CONTRIBUTED BY THE CARE
HUMANE SOCIETY
LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Humane Society recently announced it is rebranding and changing its name to CARE Humane Society.
CARE stands for:
C - Compassion
A - Adoption
R - Rescue
E - Education
“We at LCHS feel that our new name better reflects the organization that we have become and also the direction we want to go in the future,” said the humane society in a press release.
See CARE page A5
OPELIKA —
The Rev. Clifford Jones of Opelika, senior pastor of Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church, was recently named one of the most influential men of Alabama by the Tuskegee United Women’s League.
According to Jones, The Tuskegee United Women’s League sent a letter notifying him that he had been nominated for the title by a member of the leadership team. He said he believes he was selected due to his community presence, work and activity in The
CLIFFORD JONES
Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church. Jones runs several programs that spread
statewide. Jones said some programs
BY ANDY LEE WHITE FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA —
Opelika’s Art Haus hosted a combined book reading and art show on Wednesday Sept. 27, featuring author John M. Williams and artists Julie Plasketes and Kat Fitzpatrick. Both artists had numerous pieces of work on display for attendees to view prior to, and following, Williams reading excerpts from his new novel “End Times”.
Gail Smith Langley, founding member of The Mystic Order of East Alabama Fiction Writers, opened the program with welcoming remarks for everyone in attendance and thanked the artists for showing their work. Langley introduced long time columnist and author Rheta Grimsley Johnson who shared remarks about her friend, Williams, before introducing him to the crowd. Williams' and Grimsley Johnson’s musical play “Hiram: Becoming Hank” , about the formative years of Hank Williams, has enjoyed two successful productions, and is currently under consideration by several theater companies. Williams spoke about
his new novel, “End Times”, touching on the writing process involved in the creation of his new book and his inspiration for writing the book. A main character and voice within the book is based predominantly on a man introduced to Williams while visiting Grimsley Johnson, known locally as Whiskey Gray, although renamed “Red-Wine Pyle” for the novel. After recognizing the richness of his stories, Williams began frequent visits and phone calls with Whiskey Gray, taking notes and digesting his colorful stories. Williams described how these stories, along with notes and material collected throughout the years eventually formed composite characters that told him the story that emerged.
“End Times” is set in a small southern town, and as Williams pointed out — that is the setting for all his writing, having spent the vast majority of his life in Auburn, or LaGrange, Georgia. He described “End Times” as a mystical dark comedy and “book about good people who are trying to deal with a bad world. There’s a lot of bad stuff that happened in the book,
but the people are good.”
The plot involves a brother and sister, who are orphans growing up in this small town and “having to deal with all the predators and horrible stuff and good stuff and all of it.”
Williams pointed out that much of his writing has a “theme of somebody resisting the standardization and thwarting forces of society that take away your individuality, your creativity.”
He read several passages from “End Times” and took questions from the audience before thanking everyone for coming and then retiring to his merchandise table to sign books and pose for photos.
Williams grew up in Auburn and is a graduate of Auburn High School and Auburn University. He retired from LaGrange College in 2015 after teaching English there for 26 years. He was named
Georgia Author of the Year for First Novel in 2002 for “Lake Moon”, and was a finalist for the Townsend Prize in 2003/04. In 2009, his play “Fish Hungry” won the Society of Southwestern Authors One-Act Play Competition, and in 1988, he won the Hackney Literary Award for fiction from Birmingham Southern College. Recent published works also include “Village People: Sketches of Auburn” (Solomon and George, 2016) and Atlanta Pop in the 50s, 60s and 70s: The Magic of Bill Lowery” (The History Press, 2019) with Andy Lee White. Earlier publications include “The Slyburn Girl” and “Leonard” (novellas) and “The Weariness of the South” (stories).
For more information about Williams and to follow his blog, visit johnmwilliams.net/blog.
ARTISTS
Julie Plasketes is an artist who has lived in Auburn for more than 30 years with her husband, who is a professor at Auburn University. Plasketes has been an artist for most of her life and her medium of choice is collage. Her current series featured at the show is titled “Sundowning” . Plasketes explained that sundowning
such as pony rides and face painting, and our other vendors are candle makers, soap makers, pottery, leather, glass, metal, homemade crafted items and boutique items.”
In May, the farm had a train ride for Hay Days, and it will have a hayride in November. Photo opportunities will be available, and there will be inflatables, a petting zoo and seminar games for the children.
The farm recently began its season-long pumpkin patches, which will be hosted every weekend in October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For October, activities include duck races, the Roly Poly, Piedmont Fertilizer Corn Crib, Gravity Wagon Basketball, Pumpkin
Do
Bowling, Mini Zip Line and much more.
Rocky Top has just finished constructing its vintage playground, and its main feature is the triples slide purchased from Opelika after it was taken down from Monkey Park.
The day after Thanksgiving, the farm will have its County Christmas event that will run for four weekends.
“At Country Christmas, we sell Christmas trees, have our petting zoo, train rides, reindeer games and about five to seven outside photo opportunities,”
Lawrence said. “We have an ugly Christmas sweater photo booth, a letter to Santa station, a reindeer food-making station and Santa Claus visits.”
Another feature of the farm is a snow castle which will have artificial snow for the children to
can occur in people who suffer some form of dementia and it usually happens at dusk when the sun goes down. The person gets disoriented and often confused and frustrated. Her almost 90-year-old mother suffers from sundowning and was the inspiration for her current series of collages. Plasketes said her main goal for her collages is to "make calm out of the chaos."
Artist Kat Fitzpatrick hails from Mississippi but grew up in New Orleans.
“Growing up in New Orleans shaped me in big ways as far as appreciating characters and wildness,” she said. Fitzpatrick said she’s been an artist her whole life as were her mother and her mother’s father. Fitzpatrick had her “Delta Blues” series on display Wednesday. The group was painted in encaustic, as is most of her work. Encaustic is a 2000-year-old medium that uses melted bees wax with powdered pigments for color. Fitzpatrick said she fell in love with this medium 20 years ago and though it has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years, she was the See ART, page A3
play in. There will also be concession stands and lights during the night so the community can have bonfires while drinking hot apple cider or hot chocolate, and Christmas music will be played throughout the event “We’re just providing a place for family, singles, couples and friends to come and socialize and be relaxed,” Lawrence said. “All of these quirky games and photo ops will give you a chance to just enjoy the county and the festivities.”
During the events, Rocky Top will have Lifesouth Blood Bank come around for blood donations and will also have Humane Societies come for dog adoption.
For more information, please visit www. thefarmatrockytop.com, or email Lawrence at jan@ thefarmatrockytop.com.
OPELIKA—
The Opelika Neighborhood Mobile Wellness Clinic will make its first visit to the Courthouse Square on Friday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) operates the converted Bluebird bus, which provides screenings for the most common chronic illnesses, primarily blood pressure checks and glucose screenings, at no cost.
“The Mobile Wellness Clinic brings basic healthcare to the neighborhoods that need it,” said Sutricia Johnson, manager of the mobile clinic.
The mobile wellness clinic had its official launch last December and has since been making weekly appearances all around Opelika, but the 13th will be its first visit to the square. The mobile clinic will also set up at the offices of the Housing Authority located at
JONES >> from A1
include housing, educational and after-school programs.
“We built a 48-housing subdivision in Opelika with three to four bedrooms for affordable housing opportunities for families,” Jones said. “We also have developed a pre-K program that educates up to 36 kids with an after-school program and a three to five, two to three-year-old program, as part of child development programming. They can come to participate in a STEM program where they are challenged and have an opportunity to complete their own work. We provide a full meal for them so that when they get home, parents
1706 Toomer St. on Oct. 6.
“Of course, our ultimate goal is to increase access to healthcare, particularly to those with limited access or no insurance,” Johnson said. “But we don’t turn anyone away. If you have insurance and need a screening, we gladly provide it just the same, at no cost.”
When one steps into the clinic, they’ll find an interview and waiting room that leads into the examination room. There’s a lavatory area with a sink. The clinic is staffed by a nurse, most often Johnson, who performs the screenings, as well as by a social worker.
“It’s been a great asset having the social worker,” Johnson said. “She can connect the patients with a wide range of resources that a nurse alone can’t. Many patients need other services and the social worker can identify and direct them to those. We connect patients with a primary care physician
will not have to try to wrestle with homework [and dinner].
“We also have certified teachers from retired teachers and students from Auburn University, who are coming to help these kids prepare for their education process. We also do a summer education enrichment program where we run about 40 kids each year at a summer camp in the Family Life Center at the church. So those kids have a lot of activities that they are doing; they go on field trips.
“They do a lot of educational activities and continue to work on math, science and technology education. Also, we have a black history component where our kids learn more about African-American
if they don’t have one.We also provide education on preventing chronic illnesses,” Johnson said.
The clinic sets up three Fridays of each month, with the other week being a community visit on Thursday.
The mobile clinic was first conceived in 2017 as a joint project of the city of Opelika, the Casey Family Foundation and East Alabama Health (EAH). Through its partnership with Casey Family Programs, the city of Opelika learned about the Mobile Studio, a communitybased build-and-design
history. We do a lot of other activities that people have picked up on and heard about, which made it an opportunity for them to nominate me as a distinguished man of Alabama.”
According to Jones, he received an award plaque recognizing what he has contributed to his church and community, and it is currently displayed on his desk.
“It’s good to be recognized for the work and the effort that you put in to try to impact the lives of others, and for someone outside of my immediate circle to recognize what is being done and someone who was willing to include me with other state leaders such as
group in Auburn that works with municipalities and public agencies to research and design solutions that improve communities. Members of the planning group visited a highly successful mobile health program in Gainesville, Florida, whose clinic was serving 3,000 patients a year in medically underserved areas. But the COVID-19 outbreak delayed the project’s completion, according to Leigh Krehling, city of Opelika’s community relations officer.
leaders across legislature, government entities and attorneys across the state of Alabama, it felt good to be nominated for this recognition,” Jones said.
According to Jones, the church provides a strong spiritual foundation for the community, and he said he feels called upon by the Word of God to contribute to the community.
“We talk about all the successes we’ve had, and we talk about our failures,” Jones said. “But we also give people an opportunity to know, especially church and community leaders, that they too can impact their community if they are willing to step out in faith and do the hard work for their community. We are excited to be a part of that.”
“It was so difficult during Covid to move the project,” she said.
The city of Opelika had taken on the task of raising the $200,000 needed to acquire a bus and convert it into a clinic on wheels,
First off, First Transit donated the bus.
“Once we had a bus, we had a lot of key donors who contributed to the retrofit,” Krehling said. “The Opelika Housing Authority was a big donor, along with Golden State Food, BBVA Compass, the Opelika Rotary, Auburn Bank and the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority.
The city of Opelika maintains and fuels the clinic. EAMC provides the medical services and manages the dayto-day operations.
The mobile clinic’s website features a story of a medically underserved patient whose life was radically changed, and possibly saved, by the clinic. He had been feeling bad and decided to visit the
ART >> from A2
first artist in Mississippi to use bees wax in their work.
“I’m always looking for the miraculous in the mundane and I usually find it,” Fitzpatrick said.
clinic because it was stationed nearby him that day. Once he was in the clinic, it didn’t take long for the staff to find his glucose level was literally “off the chart.” He had been living with undiagnosed Type-2 diabetes for an unknown length of time, and it required immediate intervention. The staff sent him to EAMC’s ER, where he presented a glucose level four times higher than normal. He spent three days in the hospital, and now knows how to maintain a healthy blood sugar level, and he encourages all the men he knows to go to the clinic and get a checkup.
The man later came to the mobile clinic for his checkup, and his glucose level was in the normal range.
“I just lost it then,” Johnson said, and said that she and the patient highfived and danced around the exam room. “It’s obviously thrilling to know you played a part in changing someone’s life.”
“The art is an exercise of tuning in and getting quiet to let another voice speak that’s not of your control and maybe it’s a deeper part of me but anytime I tune in I’m always glad I did.”
For more information about Fitzpatrick visit www.katfitzpatrick.com.
BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
Harvest Evangelism, home of His Place and Hosanna Home, hosted its 43rd Harvest Banquet Monday, Oct. 2, at First Baptist in Opelika. The annual event is one of the major fundraisers for the organization every year. His Place and Hosanna Home house men and women who are struggling with addiction.
Founder Rick Hagans talked about the first banquet and the reason why the programs exist.
“We had 19 people there that night and I think we're looking at 300 here tonight all told,” Hagan said. “So thank you for being here.”
The organization was originally named the East Alabama Challenge, but Rick said the name Harvest Evangelism came from the ‘HE’ – as in HE is the reason for the program.
“I love all of you,” Hagans said. “But if we don't do this for the love
of God or the glory of God, then we [have] shot too low, so thank you all so much for being here.”
Hagans’ wife Kim, is now the director of Hosanna Home.
“I have the honor and the privilege of being the director at Hosanna Home,” Kim said. “I helped start it back in 1996. The Lord in His grace and mercy to me, allowed me to become the director about two and a half years ago. I hate to call Hosanna Homa job, but I'm gonna tell you, it's the best job I've ever had. Absolutely love what I get to do.”
Kim shared with the crowd about how women come to them lost, afraid, sometimes pregnant with no husband and addicted to drugs. She spoke of the love of Jesus and how there is hope in Him, and a freedom that can only be found in His word.
“That's what I do at Hosanna home,” Kim said. “I share with them that there was freedom. It came at a great cost. And all it costs them is the willingness to say yes,
yes, I will accept that ‘fairy tale’ that is unbelievable. And receive that into my own heart. And I
10 months now. But, you know what, God is in the business of saving men and women and families.”
will be set free.”
Kim then introduced Jessica and Dustin Howell. Their story is unusual, and even, out of the norm.
“We have a husband and a wife team at Hosanna home and His Place,” Kim said. “And please don't do this; this is out of the norm, but God kind of bypassed all the norm this day and his [Dustin’s] mother just dropped them off at Hosanna Home. We said we don't we don't do that, and [well,] we've been doing it for about
Jessica was the first of the couple to share her story.
