicator as to how much work the Tiger offense will need to do.

2. ESTABLISH — AND COMMIT TO — THE RUN GAME. The Tiger run game has been — for lack of a better term — lack-luster to this point in the season. Standout tailback Tank Bigsby has yet to look like the unstoppable force he was in 2020, Shaun Shivers’ health has been a drawback and Auburn has seemingly abandoned the ground attack in latter portions

of winnable contests.

The one-two-punch of Bigsby and freshman Jarquez Hunter accounted for just 95 yards on 28 attempts in the victory over Arkansas; that caliber of results will not play well against a shaky Ole Miss defense. The more success the Tigers have on the ground, the more time they spend with possession and without the ball in the hands of Corral.

3. CALL PLAYS TO THE SKILLSET OF THE RECEIVING CORE. For the first time in its 2021 campaign, the Auburn receiving core actually seemed to be on the same page as Bo Nix in the victory over Arkansas. Shedrick Jackson came down with five receptions for 61 yards, Demetris Robertson hauled in a 71-yard touchdown and 10 different Tigers hauled in at least one pass. Narrator: Mike Bobo needs to keep dialing up plays that work in favor of his receivers.

4. EXPOSE THE OLE MISS DEFENSE. There are many ways to describe the Rebels’ defense as of late. For the purposes of this column, I will merely go with the term “bad.”

Ole Miss checks in at No. 100 in the FBS in

The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board

of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation and a distinguished group of former college football head coaches.

To date, the Foundation has donated more than $1.6 million to various charities throughout the country.

The 18th Annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy Award Ceremony will be held Dec. 12, 2021, at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: www.

LottImpactTrophy.org.

See AUBURN, page B6

B7 Oct. 28, 2021

Rodeo Rounds Out Weekend Events PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Lee County citizens witnessed cowboys and cowgirls race, run and ride in traditional rodeo events at the All Pro Rodeo at the Lee County Fair Grounds last weekend.

B8 Oct.28, 2021

October Wraps Up More Trick or Treats

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

I

know families are looking forward to community fall celebration times this coming weekend with Halloween trick or treating, trunk or treat, harvest fellowships and community outreaches. Growing, up in Opelika, I warmly remember how homes kept on their front porch lights, spent time making, baking and creating special treats for the children in the community. It was not a scary event for the children and families in the community, it was a happy, joyful, annual event. I can still remember the carefully

made popcorn balls, homemade chocolate candies and cookies, deliciously dipped caramel apples, pizza slices baked in kitchen ovens and yes, one home gave out sodas every year. Classroom Observer would like to put some more October holidays to celebrate in your Trick or Treat Bags before we call October a wrap.

We all enjoy melting a piece of caramel in our mouths. The history of caramels goes all the way back to ancient Arabs who simply started making caramels by crystalizing sugar

in boiling water in 1,000 AD. Making candies has been an American tradition even in the pioneer days.

Milton Hershey, through the establishment of his famous Lancaster Caramel Company, shipped caramels all over the United States. In 1950, Dan Walker, who worked for Krafts’ foods, was experimenting with excess caramel from Halloween sales. He dipped apples in the excess caramel and voila — candied apples became delicious fall treats.

Continuing on with delicious candies, National Chocolate Day is Oct. 28.

What a wonderful treat that is derived from the cacao seed which is indigenous to Mexico, Central America and Northern South America. From chocolate candies, cookies, cake, ice cream, puddings, this is a flavor truly enjoyed all over the world. Candy Corn Day is celebrated on Oct. 30.

History cites that George Renninger invented candy corn in 1880. Just in time for Halloween and harvest treats. As a teacher, I have used candy corn in math for counting. After doing the counting lesson, young children can pop them in their mouths as rewarding treats.

Too, I carry on candy corn into Thanksgiving units to make colorful turkey

feathers with different colors. We see candy corn on top of cupcakes, cookies or simply enjoyed just by themselves.

October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month.

This is such a delicious snack for the whole family.

With younger children, we do have to be careful that they don’t choke on popcorn kernels.

Popcorn was used in the 16th century by the Aztec Indians for decorating necklaces, headdresses or statues.

Stringing popcorn has been a longstanding tradition to decorate Christmas trees.

What makes popcorn pop?

Popcorn is a type of maize which is made up of three parts: the germ, endosperm and hull. Popcorn is different from other kinds of corn because it has a thicker hull.

This hull allows pressure from the hot water to build up and then it pops open with the light, delicious, gelatinous starch. Young children can closely observe this formation from a piece of popcorn and oh what a tasty snack. Children love to hear and smell the popping sound and out of this world smell.

October celebrates this favorite and loved snack.

October is also National Chili Month. I think we all agree that chili is a wonderful comfort food. Chili is

made with a combination of peppers, beans, tomatoes, spices and meats. It is wonderful for fellowships and cook-offs. Chili is a Nahuatl Aztec word meaning “hot pepper”. It was adopted by the Spanish and passed on through the cooking of Texas and the southwest.

Another delicious food we celebrate in October is Pizza Month. We all enjoy pizza at any time. I know we all can say it is one of America’s favorite foods. The historical beginning of this delicious food is credited to have been created in Naples, Italy.

Lombardi’s of New York City in the United States is credited as being the first pizzeria in 1905. Pizza has come a long way from being round, square, mini, thick, deep dish or stuffed. And we love all the many sauces and toppings. A wonderful family activity for the children and intergenerational fellowships is to have everyone make their own pizzas.

National Pasta Month also falls in October. A wonderful intergenerational activity with seniors and children is to use different shapes of macaroni in art work.

