Opelika Observer 06-03-2020 E-edition

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

VOL. 12, NO. 35

pelika Observer O

“By local people, for local people.”

Opelika, Alabama

EVENT VENUE

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OPELIKA bottlingplanteventcenter.com | (334)705.5466

“It takes my breath away” Opelika remembers George Floyd

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

By Michelle Key Publisher The nation could learn lessons from the people of Opelika on what it means to peacefully protest.

While riots are breaking out in cities across this land following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota last week, more than 200 people gathered at the courthouse square in downtown Opelika

Saturday afternoon to participate in a peaceful protest. Organizer Jecorey Purifoy kicked off the event by leading the crowd in the Lord’s Prayer. Following the prayer, the group started marching around the square holding signs, chanting and repeating the names of men and women who have been killed. When asked, Purifoy said that he felt called to organize the event.

“I was tired of feeling helpless in seeing my black brothers and sisters being murdered.

I just wanted to do something, anything, to to support [them] and make [others] aware that this is no longer acceptable and [that] their pain is our pain,” he said. “My goal was to get others to understand how we feel, and to get them to join in and support and stand with us against racism.”

For one hour, the group, which continued to grow as people arrived, continued to march around the square. Several people in passing vehicles honked their horns as a sign of support. City of Opelika Councilwoman Tiffany Gibson-Pitts spoke on camera at the end of the event saying, “I think it is very important for people in our community to actually start events like

this. The diversity here was beautiful. We have whites, latinos, black Americans, everyone was here. This is how you handle a peaceful protest. We came in peace, remained in peace and are leaving in peace. I am very, very proud.”

Community members who came out to show their love and support had the following to say: “The issues are

obviously still extremely salient in our country.

I did not even realize how much it had impacted me until the first few laps. It was everything I could do to hold back my tears,” said Opelika resident Carter DeShazo. “Saying the names, saying I can’t breathe and imagining what my existence would be like if I didn’t have the benefit of pale See PROTEST, page A3

Index OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . . . .A9 RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A11 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A13

COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A14 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 POLITICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7 PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9

Alabama Statewide COVID-19 statistics as of June 2 18246 cases/ 644 deaths | 550 cases in Lee Co./ 33 deaths

A2 June 3, 2020

Letter to the Editor To the Editor: Your ar ticle "City of Opelika to host vir t ual Memorial Day" sounds like an awesome tribute

to our cherished militar y heroes.

The storied life of combat veteran Jody Fuller, who is a lifelong stutterer,

underscores that people who stutter can achieve great things. There is a list of "Famous People Who Stutter"

Storybook Farm helping from home

War in an article entitled "General Battled Stuttering."

Sincerely, Ed Dephillips Fort Lee, NJ

there is a section with biographical articles on famous stutterers, including Gen. Joshua Chamberlain, a hero in the Civil

on the website of the Stuttering Foundation (www. stutteringhelp.org), a site famous for its free resources. Also,

Art Haus and Keep Opelika Beautiful to host drive-thru art festival Special to the Opelika Observer

By Wil Crews Opelika Observer Storybook Farm is a non-profit organization started in 2002 that aims to “bridge the gap between hope and hardship.”

Storybook Farm empowers children from age two to young adulthood who face obstacles including but not limited to autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, sensory integration issues and bereavement situations.

Through canine companionship, exploration of nature and horse riding (instructor-assisted) activities, children at Storybook can develop their social skills, learn to better articulate their emotions and experience numerous physical benefits associated with horseback riding.

However, ever since social distancing guidelines were imposed on the state, the farm’s doors have been closed.

Still, Storybook refuses to crumble under COVID-19.

Instead, they’re

changing with it.

Through their website hopeonhorseback. org/, Storybook is working hard to engage with the community by providing virtual programming that is interactive, instructional and fun.

With scavenger hunts, reading challenges, word search puzzles, coloring pages, snack recipes and more, there is an enjoyable activity for everyone in the family.

“I think we’ve stretched our creative capacities and have been able to make the most out of a challenging situation,” said Executive Director and founder of Storybook Farm, Dena Little.

Little says they have traversed the entire farm videoing with their iPhones so that kids can talk to Flat Stanley, Corduroy or Professor Henry Higgins — three of the popular fourlegged friends at the farm.

The 51-acre farm houses three indoor learning labs, a secret garden, playground, 16 “equine volunteers,” nine dogs, seven

pelika Observer

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

cats, two goats, one miniature horse named “Tinker Bell” and more.

About Storybook Farm: Storybook Farm is a non-profit organization that relies on volunteers and generous donation from the public. While they eagerly anticipate the day when they can re-open, they still need the funds to supply for the animals and maintain the landscape.

Their biggest fundraiser of the year, “Kentucky Derby Day,” — the largest Kentucky Derby party in the state of Alabama — which funds about half of the operating expenses in the park, has been postponed until Sept.

5 to coincide with the postponement of the Derby itself.

Storybook is well aware of the damaging effects that COVID-19 has had on businesses and people everywhere, but donations would be greatly appreciated and can be made at hopeonhorseback.org/ donate/.

Publisher: Michelle Key Associate Editor: Will Fairless Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Sports Writers: Rick Lanier and D. Mark Mitchell

w w w . o p e l i k a o b s e r v e r. c o m 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved. Opelika Observer is published weekly by Opelika Observer, 216 S 8th St. Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801

Art Haus and Keep Opelika Beautiful are partnering to host a Drive Thru Art Festival on June 6 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The event will take place in the parking lot of Opelika High School. There will be a variety of art media displayed by artists.

Artists will set up their work on easels in designated spaces of the parking lot. Due to ongoing public health concerns related to COVID-19, attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles during the drive thru.

Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase

artists have worked for months on their art and we are thrilled to offer them a safe avenue to sell their work,” said KOB Director Tipi Miller.

For more information, contact Keep Opelika Beautiful by email at tipi@ keepopelikabeautiful. com or 334-749-4970.

art directly from the artists. Purchases may be made through credit or debit card, Venmo or PayPal only. No cash purchases will be allowed.

“The Drive Thru Art Festival allows our artists from Garden in the Park and the artists from Art Haus’ Spring Fling to display their beautiful work. These

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A3 June 3, 2020

Will Fairless returns to the Opelika Observer as associate editor position.

"My experience at the Observer was not what I expected an internship to be.

Between writing stories and editing the paper, I was much more involved than I would have thought, which was great," Fairless said. "I’m most excited to write more and to have a stronger inf luence on the final product of the paper than I did as an intern. Also, if I’m being honest, I’m very much looking forward to being in charge of the interns, who are in the

By Opelika Observer Staff Nearly three months removed from completing his internship with the Opelika Observer, Will Fairless is returning as the paper's new associate editor, officially starting in his new role on Monday.

Fairless interned with the Observer from January to March until the semester was abruptly ended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he is excited to come back and hone his journalism skills with his new full-time

See FAIRLESS, page A6

FAIRLESS

OPS reinstating late and nonpayment fees Special to the Opelika Observer Opelika Power Services (OPS) is glad to see that businesses are reopening and that people are going back to work. We hope our policy of waiving late and nonpayment fees have helped our customers during this time.

OPS will resume adding late fees to bills that are due by 4:30 p.m. on or after June 10. Nonpayment fees will be added to the bills that are due on June 10 after 4:30 p.m. on June 17.

Each bill due after June 10 will have the delinquent date and nonpayment date listed on the bill (there are four due dates during each month). All

past due amounts will need to be paid by the delinquent date on your bill to avoid late fees and payment must be received by the nonpayment date to avoid power from being disconnected.

Please call us if you need to make additional arrangements.

OPS encourages you to pay your bill monthly by the delinquent date to avoid any fees in the future. Signing up for bank drafting with a customer service representative or online will ensure your bill is paid on time each See OPS, page A5

Crowned Boutique joins More than 30,000 meals donated to EAMC staff during COVID-19 downtown Opelika

By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter Cara Hathcock, owner of Crowned Boutique, has always been interested in fashion, and in Oct. 2018, Hathcock started her own boutique online while making shipments all over the country.

Crowned Boutique officially opened its storefront location,

PROTEST >> FROM A1 skin. I just really wanted to be here to show support and solidarity. “I am out here today because seeing the footage of George Floyd being handcuffed, down on the ground with the police officer kneeling down on his neck, broke me. It really broke my heart in two. I am ready for a sense of justice. I am ready for African Americans to feel that they are safe in our own country,� said event

located in downtown Opelika at 824 Avenue A, on May 19. “It was always my dream to have my own storefront, and I am so excited to be fulfilling that dream,� said Hathcock. “I chose downtown Opelika for a few reasons. It’s such a fun spot, it has a great atmosphere and has so many other great qualities,� added attendee Sharantasha Lourns. “But, today I have a sense of peace.

To be out here today among a diverse group of people, now that opens my heart and makes me smile. We cannot get the justice we need if we do not unite as a community.

Everybody has to see that injustice to one really does mean injustice for all. If we want a better future, now is the time to unite.�

The demonstration concluded the same as it started, with Purifoy leading the crowd in the

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Hathcock. “I love how the downtown businesses collaborate and work together to create fun options and outings as well... I was very excited when this spot opened, and I feel that it fits what my vision for a Crowned storefront looked like.�

See BOUTIQUE, page A6

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

Thanks to the generosity and support of the local community as of May 29, East Alabama Medical Center has received more than 30,000 meals donated to their hospital staff from local restaurants and caterers during the peak of COVID-19. “Both the Opelika and See EAMC, page A6

recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. Afterwards, Purifoy said that he felt like the message that he wanted to convey was received. “I am George Floyd. The violence against black men in America absolutely takes my breath away and as long as I have breath in my body I will stand for what’s right until justice is served.

Know justice, know peace,� Purifoy said.

Turn to A8 for photos from the event or visit the website opelikaobserver.com.

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pelika Opinion O

A4 June 3, 2020

H

GARDEN HOURS

elen Mirren said, “Gardening is learning, learning, learning.

That’s the fun of them. You’re always learning.” She’s one smart lady. For the last several weeks, my best friend and I have planted and watered, weeded and fertilized, and spent countless hours standing and admiring a garden we started in both the front and back yards of his new home.

We watch weather forecasts every day to see whether nature will water our flowers and vegetables and herbs.

We have googled whether to plant thyme and parsley in shade or sun. We’ve read about how to harvest the leaves from our pineapple sage and Mexican terragon. We made a standing planter out of an old pallet (which is the only thing I’ve ever made that actually looked like the picture on Pinterest). And once all these herbs began to bloom, we infused the leaves in varying

By Wendy Hodge combinations into extra virgin olive oil and bottled them in clear decanters. Lined up on the kitchen counter, they look like a spread in a magazine. Labels I printed in elaborate script read ‘Sweet Basil and Garlic Infused Oil’ and ‘Rosemary and Lemon Thyme Infused Oil’ and many other combinations, each smelling as delicious as the one before. I am fiercely proud of those bottles and all they represent.

We start each day, in the quiet of the morning, slowly walking from the front yard to the back, checking on the progress of each plant. We squat and inspect leaves for bugs and other pests. We

feel the earth to check for dry soil. We point and say “That hosta sure has taken off!” or “Maybe that phlox needs more sun?” We wager whether the new batch of daylilies will have orange or purple blooms. When the first tomato appeared on the vine, we congratulated each other and took a dozen pictures. When we dropped beans into the soil, we barely blinked before they were shooting up and out. I even shared pictures of their amazing progress at work. My coworkers are patient and never once laughed at me – at least not to my face.

We end each day tracing the same path in reverse, walking from back to front with garden hose in tow.

And as the sun sets, we talk quietly about our day and our plans for future days and years.

Sometimes we just stand next to each other and listen to the dusk.

Those are my favorite See HODGE, page A5

Bring in the butter, ladle on the lard

I

t was one of those great TV moments.

I was watching “The Big Bang Theory.”

Sheldon Cooper, the socially (awkward) theoretical physicist, had withdrawn from his friends and would not come out of his room.

Sheldon had issues.

His roommate did what had to be done – he called Sheldon’s mother.

Mrs. Cooper is one of his issues.

She came all the way from Texas, saw the problem, and to lure Sheldon out she made him his favorite food.

It worked.

Penny, the cute girl from across the hall, was amazed.

“It’s all in the secret ingredient,” Mrs. Cooper said.

“Mother’s love?”

Penny asked.

“Lard,” Mrs. Cooper replied.

Lard.

I grew up with lard.

My grandmother bought it in buckets and fried everything friable in it - from chicken to peach pies.

Her daughter, my mother, followed in her footsteps, and during my childhood, lard was a staple in our house.

Then it disappeared, replaced by vegetable shortening, which was supposed to be healthier – less saturated fat or something like that.

I am not sure how much attention Mama paid to the health claims, because of the prevalence of pork in her cooking, our family continued to get our fair share of pig fat.

My father’s argument in favor of lard was simple and difficult to refute – “it tastes good.”

He said the same thing about butter.

When Mama started using a spread that supposedly you could not believe wasn’t butter, Daddy let her know right off that he could believe it. His opinion not withstand-

By Hardy Jackson ing, she continued to buy it because she liked the reusable containers (and, I suspect, just to show him she could).

So Daddy would have taken particular delight in a op-ed piece in the New York Times that announced to the world that “Butter is Back” - though I imagine Daddy would have wondered where it had gone to come back from.

According to the article, a “meta-analysis” published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that there was “just no evidence to support the notion that saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease.”

Then a few weeks See HARDY, page A5

On Memorial Day, TV reporters again show their shallowness

F

or some TV networks and reporters, Memorial Day is just a day off for a walk in the park.

The significance of the day gets shadowed by the correspondents’ attempts to put a positive face on everything.

Thus, last weekend, the crawl lines and anchors on several channels wished everyone a “Happy Memorial Day.” Wow! Did that idea come from journalism training at a top school? Or was the

By Greg Markley network thinking Memorial Day was another day for fun, not for at least a decent spell of mourning?

What’s next, a broadcaster saying “Have a

pleasant 9-11 Anniversary Day?” or the vile “Have a great Holocaust Remembrance Day!” Memorial Day honors those men and women who gave their lives for our country. That should not be equated to a funfilled day or weekend, without at least thinking about who made it possible. The golf course or a Yuppie coffee shop are not the only things to visit on a holiday such as we recently observed.

Next year, get involved with a specific way to participate on a Memorial Day by observing a Moment of Silence, privately at any time that day.