“I'm 37 years old and I'm from Cordova, Alabama,” Howell said. “I'm a wife, a mother; and I'm proof of God's redeeming love. I grew up in church. I went [to] VBS I went to church every Sunday [and] every Wednesday.”
However, Jessica’s deep-seated belief in God, also brought anxiety. She said that she believed that she had to live an almost perfect life, or else it wouldn’t matter what she did. She said that she walked away from God until she could “live better.”
Jessica said that she spent the next 20 years living life, drinking, partying and experiencing a failed marriage, and the blessing of a daughter named Jayden. She met Dustin in June 2020, they married in 2021 and had a daughter, Harper, in May 2022.
Jessica spoke openly about her marriage to Dustin and how he had been upfront with her about his drug addiction and his recovery efforts at the time.
“I didn't worry about that because I was strong enough to save him,” Jessica said. “Well, the
fact is, he did fall to his addiction again. At first, I just talked to him, supporting him, [thinking] we could get through it. That quickly turned to doing it along with him — I didn't want him to feel all alone. So that's what I did. In the six months we used together, our marriage deteriorated rapidly.”
Jessica said that their lives quickly deteriorated, even to the point that the children were removed from their care. Unfortunately, she said that even that was not the wake-up call that they needed. That wake-up came later, after Dustin attempted suicide by taking Fentanyl.
“I began screaming at him, shaking him, I cried out to God begging him to save him,” Jessica said. “I was running out of hope, and running out of strength. I knew we didn't deserve it. God not only heard, he listened. And he breathed his life back into my husband. At that moment, I made the choice to get us help.”
Dustin spoke about his decision to join his wife as she sought help.
“My mother, my wife gave me an ultimatum if you will,” Dustin said. “My mother looked at me. She goes, 'Your wife's going to Auburn at 10 o'clock in the morning to get better for her family.' She goes, 'that does include you, if, you are in that car at 10 o'clock in the morning. If you are in that car at 10 o'clock in the morning, thank you. If you're not, go finish what you was doing, because ain't nobody gonna be here to save you anymore.’”
Dustin said that he slept on his mother’s driveway that night, in the backseat of the car with his wife. The couple credits the work done by Rick and Kim, the others
and most importantly, God, for teaching them how to truly live and giving them a chance at recovery. Ten months and two days after arriving at Hosanna Home and His Place, the couple was granted full custody again of their children.
The Director of His Place, Kenny Young, also had a message to share.
“These guys come in broken,” Young said. “I've had guys come in, you would not believe how their life has transformed from this moment. You look at them now. And they're just, they're glowing and beautiful.”
According to Rick, the fundraising goal for the event was $120,000. He said that there are 17 buildings with electricity that make up His Place and Hosanna Home. The residents are not charged a fee during their time at His Place or Hosanna Home.
“How can we charge when Jesus — the Word of God says — ‘Freely, freely, you have received’” Rick asked. “He did not charge me; I am not going to charge them.”
Currently, there are 48 men housed at His Place and 14 women at Hosanna Home. The average cost per man is $1,500 a day and it’s $2,200 per woman. This total reflects utilities, insurance, salaries of staff, food costs and more.
There are several ways that people can give to Harvest Evangelism to help with its mission.
- A one-time gift
- Monthly support
- In-kind gifts
- Time For more information visit the website www. harvestevangelism.org/.
The video from Monday night's banquet can be viewed on the website as well.
God is in the business of saving men and women and families.”
CARE >> from A1
“The elements of the acronym CARE embody how we strive to serve our community as the leading advocate for companion animals in our area.”
Originally founded in 1974 by a group of dedicated volunteers who fostered stray animals in their homes, LCHS has grown and evolved into an organization that provides many initiatives for area citizens that advance the cause of animal welfare.
“We have sought out grants that allow us to offer programs such as intake diversion which helps people keep their animals so they don't end up in the shelter; meansbased assistance so those who qualify can get their pets spayed/neutered at a reduced price; and microchips that make it easier for lost pets to be reunited with their owners,” the society said. “Additionally, thanks to a generous bequest and ongoing donations, we also offer TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) through the Ann Pearson Memorial Community Cat Program.”
According to the press release, CARE Humane is
dedicated to giving every homeless animal that comes into its custody the best chance possible for a new life.
It recently expanded the shelter to create more capacity. This project involved enclosing the carport to create space for kennels to house an additional 10 large dogs.
“This expansion, sponsored by Walter and Virginia Woltosz, is the direct result of their support and love for the pets at our shelter, and we are truly grateful to them,” the society said. We are thrilled to unveil this expansion and announce our new name. Rest assured, our name has changed, but our mission and vision remain the same: To advance humane treatment and responsible ownership of companion animals through community education, animal sheltering and adoption and alleviation of animal suffering.
“Our vision is to be the leading advocate for companion animals in our community. We envision a future in which animals are valued, pet overpopulation is eliminated and every adoptable companion animal has a loving and responsible home. We are excited to continue to pursue these goals as CARE Humane Society.”
St. Dun's Buns, a baking for donation group of St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Auburn, has made its 69th and 70th donations to two nonprofits. Pictured left, Alabama Arise, an organization that works to make Alabama a better place for all people to live happy and productive lives, received a donation. This group advances public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Harriette Huggins accepted the donation on behalf of Alabama Arise. Pictured right, the Salvation Army also received a donation. The Salvation Army’s objective is
CONTRIBUTED BY AO TOURISM
OPELIKA —
Run, jog or walk to benefit East Alabama Medical Center’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Early Detection
The countdown is on. Register to run, walk or jog in the annual Tough Ten & Tough Two race coming up on Oct. 7. This 10-mile/2-mile race takes participants through the moderately rolling hills of Auburn, and honors Nick Holler, a dedicated runner and community leader. Strollers and dogs on
leashes are welcome and encouraged. All proceeds benefit East Alabama Health’s Foundation for Breast
Cancer Early Detection. Both races begin at 7:30 a.m. in Ogletree Village on the corner of Moores Mill Road and
Ogletree Road. The start and finish line is located near All In CrossFit. To view the full race map, click visit www.runsig-
nup.com/Race/Info/AL/ Auburn/AORTAToughTenToughTwo.
The online registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 3. The 10-mile race registration is $50, and the 2-mile is $30. However, if you miss the online deadline and still want to sign up, there will be a day-of race registration available from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. and will be subject to price increases. Sign up here.
Packet pickup for the race will take place on Friday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. The address for
race day packet pickup is 1799 Ogletree Road No. 300.
The donation goal for Tough Ten & Tough Two is $10,000, and donations can be made on the website.
“Your contribution, big or small, can fund cutting-edge technology, screening programs and research to detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages, offering hope to those in need,” said a press release about the event. To stay up-to-date on Tough Ten and Tough Two, visit the website or Facebook.
AUBURNBANK PRESIDENT & CEO
Leadership succession in any business is essential to its sustainability, especially one that has been strong and viable for 116 years. Since our founding in 1907, AuburnBank has had eight presidents—and now David Hedges succeeds Bob Dumas as our ninth. Joining the bank in 2006, David has demonstrated his commitment to AuburnBank and its shareholders. He and his wife, Jill, are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika, and they enjoy raising their three children who attend Auburn City Schools. David is excited to lead AuburnBank into the future, while upholding a tradition of service to our customers and our communities.
Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com
CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council recently approved an amendment to the Opelika Power Services (OPS) General Service Rules and Regulations (Section 28) and the Electric Rates and Charges (Section 28) Ordinance.
The rules and regulations set the rights and obligations
of the city and the customer with respect to the supply and use of electric services. Rates and charges establish the schedule set forth by OPS for electric by customers.
“Overall, these changes are going to help us better serve our customers and bring OPS up to current industry practice,” said Brent Poteet, director of Opelika Power Services.
“It is our goal to serve each and every customer with impeccable service.
To do that, we sometimes have to update the way we do business.”
Changes to the ordinance include:
Residential Customer Charge increasing from $19.50 to $21.50.
This brings OPS closer to recovering the cost of service to home, increases business stability, creates less dependence on energy sales and adds a layer of protection from supplemental residential
solar. Residential kwh (kilowatt hour) rate lowering
The average home will not see an increase in its bill. Higher usage months customers will see some savings.
Residential AllElectric rate lowering The average home will not see an increase in its bill. Higher usage months customers will see some savings. Increase outdoor leased
lighting service rates by $1 per light unit.
Increase pole rental charge for leased lighting service by $1per unit.
Credit Card Payment Limit of $500
Setting a cap on limits fees from credit card companies to OPS.
Customers may pay with a payment check or e-check.
Prepaid Billing Service implementation.
Sec. 28-406. 2 – Deposits
This allows customers
to prepay for future electric usage, eliminates customer deposit requirements and helps eliminate lost revenue due to delinquent accounts.
Customers can pay at OPS, online or offsite at the following locations: Dollar General, Circle K, Family Dollar, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens or Walmart.
For more information, contact customer service at 334-705-5170.
OPELIKA —
The first orientation meeting of The Opelika Comunity Theatre's (OCT) Penguin Project will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. at OCT's new theater headquarters located at 1220 Fox Run Parkway, Suite 216 (USA Town Center).
BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA
The Opelika Public Library will hold its first Canvas and Cauldrons event Saturday, Oct. 14, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Canvas and Cauldrons will be a two-hour costume sip-and-paint party, where guests can arrive dressed in a Halloween costume and enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
Admission is $30 and covers the food and drink provided and all supplies needed to paint a spooky
work of art.
You must be 18 or older to attend, and tickets should be purchased before the event. It is recommended to purchase tickets by Wednesday, Oct. 11, but any additional available spots can be purchased at the door at the time of the event.
“This is going to be the first of many sip-and-paint parties,” said Jalynn Brooks, the event coordinator. “This is a great way to get your creative juices flowing without over-exerting yourself or coming up with what you have to paint.”
There will be various
painting themes to choose from, and Brooks has created each theme.
Brooks is a recent graduate of the University of Montevallo and graduated with an art degree. She is currently a full-time graphic designer freelancing in illustration and design through traditional and digital mediums.
For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit the event’s page on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.com/e/ canvas-cauldronstickets-707818804097.
Opelika Community Theatre was appointed to become the second chapter in Alabama for the National Penguin Project Foundation in November 2022.
OCT needs committed volunteers of “all” ages to become involved with this project, as well as the necessary "penguin" participants. It will take a village to make this project happen.
OCT is partnering with the Opelika City Schools to produce its first Penguin Project production, ANNIE JR., scheduled for March 8 through 10, 2024.
The age range for the Penguin Project is 8 to
25 years old. We are also looking for age-related peer volunteers to help with this project, as well as adults. Please make plans to attend this meeting and find out more about the Penguin Project and how you can be a part of this amazing inaugural journey with OCT. Please bring a lawn chair for seating as our chairs may not be in for the meeting.
OTHER THEATER NEWS
On Oct. 21 and 22, John Emerald Distillery will host Opelika Community Theatre's Murder Mystery "Death on the Rocks" written by local resident Libby Johnston Herring. Herring is one of the founders of OCT.
This Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser will benefit OCT and its new facility.
Come join the crazy mixed up dysfunctional Thorn family as it meets for a "Spirit Challenge" contest to determine who will be put in Aunt Tessa's (played by Joyce Wyatt) will to inherit the 100 year old family distillery.
Uncle Ezra Thorn, played by Opelika City Council Member George Allen, thinks there's a whole lot of mysterious things that have been happening at the distillery and invites famous detective Coco Rocher, played by Marty Moore, and her eccentric wanna-be sleuth brother, played by Dr. Shashi Sharma, to join the weekend celebration in hopes of finding answers to the crazy happenings.
And as always, someone mysteriously dies. Join the rest of the cast — Dr. Beatrice Allen, Dr. Nettie Echols, Kaleb Clark, Cameron Whitlow, Alysa Richards, Delia Parham, Kathy Conner, Abby Miracle, Shelia Hadaway and Robbin Brasfield — as they attempt to solve the crime and reveal the murderer. Tickets are $55 per single or $95 per couple. Enjoy the show and dinner. For more information about either event, visit www.opelikacommunitytheatre.com or call/text 334-400-9660 or 334559-8597.
game, when Mike asked me, “How would you like to live in Auburn?”
The question was totally unexpected; Mike was born and raised in Troup County, Georgia, so I just figured we’d live there until God called us home.
The idea of moving back to the Loveliest Village on the Plains made me very happy.
friend Jack had told us about Annie because she was from his hometown.
Unbelievably, my husband Mike and I will soon celebrate our 8th year living in Auburn, and it has been such a blessing. As I may have mentioned before in this column, Mike, out of the blue, sprang the idea of moving from LaGrange, Georgia, to Auburn back in the fall of 2013.
We were riding the tram to the Auburn/LSU
Although I had lived in LaGrange for 26 years, the thought of moving back to Sweet Home Alabama thrilled me for a number of reasons: 1.
I was coming home; 2.
We would live closer to Mama and Daddy; 3. I’m a two-time Auburn grad, so I already loved my future home.
Thus began our search for the perfect home for us. May God bless Annie Williams, an amazing realtor at Berkshire Hathaway. Our good
Annie almost had the patience of Job. She must have shown us houses in every neighborhood in Lee County, yet she never complained, got discouraged or tried to kill us. Believe me, she definitely earned her commission. She was the best realtor ever, and she gets an A+ from this retired English teacher.
Finally, in 2015, we found the perfect home for Mike and me in North Auburn.
Our home was a spec house; it was new and, best of all, we didn’t have to pick out paint colors, counter tops, etc.
I am not at all talented in choosing home décor, so that would have driven me crazy, which would have eventually driven poor Mike crazy, too.
N Cryin.
BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVERAUBURN —
The Opelika Songwriters Festival (OSF) will return for its fourth year, Thursday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 8.
The OSF will be held throughout six venues in downtown Opelika, hosting more than 30 world-class songwriters.