Adding macaroni pasta shapes to young children’s, art as well as gluing shapes to wooden shapes such as picture frames or seasonal wooden ornaments is a

memory maker. And we all love delicious macaroni and cheese in which children can help mom in the kitchen to follow this simple recipe.

Too, we enjoy pasta salads.

Lastly, as my dental team has reminded me, October is National Dental Hygiene Month. After eating all the good foods and sweets honored in this month it is a good healthy idea for us to guide our young children to begin to brush their teeth.

It’s never too early to begin dental and oral care in a young child’s life. Under directions of your dentist and doctor, good oral care begins when a child is an infant in wiping their gums with a soft, clean washcloth or gauze. Too, we early childhood teachers and parents are so excited when a child’s first tooth erupts. Young children need to be shown how to brush their teeth as well as supervised on how to properly brush their teeth.

Too, your child will need regular dental checkups.

As I finish putting ideas into your Trick or Treat bags, from the Classroom Observer’s heart, I pray that all community families have a happy, safe Halloween.

Happy Harvest Celebration Weekend.

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

TROY Creates Pathway to Nursing Acceptance CONTRIBUTED BY TROY UNIVERSITY High school seniors and TROY University freshmen now have a guaranteed pathway to TROY University’s School of Nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Early Acceptance Program guarantees

a student a seat in the nursing program as long as the requirements of the program are maintained.

“It takes the guessing and waiting away,” said Dr. Wade Forehand, director of the School of Nursing. “I think this is a great way to get exceptional students interested in nursing and

reward them for their academic excellence.

The nursing profession has never been in more need than now.”

Applications for early acceptances for high school seniors open on Nov. 1 and close Dec. 15. “Highly qualified” high school students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5

on a 4.0 scale, and ACT score of 25 composite or 1200 on the SAT, and must complete one year of biology, one year of chemistry or physics and must have taken Algebra I, Algebra II and geometry. They must also place in non-remedial math and English composition upon entering

TROY. The application opens for freshmen on May 1 and runs through June 15. To apply, freshmen must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA and a minimum grade of C on all coursework; have completed math course 1112 and chemistry 1142 and its lab; be enrolled a

minimum of 12 credit hours each semester and follow all application requirements for the Troy University Early Acceptance BSN Program.

The Early Acceptance Program applies to the BSN degree program offered at both the Dothan and Troy campuses.

Auburn Speaks – Students Use Their Voice Fall Public Speaking Competition in Honor of Philip Lutzenkirchen CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Students enrolled in public speaking this semester are set to compete in Auburn Speaks, a semi-annual public speaking competition held in the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center (GPAC) next week.

The winner of the competition will receive the Philip Lutzenkirchen Excellence in Public Speaking Award. This award was established in March 2017 as a way to

BRAVES >> FROM B6 their first National League Pennant since 1999.

Rosario, Snitker and the rest of the Braves organization are now presented with an opportunity that most any Atlanta fan might have found absurd should they have been asked in

honor the former Auburn student and football player’s long-lasting impact on the Auburn community. A $4,300 donation is given every semester by the Lutzie 43 foundation in honor of Lutzenkirchen, whose football number was No. 43. The foundation seeks to honor Philip’s legacy through this award by recognizing students who excel at public speaking.

Philip Lutzenkirchen was a bright young man who exuded confidence with every step he took.

He tragically died in a

car accident on June 29, 2014. His legacy is still felt across all parts of Auburn’s campus. This award honors his great character and achievement as a Communication and Journalism student and student-athlete during his time at Auburn.

Roughly four years ago, Jennifer Johnson, senior lecturer and director of public speaking at Auburn University, presented the Lutzenkirchen family with the idea for the award that would symbiotically link Lutzenkirchen’s legacy and ded-

July. The opportunity to defeat the Houston Astros and bring a title home to a city which has been deprived of one since 1995.

On paper, there is no rhyme or reason as to why the Braves have gotten to where they are now. Just as they were in the previous two matchups, the

squad enters the World Series as heavy underdogs. Maybe this is the perfect scenario for Snitker’s squad. Atlanta has nothing to lose and most of the baseball world has already counted them out.

This just might make the Braves the most dangerous team in sports.

ication to his initial craft.

Johnson taught Philip in several classes and knew he was passionate about using his notoriety to give students the opportunity to create a platform.

“He also was chosen

by Coach Chizik and the staff to do a lot of the public speaking on behalf of the team, because I believe they trusted what he would say, what his message was, he would represent himself well and the Auburn family well.

I believe that’s why we have this competition,” said Philip’s father Mike

AUBURN >> FROM B6 total defense, allowing north of 420 yards per game to opponents, 5.54 yards per play and has given up 26 offensive touchdowns through just seven games. Simply put, the Rebs let their opponents move the ball seemingly at will. Should Mike

Lutzenkirchen, who began the Lutzie 43 Foundation as a lasting tribute to his son.

Each semester, public speaking students nominate exceptional classroom peers to perform their self-composed speeches in front of a panel of judges. A total enrollment of 1,800 students is narrowed down to roughly 70 semifinalists who competed in the semi-final round Wednesday at the GPAC. After the semi-final round, the panelists select six finalists to compete for Bobo commit to the run game, there should be ample opportunity to give Bo Nix the green light to air it out and take shots downfield.

5. FORCE LANE KIFFIN TO GET RISKY. As long as the Tigers take care of business on the offensive side of the ball, this key to success should come naturally.

If Auburn wills itself

the Philip Lutzenkirchen Excellence in Public Speaking Award.

The final round of the competition will take place on Nov. 1 at the Gouge.

