The Opelika Observer 11-11-2021

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021

Vol. 14, No. 5

Opelika, Alabama

pelika Observer O

'An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.'

Opelika Partners Announce Opelika’s Very Merry Christmas 2021 CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

HOT DOG! Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar Reopens

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

After closing in August due to cited labor shortages, the Opelika community staple Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar reopened its doors (or windows rather) to its hungry patrons. The news came as a

surprise to many and the Observer went on site to the already bustling Opelika lunch spot to hear what people had to say.

"Looking forward to getting a milkshake," said one person waiting in line for his lunch.

"We have been waiting on it [to reopen].

See HOT DOG!, page A3

The city of Opelika, in partnership with AO Tourism, Opelika Parks & Recreation, the Opelika Public Library, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Main Street, Victorian Front Porch Tour and Opelika Theatre Company, is excited to announce the Opelika 2021 holiday event lineup, now officially known as Opelika’s Very Merry Christmas.

There are many events throughout the season which will create ample opportunities for people to share their joy and holiday spirit. A full listing of all

Opelika Holiday Events below: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Nov. 14 from noon to 5 p.m. — opelikamainstreet. org CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Nov. 26 to Jan. 3 — Tag us at #MyOpelikaChristmas SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Start Your Christmas Shopping on Nov. 27 — normal shopping hours SNO*PELIKA Christmas Festival & Tree Lighting on Nov. 30 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Courthouse Square — opelikachamber.com CHRISTMAS IN CAMELOT Month of December from 4:30 to 10 p.m. — Off of Rocky Brook Road DRIVE-THRU NATIVITY STORY Month of December

at National Village - Spa Loop & Yards Lane — Presented by National Village Joint Venture OPELIKA’S VERY MERRY STROLL Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.

Lighting of trail then the Christmas tree trail runs through Dec. 31 — Presented by Friends of the Opelika Public Library CHRISTMAS PARADE In downtown Opelika on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. with a rain date of Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. —opelikachamber. com CHRISTMAS IN A RAILROAD TOWN on Dec. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m.

— opelikamainstreet.org See EVENTS, page A2

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

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

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

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

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

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

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

VETERANS DAY GARBAGE, TRASH AND RECYCLING SCHEDULE

08

MONDAY ROUTE

TUES

09

TUESDAY ROUTE

WED

10

WEDNESDAY ROUTE

THURS

11

Veterans Day City Offices Closed

FRI

12

THURSDAY ROUTE

If your garbage, trash or recycling is usually picked up on Thursday, it will be picked up on Friday in observance of Veterans Day. We would like to thank our Opelika veterans and their families for the sacrifices they made to protect our freedom!

A2 Nov. 11, 2021

Letter to the Editor: We Need Blood Donors

O

ver the last two years, we have highlighted a number of challenges associated with the pandemic.

One of the most critical challenges we now face is the need for blood donations. Alabama, along with the rest of the nation, is experiencing a significant crisis in blood supply,

and we need our communities’ help.

According to LifeSouth, the donation center that supplies blood to the majority of Alabama’s hospitals, our statewide blood supply is at “Critical” levels.

That means, on average there is less than two days’ supply of blood on their shelves. If there was a car wreck or other

serious trauma in some parts of the state, hospitals fear they might not have the blood needed to treat patients. Many hospital leaders consider the lack of blood donations to be an emergency situation.

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on the number of individuals donating blood. It’s estimated that less than 10 percent of the popu-

lation donates annually, and that number has been significantly lowered during the pandemic. This is concerning since the need for blood remains high; approximately one in seven people entering the hospital requires some type of blood transfusion. The good news is that for every person donating, the blood can save up to three lives.

Donating blood continues to be safe and there is no substitution for human blood. If you are eligible to donate blood, we urge you to contact a local blood center and schedule a blood donation. All types of blood are needed, particularly O-positive and O-negative blood.

We also encourage schools, colleges,

churches, businesses and other organizations to host a local blood drive as soon as possible.

Again, the current blood shortage is critical, and we need the help of all Alabamians.

Please consider donating this holiday season.

Rosemary Blackmon for Don Williamson, MD, President Alabama Hospital Association

Opelika Police And Fire Launch Project S.A.F.E.R For Special Needs Community CONTRIBUTED BY OPD

The Opelika Police and Fire Departments are excited to launch Project S.A.F.E.R, a voluntary program available to all citizens who live, work and attend school in Opelika. The acronym S.A.F.E.R stands for Special Assistance For Emergency Response. The program focuses on providing information through a special needs registry which will allow first responders to better assist individuals with cognitive, developmental or

EVENTS

>>

FROM A1

VICTORIAN FRONT PORCH TOUR Driving Tour will be Dec. 10 through 14 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Bike Tour will be Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.

Walking Tour is Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. — victorianfrontporchtour. com Find more info about tickets and horse drawn carriage rides at opelikalibraryfriends.com.

REINDEER EXPRESS Dec. 10 through 12 from 5 to 8 p.m.— Featuring a Christmas Market at Monkey Park with $2 train rides OPELIKA THEATRE COMPANY CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. at the Sportsplex Amphitheater — opelikatheatrecompany. com OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS CHRISTMAS BAND CONCERT • OMS & OHS

mental health disabilities in the event of an emergency. Knowing an individual’s specific needs can afford officers and first responders the opportunity to quickly and effectively respond during critical incidents.

Information on registrants is kept strictly confidential and will only be utilized during times of emergency.

Individuals can enroll online at www.opelikapd.org. The registry requires individuals to provide their personal information such as legal name, address, date

Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at OPAC OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS WINTER CHORAL CONCERT • OMS & OHS Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at OPAC COLLINWOOD LUMINARIES Dec. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. located off of 10th Street with a rain date of Dec. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.

OPELIKA THEATRE COMPANY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL & PET PARADE Dec. 18 from noon to 3 p.m. at Southside Center (1103 Glenn St.) — Admission $25 per family and includes all Carnival activities & Santa pictures — $10 Pet Parade entry opelikatheatrecompany. com.

The city would love to share your memories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Please use the hashtag #myopelikachristmas and tag the city of Opelika.

For more details on each event, please visit www.

OpelikaChristmas.com.

pelika Observer

O

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

of birth and emergency contact information.

Registrants can elect to provide additional information on their special needs and upload a recent photo. Information about triggers, medications and communication techniques can be extremely beneficial in

helping first responders interact with members of our community who may require a specialized approach.

“Our goal is to be able to provide the best care and response to all citizens in Opelika,”said Police Chief Shane Healey. “First respond-

Once enrolled, registrants will receive two window decals to be displayed at the front entrance of their residence and on their vehicle. The decal will alert first responders that someone has a degree of special need and should respond accordingly.

The use of the decal is voluntary. The Opelika Police and Fire Departments hope to introduce additional services under Project S.A.F.E.R in the future. For more information on Project S.A.F.E.R please visit opelikapd.org.

ers never know how a situation will unfold, but having access to critical information like triggers, medications and communication techniques will allow dispatchers to quickly relay these special needs to first responders before they arrive on scene.”

STUCKEY CEO VISITS OPELIKA

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of the company, visited Opelika last week and spoke the the Opelika Chamber members on the challenges facing businesses in 2021. In 2019, Stuckey purchased the family business that her grandfather started in 1937 and then later sold. She is currently working to rebrand and revitalize the company. Known for selling their iconic sweet treat, the pecan log, in their roadside stores, the company is now shifting to selling its candy online and in retail stores.

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

www.opelikaobserver.com 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved.

Opelika Observer is published weekly by Key Media LLC, 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801.

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

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A3 Nov. 11, 2021

Serving More Than Cookies Toni Cartlidge was a military child. She was born and raised in New York. Her father was in the National Guard and the “military lifestyle” is all she has ever known.

Cartlidge began working at the military academy at West Point in 1986.

“I stayed in the same building all 30 years [until retirement in 2016] but just kept climbing the ladder,” Cartlidge said. “I did banquets for veterans, worked with the mess hall, became a budget analyst there. Pretty much anything they needed me to do, I did.”

The New York native made her move across the country to Opelika, Alabama, about five years ago.

“My husband was born and raised in Auburn,” she said.

“We met at the military academy in New York where he worked too.

We never thought much of each other but one day we finally talked, and the rest is history.”

Her husband, Tommy, is also a veteran. They were both ready to retire from the military academy and wanted a change, Cartlidge said. That’s when they made their move

PHOTO BY MEGAN MANN / FOR THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN MANN FOR THE OBSERVER

from New York. After working for 30 years straight, Cartlidge was not comfortable with sitting around and doing nothing after her retirement.

“After I retired, I needed to still find things to do for myself and the community, I like to stay busy,” she said.

She decided to combine her passion for community service and giving back into a new business idea — baking cookies for veterans.

“One day I called up a nursing home that housed veterans in Alexander City and just asked if I could bring them cookies,” she said.

“I ended up baking about 2,000 the first time and me, my husband and our son brought them

there.”

Ever since that day, Cartlidge and her family have continued to prepare cookies for the veterans and deliver them to the nursing home.

“It’s a cookie to you and me but to them, it meant outside love,” she said. “That is what they call it. I just became very involved in it, it was something that really means a lot to me.

To see a veteran get so excited about me, who is a nobody, come in and make them cookies, to see the smiles on their face for a cookie, you don’t think something so simple would do that.”

Cartlidge also decided to help out wherever she was needed in these veterans’ homes. She would bake cookies

for different events, including a yard sale where she sold her cookies to help them pay for the veteran’s trips.

Through her weekly visits and other involvement in the community, she began fostering friendships with a lot of people, including Wayne Womack, a threetime Vietnam veteran that works for food distribution.

“Womack messaged in one of our Facebook groups that he had 15 dozen eggs,” she said.

“Not knowing him, I explained my story with baking the cookies and learned that he was a veteran as well.

We have been thick as thieves ever since.

Now, every three weeks I go out there and do

the food distribution and help with meals for first responders and veterans.”

Cartlidge has made the most of her five years in Opelika.

She has become very involved in the Opelika community, working with local churches, schools and groups for children with disabilities.

She explains how her biggest passion though, is serving veterans.

“Being surrounded by the military all my life has made me appreciate the simpler things in life because you know, their routine, the sacrifices they make, it’s much more than I do,” Cartlidge said. “I am passionate about serving veterans because I’ve been around them so long. I just feel like they do so much for us and a lot of them don’t get recognized or appreciated for everything they do.”

Cartlidge said the hardest part about being a part of the military family is the loss.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she could no longer deliver her cookies in person to the nursing home. And, unfortunately, by the time in-person visits were acceptable again, many of her friends had

passed on.

The same was often true for soldiers and cadets at the academy, she said.

“I got to know so many of them at the military academy that I am still in close contact with. I’ve also lost a lot of them which is so sad,” she said. “You train and you're with them for four years.

You do everything with them, they know who you are, they’ve been through your whole life.

Then they graduate and go into the war, or they die. That’s probably the hardest part for me, is knowing I could get close to them and then never see them again.”

Cartlidge immersed herself in people’s lives and finds that to be more rewarding than anything else.

“I admire everything our military does,” she said. “I don’t care what branch someone is. I hold so much respect for all our veterans. I always wish there was more I could do to help them and show my appreciation.”

As a next step in the Opelika community, Cartlidge wants to look into building shelters and homes for the veterans that are homeless, sick or need help financially.

Sports Clips Offering Free Haircuts to Veterans CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER Helping a hero is as easy as getting a haircut on Veterans Day. Sports Clips, the popular sports-themed chain barber shop, is hosting itsannual Veterans Day haircut event at locations across the country.

Participating locations will be offering free haircuts to veterans

members and veterans transition to civilian careers through Help A Hero scholarships to cover education expenses that often go beyond what's covered

by G.I. Bill funds.

To date, Sport Clips and its clients have made possible more than $9.2 Million in VFW-administered scholarships.

This year’s goal is to raise $1.5M, which will

footlong hotdogs but comes with Chili, cheese, slaw, ketchup and mustard. In fact, the woman said she didn't even know the business had reopened on that day but just happened to see it as she passed by and felt inclined to stop. "It's a staple," she said.

"I'm sure everybody is going to be thrilled."

Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar offers two types of

hotdogs (footlongs and short), with the option to add a variety of toppings to both. One of the most common toppings is its chili.

Aside from food, the restaurant offers an array of milkshakes and sundaes. Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar is located at 1900 Pepperell Parkway and is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

afford scholarships of up to $5,000 for service members and veterans who are pursuing an education at postsecondary institutions, including trade schools.

Those interested in donating can also text “HERO” to 71777.

Stores nationwide began collecting donations at checkout Monday, Oct. 11, and will continue beyond Veterans Day to Nov.

13.

Sport Clips is a veteran-founded company and is committed to thanking those who serve our country not just in word, but in deed. In addition to Help A Hero, Sport Clips offers special franchising options through the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran Program, and is a supporter of

Dream Flights, the Aleethia Foundation and other military and philanthropic programs.

As a former Air Force officer, Sport Clips’ Founder and Chairman Gordon Logan has a special place in his heart for active-duty military and veterans. He serves on the VFW Foundation Board and has served as chairman of the IFA’s VetFran Mentor Network.

PHTOOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

and service members with military I.D. Furthermore, for people who fall outside of those qualifications, a $2 haircut will be available which will support the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarships”, which go to service members and veterans.

Since 2013, Sport Clips locations across the country have worked to support U.S. service

HOT DOG! >>

FROM A1

It's a quick lunch spot with good food and everybody likes it."

Another woman, who said she used to come about once a month before the closing in August, ordered the super short dog, which, according to another man in line, is just a smaller version of Mrs. Story's lauded

A4 Nov. 11, 2021

Atlanta

D

SEAN DIETRICH

ear kid, I wish you could’ve been there. You are reading this letter in the far-off future, long after I am dead and scattered. But tonight, as I write these feeble words, I hope they will help you understand how we felt when it happened. Because the sports history books simply won’t do the occasion justice.

Tonight, the night it took place, I was sitting in my den, anxiously squeezing a throw pillow, watching the television.

My wife was beside me, howling at the TV screen. “Hit it outta the park!” Then she crushed a few beer cans using only one hand.

That’s the kind of agony we underwent

on the night the Atlanta Braves, America’s oldest continuously operating baseball team, established in 1871, won the World Series.

My God. I have waited twenty-two years to write that last line.

You’re a child. Thus, you cannot know what this monumental moment means to us middle-aged fools. I don’t know if baseball is important to the people in your future era, but we, your ancestors, love this game something fierce.

I wish you knew how many thousands of innings we’ve faithfully watched over our lifespans. I wish you could fathom how many on-the-road games we convinced our wives to attend, traveling upwards

of twenty-nine hours across the continental U.S. only to watch our team lose to the Diamondbacks.

You don’t know how much money we’ve invested in HD television equipment, live streaming packages, expensive ball caps, nosebleed tickets, tepid ballpark beers, overpriced hotdogs that tasted like fried squirrel.

You don’t know how many weddings, funerals, baby dedications, banquets, and bar mitzvahs we have excused ourselves from, faking full bladders, then rushed to the men’s room to check the score.

Yes, I freely conceded that it’s ridiculous and irresponsible to be a baseball fan. Because when you think about it, professional sports is a frivolous endeavor with all the chaos in this world.

But, oh, there is joy in frivolity.

Because life is hard, kid. Not just a little bit hard. Life is bone hard.

In this past month alone, three of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer. I have another friend with four kids who

I'm Too Old

WENDY HODGE Author’s Note: I wrote the following article four years ago.

My life has changed a lot since then – I’ve had more birthdays, I have a new job and I finally crossed paths with the man who will have my heart for the rest of my life. Things are good.

They’re more than good. But it took going through the not so good stuff to get here. I’m too old for some things, but I’m not too old to know how miraculous my life is and to be so grateful for it every single day.

I

f you should ever decide, on a September Friday night, to head from Opelika to Auburn, remind yourself NOT to drive by the Auburn High School football stadium. Bumper. To. Bumper. But, this past Friday night, I was on a mission. I needed a snow cone from Sno Biz. Did you know they put cream on snow cones now? Not Cool Whip, not whipped cream, but REAL cream.

From a cow. They keep it in a condiment bottle and squeeze it on top of the ice. Sno Biz – God bless it.

When I finally made it through the traffic, I told the girl behind the counter I wanted coconut and banana flavor with EXTRA cream.

“It’s 50 cents,” she said.

“Give me a dollar’s worth.”

“You mean… like… twice more?”

“Yeah. Squeeze that bottle twice.”

She shot me a look, like a bartender eyeing someone they may have to cut off before the night is over.

“I’ve had a rough day.

And I’m almost 50,” I said.

“I see,” was her reply.

It was true. Sunday is my birthday … The big ugly one after 49.

And for a few weeks now, as the date has loomed closer, I’ve had this list in my head repeating itself like a bad song lyric. My own over-the-hill No. 1 single title “I’m Too Old.” It started simply enough. “I’m Too Old … to have grown kids.” “I’m Too Old … to run 5 miles a day like I used to.” Every day, though, I added to the list until it became one endless chorus of unfinished business that a 50-year-old simply mustn’t even consider. “I’m Too Old … to have a baby, to become an astronaut, to join the military …” I didn’t necessarily want to do any of these things, but knowing I no longer had the option was weighing on me.

And that surprised me. I normally see something to be grateful for whenever possible, but this “50” business was skewing things off center.

My hope was that a snow cone would set things straight. And those first creamcovered bites were excellent. Truly.

Feeling slightly better, I headed back toward Opelika, eating as I drove. My cell phone rang. I answered to hear my friend Scott’s strong, happy voice.

No matter what, Scott says hello like he’s the happiest guy in the world. I like that.