Better yet, you can join many Americans next year in a National Moment of Remembrance.

It happens every year at 3 p.m. and became a law in 2000. Why 3 p.m.? Congress felt most people are having a picnic or are at a sports event in the afternoon and thus can fall silent for the fallen

as others do.

“As the true meaning of Memorial Day has become obscured, shrouded in the haze of BBQ smoke, Congress was moved in 2000 to institute a Moment of Silence,” writes Huffington Post contributor Ryan Scott. “Allegedly, the idea for the moment came when children touring Washington, D.C. were asked about the meaning of Memorial Day and responded, ‘That’s the day the pool opens!’”

Memorial Day has

been celebrated on the last Monday of May, since 1971. Before that it was always May 30 every year for the national holiday. This change caused many Americans to rejoice, thinking of what fun they might have on that date, and solemnity is not always in the plan.

This is why the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War would prefer to keep the original date.

“Changing the date

Haägen Dazs straight out of the carton, mail carriers are stocking up on Latex gloves and masks, logging in extra hours, making deliveries.

But they aren’t complaining. No sir. Not your friendly neighborhood USPS mailman.

One mail carrier, Amy Bezerra, has a route of 500 houses in Denver. She says, “It makes me feel good that I'm out there helping people. It makes me feel good that they can stay inside, especially if they are older or have health issues.”

500 houses.

I don’t know if you ever think about it, but your mailman is out there helping to keep things going. They deliver stimulus checks, Census forms, food, business contracts, cards from loved ones and anything else you can cram into a box,

envelope, or federally-approved plastic tube.

With each delivery, they risk infection.

Florida mail carrier Craig Boddie says, “Every day I wake up and just wonder, ‘Is this the day that COVID-19 is gonna come home with me?’”

But mail carriers don’t quit because you know the old saying: Through rain, sleet, snow, and worldwide infectious disease pandemics, the cellphone bills must get through.

No exceptions.

“That's one of the tough things with coronavirus,” Boddie goes on. “We're like a lifeline. Getting these people their medicines, their supplies.”

You might not notice your mail carrier, but they notice you. And they care about you.

Really. Some people

See MARKLEY, page A5

U.S. Mail BOW, N.H.—

A

sunny morning in New Hampshire. Summer is inching closer. A few rural mail carriers ride the backroads, making their rounds.

A dog barks in the distance, striking terror into the hearts of each USPS employee.

People in New Hampshire are stuck at home, and they’re going to keep being stuck for a little while.

On Friday, the governor extended the stayat-home orders, with some exceptions. Some hair salons are reopening, a few restaurants, a few businesses here and there. But otherwise, New Hampshire is not out of the woods yet.

In Portsmouth, the Prescott Park Arts and Crafts Festival was cancelled. That hurt.

The Seacoast’s ocean

beaches are shut down, too.

And of course, high school graduation is limping along. If you can even call it a graduation. In Bow, for example, there’s nothing happening graduation-wise except that seniors get little signs in their yards that read: “Bow High School Senior Lives Here.”

Whoopee.

You spend your high school career trying to get good grades and make your parents proud, and all you get is corrugated cardboard on a stick. No cap. No gown. No dancing the Funky Chicken with your friends on top of a speeding van. It’s depressing.

A few days ago, Lydia Gialluca, a Bow High School senior, found something in her mailbox. It was a handwritten note. Inside was a gift card to

Dunkin’ Donuts. The handwritten message went something like this: “Dear Graduate, congrats on graduating, please enjoy this card, and get something at Dunks. Your mailman, Josh.”

The gift card was for $5.

Other seniors in the area have been getting the same cards in their mailboxes. The same short notes. Same five bucks. It’s no Funky Chicken on a moving van, but it counts.

Lydia says it means everything knowing that someone notices her. “We’ve lost a lot of our senior year, and just knowing that someone is thinking of you, well, it’s just nice.”

There were 25 cards that popped up all over town, congratulating seniors. All signed by the mailman, Josh.

By Sean Dietrich None of the seniors know Josh personally.

Josh Crowell is the quintessential rural mailman, he’s steady, faithful, unafraid of vicious lap dogs and he is an essential worker.

During this coronavirus pandemic, Josh has not slowed down at all.

None of the nation’s mail carriers have slowed down. In fact, in many parts of the U.S., mail carriers are making more deliveries than they do at Christmas.

Thus, while the rest of the country stays in their PJs, eating

See DIETRICH, page A5

A5 June 3, 2020

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day' rescheduled for June 13

During the event, the department will accept hazardous waste not

accepted in regular garbage and trash collection. Computers and

electronics will be accepted as well as paper documents for secure, on-site shredding. Residents may bring up to 20 pounds of material per household for disposal at no charge.

To help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, those participating in the event are asked to register ahead of time by filling out the form at auburnalabama.org/ HHW. On the day of the event, participants should load the materials they wish to drop

time but should be opening soon. The drive-thru window is still open each business day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Their customers' health and well-being are important to us and they are putting measures in place to protect their safety and the safety of our employees. OPS would like to encourage

people not to come into the office to pay their bills as we have many ways to pay without having to make a trip to our office.

Payments can be made by mail, online at opelikapower.com or by calling OPS at 334705-5170 - Option 2.

If a customer needs to sign up for service or transfer service, they can call 334-705-5170

- Option 3 to speak to a customer service representative. If a customer has business that requires an appointment, they can call 334-705-5170 Option 3 to schedule the appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us and we will be happy to work with you.

get that, but only about every seven years!

Sarah Kickler Kelber, in a 2012 column in The Baltimore Sun, expressed concern that many people treat two military-related holidays as interchangeable. “Today is Memorial Day, not Veterans Day,” she wrote. “All across social media and elsewhere, I see well-meaning declarations thanking members of the military for their service. When you thank the living on the day meant to honor the dead, it’s a little bit awkward for everyone involved.”

“To be thanked for service in this context seems uncomfortable, to put it mildly,” Kelber continued. “So today, let’s remember those who gave their lives.” I have written earlier that “Thank

you for your service” is weak. Try saying something less vague, such as “I appreciate your amazing efforts in the Battle of Basra.”

Remember: a memorial is something that commemorates a dead person or a pivotal historic event. And veterans are quite clearly alive!

A famous war poem is “In Flanders Fields.”

It was written in 1915 after the Second Battle of Ypres, where mustard gas pioneered its deadly self. Author Lt. Col. John McCrae was a physician with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Its opening lines refer to the poppy fields that sprung up among the soldier’s graves. Back in the early 1990s, the poem was often read at ceremonies at Fort McClellan.

The second stanza is: “We are the dead.

Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie, in Flanders fields.” In 1961, FCC chairman Newton Minnow identified TV as a “vast wasteland.”

He might have been describing some of today’s journalists who think a solemn holiday for heroes is just like a happy family day.

Shallow is blooming like poppies in Flanders Fields, but is neither honorable nor poetic.

Greg Markley has lived in Lee County for 18 of the last 23 years. An award-winning journalist, he has masters degrees in education and history.

He has taught as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama.

even make friends with their mail person.

USPS Mail carrier, Evette Jordain, in Palm Beach, says an old man on her route recently died of cancer. Just before the old man died, he said to his son, “Tell my friend Evette that I said goodbye.”

“And I lost it,” Evette said. “I didn't know it was going to affect me like that.”

So that’s your mail carrier. Or at least it might be your mail carrier. A lot of people have never even met their mail carrier and don’t know their mail person’s name.

Postal workers fly under the radar, they’re in and out before you ever notice them. They know you’re busy with your own life, they don’t want to bother you.

But it doesn’t change the fact that your mail-person works hard for you personally.

And in places like Bow, New Hampshire, they keep morale up. Like Josh Cromwell, delivering greeting cards to graduates that are filled with his own

expectations, and some seeds just don’t “take.”

We both mourned the orange impatiens that withered while the surrounding ones bloomed, wondering what we could have done differently.

And just this morning, a finger creeped out of one of the pepper plants and wrapped itself around the wire trellis. It looked so fragile, covered in dew and clinging for dear life. “Plants are just like us. They need something to hang onto,” I said. My best

friend probably rolled his eyes, but as I was walking away I looked back and saw him bend down and take a picture for himself.

I read a study done at Oxford which said that plants may be deaf, but they can feel, see, smell and remember.

So all the encouraging words I’ve spoken to the pink petunias who were struggling were all for nothing? But they smell and see? No explanation was given for exactly how plants accomplish all these things, but I’m smart

enough to know that there’s a lot I don’t know. So I’m left to wonder if I were to be absent from our garden for a few days, would my night sky petunias miss me? Do the orange salvia planted next to the red birdhouse feel it when I run my fingers over their blooms? How lovely to think they might.

Because we are gardeners now, we have learned how to build planter boxes and elevated gardens.

We’ve built birdhouses – three in all. Our next

project, we’ve decided, is to build a bench with a planter attached to each end. It’s a big undertaking, but I can picture it already…. red cushions with a copper stripe, a rich mahogany stain on the wood, and dinner plate daisies in both planters.

And I will spend many hours there reading and watching the butterflies and hummingbirds. Because, as Cicero says, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

Audrey Hepburn wrote, “To plant a

garden is to believe in tomorrow.” And I do believe. I believe in tomatoes we’ll grow and use in our Sunday morning BLT’s. I believe in Christmas baskets filled with homemade oils and jellies and salsa that we grew and brewed ourselves. I believe in flowers in vases on dining room tables that we picked for each other.

And I believe in next year and the year after and all the years ahead that will bring blooms and food and countless garden hours.

getting into all the scientific debate over the relative benefits and dangers of polyunsaturated fats, mono-unsaturated fats, trans fats and schmaltz, let me simply say that together these two articles make a good case

for the way Grandma, Mama and most of the cooks of their generation fed their men.

The articles also confirm the old adage that “fat is flavor,” while giving us reason to ignore the advice of health food fanatics

who tell us “if it tastes good, spit it out.”

But I digress.

My point is not what you shouldn’t eat, but what you can – and in some cases should.

You can, and in some cases should, eat butter and lard.

Grandma lived into her 90s. Daddy made it to 93. Mama hung up her apron at 98.

Heart disease took my Grandfather away when he was barely 60.

Did the grease get him? Maybe, but it

also helped him enjoy the time he had here.

There is that.

Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hhjackson43@gmail.com.

Special to the Opelika Observer Environmental Services has rescheduled its spring “Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day” for June 13. The event was previously scheduled for April 4 but was postponed out of an abundance of caution. Auburn residents are invited to drop off materials at the Environmental Services Complex (365-A N. Donahue Drive) between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

OPS >> FROM A3

month; your account will not be drafted until the last day before the delinquent date shown on the bill. You can also pay through our website, opelikapower.com, or by phone.

The lobby will remain closed at this

MARKLEY>> FROM A4 merely to create threeday weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day, “a VFW spokesman said.

“No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.” They have a point, which I share: First things first, patriotism before popcorn and pie.

In my case, the change to the last Monday in May affected me as my birthday is May 31.

That translates into seven of the past 49 years having my birthday on Memorial Day. Those were years 1971, 1976, 1982, 1993, 1999, 2004 and 2010. I always wanted my birthday to be a national holiday; now I

HODGE >> FROM A4 hours – our garden hours.

An old Chinese proverb goes like this: “If you would witness life, bury a seed and open your eyes.” So true. From planting to blooming, my best friend and I take great care to choose the right location and the richest soil. But no matter the steps we take, in the end, nature is in control. Some seeds outperform our wildest

HARDY >> FROM A4

later an article in the Washington Post announced that “lard may not be as bad for your health as the fat’s detractors say.”

Now, without

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

off in the trunk or rear of their vehicle. Participants should enter the Environmental Services Complex via North Donahue Drive. View a map of the complex on auburnalabama.org showing entrance and exit routes.

When participants arrive at the Environmental Services Complex, workers will remove the materials from vehicles.

Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and leave windows rolled up until instructed to do

otherwise. Workers will be equipped with face masks and face shields, gloves and other gear to ensure they are protected during this time.

Participation is limited to Auburn residents, and proof of residency can be shown by bringing a recent water bill. A list of acceptable materials can be found at auburnalabama.org/ environmental-services/ household-hazardous-waste-collection-day.

DIETRICH>>

money.

“It’s a hard time we’re going through right now,” said Josh.

“I just wanted to lift the seniors’ spirits a little bit.” A mailman to the core.

Recently, Josh has gotten a bunch of thank-yous from seniors on his route. He finds their cards in the mailbox. He thumbs open the envelopes addressed to him. One such thank you came from young Lydia Gialluca. It was handwritten. Heartfelt.

When asked about why she wrote a notecard to her mailman, Lydia said, “Well, it just felt right, saying thank you.”

The girl makes a very good point.

Dear mail carrier: Thank you.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist, biscuit connoisseur and barbecue competition judge. He is known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, The Tallahassee Democrat, South Magazine, Yellowhammer News, the Bitter Southerner, The Mobile Press Register and he has authored seven books.

FROM A4

A6 June 3, 2020

Young Lawyers offer free COVID-19 legal assistance Volunteer lawyers are ready to assist the public as they navigate the unforeseen legal matters resulting from the pandemic Special to the Opelika Observer The Young Lawyers’ Section of the Alabama State Bar (ASB) in partnership with the ASB Volunteer Lawyers Program has launched a free legal assistance hotline for individuals and families throughout Alabama who are confronted with legal problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. People may call the hotline at 334517-2250 any time.

“Ultimately, we want to help people,” said Robert Shreve, president of the Young Lawyers’ Section and an attorney with Burr & Foreman in Mobile.

“This is (a) public service mission for us.

Our goal is to use our skill set to provide free legal assistance to our neighbors in need in

this state.”

When connected to the hotline, callers should leave a voicemail message providing brief details about the type of assistance needed due to COVID-19, the county they are calling from along with contact information to receive a return call. Individuals will be matched with Alabama lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal advice or assistance.

The types of legal advice or assistance available include: • Assistance with securing government benefits.

• Assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures.

• Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems.

• Counseling on landlord-tenant problems.

Callers should be aware that there are limitations on legal services. The Alabama Young Lawyers’ Section volunteers are primarily offering legal advice. If additional services are needed, callers may be directed to the Volunteer Lawyers Program or Legal Services Alabama.

“We know there are so many people who have found themselves in need of help and legal assistance, and they don’t know what to do. We are thankful to be able to help,” said Ryan Duplechin, an attorney with Beasley Allen in Montgomery.