“These kids are incredible, they’re 18 and 19 years old and their poise and professionalism are remarkable,” Mike said.

“They look and sound professional, the confidence that they have is fantastic. I’m looking forward to seeing the breadth of the topics the participants bring to the table this year.” into a somewhat convincing lead, Kiffin will have to get creative with his play calling.

Despite having Corral’s playmaking abilities at their disposal, the Rebs — like all teams in organized sports — open up a much wider margin of error when they are forced to abandon high-percentage, conservative play calls.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

Oct. 28, 2021

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Inside the Statehouse City Of Opelika to Host Veterans Day Redistricting Session Underway Celebration Nov. 11

E

STEVE FLOWERS

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

The city of Opelika invites the public to join us on Thursday, Nov.11 as we host a Veterans Day Celebration and pause to say thank you to our veterans.

“We are honored to spend the morning with our veterans, first with breakfast and then by celebrating their bravery and sacrifice,” said Mayor Gary Fuller.

The morning begins with a breakfast at 9 a.m. for veterans and their families at Opelika Public Library located at 1100 Glenn St. The breakfast is free for veterans and their families.

At 10 a.m., the Veterans Day Celebration will also take place at Opelika Public Library, with Major General Syl-

CANNON vester Cannon as the guest speaker. The event will also showcase the Opelika High School Choir.

Cannon is the Commanding General of the 167th Theater Sustainment Command headquartered at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

He is a resident of Opelika, Alabama, and grew up in rural Lee County, graduating from Beauregard High School in 1979.

Cannon was commissioned as a military police

officer from the Alabama Military Academy — Officer Candidate School. He has commanded at all levels with multiple combat deployments.

Cannon’s previous assignments include Deputy Adjutant General for the Alabama National Guard; Commanding General of the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command; Deputy Commanding General of the National Guard-Combined Arms Support Command; and Brigade Commander of the 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

Cannon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at The University of Alabama, a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management at Troy State University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Auburn Mayor Presents State of the City, Lamplighter Awards PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

very 10 years the nation has a census count. There is a reason for that dissemination of our population.

The United States and concurrently the Alabama Constitution require a census to determine how many Congressional Seats each state will have. Then you also have to determine how those districts are designed to reflect that each congressional district is properly and equally apportioned.

On the state level the legislative districts have to be dealt with the same way. The state legislature of each state is given the inherent constitutional power to draw the congressional lines as well as their own legislative lines. This is one of the most important and powerful tools granted legislatures throughout the nation.

There is one prevailing immovable constitutional provision that legislatures have to make paramount — every district must be equal in population. The one man, one vote constitutional mandate must be adhered to because after all, that is the reason for the census in the first place. Our legislature is poised to tackle the much-anticipated reapportionment issue in the current special session.

The states are late dealing with redistricting because of an inexplicable delay from the U.S. Census Bureau, probably COVID related. The final numbers were just released about a month ago. They are usually available in January, soon after the census count ends.

The Census Bureau is now a large U.S. governmental department which makes and releases census projections throughout the 10-year span of drawing new districts.

Their projections are fairly accurate.

We in Alabama were very concerned that we would lose a congressional seat from projections beginning five years ago.

The actual figures gave us a reprieve. Alabama learned that our population grew by over five million. Therefore, we will keep our seven seats in Congress. We saved the seat by the skin of our teeth. We were right on the cusp. Many of you will be glad to know that the seat we saved was lost by New York.

This tells me that the Census Bureau figures are unbiased, nor affected by politics.

If they were, they would have showed the count to give the seat to New York.

If given to New York, it would be a blue democratic seat, in Alabama it will be a red republican seat.

However, when it comes to drawing the actual congressional and legislative lines, it is all political and the courts have consistently said it is a political issue. Those that have the pen can draw the lines they want, as long as they are equal in population. For that reason, the Republican Party has placed a priority on controlling the state legislatures around the country.

That is a wise political move given that the legislatures control their own and more importantly the congressional districts in the nation’s capital.

Like most legislation, the real work and decision making is done in committee.

Therefore, the redistricting lines are being designed in a large part by members of the Reapportionment Committee. In fact, the members of this committee have been working on the lines the entire quadrennium. It is a plum and powerful, although tedious assignment. The Chairmen of the committees are Sen. Jim McClendon (RSt. Clair) and Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile). The upcoming session will result in new lines for Alabama’s seven congressional districts, 105 House districts, 35 Senate districts and eight State Board of Education districts.

Since it is a political process, you will see the Alabama Republican super majority House and Senate remain a super twoto-one Republican majority. In fact, it will be difficult to not add more Republican districts because the population growth has been in the Republican enclaves of our fastest growing counties. The growth counties of Baldwin, Madison, Lee, Shelby and Limestone may indeed get new seats in the legislature.

Currently there are 77 Republicans in the House and only 28 Democrats. In the Senate the numbers are even more amazingly favorable to Republicans. There are 27 Republicans and only eight Democrats.

These super majority numbers could be easily drawn to add three more House seats and one more Republican Senate seat. However, they are reluctant to add more Republican seats because the U.S. Justice Department looks leerily at regressing in the number of majority — minority districts.

It will be an interesting political process.

It only happens every 10 years.

We will keep you posted.

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

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

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Auburn Mayor Ron Anders awarded six lamplighter awards to local change-makers in the community Monday night during his State of the City address.

Before Anders announced

NOW OPEN

the six award winners, which were kept secret, he took time to update residents on how the city has grown and changed over the last year — and what is on the horizon for Auburn.