Turns out Scott was not happy. Far from it. “My best friend committed suicide a few days ago,” he told me. “Oh, Scott, I’m sorry … what happened?” “No one knows. He left no note, no clue, nothing. Just … ended his life.” He was 43. There was silence while I let this sink in.

“I called to give you your birthday present a few days early,” Scott said. “”Ok. Thanks.”

“Hang up, and don’t answer when I call back.”

“Huh?” “I’m leaving you a message for your birthday. Wait until you stop driving and play the message.”

“Um… ok… thanks,” I said, and the connection was See HODGE, page A5

just lost his job and now delivers takeout food for a living.

Everyone I know has lost loved ones unexpectedly this year.

Family members and friends are constantly being faced with some sort of unexpected tragedy or grievance or major surgery or divorce or disappointment. Each day is an obstacle course.

And that’s life, kid.

Ask any adult and they’ll tell you: Life is no day at the beach. In fact, the only thing certain about this life is that you won’t survive it.

Sounds depressing, huh?

Yeah, well, that’s not the whole story, kiddo.

Because...

Life also holds wondrous surprises.

Colossal surprises.

Titanic surprises that will blow your hair back and enrich your soul.

Nothing—and I mean nothing—in this lifetime ever goes the way you think it will. And that’s a wondrous thing about being human.

There will be days when you’ll wake up and truly think you’re going to have the worst day ever. Then, suddenly,

boom, something incredible will change the trajectory of your entire existence.

Then again, some mornings you will expect to have a marvelous day, but you will end up finding yourself face down in the dirt, bruised and bloody, with a mouthful of infield grass.

And it is during those difficult moments when you will discover the beauty of distractions.

Which is what baseball is.

These small diversions can save you from yourself. They can excite you, they can make life seem so much more vivid and rich than it was before.

A bucket of popcorn can suddenly become the most lovely thing you ever tasted. A simple baggy of parched peanuts can bring you to the brink of tears. A CocaCola could kill you.

For a few precious minutes, a bat and ball can cause you to temporarily forget the indifference and cruelty of Earth, and bring you a measure of peace.

You will find yourself holding the hand of your wife, the woman who has

walked with you through some very hard times, and you will cheer loudly at a television. For once, you won’t be thinking about things that trouble you. For once, you won’t be worried. For once you will root for something that is bigger than yourself.

You will find solace in a silly game. And it will be this banal game your father once taught you to play that will ease your pain and make you smile.

When this happens, you will start to see baseball differently. No longer will it seem like a child’s game to you, but you will recognize it as the American artform our ancestors have been practicing since the 1750s. And in that moment you will somehow feel a little more connected to your fellow human.

During those hours of happiness, perhaps you will finally understand how the author of this letter once watched the Atlanta Braves win the Fall Classic, and truly regarded this evening as one of the greatest nights of his entire life.

I only wish you could have been there.

My Veteran’s Birthday

BRADLEY ROBERTSON Author's Note: This column first appeared in our 2020 LIVE Lee Veterans Issue.

M

y birth date is Nov. 11, 1980.

This was not by chance but was due to practical thought by my mother. She was a schoolteacher and in true work fashion, she knew she would be off that day, and so I was born.

I remember thinking in elementary school that it was very cool to always be “off” on my birthday. I knew that it was Veterans Day, but I never related to the importance until my older years. I was a typical child of the '80s and '90s having skate parties, friends over for cupcakes and once my mother even brought a filmstrip over from her school.

When I was in high school and college, I was too self-absorbed to think anything of the special day I held. It was not until adulthood that I began to clearly see and understand the honor I held in sharing my

birthday with our own national heroes, our Veterans.

About six years ago, I made up my mind that I would begin to do something special every year on my birthdate to honor Veterans. I had a tug at my heart to visit the Tuskegee VA hospital and so it became my first agenda.

I had no clue where it was or what it was like, I had only heard of it.

I had no plan but to speak to Veterans and let them know they are still remembered.

I looked the VA up on Maps in my cell phone and took my young son along with me. We pulled into what appeared to be an old school campus of sorts that you could tell was once a lively and thriving environment.

But that day, it appeared empty and desolate except one larger hospital style facility in the very back of the complex.

I parked my car and took Braxton by the hand and walked into the unknown. We spent the next two hours meeting a few of the residents and listening to their stories.

Some were very old and had fought long ago in Vietnam, some were still young and had fought recently in the Gulf War or Afghanistan.

I was on the verge of tears the entire time; seeing that these men had done a noble thing for me, and they still felt the suffering it took for everyone.

It was a hard reality but one I will never

forget.

The following year I decided to run the Ft. Benning Soldier Half Marathon. Previously to this year, I would have called myself a seasoned runner. I used to run often and race often.

However, when I chose to run this particular race, I was not “in season”. But I thought to myself, “all the more reason to go. If soldiers can suffer and fight for me, surely I can suffer through 13.1 miles for them?”

And suffer I did, but nothing compared to American Soldiers. The race began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. I cried the entire time and could not even get out the words. It was moving and I felt the honesty in freedom. I ran along homes of soldiers for miles and miles, waving and saying, “Thank you” when I could. The race ended and I survived through prayer and petition. But in my mind, I knew it was nothing, nothing compared to what our soldiers truly do for our country.

I have attended city events honoring our Veterans as well as the Veterans Day program at my children’s school, Lee-Scott Academy. It’s a gift to see and hear a Veteran speak up about his or her experience.

It’s a gift to see old, feeble men stand and salute their flag that is so true to their being. It’s a gift to see a father or mother in uniform stand with their children in See ROBERTSON, page A5

A5 Nov. 11, 2021

The Unity Wellness Center Hosts Run for World AIDS Day On Saturday Nov. 20, The Unity Wellness Center of Auburn will host its 4th annual run/ walk for World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. It is also the first ever global health day to be established.

It was founded in 1988

by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global

ROBERTSON >>

FROM A4

school and see what a sacrifice they made. It is all an honor, and you cannot really feel it until you put yourself in it.

My grandfather, John T. Nettles, fought in World War II. He passed away when I was only 15 and I never took the chance or opportunity to speak with him on his US service. However, I feel a close connection to him every year on my birthday. He was the navigator on a bomber airplane in the Pacific Ocean and he won a purple heart. Speaking his truth and story for him is the greatest gift to me.

We are free because others suffered. We are free because lives were killed. We can say freedom over and

Program on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Unity Wellness Center is a local center that provides HIV testing and counseling, HIV primary medical care, medical case management services and HIV prevention education and awareness programs.

“Today HIV treatment is straight forward; there are a lot of resources and there are a lot of ways to stay healthy with HIV,” said Jessie Schwiesow, who has been with the wellness center for over 10 years. “We are a specialty clinic and what makes us unique is we accept all clients, over and over again, but we will never truly understand it the way our Veterans do.

This year on my birthday, I would like to find a World War II museum to track the path of my grandfather.

I would like to learn more of his true story and what that looked like for him and other soldiers. I do not know yet where it will take me, but I’m willing to go.

I encourage all people who are not Veterans to take the time to feel and see the reality of War. What museums are available to visit?

Do you know a Veteran personally you can go visit? Is there a local school or city event you can go to? Do something, do anything.

Just be sure you take time to honor our American Soldiers.

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any HIV positive person that doesn’t have health insurance we don’t turn them away we provide them treatment.”

The Unity Wellness

Center has the race to not only raise money to treat HIV but to spread awareness about their treatment facility as well as erase the stigma

behind HIV. “Stigma is so bad in our community when it comes to HIV, that is probably one of the biggest challenges we

see,” Schwiesow said. “… People not talking about it or having this conversation, not real-

HODGE >>

on for five minutes about his gout and the Vietnam War. Just as we were about to slip out the back door, a college girl took the stage.

She held a package of Oreos in front of her and said, “My name is Sarah. For the next 15 minutes, I will be whoever you need me to be … an ex-girlfriend, a parent, someone who has wronged you … anyone you have unfinished business with, anyone you need to say something to, let me be that person.

If your words are meaningful and touch my heart, I’ll give you an Oreo.”

The audience was quiet for a moment, all of us looking around to see if she would have any takers. Finally, a young man approached the stage. “Let’s pretend you’re my roommate, Frank. You stole 20 bucks from my wallet … and my girlfriend.

I really hate you, Frank,” he said. The audience laughed, but Sarah just stood and waited. “I guess it’s all good, though. I mean … I forgive you.” He was rewarded with a cookie.

Several more people took a turn, most of them choosing an ex to accuse or question.

One girl let Sarah be the father who abandoned her. She was brutally honest and walked away with two cookies.

Then, like a whisper that’s so close to your ear it startles you, I heard my own voice tell me, “It’s your turn.” Without pausing, I stood. My date reached out his arm to stop me, but I slipped away from his fingers.

I don’t remember getting to the stage.

I do remember the way the noise of the audience fell away, and all there was in the world was me and Sarah.

“You are me,” I said. Sarah tilted her head slightly, questioningly.

“You’re me, my teenage self.” She smiled slightly and waited. I leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “You need to know and remember that you are enough. Just as you are. You are enough.” Sarah’s clear eyes looked into mine, and I touched my forehead to hers … like a blessing on the girl I used to be.

I stepped back, and with tears sliding down her face, Sarah handed me the entire box of Oreos. There was loud applause and shouts of “Tell us!” as I walked back to my seat.

My date was not clapping. He looked embarrassed. “He broke the No Shame rule,” I thought as I reached for my purse and walked out. A few moments later, I was on the sidewalk,

breathing in the cool night air, and my date was walking quickly to catch up.

“That was interesting,” he said. “You do realize you’re a bit too old for that, right?

Everybody else on that stage is 20-something.”

In that moment, I knew I WAS too old — too old to spend another moment with someone who would reach out to hold me back from saying what needs to be said. Instead, let there be a hand at my back, pushing me forward, supporting my effort and clapping at the sound of the words I need to say.

“I’m Too Old … to settle for less, and just old enough to know I deserve so much more.” We all do, don’t we?

And so I’ve arrived at my spot by the fountain, and I’ve pressed play on Scott’s voicemail message.

His strong, clear, tenor voice breaks the air, and he is singing Happy Birthday. In Italian. I crank the volume up on speaker phone.

As the sun sinks behind the courthouse, with my own Italian serenade drifting up into the night sky, I tilt back my head and drink the last drops of coconut and cream.

I’m just old enough to know how amazing my life is and too old to let myself forget it. Happy Birthday — You are enough.

FROM A4

broken.

Without planning to, I steered for the fountain downtown. It’s where I go. And I thought of Scott’s friend, of the hopelessness he must have felt, of the boundless grief his parents and friends are enduring. And I realized the next line of my over-the-hill song should be … “I’m Too Old … to forget what a gift it is to wake up morning after morning, enough mornings to add up to 50 years.”

My mother always says, “Getting old beats the alternative.”

And she’s right.

As I drove through downtown Opelika, I remembered this time last year. Just after I turned 49, a date took me to a comedy club called No Shame.

Every Friday night, the club has about a dozen time slots open for amateurs to sign up and perform — stand-up comedy, singing, original poetry — whatever talent they choose to share with an audience of about 150 people.

There are two rules — be respectful of others and do not be embarrassed.

Not knowing what to expect, we sat through a couple of truly funny comics, one enthusiastic but mediocre country singer and an 80-yearold man who rambled

See WELLNESS, page A6

A6 Nov. 11, 2021

Remington Firearms To Bring 856 Jobs to LaGrange

Plans to Locate Headquarters, Open Manufacturing Facility and R&D Center CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF LAGRANGE

Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced earlier this week that Remington Firearms (RemArms), America’s oldest firearms manufacturer, will locate its global headquarters and open a new advanced manufacturing operation as well as a worldclass research and development center in LaGrange, Georgia.

Through these projects, RemArms will invest $100 million and create 856 jobs over a five-year period in Troup County.

“The state’s firearms industry is responsible for thousands of Georgia jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our communities,” Kemp

WELLNESS >>

FROM A5

izing that people with HIV live long, healthy and normal lives.”

The staff at the Unity Wellness Center want the community to know that it has somewhere to turn for help.

There are a few different ways to be involved with the run for World AIDS Day. There will be a one mile walk that is not timed beginning at 8 a.m. It is $20 to register. There will also be a timed 5K beginning at 8:30 a.m. that costs $25. For those that still

said. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Remington Firearms, with its rich American history, to their new home and global headquarters in the Peach State. I look forward to seeing the opportunities RemArms creates across west Georgia.”

Founded in 1816, Remington Firearms is one of the United States’ largest domestic producers of shotguns and rifles.

Several of the company’s strategic products will be manufactured in Georgia. The new headquarters will also become home to an innovative research and development center.

“We are very excited to come to Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthu-

siastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry,” said Ken D’Arcy, RemArms CEO. “Between the support we’ve received from the state and from Scott Malone and Kelley Bush of the city of LaGrange Economic Development Authority, we cannot wait to expand our company in Georgia. Everyone involved in this process has shown how important business is to the state and how welcoming they are to all business, including the firearms industry.”

The company will be hiring for positions in production, operations, engineering and management, as well as careers in HR, finance and adminis-

don’t feel comfortable joining due to COVID, or for other reasons can’t attend in person, but want to show support, they can register to attend the event virtually for $10.

The 5K will have age group awards presented to the overall top three female and male runners and to the top three female and male runners in each age group (18 & under, 18-30, 3140, 41-50, 51+).

Online registration for the run ends Thursday, Nov. 18. After that, you can still register on Friday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Unity Wellness

Center in Opelika or on race day starting at 6:30 a.m.

You can register for the event at runsignup. com. You can also sign up to volunteer for the event by contacting Jessica.schwiesow@eamc. org.

“Our volunteers will mainly be helping to direct people on the 5K course, we appreciate any help.” Schwiesow said.

The event will take place rain or shine at Town Creek Park in Auburn and will also have raffles and refreshments for runners and volunteers throughout the morning.

For more information about the event or to donate visit the website at Unity Wellness Center World AIDS Day run/walk.

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tration in Remington’s onsite executive offices. For more information, please visit www. remarms.com.

“I am thrilled to welcome Remington Firearms to the growing list of manufacturers who call LaGrange home,” said Mayor of LaGrange Jim Thornton. “The Remington name has long been associated with great products, and I know they will continue that tradition and be very successful here. I applaud the partnership with Governor Kemp and the economic development teams at the state and at the city that help attract great companies to our community.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development was

represented in this competitive project by Senior Project Manager Taylor Kielty in partnership with the LaGrange Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.

“For more than two centuries, Remington Arms has been a part of the fabric of our country, and for many of us who grew up with a strong connection to the outdoors and a love of outdoor sports, a trusted brand like Remington has been interwoven into our lives. This makes it all the more exciting for us to see Remington Firearms locate their global headquarters and advanced manufacturing operations to Georgia where they will join a strong

community of great companies who call this state home,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Many thanks to our economic development partners in Troup County for helping the state win this project, which will undoubtedly have a sizeable economic impact on LaGrange and surrounding communities.”

ABOUT REMINGTON FIREARMS Founded in 1816, Remington Firearms is one of the nation’s oldest firearms brands, operating for 205 years. Remington is one of the largest producers of shotguns and rifles in the world.

Auburn United Methodist Church United Methodist Women

2021 Christmas Market Saturday, December 4, 2021 8:30 am – 1:00 pm 137 South Gay Street, Auburn, AL 36830

Free admission, community-wide Christmas Market Shop for Arts, Crafts, Foods, Decorations & More For more information contact Mary Richburg email aumcwomenchristmas@outlook.com

Proceeds from Christmas Market will support local missions through the Auburn United Methodist Women

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 12: Fall Bash at Red Clay Brewing Co. Nov. 12 through 14: AACT's and OCT's All Together Now Performances Nov. 14: The Simon & Garfunkel Story at Opelika Center for Performing Arts

Bake Yummy Pies for Special Fall, Holiday Desserts PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

I

n the fall, as ripe apples and a fresh crop of pecans are gathered, it is the perfect time for baking delicious pies with buttery crusts. Pies are yummy by themselves or enhanced with whipped cream or ice cream. As you plan menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas, consider adding a special pie or two to the dessert table.

When I was growing up in Opelika, we shelled pecans in the fall for my mother to make pies and confections. This was after shelling peas and beans during summer months on the porch or under a Chinaberry tree in the backyard. While you can shell your own, freshly shelled pecans are available at yearround farmers markets and some grocery stores. They make better pies than pecans packaged for a longer shelf life.

Years ago I was asked to judge two pie contests, with one being all pecan pies. I thought that might be difficult since pecan pies pretty much taste

the same. Fortunately, one was a little different with a rich caramel taste.

The Brown Butter Pecan Pie is prepared a little differently from most recipes. Be sure to stand at the stove as the butter melts and turns a golden brown. Watch it or it will burn.

Since pecan pies are rich, they are not generally served with a sauce. We dined at a restaurant that offered pecan pie with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Our table tried it, and while chocolate is always good, we preferred it without the sauce.

While a homemade crust is the best, the rolled crusts in the refrigerator section of the grocery also work if you are too busy to make your own. The first time I used these crusts for company, I was concerned the pies weren’t going to be as good without a homemade crust. After a friend asked for the crust recipe, I felt the rolled ones would be fine.

My mother-in-law, Mom Cipperly, always made piecrusts from

NAMI Meeting Planned For Nov. 16

scratch, and they were flakey and perfect. She preferred pies instead of cakes, and her pies were generally rich.

This morning when I starting writing about pies, I got Mom Cipperly’s recipe box from the closet to see what pie recipes she had collected. The old wooden box must have belonged to her mother, as it was made by hand.