Duplechin, a member of the Young Lawyers’ Section Executive Committee is heading up the group’s efforts to coordinate the assistance line.

“For the last 20

years, the Alabama State Bar’s motto has been Lawyers Render Service, and we have never needed to serve the people of the State of Alabama more than now. I’m proud that the Young Lawyers’ Section and the Volunteer Lawyers

EAMC >>

FAIRLESS >>

FROM A3

FROM A3

Auburn Chambers started providing for the COVID testing centers and staff dealing with frontline exposure and it grew from there,” said EAMC Hospital Chaplain, Laura Eason.

“We knew that we wanted to take as much precaution as possible, and didn't want our staff to be in the cafeteria or leave the hospital to go get lunch, especially those working with the COVID patients,” Eason added.

The President of the Auburn Chamber, Lolly Steiner, first reached out to EAMC wanting to provide some meals for the testing sites. “(They) knew it was off site and those people weren’t allowed to leave the area… so they wanted to help provide lunch for them, the COVID call center and the ICU staff,” said Eason.

The Auburn Chamber delivered a total of 3,495 meals from March 18 through May 1.

The Opelika Chamber delivered a total of 2,272 meals from March 19 through May 1. The Opelika Chamber was also able to raise over $11,000 through generous donations of over 20 chamber members and almost 10 community members.

“It was the perfect partnership because the staff and employees were so busy (that) they were unable to get meals, so delivering meals helped them out tremendously and it helped our chamber members because we were able to pay for the meals to support our local restaurants and caterers,” said Opelika Chamber Manager of Program and Events, Mackenzie Kayler.

position I was just months ago. I hope to learn even more about writing and become intimately familiar with the Opelika community."

Twenty-one years old, Fairless hails from St. Charles, Missouri, and has fond memories of growing up in the Midwest.

"I have one sibling, my younger brother Mitch. As a

BOUTIQUE

Programs have, once again, recognized the needs in our state and joined together to meet those needs. In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?’ Through these

programs, lawyers around the State of Alabama are answering that question,” said Christy Crow, president of the Alabama State Bar. More information about pandemic-related legal resources can be found at alabar.org/ covid19/.

kid, if I wasn’t playing sports with my brother (basketball, baseball, football, soccer and anything we made up), I was reading. I still read a lot," Fairless said.

"I went to Duchesne High School in St. Charles, from which I graduated in 2016.

I played basketball, baseball, golf and ran track in high school.

My brother and I went to the state championship for high jump in 2016. I still love to play golf."

After graduating

from high school, Fairless enrolled in Auburn's College of Engineering. In his second semester, he swapped his major over to journalism.

During his sophomore year, he walked on to Auburn's Track and Field team as a high jumper, redshirted and practiced with the team for a year.

The Observer is excited to welcome Fairless back and help continue the paper's mission of providing local news for local people.

>>

FROM A3

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer

“Every day we coordinated lunch deliveries to the hospital at the main lobby loop... EAMC would have employees with carts that would come to the cars and pick-up the food to take inside to practice social distancing and keep people out of the hospital. It was a great community effort and we were glad to have played a part in the [30,000] meals delivered,” said Kayler.

“Originally, (we were) trying to think about handling this for two weeks, and two weeks turned into two months,” said Eason.

“Retired EAMC Physician Dr. Hagan wanted to do something for the night staff, and he organized the night shift meals,” added Eason. “It started with 100 meals, and within two days later, it grew

to 300 meals… the night shift was fed for six weeks.”

During the course of those six weeks, Dr. Hagan was able to organize a total of roughly 10,000 donated meals for the night shift.

“The entire hospital staff has just been blown away with the generosity and support that Lee County has shown to all of us during this pandemic,” said Eason. “Not only the meals, but the words of encouragement, park and pray, the painted bricks, banners, snacks, prayers, treats, lights, and especially all the PPE (masks, gowns, gloves, face shields and hand sanitizer). It’s just been amazing and has really helped encourage us and keep us going,” added Eason.

Crowned is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The boutique provides a fun, feminine style with options that are great for work or for the weekend with sizes ranging from small to 3XL. “We offer a subscription box that has a fun outfit with great basics each quarter (there is also a monthly option as well). The subscription box is a great way to try styles that you may not pick out for yourself. It’s one of my favorite options that we offer.

Our subscription boxes start at $35 and go up to $65. I love accessories and gifts and we have jewelry, hats, bags and even some household items. We also offer a great candle line that we are the exclusive provider for in this area,” Hathcock added.

Crowned is taking extra precautions to make sure they

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

have a safe shopping environment for their customers. For those who may not be ready to shop in person, there are options to shop online at wearcrowned. com, schedule personal shopping appointments or virtually.

“I really want to provide a warm, welcoming shopping experience... I love

putting outfits together and helping women feel beautiful in their clothing,” Hathcock said. “I’m so thankful that we are located in downtown Opelika and we are so excited to meet the community!”

For more information, customers may email contact@ wearcrowned.com or call 334-610-4022.

A7 June 3, 2020

Protestors say "Enough is enough"

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

A8 June 3, 2020

EAMC physician receives surprise celebration, parade for 50th birthday

By Morgan Bryce For the Opelika Observer A drive-thru parade, pizza dinner, personalized birthday message from an active University of North Carolina basketball player and office decorated with uplifting messages

Dr. Linda Farmer and signs were all part of the 50th birthday celebration for Dr. Linda Farmer, who has worked for the last 17 years as an oncologist at East Alabama Medical Center.

The weekend-long celebration served as an alternative to a planned dance party that was scrapped because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and was planned by her family and friends, including Yer Jin, a nurse at the Spencer Cancer Center where Farmer works.

“I enjoyed collaborating to surprise

Linda. It took a lot of emails, texts and scheming to pull off the greatest four-day surprise; and I believe it paid off in the end.

Her smile, laughter, and tears really told us how much it all meant to her,” Jin said. “For me, being able to work on this project was a privilege; I was giving back to a friend who gives so much to her community. If I could do it again, I would because she deserves so much and more.”

The festivities began on May 15 with a drive-thru parade in the parking lot of Bow & Arrow, which began with a police escort and ended with a firetruck. While Farmer and her immediate family enjoyed a pizza dinner, more than 45 cars participated, which included other family members, friends, hospital staff and patients. A family member added that some drove to as long as two hours to participate.

A diehard Tar Heels fan, Farmer received a personalized birthday message from Auburn High School alum and current North Carolina basketball player Garrison Brooks on Sunday.

When she arrived to work on Monday, Farmer's office was decorated with signs used in the parade

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer

and a scrapbook documenting all the weekend's festivities.

A family member said the celebration was planned to not only commemorate a sig-

Incoming Rotary President Dixie Broadwater speaks to club

nificant milestone, but recognize her efforts to make a difference in the lives of others. "(The weekend) was very emotional. Overwhelming.

ly member said. "Dr. Farmer has done so much for the community and her level of patient care is second to none, (which is why we did this for her)."

Alabama CASA Network announces new executive director Special to the Opelika Observer

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Dixie Broadwater, incoming Opelika Rotary President, shared about her recent travels with Rotary International to De Caborca Sonora, Mexico where a team of Rotarians worked to eradicate Polio by giving Polio drops to children in and around this community.

A few tears. Many more laughs, especially when the panda jumped out of the sunroof during the parade. So many great memories," the fami-

The Alabama CASA Network, Inc. is proud to announce that James (“Jimmy”) Hill has been named its new Executive Director. The organization’s mission is to equip and empower local CASA programs throughout the state to advocate for all of Alabama’s abused and neglected children.

Jimmy Hill comes to Alabama CASA Network with over 35 years of experience across multiple industries, including a decade in the nonprofit sector.

Board President Lauren Keet said, “On behalf of Alabama CASA’s Board of Directors, I am honored to welcome Jimmy to Alabama

CASA Network. His extensive nonprofit experience, strong community relations and passion for the mission will help him lead the organization.

An exhaustive search was conducted, and the board is grateful for the assistance of Lisa Hart, executive recruiter at Human Resources Management, Inc., and to the many qualified candidates who expressed interest in the role.”

According to Jimmy Hill, "I am deeply humbled by the confidence shown in me by the Board of Directors at CASA. I'm very excited about the opportunities ahead and while we are all experiencing tremendous change as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I have little interest in returning to ‘normal.’

Normal meant there were 14,000+ abused or neglected children in foster care across our state with no voice.

Our vision is creating a normal where we provide a state-wide network of trained and empowered CASA volunteers advocating for every vulnerable child and positively impacting the course of their lives.”

To learn more about Alabama CASA Network, please visit their website at alabamacasa.org.

About the Alabama CASA Network The Alabama CASA Network was formed in 1993 as Alabama’s formal state CASA organization. The purpose of the organization is to promote, develop, oversee, improve and expand Alabama’s local CASA programs.

Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

Virtual Lee County "Relay For Life" being held June 5 Volunteers are asking the community to support the cause with financial donations and participate by watching the virtual relay on Facebook: facebook.com/leecountyrelay/, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Find out more online at www.relayforlife.org/leeal.

Pat Dakin shares an assortment of collected family recipes

Southern

Hospitality

P

at Dakin and her husband, Matt, moved to Opelika in 1992 when she accepted the position of director of the Auburn Opelika Tourism Bureau, the second person to hold that position.

Since retiring in 2004, the Dakins have been involved with the Silver Sneakers at the Sportsplex and enjoy living in the area. Pat has a love for cooking, especially baking.

She is sharing favorite recipes she has collected from her family.

Growing up near Leland, Mississippi,

Pat learned the basics of cooking from both her grandmothers, who lived on farms and were good cooks. Pat would visit one of her grandmothers, who lived next door, every afternoon after school. Her grandmother would make a rich custard pie using milk with a thick topping of cream. She also made her own butter.

Since her maternal grandfather hunted, her other grandmother prepared venison and rabbit dishes. While Pat learned how to cook wild game, she was more interested in

watching her grandmother make biscuits and cornbread. She had a special bowl for making the biscuits without a recipe.

After high school, Pat attended Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Pat met Matt while visiting grandparents near Skene/Cleveland, Mississippi. After they married, the Dakins lived in Auburn from 1958 until 1963 for Matt to attend graduate school at Auburn University where he received both a masters degree and a doctorate degree in

Photo by Robert Noles Pat Dakin has a love for baking. The Buttermilk Pound Cake is one of her family’s favorite cakes. She serves it with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. Pat is sharing a variety of recipes collected from her family.

Entomology.

Their two sons were born while they lived in Auburn.

When Pat was 40 years old, she returned to college at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in

Breezeway of Opelika: A signature chicken tradition

By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter Breezeway of Opelika has been serving the local community fresh, tender chicken for nearly 30 years.

Gena Henley first opened the business in 1991 and has been delivering consistent food with a friendly dining experience ever since. Gena and John Henley will be celebrating 30 years of business in the upcom-

ing year of 2021.

Breezeway’s menu offers a variety of meals such as their famous grilled chicken, BLT’s, shrimp baskets, wings, salads and more. For appetizers, diners can choose from fried pickles, zucchini baskets, onion rings, fried okra and others.

Having recently moved to the Auburn-Opelika area this past January, I’ve See BREEZEWAY, page A10

English. While working as an editorial assistant at the Center for Louisiana Studies at ULL, the Center published a series of historically related publications and the journal Louisiana History for the state historical association.

In the summer of

See CIPPERLY, page A13

The Sound Wall Supper Club plans reunion Special to the Opelika Observer

Photo by Natalie Anderson/Opelika Observer

1980, Pat saw an ad for a visitor marketing manager for the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau. Since she had knowledge of the area’s history, she applied and was hired.

Pat traveled often in the job, marketing La-

Featuring local favorite Executive Chef Chris Wilton, this event is part of the venue's monthly gathering to experience new and exciting cuisine prepared by a Professional Chef. Only 12 seats will be available at the table this month, socially distanced style!

Get your friends together and reserve a table or come and meet someone new!

The Supper Club is for those who enjoy going out for dinner and trying something new. Come as strangers and leave as friends! This is a bring-your-own-beer event.

Tickets are $55 each and can be purchased via theSee SUPPER CLUB, page A13

A10 June 3, 2020

BREEZEWAY >> FROM A9 heard a lot about the local restaurants and businesses, including Breezeway. Wanting

to try their famous grilled chicken and wanting something light, I decided to order the “Chef Salad,” which is their house salad topped with char-

grilled chicken, turkey and ham with a choice of dressing. Dressing options include ranch, fat free ranch, italian, fat free italian, creamy caesar and more.

The chicken was just as it had been described… fresh, tender and flavorful!

I’d highly suggest this salad to anyone who is looking for something

with a bit of signature appeal. This was my first dine-in visit to a local restaurant post COVID-19 closures, and it definitely won’t be my last time there.

I’d highly recommend that locals, families of locals and those passing by Opelika visit this welcoming restaurant with a vibrant history.

OBITUARIES Vivian Brown

Lakeview Baptist Church holding open registration for 'Take Home VBS'

By Natalie Anderson through June 5. The cost of attendance Staff Reporter Lakeview Baptist Church of Auburn is now holding open registration for all boys and girls who will be entering kindergarten through sixth grade this upcoming fall for the “Take Home VBS” program from June 15 to June 19.

Parents may register their child online or in the church office

is free, and all VBS activities will be held at home with online content and at-home crafts.

“While health and safety concerns mean we can’t hold VBS on our campus this summer, we hope you will still join us in discovering the secrets of Mystery Island from your own home,” stated the official website.

“Families whose kids

are registered will be assigned a window of time to drive by and pick up your bag(s) from Lakeview Baptist Church. Bags will be distributed in a car line similar to schools—no need to exit your vehicle.

Pick Up Day will be a kickoff celebration with a welcoming party, VBS music and our Lakeview youth creating a fun drive-thru experience. Along with their bags, we will have balloons and treats for all of the kids. So, please plan to bring your children along for the ride!”

Additionally, there are VBS T-shirts available to purchase for $5 by ordering online with sizes available for both children and adults.

For more information and how to register your child, visit lakeviewbaptist. org/vbs.

Vivian Brown was born on Aug. 17, 1953, to the late Coleman and Juanita Brown in Alabama.

She passed away on May 24, 2020, at Bethany House in Opelika. She was 66 years old.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Jared Nash.