“The good things about Auburn are the very things causing it to grow,” the mayor said. “And I’m looking forward to spending

many more fall seasons in our city, now the seventhlargest city in Alabama, according to the 2020 census.”

Of course, and this is no surprise, one of the major factors affecting Auburn over the last year was the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we are still See AUBURN, page B11

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 Oct.28, 2021

Why Do Politicians Tell So Many Lies?

Answer: Laziness and Partisanship.

GREG MARKLEY

A

merican humorist Mark Twain said, “There are three kinds of lies: “lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

Many people believe he was equating statistics with the other two — lies and damn lies. Others contend Twain meant statistics were not always as accurate as thought. That is, they were not always “deep” enough to prove a point, yet many trusted their accuracy.

Recently, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, junior senator from Iowa, proved my headline above. She is

certainly partisan, as most senators are. But it is her intellectual laziness that has brought the latest controversy. A retired lieutenant colonel who served during the Iraq War, she lied on CNN when she said that President Biden, himself a father of a war veteran, has yet to express gratitude or empathy toward the U.S. troops who have served overseas since 9/11/2001.

“Not once has he expressed empathy and gratitude to the men and women who have put the uniform on and have fought so bravely overseas the last 20 years to keep our homeland safe,” Ernst said.

“And I feel that by not acknowledging his gratitude for them, he’s diminishing their service.”

Ernst was obviously speaking without doing research. That’s what a staunch partisan does, speak something that will appeal to their supporters, and not care that it is false.

She must be a lousy delegator as well. Why didn’t she get a subordinate to look up

and read the six speeches I just read where Biden honors the 9-11-era troops?

I looked in the usual place: www.whitehouse.gov, under Speeches and Remarks (Sometimes they are in in Statements and Releases.).

On July 27, the President spoke to the intelligence community, thanking them 14 times for their efforts during the wars. On Aug. 31, in a defense of the choppy withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden said: “I don’t think enough people understand how much we have asked of the 1% of this country who put that uniform on, who are willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our nation.” He spoke on veterans (including his late son Beau) and families’ sacrifices due to military service. He also praised veterans on April 14, May 28 and 31 and July 8.

Republicans are not the only liars who know better but don’t even research their stump speech phrases. President Obama ad infinitum stated, “If you

like your health plan, you can keep it.” That was “Lie of the Year” for PolitiFact.

According to Jake Miller at CBS, Obama’s promise “was a catchy political pitch and a chance to calm nerves about his dramatic and complicated plan.” At least the President apologized to the victims of his lie. That’s rare for a politician.

When the Affordable Care Act, nicknamed Obamacare, was being debated, there were plenty of sources of news on it, from academics, journalists, do-gooder groups, etc. Yet many persons who believed the president did not do their due diligence on his crafty phrase.

For example, 38 million Americans lacked health insurance when the bill was proposed. All one had to do was figure out how additional millions of Obamacare users could get health care, without adjustments in who gets what doctor when (Rough estimates of the math and costs were readily available.).

“We’ve got to manage

the social media animal we permitted to get out of the cage that has taken dangerous control with unfounded conspiracies and other harm to individuals and families,” wrote Steve Corbin, columnist at the Globe Gazette in Iowa. “As a start, it wouldn’t hurt for critical thinking and logical reasoning courses to be offered in all K-12 and post-secondary institutions so people will learn how to discern fact from fiction and truth from conspiracy nonsense.”

I agree that more emphasis on critical thinking can be a big help. But I can imagine a backlash as parents and administrators tussle to categorize what is “critical thinking” and what is one’s opinion based on their ideology. Look at some of the school board meetings on Critical Race Theory. The anger and outrage in those formerly placid meetings reminds me of Saturday afternoon wrestling bouts! The difference is that those TV wrestlers were acting, not reacting.

As I have written before, you do not have to check every statement from a politician, journalist, TV radio commentator, friend or relative you disagree with. But periodic checks of every fifth statement or fact about politics he or she makes, will indicate if they are truthful, misguided, deluded or a good researcher.

Even U.S. senators can err, as Sen. Joni Ernst did without consulting President Biden’s speeches that are available with a simple click of a mouse.

That led to her repeating the same false claim. It was a version that as Mark Twain said, turned into “damn lies” which are worse than regular “lies.”

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 12 years. gm.markley@ charter.net.

Letter to the Editor: Mike Rogers Wants to Draft Your Daughter

T

he United States Senate is expected to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the coming weeks. This annual bill is considered “must pass” legislation as it reauthorizes and funds the U.S. military. The House of Representatives already passed its version of the NDAA this summer.

Before this calendar year ends, President Joe Biden will undoubtedly sign it into law. That is exceptionally bad news for both America’s defense posture and for any Alabaman who has a daughter or granddaughter. Both House and Senate Republicans, many of whom view themselves as “defense hawks,” voted in support of far-left language that would draft our

daughters in a time of national emergency.

Congressman Mike Rogers, who has represented Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District for two decades, serves as the highest-ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. He has long seen himself as a “serious” legislator who focuses on national security issues. However, instead of using his leadership position to speak out against language that would conscript his constituent’s daughters and granddaughters into frontline combat duty, he proudly voted for it.

Indeed, an Aug. 30 press release from Rogers characterized the daughter-drafting NDAA as, “a serious piece of legislation crafted by serious

legislators.” This was followed by a Sept.

23 statement that “applauded” the legislation’s passage in the usual stomach-churning swamp speak of a politician who has spent far too much time in Washington D.C. No mention was made

by Rogers in his public statements of the fact that the bill would force every woman to register with the Selective Service when they turn 18 years old. The obvious reason, of course, is that his constituents would be appalled if they knew this provision was in the bill and that he had endorsed it.