Mom Cipperly was a New Yorker, and her family was part of the DuBois Huguenots who had founded New Platz, New York. The village still remains and is open to the public.

As I pulled out each of the faded recipes, it brought back memories of dining at their home in Manhattan and northern New Jersey.

Her pie recipes were different than the ones my mother made.

While Mom Cipperly was a gourmet cook, the box contained several old pie recipes with two recipes for apple pie with pieces of salt pork. They must have been from generations back since it was not in her handwriting.

Other recipes were for

Whether they are creamy, fruit filled or topped with pecans, pies are a delectable dessert, especially during fall and for Thanksgiving. Brown Butter Pecan Pie is pictured ready to serve for a special dessert.

rhubarb pie, a sesame date pie and many for cream pies laced with liqueur. A cranberry apple pie sounds good, so I am sharing that recipe.

At one Thanksgiving, Mom Cipperly made mincemeat pies. We never had those at my home in Opelika when I was growing up. Just before the pies were served, my father-inlaw poured a huge amount of bourdon over the pies. He then lit a match to start a flame for burning off the alcohol. I thought he had ruined them.

Mincemeat was not what I thought, and it wasn’t the bourdon that ruined it. Mincemeat is a mixture of finely chopped dried fruit and beef suet (and may also have beef) with spices.

Instead of making mincemeat pies, I decided to make Mom Cipperly’s chocolate mousse recipe that came from their cook in Portugal as a pie filling with a chocolate

CONTRIBUTED BY CAROLYN MORTON

The Samford Community Outreach Fellowship Group presents its Inaugural Peacemakers and Prayer Warriors Outreach Day. The event will be held on Nov. 20, from 11

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Auburn.

NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing.

The public is invited.

Samford Community Plans Outreach Day a.m. to 1 p.m. at Care Ministries located at 1000 Samford Ct. in Opelika.

Pastor Carolyn Morton is hosting the event and cordially invites everyone in the community to come out and fellowship with the group.

a use a cookie cutter with pumpkin or leaf designs for cutting pastry designs. These can be baked separately and placed on the pie or place them on the pie before baking Children will enjoy decorating the pie with the pastry shapes.

Chocolate and coconut pies are good to serve during the holidays. They go together quicker than cakes if you are short on time.

Most pies also freeze well.

Along with pastry crusts for pies, there are other options, including graham cracker, chocolate, baked meringue, shortening bread cookie, puff pastry and crust made with ginger snaps or other cookies. You can make a creative pie trying different crusts.

Cream cheese pastry is ideal for mini pies and tarts.

Treat your family to a pie this coming week, and put one in the freezer for Thanksgiving.

Sweetland on Ice to Open Friday, Nov. 19

CONTRIBUTED BY NAMI

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce which is located at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in

crust. She really liked that pie, but the mousse was prepared with six raw eggs with the whites beaten to fold into the rich chocolate mixture. Once raw eggs were no longer considered safe to consume, I no longer prepared that pie.

Since Mom Cipperly had liked that pie so much, I tried making her a French chocolate mousse without raw eggs. The look on her face said it all. No, she did not like that light mousse.

When you are making pies or any dessert for the holidays, be sure not to use raw eggs unless they have been pasteurized. This is especially important if your guests include children, older family members or an expectant mom.

Along with pecan pies, pumpkin or sweet potato pies are popular during fall months and for Thanksgiving. To garnish pumpkin pies, roll out extra pastry and

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF LAGRANGE

The Great Lawn at Sweetland Amphitheatre transforms into Sweetland on Ice beginning Friday, Nov. 19. The 5,500 square foot openair ice-skating rink is completely covered by a tent, providing a festive atmosphere for the whole family.

Bring your family and friends to this winter wonderland and enjoy

holiday decorations and a spectator section with heaters to enjoy the ice-skating action and affordable concessions.

New this year, Sweetland will offer free holiday movies to the community on the following Fridays: Nov. 19, 7 to 9 p.m.: ELF Nov. 26, 7 to 9 p.m.: A Christmas Story Dec. 3, 7 to 9 p.m.: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dec. 10, 7 to 9 p.m.: It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 17, 7 to 9 p.m.: The Polar Express Sweetland on Ice is located in downtown LaGrange TICKET INFORMATION: (tax included in all pricing) Ice Skating + Skate Rental: $14.00 Kids Ice Skating + Skate Rental (10 years & under): $10.00 Bring Your Own Skates: $8.00 Group Rate (10+ people): $12 Adults/ $8 Kids Tickets include twohour enjoyment of the ice rink. Once you turn in your skates, you will need to purchase another ticket to skate again that day. The ice rink will be cleared periodically for ice maintenance and special programming.

Daily Hours:

Monday to Wednesday: Closed for Private Parties Thursday and Friday: 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.

Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving Week (Nov. 22 to Nov. 28): noon to 9 p.m. Christmas Break (Dec. 20 to Dec. 30): noon to 9 p.m.

Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day To book a holiday party or birthday celebration contact MK Nix at mk@sweetlandamp. com or 706-298-5343.

To keep up with the latest news involving Sweetland Amphitheatre, sign-up for our eNewsletter at sweetlandamp.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

A8 Nov. 11, 2021

Making the Grade: On the Road to Wetumpka, Alabama

For the past several years, Mike and I have enjoyed watching shows on HGTV such as: Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper, Good Bones, etc. Now, I am NOT at all interested in renovating ANYTHING. When we moved to Auburn, we bought a new, turn-key ready house. This girl doesn’t do “do-it-yourself” projects. You don’t want to see me wielding a hammer, drill or saw. Mike once said that he never wanted to see me with anything electrical.

Someone would get hurt, and it wouldn’t be pretty.

However, shows on HGTV have taught me some DIY terms such as: “load bearing walls, ship lap and subway tile back splash.”

Therefore, I have learned some new vocabulary; I’m just not interested in applying this knowledge. I don’t care HOW the renovation is done; Mike enjoys watching that part. I’m more interested in seeing the finished product and deciding whether I like it or not. In addition, I know NOTHING about interior decorating and have often wished that Mike and

G

only TWO teams really matter: my Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. While Coaches Corner had both Auburn and Alabama memorabilia, the décor definitely favored Alabama. There was even a life-size, wooden statute of the late Coach Paul

“Bear” Bryant with the words “RT” in big letters beside him. As an Auburn graduate and season ticket holder, I had no problem with that. However, I’d have liked to see a similar statue of the late Coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan, too.

Just saying.

But back to the restaurant. Katie, our waitress, was very sweet, helpful and patient. For an appetizer, Mike and I chose the mozzarella sticks. They were really delicious; we liked the generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese on them.

Again, you can never have too much cheese.

Mike was being good that day, so he ordered the grilled chicken chunks with honey BBQ sauce. They were big and meaty; he really enjoyed them. I, on the other hand, was NOT being good, so I selected the two chili cheese dogs with ten

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

PHOTO BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

I could afford to fly Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper to Auburn to help us decorate our home. However, that’s not in our budget, and Joanna is too busy with raising five children and running the family business anyway.

This past spring, Mike and I really enjoyed the HGTV series, Home Town Takeover. In the series, Ben and Erin Napier, who are from Laurel, Mississippi, joined with other HGTV stars and local people to renovate Wetumpka, Alabama. Since the shows have aired, Wetumpka has experienced a huge growth in tourism. rowing up in Alexander City (“Eleck” City to the locals), the only part of Wetumpka I ever saw was going on Highways 22 and 9, on our way to shop in Montgomery. I had never seen downtown Wetumpka or the bridge over the Coosa River, which looked really pretty on Home Town Takeover.

Since Mike and I were really impressed by the makeover Wetumpka received, we decided to travel there to Coaches Corner Sports Bar & Grill, a restaurant which had been one of the renovation projects. Coaches Corner is located at 203 Orline St. in Wetumpka.

When we were seated, I admired the colorful football decorations. Although the restaurant displayed pennants for all 14 SEC teams, in the great state of Alabama, we know that

pounds of hot tots. Well, almost. At least I didn’t eat the bun of the second chili dog and some of the hot tots. That should count for something. Everything was very tasty.

Besides the appetizer Mike and I enjoyed for lunch, Coaches Corner also offers: wings, fried pickle spears, fried mushrooms, onion rings, cheesy fries and queso cheesy fries.

For lunch, some other selections included: hamburger or BBQ sliders, grilled chicken salad and a variety of hamburgers, sandwiches and wraps.

At dinner (or supper as we call it), the restaurant offers a selection of additional appetizers, some of which included: corn nuggets, mini corn dogs, jalapeno bottle caps, fried pork skins and nachos grande. Also, Coaches Corner has many dinner (supper) entrees such as:

ribeye steak, surf & turf, chopped steak, piled high chicken, fish & chips, shrimp dinner, Coaches fried seafood basket, fried oyster dinner and grouper bites dinner.

I really loved the hometown feel of the place. Now, I don’t usually comment on a restaurant’s restroom, but I liked the uplifting messages painted on the walls along with silhouette drawings of women playing various sports. My favorite messages included: “Don’t look back. You are not going that way,” “Look in the mirror … That’s your competition” and “The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you’ve come.”

As Mike and I were leaving Coaches Corner, we struck up a conversation with Laura, Angie and Schella (That’s how you spell it.), three local residents, who were regulars at the restaurant.

All three ladies were retired nurses and Alabama

fans (Two were Bama grads.). They were so funny and friendly, telling us about their town with obvious pride. We really enjoyed visiting with them.

Again, meeting people is one of my favorite parts of traveling.

Coaches Corner Sports Bar & Grill is open on Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m.; on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Coaches Corner Sports Bar & Grill in Wetumpka gets an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food.

Enjoy!

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

Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in the Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com.

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 Nov. 11, 2021

Fall Camellia Show at Pioneer Park The Auburn-Opelika Men’s Camellia Club will host a fall Camellia Show and Sale at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka, on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12 and 13.

The sale will begin Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. and continue Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until early afternoon. Club members have treated

their Camellias with gibberellic acid in order to get them to bloom earlier to avoid some of the diseases associated with spring blooming Camellias. This often makes the blooms larger with more dramatic colors. More than 100 varieties of locally grown Camellias will be on display Saturday morning. The Club has also arranged to have more than 170 plants

in 3-gallon containers available for sale. These were hand-selected plants grown just for the Auburn-Opelika area and will be offered at a discounted price. Come Friday afternoon for the best plant selection.

Everyone is invited to contribute their best fall Camellia blooms but they need to be labeled by variety name. The Lee County Historical Society will offer lunch

at noon on Saturday from the Cook House at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka.

Pictured Right: Mac Nelson, Emmalee Jordan and Charles Mitchell admire some of the Camellia blooms from the 2020 Fall Show of the A-O Men’s Camellia Club. This year’s show will be on Nov. 13 at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY CHARLES MITCHELL

A10 Nov. 11, 2021

Jersey Mike's Subs Donates $300,000 to Matching Campaign to Support Wreaths Across America

CONTRIBUTED BY WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Today, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce that Jersey Mike’s Subs has made a $300,000 donation to support a matching campaign from Nov. 15 to 30, with a goal to sponsor 40,000 veterans’ wreaths for placement this National Wreaths Across America Day — Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

Through this donation, Jersey Mike’s has once again stepped up to support the mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Starting Monday, Nov. 15, through Tuesday, Nov. 30,

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> BROWN BUTTER PECAN PIES Connie King 1 stick butter 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 ½ cups light Karo syrup 4 eggs 2 cups pecans, chopped or whole 2 unbaked pie crusts Brown butter in a saucepan until golden, watching carefully. Remove from heat and add sugar, salt and syrup.

Return to burner. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove from burner and cool. Beat eggs; stir into the mixture.

Place one cup pecans in bottom of each piecrust. Pour filling into each piecrust. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Bake 10 minute; reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 20 to 25 minutes.

MEGAN’S CARAMEL PECAN PIE Julia Pipes 1 bag of caramels (about 30) 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup chopped pecans 1 prepared piecrust Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt caramels in butter and water in a saucepan.

Combine sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt in a bowl. Add melted caramel mixture. Add pecans. Stir until well blended.

Pour mixture into piecrust. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until crust is golden.

SHENANDOAH APPLE PIE Edith SmithT Walker’s mother’s recipe 5 Granny Smith apples peeled and thinly sliced 1½ cups sugar ¼ tsp. nutmeg ¼ tsp. cinnamon ¼ tsp. allspice ¼ tsp. vanilla ¼ tsp. lemon juice 1 stick melted butter

2021, every $15 wreath sponsorship made at www. wreathsacrossamerica. org/JerseyMikes will be matched by the company, up to $300,000.

Since 2012, Jersey Mike’s has raised more than $2.5 million to support WAA’s mission.

In 2020, 1.7 million veterans’ wreaths were placed in honor of veterans nationally and abroad, including on all the markers of those buried at Arlington National Cemetery. All year round, through a variety of programs, Jersey Mike’s franchisees across the country support the military and their families.

“Experiencing the placement of a wreath and knowing the impact that one simple action has for so

¼ cup milk 1 cup grated cheddar cheese Flour 2 pie crusts Place one crust in a deep-dish pie pan.

Place sliced apples over crust. Mix next 9 ingredients; add a “little” flour, stir and pour over apples. Make a lattice top using second crust. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

GEGIE’S IRON SKILLET CHOCOLATE PIE Pat Odom I don’t have many recipes from my beloved grandmother Gegie. This is a quick, favorite one with good old-timey fudgy taste.

It’s so good you might just want to forget the crust, and eat it straight from the skillet like candy.

1 Tbsp. butter 1 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. cocoa 2 Tbsp. plain flour Dash of salt 2 egg yolks 1 cup whole milk 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans, optional 9-inch pie shell, baked Topping: Whipped cream or Méringue Meringue: 2 egg whites 2 tsp. sugar Melt butter in skillet; remove from heat.

Gradually add all dry ingredients to butter while off heat. Mix together egg yolks and milk. Return skillet to heat and gradually add egg and milk to other ingredients in skillet. Cook until thick, stirring constantly.

Add toasted pecans, if desired. Cool.

Pour in cooked pie shell, top with whipped egg whites. Return to oven until egg whites are cooked or top with dollops of whipped cream instead and omit return to oven.

PECAN CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE Leigh Whatley 1/2 cup butter 4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla

many, is truly meaningful,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO. “Teach our children the value of freedom, touched our hearts. Honored to be part of Wreaths Across America.”

This year’s national wreath laying events will take place at more than 2,800 participating locations nationwide,

including at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 18.

“The veterans we honor committed themselves unselfishly at the most critical moments in our nation’s history,” said Karen Worcester, WAA’s executive director. “The generous support of the wonderful people at Jersey Mike’s ensures that we

1 cup sugar 1 cup Karo syrup 1 ½ cups chopped pecans 16 oz. pkg. chocolate chips Two 9-inch pie shells Melt butter; stir in eggs with whisk. Add vanilla, sugar and syrup. Sprinkle half pecans and chocolate chips into each pie shell. Pour syrup mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

in a saucepan and heat to blend mixture. Add cranberries and apples and let cool.

Place one crust in pie pan. Pour filling over crust.

To make a lattice top, lay ½ inch strips one way across filling.

Lay strips across the other way, and weave them in and out, one at a time, beginning in the center. Seal and make a fluted edge or finish with another strip laid around the edge.

Brush top with milk.

Bake at 425 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.

SWEET POTATO PIE Teresa Ogletree 3 to 4 large sweet potatoes (3 ½ cups) 4 eggs ½ cup butter, softened ½ tsp. nutmeg 2 cups sugar ½ tsp. salt 1 tall can (13 oz.) evaporated milk 2 deep-dish unbaked pie shells.

Cook sweet potatoes in boiling water until they are easily pierced with a fork. Remove from water, cool slightly. Remove skins; place hot cooked and peeled potatoes in large mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.

Beat in remaining filling ingredients.

Pour into unbaked piecrusts. Place pans on cookie sheet. Bake in 425-degree oven for 20 minutes; lower heat to 325 degrees and bake 30 minutes longer or until knife inserted comes out clean.

CRANBERRY APPLE PIE WITH LATTICE TOP Mom Cipperly 2/3 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. flour 1/4 tsp. allspice ¼ tsp. salt 1 tsp. grated lemon rind ½ cup honey 1 Tbsp. butter 3 cups fresh cranberries 2 cups diced apples Pastry for two-crust pie Milk for brushing on top crust Mix sugar, flour, allspice, salt, lemon rind, honey and butter

CHESS PIE Maggie Cooper From my grandmother, Maggie Whitlow 2 cups sugar 4 egg yolks 2/3 cups melted butter 1½ tsp. vanilla 2 Tbsp. flour 1 cup rich milk Mix together. Pour in partly baked pie shell and bake until firm in a moderate 350-degree oven.

CLASSIC PUMPKIN PIE Serve with whipped cream.

9-inch unbaked deep dish pie crust ¾ cup white sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. ground ginger ¼ tsp. ground cloves 2 large eggs 15 oz. can Libby’s pure pumpkin 12 oz. can evaporated milk Whipped cream, optional Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs lightly in large bowl.

Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture.

Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Reduce temperature to 350 degrees; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted

will be able to fulfill our mission in remembrance of these brave men and women.”

To register to volunteer to place wreaths this year at Arlington (a requirement near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. (Do not freeze as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.)

COCONUT CREAM PIE Ruth Meadows 3/4 cup sugar One-third cup all-purpose flour or 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 1/4 tsp. salt 2 cups milk 3 eggs, separated 2 Tbsp. butter 1 tsp. vanilla 9-inch pie shell 1 cup coconut In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt. Gradually add milk, mixing well.

Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils.

Cook 2 minutes longer.

Remove from heat. Stir small amount hot mixture into slightly beaten egg yolks; immediately return to hot mixture. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat.