Vivian was a longtime member of

Ella Mae Leonard Ella Mae Leonard of Waverly was born to the late Homer T. and Bertha Partridge Norrell on June 25, 1940 and passed away at East Alabama Medical Center on May 26, 2020. She

Regina O'Guynn Regina O'Guynn, was born on May 9, 1969, to the late Arlin Bennie Spraggins Sr. and Lynda Butler Spraggins in Alabama. She passed away on May 24, 2020, at her home in Beauregard.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her son Will Kirby and brother-in-law Steve Bledsoe.

Eleanor Jane Allen Eleanor Allen, 83, passed away peacefully at her home on May 30, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, greatgreat grandmother and a great friend.

Eleanor was born Feb. 27, 1937 to the late Nathan and Addie Pearl Hall. She was a devoted homemaker.

She loved and was loved by all who knew her.

Eleanor gave her heart to the Lord on Mar. 12, 1964. She loved the Lord and was a dedicated and willing servant to several churches for over 50 years. Sis. Eleanor became a faithful servant under the ministry of Rev. W C Sanders, Emmanuel Holiness Church (On the Hill) in Opelika

the Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Nash (David) and Sherry Bailey; special companion fur baby, Annabelle; siblings, Sue Glahn (Greg), Nancy Goodson (Winfred), Kaye Kenney, Bradley Brown, Sharon Pouncey (Bill) and Geoffrey Brown (Tylene); grandchildren, Jessica Long (Trey), Kristopher Sanders (Kat) and Carly Nash;

was 79 years old.

She was a longtime member of Farmville Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph W. Leonard; children, Rita Dauber (Robert), Ronald Leonard, and Sandy Glenn Leonard (Shellie); grandson, Brian Dauber (Rachel); 2

great grandchildren, Destiny, Ansleigh, Nash, Caleigh, Carson, Kade and Kyle and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

A private memorial service was held on May 28, 2020, in the chapel of FrederickDean Funeral Home with Brother Lake Mickler, Jr. officiating.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

great grandchildren, Brayden Dauber and Caleb Dauber, as well as several brothers and sisters.

A private Graveside service was held May 29, 2020, at Farmville Baptist Church Cemetery.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

She is survived by her spouse, Billy O'Guynn, Sr.; sons, Ben O'Guynn and Billy O'Guynn, Jr.; sisters, Lavelle Bledsoe, Renee Champion (Chuck) and Teresa Gentry; brothers, Carlton Spraggins (Ginny), Arlin Spraggins, Jr. (Katie), Brian Spraggins (Jennifer) and Darrell Spraggins (Dawn) and her grandchild Evan O'Guynn.

Visitation was held on May 26, 2020, in the parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home A private graveside service was held on May 27, 2020, at Saugahatchee Assembly of God Cemetery in Reeltown, Alabama with Reverend Billy short and Reverend Rusty Sowell officiating Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

and Beauregard Full Gospel Revival Center, Opelika.

She later became a member of the Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church, Opelika, where she served as the Children’s Choir Director and Assistant Church Secretary for many years.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Betty Jean (Byron) Lindsey, and her brother, Billy Hall.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Larry Allen of Opelika; Children, Johnny (Jean) Hamby, Ricky Hamby, Ronnie (Rhonda) Hamby, Jack (Belinda) Hamby, Eric (Terri) Allen, Lisa Clark, Joy Wilson, Connie (Lynn) Carr, Micah (Angel) Allen, and Patrick (Gina) Allen all of Opelika, AL; Brothers, Preston Hall, Louie (Martha) Hall, Leonard (Judith) Hall, and Ray (Cherie) Hall;

Sisters, Martha Hall, and Pat (Harold) Ray; 33 Grandchildren; 42 Great Grandchildren; and 11 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Visitation was held June 2, 2020 in the parlor at FrederickDean Funeral home and a funeral service for immediate family followed at 12:15 p.m. in the Chapel with Rev. Adam Bowen, Rev. Johnny Hamby, and Rev. Jackie Prickett officiating.

Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

The pallbearers were Elisha Nelson, Taylor Ragsdale, Walker Clark, Dillion Cole, Garrett Carr, Spencer Carr and Conner Carr.

The family would like to thank Courtney with Amedisys Hospice for all the love, compassion and care.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

A11 June 3, 2020

I

t was an eventful time for Israel.

They had crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land. The men had been circumcised.

They celebrated the Passover and the manna had stopped falling. Now it was time to begin taking the land.

Joshua was near Jericho when he saw a man with his sword drawn. He asked him if he was with him or the enemy. To his sur prise, the man told him neither one

Church Calendar • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building starting Wednesday May 13.

• First Baptist Church Of Opelika - continuing online streaming services; “FBSCO will be deliberate but diligent as we begin to meet in person again.” “I would project that a FBCO’s return to corporate worship and ministry opportunities will be strategic.”

• St Mary’s Catholic Church - No public masses yet, but there will be live stream Masses on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in English and 7:00 p.m. in Spanish. Distribution of Holy Communion will be on Sunday’s 9 to 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. People can call the office at 334749-8359 or go to the parish website for more information stmaryopelika. org.

• First United Methodist Church Of Opelika - The, bishop has asked for all United Methodist churches in our conference to suspend in-person gatherings through June 1, so there will not be any in-person services in May. There is a Covid-19 task force that will help make decisions about June/July and work out those logistics.

Holy Ground and went on to say, “As commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

Credit to Joshua for falling facedown to the ground in reverence and asking what message God had for him. The angel told him to take off his sandals, for the place where he was standing was holy ground.

Joshua did just that.

With this incident, the curtain is oh-sobrief ly pulled back between the visible and the invisible,

By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

the natural and the supernatural, and we get a glimpse behind it. What do we see? We don’t see the commander of the Lord’s army

fumbling around looking for his sword, trying to find his battle plans or uncomposed in any way. He was there ahead of Joshua.

God is once again reminding His people, “I’m in control here, not you. The land you are to receive is a gift from me—not the result of your strategy, tactics, military supremacy, or anything else. You are standing on holy ground.”

This makes me wonder how many

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN times we’ve waited on God when the reality was, He was already there waiting on us. The ground we were on was holy, but like Joshua, we weren’t able to see it. Maybe we need to learn to live with our shoes off, our hearts open and our eyes on the unseen.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

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

Verse of the Week

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

Proverbs 28:5

Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS 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 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 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

10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika

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

709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene

1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832

334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd 334-745-2247 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. 334-745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy 334-707-3922 Family Life Christian Center 601 S. 7th St. 334-741-7013 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris Ave. 334-749-1070 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-741-1006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770

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

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

A12 June 3, 2020

RECIPES BUTTERMILK POUND CAKE My Aunt Nell Tate Livingston’s recipe Aunt Nell served this at Christmas with real whipped cream and maraschino cherries. We like it with diced strawberries and ice cream or whipped cream. It is also good sliced and toasted. It goes well with coffee and hot tea.

1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter 3 cups sugar, divided 5 eggs, separated 3 cups plain all-purpose flour (I use Gold Medal) ½ tsp. soda 1 cup whole buttermilk, not low-fat 1 Tbsp. Mexican vanilla or vanilla extract Cream butter and 2 2/3 cups sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time. Beat well after each addition.

Sift dry ingredients. (I hardly ever do, just level off cup. I blend soda into flour.) Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk. Add vanilla.

Beat egg white, slowly adding 1/3 cup of reserved sugar. Beat until stiff. Fold into batter.

Pour into greased tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes. Increase temperature to 325 degrees and bake 15 minutes more.

Ovens vary, so check for doneness before removing from oven. May be baked in 2 loaf pans. Cake freezes well.

CINNAMON ROLL CASSEROLE Recipe from Hugs and Cookies 2 cans Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls 1/2 cup milk 4 eggs 1 tsp. cinnamon ¼ cup pure maple syrup Grease a 9 x 13 pan with Pam. Cut up rolls into small pieces and lay in the pan.

In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk and cinnamon.

Pour over rolls, making sure they are well coated.

Drizzle on the maple syrup. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 35 minutes or until puffed up and golden.

Microwave the icing that came with the roll packs in a microwave safe bowl. Pour on top of dish and serve warm.

GLUTEN FREE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS This recipe uses a large deep saucepan.

Chicken mixture: 2 ½ cups chicken broth 1½ cups cut-up cooked chicken (I prefer the white meat) 1 cup Frozen Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables 1 tsp. seasoned salt ¼ tsp. pepper (I use white pepper) 1 cup whole milk 3 Tbsp. cornstarch Dumplings: ¾ cup Gluten Free Bisquick mix 1/3 cup milk 2 Tbsp. butter, melted 1 egg

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley, optional In 3 quart saucepan, heat chicken broth, chicken, vegetables, salt and pepper to boiling.

In small bowl, mix 1 cup milk and cornstarch with wire whisk until smooth, stir into chicken mixture. Heat to just boiling.

In small bowl, stir dumpling ingredients with fork until blended.

Gently drop dough by rounded spoonful onto boiling chicken mixture. Cook uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes.

Cover and cook 15 minutes longer. Makes approximately 4 servings (I usually double the recipe).

LEMON PIE This is an old recipe of my mother Lorena Livingston, who lived during the depression.

I have a granddaughter who is lactose and gluten intolerant, so the pie is easily adaptable for her to eat.

1 pie crust (I like Marie Callender’s frozen deep dish pie crust. If needed, gluten free can be found in most grocery stores.

1 cup boiling water 1/3 cup flour (or use cornstarch per equivalent measurements) 1 ¼ cups sugar (reserve about 1/8 cup sugar for meringue) 1 Tbsp. butter (or vegan free butter) Grated rind of 2 lemons Juice of 2 lemons 3 egg yolks 3 egg whites Pinch of salt Bake a pie crust according to directions.

Mix all ingredients and cook in double boiler until thick. Pour into cooked pie shell.

Cool.

While cooling, beat egg whites, slowly adding 1/8 cup sugar until stiff and forms peaks. Place on cooled pie filling. Brown in 350 degree oven.

MADELEINE DAKIN’S PINEAPPLE PIE Matt’s mother’s recipe.

3 eggs, separated, with whites in separate bowl 1 1/8 cups sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 1 cup whole milk Small can crushed pineapple Juice of 1 lemon Pinch of salt 1 baked pie shell Beat egg yolks. Mix sugar and cornstarch; add to egg yolks. Then add milk. Mix well. Put mixture into saucepan and cook until thick, stirring constantly.

Add pineapple, lemon juice and a pinch of salt: cook a few extra minutes.

Pour into baked pie shell. Beat egg whites, adding about 1/8 cup sugar to egg whites, beating to form stiff peaks. Spread meringue over pie. Brown

meringue in 350 degree oven (It doesn’t take long).

PEACH COBBLER My Aunt Reba Maugh’s recipe.

I have also used this with blueberries and blackberries. Can be doubled for large crowd.

Peach Filling: 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup cold water 2 cups sugared, sliced fresh peaches (I use about ¼ cup sugar over fresh peaches; depends on sweetness of peaches.)

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. Mexican vanilla (or vanilla) Mix first 3 ingredients for cobbler; add peaches. Cook and stir until mixture thickens.

Add butter, lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into buttered baking dish ( 8 x 8 or 9 x 11) Cobbler Crust: 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour ½ cup sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt ½ cup whole milk ¼ cup oil or melted unsalted butter Topping: 1 Tbsp. sugar ¼ tsp. nutmeg For crust, sift together dry ingredients. Add milk and oil or butter (I use melted butter).

Beat until smooth.

Pour over fruit. Mix sugar and nutmeg for topping. Sprinkle over cobbler.

Bake at 350 degrees about 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Note: I have also made this gluten free by using the peach mixture, and the gluten topping from the chicken dumpling recipe. Just drop the dumpling dough mixture over the top.

LASAGNA My Aunt Reba Livingston Maugh’s recipe 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 cup celery, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 4 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste 6 cans water (from tomato paste cans) 2 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. garlic salt 4 tsp. salt 1 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated 2 cups small curd cottage cheese 2 eggs 1 box lasagna noodles Grated Parmesan cheese Remove sausage from skins, cook sau-

sage and ground beef until crumbly. Pour off crease.

Add onion and celery, cook until tender. Add tomato paste, and seasonings.

Simmer 50 minutes.

Combine cottage cheese with 2 beaten eggs.

Cook lasagna noodles per instructions on box. Butter a large rectangular pan.

Stack layers of noodle, sauce, cottage cheese-egg mixture and grated mozzarella cheese.

Repeat ending with sauce and cheese on top. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly. Can be made a day ahead. Store in refrigerator. Can make sauce ahead and freeze.

Note: ground turkey can be substituted for ground meat. Also, I like lots of cheese, so I usually use more than one pound of mozzarella cheese. Can double recipe.

GLUTEN FREE— Save enough sauce for a small 8 x 8 pan of gluten free lasagna noodles, and 2 different dishes can be made from the sauce. This makes a large amount of sauce.

PINK ANGEL STRAWBERRY CAKE This was a favorite birthday cake of my older son Matt and my great niece Lora. They shared the same birthday, even though many years apart! I have used both an angel food cake and baked the strawberry cake mix.

My family prefers the cake mix cake.

1 box strawberry cake mix of choice (or a precooked angel food cake can be used) 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen strawberries 1 pkg. (1 Tbsp.) unflavored gelatin 2 cups heavy whipping cream Bake cake mix by box directions into 2 layers.

Thaw strawberries, drain off juice and save. In small dish, sprinkle gelatin over juice; let stand until gelatin is softened.

Set dish in hot water until gelatin dissolves.

Combine gelatin mixture with berries. Do not allow to congeal.

Whip cream until stiff and sweeten to taste (usually about ¼ cup). If berries are not sweet enough, add more sugar. Fold strawberry mixture into whipped cream.

(Note: if using angel food cake, cut in half.)

Spread half of whipped cream over bottom layer, put top layer on, and finish spreading whipped cream mixture over cake.

Decorate with fresh berries, if available.

Refrigerate for several

hours.

CRANBERRY FROZEN SALAD My Aunt Nell Tate Livingston’s recipe 1 can jellied cranberry sauce 1 cup cottage cheese ¼ cup mayonnaise ½ cup pitted dates ¼ cup slivered almonds ½ cup maraschino cherries, drained 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1 cup whipping cream (add 1 Tbsp. sugar and ½-1 tsp. vanilla when whipping cream) Put cranberry sauce, cottage cheese, and mayonnaise in blender, run on high speed until smooth.

Add dates, almonds and cherries. Run on low until chopped.