Headline artists include Toad the Wet Sprocket, 10,000 Maniacs and Drivin
Many artists at the Opelika Songwriters Festival are multi-platinumselling artists, and over 80 shows will be played.
“The headliner lineup is pretty stacked,” said the festival’s Founder, Rob Slocumb. “It's going to be a great weekend downtown.”
Additionally, there will be a student songwriting showcase where students of varying ages will play on stage.
“It’s a huge experience
Mike and I moved into our forever home on earth on Nov. 23, 2015, and we’ve been deliriously happy since that day. The location was ideal. We were 36.4 miles from my parents’ driveway in Alexander
City (“Eleck” City to the locals) and only five miles from I-85, which would take us to work.
As an added bonus, we fell in love with Central Baptist Church of Opelika. This sweet church is only four miles
from our home, and the people made us feel welcome on day one. God has certainly blessed us in Lee County. Also, as I’ve mentioned many times, if you can’t live in Heaven yet, Lee
See WALLACE page A11
for the students,” Slocumb said. “We always love seeing who gets selected to be a part of that showcase.”
Various passes are available for purchase, including a VIP weekend pass.
“Being a music fan, I encourage you to come experience the whole weekend,” Slocumb said. “There's just so much music starting Friday evening through Sunday.”
The VIP weekend pass
BY ANDY LEE WHITE FOR THE OBSERVEROPELIKA —
This weekend, the annual Opelika Songwriters Festival (OSF) kicks off for its fourth year. In addition to nationally-renowned musicians, the festival will also feature several local songwriters from Opelika including OSF Founders Rob and Jen
Slocumb of Martha’s Trouble along with a pair of homegrown Opelika raised songwriters, Adam Hood and Dallas Dorsey.
Hood has been on a hot run the past few years, culminating in a couple of recent Grand Ole Opry appearances along with some of the finest songwriting in today’s country music scene. He has had several major country artists cut his
songs and his own records have been successful as well. Hood’s music has been described as a “warm in your living room feel that resonates with Deep South origins” and his live solo shows certainly capture that feel. Hood and Dorsey’s friendship dates back to their meeting in 2006 when Hood was a judge for what Dorsey described as a “country throw down” and saw Dorsey sing and play guitar. Flash forward to 2010 when Dorsey was back home in Lee County playing some of the same local spots where Hood had earned his stripes during his early beginnings. One day he got a call from Hood asking him if he could fill in as a guitarist for his band. That turned into a regular spot in Hood’s band for a tour to promote Hood’s original music.
Somewhere along the way, Dorsey’s time spent with Hood on the road and his observations of Hood crafting exquisite song after song inspired him to
See DORSEY, page A10
This is not my story. It was told to me. In fact, I’m hearing it for the first time, just like you are.
The year was 1982. The old man climbed out of a rust-red Ford. He was ancient. He walked with a shuffle as he hobbled into the supermarket. Struggling to walk. Fighting to breathe.
give songwriting a serious shot. Though Dorsey had tinkered with writing songs in the past, his time with Hood galvanized the desire to not only be an excellent guitarist but to also become an excellent songwriter. Oddly enough, the two would also come to realize that Dorsey’s grandmother had been a teacher for Hood’s mother when she was in middle school.
As a child, Dorsey was exposed to the music of Chet Atkins and Hank Williams by his grandfather and his step-grandfather, who both played guitar and shared their love of music with young Dallas. Dorsey’s grandfathers showed him
A young man in the parking lot saw him get out of the rust-red Ford. He rushed ahead to help. The kid was wearing a black sports coat. Black tie. Hair slicked back. Lots of cheap cologne. “Thank you,” the old man said. “Would you be kind enough to get me a buggy?”
The kid pulled a cart
his first guitar cords at around eight years old and instilled the confidence needed to pursue music. His grandfather on the other side of his family was a drummer, in addition to being an electrician and an accountant. Dallas sa his grandfather David Dorsey “was a true renaissance man and the spiritual leader of our family. He left me with ‘remember who you are’ and I’ve always come back to it.” Dorsey follows his grandfather’s life advice daily, and he said he walks in his footsteps working days as an electrician for Auburn University’s Facilities Maintenance with the in-house construction department.
Dorsey’s father was a
from the stockyard of buggies. The old man hooked his cane over the handle and tried to catch his breath.
“What are you so dressed up for?” the old man asked.
“I’m going to a funeral.”
“I’m sorry,” said the man. “Family or friend?”
“Neither. It was my dad.”
The old man nodded, but said nothing. He pushed his buggy into the store. Past the pneumatic doors. The store was filled with the paralyzingly lush sound of muzak. Death by violins.
The kid was following him closely because he was a good kid, and the old man was wheezing badly. He looked like he was about to fall over. Pale and gaunt. Shaky and frail.
“I’ll help you shop,”
who also helped stoke the fire of musical desire in young Dallas by turning him on to the music of Eric Clapton when Clapton was a member of the Yardbirds. Dorsey said he used to dream of being another Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughn but attributes the strong country music scene of the 90s to really sending him closer to country than Clapton. His musical tastes blended to include a broad range of influences including country superstar Waylon Jennings and his outlaw country sound. Dorsey said Waylon’s rock and roll background and his refusal to “follow any kind of script” appealed to him more so than other country artists.
Dorsey embarked on a solo career in music determined to put in the
said the kid. “I’ve got some time before the funeral starts.”
“Thank you,” said the old man, whose face lit up like Christmas.
They puttered through the A&P together. Two strangers. When they reached the Campbell’s soup aisle the old man asked a question.
“You weren’t close with your father?”
“No. He left my mom when I was little. He didn’t want anything to do with me. I didn’t even like him.”
The old man nodded.
“Did you stay in touch?” he asked.
“Not really. I called him sometimes, but he never had much time for me. He had lots of problems. I was just one more.”
“I’ll bet that hurt you.”
The kid shrugged. “I guess.”
hard work and time that music demanded while still maintaining a sense of day to day normalcy punctuated by family, faith and community involvement. Despite the demands of playing numerous live shows and hours upon hours of practice and rehearsal time, Dorsey still finds time to be a full time father to his son and daughter and a loving husband to his wife. He has been a part of Opelika youth soccer leagues in various capacities for a couple of decades and currently coaches his seven year old son’s soccer team.
And that’s when the air got weird. Everything became weird. The old man lowered his gaze at the kid. The old voice was suddenly very strong and rich. A deep baritone. And he did not sound like an oldster anymore.
“Your father loves you,” said the man.
The kid looked around. He was wondering where the Allen Funt and the hidden cameras were. But the old man was still looking at him with those tap-water blue eyes.
“Your father is sorry he hurt you,” said the old man. “And he loves you very much. And he wants to know if you will forgive him.”
The old man was speaking present tense. Not past tense.
The kid was sufficiently weirded out now. They didn’t speak to each other
school in 2002, Dorsey’s soccer talents took him to Faulkner University in Montgomery where he was a member of the intercollegiate soccer team. A torn ACL took care of his athletic aspirations and unintentionally set him free to chase his musical dreams full time.
Though not purposely aiming to end up writing predominantly rock tinged semi-outlaw country with a taste of soul, that’s where Dorsey has firmly landed. Living in, and being a product of, the south has unavoidably flavored Dorsey’s songs as they resonate with a rich southern flavor directly from his heart.
Dorsey’s gritty guitar work and vocal range make for some truly excellent music on his twelve-song debut album titled Come On. When the album was released in 2014 one music writer described the album as “The heart of the modern South” with Dorsey adding that he “wanted to make a record that sounded like the South and embraced the musical culture that [he] grew up in.” Dorsey recorded the album in Birmingham at Ol Elegante Studios with Les Nuby producing.
In 2018, Dorsey released his self-titled EP Dallas Dorsey featuring five
much after that. Shopping was pretty awkward. The old man just pointed and the kid fetched his items. But nobody spoke.
When they got to the checkout aisle, the kid left the old man briefly to use the restroom. He jogged into the john and was gone for maybe three minutes. When he returned, the old man was gone.
The kid asked the lone cashier if she had already rang up the old man.
“What old man?” she answered. “There hasn’t been anybody in this store but you.”
So the young man trotted out of the building. He wandered into the vacant parking lot. There was no rust-red Ford. In fact, there weren’t many cars in the parking lot at all.
The kid drove to the funeral that evening. He
songs that he wrote and recorded in Opelika at The Sound Wall. The Adam Hood connection continued as Adam Hood Band bassist Jason Parker and drummer Patrick Lunceford backed Dorsey on the album. Both of Dorsey’s albums are available on all streaming services.
Dorsey said he is constantly writing with plans for a third record while staying busy with a regular schedule of live dates. Fans can find his schedule on his website at www.dallasdorsey.com.
Both Dorsey and Hood will be playing shows at the Opelika Songwriters Festival this weekend with Dorsey’s first show happening at 5 p.m. on Friday Oct. 6, at the Irish Bread Pub and his second show happening at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the John Emerald Distilling Company.
Hood’s first show is set for 9:15 p.m. on Friday at the Market Street Paint Shop with a second show the next night starting at 9:30 p.m. at the Jailhouse at Rock ‘N’ Roll Pinball.
Tickets are still available for the OSF and can be purchased at www. freshtix.com with live entertainment kicking off in historic downtown Opelika on Friday, Oct 6, at 5 p.m.
CONTRIBUTED GPCDC
OPELIKA —
The Greater Peace Community Development Corporation (GPCDC) is participating in the Child and Adult Feeding Program for the 2023-24 school year.
Breakfast, lunch and snacks follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals. Breakfast,
lunch and snacks are provided to students at the Greater Peace Child Development Center and supper is provided to students participating in the STEM after school program.
Greater Peace Child Development Center parents should complete an eligibility form to determine if their child qualifies for free, reduced or paid meals. Parents who do not wish to complete
near Moore’s Mill Road in Auburn on Oct. 5.
an eligibility form will be required to pay full price for all meals and snacks served. The STEM after school program is considered “at risk” and therefore all students may eat at no cost to families.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, ageor reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information
SONGWRITERS >>
FROM A9
includes brunch on Sunday morning, Oct. 8.
According to Slocumb, the brunch event is a fan favorite.
The festival will kick off with a cocktail dinner at John Emerald Distillery, Thursday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m.
The music will begin with 10,000 Maniacs, Friday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m.
“We're hitting it big at six o'clock Friday, ” Slocomb said. “We want
people to fill the streets at six o'clock on Friday. If you're a music fan, or even if you're not a music fan, you just like to get out; it's just being downtown with the number of people here — being able to stroll around between venues. You're going to hear incredible music no matter what venue you go to. Every artist is going to impress you.”
For more information on tickets, artists, concert times and venues, visit the Opelika Songwriters Festival’s website at www.opelikasongwritersfestival.com.
County is the best place to wait.
Another great part about living in Lee County is that we have an amazing array of good restaurants. Recently, my good friend Leigh Ann and I dined at a new one: Amsterdam Café
North Auburn at 1850
Shug Jordan Parkway. I was really excited to see a new restaurant open in North Auburn, very close to my neighborhood.
Amsterdam Café
North Auburn opened this past Aug. 3 and is locally owned by Billy Cleveland and his son Blake, the owners of the original Amsterdam Café in Auburn. The Clevelands will open a
Amsterdam Café North Auburn is considered to be a fastcasual restaurant. That’s fine by me; I love to dress very casually (That is, wearing an Auburn T-shirt and long shorts).
The interior of the Amsterdam Café North Auburn is very attractive, having recessed lighting and a brick wall. Also, there is a covered porch for outdoor dining.
Melanie, our server, was very kind, helpful and patient.
Leigh Ann and I ordered the spinach and artichoke dip with housemade salsa and corn tortilla chips as our appetizer. Oh, my, two times. It was warm and really delicious.
Leigh Ann chose
sandwich with a Caesar salad. She really enjoyed her meal. I selected the club wrap with a Caesar salad. Our salads were very fresh and crisp, and my club wrap was very tasty.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn, welcome to the neighborhood. We are so glad you came to this part of the Loveliest Village on The Plains. Run and do not walk to this restaurant.
Besides our amazing appetizer, Amsterdam Café North also serves tuna lettuce wraps, lobster egg rolls, chips and dip, wings and Santiago nachos. The restaurant also serves a variety of salads, sandwiches and entrees. Some entrees include: shrimp and grits, steak and frites, Greek bowl,
chicken finger plate.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn is open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn makes
from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food.
Enjoy!
Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from
for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear every other week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteach-
Trinity Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.
Pastors Dr. Chris Duncan, Bruce Bowers and Jared Collins invite all members, former members and friends to join in celebrating this significant milestone and rejoice in the faithfulness of God.
Events on Oct. 29 begin at 9:40 a.m. with bagpipes on the lawn, followed by morning worship in the sanctuary at 10 a.m.
Dr. Mantle Nance, of Ballantyne Presbyterian Church in Charolette, North Carolina, will speak that morning. He will speak from II Corinthians 13:14, on “Southern Presbyterianism and the Triune God of Grace.”
Trinity Presbyterian Church was formed in 1973 when a group of men and women were compelled by an unwavering commitment to the Bible as God’s Word and the only infallible rule of faith and practice, to join with the newly formed Presbyterian Church in America. Trinity’s beginnings were humble
to say the least. These “pioneers” moved into a location that had once served as a teenage dance hall, Club Shallamar, on India Road. They made many renovations and soon, the former life of that building bore no resemblance to its new mission.
The property where the building stood was part of a 26 acre campus, that, in 1978, became home to Trinity Christian School, the new church’s main ministry.
What began as a tiny congregation has been blessed by God to grow over the 50 years it has existed. There have been some difficulties along the way. Growth seldom comes without a growingpain.