Add butter and vanilla. Add coconut; stir well. Pour into cooled baked pie shell.

Prepare meringue.

Meringue with Coconut: Beat 3 egg whites with 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add 6 Tbsp. sugar, beating until stiff peaks form and all sugar is dissolved. Spread on top of pie, sealing to edge of pastry. Sprinkle 1/41/2 cup flaked coconut on top. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until meringue is golden. Cool.

GRANDMOTHER’S CHOCOLATE PIE Suzanne King Harris 2 squares (2 oz.) unsweetened chocolate 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 ¼ cup hot water 1/8 tsp. salt 4 Tbsp. flour ½ cup cold water 4 egg yolks, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla ¼ cup sugar 4 egg whites 8 Tbsp. sugar

for entry), visit www.learn. wreathsacrossamerica. org/anc2021. To find a cemetery near you to support or volunteer visit www. wreathsacrossamerica.org.

1 pie shell, baked Melt chocolate in top of double boiler. Add milk and stir for 3 minutes. Add hot water. Add salt and flour, which has been blended to a paste with cold water. Stir constantly until mixture thickens. Continue cooking 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.

Add beaten egg yolks, diluting them with a little of the hot mixture.

Add 1/4 cup sugar. Cook 5 minutes and add vanilla. Cool and pour into baked pie shell. Make meringue by beating egg whites and ¼ cup sugar.

Brown in a 275-degree oven. Bake pies for 35 to 40 minutes.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PIE Jamie Lazenby 12 oz. cream cheese, softened ½ cup sugar 1½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1 cup canned pumpkin 2 eggs 1 graham cracker crust Whipped cream or topping In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and pumpkin pie spice on medium speed until smooth. Stir in pumpkin.

Add eggs and mix until blended.

Place crust on a baking sheet. Pour filling into crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is almost set.

Cool on a wire rack.

Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Serve with whipped cream, if desired. Makes 8 servings.

PUMPKIN PECAN PIE Jamie Lazenby 4 eggs, slightly beaten 2 cups canned or mashed cooked pumpkin 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup dark brown corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. salt 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 1 cup chopped pecans Combine all filling ingredients except pecans.

Pour into pie shell. Top with pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until set.

A11 Nov. 11, 2021

Opelika Gets Out for Glow For Epilepsy

PHOTOS BY JOHN HILLSMAN / FOR THE OBSERVER The local nonprofit Compassionate Hands of Hope hosted its Glow for Epilepsy event this past Sunday at Opelika's Courthouse Square from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Janataka Holmes, founder and CEO of Compassionate Hands of Hope Inc., organized the event which featured vendors, games, music and more. The Opelika Police and Fire Departments attended and gave a demonstration on what to do when encountering someone who is having a siezure.

A12 Nov. 11, 2021

Downtown Opelika’s Holiday Open Farm City Proclamation Presented at Annual Farm City Breakfast House Returns Nov. 14 Opelika Main Street presents the annual Downtown Holiday Open House on Nov. 14 from noon to 5 p.m.

This year’s event will include multiple merchants and restaurants throughout the downtown area, each offering different sales and specials as part of the open house.

“The holiday season is just around the corner,”

said Opelika Main Street Executive Director Ken Ward. “The open house is a great way to kick off the season and start on that long shopping list.”

Live music will also be playing in the downtown area to get shoppers and visitors into the Christmas season.

Holiday open house signs will also be displayed at retail shops during the event to direct visitors and shoppers.

For more information,

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA MAIN STREET

visit opelikamainstreet.org or follow Opelika Main Street on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT OPELIKA MAIN STREET:

Founded in 1987, Opelika Main Street has helped assist in the growth of historic downtown Opelika through facade grants, beatification projects, small business assistance efforts and various community events. Learn more about Opelika Main Street by going to opelikamainstreet.org.

A Farm City Proclamation was presented at Tuesday morning’s Farm City Breakfast. Picctured above from left to right are: Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland — Smiths Station, Mayor Gary Fuller — Opelika, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, Lee County Probate Judge Bill English, Alabama State Sen. Randy Price, Mayor Ron Anders, Jr. — Auburn and Mayor Taylor Miller — Waverly.

Empty Bowls Pre-Sale December 13 - 17, 2021 (10 am – 6 pm CT) December 18, 2021 (1 pm – 5 pm CT) Denson Recreation Center

No Child Deserves an Empty Bowl!

Purchase an original soup bowl to raise money for the Food Bank of East Alabama Handcrafted bowls cost $10 - $20 each

Opelika - Auburn Empty Bowls Event Saturday, February 12, 2022 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CT Opelika Parks & Recreation (Denson Center) 1102 Denson Drive, Opelika AL 36801 For info: contact Sherie Spain, Pottery Director (334) 705-5558

DOWNTOWN EVENTS Nov. 11 — Live Music by Dixon Darling at Resting Pulse Brewing Company Nov. 12 — Live Music by John Eason at Resting Pulse Brewing Company Nov.13 — Live music by Thomas Hind at Resting Pulse Brewing Company Nov. 14 from Noon to 5 p.m. — Downtown Opelika Holiday Open House

A13 Nov. 11, 2021

Good Gossip?

BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

C

an there be such a thing as good gossip or is that an oxymoron?

I suppose it depends on how you define the word.

One of the definitions Wordnik gives of gossip is, “Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational or intimate nature.” Let’s start with the idea that a rumor is not inherently good or bad — it's just something we hear and we’re not sure if is true or

not. What is good or bad, is what we choose to do with what we’ve heard.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Much of the information we initially receive comes in the form of rumors — someone tells us where the next roundabout is going to be, what store is coming to our area or when the new pickle ball courts will be completed.

Until substantiated, this all qualifies as gossip, but it’s hardly the kind the Scripture speaks against — it's just people talking. And if it’s okay to talk about the weather if you’re not a meteorologist, it’s okay to talk about things we are something less than one hundred percent certain about — as long as no one is going to be hurt by it. And I’d like to suggest that sometimes, talking about things can be a factor in gen-

erating positive outcomes.

Consider what is going on in the book of Ruth. It starts in 1:7, where we’re told that Naomi “had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited His people and given them food” (ESV). Years before, a famine in Bethlehem had driven Naomi, her husband Elimelek and their two sons to Moab. Sometime later, the deaths of Elimelek and her two sons forced her to work in the fields. Now, in those same fields, she hears the good news that the famine is over. We’re not specifically told who was saying this or where and how they got this information. Like most gossip, it’s hard to pin down. It’s something less than a word from the Lord, but Naomi accepts it and acts upon it. And without this decision, there would be no book of Ruth.

We come across another occurrence of people talking when Boaz meets Ruth and tells her, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband — how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before” (2:11). Again, no source is cited, but whoever it was, Boaz thought them credible enough to compliment Ruth.

This in turn puts her at ease (v. 13) and begins what will become a very special relationship between the two of them. And it started with people talking.

We have one more instance of people talking in 3:2-4. There Naomi informs Ruth about what Boaz will be doing that evening. Since Naomi has been out of the country for several years,

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN this must be new information she has obtained somewhere.

She believes it to be reliable, passes it on to Ruth and the rest is history.

God used people talking to get Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem, impress Boaz about Ruth and provide Ruth with an opportunity to “propose” to Boaz. This doesn’t make all gossip good, but it does remind us that information that hasn’t been fully vetted has its place in life.

Love “believes all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV) not in the sense that it is naïve or gullible. Rather, it is discerning — to the point of understanding how God can use people talking to bring about good and accomplish His will.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-withbruce-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 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.

So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 14:8

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

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OPELIKA ON DEC. 19 AT 7 P.M.

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

A14 Nov. 11, 2021

Remarkable Insights Stir the Soul

I

WALTER ALBRITTON

am a flawed person living in a broken world. Since the death of my wife last December, loneliness engulfs me daily, inviting me to give up. Yet I survive. I exhale despair; I inhale joy. I ask myself, what keeps you going?

The answer lies in what I believe.

I believe God loves me. He created me. Before I was formed in my mother’s womb, God had a plan for my life. I am not a tiny leaf being tossed madly about on the raging seas of life.

As a child I began to believe that God wants me to know Him, love Him and be blessed by His love. His purpose for my life gradually unfolded as I learned to trust Him. His gracious plan continues to be revealed as I obey Him. God guides. He provides. In the midst of pain and misfortune, He comforts. He infuses His strength into my weakness. He gives me

the grace to persevere when I am tempted to give up. He fills my mind with truth that overwhelms despair. He gives me friends who encourage me to carry on. He provides mentors whose remarkable insights stir and energize my soul.

One of my mentors is my Master. His name is Jesus. Since my teenage years, I have been amazed by His forgiveness for my sins, amazed by the joy of His Presence, amazed that He chose me to become one of His disciples. When the despair of death devastates me, and the inevitability of

my own death chokes me, I find victory in His remarkable insight about the future: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

(John 14:1-3, NLT) My mentor E. Stanley Jones taught me how to get connected to Jesus.

I had to give up myself.

Realizing that in the

shrine of my heart I would bend my knee to some master, I chose to let Christ master me.

I shall never forget listening as Jones described the time he bowed before the marvelous statue of Thorvaldsen’s “Christ” in a Copenhagen cathedral. A Danish friend whispered to Jones, “You will not be able to see His face unless you kneel at His feet.”

Brother Stanley knelt at His feet, “and only then was His face looking into mine.” Then Jones observed, as though he was speaking to me, “You cannot really see Christ till you surren-

der to Him. Those who stand far off, surveying Him, never really see His face. So bend the knee. Be conquered by Him.” I did. I bent my knees. He changed my life.

Now, like the blind hymnwriter Fanny Crosby, I too can sing “Someday my earthly house will fall, I cannot tell how soon ‘twill be; but this I know — my All in All has now a place in heaven for me.”

Shall I cringe at the thought of death? No! Why? Because I have been saved by grace and one day I shall see my Master not in a statue but face to face.

OBITUARIES STEVEN TODD SMITH Funeral services for Steven Todd Smith was on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Pierce Chapel with burial following in Pierce Chapel Cemetery. Visitation was on, Nov. 6 at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home. Mr. Smith is survived by his parents, James Ray Smith and Beth Smith; brother, Gregory Ray Smith (Beth); nephew, Keegan Smith; grandparents, Buddy and Frances Dowd; a host of other family members including aunts, uncles, cousins; many loving friends; and a very special friend and caregiver Angela Harris. Flowers are very welcome or a donation can be made in memory of Steven to: Pierce Chapel Church of Opelika 8685 AL Hwy 51 Opelika, AL 36804.

––––––– JAMES “LARRY” TRAMMELL James “Larry” Trammell, 76, of Opelika, went to

be with the Lord on Nov. 3, 2021 at East Alabama Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was born in Columbus, Georgia, raised in Loachapoka and has lived in the OpelikaAuburn area for many years. He was born to James Langley and Annie Ruth Trammell. Being a Christian was an important part of his life. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, along with wood working, mechanics, electronics and helping others. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister and brother-inlaw, Gloria Jean and John Bass. Surviving family members include his loving wife of 57 years, Diane Kaufman Trammell; his son and daughter-in-law, Larry Edward and Diane Trammell; his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and George Goodfellow; his daughter and son-in-law, Sherrie and James McGill; his grandchildren: Ryan Trammell, Hannah McGill,

Erin Trammell, Grace McGill, Will Goodfellow, and Jordan McGill. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Reggie and Angie Trammell.

The family received friends at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory in Opelika on Nov. 6, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services were on Nov. 7, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory with burial following in Garden Hills Cemetery.

––––––– MAYOR BOBBY JAMES FREEMAN Mayor Bobby James Freeman passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 at the age of 84. He served as a Lee County Commissioner for 10 years and as Mayor of Opelika for 10 years. One of his chief accomplishments as mayor was the construction of Grand National Golf Course by Retirement Systems of Alabama.

Mayor Freeman worked

tirelessly to improve the lives of the citizens of Opelika and Lee County.

He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959.

Mayor Freeman was preceded in death by his parents, Norene Short Freeman Mayfield and James Carlton Freeman and his wife of 55 years Faye H. Freeman, his brother Wayne Freeman and sister Retha Freeman May. Bobby and Faye would have celebrated their 60th anniversary on Nov. 4.

He is survived by his sons Jim (Gina), Neal (Suzanne), Gary (Stephanie) as well as his grandchildren Jason, Ryan, Carmen, Emily, Lawson, Jackson and Hudson and one greatgrandchild, Trace.

The Freeman family would like to thank Bobby’s friend, Norma Johnson and her family for caring for him over the last two years. Your friendship has been a great comfort to our family.

The family will be having a private ceremony at a later date. They request

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donations to: Flags for Vets, Inc. P.O. Box 1348 Auburn, AL 36830.

––––––– MICHAEL E. LITTLEJOHN Michael E. Littlejohn, 52, of Opelika, passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 at his home in Opelika. A visitation was held Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home and Crematory beginning at 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service was held in Clanton, Alabama.

––––––– MARY JEANETTE ARWOOD Mary Jeanette Arwood, age 75, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. She was born Sept. 1, 1946 in Opp, Alabama, to Elmer and Sally Lee. She worked at Fairfax Mill for 20-plus years and then later became a Nurse Aide. She loved to help take care of people, especially the elderly.

Jeanette was a dedicated mother first and foremost.

She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as a Nana. She had the biggest heart and personality. She always made people around her laugh and feel loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Sally Lee; brothers, George, Ray and Sterling Lee; sister-in-law, Brenda Lee. She is survived by her husband, James Arwood; children, Jimmy Arwood, Todd (Audra) Arwood, Denise (Randy) Hadaway, and Blake (Anita) Arwood; 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, two greatgreat grandchildren; sister, Jean (Jerry) Varnum, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Visitation was held in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Graveside service was held at Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 10, with Rev. Russell DeLee officiating.

––––––– MARGARET HAMER MURPHY

Margaret Louise Hamer Murphy was born Jan. 17, 1928, in rural Eagle Grove, Iowa to Morris and Lea Hamer.

She began her secretarial career in Des Moines, Iowa where she met and later married George Lawrence Murphy, Jr., an engineering student at Iowa State University.

After graduation and Tour of Duty with the Air Force, they moved back to Ames where their son, Mark Alan, was born. In January of 1955, they moved to Auburn, Alabama, where their daughter, Sherrie Ann was born. Margaret worked for many years at Auburn University in the College of Forestry and Athletics Departments. She retired from Craftmaster Printers, Inc. in 2001 after many years with the family business. Bridge was her favorite pastime and she belonged to many groups over the years. She loved her family and Auburn.

Mrs. Murphy was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, George Murphy; her parents, brothers Howard Hamer and Marvin “Bud” Hamer; sisters Doris Kubly and Norma Johnson and Sister-in-Law Alice Murphy.

She is survived by her two children: Mark A. Murphy (Cynthia) and Sherrie M. Stanyard (Larry) both of Auburn, her grandchildren Alice Murphy (LB) of Asheville, North Carolina, Jenna Morgan of Auburn, Kevin Murphy (Sally) of Florence, Alabama, Sherry Hurst (Richard) of Salem, Allen Stanyard of Blossvale, New York, Jason Morgan of Pell City, Alabama and sister Phyllis Bauman of Eagle Grove, Iowaand their families.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Christian Women’s Job Corps of Lee or the Food Pantry at Auburn United Methodist Church.

A15 Nov. 11, 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 Nov. 11, 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 OPELIKA: NOV. 30 AT 4:30 P.M. INSIDE • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

The Lee-Scott varsity football hosted its first home playoff game in six years Friday night and got revenge on the team that eliminated the Warriors from the playoffs last season, defeating the Bessemer

D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS COMPETE IN STATE MEET

See LEE-SCOTT, page B3

SUPER REGION CHAMPS!

The OHS Varsity Cheerleaders are the 6A Southern Super Regional Champs and are headed to the state competition.

PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

See SPORTS, page B4

Academy Rebels, 2115, to advance in the AISA Class 3A state playoffs.

“It was a good win for our guys,” said Lee-Scott head coach Buster Daniel after the game. “We made a lot of mistakes … it’s extremely tough to beat good football team twice in one year. They are a good football team and they played

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION

O

cross country since she was in OMS. Congratulations on leading the Lady Bulldog XC Opelika High team. Best to you in track and field.

OHS FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM CELEBRATES SENIOR NIGHT, WINS TWO GAMES The Opelika High flag football team defeated Northside (12-6) and Booker T Washington (33-2) last Thursday on senior night.

OHS beat Northside 12-6 in the first game of the doubleheader.

Quarterback Morgan Watts threw a pass 55 yards to Haley Sanders for the first touchdown.

Sanders caught her second TD pass of the game to secure the win for the Bulldogs.

Northside scored one touchdown to make it close, but OHS held on for its 10th win.

In game two, OHS beat Booker T Washington, 33-2, after honoring the seven seniors who play both on offense and defense for the inaugural team.

Opelika’s first score was the result of a 14-yard run by Sanders. Ashanti Thomas, Nyi Walton, Cheridi Daniels and

LEE COUNTY: DEC. 7 AT 6 P.M.

Lee-Scott Holds Off Bessemer, Advance to Semi-Finals

ON THE MARK

pelika’s girls’ cross country team finished eighth and the boys finished 13th in the Alabama High School Athletic Association 6A Cross Country State Meet in Oakville last Saturday.

Breckin Gould was Opelika’s top runner, finishing 14th in the state. The remaining team members finished as follows: Joanne Smith T (74th), Violett Alcorn (77th), Mary Evans Cooper (79) Margaret Bice (80th), Paola Torres (85th), Jasmine Jordan (113th), Susan Gaston (123rd), Carlie Moates (153rd) and Kiley Brooks (191st).