Pour in bowl and add drained pineapple and marshmallows. Fold in whipped cream.

Freeze in muffin tins. I usually freeze in paper muffin cups in muffin pan. When frozen, I remove them from the muffin pan and store in a Ziplock bag.

You could use Cool Whip, but I prefer real whipping cream. I sometimes double the recipe!

PECAN PIE 3 eggs 2/3 cup sugar ½ tsp. salt 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted 1 cup dark Karo 1 Tbsp. vanilla, or bourbon (I prefer Mexican vanilla) 1 ½ cups pecan halves (or pieces can be used. I like the small pecans) Mix eggs, sugar, salt, melted butter and Karo. Add vanilla (or other flavoring, if desired). I mix on a medium mixer speed.

Add pecans. Pour into pie crust.

Pastry for a 9-inch pie ( I prefer Marie Callender’s frozen deep dish pie crust or sometimes I use a gluten free crust if I can find one.)

Heat oven to 370375 degrees (depending on oven). Bake for about 40 minutes until set.

Note: it is better to bake at a lower temperature than to have the edges of the crust burn or get too dark.

BACON AND SPINACH QUICHE This can be cooked in a pie crust; however, I make it crustless, using a deep dish buttered pie pan. If a crust is used, use a 9 inch pie crust.

6 large beaten eggs 1 ½ cups heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste Chopped sweet onion to taste 2 cups chopped

fresh baby spinach 1 lb. cooked and crumbled bacon 1 ½ cups shredded Swiss cheese or other cheese you have on hand Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine eggs, cream, salt and pepper in food processor or blender or beat well.

Layer the sweet onion, spinach, bacon and cheese in the bottom of pie crust or pan, if crustless. Pour the egg mixture on top.

Bake for 35-45 minutes until egg mixture is set.

SPINACH MADELEINE My sister Barbara Elder’s recipe 2 pkg. frozen chopped spinach or one large bag 4 Tbsp. flour (or cornstarch equivalent) ½ cup evaporated milk ½ cup vegetable liquor (juice from spinach) 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 4 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. or small onion or sweet onion, chopped ½ tsp. black pepper ¾ tsp. garlic salt or powder 8 oz. roll hot Velveeta cheese, cut into pieces Box of Cheese Nips Cook spinach by directions on package; drain, reserving liquid.

Over low heat, melt butter; add onion, stirring until onion is soft. Add flour (or cornstarch) and stir until smooth.

Add vegetable liquid and milk, stirring slowly to prevent lumping. (A wire whisk can be used.) Stir until smooth and thick.

Add seasonings and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Combine with drained spinach.

Pour into buttered casserole or use an 8 x 8 baking dish. Cover with crumbled Cheese Nips. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes until bubbly.

Note: Can be made and frozen or kept in refrigerator until needed (only day or so prior), but leave off Cheese Nips until just prior to placing in oven. For a large crowd, double recipe and bake in 9 x 13 baking dish.

Use cornstarch for gluten intolerant individuals.

SEVEN LAYER SALAD 4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce 16 oz. pkg. frozen peas, cooked, drained and cooled 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup bacon crumbles 6 hardboiled eggs, chopped 1 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. white sugar 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Spread chopped lettuce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch glass dish or trifle bowl. Top with peas, onion, celery, bacon and eggs.

Spread mayonnaise over the top of vegetables. Sprinkle with sugar.

Spread cheddar cheese over the top.

Place cover on glass dish or seal with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator overnight.

Toss before serving.

A13 June 3, 2020

O Grows Farmer's Market open Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Special Delivery

By Wil Crews Opelika Observer “You smell like pizza,” 8-year-old Prudence Hagans says to her father, Mike Hagans. She and Mike are sitting in the lounge of the leasing office at 1322 North apartments in Auburn.

Mike works as the maintenance supervisor for the complex, and with no school being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prudence is always by his side, ready to lend a helping hand.

“Look at my shoes,” she said. Prudence clacks her heels together and bounces in her seat, “they light up.” Just like her shoes, Prudence is always shining her light — however, the focus is never on herself.

When Prudence isn’t helping her father with maintenance check-ups, she is usually looking for other ways to make a difference. “She’s always doing things for other people, she’s very outgoing,” Mike said.

Like many of us, Prudence didn’t find inspiration through a philosophical text or by watching the news; her idea was sparked

by YouTube. “Prudence has a very kind heart,

CIPPERLY>> FROM A9 fayette and the area as a destination to the public and professional travel groups. While working for the CVB, she obtained several professional certifications in the field of tourism marketing.

Pat worked for the Lafayette tourism bureau until 1992. When their younger son and grandchildren moved to Huntsville, Alabama, Pat and Matt decided they wanted to be nearer to them. Matt retired after 30 years of teaching. Pat applied for the position of director for the Auburn Opelika

and this was just another nice thing she did,” Mike said.

With help of her dad, Prudence set up a donation station at the front of the complex’s office.

Prudence asked residents to write kind messages of encouragement for the doctors and patients at East Alabama Medical Center on a homemade card that stood as tall as the soon-to-be fourthgrader herself. Along with the card, Prudence received some canned goods and around $25 in cash.

Wary of social distancing guidelines, Mike was hesitant to hand-deliver the donation to EAMC. Instead, EAMC got word of what Prudence had done and sent paramedics to Mike and Prudence’s home to pick up her donation.

Prudence’s most recent act of kindness was one to lift the spirits of some in her community. She and her father didn’t think that it would get this much attention; but being kind is just what Prudence does. Somebody was bound to notice.

Before COVID-19, at Christmas, Prudence would deliver ornaments to her teachers at school.

There is a small creek near their apartment complex.

Prudence looked around as she talked about it –– as if she was waiting for the right moment to run there and go swimming right now –– she plans to throw a party there once coronavirus concerns fade.

She and Mike once filled up five garbage bags with trash that was from that creek.

“I hate littering,” Prudence said. Just recently Mike brought home an injured baby bird. Prudence and her dad nursed the bird back to health for four days. “By the end of the week, we had to let it go,” Prudence said. “We were really worried that it wouldn’t fly, but it flew all the way to friend Bella’s apartment, and that’s way up in the air.”

It’s clear that Prudence sets a compassionate example for all of us to follow. What does she want people to learn from her altruistic personality and charitable acts?

“Just be kind and try to help others,” Prudence said.

Tourism Bureau, which was vacant at the time.

When Pat became the director of tourism in 1992, Grand National had just opened. It was the number one attraction with a huge draw.

The Victorian Front Porch Tour opened the following year, which also became popular for visitors to the area.

People were interested in Christmas events.

Pat feels she had a great tourism board of directors. She retired in October 2004.

Since retiring, the Dakins have had more time to visit their two sons and two granddaughters.

Their son Matt lives in Sacramento, California and is single. Son Rich-

ard and his wife Diane live at Bodega Bay, California, and have two daughters, Jewelia Dakin and Deborah Szilagyi, who live near the San Francisco area.

Pat and Matt’s grandson Johnathon Dakin died in 2005 at the age of 19 from leukemia.

At the time, the family lived in Birmingham, and Johnathon was in Children’s Hospital at UAB. The Dakins are a close-knit family. Pat is the oldest of six children. She has four sisters.

They lost their brother two years ago.

Along with cooking and baking, Pat’s hobbies are reading,

Contest Searches For Bama’s Best Pulled Pork

By Marlee Moore Special to the Opelika Observer As the Alabama Pork Producers search for Bama’s Best Pulled Pork, the group has one question for the state’s residents — Who are you pulling for?

People are encouraged to nominate their favorite Alabama eatery serving up pulled pork in any way on the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Facebook page May 26 to June 9. To enter, find the Bama’s Best Pulled Pork post and comment with a favorite restaurant and the town where it’s located.

Restaurants with the most nominations will serve samples for judges as the Bama’s Best Pulled Pork Final

Four this summer.

Judges include an Alabama pig farmer and “Simply Southern TV” host Mary Wilson.

Restaurants can range from hometown hidden gems to well-known favorites.

The Bama’s Best Pulled Pork winner receives a cash prize, plaque, feature story in Neighbors magazine and bragging rights.

“Pulled pork is practically its own food group in the South,” said Russ Durrance, the Federation’s Pork

Division director. “We know some of the best is smoked and grilled right here in Alabama.

We’re excited to promote flavorful pork in the Bama’s Best Pulled Pork contest while shining a light on restaurants that have unique, tasty takes on the dish, in addition to classic recipes.”

The Alabama Pork Producers is a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation, the state’s largest farm organization with over 340,000 member families.

SUPPER CLUB >> FROM A9 soundwallopelika. com. For more information, visit their social media pages or website. The venue is located at 605 Ave. B in downtown Opelika.

travel and conducting genealogy research . She has built several family trees on ancestry.com.

The Dakins have taken a few trips with the Silver Sneakers group at Sportsplex.

While Pat likes to cook, she has a love for baking. She bakes the Buttermilk Pound Cake in loaf pans, which gives her one to freeze.

Her Aunt Nell would bake the pound cake at Christmas and serve it with maraschino cherries and whipped cream.

Her Aunt Reba was the family cook. She would make the Lasagna for family get togethers.

Pat also enjoys making her Aunt Reba’s Peach Cobbler and

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

is looking forward to peach season.

For years Pat enjoyed making homemade breads, but it has been more difficult in recent years since Matt is gluten intolerant.

She enjoys experimenting with recipes.

These days she has been working on crustless pies and quiche recipes.

If she makes a pie crust, it has to be gluten free.

Pat prefers Pillsbury Gluten Free flour, which is used cup for cup for all-purpose flour.

When it is difficult to find, she uses Krusteaz.

The Cinnamon Roll Casserole is easy to assemble for a sweet treat at breakfast or for brunch.

Pat and Matt’s granddaughter Jewelia enjoys cooking and experimenting with recipes like her grandmother. She also enjoys traveling. When Pat had surgery, Jewelia lived with them for several months and did all the cooking.

“My family is very important to me,” Pat said. “I have been with Matt since I was about 16 years old. He has taken good care of me. He is the ‘wind beneath my wings’ all these years.

“God has blessed us,” she added. “I feel we have had a wonderful life.”

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com

A14 June 3, 2020

COMICS

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

S

S

Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

Opelika High School hires Emanuel Brown as Head Basketball Coach Special to the Opelika Observer

On the Mark

By D. Mark Mitchell

All-Sports Boosters give annual financial report

O

HS Principal Dr. Farrel Seymore sent the 2019-20 AllSports Booster Club financial report last week.

The ASBC started the 2019 school

year with a balance of $22,880.82, and the Booster Club raised $100,264 for 2019-20, totaling $123,144.82.

The money was See SPORTS, page B4

Van Cleaves Scholarship awarded

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

Pictured: Mary John Brown, president of Southern Union State Community College’s Alumni Association, presents Malachi Beverly the 2020 Van Cleaves Scholarship.

Special to the Opelika Observer

Malachi Beverly of Wadley is the

2020 recipient of Southern Union State Community See VAN CLEAVES, page B3

Turn to B5 and B6 for graduation photos

Emanuel Brown has been named the new head boys basketball coach at Opelika High School. Brown began his coaching career at Beverlye Middle School in 1996 and continued there until he moved to be the head basketball coach at Houston County High School in 2004. In 2012, Brown moved to Dothan High School to be the head boys basketball coach until 2016.

Following his career at Dothan High School,

EMANUEL BROWN he was named head boys basketball coach at Abbeville High School where he continued his career from 2016 to 2018. Brown has been teaching physical education and strength

and conditioning at Rehobeth High School since 2018. “We welcome Coach Emanuel Brown to the Opelika High School family,” OHS Principal Dr. Farrell Seymore said.

“His experience, leadership, and ability to connect with students and players will contribute greatly to Opelika’s rich basketball tradition.”

In his 14 years of coaching basketball, Brown has an overall record of 307–124. “I’m excited about the opportunity to be the head boys basketball coach at Opelika High School

and being a part of the Opelika community,” said Brown. “I also look forward to meeting the guys and the staff.

I’m ready to hit the ground running.”

Brown is originally from Dothan, Alabama.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University in 2003 and then earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education-Physical Education from Grand Canyon University in 2014. Brown and his wife Paraswun are the parents of two children, Jalyn (17) and Kalyn (14).

Lee County Literacy Coalition receives $10,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Special to the Opelika Observer

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Lee County Literacy Coalition a $10,000 grant to support adult literacy. This local grant is part of more than $8.6 million in grants awarded to more than 950 schools, nonprofits and other organizations across the communities Dollar General serves.

“Imagine for a moment, what it would be like not being able to read. For some this is a reality. On any given day, we are always improving. LCLC is grateful for the support of the Dollar General Foundation,” said Executive Director Patricia Butts.

By increasing adult literacy rates, Lee County Literacy Coalition positively affects poverty, K-12 test scores, economic prosperity and emotional and physical health.

Programs include one-to-one tutoring in reading, writing, math, computer and GED

preparation for adults in Lee County and neighboring counties as well as financial, health and computer literacy workshops. While learner gain is the primary goal for all LCLC programming, getting, keeping and advancing in a job are a close second. LCLC’s Leveraging Technology for Literacy Project will introduce adult learners to applications to improve overall literacy.

“During these extraordinary times, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to support communities’ literacy and educational advancements through funds that will

impact thousands of students across the country,” said Dollar General’s CEO and Dollar General Literacy Foundation board member, Todd Vasos.

“We are proud to support the meaningful and impactful work that each of today’s recipients conduct and support their ongoing efforts to help individuals improve their lives through literacy and education.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $182 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 11 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

About Lee County Literacy Coalition Lee County Literacy Coalition is in the capacity building mode, increasing staff, See LITERACY, page B2

B2 June 3, 2020

Hall of Fame Auburn football head coach Pat Dye leaves legacy

By Wil Crews Opelika Observer

After an ongoing battle with kidney issues and recent diagnosis of COVID-19, beloved Auburn coach Pat Dye passed away Monday at the age of 80.

Dye had been admitted to EAMC in recent weeks but had since been staying at Bethany House in Auburn when he passed.

“I don’t know anyone else who means as much to Auburn,” said Sports Director of iHeart Media and close friend of Dye’s, D. Mark Mitchell.

That’s because Dye did as much for Auburn as anyone.

Dye, who was head coach at Auburn for 12 seasons, accumulated a record of 99-394, a win record that ties him with Mike Donahue for second most in school history and is only bested by Ralph Jordan.