On Saturday, July 13, 2013, unbeknownst to anyone, lightning struck the building. Unfortunately the fire had a good head start before firemen were on the scene. The building was a total loss. So many treasures that meant a great deal to the pastors and congregation, including the pastors’ libraries, the organ and piano, choir music, a framed handcrocheted depiction of The Last Supper, a plaque with
children’s names engraved were lost. The plaque was recreated, but the rest was gone. Many members of the congregation stood down the hill on India Road and sang “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” as they watched and prayed for the firemen as they battled the
blaze. Seeing the smoke billowing from the hill, and knowing the church was burning was heartbreaking. Many thanks are due to the first responders that evening as they brought the fire in the church building under control and kept it from spreading into the
CONTRIBUTED BY
FAMILY DESTINATIONS GUIDE
LEE COUNTY —
As the golden hues of fall descend, a cherished tradition unfolds across America — pumpkin picking. Yet, while countless families flock to their usual spots each year, many remain oblivious to the treasures that lie just a short drive away. For example, many Nutmeggers may not be aware that Lyman Orchards has been around longer than the United States of America — 279 years. And is still owned and operated by descendants of the original Lyman family pioneers.
FamilyDestinationsGuide.com surveyed
3,000 families, asking them to rate their favorite pumpkin picking spots so that others can know about them too.
When Alabama residents were quizzed on their pumpkin patch preferences,two locations in Lee County made the top three.
No. 1 The Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch, Auburn. Here, the authenticity of farm-to-table produce is unmatched. Every produce item has sprouted and thrived under the watchful eyes of the FITD team, ensuring peak freshness. Beyond just pumpkins, visitors will be delighted to find a diverse range of freshly harvested fruits and
vegetables available for both pickup and doorstep delivery.
No. 3 Rocky Top Pumpkin Patch, Salem. Looking for the perfect pumpkin and a fun-filled autumn adventure? Look no further than the Rocky Top Pumpkin Patch in Salem, where the fall festivities are in full swing from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29, 2023. Admission is affordably priced at $12 for persons 2 to 64 years, $7 for seniors (65+ years) and free for the little ones under 2. Your admission grants you access to a cornucopia of attractions, including the pumpkin patch, wagon rides, inflatables, the charming animal barn, barnyard games, duck races, hay
bale mountain, Little Boots Rodeo Arena, The Clatter Corral, photo ops galore, the Piedmont Fertilizer Corn Crib, The Pony Express, tetherball, pumpkin bowling and gravity wagon basketball. With its abundance of pumpkin varieties and a vast array of family-friendly activities, the Rocky Top Pumpkin Patch is the ultimate autumn destination, offering a perfect blend of Halloween excitement, outdoor fun and memorable photo opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Find all the results of the survey at www. familydestinationsguide. com/pumpkin-patches-survey/
school. God was gracious, and school was only a week late beginning and had no damage at all.
As a family, Trinity did what families do in a crisis. The very next morning the church met at the old Mr. J’s. The room was packed, and the service a bit
GPCDC >>
FOM A11
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone
emotional, but even then, there was the knowledge that God would somehow rebuild, and rebuild, He did.
For many months, the church met at the Brown Cultural Center. Even though it was a temporary situation, faithful members continued to attend, and new members were added. Some renovations were made on that building to accommodate Sunday School, and various other activities. Trinity said that it was thankful for the Cultural Center for its hospitality during that time. While services were held at the Cultural Center, many members were meeting to decide on plans for a new building to be built. The new plans were approved by the congregation, and the ground-breaking was held in September 2014. About a year later, the church was finished, and the congregation moved in. Trinity now occupies a beautiful new Gothicinspired sanctuary, families continue to come and the church continues to grow. Trinity Presbyterian Church is located at 1010 India Road, Opelika. Come on Oct. 29, and join the celebration.
number and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: 202-690-7442;
3. Email: program. intake@usda.gov. You may contact GPCDC's Executive Director, Clarinda JonesTurner, at 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika, Alabama 36801, call 334-749-9487 or email gpcdc2000@ gmail.com for additional information.
OPINION —
To live well, you must learn to cope with change. The most common truth about life is that change is a constant reality. It is forever foolish to wish that “things would never change.”
When I was born in 1932, gas cost 10 cents a gallon and a postage stamp cost three cents.
ELIZABETH MARIE TANKERSLEY
Funeral service for Elizabeth Marie
Tankersley, 86, of Opelika, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at JeffcoatTrant Chapel. Father Pierre Gilbert will be officiating. Burial will be held in Garden Hills Cemetery.
Visitation is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Mrs. Tankersley who was born Nov. 28, 1936, in Menominee County, Michigan, died Sept. 27, 2023, peacefully at her home. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mrs. Tankersley worked at Auburn Bowl for 34 years. She is survived by daughters, Marie (Greg) Hudson, Laura (Randall) McClellan; grandchildren
Steven (Ashley) Hudson, Crystal (David) McClellan, Mary Hudson, John (Amber) McClellan, Laura D McClellan, and James (Amy) McClellan; great-grandchildren
Evelyn and Ezra Hudson, Lucian Ogle, Sarah and Collin McClellan, Tyler McClellan, Eli Allen and fiancée Alyssa; and great-great-granddaughter Audrey Mosley-Allen.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or Oasis on the Plains Church.
their life in 1927, the year of their marriage. Dad said, “There were days when all we had to eat was an onion sandwich, without mayo.”
Her life, her family, was changing. Things would never be the same.
Eggs were 18 cents a dozen; coffee cost 39 cents a pound. You are lucky today if you can buy a loaf of bread for $2.50 while in 1932, a fresh loaf of bread cost seven cents. For a dime you could purchase a cold glass of draft beer.
When I am tempted to complain about the rising costs of food these days, it helps me to remember how my parents described
DARRELL KENNETH PORTER
Darrell Kenneth Porter, 74, of Valley, Alabama, died Sept. 26, 2023, at his home.
Mr. Porter was born June 16, 1949, in Fort Payne, Alabama, to Jasper and Mima (Cole) Porter.
He attended Sylvania High School in Fort Payne. He worked for King Ford in Valley, Alabama, for several years. Mr. Porter was a kind man and a dear friend to many. He had a heart of service and was a patient and giving father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Larry.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Porter; daughters Stacy Porter Harmon (Randall), Nikki Karr, Kristen Porter (Chris) and Kaylee Cole Yeomans (Jacob); stepchildren DeAnna Hand (Kenneth) and Josh Keebler (Jamie); grandchildren Keaton Harmon (Autumn), Landon Harmon (Karlie), Klancy Harmon (Trey), Brenden Karr, Tyler Karr, Hudson Vowell, Saylor Vowell, Corey Cole Yeomans, Kyle Hand, Landon Hand, Cohen Hand, Shelly Keebler, Lizzie Keebler and Layla Keebler and numerous greatgrandchildren.
A visitation was held Oct. 4, at Jeffcoat-Trant
As an infant, I was helpless, as all babies are. Mom and Dad changed my diapers while nursing the hope that one day I could dress myself. They patiently waited for me to learn to walk and eat onions all by myself. Their goal was for me to become independent, able to manage life on my own, no longer depending on them.
At age 18, I left home for college. My space was quickly occupied by my siblings. Years later, it dawned on me why my mother was crying the day I left for Auburn.
For 10 years I tried hard to handle the “independent” way of life. Finally, I discovered it was a good way to raise a child but was not applicable to my spiritual life. Indeed, to “grow up” spiritually I had to learn to become dependent upon God. If parents and pastors had tried to teach me that, I was obviously not listening.
Slowly, I began to realize that God had designed me to live dependent upon him.
I am hard-wired for worshipful dependency upon my Creator. Sin is the problem. Thinking I can live independent of God’s rule in my
Funeral Home.
LYNNE DORENE ROSE
Lynne Dorene Rose, nee Miller, was born Jan. 5, 1942, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Ronald Rodney Miller and Jean Maxine Miller, nee White. She passed from this life on Sept. 28, 2023, at the age of 81. She was a resident of Auburn since 1970. She was preceded in death by her father and mother. She is survived by her husband Robert Allen Rose; her sons Michael David Ford, and David Philip Rose; and her brother Gary Lee Miller (Carmen).
Lynne obtained her bachelor's degree from The University of South Florida. She completed a master's degree in education, as well as Class AA Certification, at Auburn University. Over a period of 34 years, she served Auburn City Schools in a variety of capacities, including teacher; curriculum coordinator; evaluator and mentor for new teachers; middle school assistant principal; director of federal programs; and administrator for standardized testing, textbooks, drugfree program and English as a second language. Her strongest love was classroom teaching where she was committed to
helping students acquire knowledge, skills and a love of learning; especially those students who entered her classroom lacking confidence or previous educational success.
Lynne was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa educational sorority, the Alabama Educational Association, the Auburn University Campus Club and the Woman's Club of Auburn. She was devoted to her family. For many years she worked parttime in retail sales where she enjoyed
Will
life is the highway to disaster. Sin is much more than getting drunk or dependent upon drugs, it is basically deciding to ignore God and live life “my way.”
God has a plan to rescue me from sin. That’s why Jesus died on the cross — to save me from my sins, from the delusion that I can live for myself. How does God do that? He informs me how I can be reformed by his transforming power. When I admit my need to be changed, God reforms me and begins transforming me into the likeness of His Son Jesus, a process that continues for the rest of my life for I am always “becoming” a Christian.
The efficacy of God’s
helping customers find the ideal jewelry, cosmetics or clothing that provided them with value and delight.
A private family interment is planned.
Persons wishing to honor Lynne may choose to send a contribution to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons's Research, P.O. Box e5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or online at michaeljfox.org.
JAMES "EDDIE" MARTIN
NAMI
plan to change me depends upon realizing that I do not belong to myself; I have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus, so I belong to Him. I can depend on Jesus, to guide,teach, use and comfort me for His glory when my life is under His management.
Yes, our world is forever changing. But rather than complain about the problems that change brings, we can thank God that his lifechanging power enables us to find hope and joy by placing our lives in his sovereign and gracious hands. That is actually more than coping; it is choosing to live by faith in God’s unchanging plan for his children.
James "Eddie" Martin, 71, of Opelika, passed away at home on Friday Sept. 29, 2023, with his daughter, Amy, and his brother Larry at his bedside.
He is survived by his daughter Amy (Robert) McCormick, son Scott Martin, three grandchildren Amber(Clay) Huckaby, Ashley Folds, and Britney Folds. Four greatgrandchildren whom he was so in love with, Rhett, Langston, Walker
Mondays From 0ct. 9 To Nov. 27
6 to 8:30 p.m.
Auburn United Methodist Church — Room A-107
This is a peer-led group for family members or friends of adults with a mental illness.
To Register, Or For More Information, Contact Emilyn: Emilynng@Yahoo.com or 334-444-4032
Dan: Dlkeidel@Me.com — 678-296-6976
There is no cost for the program.
Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
RELIGION —
Chapter two of Daniel is part of the historical section of the book (1-6) that features what are often referred to as “court stories.” These stories typically show how Daniel and his friends allow God to work in
their lives to solve some dilemma with the result being positive recognition for the Hebrews and the glorification of Yahweh. In the first chapter, it was avoiding the defiling food the Babylonians had for Daniel and his friends. In chapter two, the dilemma has to do with the disturbing dreams King Nebuchadnezzar that have resulted in sleepless nights for him and a sentence of death for others. These dreams have caused him to seek the help of his spiritual advisors. Specifically, he wants to know the significance of the dream he’s had. But it’s clear that he has something less than complete confidence in the ability of his advisors to truly do this and not gaslight him
(see v. 9), so his failsafe it to require that they first tell him what the dream was.
While the advisors seem supremely confident of their ability to come up with an explanation that will be pull the wool over the king’s eyes, they know he’s called their bluff by telling them they must also tell him what his dream was — there’s no wiggle room there and they simply don’t have that ability. No one does! Nebuchadnezzar effectively makes his problem theirs as he tells them if they can’t do this, he will have them and their families put to death. No pressure there. The spiritual advisors fold like the imposters and charlatans they are, and Nebuchadnezzar issues a decree for them and their
families to be put to death (v. 13).
When word of this reaches Daniel, he responds much differently than the king or his advisors. He is the only person in the chapter who keeps his composure. He does three things: he asks why the king issued the decree, he asks the king for more time, and he informs his three friends of what’s going on and urges them to pray to God for mercy. The fact that he asks the king for more time (and receives it), suggests that over the course of time he has had the opportunity to make a positive impression on the king. (Daniel 1 takes place in the ascension year of Nebuchadnezzar, which wasn’t counted as part of his reign, so the
ANGLICAN
The Good Shepherd Anglican Church
3015 Opelika Road, Opelika
APOSTOLIC HOLINESS
God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika
334-749-9672
BAPTIST
Beulah Baptist Church
5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538
AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn
334-887-8506
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Road Valley 334-710-2117
Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487
OBITUARIES >>
FOM A13
and Beau. Brother Larry Martin; sister Mary (Earl) Jackson and sister in law, Wanda Martin. Several nieces and nephews and one niece Jennifer (Toby) Taylor who he considered his other daughter.
Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents Colie Vincent and Hughie Martin; brothers Robert Martin and Donald Martin; and his only grandson Tyler Folds.
Eddie was a beloved father and Pawpaw, deeply devoted to his family. His
Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184
Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108
Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608
Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461
CHURCH OF CHRIST 10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181
Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721
Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015
daughter Amy refers to her Daddy as "the greatest man with the biggest heart." Eddie was a man of his word and was always there for anyone that needed him. Eddie was a very smart man who could fix anything. To know him was to love him even though he would speak what was on his mind. Despite all of his sickness he stayed so positive. His passing will have a huge impact on many but the memories of the loving man he was will remain. A celebration of life well lived, was Oct. 5, 2023, at Watoola Methodist Church.
CHURCH OF GOD Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432
EPISCOPAL- AME
Saint Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St., Opelika 334-749-1690
EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054
METHODIST
Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800
Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552
Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148
Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949
Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika
Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika
Southern Plains Cowboy Church 13099 U.S. Hwy. 280
second year of his reign in v. 1 would be the third year Daniel had been in Babylon).
Sharing this news with his friends and urging them to seek mercy from God doesn’t surprise us but it should inform us. It’s reminiscent of King Hezekiah laying out the threatening letter from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, in the temple as he prayed to God (2 Kings 19), as well as Peter’s counsel for us to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you,” (1 Peter 5:7).