He’s not alone in his support for forcing our daughters to register for the draft. Senator Tommy Tuberville also voted in support of the daughter-drafting

language when the bill passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Tuberville’s staff, unlike Rogers’ team, actually attempted to justify their vote.

But there is no justification for this policy.

It is an ivory tower delusion conceived in university faculty lounges that women are just as capable as men in high-intensity combat settings. Both common sense and empirical data reveal as much.

A 2013 Marine Corps study showed that allmale units have a higher performance than mixed-gender units in 70% of combat tasks, including marksmanship and nearly every metric requiring both speed and strength.

Women have also been shown to experience far higher injury rates than men when

undergoing the same training, sometimes at a rate ten times higher than men.

The Army recently implemented its gender-neutral fitness standards and issued its findings in 2019. The report revealed that 84% of women could not meet the minimum standard compared to just 30% of men.

The Obama Department of Defense opened all combat roles to women in 2015 in a bid to prioritize “equity” over our military’s war-fighting prowess.

The language in the Rogers-supported NDAA, therefore, all but guarantees that if a major conflict breaks out requiring military conscription, our wives, sisters, daughters and granddaughters will be deployed to frontline combat roles.

America’s enemies in Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran have grown bolder and the likelihood of a future major war in the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal fiasco has only increased now that the world has witnessed the weakness of our political and military leaders.

Politicians can repeal and amend statutory language, but they cannot repeal and amend basic biology. The fact is, my daughter, your daughter, your granddaughter, does not have an equal opportunity to survive on the battlefield.

Rogers has decided to both gamble with our daughter’s lives and gamble that we won’t care. He should pay a steep political price for such foolish arrogance.

Drew White Opelika, Alabama

B11 Oct. 28, 2021

Pioneer Day Preserves Age-Old Traditions PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

Loachapoka's Pioneer Day, formerly known as The Syrup Sopping & Historical Fair, was held on Saturday, Oct. 23. The all-day event featured weaving and cloth-making demonstrations, syrup making, musical entertainment, Native American dancing and numerous other old-time crafts. Piping hot sweet potato biscuits were served topped with sugar-cane syrup.

AUBURN >> FROM B9

fighting the virus, one key difference between now and a year ago is that we have learned to fight back,” Anders said. “The vaccine is helping our businesses stay open and our people stay healthy and recover quickly. I’m proud of the city’s efforts to launch and operate the vaccine clinic early this year.

“Sometimes, government moves slowly out of necessity, but this was not one of those times.”

While the vaccine clinic, located in the Tuesday morning on Opelika Road, was still open, it distributed over 90,000 vaccines, he said.

Some of the other changes for the city included opening the city council’s new meeting chambers and opening and then closing the city’s 2040 plan process, both of which were affected

by COVID-19.

“I want to thank our small businesses for hanging in there this year, for taking care of your employees and for fighting to keep your doors open despite uncertainties,” Anders said. “I know you’re struggling, not only with the impact of the coronavirus on how you do business but with labor shortages and product supply challenges.

“You are facing a lot. I see that and your community sees that. While we recognize the hardships, we also marvel at your heart, and your dedication and your gusto.”

Behind support for local businesses is the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Anders said, which also underwent some changes.

Lolly Steiner stepped down

as president, passing the role onto Anna Hovey.

Schools were affected by the pandemic too. Despite the challenges, Auburn City Schools enrollment reached 9,221 — a record number, Anders said. This past year Auburn Jr High School teacher Kimberly Johnson was awarded the 2021-22 Alabama Teacher of the Year award.

“As long as I’m mayor, I’m all in for Auburn City Schools because supporting our schools means supporting our future and we have an exciting future,” he said.

Infrastructure projects are in the works, and some were completed this year.

The roundabout at Farmville Road and North College Street and improvements at North College Street and Highway 280 are both completed.

Dinius Park also opened this year. And hopefully, by the end of the year, the Town Creek Park inclusive playground will open to the public, Anders said.

“These projects are especially exciting for me because I have a heart for our families and our children and for making sure Auburn has adequate space for everyone to play,” he said.

The Wright Street Parking deck also opened this year.

And speaking of downtown, next year, a new Publix will open on Gay Street.

Additionally, a new branch library will come to Boykin soon.

LAMPLIGHTERS: The Mayor, each year, presents six community members with what he calls ‘lamplighter awards’.

“I’m humbled tonight to introduce six individuals who

contribute to our community in meaningful ways and give me a reason to hope,” he said. “I recognize them as recipients of the 2021 Mayor’s Lamplighter Award which signifies the light that they each shine in our community.”

PAT GIDDENS: Pat Giddens has been working at J&M Bookstore for 51.5 years, Anders said.

“A smile of encouragement,” Anders said. “A word of comfort. An act of support. A servant’s heart. Our first lamplighter is a constant source of encouragement, comfort, support and service to her community.”

Giddens is known for praying for anyone and everyone — in coffee shops, for those who have had surgeries for friends and family and showing her love.

“Once shy, her legacy is full of intentional impact,” he said. “Not just words, but hugs, and meals and prayer.

Now, this once shy teenager gives her love and her heart to those whose path she crosses and then their lives are changed forever.”

GLENN GULLEDGE: The second lamplighter award winner, Glenn Gulledge, spends his days in Byron’s smokehouse on Opelika Road, the business that he owns.

“It’s his work ethic,” Anders said. “All of us are sound asleep as he’s starting his day, starting the fire, brewing the coffee, preparing the breakfast while planning for the lunch customers.