Dye was named SEC Coach of the Year three times and also served as Auburn University’s athletic director from 1981 to 1991.

Under Dye, the

Tigers won four SEC championships, three of them coming successively in 1987, 88 and 89. Some of Auburn’s best players in school history such as Tracy Rocker and 1985 Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson played under Dye. However, the Tigers’ best season under Dye is widely considered to be the 1983 season. Led by quarterback Randy Campbell and a defense with the staunch fierceness that also accompanied their head coach, the Tigers bounced back from an early season loss to Texas to finish ranked #3 in the AP poll.

Dye was also instrumental in permanently moving Auburn’s home games against Alabama to JordanHare Stadium.

In 2005, Auburn officially renamed the field at JordanHare Stadium to Pat Dye field in a fitting –– and permanent –– show of appreciation.

The ceremony was held before the Iron Bowl, and the Tigers honored Dye in the

LITERACY >> FROM B1 attracting new learners with improved service delivery by leveraging technology. Our plan is to meet learners “right where they are,” and empower them with literacy tools and skills that they need to be contributing, productive and engaged members of the community. We do this by advocating for adult education, providing instruction and partnering with other community based agencies. Improving access to adult literacy addresses intergenerational poverty and makes our community stronger.

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most appropriate way possible, defeating Alabama 28 to 18.

Mitchell became close to Dye when he expressed his fears of liver disease –– a condition that both men shared –– to the coach. “When I told him, he said ‘son you ought to be scared, I was scared too,’” Mitchell said. “That kind of honesty is just one of the many things that made coach Dye who he was.”

Mitchell believes something Dye once told him encapsulates the coach perfectly.

In a reference to former Alabama football head coach Gene Stallings, Dye said, “If somebody has got a problem with Pat Dye, they need to look in the mirror.”

No problems here.

Dye’s memory and legacy will live on in the countless lives of everyone he touched.

The Auburn family has lost a cherished member of their history and an esteemed member of the community. Coach Dye, War Eagle! You will be missed.

literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

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Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 16,368 stores in 45 states as of February 28, 2020.

In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills and PepsiCo. Learn more about Dollar General at www. dollargeneral.com.

Rankin Woley tabbed SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year George Nunnelley Auburn Athletics Department

Senior infielder Rankin Woley’s list of academic accolades grew longer as he was named the Southeastern Conference ScholarAthlete of the Year Friday morning.

Woley becomes Auburn baseball’s third SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and first since 2010, joining Ben Jones (2009) and Cory Luckie (2010).

The Atlanta native, who has already been named 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-District and Auburn’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, holds a 3.96 cumulative GPA and turned in a 4.0 GPA for the 2019-20 academic year.

He is set to graduate this

Photo by Shana Lockwood/Auburn Athletics summer with a degree in business administration from Auburn’s Harbert College of Business.

A season ago, Woley helped lead the Tigers to the program’s first College World Series appearance since 1997 and earned the NCAA Elite 90 Academic Recognition Award.

He was also named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

On the diamond, Woley played and started in 82 of

the team’s 84 games in the last two seasons. He led the 2019 Tigers in doubles and ranked second on the team in hits and RBI. Coming off his debut season, Woley was named Preseason Second Team All-SEC by the league’s head coaches. Prior to the abrupt ending of the 2020 season, he led the team in average, doubles and RBI and was the only player in the country to rank in the top 20 in hits, doubles and RBI.

Justus Perry earns SEC Community Service Team honors

By Wes Todd Auburn Athletics Special to the Opelika Observer

Auburn senior first baseman Justus Perry has been named to the SEC Community Service Team, the league office announced Wednesday.

Despite balancing a demanding academic schedule as a double major in justice and law and Spanish on top of the demands of being a student-athlete, Perry set aside time once a week to give back to the Auburn community and has become one of the team’s and university’s standouts in community service.

Perry has had her hand in various projects, including facilitating bingo at the Morningside Assisted Living Home, organizing and packaging clothing at the Big House Foundation and reading to students at Dean Road Elementary School. One of her favorite projects has been assisting riders

Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Auburn Athletics and working the stables at Storybook Farms.

A three-time SEC Honor Roll selection, Perry was the recipient of the 2020 Virgil Starks III Passion Award for her outstanding work in academics, community service, teamwork and personal growth. She represented Auburn at the 2019 SEC Career Tour in Atlanta, and she was also selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team earlier this month.

On the field, Perry is third in program history with 32 hit-by-pitches, and is one of the top defensive first basemen in the country with a career

.989 fielding percentage.

She is a career .257 hitter with 11 home runs and 77 RBI. Earlier this month, Perry and four other Auburn seniors announced that they would be returning for a fifth season of eligibility as granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19shortened season.

The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all 21 league-sponsored sports.

The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to their community in superior service efforts.

B3 June 3, 2020

Celebrating Summer On a Shoestring

A

s a child, I loved my summer activities in Lee County. My favorite day-camp as a Girl Scout Brownie was at Spring Villa. Out in the woods we had our different cabins we stayed in as troops. This is where we worked on our badges and crafts.

We loved swimming in the very cold springfed pool for swimming lessons and swimming fun. Even though as children our lips were purple and our teeth chattered as we jumped and dived into Spring Villa pool, it was just plain fun to pretend to be a polar bear in the heat of summer.

I can still hear the lunch bell ringing at the big white house at Spring Villa (William Penn Younge’s Home) as we ran to enjoy a

picnic lunch under the shade of many trees.

The last day of camp we celebrated the week with cold watermelon slices and popsicles!

There is nothing better than good old summer camp. That was 60 years ago, but the memories are warm, loving and simple.

Another camp that richly warms my heart with warm memories and encouragement is “Cousin Camp,” at my grandparents’ home in Salem, Alabama. My grandmother and grandfather had a thriving vegetable garden every summer. We grandchildren would help my grandmother as best we could with shelling butterbeans and peas and shucking corn, and she would allow us to help her can fruit jelly as best as our little hands

could do. I truly loved the smells of homemade scuppernong jelly, apple jelly and applesauce. My favorite memory was to go help my grandparents on Saturday evening to clean the church nursery and sanctuary at Salem.

We grandkids loved to polish the pulpit and pretend we were preaching.

Too, we loved making the pews shiny. In the summer we had to lay out the cardboard fans at the ends of the pews.

My grandmother had so much patience with her grandchildren in teaching all of us how to do things around the farm and in the kitchen. Their home had happy hearts. The door was always open to all, memories were created, and love always endured. We always had a blast of fun doing the very simple things at “Cousin Camp.”

The pandemic has hit all of us health-wise and financially. This summer for our children and grandchildren may not be like the ones our children are used to, but we can provide a fun-filled summer right from our homes. Let’s make our children’s summer one to remember with little costs.

Right now we are not sure when Vacation Bible Schools at our local churches will take place. As a parent, you can check into

this online or call the churches for your family. Too, it might be a virtual Vacation Bible School this summer.

I have truly enjoyed the weekly children’s programs that have been offered online through Facebook and e-mail with the different churches. The weekly programs online for preschool, kindergarten, elementary and youth offer wonderful Bible lessons, arts and crafts to reinforce the lessons, activities, videos and yummy snack ideas! As a parent you can offer your children weekly Bible time and activities to start off their days and weeks in the right direction.

The local libraries are open with restrictions in place such as limited services and reduced occupancy. The library staff are so helpful in finding resources for your families to have a reading-enriched summer. Too, I have enjoyed the virtual story hours. Library staffs have gone the extra mile in meeting community reading needs.

Too, use the Opelika Observer to point out different events happening in the community.

Our local newspaper is community- and family-friendly in finding out what is going on in the county that may be of interest for families to go to and social

distance.

Too, this summer, families can plan to have a vacation atmosphere in their homes.

Pick up your family’s favorite video or DVD, plan to have fun family picnics –– let the children help you “no matter how messy the sandwich.” Pull out favorite board games such as Boggle, Checkers, puzzles, etc. Camp out in the backyard or spread a tent out inside.

This can even be done by making tents out of bedsheets. In keeping children in my home during many summers, bedsheets can also serve as a playhouse or circus tent to do a lot of pretend play for hours inside.

Another shoestring favorite is to safely observe different summertime insects. I know we all remember the days of chasing fireflies and safely observing roly-polys, ants, etc., for hours.

Summertime has nature sounds choirs such as croaking frogs, peepers, katydids and birds chirping in the mornings and evenings.

You and your children can listen to the different sounds and identify them.

Another daily activity that young children love to do during the summer is to watch the weather. One observation that young

meteorologists love to do is to watch the formation of clouds. Guide your child’s eye to identify three different kinds of clouds.

Cirrus clouds are feathery clouds that look like they have a curl. I tell young children they look like pulled cotton candy. Usually cirrus clouds are associated with fair weather.

Cumulus clouds are heaping clouds! They look like pillows you can jump on. It’s neat to point out to your child these clouds building up for a summer afternoon shower. Too, cumulus clouds are the ones we usually can look at and make shapes. Stratus clouds look like layers or blankets and produce rain and drizzle. They are dark and usually produce lightning and thunder.

I hope these few simple ideas help parents to plan a simple, fun-filled summer as we work and live through our new normal this summer day by day.

I will try to help parents by suggesting activities for their children to enjoy through Classroom Observer this summer.

Too, to end a good summer day after summer showers, be sure to look for those beautiful arching rainbows!

Remember your child is a promise to you. Savor the moments to enjoy each day.

Opelika’s Parks and Rec. to hold All Star Cheerleading meeting

4-H Announces Virtual Fishing Contest

By Brittney Kimber Special to the Opelika Observer

4-H is inviting youth across Alabama to participate in the 2020 4-H Biggest Catch virtual fishing contest.

This freshwater fishing contest is for young people ages nine to 18 and will be held June 1-14.

“We teach fishing basics and aquatic education year-round through our 4-H Sportfishing program,” said Emily Nichols, Alabama Extension 4-H specialist.

“Now we are giving youth the chance to put those skills to the test in a little friendly competition.”

Contest Entries and Requirements To be eligible for the contest, youth must catch and land their own fish without the help of others. To submit an entry, participants must measure their fish, take a

VAN CLEAVES >> FROM B1 College’s Van Cleaves Scholarship.

First awarded in 1967, the scholarship is sponsored by the Southern Union Alumni Association

photo of it and submit it online along with the online contest entry form. Contest requirements are as followed: 1. Youth participants must submit official contest entries between 8 a.m. CST June 1 and 8 p.m. CST June 14 using the online submission form at bit.ly/Biggest4HCatch.

2. To enter, a photograph of the biggest catch must be uploaded. The photograph should include the youth and their fish, the contest code AL4H2020 and also the total length of the fish. Participants can write this on a piece of paper and hold it up in the photograph or write it on their hand.

3. One entry per youth is allowed. Only complete entries will be considered.

4. Contest categories are Basses, Bream (Sunfish), Catfishes and Crappies.

Participants must submit their catch to the correct category.

5. Participants must catch

the fish in Alabama waters.

First, second and third place recognition will be awarded for each category.

Also, participants are to follow all state requirements for fishing license and permits, as well as creel and size limits. Visit OutdoorAlabama. com for more information.

“Right now is a great time for families to get outside together and explore the state’s abundant freshwater,” Nichols said. “From county lakes, rivers and streams to state parks, there are great spots for recreating responsibly.”

About Alabama 4-H Alabama 4-H is the youth development organization of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The program seeks to empower young people with the skills to lead their communities and also grow into future leaders.

Visit www.alabama4h.com for more information.

in appreciation of Dr. and Mrs. A.R. Van Cleave and Miss Vera Van Cleave for their many contributions to the college. Dr. Van Cleave served as Dean Emeritus of the college from 1971 to 1987.

Beverly plans to attend

Jacksonville State University in the fall, majoring in math education.

The $1,000 cash award is awarded annually to a student who displays academic excellence and leadership in the college, church and community.

Special to the Opelika Observer

Opelika’s Parks and Recreation department will hold an informational meeting on June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Denson Drive Recreation Center.

This meeting will be held outside and all attendees will be spaced six feet apart. The athletes may attend the meeting, but please keep all other friends and family

members at home.

Tryouts for the team will be held on June 14 starting at 2 p.m. and again on June 15 starting at 9 a.m.

Tryouts will also be held at the Denson Drive Rec. Center.

For more information please email Tiffany Chandler at tchandler@ opelika-al.gov or call 334-705-5557.

Find them on social media @ opelikapowerathletics.

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B4 June 3, 2020

Recent Auburn grad hard at work on coronavirus treatment

By Neal Reid Special to the Opelika Observer

Katie Tombrello has wasted little time putting her Auburn doctoral degree to good use.

The Georgia native may have graduated with her doctorate in biochemistry less than a year ago, but she already is making a name for herself as she serves on the front lines of the coronavirus battle. Tombrello, who graduated in December, is hard at work as a tech development research specialist for Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, a patient-focused, values-based, R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan that is “committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to people worldwide.”

Tombrello works at Takeda’s site in Social Circle, Georgia, just 20 miles from her hometown of Conyers, and has been spending the last few months tackling the confounding puzzle that is COVID-19. Her team has been tasked with developing a treatment for high-risk individuals who have contracted the disease, and Tombrello says the work is both daunting and exhilarating.

“I would say the most challenging part about this project is how fast we are having to move,” said Tombrello, who started at Takeda in October before taking part in graduation ceremonies. “Usually, it takes quite a while to develop a medication like this, and we are having to do it as quickly as possible, so that is very tough in the pharma world. However, everyone on the team is all in and willing to do anything they need to do to make this project a success.”

Tombrello said the treatment her team is developing uses plasma—the clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed. Plasma-derived hyperimmune therapies have previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of severe viral respiratory infections like COVID-19.

“Takeda has been involved with plasma-derived therapies for more than 75 years,” Tombrello said, who is leading her team’s efforts in the lab. “This treatment works by concentrating the pathogen-specific antibodies from plasma that is collected from recovered COVID-19 patients. By transferring the antibodies to a new patient, it could potentially help that person’s immune system respond to the infection and increase their chance of recovery.”

The coronavirus, Tombrello says, is a particularly difficult foe to fight.

“It is crazy how fast it is infecting people,” she said.

Tombrello’s path to biochemistry was far from a straight line.