When troubles come — and they will — turn to God!
You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com
The Lions Club of Opelika meets every Monday at noon at Western Sizzlin' in Opelika. Email gm.markley@ charter.net.
Waverly 334-401-1014
PENTECOSTAL Gateway Pentecostal Sanctuary 1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn 334-745-6926
PRESBYTERIAN Providence Presbyterian Church 1103 Glenn St., Opelika 256-405-8697
Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151
For [the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. — Colossians 1:13
CONTRIBUTED TO
OEPLIKA —
The Wood Duck Nature Preserve of Opelika will host its Piedmont Plateau Fall Bird Walk, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. There will be refreshments at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 8 a.m.
Please join friends from neighboring Piedmont counties for a casual bird walk to viewing blinds
around the lagoon. The distance may vary from one to two miles, your choice. The trails are dry and in great condition. The group will travel slowly, taking notes on all the wonders of nature.
This field trip coincides with the Fall Nature Walk also at Wood Duck Nature Preserve. FRIENDS of the Wood Duck Nature Preserve will provide guides to assist with field identification.
There will be several “loaner” binoculars for use. All levels of bird watching, and nature appreciation are welcome.
Wood Duck Nature Park is site No. 10 on the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail. Those interested should meet at the pavilion located on 3601 Waverly Parkway in Opelika, one-half mile from the Birmingham Highway/US 280. GPS N 32*39,193’ W 085*
OGrows Fall Market, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.
Harvest Market at Town Creek Park, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to noon.
The group meets every month on the third Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the AIDB-Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Opelika Regional Center on 355 Dunlop Drive in Opelika. Every month different topics are discussed to make life more manageable living with low vision. Contact Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, or Melody Wilson, case manager for the blind, at 256-368-3258.
DIETRICH >>
FROM A10
found his father lying in a pinewood box. He wept all over his old man. He whispered things into his father’s ear. Healing
things. Things he had been waiting a long time to say.
And 40 years later, when the kid told this story to me, he did so with red rings around his eyes. He is no longer a kid any-
more, but a father of three. I asked the kid whether he thought the old man in the grocery store was an angel.
“No,” the kid said. “I don’t think he was. I know he was.”
VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray's Collision off of South College Street, will be open on Wednesdays, 8 to 11 a.m. with coffee, donuts, cake and conversation about service and benefits for all veterans and spouses to stop by.
Auburn/Opelika MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and MOMSNext meet at Pepperell Baptist Church located at 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika.
The next meetings scheduled are:
- Oct. 19 - Nov. 2, 16
- Dec. 7
- Jan. 18 - Feb. 1, 15
- March 7, 21
- April 4, 18
- May 2
Contact Rachel Elrod at 706244-5620 or Kaela Sexton at 719351-8093 for further information.
NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Oct. 18, 2023, at 7 p.m. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn.
20:51.25 - Burch
Harris - 33rd
21:22.57 - Zane
Sexton - 40th
21:37.51 - Seth Huling - 45th
21:39.20 - Alexander
Burgess - 46th
21:53.61 - John Greer
-53rd
22:07.35 - Tripp
Campbell - 58th
23:39.41 -Teotl
Heredia - 73rd
23:42.77 - Daylan
Sanders - 74th
25:14.35- Ephraim
Thornton -87th
Opelika Middle School's girls and boys
Cross Country team ran in the Smiths Station
XC Inviatational last
Saturday in Smiths Station. The overall results for girls and boys are below:
LEE COUNTY —
Week six of high school football wrapped up lastweek. Glenwood and Loachapoka remain undefeated going into week seven.
Here is a recap of some of the games from the county.
AUBURN 13 | RAMSAY 7
Auburn High (5-1) "kicked" Ramsay 13-7 last Friday at Legion Field in Birmingham. AHS kicker Towns McGough made a 47 and a 57 yard field goal that proved to be the difference in the game. The Tigers only TD came on a Omar
See WEEK 6, page B4
BY ANDY LEE WHITE FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA —
BOYS 5000 METER RUN
17:14.32 - Brantley
Turnham - 1st
19:13.08 - Amari
Bynum - 11th
20:14.62 - Aiden
Stephens - 24th
20:20.68 - Caleb
Thornton - 25th
20:35.94 - Drew
Schoonoven - 28th
20:43.05 - Murphy
Williams - 30th
20:49.23 -Ben Bell
-32nd
13:04.26- Sutton
Soltau - 9th
13:17.07 - Aiden
Tidwell - 10th
14:27.08 - Katherine
Fernandez - 5th
14:35.32 - Ashton
Lester - 21st
15:57.32 - Shepherd
Railey - 27th
16:05.30
Kaleb Gilchrist - 28th See ON THE MARK, page
It was 50 years ago today; The first varsity football game between Lee Academy and Scott Preparatory School
Fifty years ago on Oct. 5, 1973, the Lee Academy Generals took on the Scott Prep Patriots in the first ever meeting between their varsity football teams. It was a historic moment in their storied rivalry, having played against each other in basketball but never football. If you had asked any of the players or coaches on either team that night if they could ever imagine the two schools eventually combining into one powerhouse, not one single player or coach could have predicted the future for these two rival schools.
The Lee-Scott Academy
Warriors of Auburn have been a powerhouse in varsity football for the last few years
with a storied history of state championships, most recently winning the AISA State
Football Championship in 2022. Long before LSA was a
See 50 YEARS, page B6
17-yard field goal , 1-PAT and kicked 2 in the endzone on kickoff's
J.J. Meyers
13 rushes, 161-yards
1-TD, blocked a punt, 5 tackles
Dallas Crow leads the team in total touchdowns, rushing yards per game and passing touchdowns.
SMITHS STATION —
On Friday night, the Glenwood Gators (5-0, 3-0) secured a dominant 48-18 win over the Valiant Cross Academy Warriors (0-4, 0-3).
“You know, coming off a bye week, we healed up,” said head coach Ryan Nelson
“We kind of got out the gates a little slow defensively, giving up a big play over there, but, you know, I was proud of where we responded, and offensively came up very efficient in the first half, so it’s good to come out and get back on the field.”
The Swamp was electric as Nelson and his men stormed the field for the homecoming game. With Friday’s win, the Gators continue to rule the AISA 3A region 3-0.
Glenwood's’ offense showcased its talent through the night.
Senior quarterback Dallas Crow showcased his arm with several impressive plays as he remained calm when pressured by Valiant. Crow is the Gators’ leader in total touchdowns, rushing yards per game and passing touchdowns.
Sophomore running back Carter Judah and senior wide receiver Brayden Gooden were consistent targets for Crow, allowing Judah and Gooden to showcase their athleticism. Judah had an outstanding night, securing two touchdowns and playing a dynamic part in the Gators’ offense.
“[Judah’s] been steady for us all year back there, and he’s only a sophomore, so I'm very proud of the way he played tonight,” Nelson said. “He had some dominant runs, some vicious runs out there, so the big thing for him was to just keep on getting better each and every week.”
Starting off the night, Crow passed the ball to Gooden to get the Gators on the board. However, the Warriors responded with an impressive one-handed catch from freshman wide receiver Deshawn Hall, making the score 7-6.
That play from Valiant wasn’t enough to keep the score close because Glenwood took the lead and never looked back, keeping a massive lead the entire game. The Warriors gained some momentum in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.
Glenwood’s defense was off to a slow start, allowing Valiant room to score, but after that first drive, the Gators maintained constant pressure on the Warriors’ quarterback, Jordan Archie.
“We were a little sluggish out there tonight on both sides of the ball, so we just got to get back to that level that we were playing before the break, and that’s just the expectation for me,” Nelson said.
Discipline was a huge problem for the Warriors during the game. Every time the Warriors made an impressive drive, they would be brought back to their starting position because of a reckless penalty.
Valiant’s frustration was evident with excessive pushing and shoving at the scrimmage line, but Glenwood maintained its calm as its offense drove down the field.
The Gators remain undefeated, with the offense and defense showcasing their strengths on the field as Glenwood hopes to secure a spot in the region championship.
“We’re just trying to, you know, continue to win, and hopefully, we
See GATORS, page B8
Auburn - Gracie Mason -Softball
Beauregard - Ava Kendrick- Cheerleader
Beauregard -Brandon BAM Dixon- Football
Lee-Scott Academy - Mary Brentley Moore - Dance Team
Homeschool - Lily Bradshaw - Cheerleader for Southern Christian Athletics
Homeschool - Knox Newland - Swimming
Trintiy Christian - Annelise Lowe - Volleyball
All winners will receive a voucher for a meal from Mr. Gatti's Pizza in downtown Opelika. Vouchers will be delievered to the schools when applicable. Homeschool students should contact The Observer at editor@ opelikaobserver.com.
Photographs of winners not shown were not available.
Madson 57-yard run in the third quarter. Ramsay only generated 221 offensive yards and AHS forced two turnovers.
The Rams scored their only TD on a 64-yard pass. Omar Madson broke free for a 57-yard run in the third quarter.
Auburn travels to Bulldog Stadium to play Opelika in a huge region game. This will be the 101st game between the two rivals and ironically both teams have won 47 games apeace and 3 games ended in a tie. Kickoff is set for 7pm at Bulldog Stadium.
ACADEMY 12
LSA improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Region after thumping Autauga Academy, 38-12 in Prattville last Friday. The Generals took the opening drive down to the
LSA 10-yardline behind a strong rushing attack but fumbled on first and goal.
The Warriors recovered the fumble and the offense marched 90-yards to score their first of many points.
Lee-Scott was led by running back/linebacker Jonathan " JJ " Meyers.
The senior rushed for 161-yards, scored a TD, blocked a punt and made five tackles while playing linebacker. Jake White caught 10 catches for 132-yards, Pelzer Reeves was 16 of 22 for 228-yards and threw two TD's. The Warriors piled up 455-yards total yards.
Lee-Scott (5-1, R3-1) will host Valiant Crossing (0-5) on senior night at Jud Scott Field.
CHRISTIAN 30
The Beulag Bobcats lost a tough game against Prattville Christian, 30-21. Neither team were held scoreless until both teams scored 14-points in the second quarter. PCA scored
16-points straight points to pull ahead for good.
Bobcat junior Demarion Foreman rushed for 109-yards , passed for 108 yards and scored 3-TD's. Receiver MJ Walton added 118-yards and kicker Javian Cobb made all 3 extra points.
The Bobcats will host Dadeville, Friday at 7p in a region game.
OTHER SCORES
BRHS v. Smiths Station 34-23
Reeltown beat Cleburn County 68-3 Handley beat Lanett 4227 and Pike Lib beat Notasulga 31-8.
OTHER UPCOMING GAMES
Central hosts Dothan, BRHS at Carroll, Valley at Central Clay, Reeltown at Lanett, Dadeville at Beulah, LaFayette at Horseshow Bend, Lochapoka v. Calhoun (at Beauregard High), Notasulga at Verbena, Glenwood at Monroe and Chambers at Abbeville Christian.
BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
FROM B1
16:19.81 -Ally Corbitt - 7th 17:37.54 -Alieah
Nelms -10th
18:07.60 - Jordan
Alcorn - 33rd
19:02.06 - Sophia
Tucker -14th
OPELIKA FALLS TO 3-3
AFTER THEODORE LOSS
Theodore High School football team (4-2) used a strong rushing game to beat Opelika (3-3) 16-10 last Friday in Theodore. The Bobcats piled up 264 rushing yards and their defense limited the Bulldogs to 65 rushing
yards and 129 passing yards.
OHS scored the ten points off a 42-yard TD pass and a 17-field goal from Johnnie Cesena. The Bobcats, under Hall of Fame coach Steve Mask, made three 17 yard field goals and scored 1-TD to earn the win. Bulldog
Quarterback Roman Gaglian was 12 of 24 for 129-yards and a TD.
AUBURN VISITS BULLDOG STADIUM IN ANNUAL CLASH (GAME NUMBER 101) Opelika host rival Auburn Friday night at Bulldog in a key Region game. AHS head coach Keith Etheredge has won 177 games and
lost 55 in 17-years as a head coach and has five AHSAA football State Championship .
Auburn (5-1, R 3-1) is on a four game winning stear after losing to Enterprise on a last second fieldgoal in week two. The Tigers starting quarterback was injured early in the Enterprise game and is out for several weeks after undergoing surgery. The Tigers turned to Henry Allen, a senior baseball player, to play QB along with three sophomores. Allen has received the blunt of the snaps over the last three games, although they all have
played.
Auburn opened the season with a 39-14 win at Hoover, lost to Enterprise 17-16, beat Dothan 17-16 on 2OT, beat JAG 46-0, Percy Julian 48-13 and Ramsay 13-7.
Friday nights' game will be the 101st meeting betwen Auburn and Opelika. Ironically, Opelika and Auburn have 97 wins apiece and three games ended in a tie. Coach Etheredge is 3-0 against OHS but the series is 5-5 in the last ten games. Bulldog head coach Erik Speakman is 46-22 overall and 1-3 against Auburn.
The winner of this game will remain the hunt for home field playoff game with Central and Dothan.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. The game is expected to be a sellout, but if tickets are available you can purchase at the stadium ticket office starting at 5:30.
Fans can listen to the game on WKKR 97.7 KICKER FM, online at kickerfm.com and on the iheartradio app. The game is live streamed on nfhsnetwork.com.
WRESTLING TEAM HOLDING
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
The OHS wrestling
team is holding a "Pickleball Tournament" Oct. 20 and 21 to raise money for the program. The entry fee is $50 for singles and $100 for doubles. For more information or to enter the tournament contact David Simpson at OHS, 334-745-9715 or email david.simpson@opelika. schools.org
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.
AUBURN —
With 2:52 seconds remaining in the game and the score tied 20-20, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers caught a 12-yard pass at the Auburn 27-yard line from Bulldog QB Carson Beck and weaved his way across the field and into the end zone, punctuating a monster fourth quarter performance by the All-American and breaking the hearts of the upset-minded Tigers who did not seem to have an answer for the future NFL first-round pick in crunch time. When the game was on the line, and the pesky, but undermanned Tigers, were threatening the visiting Bulldogs’ 21-game winning streak, Bowers reeled
consistent contender for state titles, its namesakes were both contenders in their own right.