He does the work, all of the work, every day.

“But it is his heart. He is always helping someone do something. Youth sports, Auburn High School,

nonprofits, others have received his kindness with little expectation of gratitude.

It’s just what you do.”

Gulledge has a passion for his family, and his friends that are as close as family.

“He loves his family and shows all of us what commitment really means,” he said.

LADEXTRIC OLIVER: The third lamplighter award winner makes a difference in the lives of young Auburn residents in the school system.

Oliver grew up in Auburn and attended Auburn High School himself.

Following his graduation, he began working when an opportunity for an assistant PE position at Wrights Mill Road became available.

“While working during the day, he attended classes at Southern Union in the evening,” Anders said.

“After completing his time at Southern Union, he moved onto Auburn University to pursue a physical education degree. Two years later he was the first member of his family to receive a college degree.”

Oliver then received his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Auburn.

He now serves as the PE teacher at Wrights Mill.

“There’s much to admire in the journey of tonight’s third lamplighter, but there’s much more to be thankful for,” Anders said. “Not only the PE teacher of 500-600 children annually, he is a running back coach for the Auburn High School Varsity Football Team and the boy’s head coach for the Auburn High School Track and Field Program. Through these platforms, he’s literally changing the lives of our

kids. His principal said that he is truly a leader, that he is very humble and practical and providing students with real-life experiences.”

JANIE PRICE: As Anders mentioned previously, the COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected all of Auburn. But things at East Alabama Health were often bleak.

So, Janie Price, with the help of others, created a prayer effort at the hospital.

“Our next lamplighter led an extraordinary effort to pray for the patients, the doctors, the nurses and the staff at East Alabama (at that time) Medical Center,” Anders said. “By following a directive from her God, she inquired about praying for the worn-out staff as the pandemic raged on. Told that the initiative must remain outside, she [brought] in what can only be called ‘a movement.’

“Park and Pray started as a question and became a point of encouragement to those on the frontlines. One person prayed, felt led by God to do more, worked with Chaplain Laura, put out a call to the community and sustained an effort.”

Price wanted to stay behind the scenes, Anders said, but he wanted to be able to thank her with the community.

NOLAN TORBERT: “Our next lamplighter was described by a local nonprofit leader as ‘a light in our community,’” Anders said. “Twenty-one years ago he started a congregation on North Donahue Drive.

Today, he stands as a fixture in Auburn.”

Bishop Nolan Torbert started True Deliverance Holiness Church, which has

grown and expanded. Soon it will open a multi-purpose gym, too.

“He and his church are advocates and supporters of the work of Habitat and the work of other groups in our community,” said Mark Grantham, executive director of Lee County Habitat for Humanity “They bring hope and help to others. He has a caring spirit. He listens to the Spirit’s prompting and often connects those in need with resources in our community.”

GREG WILLIAMS: Ander’s last award winner has brought glory to Auburn from his passion — by starting the university’s equestrian team.

“One day I ran into an old friend, we caught up quickly,” he said.

“Tiring from traditional conversation, he dove straight into his vision for a new program for Auburn’s athletic program. It had nothing to do with balls, nets, goals and at that time the dominate program on campus was swimming and diving. No, it was about horses.”

Anders said that at the time, he was not supportive of Greg Williams’ idea.

Twenty-seven years later, Auburn’s equestrian team has won six national championships.

“Are you willing to plant a seed for a tree that you will never shade under?” Anders said. “Season after season he has convinced members of the Auburn Equestrian program to do just that. He has brought glory to this university, he has delivered pride to his hometown, he has given life lessons to his riders. Thank you for allowing all of us to shade under your tree.”

B12 Oct.28, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES R. KELLEY, JR., DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-549 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 6th day of October, 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.

DEANNA DELORIS MILLER Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 10/14/21, 10/21/21 & 10/28/21 _______ IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTAE OF THOMAS LEW SCHWIENING CASE NO.: 1998-A-231 NOTICE OF FILING OF FINAL SETTLEMENT YOU WILL TAKE NOTICE that Sharon C. Brawell, as Conservator of the Estate of THOMAS LEW SCHWIENING, filed her account and vouchers for a Final Settlement of said Estate on the 5th day of October, 2021 and that the 10th day of November, 2021 at 9 o'clock a.m. has been appointed by the Court to hear said settlement.

Done this the 5th day of October, 2021.

Bill English Judge of Probate Legal Run 10/14/21, 10/21/21 & 10/28/21 _______ IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO: 2021-160 In the Matter of the Estate of Ethel Lee Finley, Deceased

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR AND NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters of Administration on the Estate of Ethel Lee Finley, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned Roosevelt Finley, on the 23rd day of March, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Roosevelt Finley, Jr. Administrator, Estate of Ethel Lee Finley, deceased. Legal Run 10/21/21, 10/28/21 & 11/4/21 ------------IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JAMES WADE EDWARDS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to Teleeda Page Edwards, as Administratrix of the Estate of James Wade Edwards, deceased, on the 7th day of October2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

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.

Taleeda Page Edwards Administratix of the Estate of James Wade Edwards, deceased Legal Run 10/21/21, 10/28/21 & 11/4/21 ------------Notice of Public Auction Boardwalk Storage-Opelika, pursuant to the “Self Service Storage Act” (1981

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS Compactor Operator

Closing Date: November 4, 2021 Department: Environmental Services Status: Part-Time Starting Hourly Salary Range: $16.06 - $18.47 Required Hours of Availability: Monday-Sunday; varied hours/ days including holidays and weekends Scope: This position is responsible for operating trash compactors and balers in the collection of solid waste and recyclables and maintaining the grounds and facilities at disposal sites on an assigned route.