TOMBRELLO “I actually had planned to go to dental school, but I shadowed at a dentist’s office and decided that was not for me,” she said. “I majored in biochemistry because that was the quickest track to becoming a dentist, but I honestly was not a huge fan of biochemistry in undergrad. So I frantically was trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life since I always thought I would go to dental school.”

Tombrello –– who graduated with a biochemistry degree from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, in 2014 –– was unsure what was next for her, until her undergrad roommate made a suggestion.

“My college roommate was planning on going for her master’s in forestry at Auburn and told me I should apply for their chemistry program,” said Tombrello, who played softball at Berry. “So that’s what I did.

I honestly fell in love with the place, and my first year there I met my husband, Robby.”

That twist of fate led to another one after Tombrello began her studies at Auburn, and she met a mentor who would change her life profoundly.

“When I did decide to go to Auburn, I was very hesitant because I did not love science, so I didn’t know how I would like to pursue a Ph.D. in something that I didn’t immediately fall in love with,” she said. “However, once I met with my principal investigator, Holly Ellis, to decide if I would like to join her lab or not, I immediately knew that’s the lab I wanted to be in. She made biochemistry fun again.

Her personality is very similar to mine, and we clicked almost immediately.

“She always pushed me and always saw the potential in me that I never really knew was there. I can honestly say that, if I hadn’t joined her lab, I do not know if I would have stuck it out and gotten my Ph.D.” Ellis, the William P. Molette Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, immediately saw Tombrello’s potential and remembers her strong work ethic from her days in that Auburn lab.

“Katie worked on a very challenging project in the lab that was a new direction for our group,” Ellis said, a professor at Auburn

since 2001. “There were not a lot of standard lab protocols for her to turn to for guidance. As with many graduate student projects, there were times where she would run into difficulties with various experimental procedures.

“What always impressed me about Katie is how she approached these problems. She did not give up or become discouraged. Katie worked to find alternative solutions and never backed down from the challenge. Her positive attitude, combined with her determination, is the hallmark of an exceptional scientist.”

Near the end of her doctoral work, Tombrello applied for the position at Takeda and was delighted to get the job. Ellis, for one, was not surprised to learn her former student had been selected to head up the lab work so soon after joining the pharmaceutical giant.

“I am confident her perseverance is why she was selected for her current project after having only worked at Takeda for a short time,” Ellis said. “I am extremely proud of Katie. She is an exceptional role model for others and is a perfect example of how hard work and dedication can lead to exciting opportunities.”

Tombrello hit the ground running at Takeda, leaning on her new co-workers for support and guidance. Now faced with the monumental task of developing a COVID-19 treatment, she feels reassured to be working with such a strong team of dedicated people.

“This project has been a huge learning curve for me, and I have also met several people around the globe that work for Takeda that I would have never had the opportunity to meet if it wasn’t for this project,” Tombrello said.

“These people will continue to be a huge part of my career and will definitely help my development here at Takeda.”

Ellis described Tombrello as “one of the kindest individuals I have ever met,” a sentiment that falls in line with Tombrello’s answer about what fuels her desire to help ease the suffering of COVID-19 patients.

“I have always wanted to have a job that makes an impact on others and helps people in need,” Tombrello said. “Takeda is a huge company that really strives on putting its patients first, and that is one of my favorite aspects about the company. They really do care about the quality of their treatments so that they can give the best life to their patients who are counting on them.

“I hope that from this research we are able to find a medication that is successful and that will hopefully change the lives of those individuals effected by COVID-19. Hopes of this is what keeps me motivating during the long, tiring hours, knowing that one day our therapy could save the lives of many.”

SPORTS>> FROM B1 raised from corporate sponsors, program ad sales and sales from the football program.

The money is kept in an account set up for the All-Sports Booster Club and is considered public money because it was donated from sponsors.

Athletic Director Mike Pugh makes the decisions on what is spent and the amount given to each sport.

Most sports receives a share of the money in August to help with expenses.

The total amount divided among sports was $40,500.

The following is the amount each Sport received: • Girls Basketball - $4,000 • Boys Basketball - $4,000 • Baseball - $3,000 • Cheerleaders - $1,000 • Golf - $1,500 • Soccer - $2,000 ($1,000 each for girls and boys) • Softball $4,000 • Tennis - $2,000 ($1,000 each for girls and boys) • Boys Track - $4,000 • Girls Track - $5,000 • Cross Country - $1,500 • Volleyball - $3,000 • Wrestling - $3,500 • Swimming - $1,000 • Bulldog Pride Cheerleaders - $1,000 The Track and Field teams received the most, totaling $9,000, without having expenses for the state meet.

The ASBC continued to help the Middle School Athletics, transferring $7,000 to their account.

Cheerleaders received $8,025.00 from program ad sales, Kemp and Sons $9,537 for printing the football programs, Kitchen 3810 received $1,947.50 for catering the corporate sponsor dinner, Lori Rogers was paid $500 for overseeing the football program, and $14,000 was spent under miscellaneous, which

includes: - press box supplies - Lords Security for football games - Gabriel Bridal and Formal Care (football players ties and shirts) - basketball security - Weldon, Williams and Lick for football tickets and - Halls Opelika for sponsor dinner.

The All-Sports Booster Club has a balance of $41,610 heading into the 2020-21 athletic year.

OHS HIRES BOYS BASKETBALL COACH Opelika City Schools released a statement around noon, announcing Emanuel Brown as the new head Boys Basketball Coach.

Brown had 281 wins in 13 years as head coach while only posting three losing seasons. Coach Brown interviewed with OHS officials last Tuesday and was offered the job Friday morning.

The move obviously made Brown excited, “The Auburn-Opelika area is thriving. The Opelika community stands behind and supports the school, which intrigued me the most. They have great athletes and top notch facilities,” Brown said. “I have seen some film on last year’s team but do not know who is returning.”

OHS interviewed at least four candidates before making an offer. Emanuel Brown replaces John Wadsworth, who resigned to take a coaching position at Enterprise High after 14 years at OHS. It is not known if Brown will continue to coach football as he did at RHS. WELCOME TO OPELIKA, EMANUEL BROWN As a friend, I ask you to pray for Coach Dye’s family following his passing on June 1.

D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A- O Sports Council.

The “Planted Together Project” making plans for phase II Special to the Opelika Observer

The Dream Day Foundation is excited to announce that phase I of the “Planted Together Project” was a complete success. Opelika and Auburn Communities came together for phase I and placed approximately 600 plants on more than 200 porches for senior communities

in Auburn and Opelika.

Thanks to McDonald’s of Auburn and Opelika as a major sponsor and the many other sponsors involved. We are now ready for phase II, in which we will place two house plants in each apartment due to the makeup of senior housing.

This community project is a way of helping our seniors cope better

with the pandemic while staying home and staying safe. If you would like to be added to the list of sponsors on June 19, you may send a donation of $25 per apartment. The names of all sponsors will be published and shared.

There is no limit to the number of sponsorships.

A card with your name and address will be placed along with the

plants. Deadline for donations is June 15.

Contact Marion Sankey at 334-663-6638 for further information.

Ways to donate: • Send check made payable to The Dream Day Foundation P.O. Box 1654 Opelika, AL 36803 • Paypal – marionsankey@gmail.com • Cashapp • $dreamday2k09

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

B5 June 3, 2020

Beulah High, Glenwood School celebrate Class of 2020

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer

B6 June 3, 2020

Smiths Station holds drive-in graduation ceremony, parade

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B7

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Inside the Statehouse Smiths Station to take ownership of nearly 50 miles of roadways Stellar group studying gambling in the state

By Michelle Key Publisher

A

nother legislation session has passed, and Alabama still has no lottery. Actually, the legislature does not in itself have the authority to pass a state lottery, they can only authorize a ballot initiative to let you vote on a lottery. It takes a constitutional amendment.

The lottery would pass in a vote in Alabama simply because Alabamians are tired of their money going out of state to Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. All our surrounding Southern sister states have lotteries and Alabamians are buying lottery tickets in those states, paving their roads and educating their students. It would pass in Alabama in a unified bipartisan vote. Alabamians who

STEVE FLOWERS would not or never have bought a lottery ticket would vote for it, and those who must trek to our bordering states to buy them definitely would vote in favor. It is well known that the locations that sell the highest numbers of lottery tickets in Florida and Georgia are on the Alabama border.

The lottery proposal this year was doomed from the beginning because Gov. Kay Ivey in her Stateof-the-State address

announced that she was taking an interest in the issue and announced a study group to study gambling policy for the state. Ivey had never taken a position for or against gambling as Lt. Governor, during her campaign for governor or as governor.

Therefore, when she took to the stage in the State of the State, it was apparent that she was finally weighing in on the issue.

Well, folks, she did not just appoint any old study group, she quickly named a panel of Alabamians that are blue chip, top of the chart, super Alabama leaders. This distinguished group is above reproach and have no ties or for that matter no real interest in gambling. Most of See FLOWERS, page B8

Opelika’s recycling centers reopen Special to the Opelika Observer

The City of Opelika reopened the Jeter Avenue Recycling Center on June 1 and the 8th Avenue Recycling Center on June 2.

Operational days and hours will remain the same: • Jeter Avenue - Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 8th Avenue -Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These centers are available to the public free of charge. For convenience, Opelika offers curbside pickup for $10 a month. New curbside customers will receive the first two months free.

Many recycling programs have experienced increased contamination

in recent weeks. Please follow the guidelines and Recycle Right Opelika.

The City of Opelika would like to thank everyone for their patience during this shut down. They know many of the residents have stored their recycling during this time. They are excited to be able to reopen and provide this service again to the citizens of Opelika.

Open Interviews

Every Thursday at Auburn location 3pm-5pm Hiring for all positions and all locations Apply in house or online at niffersplace.com

The Lee County Commission met last Tuesday night and during the meeting the commissioners voted to approve a roadway transfer agreement, with the city of Smiths Station. The agreement, which is similar in structure to agreements with both the cities of Auburn and Opelika, will transfer ownership of county roads that lie within the city limits of Smiths Station. Smiths Station will take over the responsibility of road maintenance for the nearly 50 miles of roadways, which also include one bridge structure, one traffic light and two caution lights. This motion also included approval for County Administrator Roger Rendleman to make the necessary budget adjustments in relationship to this change of roadway ownership.

In other business, the commission: • approved the minutes of commission meeting May 11, 2020 • voted to ratify and approve claims and procurement card transactions • announced three vacancies on the East Alabama Health Care Authority Board • voted to approve reimbursements for 10% of legal fees incurred by the city of Opelika pertaining to the fight

Photo special to the Opelika Observer against the Creekwood Resources LLC’s rock quarry proposal earlier this year. The amount approved by the commissioners to send to Opelika was $7,424.86 • approved the Final Report of Litigations & Insolvencies completed

by County Revenue Commissioner Oline Price • approved a federal aid agreement for the full-depth reclamation and resurfacing of nearly 2.7 miles of Lee Road 188 in the estimated amount of nearly $900,000. The funds for this project will come from federal aid funds and funds from the Rebuild Alabama Act without any additional matching county funds • approved a federal aid agreement for the full-depth reclamation and resurfacing of nearly 2.62 miles of Lee Road 243. This project will be funded with ColumbusPhenix City Municipal Planning Organization (MPO) funds at 80% and requires a 20%

county match. The estimated cost of this project is $880,000.

• tabled an agreement for subdivision enforcement in Phenix City planning jurisdiction while awaiting more information • approved six new job classifications to revise personnel policies and positions in an effort to provide more opportunities for advancement and or incentives for employees. The new job descriptions that were approved include: - Assistant Supervisor - Property Assessment / Revenue Commissioner’s Office - Building and Grounds Supervisor / Building Maintenance Department - Assistant Building Official / Building Inspection - Stormwater Management Department - Administrator / Building Inspection - Stormwater Management See LCC, page B8

The City of Smiths Station approves contract with Alabama Power

By Morgan Bryce Special to the Opelika Observer

The Smiths Station City Council unanimously approved a resolution with Alabama Power for the installation of LED streetlights on Lee Roads 298 and 430.

Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland said the streetlights will not only increase safety for drivers but enhance the nighttime driving experience through the city.

“Those two roads serve as some of the main thoroughfares of our city. Some portions have low visibility at night, and this will help to alleviate that problem,” Copeland said.

Photo by Morgan Bryce The City Council voted to rezone the Summer Lake Apartment Complex to R-5, which is residential, multiple-family high density.

The council concluded their meeting by approving the general fund statement for the month of April.

The Smiths Station City Council’s next

meeting is scheduled for June 9, with the work session beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time followed by the regular meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

All meetings are held within the council chambers of the Smiths Station Government Center, which is located at 2336 Lee Road 430.

B8 June 3, 2020

LCC >> FROM B7 Department - Social Media Administrative Assistant / Building Inspection - Stormwater Management Department - Office Manager / Reappraisal Department Also during the meeting, Commission Chairman and Probate Judge Bill English, along with Circuit Clerk Mary Roberson, notified the commission of Roberson’s decision to resign from her position as the Absentee Election Manager due to being named as a defendant

along with Gov. Kay Ivey, Sec. of State John Merrill and two other circuit clerks from Alabama in a federal election lawsuit brought by People First of Alabama. The Voting Appointing Board now must name a replacement as the Absentee Election Manager. The next election is scheduled to take place on July 14.

The core election issues addressed in the lawsuit are the requirement of absentee voters to have witnesses to their signatures, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the photo identification requirement and that Alabama does not offer

curbside or drive-thru voting. In a Statement of Interest brief filed last Monday, the U.S. Justice Department asserted that the witness requirement is not a violation of Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Justice Department did not address any other of the concerns brought forth in the law suit.

The Lee County Commission meets on the second and last Monday nights of every month and the next scheduled meeting will take place on June 8 at 5 p.m. Meetings are held in the commission chambers located on the second floor of courthouse annex located in downtown Opelika.

FLOWERS >> FROM B7 them have probably never even bought a lottery ticket or pulled a slot machine lever.

However, you can bet that this group will come up with a wise and prudent approach to how Alabama should address the gambling solution for our state.

Ivey has been able to get the best citizens in Alabama to participate in major decisions and initiatives. However, it would be difficult to find a bluer ribbon, more stellar and more accomplished group of Alabamians than she has selected and garnered to serve on this panel to study gambling.

It will be chaired by former Montgomery Mayor, Todd Strange.