In 1981, the Lee Academy Rebels of Auburn and the Scott Preparatory School Patriots of Opelika merged to form Lee-Scott Academy. Before the merger, Lee Academy played ten years of varsity football from 1972-81, winning a state championship in 1975, and SPS played eleven years of varsity football from 1971-1981, winning a state championship in 1977.
Lee Academy opened its doors to students in 1967 and SPS followed in 1970. The schools had played against each other in basketball since the first year SPS was in operation, but until 1973 there hadn’t been a varsity football game between these two intense inner Lee County rivals. Lee Academy was in only its second year of varsity football, having gone 3-7 in its initial 1972 season under coach Chuck Barber.
SPS was in its third year of varsity football, fielding an impressive 9-1 record its first season in 1971 under coach Bob Boothe and a 5-5 record in 1972 under coach Ron Webster.
SPS hired veteran coach Wayne Proffitt over the summer of 1973 and had great expectations for him to bring the same success he had experienced at his previous school in southwest Georgia, where he had recently won a state championship in both football and basketball. He would inherit a team with 29 players and only three seniors.
Lee Academy’s second year 26-year-old coach, Chuck Barber, had 24 players on his roster, six of them seniors.
The Aug. 17, 1973, announcement that the two schools would finally meet on the gridiron was covered in a half page article in the local paper, mentioning that both schools had to cancel games
in four catches for 121 yards and the game-winning TD.
“Brock’s a good player, a really good player,” said Auburn LB Eugene Asante about Bowers. “He’s an All-American for a reason. We just put him in different situations where different people were covering him, and he did a really good job. So kudos to him and to what type of tight end he is. He’s a great tight end.”
Georgia won the coin toss and deferred its decision to the second half giving Auburn the ball to open the game for the second game in a row. And for the second game in a row, the Tigers went threeand-out.
The Tigers gave up a first down on Georgia’s opening offensive possession but
forced a punt which pinned Auburn deep in its territory. Taking over at their own seven-yard line, the Auburn offense looked impressive on an 84-yard drive culminating in a 27-yard Alex McPherson field goal giving the underdog Tigers a 3-0 lead.
Two plays into the following Georgia drive, Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson got his nation-leading fourth interception of the season, giving the Tiger defense a turnover in its seventh consecutive game going back to last season. The interception was the defense’s sixth on the season, matching last season’s total. Simpson’s pick set the Tigers up just inside Bulldog territory, which led to the first touchdown of the game. Aided by a fourth down conversion on a Payton
Thorne run, the Tiger offense drove the ball to the Georgia five-yard line, with Jarquez Hunter finding pay dirt on a
tough inside run, putting the home team up 10-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Georgia would use a 41-yard
kickoff return as a catalyst to an 11-play, 56-yard drive
in order to clear a spot on their schedules for each other. Even though they were both small private schools, the intensity of the rivalry was staggering.
Several players from both teams knew each other from prior youth sports teams and three of Scott Prep’s players had transferred from Lee to Scott over the past couple of years. Those transfers would be valuable to SPS with none more so than senior workhorse for the Patriot offense, Boykin Smith.
The summer before his junior year in 1972, when Smith left Lee Academy bound for Scott Prep, he also left behind one of his all-time best friends and fellow teammate, Ricky Dorris. The next time the two would meet again on a football field would be a year and a half later when on Oct. 5, 1973, the undefeated Lee Academy Generals visited the Scott Prep Patriots at Scott’s home field in Opelika (where West Forrest Intermediate School now exists on Waverly Parkway).
Lee Academy came into the game undefeated, riding a four game win streak, and ranked sixth in the state’s private school rankings.
Dorris, the Generals superstar running back, entered the game leading the state in rushing yards, having already had games of 195, 188, 314 and 97 yards for a 198.5 yards per game average. Dorris had finished as the third leading rusher in the state the previous year. Scott Prep entered the game ranked twelfth in the state with a 3-1-1 record
having just upset undefeated Dixie Academy the week before, when Smith romped for 178 yards rushing.
The level of Lee Academy’s competition in its first four games of 1973 was considered questionable by Scott Prep, as the Patriots felt like they had already faced tougher opponents than Lee, were a better team overall and had larger players at most every position. Barber knew his team was grossly undersized, that the Patriots would be well coached and that his star running back, Dorris, would probably be double or triple covered everywhere he stepped during the game.
On the night of that first historic meeting between Lee County’s two elite private schools, Lee Academy’s Barber made the first of two calls that would change the tone of the game before the two teams even saw each other. The first call wasn’t actually a play call, but more of a psychological mind game. Barber, knowing that Scott Prep was a much more physical team than his and working off the premise that Scott might even be expecting Lee Academy to be somewhat intimidated by them, didn’t have his team arrive at the game until fifteen minutes before kickoff. Lee Academy had warmed up in Auburn at their school before riding to Scott Prep’s home field in Opelika, hoping to lull the Patriots into thinking they might be a no-show. Barber didn’t even tell the parents of his players what he was doing. Everyone at the game that night wondered if the Generals were going to show up until finally, fifteen minutes before
kickoff, the Lee Academy bus rolled in and parked behind the bleachers on its side of the field.
Barber remembers pulling up in the team bus and seeing Scott Prep’s players standing on the field with steam coming off their bodies after having already warmed up and were waiting to see if their opponents were going to show. All 24 Lee Academy players exited the bus, walked to the sideline, and then all 24 walked to midfield as team captains. Scott Prep sent out three captains, Boykin Smith was one of them. Lee Academy won the toss and chose to receive. Barber was ready for his second pre-kickoff call; a masterful kickoff return he thought would work against the Patriots after having viewed game film of their kick coverage.
Scott Prep kicked off and Dorris caught the ball at his own 16-yard line. Barber had called a cross block on the kickoff with blockers crossing from one side of the field clear across to the opposite side to open up an alley down the middle of the field. The return setup worked perfectly as Dorris raced untouched 84 yards down the middle of the field for a touchdown on the opening kickoff. Everyone in attendance was stunned. Lee Academy had just stepped off the bus a few minutes earlier and seemingly without any warm-ups, had just scored the first time they touched the ball. Scott Prep realized that this young coach and his undersized team had come to play. SPS did exactly as Barber thought it was going to do
that night; it had two players follow Dorris everywhere he went during the game. Barber threw Scott’s defense off with a lot of pre-snap motion and some creative play calling. Keying on Dorris limited him to just 34 yards on 17 carries for the game, well below his average, but he connected on a timely 44-yard halfback pass, had more than 100 return yards and scored two touchdowns.
Smith was the machine for Scott Prep in that first meeting between the two schools picking up 181 yards in 35 carries and scoring a TD, along with intercepting a pass and running it back 45 yards to the one before taking it in for a touchdown on the next play.
The game was a slugfest with Lee Academy losing a fumble that killed a potential scoring drive deep in SPS’s territory, and with Scott Prep losing two fumbles of its own, deep in Lee’s territory. Scott’s starting junior quarterback Sam Starr, who was one of the transfers from Lee Academy to Scott Prep just a few years earlier, had his collarbone broken during the first half of the game, but continued to play. Most every play in the game had either Dorris or Smith carrying the ball, throwing the ball, catching the ball or had one of them making the tackle (often times making the tackle on each other). At one point Dorris dropped Smith for a ten-yard loss and later Smith returned the insult by intercepting a
Dorris halfback pass. The game could have been billed as Dorris versus Smith.
Lee Academy pulled off the biggest upset in the history of the series between these schools that night fifty years ago, defeating the Scott Prep Patriots 21-19. The win moved Lee up to fourth in the state as its record improved to 5-0. Lee would win the next game after defeating Scott Prep making it 6-0 but then dropped the final four games. A late season forfeit for an ineligible player in a game it lost gave Lee a win back, ending the season 7-3. Scott dropped to 3-2-1 after the loss to Lee Academy and would finish the year at 5-4-1. Dorris led the state in rushing that year, picking up 1,428 yards with Springwood’s Donnie Merritt finishing a close second and Scott Prep’s Smith finishing third.
This week in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the first meeting between Lee Academy and Scott Prep, Barber hosted a “fifty year film review” at his home in Opelika with his former star Dorris and Scott Prep’s legendary running back, Smith in attendance. The original 16mm black and white film was projected, giving three of the main characters from the historic game one more chance to relive that night. The respect that Dorris has held for Barber over the years was still clearly evident as was Barber’s continued awe of Dorris’ athletic prowess as a young man. The friendship that Dorris and Smith shared together over fifty years ago that began as teammates at Lee Academy and temporarily shifted to competitive rivals (after Smith transferred to Scott Prep), still exists today. After all, they did arrive together in the same pickup truck for coach Barber’s fiftieth anniversary film showing, though Smith was quick to point out, “We should have beat Lee by thirty.” Friendships can last forever, but some rivalries never die.
AUBURN —
Eighty Auburn University (AU) students reaped the benefits of the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF) during the Alabama Farmers Federation annual scholarship reception Sept. 25 at Lazenby Farms in Auburn.
AU junior Faith Lane spoke on behalf of her peers and thanked the Federation for its investment in the future of the country.
“For more than 50 years, the Federation has provided scholarships to individuals preparing for careers in agriculture and forestry,” Lane, who was raised on a multigenerational farm in Lowndes County, said. “These scholarships are not just money received to earn a degree. These scholarships are the gateway for the next generation of leaders.”
As the cost of college tuition continues to increase, scholarships help fill in the gaps, Lane said.
“I always dreamed of attending AU and majoring in agriculture so that, one
AU
TIGERS >>
giving Georgia its first points of the game on a two-yard plunge by RB Dijon Edwards.
Auburn followed up with another three-and-out, and Georgia kept the offensive momentum going with a 10-play 61-yard drive that resulted in a field goal to tie the game 10-10.
The Tigers had an opportunity to take a lead into halftime, but Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze eschewed a chip shot field goal attempt from the Georgia 12-yard line in favor of going for it on fourth down. After seeing Hunter stuffed for no gain on an inside run on the previous play, the offensive coaches called another inside run that was out of sorts from the start owing to a high snap. Just
day, I could give back to my community,” she said. “The Federation has helped me make my dream a reality.”
Lane is a member of AU Young Farmers, Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association, Ag Ambassadors and Ag Student Council. She is pursuing a degree in agricultural business and economics.
“These scholarships encourage us to be lifelong advocates for the agricultural industry in Alabama,” Lane said. “Thank you, Alfa, for investing in our education and our lives.”
During the program, over
like the play on third down, Hunter was stuffed at the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs.
Georgia received the opening second-half kickoff, but the drive was short-lived as Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris forced a fumble after a seven-yard catch and run on the first offensive play of the half. The fumble was recovered by linebacker Jalen McLeod at the Georgia 32-yard line. Auburn parlayed the takeaway into a three-play drive that ended in a touchdown by QB Robby Ashford, giving the Tigers a 17-10 lead.
On Georgia’s next drive, the Tiger defense appeared to have forced its second turnover in as many plays, but the call was overturned when replay review determined the runner was down prior to the fumble. The teams traded punts, and Auburn punter
$150,000 was awarded through a special partnership between AFAF and county Farmers Federations. The program provides $1,750 scholarships to land-grant university students.
“Anytime your child receives money for school, it is a blessing,” said Blount County’s Amy Burgess, a parent of scholarship recipient Abby Burgess. “My daughter has worked hard to master her 4-H, FFA and Jr. Cattlemen Association projects. This award comes full circle for her and the goals she set for herself.”
Oscar Chapman came up big, pinning the Bulldogs at their own two-yard line. However, the Georgia offense was unfazed, ripping off a 16-yard run on first down, which spurred on a 10-play 98-yard drive culminating in a 13-yard run by Edwards with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter knotting the score at 17-17.
The Tigers would fall behind for the first time in the game early in the fourth quarter when Georgia kicked a 38yard field goal. The Auburn offense, however, answered back immediately with a 51yard drive of its own, ending in a McPherson field goal, to even the score at 20-20 with 6:21 left in the game.
Georgia, though, would take the lead for good on its following possession marching 75 yards in seven plays, with Bowers adding the exclamation point with a
Burgess expressed her gratitude to the Federation and AFAF for pouring into generations of “movers and shakers” in the agricultural industry.
The current generation includes students who were awarded special scholarships honoring individuals who played an integral part in the agriculture industry. William Bradberry of Cullman County received the Donaldson Memorial Scholarship; Savannah Busby received the Jimmy Witt Memorial Scholarship; and the Mike Henry Memorial
40-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
With 2:52 on the clock, Auburn garnered a first down, but any hope of an upset ended four plays later when, on fourth down and nine, Thorne threw an interception with 1:28 left on the game clock. There was no sugar-coating the near miss in the postgame Auburn locker room.
“Really, really proud of our kids, but it hurts in there right now, and that’s good to see,” Freeze said. “It hurts; it hurts those kids and our coaches and our fans, I’m sure, too. You have a chance to beat the number one team in the country and back-toback national champions at home. The feeling that you get if you can pull that off is just ecstatic, and you can certainly build off of that, and hopefully, we can build off of the way we played better
Scholarship was awarded to Blount County’s Corley Williams.
Additionally, Will Cowan of Lee County received the Alabama Catfish Producers Scholarship.
Federation President Jimmy Parnell encouraged the group of recipients to focus on the importance of hard work, think critically and create a good network.
“I want to challenge each of you to stretch — think outside the box and try new things,” Parnell, an alumnus of the AU College of Agriculture. said. “You
today. But it hurts, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t find a way to get it done today, but I am really proud of our kids.”
Thorne weighed in on the painful loss.