Environmental Services Worker Closing Date: November 4, 2021 Department: Environmental Services

Status: Full-Time Starting Salary Range: $31,809.52 - $36,580.95 Required Hours of Availability: Tuesday – Friday 6am-4:30pm Scope: This position assist with the clean-up of roadsid litter, grounds maintenance, and clean up detail at county facilities with the Environmental Services Department.

Applicants should apply at the Alabama State Employment Office or the Lee County Commission Office 215 S. 9 th Street, Opelika, AL, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Great Benefits: NO COST to employee Option for BCBS health and dental insurance. Employer paid Life Insurance policy. State Retirement Benefits. Thirteen Paid Holidays. Educational Reimbursement.

Interested applicants may also fax a completed application to (334) 737-3609 or emailed to humanresources@leeco.us by the closing date.

Previous applicants should reapply.

For more information visit: www.leeco.us Lee County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Alabama Acts, Number 81-769, page 1321 and Section 1), hereby gives Notice of Sale under said act, to wit.

Notice of Public Auction. Boardwalk Storage-Opelika Will be holding a public auction online at Lockerfox.com On November 2, 2021 @11:00am This is a bank check only process All sales are final and the units must be cleaned out completely in 48 hours. A 100.00 cleaning deposit is required and will be refunded upon unit inspection. Unit must be swept. We currently have ONE unit available: Unit B-16- Durham, L. = Boxes, shoes, quilts 334-741-9133 - 6790 US Hwy 29 N, Opelika, Al 36854 LEGAL RUN 10-212021 & 10-28-2021 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF EDDIE N. HERBERT, DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Gina Herbert Ivey and Sabrina Herbert Long, as Co-Executrices of the Estate of Eddie N. Herbert, deceased, on the 20th day of October, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

Gina Herbert Ivey, CoExecutrix Of the Estate of Eddie N. Herbert, Deceased Sabrina Herbert Long, Co-Executrix Of the Estate of Eddie N. Herbert, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 10/28/21, 11/04/21 & 11/11/21 ------------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 ANNIE RUTH RICHARDSON, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Gordon Richardson on October 22, 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 Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 10/28/2021 ------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 10:00AM Unit 249 Unit 222 Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 10/28/21 & 11/4/21 ------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 10:00AM Unit 249 Unit B31 Unit E78 Unit G91 Unit N162 Unit R321 Unit S336 Unit X391 Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 10/28/2021 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

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IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MILDRED SMITHS BEALS, Deceased CASE NO. 2021-575 NOTICE OF DAY SET FOR HEARING PROBATE OF WILL TO:Scottie Clifford Smith Floy Dorinda Smith Braswell Rebecca S. Gregory Fletcher David Smith Donna Jean Vinson Earl Smith Linda Smith Ashurst James E. Smith, Jr. Michele R. Smith Michael B. Smith Mark W. Smith Joyce Cooper Taylor Janet Story Carol Virginia Smith Hon. Jere Colley And ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS OF MILDRED SMITH BEALS You are hereby notified that on the 25th day of October 2021, a certain writing, purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of MILDRED SMITH BEALS was filed in the Lee County Probate Office for Probate by Michele R. Smith. The 15th day of December 2021 at 2:00 PM CST has been set and appointed as the date and time for the hearing of said petition. Said hearing will be held in the Lee County Probate Office, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama, at which time you can appear and contest the same, if you see proper.

Given under my hand, the 25th day of October 2021.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 10/28/21, 11/4/21, & 11/11/21 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The estate of Nancy C. Bynum, Deceased.

Case No. 2021-594 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Brandy D. Bynum as Administratrix of the Estate of Nancy C. Bynum, deceased, on the 21ST day of October, 2021.

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 be barred.

Brandy D. Bynum, Administratrix of the Estate of Nancy C. Bynum, Deceased Legal Run 10/28/21, 11/4/21 & 11/11/21 ------------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 RONALD EUGENE CHAMBERS, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Riley Vernon Chambers on Octeober 25, 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 Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 10/28/2021 ------------JULIUNOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF ALICE BELLE THOMPSON, Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021-484 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of ALICE BELLE THOMPSON are hereby granted to Shirley T. Kelly and Wanda T. McCary as Co-Personal Representatives on the 2nd day of September, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Com1 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.

Shirley T. Kelly Wanda T. McCary Legal Run 10/21/21, 10/28/21 & 11/4/21 ------------In The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama In Re: The Estate Of: Pearla Ann Gibson (A/K/A Pearle Ann Gibson), Deceased Notice To Creditors Take Notice that Letters of Administration having been granted to Rebecca G. Wray as Administrator of the Estate of Pearla Ann Gibson (A/K/A Pearle Ann Gibson) deceased, on the 20th day of October, 2021 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

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 banned.

Rebecca G. Wray Administrator Legal Run 10/28/21, 11/4/21 & 11/11/21

B13 Oct. 28, 2021

Gov. Kay Ivey Vows to Fight COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate, Signs Executive Order CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed Executive Order 724 to fight the overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandates from the federal government. In doing so, Ivey released the following statement: “The federal government’s outrageous overreach has simply given us no other option, but to begin taking action, which is why I am issuing this executive order to fight these egregious COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Alabamians — and Americans alike — should and must have the choice to roll up their sleeves to get this shot and certainly not forced by government. While President Biden laughs at the idea of protecting your freedoms, I will continue fighting for Alabama businesses and their employees.