The OHS boys were lead by Chas Brewer, who finished 25th in the AHSAA boys 6A State meet. Remaining runners and position: Conner Mulliins (82nd), Brantley Turnham (97th), Michael Hart (114th), Trey White (124th), Preston Weston (130th), Sam Kemp (138th), Zane Sexton (140th), Mitch McCullough (147th) and Zalen Shaw (178th).

OHS senior, Breckin Gould led the girls’

AUBURN: DEC. 7 AT 6 P.M.

SMITHS MAKES SEMI'S For more information and pictures of the Smiths Station flag football team making the state semi-finals, turn to page B4.

Excellence. Innovation. Compassion.

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

www.theorthoclinic.com

334-749-8303 1-800-327-6519

B2 Nov.11, 2021

Glenwood School

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Etheredge Shines in Tigers’ First Round Playoff Win PHOTO BY HARRISON TARR / FOR THE OBSERVER

JUNIOR DB AJ HARRIS who's 4th quarter 93-yard kickoff return TD and 46-yard rushing TD flipped the game in favor of the Gators

HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

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 RB KADEN COOPER 124 rush yards and 2 TD

Friday night at Duck-Samford stadium featured large amounts of hot chocolate, knit hats and hand warmers as spectators watched the hometown Tigers trample the Baker Hornets 39-3 and advance to the second round of the AHSAA Class 7A state playoffs.

From the opening drive of the contest, it became evident that the blue and white were out to post a statement victory and were not going to take their foot off the gas.

The Tigers leaned heavily on their run game in the early going, marching down the field on their first possession and finding paydirt on a Killian Massey breakaway run.

Massey’s rush set head coach Keith Etherdge’s squad up to execute the offensive strategy they have relied upon to this point in 2021.

“Offensively, we did what we’ve been doing,” Etheredge said.

“We ran the football, we set up to pass and we got some receivers open.”

Baker was able to march down the field on its ensuing posession but was ultimately shut down by the Tiger

defense and forced into a field goal, effectively bringing an end to any form of offensive rhythm the Hornets achieved on the evening.

Etheredge was pleased with the near-shutdown performance of his defensive unit.

“I think we did a good job of coming off the edge,” Etheredge said.

“And we played good in the secondary. We covered their receivers well.”

A common theme in the team’s 2021 campaign, the Auburn defense’s ability to shut down its opponents presented its offense with a plethora of opportunities to punch the ball across the plane.

Senior tight end Cameron Etheredge was instrumental in the Tiger offensive attack, racking up three touchdowns through the air and accounting for 18 of his squad’s 39 points.

His head coach, who happens to double as his father, was proud of his efforts in the playoff victory.

“He was big,” Etheredge said. “I’m proud of him. He played a great game tonight. A lot of people are trying to stack over the top of Bakari (Dailey) because he’s big, he’s physical and he has great hands.

I think Clyde did a great job of getting him the ball.”

The Tiger play caller made sure to give credit to the player responsible for getting the ball into Cameron’s hands: junior quarterback Clyde Pittman.

“I think Clyde is getting better and better every week,” Etheredge said. “He does a good job of throwing to the open guy, he doesn’t try to target an individual.”

Pittman’s day consisted of three touchdown passes — all to his tight end — and no turnovers before he was eventually benched to give sophomore Davis Harsin playoff experience with Auburn soundly ahead.

When the clock hit double zeros, Auburn’s first-year head coach had successfully recorded his first playoff victory with the program. Although he was excited to walk away with the victory, he has already begun looking towards the remainder of the playoffs.

“Proud of these guys,” Etheredge said. “I’m proud of the win. Right now, I’ll take three more one-point wins.”

Etheredge also noted his appreciation for the hometown fans who braved the chilly evening to cheer their team See TIGERS, page B4

IT’S THE OPELIKA WAY.

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

SENIOR QB TATE MCKELVEY 70 rush yards, 85 passing yards, 2 total TD

B3 Nov. 11, 2021

Who's Still Dancing?

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE-SCOTT >> FROM B1 like it tonight. Proud of our guys for fighting.”

Coming into the game as favorites and on a six-game win streak to finish the regular season, Lee-Scott picked up right where it left off, playing a balanced game offensively and deterring the Rebels on the final drive of the game to secure the Warrior’s first-ever playoff win over Bessemer in seven tries.

“The kids, they have bought in,” Daniel said.

“They love each other, they play for each other and they just get after it.

We are checking a lot of boxes and it’s fun to do that.”

Lee-Scott kicked off and received the ball to begin the game and a wall of Warrior defenders crashed through the line to stuff the Rebels on a third-and-one — and again on fourth down — to give the ball to the Lee-Scott offense in opposition territory.

The Warrior offense

advantage, averaging 36.1 points per game compared to Keith’s 29.8, and the Bears have a statically better defense, allowing just 6.3 points per contest compared to the Blue Devil’s 8.8.

GLENWOOD SCHOOL (6-4) Glenwood nearly sent its fanbase home in cardiac arrest on Friday night when the Gators pulled off a come-from-behind 2114 victory over Morgan Academy. Despite trailing for the duration of the game, the Gator defense stepped up in the final 12 minutes of the contest, forcing their opponents to punt and providing junior wide out (and 5-star recruit) A.J. Harris with the opportunity to return the kick for a 93-yard touchdown, effectively tying the contest and placing the orange and green in position to compete.

After yet another impressive stop by the Gator defense, Harris seized yet another opportunity to show off his highly regarding skillset by breaking away a 46-yard touchdown on the ground, sealing his team’s destiny to advance to the next round.

The Gators will likely need another standout performance from Harris should they hope to take down the 10-1 Patriots of Pike Liberal Arts School on the road this Friday night. The two teams already met once this season with Pike getting the better of Glenwood on Oct. 22, defeating the Gators 49-13. The Patriots are arguably the hottest team in AISA, having registered four shutouts on the season and winning 10 straight contest by an average margin of 40 points.

quickly converted the good field position into points via a Landry Cochran 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tate McKelvey.

The rest of the first half played out scoreless as the two teams battled for field position but were unable to impact the scoreboard and Lee-Scott went into the break leading 7-0.

The Warriors received the ball to begin the second half and were set up with good field position for the offense’s first drive of the third quarter.

Taking over from the 38-yard line, the LeeScott offense churned out 10 yards on three plays for a first down.

On the next play, McKelvey gave the ball off to running back Patrick Futch who took it through the middle, bounced outside and dusted every defender in his trail on the way to a 51-yard touchdown.

Matthew Rolader added the extra point to make it 14-0 in favor of LeeScott with 9:46 remain-

ing in the third quarter.

The Rebels weren’t going away quietly, however. Following one first down, the Rebels exploded for a big run of their own as senior running back Samad Muhammad took a handoff 66 yards off the left tackle, down the sideline and in for the touchdown with 8:25 left in the third.

Momentum continued to slide in favor of the Rebels on the next drive when a Lee-Scott fumble was recovered

by Bessemer on the 17yard line.

The Lee-Scott defense responded, however, and denied Bessemer in the red zone with a sack on third down and holding the Rebels short by one yard on fourth.

“We played good defense again,” Daniel said. “Bend don’t break, we talk about that. We gave up some plays — there wasn’t any big plays tonight — but we gave up too many yards and we have got to fix that kind of thing if we are going to go any fur-

CONTRIBUTED BY THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD All Lee County Schools will transition to a blended learning model (students work virtually from home while staff will report to the school building) on Friday, Nov. 12, for the one day only. All co-curricular and extra-curricular school activities will continue as planned.

Please continue to monitor media outlets and the school

website, www.lee.k12. al.us, for any updated information.

Lessons will be provided via Google Classroom. Teachers will upload assignments to their Google Classrooms, meet with students via Zoom, and/or hold daily office hours. During these office hours, teachers will be available to zoom with students to answer questions about the content.

Students will take their belongings with

them when they leave school Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup from the school lunchroom for Lee County Students only between the hours of 7 to 8 a.m. CST and 10:30 a.m. to noon CST. You must either have the child with you or the child’s lunch card with you at the time of pickup. Please contact your child’s school if you are unsure where meal pickup will take place.

Auburn Tips Off Season With Win PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB TAYLOR / AU ATHLETICS

November has officially arrived, meaning the people of Lee County, Alabama, have turned their full attention toward the 2021 installment of the ASHAA and AISA football playoffs. In the first round of the playoff, the hometown Opelika Bulldogs survived, Auburn willed itself into another round of competition and LeeScott Academy found a way to keep dancing.

There were — however — other squads in the Lee County area who handled their business and now find themselves one step closer to fulfilling state championship dreams.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (11-0) It comes as little surprise to most fans of high school football that Central posted a demoralizing 38-7 victory over Daphne in the first round of the AHSAA 7A playoffs. The fivewin Trojans entered the contest as heavy underdogs and went down seemingly without a fight. While junior quarterback Caleb Nix did not have his best game of the season when it came to the Red Devil passing attack, his 13for-23 effort did manufacture 98 yards and one touchdown, opening up a world of possibilities for his squad’s rushing attack; when it came to the run game, senior running back Jaimel Johnson did not disappoint. The 6-foot-1-inch tailback posted 105 yards on just 10 carries in route to posting yet another touchdown for the Red Devil running back room which accounted for 332 total

yards on the day.

Nix, Johnson and the rest of the dominant Central squad have punched their ticket to the second round of the playoffs where the Red Devils will play host to the 11-1 Bobcats of Theodore (11-1). The two teams have not met this season, but have a common opponent — the Prattville Lions. The Red Devils defeated the Lions, 42-21, on Oct. 8; Theodore downed Prattville last week, 30-26, in the first round of the playoffs. The Bobcats come into the matchup as underdogs (as pretty much everyone is against Central), averaging 35.6 points per game while allowing 13; Central is averaging 41.7 points per game while allowing just 10.6.

NOTASULGA (10-1) The Blue Devils rode into the first round of the playoffs behind the No. 10-ranked defense in the state, leaving the squad with lofty postseason expectations. Notasulga did not disappoint when it soundly defeated first round playoff opponent Marengo (5-5) by a score of 45-16 on Friday night. As has been common with Anthony Jones’ defensive unit throughout the duration of 2021, the unit kept its opponent at bay, making room for an offensive showcase over the worndown Panthers.

Notasulga now turns its attention to one of the second rounds premier matchups: an away duel with the 10-1 Keith Bears, set to take place this Friday. It’s hard to gauge the matchup as the two teams have not played a common opponent; however, Notasulga appears to have the offensive

Lee County Schools to Implement Blended Learning Model for Nov. 12

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS Dominating at both ends, Auburn tipped off the 2021-22 season with a 77-54 win Tuesday vs. Morehead State at Auburn Arena.

In their Auburn debuts, Wendell Green Jr. and Jabari Smith made three-pointers to help the Tigers race out to an 11-0 lead. Green’s second three-pointer capped a 7-0 run that put Auburn ahead 20-4. After a Morehead bucket, Green and Smith again made three pointers in a 15-0 run that made it 35-6.

Green led the Tigers with 19 points and added five rebounds. Four Auburn players scored in double figures, with K.D. Johnson adding 12 points, Devan Cambridge adding 11 and Jaylin Williams scoring 10.

The Tigers forced 10 turnovers in the first half and blocked six shots, four by 7-1 center Walker Kessler in his Auburn

debut. Kessler finished with five of Auburn’s eight blocks.

Auburn committed only six turnovers while forcing 17, leading to a 19-6 advantage in points off turnovers.

Smith showcased his versatility and passing skills in the second half, grabbing an offensive rebound and passing to Johnson for a three-pointer, then pulling a defensive board and bounce passing to Cambridge for a dunk in transition.

Smith finished with eight points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a blocked

shot.

Auburn’s boisterous student section, The Jungle, filled its courtside seats 45 minutes before tipoff, thrilled to be back after pandemic protocols limited attendance last season.

Dylan Cardwell’s only bucket of the game pleased the crowd, with the 6-11 sophomore stealing the ball near Morehead’s free-throw line and driving the length of the floor for a thunderous dunk.

Auburn (1-0) hosts Louisiana Monroe Friday at 7 p.m. at Auburn Arena.

ther.”

Backed up deep inside their own territory, the Warrior’s offense was unable to move the chains and were quickly faced with a fourth down punting situation. The snap from Lee-Scott was low and threw off the timing of the punt, allowing Bessemer to break into the backfield and block the punt. In a silver-ling best case scenario, the ball trickled out of the end zone and saved Lee-Scott from giving up a special team’s touchdown, instead resulting in a safety.

The Rebels then took over the ball with a chance to take the lead, but the Lee-Scott defense stood tall again, forcing a punt from just outside of Bessemer field goal range.

The rest of the quarter played out and the two teams entered the fourth with all to play for, LeeScott leading 14-9.

The Warriors picked up the final period in the red zone and finally put some separation

between the teams with a third-and-goal touchdown via a 3-yard rushing touchdown from McKelvey.

Bessemer was able to move the ball to the Lee-Scott side of the field on the ensuing drive but the Warrior’s defense deflected a pass on fourth and short to turn the ball back over to the Lee-Scott offense.

The Lee-Scott drive proved unsuccessful and the Rebels were able to register their second touchdown of the game on with 9-yard touchdown with 2:15 remaining in the contest.

Bessemer would have one final opportunity with the ball but failed to achieve any yards as the clock hit double-zero and the Lee-Scott faithful celebrated.

“I’m more excited than everything,” Daniel said. “I talked to the seniors, they are going to have a lot of lasts, but it’s not yet.”

Overall, the Warriors were led offensively

by McKelvey, who had two total touchdowns, 70 yards rushing and 85 yards passing. Jonathan Meyers added 14 yards on the ground; Andrew Hahn, 12; and Futch, 56. Cochran led the way receiving with 54 yards.

Defensively, the Warrior’s limited Bessemer to 130 passing yards, 154 rushing and forced one fumble. Lee-Scott also played a relatively clean game with just four penalties costing the squad 28 yards.

“Everybody is good in the playoffs,” Daniel said after the victory.

“It doesn’t matter who we play. We got to get us better. We got things we got to work on.

We can’t worry about anybody else right now until we get our things fixed.“ Now, Lee-Scott turns its attention to the state semi-finals, where Tuscaloosa Academy (6-4) awaits. The game is scheduled for this Friday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at Tuscaloosa Academy.

B4 Nov.11, 2021

Final Four Bound

PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Monday night, the varsity Smiths Station girls' flag football team defeated Wenoah high school, 14-6, to advance to the semi finals of the AHSAA Flag Football Tournament.

Only one team — John Carroll High School — stands in the way of the Panthers reaching the state championship. If Smiths defeat John Carroll this week, a matchup against either Hewitt-Trussville or Oxford High School awaits in the final at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.

SPORTS >> FROM B1 Ashley Hilyer scored touchdowns in the game.

With the victories, the girls improved to 11-1 on the year, with two games remaining on the schedule. OHS travelled to Calloway Wednesday night, results were not available at press time.

OHS FOOTBALL BEAT NORTHRIDGE, HOST SPANISH FORT IN SECOND ROUND GAME The OHS football team (8-3) beat Northridge (7-4), 4520, last Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.

Opelika was spurred to victory by an explosive offensive performance.

The Bulldogs scored seven touchdowns, six covering over 40 yards. Quarterback

Roman Gagliano connected on two touchdown passes, 55 yards to Shawn Jones, and 41 yards to Jayvontay Conner. Kaden Cooper scored two rushing TD’s covering 59 yards and 43 yards, and Ole Miss commit Jarell Stinson ran 59 yards for a score. Calvin Hughley scored the last TD on a 4-yard run. Charles Gagliano added seven PAT’s.

Opelika’s individual stats: Roman Gagliano went 9-for-14 for 200 yards and 2 TD’s; Jamari Thomas rushed 12 times for 134 yards; Kaden Cooper had five carries for 128 yards; and Shawn Jones caught three passes for 11 yards.

Defensively, Will Garner recored a teamhigh seven tackles, Brenton Williams had

six tackles and Bryce Speakman added an interception.

The Bulldogs now advance to the second round of the 6A AHSAA Playoffs, hosting Spanish Fort Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. Opelika is 1-2 against SFHS all time, losing 21-13 in third round of playoffs in 2015, winning 21-17 in the third round in 2016 and losing 27-24 in the playoff semi-finals in 2019. All three games were played in Spanish Fort.

The Toro’s (10-1) opened the season with a 21-10 win over Fairhope, defeated St Pauls in week two, 42-7, Gulf Shores 42-21, Robertsdale 38-7, Baldwin County 27-7, Blount 3426, Citronelle 6010, McGill-Toolen

31-17 and Calera 41-31.

Saraland was the only team to beat SPHS in the regular season, 28-16.

This will be the first trip to Bulldog Stadium for Spanish Fort. Head coach Ben Blackmon is in his seventh season with a 77-17 record overall.

The winner of this game will play the winner of Hueytown and Robert E Lee. Fans can purchase tickets online at gofan. co, for $10.00 plus $1.50 service-charge.

No ticket can be purchased at the gate.

The game will air on WKKR 97.7 Kicker fm, beginning at 6:30 with pre-game coverage. You can listen online at kickerfm.com OHS GIRLS BASKETBALL The Lady Bulldog basketball team lost its

season opener, 60-40, last Saturday at Park Crossing. Haley (who plays quarterback for the flag football team) led the offense with 17 points, while Erica Mathews added nine points. First year head coach, Blake Smalley, has held three practices with his entire team.

Some of the players were involved in fall sports.

According to Maxpreps, the girls' team plays again on Nov. 16 at Smiths Station.

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

TIGERS>> FROM B2 on, reminding the community that their support has not gone unnoticed.