“Yeah, it’s extremely difficult, extremely disappointing, extremely frustrating. I thought that we should have won the game, to be honest. I give credit to them, though, obviously. They’re a great team, two-time defending champs. You know they’re rolling over there. But it was frustrating, I feel like we let it slip away.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Georgia snapped Auburn’s four-game home win streak against No.1 teams. (Oct. 13, 2001 vs. Florida, Nov. 20, 2013 vs. Alabama, Nov. 11, 2017 vs. Georgia, Nov. 25, 2017 vs. Alabama) Georgia was 6-7 on third
are the next generation of agriculture, and you have tremendous opportunities in front of you.”
Scholarships from the Federation have been awarded to AU students since 1983. AFAF was founded in 2009 as a platform to support agricultural education and is primarily funded through Ag Tag sales.
The 2024-2025 scholarship application opens Nov. 1 and can be found at AlfaFarmers. org/scholarships.
View more photos from the event on the Federation's Flickr and Facebook pages.
down conversions of seven or more yards.
Auburn’s first third down conversion of the game came in the third quarter. It was the Tigers’ first third quarter third down conversion all season.
Auburn led or was tied for 52:39 of the game.
Auburn has failed to pass for 100 yards in six consecutive games against Power Five opponents dating back to last season.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Offense — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia with eight receptions, 157 yards, TD Defense — Marcus Harris, DL, Auburn with seven tackles (five solo), two tackles for loss, forced fumble, pass break up.
NEXT UP
It is beginning to look like Autumn in the faces of young children. Smiles, more energy, cool air, beautiful Autumn leaves and jackets and sweaters needed. When I was a younger mom, an older lady in the Opelika community — who was my friend and mentor — offered me an opportunity to come glean from her garden.. When she and her husband left for the mountains for a fall trip, she invited this stay-at-home mom over to glean their garden of any vegetables and fruits that were left over while they were gone.
My toddler and I had the best time going to glean their garden and as a young family we truly enjoyed the fresh vegetables and fruits. We did preschool lessons on colors, learning different vegetables and fruits. It was an experience outreach, that this older Mom and grown son still remember. Our community is such a giving community to young families. We welcome the month of October. It offers many celebrations and activities that we can glean fun learning activities for our children and families. Child Health Month, International
Walk To School Month, National Clock Month, Emotional Wellness Month , National Book Club Month and National Reading Group Club are recognized and celebrated during this month.
Autumn offers us favorable, beautiful, cool days to walk. We Baby Boomers and The Greater Generation would walk to and from school. I can remember walking home from school. My mother was a teacher and I would walk home from Northside Elementary so I didn't have to stay late while teachers graded their papers and got ready for the next day. Back during the days when Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation were going to school, it was safer to walk home daily from school.
“International Walk To School Day” is a worldwide global event that many schools and communities participate in. Families can plan neighborhood walks with their communities.
Annually, “International Walk To School Day” is the first Wednesday of October but we can celebrate this event the whole month of
October.
Children love to walk because they can explore and notice nature as they walk. It is so much fun and exciting to meet people of all ages in our communities. Family walking is good exercise that lowers stress, makes a child happier, makes a child more focused on learning new concepts and it helps to improve moods, which contributes to a good self-image and self-esteem. Classroom teachers love to take their classes out for Autumn walks to look at the sky, nature, plants and animals. Walking also contributes to emotional wellness. October is recognized as Emotional Wellness Month.
“National Clock Month” is also celebrated during the month of October. Clocks reminds us of time spent with our children. Spending one-on-one time with children strengthens the trusted bond between children and their families and friends for a lifetime. Time spent with our children spells LOVE.
National Book Month is also in October. Reading has so many benefits.
Vocabulary increases as we read and learn new words. Memories and comprehension are exercised as our brain remembers the characters in the book, how the plot unfolds and other details that contribute to the story. It is wonderful for young children to have sensory and mental stimulation through reading books. As a teacher, I love to see young eyes and ears focus on reading stories which capture their attention.
Reading books to your children is such a good family activity. Choosing a night to read and share a good book strengthens family relations for different ages within the family. Provide books around your home. Too, providing books, newspapers and magazines reinforces the importance of reading and the enjoyment of reading.
I love to go to our local libraries. The staff at libraries are so very helpful at guiding parents and children to the books children show interest in. They are so helpful to this early childhood teacher in choosing books on different
subjects to read to preschool classrooms. Show or model to children how much you enjoy reading. Share and show pictures with them on what you are reading and ask them to read along with you. Have you ever noticed how the Greatest Generation of our society consists of avid readers. I see them reading in libraries, at home and outside when it is pretty. They know where wisdom comes from.
October is recognized as “National Reading Group Month.” Its mission is to promote the value of books and reading by gathering a group of friends to form a book club which can provide fellowship with new friends where you can read passages from a chosen book and discuss the content. It is a good way to welcome people who are new to our community.
Let’s get out and enjoy this beautiful Autumn season.
Beth Pinyerd has served as an Early Childhood teacher for many years. She hold a masters’ degree in early childhood education.
ALABAMA —
Another "food fight" is underway as the annual Beat ‘Bama Food Drive kicked off on Sept. 29. For the past 29 years, Auburn University and the University of Alabama have competed
with each other prior to the Iron Bowl to see who could raise the most food for their local food bank. It began as a relatively small-scale event and has grown to become one of the largest food drives in the state.
Last year, Alabama took the win with a record-setting 565,983 pounds of donated
foods compared to 550,117 pounds for Auburn. Together, more than 1 million pounds were collected.
This year’s competition runs from Sept. 29 through Nov. 16 and it promises to be fierce. Donated food will be used to help the food bank’s senior programs, soup kitchens, emergency
food pantries, missions and rehabilitation centers that are served by the Food Bank of East Alabama and the West Alabama Food Bank.
You can help. The competition is primarily a student-organized activity, but is strongly supported by the local community, with food drives at many
local businesses and public schools. Also, a number of local grocery stores help to facilitate community donations by allowing the food bank to place barrels in the store lobby during the food drive.
Locations of collection barrels (updated regularly):
• Kroger – Auburn
• Kroger – Opelika
• Sam’s Club
• Winn-Dixie – Opelika
• Winn-Dixie – Auburn
• Auburn-Opelika Tourism
• Bitty and Beaus
• Domain – Auburn
• First Year Experience
• Homecare of East Alabama Health
• Irritable Bao
• Max Fitness
• Stacks
• Stamp Auburn
• The Yard
• Top Hat Chimney Sweeps
• Whataburger
• Food Bank of East Alabama, Auburn
• Community Market, Opelika
• Numerous locations on Auburn University campus
For a list of updated donation locations, visit www. foodbankofeastalabama.com and click on “Beat ‘Bama Food Drive 2023”.
GATORS >>
FROM B4
can win and hopefully find a way to clinch the region championship and just keep on trying to play good ball,” Nelson said.
The Gators head to Monroeville to face Monroe Academy (24) on Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. EST. The Warriors continue their road trip to Greenville to take on Fort Dale Academy (4-1) on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. CST
from their neck of the words, especially their county.
My early prediction is that Montgomery Mayor, Steven Reed, will be the Democratic nominee and will be the favorite to win the new seat.
OPINION —
It’s official and final, Alabama will elect our seven member congressional delegation under new lines next year. The federal court has spoken. The special master drawing the lines has acted and the final omnipotent power, the U.S. Supreme Court, has concurred and confirmed the decision. It is over.
The result that the plaintiffs desired has been decreed by the courts. There will be a new second majority Black Congressional district. This accomplishment has been sought for decades.
Now, the question becomes, can the Democrats succeed in electing a Black Democrat to this new opportunity district. It is not a slam dunk. The new district is 50% Black and 50% white. It favors a Montgomery candidate. The bulk of the population and the geographic center of the new district is Montgomery county. Montgomerians are like the rest of the state; they adhere to the wellknown predilection known as “friends and neighbors” politics. That means they prefer to vote for someone
The special master that drew the new lines attached an index to his maps that revealed that if there were a congressional race within this new district that this district would have voted for the Democrat in 15 out of 17 of the last 17 elections.
Therefore, the court’s desire to make a second minority Democratic district where a Democrat has a good opportunity to win has been accomplished.
The entire basis of this high profile federal case has been centered around the fact that Alabama has one Black Democratic Congressperson, Terri Sewell, and six white Republicans. One Black Democrat constitutes 14% of the state’s population. The plaintiff’s argument that the state’s Black population is 27%.
Therefore, there should be two Black Democratic congressional seats in the Heart of Dixie. The courts bought that argument and hung their hat on the 1965 Voting Rights Act and having one seat rather than two violates and dilutes Black voters in Alabama’s voting rights.
The question now becomes, what are the down home political implications and results of these court mandated new congressional lines.
All of you who live in middle and north Alabama, which is most of you, are
unaffected. The majority of the people in Alabama, who live in Birmingham north are not affected. In fact, everyone north of Montgomery is unaffected. All of the commotion and redrawing has occurred in Montgomery, the Black Belt, the Wiregrass and Mobile.
Our three powerful Republican congressmen are left with basically their same districts. Republicans Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers and Gary Palmer, who are our centers of power in the House, have their same if not enhanced GOP districts. Huntsville’s freshman congressman, Dale Strong’s district is unchanged.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s Democratic district has been favored in the drawings. She has a perfectly drawn district that pretty much mirrors her current Birmingham based seat. She will probably be spared a Republican challenge. However, State Sen. Bobby Singleton, who hails from the Black Belt, may challenge her in a Democratic primary out of spite. He wanted a district that favored him but lost to Sewell in the legislative battles over the drawing of the new Black district.
The real rubber meets the road within the Republican ranks in the Wiregrass, and Mobile and Baldwin counties. The five Wiregrass counties of Covington, Dale, Geneva, Houston and Coffee are sent to Baldwin and Mobile. Therefore, new Congressmen Jerry Carl from Mobile and Barry
See FLOWERS, page B10
AUBURN —
The Auburn City Council met Tuesday night and approved a contract with the CARE Humane Society for over $187,460.
The CARE Humane Society used to be known as the Lee County Humane Society. See page A1 for more details on that.
The amount is set for fiscal year (FY) 24 while FY25 will be determined at a later date.
“The contract includes sheltering for animals surrendered to CARTE Humane Society by Auburn citizens as well as the city’s animal control officers,” said a memorandum from City Manager
OTHER BUSINESS:
-The council announced two board vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
- The council approved a request for a special retail alcohol beverage license for Cafe Devall LLC doing business as the Corner Office located at 540 Devall Drive. The request replaces the request approved during the Sept. 5, 2023 meeting.
- The council approved a retail beer ABC license for Winner K Golf Inc. doing business as Golf Indoor Range at 1212 Gatewood Drive, Suites A3, A4 and A5.
- The council approved a business license penalty waiver request for Auburn Student Apartments LLC.
- The council approved a development agreement with 68V Preserve LLC for The Preserve Phases 6 and 7.
- The council approved the purchase of one 2023 T86 T4 Bobcat compact track loader with mulcher from the Clark Equipment Company doing business as Bobcat Company for the Water Resource Management Department for over $139,100.
- The council approved the purchase of a 2023 John Deere 5075E Cab Utility Tractor with Rotary Cutter from Deere & Company for the Water Resource Management Department for over $56,800.
- The council approved the purchase of an Intermat
See AUBURN COUNCIL, page B13
OPELIKA —
During Tuesday night's Opelika City Council meeting, several employees were recognized with service awards. The employees with 25 years or more of service to the city are:
- Anita Burton, 35 years, Opelika Public Library
- Desmond Boswell (25), Environmental Services
- Kyle Burdette (25), OPD and Ronald Reese (25), OPS.
Also, during the meeting a proclamation was read and presented to James (Jim) D. Powell Jr. for his work in the community.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
- The council approved
a request for a downtown street closure for the Pumpkin Painting Festival at Courthouse Square on Oct. 21.
- The council held a public hearing for the demolition of a structure located at 3807 Heritage Place. Owner of the property, Bill Jones, Jr., addressed the council during the public hearing requesting a cancellation of the request for demolition of the property due to a "change in his circumstances."
Council President
Eddie Smith told Jones that the council would still vote on the resolution but would allow Jones time to discuss the situation with City Building Inspector Jeff Kappleman.
Ward 3 Council
Member Tim Aja asked if the property could be
repaired to the point of being considered livable to which Kappleman answered saying that the house was not livable and that no one was living in the home.
The council then voted to approve the motion to demolish the structure. Following the vote to approve the demolition his property, Jones voiced his objection from his seat. He continued to argue the matter while in the audience and eventually was escorted out of the meeting by an Opelika Police Department officer.
According to Aja, City Administrator Joey Motley spoke with Jones following the meeting regarding the issue. Jones could not be reached for comment
See OPELIKA COUNCIL, page B14
will be regardless of the state in which they died and immediately remove them from our voter rolls.”
AVID is a fourpart system that the SOS office spent developing to sustain an uncontaminated and accurate registered voter list. AVID has four aspects: an inter-agency agreement with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, National Change of Address File, cooperative agreements with other states and analysis of the Social Security Death Index.
Ramaswamy who is just 37, thinks he can gain more of the youth vote. How? By proposing a constitutional amendment that would require citizens 18 to 24 to pass a civics test in order to vote — just as is needed to become naturalized U.S. citizens. He proposes that young Americans could, instead, serve six months with the military or firstresponders. If none of these requirements are met, these individuals would have to wait until age 25 before they vote.
Allen, 48, has addressed the problem since he was sworn into office in January. Elected in 2022, he had been a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2018-2022. He has a bachelors from the University of Alabama and a masters from Troy University. As probate judge for Pike County (2009-2018), he supervised many elections; this made him a creditable candidate for secretary of state.
Soros is now 93 years old. Commendably, he has (as of 2022) donated 64% of his original fortune, which was $8.6 billion. Forbes magazine called him “the most generous giver” based on his net worth and the share of it that he has provided to charities and foundations. But Soros became a subject of multiple conspiracy theories, from antisemitic (he is Jewish) to having ERIC corrupting elections, which Wes Allen believes.