“If the federal government presses on with these new federal mandates, then the Biden White House has once again failed the American people. As I have stated, no doubt, this will be challenged in federal courts.

I am already working in concert with Attorney General Steve Marshall, because Alabama is standing firm in this fight. This latest move by the federal government is

what I believe is an illegal overreach, and I am confident we will win the battle in the courts.

“I am adamantly opposed to federal mandates related to the COVID-19 vaccine and adamantly opposed to state mandates related to the COVID-19 vaccine, plain and simple. As long as I am your governor, the state of Alabama will not force anyone to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Through today’s order, the state of Alabama is making our position on this issue crystal clear.

A state law in response to President Biden is not enough. The courts are where this will be resolved.

Today is one step in this fight, but certainly not the last.

“Alabamians are overwhelmingly opposed to these outrageous Biden mandates, and I stand firmly with them.”

The text of the Executive Order is below: EXECUTIVE ORDER N0. 724 COMBATING OVERREACHING COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATES WHEREAS the best way to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations in Alabama is through education, transparency, communication, and persuasion-not government coercion;

WHEREAS it is therefore the policy of my Administration to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations as safe and effective but to oppose overreaching COVID-19 vaccination mandates imposed by government; WHEREAS the federal government has announced that it will unilaterally impose onerous new COVID-19 vaccination policies for various categories of individuals and businesses, including federal employees, federal contractors, healthcare workers, and businesses- nationwide - with 100 or more employees; WHEREAS these new federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates threaten to increase vaccine skepticism in Alabama and to severely disrupt the State’s economy; WHEREAS these new federal mandates rest on dubious legal grounds and constitute significant federal overreach by the Biden Administration; WHEREAS multiple States, including the State of Alabama through its Attorney General, are expected to assert immediate legal challenges to stop this egregious and illegal federal overreach; WHEREAS state government should set an example by encouraging- but not

requiring- COVID-19 vaccinations among its employees and contractors; and WHEREAS the Alabama Constitution of 1901 establishes the Governor as the State’s “chief magistrate” and bestows on the Governor both the “supreme executive power of this state” and the duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” see Ala. Const. art. V, §§ 113, 120; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby order and direct all of the following actions to oppose the Biden Administration’s overreaching federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and to ensure that the State of Alabama never forces anyone to take an unwanted COVID-19 vaccine: Cooperation with the Alabama Attorney General. Effective immediately, all agencies, boards, commissions, and other entities within the executive branch of state government shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with the Office of the Alabama Attorney General in furtherance of litigation brought by the State to challenge any federally imposed COVID-19 vac-

IVEY cination requirement.

Nonenforcement of federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates.

Effective immediately, no agency, department, board, commission, or other entity within the executive branch of state government shall, under color of state law, seek to impose a penalty on any business or individual for noncompliance with any federally imposed requirement that has the purpose or effect of (a) forcing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or (b) requiring a business to force its employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. To the extent any such entity is required or compelled to impose such a penalty as a result of federal law, the entity shall take all practical steps to notify the affected business or individual that the State of Alabama does

not approve, condone, or otherwise endorse the imposition of such penalty.

Protections for executive branch employees.

Effective immediately, all agencies, departments, boards, commissions, or other entities within the executive branch of state government shall enforce, to the maximum extent possible, any and all protections afforded to public employees in their workplace by Alabama Act No. 2021-493 concerning the issuance, publication, or sharing of immunization records not otherwise required by law or concerning vaccination requirements imposed as a condition for receiving government services or for entry into a government building.

Reports of noncompliance. Public employees aggrieved under this section may continue to make a report of violation to the Office of the Alabama Attorney General, which shall include the agency alleged to have violated Act No. 2021493, the date and location of the alleged violation, and any other relevant facts necessary to conduct a reasonable investigation into the alleged violation.

PLEASE JOIN US 2021 VETERANS PROGRAM NOVEMBER 11, 2021

OPELIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY • 1100 GLENN STREET 9 A.M. – BREAKFAST (Free to all veterans and their families)

10 A.M. - PROGRAM (Public invited)

Reception to follow at the Museum of East Alabama • 121 S. 9th Street, Opelika

See ORDER, page B14

B14 Oct.28, 2021

ORDER >> FROM B13 Enforcement and confidentiality. The Office of the Alabama Attorney General shall make reasonable investigation into any complaint received under this section and take appropriate steps to facilitate enforcement of Act No. 2021-493. All enforcement activities undertaken under this section shall be conducted to preserve the confidentiality of an aggrieved employee to the maximum extent permissible under law.

Protections for executive branch contractors.

Effective immediately, no agency, department, board, commission, or other entity within the executive branch of state government shall, under color of state law, include in any agree-

ment- including any contract, contract amendment, contract renewal, lease agreement, grant agreement, or memorandum of understanding-a provision imposing any duty or obligation on a private party to the agreement with respect to the COVID-19 vaccination status of the party or any of its officers, employees, or agents. To the extent any such entity is required or compelled to include such a contract provision as a result of federal law, the entity shall take all practical steps to notify the affected business or individual that the State of Alabama does not approve, condone, or otherwise endorse the inclusion of the provision.

Implementation. This order shall be implemented to the maximum extent possible consistent

with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. Nothing in this order shall be construed as impairing or otherwise affecting the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof, including the Governor of the State of Alabama.

No private right of action. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any private party against the State of Alabama, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

EXECUTIVE ORDER N0. 724 DONE AND ORDERED this 25th day of October 2021.

Governor Kay Ivey

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B15 Oct. 28, 2021

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B16 Oct.28, 2021

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