“It was great to see the fans here,” Etheredge said. “It’s a cold night but they come out every Friday night. That’s what’s special about being here. It’s great to get my first playoff win here but I want three more this year.”

The first round has concluded and Auburn now finds itself faced with its next challenge on the road to a possible state championship: 9-3 Enterprise. The Tigers will host the Wildcats at Duck-Samford Stadium at 7 p.m. CST this Friday. Streaming of the contest will be available with a subscription to the NFHS network.

B5 Nov. 11, 2021

Bulldogs

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

LEE-SCOTT BOUNCES BESSEMER

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

B6 Nov.11, 2021

Course Corrections How AU Bounces Back Against Miss. State This time last week, fans of the Auburn Tigers were hopeful about their team’s chances of achieving greatness in 2021. Bryan Harsin’s squad was fresh off back-to-back victories over top-15 opponents, Bo Nix seemed to be trending upward and the Tigers had a clear path to reaching the SEC championship.

The tables have turned on Auburn since then. For the first time in program history, the Tigers left College Station with a loss; one that many could depict as demoralizing.

There is good news for fans of the orange and blue, however: three games remain on Auburn’s schedule. One of the remaining contests is bitter rival Alabama, meaning there is still a clear path for the first year of the Harsin era to be an even bigger success than initially

anticipated.

Auburn’s first step in the direction of course-correction begins on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium when the Tigers play host to Mississippi State.

Here’s how the orange and blue rebuild the faith that has been prominent within their fanbase thus far in 2021: BUILD UPON LAST WEEK’S DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE. When the Tigers took on the Aggies in week nine, Derek Mason’s defense put together its first complete-game effort of the 2021 season. The unit did not allow a single offensive touchdown, giving up just four field goals and manufacturing a handful of impressive stands.

The development of this squad has been nothing short of impressive as the year has progressed and — should Auburn wish to win out — they need to continue their current trajectory.

LET BO NIX PLAY HIS

GAME. Nix is coming off what could be considered the worst effort of his career.

The junior completed fewer than 50% of his passes, tossed an interception and gave up what proved to be the fate-determining fumble in the fourth quarter. For the third-year starter to reestablish his rhythm, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo must allow Nix to play his own brand of the game.

COMMIT TO THE RUN. For the second time in as many weeks, Auburn faces the task of negotiating a top-tier defense in Mississippi State. Listed at No. 20 in the FBS, this Bulldog defensive unit is significantly better than that of recent memory; yards will be difficult to come by and establishing an efficient run game will be crucial after the forgettable display at Kyle Field. A commitment to feeding Tank

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

No. 17 Mississippi State was defeated by Arkansas, 31-28, Saturday. The Bulldogs missed a potential game-tying field goal at the end of the game.

Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter will open up a world of opportunities in a down-field passing game which was seemingly non-existent against the A&M. MIX UP OFFENSIVE PLAY CALLING. With the exception of the Georgia game, Bobo has done an adequate job of tailoring his play calling to the advantage of his skill players. Week nine was an anomaly. On several occasions, the Tigers opted for con-

servative play calls in second-and-short situations, leaving little room to surprise the Aggie defense and seemingly forfeiting downfield opportunities. This is not a trend Auburn can afford to continue down the stretch.

REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE PLAYING MISSISSIPPI STATE. After dropping its third game of the year and all but eliminating itself from SEC Championship conten-

tion, it is imperative that Harsin’s squad continues to buy in to his “1-0” mentality.

The Tigers have had a large amount of success over Mississippi State since the departure of Dan Mullen from Starkville; however, looking past this weekend’s assignment will likely prove detrimental as the Bulldogs have been nearly as unpredictable as their head coach Mike Leach’s press conference answers.

Auburn, Georgia Compete in The Border War

PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Auburn Tiger hockey club team lost 3-2 in overtime to Georgia in "The Border War" last week. The team plays regularly at the Columbus Ice Rink located at 400 4th Street in Columbus, Georgia.

B7 Nov. 11, 2021

Bulldogs Girls’ Basketball Begins New Era PHOTO BY HARRISON TARR / FOR THE OBSERVER

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

As the fall semester draws to an end, citizens of Opelika, Alabama, absorb their last look of the hometown Bulldogs football season and begin to look ahead to what the remainder of the athletic year has in store. For newly hired head coach Blake Smalley, the turning of attention towards winter sports provides the opportunity to captivate his community with the beginning of the Opelika High School women’s basketball season.

With his newly acquired position as leader of the Lady Dawgs, Smalley had the opportunity to look forward to the rapidly approaching season. According to the OHS newcomer, the team’s mentality will be consistent as they enter each contest.

“Just competing and playing to the standard,” Smalley said. “Competing night-in and night-out whether you’re up or down.”

To compliment the running theme of competition, the Dawgs will play a distinct brand of aggressive, yet educated basketball.

Sophomore 5-foot-3-inch guard Tyra Pitts.

“We will be a team that plays up-tempo,” Smalley said. “We want to play a really aggressive style of defense that’s smart and disciplined at the same time. We want to push the ball and try to get down the floor and score easy buckets when possible. When there’s nothing there we’ll space the floor.”

The 2021-22 campaign will focus not only on competing right now,

but in developing what Smalley depicts as a young group of talent.

“If you look at us grade-wise, we’ve got four or five seniors,” Smalley said. “But, other than that, we don’t have a real big junior class.

We’re fairly young.”

Although the Dawgs are already two games into the season, Smalley’s implementation of his scheme is still a work in progress due to

ability to get to know his squad. Smalley spoke highly of players such as standout senior guard Haley Sanders.

“I would say Haley Sanders,” Smalley said.

“She’s a senior that’s been starting since she was a freshman. She’s one that I think we’ll rely on pretty heavily.”

Smalley expects Sanders’ play in the back court to be complimented by sophomore guard Eri-

the nature of him being a late-edition to the program.

“It’s a little bit different because I didn’t get to have Summer with them,” Smalley said.

“Most coaches are highered early summer and kind of get to have the Summer with them. I got hired on about a week before school started.”

A late hiring has not impeded the newly-named head coach’s

Who's Up Next?

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Head coach Wesley Button watches on from the sideline in a Bulldog game last season.

Previewing the 2021-22 Opelika Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

After taking charge of the Bulldogs for the back half of last season, Opelika varsity boys’ basketball coach Wesley Button is looking forward to his first (official) year at the helm of the program.

The 30-year-old has been on the Opelika basketball staff since 2015, and said he firmly believes he’s ready for this new challenge and hopes to improve on Opelika’s 4-14 record from last season.

“I definitely had to grow up a lot,” Button said. “[Becoming a head coach is] a lot more responsibility, but the school, I think they showed they believe in me, and the kids believe in me.”

This offseason, Button has had the chance to implement his own system, one that will be predicated on pace and space according to him.

“We want to get up and down that floor,” Button said. “Talk and fly around are my two rules on defense and I think we did that really well at the end of last year. We had a really good summer so I am excited for what we are going to do this year.”

Button also said his team has been working on implementing a fullcourt press and hopes the aggressive defense will result in easy baskets for his team.

“We like to get transition buckets,” he said.

“We are going to be a pressing team. So that is what we have been working on primarily is just, you know, get out and run. I’m an Alabama fan,

so you know I like Nate Oat’s offense that he is running over there.”

Despite losing three key rotation players from last year’s team, the makeup of this year’s Opelika varsity Bulldogs remains littered with experience in the form of four seniors and a plethora of juniors.

“We retuned a lot from last year,” Button said. “[The seniors last year], they were great guys, we are going to miss their experience. But last year, it being a Covid year, different guys were out and a lot of guys got experience that might not have got it.”

The fact that things are socially returning to normal is yet another reason Button said he is looking forward to 2021-22.

“It’s been really refreshing to just go and not worry about all that

Covid stuff,” he said.

In terms of team leadership, Button said he will primarily be looking to three guys — not all of whom are upperclassmen.

“Farrtavious Hardnett (a 5-foot-8-inch senior), he’s our point guard,” Button said. “He started a few games last year; played big minutes last year. Isaiah Knight (a 6-foot-2-inch junior), he played last year and he’s really come on recently.

He had a great summer and has emerged as one of the more vocal leaders we got. DJ Harris (a 6-foot sophomore) only played one or two games with us on varsity last year. Had an amazing summer. He’s really been working hard and we are expecting big things from DJ last year. He’s grown up a lot.”

Additionally, Button See OHS, page B8

ca Mathews.

“Erica Mathews, she’s a sophomore, she’s got the opportunity to be a really good player offensively and defensively for us,” Smalley said.

The Opelika newcomer also mentioned his excitement for the potential of senior Ashanti Thomas at both guard and forward.

“Ashanti Thomas, she’s got the opportunity to be another really strong player,” Smalley said. “And we’ve got several others, we return a lot of pieces that got minutes last year.”

More than anything, Smalley looks forward to the involvement of the Opelika community in rallying behind their Dawgs.

“I think it’s really big,” Smalley said. “It’s big for the crowd. The kids love playing the game and the kids love playing in front of crowds too. Support from the students, the community, they love that aspect. We want to represent Opelika well.”

The Lady Dawgs continue their early season campaign when the squad travels to Smiths Station to take on the Lady Panthers. Tipoff for the contest is set for 7 p.m. CT.

Auburn Flops Against Texas A&M

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM The Auburn offense posted its worst performance under first-year head coach Bryan Harsin Saturday as the Tigers lost a defensive contest, 20-3, to No. 14 Texas A&M at Kyle Field.

After registering a field goal on their second drive of the game, the Tigers’ offense looked lifeless for the rest of the contest versus the Aggies as the talent gap between the two teams was apparent and Auburn was unable to overcome its miscues and lack of big plays.

The Tigers were firmly in the ball game until the fourth quarter when quarterback Bo Nix was scrambling away from the A&M pass rush and simply dropped the ball which was subsequently picked up by the Aggies and ran in for a touchdown.

The score made it 17-3 in favor of the Aggies and seemed to obliterate any remaining confidence the struggling Tiger offense had. Whether it was dropped passes or an inability to win assignments on the offensive line, Auburn’s offense looked inept for virtually all of the game.

Overall, the game looked eerily similar to

Auburn’s narrow win over the inferior Georgia Southern in week two of the season. Instead of benching Nix like he did against the Eagles, however, Harsin decided to keep the ball in the hands of the junior who was unable to gain any momentum or — at the least — perform any Houdini-like scramble acts that have flipped momentum in favor of the Tigers throughout this season.

On a positive note, however, the Derrick Mason-led defense had its first touchdown shutout of the season, holding A&M to four field goals offensively.

While the Aggie rushing attack found success on the ground (217 total yards on 6.2 yards per carry), the Auburn defense employed its bend-don’tbreak mentality as best as it has done this season and A&M quarterback Zach Clazada finished with a similarly pedestrian stat line (15-for-29 for 192 yards and zero TD’s) to Nix. Offensively for the Tigers, however, it was a mess (It cannot be said enough.). Coming off their best rushing performance against an SEC opponent this season last week against Ole Miss, the Tigers were limited to just 117 total yards on the See AUBURN, page B8

B8 Nov.11, 2021

Gratitude from Young Hearts Expressed to our Veterans Today

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

D

uring the month of November, the thankfulness theme is being taught and shared in Classroom Observer’s Column. What a wonderful world we would have if everyone took the time to share what they have with others. To meet the needs of others with food, material items or time spent with others are lessons that we need to teach our young children. In working with young children, we must realize that it is very hard for them to share. We have to guide them by being a good role model on sharing. As you sit down, play and interact with your child, role play with them in situations of sharing. Too, praise

and encourage your child when they share.

Today is one of those times that we can teach our young children to share and care.

Classroom Observer would like to extend warm wishes of gratitude and blessings to our veterans today. Today, Nov. 11, 2021 is recognized as Veterans’ Day. With this being a month of gratitude and thanksgiving, our community of children and families say thank you to our veterans.

For our very young children, parents and teachers have a wonderful opportunity to teach them the significance of what Veterans’ Day means. I love teaching young children about

AUBURN >>

FROM B7

FROM B7

said he is looking forward to getting some reinforcements soon, with a number of twosport athletes joining the team once football season concludes.

“We are excited about them,” he said.

“They will bring a good physicality.”

Opelika officially begins its season on Dec. 3 with a home matchup against 7A Hewitt Trussville. Button said he hopes the Opelika community will rally behind his guys this year, starting with game one.

“Come support,” he said. “The guys are working their butts off and can’t wait for everybody to see what they have been working on.

It’s going to be fun.”

ground. Tank Bigsby had a solid day — 15 carries for 70 yards — and arguably should have gotten more looks, but the Auburn offense has looked best this year when it passed to set up the run. Can’t fault the game plan there. Additionally, however, Bigsby’s backup, freshman Jarquez Hunter, was limited to just 18 yards and the typically evasive Nix could only manage an additional 21 yards with his scrambling ability.

The bigger issue for the Tigers, however, was the pass game. Against the vaunted A&M defense, the offensive looked woeful and the receiving core’s inexperience bled through as they dropped passes like a group of guys who had just seen a disappointing movie and got over it by slathering their hands in popcorn butter.

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

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� Circle of Excellence 2008-2011

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as veterans.

Veterans’ Day which is today is a United States federal holiday which gives communities and the nation an opportunity to say thank you for those who have made sacrifices for our democracy and freedom. Originally this was known as “Armistice Day”. Too, we need to differentiate between Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring those who died in service to our country. On Veterans’ Day, we honor the memories of those who have died in service, but today, Veterans’ Day honors all those who are serving and have served in the military.

As a community of families, it is so important from the heart for us to show personal gratitude to our veterans.

Children model what we do. How can we teach our children to honor and thank our veterans? How can we teach young children the importance of freedom?

1. A simple “thank you”, verbally or written, is very much appreciated by a veteran and their family. Too, spending time in guiding your children to make homemade gifts that can be delivered to veterans in your community or a local VA hospital means so much in expressing

appreciation to the heart of a veteran. Also, working on making care packages for troops that may be overseas shows appreciation to veterans especially over this holiday season. This is a wonderful family project.

2. Explain to your child that veterans and their families truly sacrifice their own safety, special events with their own families, holidays, etc. in order to keep America free. Having your family to outreach to a veteran’s family who may be serving time here at home or overseas is so much needed. Holidays can get mighty lonely and stressful when a mother or father are serving in the arm forces. Offering to grocery shop, take a meal, babysit younger children in their families, helping with yard work or even inviting or including them in your family traditions means so much to families who have a Mom, Dad or family member serving in the armed forces. We can support these families as they are supporting and serving us in our freedoms as a country.

3. Children need to understand what freedom is. Explain to children that hard fought freedom for our country has given us specific rights such as practicing our religious freedom, going to school and being able to speak and write what’s on our minds. Older children

understand in other countries that people may not be able to practice their religion or have freedom of expression.

Our veterans have sacrificed in order to protect our freedoms.

4. Veterans’ Day offers wonderful Intergenerational opportunities between young and old. Contacting administration or activity directors in local retirement villages to see if it is okay for your family to drop off thank you pictures or notes to veterans is a true heartfelt gesture of kindness that goes a long way in encouraging the hearts of older veterans.

5. Include your children in praying for our veterans. This is the most powerful action that we can do for our active veterans as well as retired veterans. Let veterans know that you are praying for them. This will truly bring them encouragement, hope and peace.

6. Many communities, schools, retirement villages and churches host and provide Veterans Day ceremonies and parades. Check local community calendars to find out when. Children truly sense and feel the importance of our veterans as we all give them a heartfelt salute. Happy Veterans Day!

Furthermore, both running and passing, the Tigers repeatedly failed to execute big plays. A 15-yard Bigsby run was the best singular snap Auburn posted all day.

Low-yardage first down plays and miscues on second down put the offense in exactly where a team doesn’t want to be when facing a ranked SEC opponent on the road — third and long.

It’s hard to ask a team to go on the road in a hostile environment and put together multiple long scoring drives without any chunk plays to get them near the end zone. Add in a missed field goal that at the time would have made it a threepoint game, and the odds were stacked firmly against Auburn.

Additionally, it is worrisome that Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo have yet opted to make changes to the starting

offensive line which has now crumbled against the top two defenses it has seen — Georgia and A&M. That may not be a problem the Tigers can fix this season.

In the end, all hope is not lost for the Tigers and their supporting Auburn family.

Auburn still has a ranked matchup against Mississippi

State this weekend and can play spoiler to Alabama’s year in the final game of the season. If that isn’t enough to boost morale, basketball season is right around the corner. Harsin and his Tigers let the fanbase — and themselves — down Saturday, but things are still going objectively

well for the Tigers given where they were predicted to finish at the beginning of the season.

Let’s see if Auburn can keep that “1-0” mentality that Harsin has been preaching in the forefront of its mind and move on from an ugly loss to Texas A&M to finish the season strong.

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

PHOTO BY TODD VAN EMST / AU ATHLETICS

OHS>>

how to pledge to the flag. The youngest of preschool classes can say the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Young children love to raise their right hand, put it over their heart and say the pledge. The children smile as they let me know they can feel their hearts beating under their hands. Young children rise to the occasion of patriotism for our country.

We can explain to our children that a veteran is a member of the armed services which is the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marine corps which are serving and have served during times of war as well as peace. Many children have mothers, daddies, grandparents, etc. who have served in the military. This is such an important day for us to truly stop, spend time and honor our veterans.

Our schools honor this day by building it into the school calendar as a holiday.