He has been successful in business and government and is above reproach and well respected. Other members of this impressive group include Rey Almodovar of Huntsville, who founded and runs a major

engineering firm in the Rocket City; Deborah Barnhart of Huntsville, who is the Chief Executive Officer emerita of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville; Walter Bell of Mobile is the past chairman of the world’s largest reinsurance companies and a former Alabama Commissioner of Insurance; Dr. Regina Benjamin of Mobile, who is a physician who served as the 18th Surgeon General of the United States and before that was President of the Medical Association of Alabama; former State Treasurer and retired banker, Young Boozer, who is universally respected; Sam Cochran, who has been Mobile County’s Sheriff since 2006; Liz Huntly, a widely respected attorney and child advocate in Birmingham; Carl Jamison of Tuscaloosa, a third-generation shareholder of one of Alabama’s largest and oldest public accounting firms; former Alabama Supreme Court Justice and

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Court of Appeals Judge, Jim Main; and the legendary journalist, Phil Rawls, who recently retired as Alabama’s leading and most respected reporter – he covered Alabama government for the Associated Press for 35 years.

Perhaps the most respected and accomplished member of this elite panel is Bishop Dr. Mike Watson. He is the Bishop in Residence at Canterbury Methodist Church in Birmingham and is serving as the Ecumenical Chairman of the Council of Bishops. He has served and founded major Methodist Churches in Dothan and Mobile.

He is also the past president of the Mobile School Board. I have known Mike Watson since our college days at the University of Alabama. I have never known a better man.

You will probably see this study group’s recommendations on the top of Ivey’s agenda when she gives the 2021 State of the State address next February.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist’s.

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.

B9 June 3, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA HARDWOOD, LLC, Plaintiff, V. A Parcel of Real Property described as: Lot 11 Block 216 of Totten’s Official Real Estate Map of The City of Opelika, Alabama according to and as shown by that certain map or Plat of record in Town Plat Book 2, at page 9, in the Office of The Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, Defendant.

CASE NO. CV-2020900166 NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 31st day of March, 2020, a complaint to quiet title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff; A Parcel of Real Property, described below, as Defendant; and unknown heirs of Mary Charles Mathews, who cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows: Commence at the Northwest corner of Section 35, Township 18 North, Range 29 East, and run North 86 degrees 57 minutes East for 655.45 feet; thence South 03 degrees 09 minutes East for 1301.82 feet to the Southern margin of McBride Road; thence 101.42 feet Southwesterly along a curve the radius of which is 1874.49 feet; thence South 03 degrees 37 minutes West for 79.38 feet; thence South 14 degrees 58 minutes East for 123.41 feet; thence South 16 degrees 25 minutes West for 86.86 feet; thence South 03 degrees 24 minutes West for 161.06 feet to the point of beginning; from said point of beginning run North 53 degrees 10 minutes East for 174.24 feet thence South 36 degrees 50 minutes East for 175.0 feet; thence South 53 degrees 10 minutes West for 174.24 feet; thence North 36 degrees 50 minutes East for 175.0 feet; to the point of Beginning. Compromising of 0.70 acres, more or less.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them, it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 20th day of May, 2020. /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Of Counsel, Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 324 East Magnolia Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 05/27/20, 06/03/20, 06/10/20, 06/17/20 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2020-152 & 2020-153 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Any Potential unknown fathers, address unknown.

Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, AL by David Wil-

lie Kelley and Ashley Lee Kelley on 4/29/2020, for the adoption of O.L.B born on 11/20/2011 in Panama City, Florida to Crystal Lynn Bell and J.M.B. born on 4/24/2015 in Panama City, FL to Crystal Lynn Bell.

A hearing has been set for the 21st day of July, 2020 at 11 o’clock a.m. Central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801.

Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Margaret Mayfield, P.O. Box 809, Opelika, AL 36803 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, AL as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published, or appear on the date of the hearing as set above to contest said Petition.

Dated on this the 5th day of May, 2020.

HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 5/13/20, 5/20/20, 5/27/20 & 06/03/2020 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MAE T. ABRAMS, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 13th day of May, 2020, 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.

BRENDA BUMBY Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 05/20/20, 05/27/20 & 06/03/20 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF LILLIE MAE AVERY COURT OF PROBATE Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 13th day of May, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand, and dated this the 13th day of May, 2020.

ROGER LEE BUTLER Legal Run 05/20/20, 05/27/20 & 06/03/20 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LEON WHITMAN, Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2020-140 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL Notice is hereby given to Floyd Whitman, whose whereabouts is unknown and to any and all heirs of Edward Leon Whitman who passed away on March 1, 2020 that a petition to probate the last will and testament of Edward Leon Whitman has been filed in the probate court of Lee County, Alabama and that Kathleen Whitman has requested court to appoint her as personal representative of said estate. Said petition will be heard on the 28 day of July, 2020 at 10 a.m.

Any heir who wishes to contest such will or the appointment much appear on said date.

Legal Run 05/20/20, 05/27/20, 06/03/20, 06/10/20

------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY EDWARD MCCONNELL, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA TO: DANITA CARROLL HARRELLSON & HEATHER NICHOL MCCONNELL NOTICE: On the 20th day of February, 2020, came CYNTHIA P. MCCONNELL, Administrator of the Estate of Gary Edward McConnell, deceased, and filed with the Court that certain Administrator’s Petition for Consent Settlement (the “Petition”).

Pursuant to that certain Order Setting Day for Hearing filed in my office and signed by me on February 27, 2020, a hearing on said Petition is set for June 23, 2020 at 9:00 o’clock a.m.

CST, at which time you can appear and contest the same, if you see proper.

Given under my hand, the 14th day of May, 2020.

BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE N. Riley Murphy, Attorney Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 05/20/20, 05/27/20 & 06/03/20 ------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO: 2020-181 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of JAMES R. MELLISH, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office

by Dianne Leslie Mellish Register on May 26, 2020 pursuant to Section 43-2690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 06/03/2020 ------------IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JOSHUA P. ADAMS IIN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to Rachel Adams, as Administratrix of the Estate of Joshua P. Adams, deceased, on the 21st day of May, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

RACHEL ADAMS Administratrix of the Estate of Joshua P. Adams, deceased Legal Run 06/03/20, 06/10/20, & 06/17/20 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE ESTATE OF: MERRILL BAKER, Deceased.

Letters Testamentary of said deceased was granted to ROBERT ANTHONY BAKER on the 26th day of May, 2020 by the Hon. Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate that they are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

ROBERT ANTHONY BAKER, Executor Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Estate P.O. Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 Legal Run 06/03/20,

06/10/20, & 06/17/20 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BILLIE JOE PORTER, Deceased Case No. 2020- 079 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Donna P..McGee, Personal Representative on the 22nd day of May, 2020,

by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Donna P. McGee Legal Run 06/03/20, 06/10/20, & 06/17/20 ------------CITY OF OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT JUNE 9, 2020 9:00 A.M. MEETING CHAMBERS OPELIKA MUNICIPAL COURT 300 MLK BOULEVARD A. VARIANCE 1. Michael Blom, 803 Lori Lane, Requesting a 7.3 foot variance from the 10 foot minimum rear yard setback requirement for a swimming pool.

2. David McClintoc, 314 North 11th Street, Requesting a 33 foot variance from the 35 foot minimum front yard setback requirement and Requesting to exceed the maximum 40% building area allowed for the lot.

NOTE: 1. The City of Opelika

complies with the American with Disabilities Acts.

2. The City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

3. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at ADA@opelika-al.gov or (334)705-2083.

Legal Run 06/03/2020 ------------Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: Extra Space Storage 1242 North Dean Road Auburn, AL 36830 6/25/2020 at 10 am Andrew Tomlinson Unit# 200 8355 Lee Rd 390 Lot 86 Montgomery , AL 36804 boxes, electronics, paintball equipment Quincy Robinson Unit# 230 106 OldField Dr Montgomery , AL 36117 electornics speaker and equipment, clothes Cordelria Dmarcus Barnett Unit# 231 650 N Ross St Apt C2 Auburn , AL 36830 couches, end table, kitchen table Sheila Lett Unit# 97 7376 Society Hill Rd. Auburn, AL 36830 household items Sheila Lett Unit# 558 7376 Society Hill Rd. Auburn, AL 36830 household items Margo Veal Unit# 603 707 York Apt 1123 Towson, MD 21204

Boxes, bikes, and garage items The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 06/03/20 & 06/10/20 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA PROBATE DIVISION IN REL ESTATE OF JOHN E. BURKHALTER, Deceased Case No. 2020-158 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Jeanne Burkhalter as Personal Representative of the Estate of John E. Burkhalter, deceased, on May 8, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all person having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Jeanne Burkhalter Personal Representative of the Estate of John E. Burkhalter, deceased Legal Run 06/03/20, 06/10/20 & 06/17/20

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B10 June 3, 2020

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B11 June 3, 2020

Alabama AG warns against stimulus checks being taken from nursing home residents who are Medicaid recipients Special to the Opelika Observer

Attorney General Steve Marshall is advising nursing home residents, as well as their family members, that those residents who are Medicaid recipients should be vigilant against having their federal stimulus payments improperly taken from them.

While Medicaid recipients may have to sign over resources, in some circumstances, to nursing homes where they reside, this does not apply to current federal stimulus checks from the CARES Act. Congress classified these monies as tax credits.

Under tax law, tax credits do not count as

MARSHALL “resources” for federal benefits programs.

This means that recipients may keep the stimulus payments, and that they may not be seized by nursing homes.

“We are now beginning to receive a few reports of concern that some Alabama nursing homes may be attempting to take stimulus

checks from residents who are Medicaid recipients. If this is happening, it needs to stop now,” Attorney General Marshall said. “These stimulus checks are rightfully and legally the property of the residents and must be returned.

Confiscation of these checks is unlawful and should be reported to my office.”

If it is believed that a resident who is a Medicaid recipient has forfeited their stimulus check to a nursing home, they are encouraged to contact the Alabama Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at mfcu@ alabamaag.gov or call 334-242-7300.

Alabama AG supports President Trump’s nomination of Alabama’s solicitor general for federal judgeship Special to the Opelika Observer

Attorney General Steve Marshall voiced support for President Trump’s intent to nominate Edmund LaCour Jr. to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

“I strongly support President Donald Trump’s nomination of Edmund LaCour to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama,” Attorney General Marshall said. “His academic record and the impressive breadth and depth of his legal experience, from trial courts to the United States Supreme Court, assure he will be an outstanding jurist for Alabama’s Middle District Court.

LACOUR “Eddie has distinguished himself during his service as solicitor general and deputy solicitor general of Alabama, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him. I have no doubt our state and country will continue to benefit from his public service as a federal judge. I am proud to support his nomination and heartily urge his confirmation,” Marshall added.

LaCour has served as solicitor general of

Alabama since May 1, 2019, and before that, as deputy solicitor general.

Before joining the attorney general’s office, LaCour was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where he represented numerous clients before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as courts of appeals and trial courts. Before joining Kirkland, LaCour practiced at Bancroft PLLC in Washington, D.C., and Baker Botts LLP in Houston, Texas.

LaCour clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

LaCour holds a J.D. from Yale Law School; a M. Phil. from Trinity College Dublin and a B.A., summa cum laude from BirminghamSouthern College. He grew up in Dothan.

We look forward to brighter days ahead. The Observer remains committed to serving the needs of a stronger, tighter and more connected community.

B12 June 3, 2020

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $2.2 Million For Alabama Department of Transportation COVID-19 Response Special to the Opelika Observer

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $2.2 million grant award to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020.

ALDOT will use the grant funds for planning and operating assistance for its buses and support equipment

and facilities needed during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

See FTA’s apportionment tables for the totals apportioned to each area at transit.dot.gov/ cares-act-apportionments.

(This funding is based on the agency’s current request and may not represent the full amount the agency will receive.)

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing

extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”

In addition to the CARES Act funding, FTA has issued a Safety Advisory with

recommended actions for transit agencies to reduce the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among transit employees and passengers. Transit agencies should follow the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations for the spread of COVID-19, which include face coverings, social distancing, frequent hand washing, facility and vehicle cleaning and other measures to the maximum extent practicable.

ALGOP Chairman Lathan Statement on Passage of 2020 Alabama State Budgets Special to the Opelika Observer

Alabama Republican

Party Chairman Terry Lathan issued the following the passage

of the 2020 Alabama State Budgets: “This has been (an)

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unprecedented session due to the COVID-19 epidemic which imposed multiple obstacles for our elected officials to overcome. Our Republican leadership and governor managed to forge through passing both the General Fund and Education budgets to see our state through the next year.”

“While there was more belt tightening required than anticipated before the coronavirus outbreak, Alabama’s economic situation is much better than many other states in the nation – in large part due to the fiscally responsible practices of our Republican supermajority since we gained control of the legislature in 2010. We also are proud to highlight that no proration has occurred

since the Alabama GOP takeover along with record breaking education budgets.”

“In fact, the 2021 General Fund Budget is $169 million larger than the previous year and includes funding increases for the Alabama Department of Public Health ($35 million), Alabama Medicaid Agency ($94 million), Alabama Department of Mental Health ($25 million), ALEA ($3 million, specifically for the hiring of additional State Troopers) and the Department of Corrections ($23 million).”

“Additionally, the Education Trust Fund is $91 million more than fiscal year 2020, and includes funding increases for our award winning early

childhood education program and Alabama’s public institutions of higher learning (colleges, universities and community colleges).”

“We are confident Alabama will continue to grow its economy – even beyond what we experienced prior to the pandemic – thanks to hard working, determined Alabamians combined with the sound conservative principles our Republican officials use to guide our state. In the end, we are grateful the Republican legislative body and Gov. Ivey came together as a team to get the record breaking budgets up and out to Alabama, even with heavy burdens and concerns lingering due to COVID-19 in these unparalleled times.”

Gov. Kay Ivey issues statement on authorization of Alabama National Guard on as needed basis From the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey

Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday that she has given authorization to Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon with the Alabama National Guard to activate up to 1,000 guardsmen, should the need arise in response to violent protesters.

This action strictly serves as a preparedness measure, should local and state law enforcement need additional support.

Ivey released the following statement:

KAY IVEY “While there is no immediate need for us to deploy our Guard, I have given authorization to Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon to be on standby, should our local and state law

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enforcement need additional support.

“The Alabama National Guard stands ready to assist when peaceful protests become violent and dangerous to our public safety. I will always support the right of the people of Alabama to peacefully lift your voices in anger and frustration. However, we will not allow our cities to become a target for those, especially from other states, who choose to use violence and destruction to make their point.”