In the classroom, we educators may teach and describe veterans as people who wear uniforms, work in our offices or on military bases. But children may have veterans that live right next door to them in their neighborhoods, their churches, schools and the community. They meet these people every day and may not realize that these people have served

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

Nov. 11, 2021

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Inside the Statehouse

A

STEVE FLOWERS

labama has a legacy of great men who have served as judges in our state. Recently, revered, retired, Circuit Judge Bobby Ray Aderholt of Haleyville passed away at 85.

He served the public for more than 50 years. As a judge, he presided over each case with integrity and impartiality. He was the circuit judge for the 25th Judicial Circuit for 30 years, 1977-2007. He was first elected circuit judge in 1976. He would have continued serving the people of Winston and Marion counties if it were not for an antiquated law in Alabama that judges cannot not run for office after age 70.

When Aderholt first ran in 1976, he bucked a Democratic tidal wave in the state and was the only Republican elected in North Alabama that year.

Our state had been overwhelmingly Democratic from the 1870’s through 1964 because of the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

However, there was one area of the state that never bought into the Southern Secession from the Union.

The folks in Northwest Alabama did not own slaves and figured they did not need to fight a war over slavery for the rich planters of the Black Belt.

Therefore, when Alabama seceded from the Union, Winston County seceded from Alabama. Thus, Winston County became the Free State of Winston. During the 1884 to 1964, 80-year period, every statewide elected official in Alabama was a Democrat and also every local and legislative officeholder ran as a Democrat with the exception of one county – Winston had Republican officeholders.

In fact, legendary U.S. Federal Judge, Frank Johnson, Jr. was a Republican from Winston County.

When a federal judgeship came open in the Middle District of Alabama in the early 1950’s, President Dwight Eisenhower had a hard time finding a Republican to appoint. He chose young Frank Johnson, Jr. The Republican party broke the ice in 1964. Alabama voted straight Republican for Barry Goldwater and the wave carried five Republican

congressmen with him. Alabama had become a red Republican state.

However, we still elected Democrats to local offices like legislator and circuit judge. 1976 was a blip with Jimmy Carter carrying Alabama and the Deep South due to the post-Watergate fallout.

Judge Bobby Aderholt was always a Republican, so he ran as a Republican that year and won. He was on an island with no other Republican winning in North Alabama. He became a pioneer in the Alabama Republican Party and one of the most respected judges in the state. He was known as fair, fiercely independent and not beholden to anyone. He had a brilliant legal mind but most importantly he always had compassion for all individuals and treated everyone in his courtroom with dignity and respect. In conjunction with his judicial duties, he performed countless weddings and funerals in his beloved neck of the woods.

Aderholt was born in December of 1935 and grew up in Winston County.

He went to undergraduate school at Birmingham Southern and went to Law School at the University of Alabama. He matriculated back home to Haleyville where he had graduated high school in 1954. He spent his life in Haleyville. He was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Haleyville. However, he pastored Fairview Congregational Church in Hackleburg for 47 years.

Aderholt was a dedicated family man. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Frances Brown Aderholt, who was his childhood sweetheart.

He is the father of our senior congressman Robert Aderholt. Robert is the only child of Judge and Mrs. Mary Frances Aderholt. They raised a good one. Robert was elected to Congress in 1996 at the ripe old age of 31. He is in his 25th year of representing the 4th Congressional District of Alabama and is the Dean of our congressional delegation.

Robert and his wife, Caroline McDonald Aderholt, have two children, Mary Elliott and Robert Hayes.

Aderholt was a good man. We will all miss him. I will miss him as a reader of my column. He read it every week, religiously in the Marion County Journal Record and the Northwest Alabamian.

See you next week.

Steve is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature.

Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ELECTION MANAGER OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA: SPECIAL ELECTION FOR COUNCIL PLACE WARD 3 Important Dates to Remember: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 – First Day to Qualify for Candidates (Begins at 8:00 am; City Clerks’ Office in City Hall).

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 – Last Day to Qualify for Candidates (Ends at 5:00 pm; City Clerks’ Office in City Hall).

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 – First Day to Apply for Absentee Ballots. (Applications can be obtained from the City Clerks’ office).

Thursday, Jan. 6,

NOW OPEN

2022 – Last Day to Apply for Absentee Ballots (Applications must be received by the City Clerk by 5:00 pm).

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 – Election Day (Polling Location is at Denson Drive Rec Center from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm).

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 – City Council will meet in the Courtroom of the Municipal Court Building to canvass the election results at 12:00 pm.

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 – Runoff Election (if

necessary).

Note: This election is for all registered and qualified electors of the state who reside within the boundaries of Ward/ District 3 ONLY and have resided therein for at least thirty (30) days or more immediately preceding the date of such election, and who are qualified to vote in the 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.

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 Nov.11, 2021

Allmond Named Firefighter of the Year Lions Club Hosts Tapley, Perez PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION Captain Noah Allmond was recognized as Opelika Fire Department's 2021 Firefighter of the Year last week. Nominees for 2021 were: A-Shift - Firefighter Taylor Mitcham, B-Shift - Captain Noah Allmond, C-Shift - Firefighter/Medic Kevin Swatts. Captain Allmond has the distinction of being a two-time recipient of this award, having previously won the honor in 2016. He is an 18-year veteran of the department.

"Captain Allmond represents the department, city and fire service in the best possible way, making everyone who knows him proud to be in his company," said B-Shift Battalion Chief Dennis Hanson. The OFD would like to thank the Opelika Exchange Club for its sponsorship of this award.

Second Vice-District Gov. Melanie Tapley, left, and Zone Chair Hugo Perez, right, spoke to the Opelika Lions Club this week. They were introduced by Lion Ernie Gazaway, center. The Opelika Lions Club vision statement is "to be a global leader in community and humanitarian service." Lions Clubs International is the worlds largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members and approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.

Commission Approves Resolution Regarding Concealed Carry Permits

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

At Monday's Lee County Commission meeting, the commission voted to approve a resolution by Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones that will enforce the continuation of purchasing concealed carry pistol permits.

Jones brought the resolution before the commission following the Alabama Legislature’s efforts to remove the necessitation of purchase of concealed carry pistol permits.

“I fully support the second amendment,” Jones said. “It’s not that.

It’s just, it’s nothing negative about that at all. It’s about pro-community safety ... The current law that's in place [requires] a person to obtain, by a fee, a pistol permit, to carry a handgun, concealed on about their person or even more importantly, in their

vehicle, as they go about their business. And it’s the business of some that I would like to address.”

Jones said that the law has been in place over 50 years and allows his office and his deputies to do their jobs safely and protect the residents of Lee County.

“The tool allows us when we encounter people, who, are generally up to no good quite frankly, in possession of a weapon because they’re not going to get a permit,” Jones said. “ …

Criminals aren’t going to go to the trouble of getting a permit. And we depend on that. Because as a result of that, we can confront them when we encounter them without one in a vehicle and are able, in many cases, to relieve them of those weapons, which many times, are stolen.”

Jones said that one of his deputies pulled over a vehicle full of young men carrying pistols without a permit, relieved them of

their weapons, arrested them and later learned they were on their way to a drive-by shooting.

“That one fact alone, to me, seems to be an issue that I would be derelict in my duty if I didn’t support a law that has been in place for many years, that allowed us to, in my opinion, save the lives of some individuals that night,” Jones said.

There were three citizens who spoke against the second-amendment resolution during citizens’ communications.

“Constitutional carry laws recognize the right of every law-abiding citizen to carry a firearm, openly or concealed in their vehicle or on their person, without the state or local officials charging them for this right,” said one citizen, Micah Messer. “These laws affirm the nature of our individual, Godgiven rights to be armed as codified in the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution and in the

Alabama Constitution.

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Messer quoted different areas of the resolution and argued that one: criminals will act whether there is a law requiring permits or not; two: that states allowing constitutional carry have lower crime rates than those that don’t; and thirdly: he said that as a former police officer in Columbus, Georgia, he never once used the law to investigate.

“It was incredibly surprising to see a resolution supposedly in support of the second amendment but then promptly did all it could to eviscerate the second amendment that many folks hold dear,” said another citizen, John Sophocleus. “It’s an important civil right.”

Sophocleus asked the commission if they had discussed the resolution with any second-amendment civil rights groups.

“Stop using us, the

citizens, as a piggy bank and charging us for a right we have both under the U.S. and the Alabama State Constitutions,” Messer said. “You want more money for your local law enforcement, and I love Sheriff Jay Jones, you want more money for him? Allocate the money, or ask the state to allocate the money. Stop charging us for a Godgiven right guaranteed by our constitution. You swore an oath to uphold this constitution and I expect you to do that tonight.”

Jones thanked all that spoke for their words, opinions and passion.

“Not just the sheriff’s office, but the police department, and police chiefs, and law enforcement officers and district attorneys are also in favor of keeping this law in place as it exists today because it is effective and gives us a tool that we can use to remove the criminal element from the streets and keep our

community safer,” Jones said.

Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey was in attendance, in support of the resolution, Jones said.

Jones also addressed the fees that the pistol permits generate, which was a point of contention among some.

“The majority of those fees we generate go to training of our deputy sheriffs, to purchase equipment, ballistic vests, automobiles, things to keep them safer, but training, primarily, training and education,” he said. “Which in this day and time, I think everyone agrees is a critical component of law enforcement. We’ve got to have training, we need the training, we demand, you should demand, all of you should demand it, and you’re right to do it.”

The resolution passed 3 to 0 to 1. District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand decided to See COMMISSION, page B14

B11 Nov. 11, 2021

No College Degree? No Problem. Reading Can Propel You to Success.

GREG MARKLEY

I

remember reading Alice Walker’s “Possessing the Secret of Joy” (about female genital mutilation) in 1994, riding a city train in the former East Berlin. I also recall eating a hot dog at Nathan’s Famous in Times Square in 1991 when finishing John Irving’s witty classic, “A Prayer for Owen Meany.”

Here’s my point: Sidelined for an elbow injury since 2019, New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard took on reading with a relish.

He started a book club which quickly became popular with several of his teammates, fans and bibliophiles around the

world. His nickname is Thor for his height (6’6), wavy blond hair and muscular figure.

“I got drafted out of high school in 2010, so I didn’t go to college,” he told The New York Times. “For me, reading is a way to continue my education,” added Syndergaard, a native of Mansfield, Texas, with a Danish heritage. “I want to have an exponential growth mind-set,” the 29-year-old said. In a January tweet, he posted: “Hobbies include ice baths, being shirtless … and reading. Now starting #NoahsBookClub.

Dropping first book on Feb. 1st. Let’s Read.”

Just like me, as shown above, Syndergaard enjoys reading in a large variety of places. He tweets photos of himself reading in assorted locations, from the 15-acre gathering place Sheep Meadow in Central Park to baseball dugouts throughout the city, state and country.

Why do some children develop a lifelong love of reading? What causes others to trade reading

for TV or take up a book sometimes, but not to finish it? Common reasons people don’t care to read are: Their mind wanders in the wrong direction, making understanding the content tougher; they want the information right away, like they receive from TV; and they don’t know the intellectual value of reading, its ability to provide information.

“That why (the purpose of reading) is consequential — leisure reading has been linked to a range of good academic and professional outcomes — as well as difficult to fully explain,” Joe Pinsker wrote in The Atlantic (Sept. 9, 2019). “But a chief factor seems to be the household one is born into, and the culture of reading that parents create within it.”

A New Yorker magazine cartoon by Jack Ziegler shows a TV huckster saying, “That’s right. All the Friedrich Nietzsche you’ll ever need. And it’s all yours for the amazingly low, low price of only

$9.95!” The gag-line is: “Pandering to intellectuals.” It’s not only intellectuals who read a lot, but serious thinkers by nature love reading as both avocation and vocation.

The reading public varies depending on a definition of “reading.”

In 2017, about 53 percent of adults read at least one book for school or work in the past 12 months, according to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). I am skeptical: Seeing someone reading a printed or digital book, say at an airport, is unusual.

I recently saw a middle-aged woman and a college-age one, perhaps her daughter, reading paperbacks. I said: “God bless them!”

More accurate to me was NEA’s survey in 2012 finding that 23% of U.S. adults were “light” readers (1-5 titles a year), 10% were “moderate” (six-11 titles), 13 % were “frequent” (12-49 titles) and 5 were “avid” (50 books or more). Needed: A study of how many magazines

an individual reads, and how many articles they claim to have read.

Son of a prominent Seattle lawyer, a 20-year-old student named William Henry Gates III, dropped out of Harvard University in 1975. Joining with fellow student Paul Allen, Bill Gates started a computer software company that led to both becoming billionaires.

Gates said, “If things hadn’t worked out, I could always go back to school. I was officially on leave.” Now the fourth richest man in the world, Gates plainly made the right choice to leave university when he did.

Gates did not forget about the power of books. He reads around 50 books a year. He considers reading “the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.”

His friend and fellow billionaire Warren Buffett graduated from the University of Nebraska and Columbia (NY) Business School.

His suggestion: “Read

500 pages … every day.

That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”

If untapped, you will forget your reading skills. Then, your way back to being a happy, substantial reader will be tough and may not happen. So take the example of New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, don’t let a serious injury or even a pandemic stand within you and your goals.

You don’t have to be a hammer-wielding God linked to lightning and thunder. But emulate Thor in your determination to widen and improve your reading.

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: The Bare Minimum

L

ast week, during the Special Session, the State Senate and the State House failed to pass the Alabama Health Freedom Act (AHFA). This act would have prevented vaccine mandates, whether forced by employers or by the government. The AHFA would have also prevented discrimination by employers amongst employees

who did not disclose or have made the personal decision not to be vaccinated.

No, the Special Session did not go the way it should have. Hundreds were seen protesting outside the Capitol on day one of the Special Session.

Hundreds, I should say thousands, signed petitions for HB31/HB9/AHFA to be passed into law.

What they did pass was SB15.

This bill only stated employers must supply religious and medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

The bill did nothing to stop employers from forcing the “unvaccinated” to wear a mask, be tested daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc. SB9 does nothing to stop an employer from making you eat in a different location,

work in a different area or otherwise make your life miserable enough for you to quit. SB9 has no enforcement and no recourse for employees who will be or have been terminated from their jobs for refusing to accept medical orders from their employers.

In short, the State Senate and the State House did what it usually does — the bare minimum.

They did what was politically deemed “okay” by the lobbyist organizations and special interest groups. The State Senate and the State House ignored the will of the people, again.

I am running for State House in District 38 for all of the people in my district, not just a select few who have enough money from corporate or lobby donors to fund my

campaign. I am tired of legislators playing politics with the lives and welfare of the people they are supposed to represent. It is time we elect someone who will fight for our rights. What happened to our State Motto, “We dare defend our rights?”

Micah Messer Lee County

Letter to the Editor: Hey Commission!

I

’ve made attempts to contact the Lee County Commission with questions, but other than Commissioner LaGrand and former Commissioner Brown I’ve yet to receive any other communication.

Some of the questions the commission might not know or might be answered by others connected with the commission.

I’ve witnessed Judge English on multiple occasions setting up Zoom meetings for the Planning Commission, as well as mention other tech information at other meetings when discussing software upgrades/updates the probate office needs.

I was told email was the best way to contact the commission, and I’ve also attempted to contact my commissioner (Robert Ham) by the number provided and goes to a voicemail that is full. Before I purchase an ad in the paper, I thought maybe they would read something from media that attend their meetings.

Hey Commission!

As a citizen of Lee County I’m shocked to find out the county commission isn’t airing public comments during their broadcast of their meetings.

From whomever is operating the Lee County Commission Facebook page, the person said it was a

discussion made at the July 12th meeting. Judge English mentioned it was a request from several of the county commissioners for restructuring the agenda.

Where is the draft for this on any site?

What was the motivation behind changing the structure of the meeting and why were the public comments removed?

I also had other questions I addressed in another email a few weeks later.

Does Lee County Emergency Management have someone dedicated to running their social media?

Why is the commission not utilizing

this media more?

Where do the funds for the operation of the leeco. us website come from and is the server owned by Lee County?

I was at the county commission meeting on Aug. 9 where I spoke in front of all of you and said you needed to be more transparent with the community. Also during that meeting I mentioned other options to inform the public yet in this particular case the commission has elected to stop showing public comments. The meeting on the 8th of November I also informed you of the same information, as well as mentioned

how important Lee County Emergency Management is to people in the community. They have over 21,000 people who follow them on their official Facebook page, and depend on them for information like siren testing, public works projects and other important information the citizens rely on. You have 348 folks that hope one day you decide to also use this free media more than just for broadcasts of your meetings that you have a verified profile for.

You have to take the bad with the good. You might not like someone or agree with them, but you represent them

just the same. If the meetings allow for public comments on they should be made available to the public as well. Not everyone has the ability to come down to the meetings twice a month to hold you all accountable for your actions. I’m sure you can see by the attendance that representation from the county is lacking. It is left up to you as an elected official to make sure your constituents know what’s going on.

I hope to not keep making your lack of response a public issue.

Rudy McCumsey Lee County

B12 Nov.11, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES 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, CoExecutrix 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 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA 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

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Medical Center in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama on 08/16/2012 to De’Rebia Pugh. The legal Cm,1ody of T.P. and K. P. was. vested in the Lee County Department of Human Resources on September 9, 2020. De’Rebia Pugh and any unknown father must answer the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and the Amended Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of De’Rebia Pugh and any unknown father filed in each of these cases in the Juvenile Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at the Lee County Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, or thereafter, a final judgment may be entered in Case JU 2020-220.02 and JU 2020-221.02 terminating their respective parental rights and placing the children for adoption.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Hon. Harold S. Patrick Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 741-0809 Legal Run 11/4/21, 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21

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

------------IN RE THE ESTATE OF: CECIL CLYDE HENDERSON, Deceased.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2021604 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 27th day of October, 2021, by Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Kenneth Henderson, Executor Legal Run 11/4/21, 11/11/21 & 11/18/21

------------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

------------NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED MOBILE HOME PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that Eric Gooden, owner of A & E Properties, LLC, and landowner, pursuant to Alabama Code Section 35-12A-1 (et. seq.), does hereby give notice that the mobile home located at 188 Lee Road 43, Lot No. 8, Opelika Alabama, 36804, is abandoned. That the last known names and addresses of the tenants/owners was Dawn Marable Clay, 108 West Oak Street, Tuskegee, Alabama, 36083.

That the mobile home is a 2000 Schult,16x80 model (4680) with a VIN # H0GA18I05130. This notice is to inform Dawn Marable Clay, has until 11 a.m. on December 1, 2021 to take possession of said mobile home and remove said mobile home from the property located at 188 Lee Road 42, Lot No. 8, Opelika, Alabama 36804, or at that time Eric Gooden will take possession of said mobile home.

The contact name and number of the person to call to make arrangements is Eric Gooden, 334-703-3520.

Legal Run 11/4/2021 & 11/11/2021

------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE DIVISION T.P. a. minor child (DOB: 08/08/2011), Case No. JU 2020-220.02 K.P. a minor child (DOB: 08/16/2012), Case No. JU 2020-221.02 NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: De’Rebia Pugh and any unknown father of T.P. a minor child, born at Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama on 08//08/2011 to De’Rebia Pugh and K.P. a minor child, born at the East Alabama

------------ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids, subject to the conditions contained herein, will be received by the City of Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time, on November 30, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud at Opelika City Hall, 2nd floor conference room, 204 S. 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

The contractor will be furnishing all labor and materials and performing all work for the construction of: Pickleball Courts Facility II within the City of Opelika, Alabama. This project consists principally of the follow¬ing the construction of 12 pickleball courts. The overall asphalt area:138’ X 223’. Turnkey pricing on delivery and installation meeting all specifications on base, asphalt, fencing, nets, posts, resurfacer, colored play surfacing, and lines.

All bidders on construction projects in excess of $10,000.00 shall file with his bid either a certified check payable to the City of Opelika for an amount not less than five (5) percent of the estimated cost or of the contractor’s bid but in no event more than $10,000.00; or a bid bond payable to the City of Opelika in an amount of not less than five (5) percent of the estimated cost or of the contractor’s bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00.

All Bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, and must show evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the City official; the Bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying the license number on the outside of the envelope in which the bid is delivered. Also, the contractor shall also be a Certified Tennis Court Builder as designated by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). The Certified Tennis Court Builder shall be an employee of the Tennis Court Contractor and shall oversee all phases of the new court construction process.

No bidder may withdraw their bid within 90 days after the opening thereof.

All bids must be submitted in an envelope bearing on the outside the name of the Bidder, Bidder’s license number, and name of the project.

Envelopes containing bids must be addressed as follows, and delivered to Lillie Finley, Purchasing Dept., City of Opelika, 204 S. 7th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or P. O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803: “Pickleball Courts Facility II” Legal Run 11/4/21, 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MALDOLIN ELMER BUTLER, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-600 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 25th 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.

DOLLY BAKER BUTLER Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 11/04/21, 11/11/21 & 11/18/21 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JONEE ELAINE MOREMAN, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-601 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 25th 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.

WHITNEY LAMBERT NELSON HAYWOOD DAVIS LAMBERT Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 11/04/21, 11/11/21 & 11/18/21 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF ANNIE RUTH CAMMON, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 29th day of October, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby granted that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 29th day of October, 2021.

DEBORAH C. WALTON Legal Run 11/4/21, 11/11/21 & 11/18/2021 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CARRIE W. WILLIAMS, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-617 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 2nd day of November, 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.

TERRY L. COOPER SHIRLEY ANN WILLIAMS HOLMES Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21

ANGEL'S ANTIQUE

& Flea Mall

HUGE 1-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION

HUGE 1-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION Contractors Equipment & Truck Auction

Wednesday, Nov. 17

th

Auction Starts at 9:00am

1042 Holland Ave (PO Box 1248) • Philadelphia, MS 39350 Selling Dump Trucks, Truck Tractors, Specialty Trucks, Trailers, Farm Tractors, All types of Construction Equip. including Dozers, Hydraulic Excavators, Motor Graders, Motor Scrapers, Rubber-tired Loaders, Loader Backhoes, Skid Steer Loaders, Pickups, Vehicles & More

 

Phone: 601-656-9768 Fax: 601-656-0192 www.deancoauction.com Online Bidding Available Auctioneer: Donnie W Dean, #733 MS Gallery Lic. #835F

10% buyers premium on the first $5000, then a 3% buyers premium on the remaining balance each lot

HUGE 1-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION

Huge Contractors Equipment & Truck Auction

Wednesday, Nov. 17th Auction Starts at 9:00am

Angel's has 1042 Holland Ave (PO Box 1248) • Philadelphia, MS 39350 military memorabilia.

Selling Dump Trucks, Truck Tractors, Specialty Trucks, Trailers, Farm Tractors, All types of Construction Equipment including Dozers, Hydraulic Excavators, THANK YOU Motor Graders, Motor Scrapers, Rubber-tired Loaders, Loader Backhoes, Skid Steer Loaders, Trenchers, FOR YOUR SERVICE.Cranes, Forklifts, Pickups, Vehicles, RTVs, Mowers, Attachments, Misc. & More

Deanco Auction 601-656-9768 www.deancoauction.com 334-745-3221 • www.angelsmall.info Live Onsite and Online Bidding - Auctioneer: Donnie W Dean, #733, MSGL #835 10% Buyers Premium on the first $5000 each lot and then a 3% buyers premium and the remaining balance of each lot.

900 Columbus Parkway, Opelika, ALof36801

HUGE 1-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION

B13 Nov. 11, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES -------------

Deceased

STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT CASE NO. 2021-620 ESTATE OF JOE FRANK HUGHES, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Joe Frank Hughes, deceased, having been granted to Timothy Neil Hughes this 3rd day of November 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Timothy Neil Hughes, Personal Representative Legal Run 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21

Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21

------------COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) Public Hearing December 3, 2020 Public Notice The City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, November 22, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., in the Municipal Meeting Room, 300 MLK Boulevard, to discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activity and progress for the end of the year Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for program year 2020: October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. Discussion about the program and how it benefited LowModerate income families in the City of Opelika will be heard and discussed; A Public Hearing will also be held to discuss proposed Amendments to the CDBG Annual Action Plans for PY2020. The proposed amendments will include reallocation of $39,983.34 from PY2020 in unspent funds from Domestic Violence Shelter, Lee-Russell Council of Government, and Main Street Façade Program.

A copy of the CAPER will be available for public review and comment beginning November 12, 2021, at Public Works, City Hall (Mayor’s office) and the Opelika Library.

Copies of the CAPER may be obtained at the public hearing or by contacting the Planning Department.

Public participation and comments are invited either in writing or in person and will be accepted for a minimum of fifteen (15) days with the comment period ending on November 27, 2021.

Comments may be sent to: Community Development CAPER Citizen Comment 700 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36801 Email: lthrift@opelika-al. gov “In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to participate, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at (334)705-2083.”

Legal Run 11/11/2021 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF ROBERT WINSHIP HEATH, DECEASED.

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Jo Wharton Heath, as Executrix of the Estate of Robert Winship Heath, deceased, on the 1st day of November, 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.

Jo Wharton Heath, Executrix Of the Estate of Robert Winship Heath,

------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL AARON MASSINGILL, DECEASED. NOTICE OF HEARING

BY PUBLICATION TO: Any unknown heirs of Samuel Aaron Massingill., deceased, Madonna Massingill, address unknown (adult sisterin-law of Samuel Aaron Massingill., deceased), Daniel Massingill, address uncertain (adult nephew of Samuel Aaron Massingill., deceased).

Please take notice that a Petition to Probate the Will of Samuel Aaron Massingill, in the above styled matter has been filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama

by Petitioner Delilah Marshall and that on the 6th day of January, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. (Central time) has been set for a hearing on the same in said Court located at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Please be advised that if you intend to contest this Petition to Probate the Will of Samuel Aaron Massingill that you must file a written response within thirty (30) days hereof with the clerk of said Probate Court and with counsel for said Petitioner, and/or you must appear the hearing scheduled in this manner Done this the 2nd day of November, 2021.

Hon. Bill English Judge of Probate Lee County, Alabama Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-7033 Legal Run 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21 -------------

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, November 23, 202, at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:45 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: A. Approval of Minutes B. Update on Previous PC Cases C. Rezoning and Plat (Preliminary Only) – Public Hearings 1. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request

by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Flatiron Farms, LLC, property owner, to rezone 160.2 acres accessed at the 900 block North Uniroyal Road from a R-2 to PUD. 2. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Flatiron, LLC, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of Laurel Lakes subdivision accessed at North Uniroyal Road & Ridge Road.

D. Conditional Use and Plat (Preliminary and Final) and– Public Hearings 3. A public hearing on a request by Brandon Kohn and Jon Williamson, property owner, for conditional use approval for six townhome units in the C-2, GC-P zoning district at 3900 Marvyn Parkway.

4. A public hearing on a request by Brandon Kohn and Jon Williamson,

property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of Cove Creek Phase 1, Redivision of Lot C, consisting of 6 lots accessed at 3900 Marvyn Parkway.

E. Final Plat 5. A request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for 280 Land Company, LLC, property owner, for final plat approval of the Hidden Lakes 3 subdivision consisting of 91 lots accessed from Hidden Lakes Drive.

6. A request by Daniel Holland, authorized representative for 280 Land Company, LLC, property owner, for final plat approval of the Foxrun Phase 1C subdivision consisting of 42 lots accessed from Village Drive and Burrow Circle. This item was tabled at the October 26th meeting.

F. Conditional Use – Public Hearing 7. A public hearing on a request by Richard Patton, authorized representative for The Cotton District, LLC, property owner, for conditional use approval for a commercial development in the C-2 zoning district at 408 1st Avenue G. Master Plan Revisions – Public Hearing 8. A public hearing on a request by Dino McDowell, authorized representative for Wyndham Gates, LLC, property owner, for major revisions to the Wyndham Gates (Planned Unit Development) master plan, accessed from Gateway Drive. Plan amendments are to replace single family homes shown on the original master plan with seventeen townhomes.

9. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, Barrett-Simpson, Inc., representative for SILGEN LLC, property owner, for a minor revision to the Springs of Mill Lakes Planned Unit Development Master Plan accessed at 1270 Willow View Drive. The revision request is to decrease the 40-foot minimum front yard setback to 30 feet

for 16 cottage lots along Birmingham Highway.

Covered patios extending from the exterior wall of cottages that face Birmingham Highway requires a minimum 30-foot setback. The 16 cottage lots are accessed from interior private streets.

Please contact the Planning department at 334-705-5156 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 11/11/2021

H. Master Plan Revisions and Preliminary Plat – Public Hearings 10. The Villages at Opelika PUD Master Plan, Minor Amendment to Master Plan, 21.9 Acres, 3001 Hi-Pack Drive and Hammonds Drive, SP Opelika Ventures, LLC, Amendment modify the open space and amenity space, changes dwelling types from bungalow to twin homes, decreases single family homes; reduction in overall density.

11. The Villages at Opelika SD, 126 lots, Hi Pack Drive and Hammonds Drive, Brian Lee, Preliminary Approval

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Ivy M. Grantham, Deceased NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO BE PUBLISHED Letters of Administration on said deceased having been granted to Linda Grantham Manis, Administrator on this the 16th day of March, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. BY: James E. Hall, Attorney for Administrator.

Legal Run 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21

I. Other Business 12. A request by Stuart Nash with Harris Doyle Homes, representative for Clayton Properties Group, Inc. property owner, concerning revisions to the building elevation plans for the Legacy Village Townhomes, Century Boulevard, 55 units. The townhome development was granted conditional use approval at the December 15, 2020 Planning Commission meeting.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings.

The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council.

-------------

------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RALPH EUGENE HOUSER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2021-632 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY EXECUTRIX Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to RUBY A. PRICE, on the 5th day of November, 2021, by the Hon. BILL ENGLISH, Judge of Probate of LEE County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. BY: James E. Hall, Attorney for Executrix.

Legal Run 11/11/21, 11/18/21 & 11/24/21

Honor and Remember Our Veterans

B14 Nov.11, 2021

Gov. Ivey Signs Parental Consent, Vaccine Exemption Bills CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Gov. Kay Ivey signed Senate Bills 9 and 15 into law last week. In doing so, the governor also issued the following statement: “Last week, when I issued my executive order to fight the overreaching Biden

COMMISSION >> FROM B10 abstain from the vote since he said he did not understand the first or second amendment well enough.

“Listening to the people, and some of the calls that I’ve gotten today and hearing from the Sheriff, I think there’s some valid few points on both sides,” he said. “… I’ll [tell] everyone, I’m not personally aware of the first amendment, second amendment, like the way that I should be.”

The rest of the commissioners, District 1 Doug Cannon, District 3 Gary Long and District 4 Robert Ham were all in favor of the resolution.

vaccine mandates, I reiterated that as long as I am your governor, the state of Alabama will not force anyone to take the COVID-19 vaccine. From the moment the White House rolled out its scare tactic plans to try to force this vaccine on Americans, I called it for what it

is: an un-American, outrageous overreach.

Alabamians — including those like myself who are pro-vaccine — are adamantly against this weaponization of the federal government, which is why we simply must fight this any way we know how.

That is exactly why I have signed Senate

Bills 9 and 15 into law.

This is another step in the fight, but we are not done yet.

“From issuing the executive order to joining governors in Georgia, South Carolina and other states in suing the Biden Administration, we are doing everything we can to try

to get this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court where, hopefully, this overreach will be stopped dead in its tracks. If the Biden Administration presses on with these mandates, the country’s economy will suffer for it. Alabamians — and all Americans — should not have to

choose between putting food on the table and getting this shot.

I will continue doing everything I can as your governor to fight this thing every step of the way. Alabama will not stand idly by and allow the Biden Administration to get away with this.” — Governor Kay Ivey

“Well Jay, you certainly do have a professional department and we appreciate the effort you make to make sure that department is very professional and we don't have incidents like they have in other places,” Ham said. “… You know, Jay, if this is something that helps you and the three gentlemen back there with you in law enforcement, if it helps y’all do your job, I would encourage the commission to support this. And I think what I just heard is that it did.”

TRASH PICKUP IN THE COUNTY: The bid for trash pickup in the county was awarded to Arrow Disposal Service, Inc. in

June after the commission voted to begin trash collection in Lee County.

“As ya’ll can imagine it has been a roller coaster on this issue, I believe it’s time for us to move forward,” said Probate Judge Bill English.

Following the bid award, however, local contractors who had been providing services in the county spoke out against the contract.

Originally, the county expressed that curbside collection would not change private companies’ ability to continue collecting trash.

However, the commission voted to enter into an exclusive contract with Arrow, meaning local vendors can no

longer provide curbside services, despite having already obtained clients.

Willie Philpot, owner of Virotech Services, said in a meeting in September that the requirements the county laid out automatically excluded smaller companies, like his own.

During Monday night’s meeting English suggested the county move forward with the contract with Arrow, given the bid was awarded in June.

Following the outrage from citizens and frustration of private companies, the commission had decided to allow private companies to continue collection.

LaGrand asked Monday night if they

would be allowed to continue under this new contract.

“For now they keep doing what they’re doing but I don’t think there’s anything in this that is a commitment for a length of time or anything like that,” English said.

“We’ve got to figure out what the law does and doesn’t offer on [this].”

LaGrand asked English to confirm how long that could be for the private contractors — a week, a month — but English said he doesn’t know.

In response, LaGrand voted against the contract.

OTHER BUSINESS: - The commission announced an opening on the Beulah Utilities

Board.

- The commission heard a second reading on the zoning review board members and voted to approve Joel Hubbard, Justin Hardee, Lisa Sandt, Daniel Wyatt and Bill Hutto to the board.

- The commission discussed next steps for the county administrator replacement. The commissioners agreed to provide their top three candidates to English.

- The commission held a public hearing on redistricting in the county.

- The commission voted on an alcohol beverage license.

Opelika Chamber to Host Legislative Reception CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Opelika Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Legislative Reception.

The event will be held at Red Clay Brewing Co. in Opelika, on Monday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. Red Clay Brewing Co. is located at 704 N Railroad Ave. This is an exciting opportunity to get to know our state elected

officials and representatives, discuss issues and concerns, or share your appreciation for all that they do. Opelika Chamber staff, members of the Board of Director and many of Opelika’s elected officials will also be in attendance.

Elected officials expected to be in attendance: - Alabama House Representative, Joe Lovvorn - Alabama House

Representative, Jeremy Gray - Alabama House Representative, Debbie Wood - Alabama House Representative, Bob Fincher - Opelika Mayor, Gary Fuller - City Council President, Eddie Smith - City Council President Pro-Tem, Eric Baker-Norris - City Council Ward 5 Representative, Todd Rauch and more.

When you need to choose a Medicare plan, Humana can help Find a plan that fits your goals and your life

It’s time to choose a 2022 Medicare plan, and I’m here to help you understand your options. A Humana Medicare Advantage plan gives you everything you get with Original Medicare, and may include additional benefits and services to meet your needs. Humana offers plans with the coverage you might want at a cost that may work for your budget.

Call a licensed Humana sales agent Joyce Johnson 334-707-5958 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. jjohnson270@humana.com

A more human way to healthcare™ Y0040_GHHHXDDEN_22_AD_M

B15 Nov. 11, 2021

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B16 Nov.11, 2021

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