OPINION —
“It doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t matter what I feel, the dead are still dead,” so said a guard who allowed hundreds of women and children to die in The Reader (2008). I have lived in five U.S. states (Rhode Island, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and New York.) In each, people joked after an election
that deceased people voted. After Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen oversaw changes to the voter list, finding a dead voter’s name on a ballot will be rare.
“The Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID) will allow us for the first time in our state’s history, to identify people who are currently on our voter list who have passed away,” Allen said at a Sept. 8 press conference at the Capitol. “This
Just as states like Alabama are taking voting laws seriously, a Republican presidential candidate is proving himself foolish when it comes to “one man, one vote.” Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy also does not know how difficult a constitutional amendment is to get ratified. Only 27 have been added to the U.S. Constitution, and the most recent one was thirty one years ago.
Somehow,
Even if Ramaswamy were elected, this amendment would probably fade away due to the Constitution being so tough to add to. It requires either a twothirds majority in the House and Senate or be requested by two-thirds of the states. It would still have to be ratified by three-quarters of the states. Good luck with that in 2025, President Vivek.
Election integrity is admirable when pursued sensibly. Secretary
Allen withdrew Alabama from membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). He said the $25,000 membership fee wasted taxpayer dollars and stated Alabamians would not agree to their information being used by ERIC to maintain accurate voter rolls. Allen also was concerned the seed money used to start ERIC was tied to organizations funded by billionaire George Soros.
A HungarianAmerican businessman,
CONTRIBUTED BY JODY BOULAY
OPINION —
October is National Substance Use Prevention Month, an ideal time to promote and adapt prevention and education messaging to reach as many people as possible. Drug education saves lives and can reach countless people.
Amid the ongoing opioid epidemic, prevention and education campaigns in Alabama and reliable information about opioids play a crucial role in preventing overdose and drug addiction.
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are fueling the worst drug problem in the nation's history. Opioids have become the leading cause of fatal overdose in the country.
Most people know the opioid epidemic began with overprescribing pain medication like OxyContin in the early 1990s, followed by Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. The problem persisted in waves with pain medication, a resurgence of heroin and then illegally manufactured synthetic opioids.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation.
Border closures and supply chain issues forced drug users to rely on local suppliers and unknown drugs. Lockdowns and social isolation resulted in more people using drugs alone without access to early intervention or support.
Alabama has experienced an alarming increase in fentanylrelated overdose deaths in recent years. In 2019, there were over 190 deaths; by 2022, this reached over 830 deaths. Most of these deaths are attributed to fentanyl.
Preventative messaging can have a real impact and save many lives. Essential
messages like fentanyl can be hidden in drugs, which is a leading factor behind accidental overdose death.
Illegally manufactured fentanyl is commonly made into counterfeit pain medication and sold on social media platforms. Drug dealers use code words and emojis to advertise these products, often targeting young people. It’s easy to have these drugs delivered to your doorstep.
Fentanyl is also found in heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. It is nearly impossible to tell if a drug has been laced with fentanyl without using fentanyl test strips.
Moreover, mixing drugs increases overdose risk, especially if that drug may contain fentanyl. Mixing stimulants increases the risk of stroke and heart attack while mixing opioids with other depressants slows breathing and may cause brain damage.
Naloxone is a lifesaving medication and can reverse opioid overdose. It is available in all 50 states, and Good Samaritan laws protect those overdosing and should be accessible to anyone.
Finally, people in treatment and those in recovery need support. Anytime someone shows compassion and
FROM B9
Moore from Enterprise/ Coffee are in the same district. Moore is the odd man out in this dilemma.
The majority of votes in this new district are in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Carl will be the prohibitive favorite against Moore, or any other Republican. It will be a very conservative Republican district. Therefore, six of our seven seats will be in safe reelection journeys for our incumbent congressmen.
Jerry Carl in the first, Mike Rogers in the third, Robert Aderholt in the fourth, Dale Strong in the fifth, Gary Palmer in the sixth and Terri Sewell in the seventh are very safe bets for reelection in 2024. Therefore, all of the turmoil and court intervention only affects one area of the state.
“The data now is secure,” he said. “It is sent and received encrypted and hashed (jumbled). The data is stored in Alabama and on a server owned by the State of Alabama. I promised that we would develop an Alabamabased solution to manage the integrity of our state’s voter list. AVID is that solution.”
For voters aged 18-24, voting should be available without presidential candidates
offers support, it reduces the stigma attached to drug use and addiction. Substance use disorders are treatable, and recovery is possible. Treatment is available in person, online, or through telehealth. By sharing campaigns and related resources with everyone, communities are taking an important step to stop drug overdose and save lives.
Jody Boulay is a mother of two with a passion for helping others. She currently works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Addicted.org to help spread awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
All the brouhaha and action will be in the newly drawn second district. It is Montgomery Democratic Mayor Steven Reed’s race to lose. He will be the favorite to win and change Alabama’s delegation in Washington from six Republicans and one Democrat to five Republicans and two Democrats. However, I would handicap that race as a 50/50 toss-up. There will be a lot of Republican dollars from Washington showered upon the Republican nominee. It will be interesting.
See you next week.
Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Flowers may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.
October 10th
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Crazy Cazboys 1 pm (cst) 2510 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika, Al 36801
Complete inventory sold to the highest bidder. Pallets of merchandise, forklifts and computers all sold in one lot.
Terms: Letter of Guarantee from bank in the amount of $150,000 must be present in order to register, bid or enter auction.
Payment day of sale Cash or Check Asset Liquidations, Inc 3902 Angel Drive Bessemer, Al 35022 205-767-6537
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION were granted to Megan Ganey on the ESTATE OF RICHARD GANEY, deceased, on the 5th day of September, 2023 by Honorable Bill English.
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.
BILL ENGLISH, JUDGE OF PROBATE Legal Run 09/21/2023, 09/28/2023 & 10/05/2023
NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION
Jeremy Hillyard, whose whereabouts is unknown, must answer BC Stone Homes, LLC's complaint for breach of contract and other relief by October 14, 2023, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in case number 43-CV-2023900119, Circuit Court of Lee County.
Done the 6th day of September, 2023.
MARY ROBERSON, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY
Blake L. Oliver
SAMFORD & DENSON, LLP
P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345
Telephone (334) 745-3504
Facsimile (334) 745-3506
Email: oliver@samfordlaw.com
Attorney for BC Stone Homes, LLC Legal Run 09/14/2023, 09/21/2023, 09/28/2023, & 10/05/2023
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
CV: 2023-900264.00
RIVER RIDGE CONSULTANTS, LLC, Plaintiff, V. WELLS FARGO REAL
ESTATE TAX SERVICES, LLC, WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, COLEY LEE JACOBS, A PARCEL OF LAND IN LEE COUNTY, AL (2698 at 333), AP ARCEL OF LAND IN LEE COUNTY, AL (2698 at 335),
Unknown persons who may claim an interest in said property whose identities are unknown and who cannot by reasonable diligence be ascertained, Defendants.
NOTICE OF ACTION
To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise ofreasonable diligence.
You are hereby notified that on the 13th day of JULY 2023 a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama; regarding the following described real property:
Part of Lots 67 and 68 and all of Lots 69 and 70, Smithville Subdivision, lying in Section 27, Township 18 North, Range 29 East, Lee County, Alabama. as shown upon a plat of survey prepared by Michael J. Pattillo, R.L.S. Ala. Reg. No. 16684 and being more particularly described as follows:
Commence at an iron pin located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Lee Road 438 (Bishop Lane) and a sixty foot road not opened and unnamed which marks the Point of Beginning and run thence South 04 degrees 03 minutes West a distance of 108.24 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 85 degrees 48 minutes 50 seco.nds West a distance of200.78 feet to an iron pin found; thence run South 09 degrees 39 minutes 15 seconds East a distance of 41.97 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 85 degrees 58 minutes 48
seconds West a distance of 113.03 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 85 degrees 58 minutes 48 seconds West a distance of 59.16 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 04 degrees 16 minutes East a distance of 204.03 feet to an iron pin located on the southernmost right of way of a sixty foot road (not opened and unnamed); thence run South 64 degrees SS minutes East a djstance of 52.50 feet to an iron pin set; thence run along a curve having a radius of 529.0 feet to a chord distance of 56.54 feet to an iron pin found; thence continue along said cunre having a radius of 539.0 fect a chord distance of 84.96 feet to an iron pin found; thence continue along said curve having a radius of529.0 feet a chord distance of 52.37 feet to an iron pin set; thence run South 85 degrees 44 minutes 22 seconds East a distance of 37.71 feet to an iron pin found; thence run South 85 degrees 44 minutes 22 seconds East a distance of 99.89 feet to an iron pin found which marks the Point of Beginning. Together with a 1986 Nobility Mobile Home, Serial No. N4 2321 AB, which is permanently affixed to the land described above with all the intention that it remain a part of said land.
AND AU that lot, tract and parcel of land lying and being in the County of Lee and State of AJabama, and being known as all of Lot Number FOUR (4), Block "A", Philadelphia Estates Subdivision, as said lot appears upon a map or plat of same of record in Town Plat Book 5, Page 5, in the Office of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.
All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or
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any encumbrance or lien thereo 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 agairu,i all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint. Done this the 14th day of September, 2023. Mary Roberson, Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika; Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@Benparrlaw.com Legal Run 09/21/23, 09/28/23, 10/05/23, 10/12/23
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION were granted to Roger Dale Johnson on the Estate of Genny Lynn Johnson, deceased, on the 15th day of September, 2023 by Honorable Bill English.
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.
BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE Legal Run 09/28/2023, 10/05/2023 & 10/12/2023
IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of CHARLES WARREN AMOS. Deceased Case No. 2023-486
NOTICE OF_HEARING
TO: Charles Ray BrownAddress Unknown, Matthew Amos -Address Unknown,
William Thomas Amos - Address Unknown and Vanessa Ruth Amos - Address Unknown AND ANY OTHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN heirs of CHARLES WARREN
AMOS,, deceased
Notice is hereby given that a Petition to Probate the Last Will and Testament of the Estate of CHARLES WARREN AMOS, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office.
A hearing has been set for the 14th day of November, 2023 at l 0:00 a.m. central time, electronically via "ZOOM". Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the hearing of the Petition to Probate the Last Will and Testament of the Estate of CHARLES WARREN AMOS, deceased.
BILL ENGLISH, JUDGE OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Legal Run 09/28/2023, 10/05/2023 & 10/12/2023
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
In the Matter of Carolyn Gafford – Case No. 2022-449
Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Partial Accounting was filed by the ConservatorBertram Norman Gafford, III requesting approval of a partial accounting. A hearing has been set for the 2nd day of November 2023 at 11:00 a.m. central time. Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in said hearing.
Bill English, Judge of Probate Lee County, Alabama Margaret A. Mayfield
Attorney for Petitioner Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 09/28/2023, 10/05/2023 & 10/12/2023
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IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARTHA DEAN HEDDEN a/k/a MARTHA D. HEDDEN, DECEASED further and also known as MARTHA DEAN HEDDEN a/k/a MARTHA D. HEDDEN LETTERS TESTAMENTARY for the estate of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned Personal Representative JOHN ARNOLD, on September 14, 2023, by the Honorable BILL ENGLISH, Judge of the Probate Com1 of Lee County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be ba1Ted.
Isl JOHN ARNOLD Legal Run 09/28/2023, 10/05/2023 & 10/12/2023
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Corene McCoy, also known as Corene M. McCoy and Corene Moore McCoy, (Deceased) PROBATE NO: 2023-477 ESTATE OF CORENE McCOY, ALSO KNOWN AS CORENE M. McCOY AND CORENE MOORE McCOY, DECEASED Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of September, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate 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.
/s/ Janice McCoy Scott Executrix Legal Run 09/28/2023, 10/05/2023 & 10/12/2023
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See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13
I N THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DONALD MAX LIVINGSTON,
Deceased.
Case No.: 2023NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Stephen Eston Livingston, Personal Representative on the 26th day of September, 2023, 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.
Stephen Eston Livingston Legal Run 09/28/2023, 10/05/2023 & 10/12/2032
INVITATION TO BID 23045
Sealed bids for the
OPINION —
Iam happy to announce my candidacy for the position of District 3 Lee County Commissioner.
This encompasses the Eastern part of the county, including Smiths Station. I served 25 years on active-duty military service. I saw much of the world and our great country. After I retired from military service, my family and I moved to Smiths Station. We chose it because of the people. We chose to call it home.
Your opinions and concerns are important to me. It would be nice if our current commission felt the same. Instead, they hide from the public they are supposed to serve. As they huddle behind their elevated podium at the Lee County courthouse in Opelika, they ignore the input of concerned citizens and do what they want to do anyway. They have deliberately chosen a time they know makes it difficult for people on Eastern Time to attend the meetings. They did it anyway. They need to be accessible and responsive, not hiding and making decisions that affect you, without your input. However, they have stated multiple times that they do not answer questions from the public during sessions. Do they just not care?
Their actions should be
IM Vertical Carousel System (tire storage) from Kardex Remstar LLC, for over $154,300.
- The council approved
transparent and they need to be held accountable for those actions and even for inactions when they fail to act in the best interests of the people.
A decision like the poorly thought out and even more poorly executed public dumpster removal should never have happened. This should have been discussed publicly, in the district and we should have been given time to address it, to have our voices heard, right here, in the district. Not at the Lee County courthouse. You should have been given choices. I don’t believe in secretive resolutions done in the darkness, decisions made in a vacuum that place the county in a poor financial position and rob citizens of individual choice. The vote was taken while one of the commissioners had a financial interest. That’s not transparent. It is not account-
the purchase of 15 sets of Lion Apparel turnout gear from the North America Fire Equipment Company for the fire department for over $49,900.
- The council approved the purchase of an Autel
able and it certainly is not in the best interests of we the people.
During my first deployment to Iraq, I was repeatedly shot at and felt the concussive waves from explosions, but I still had a job to do. I did not hide from my duty then, and if elected, I will not hide now, in the courthouse, behind a wall of secrecy and indifference.
I want to hear from you. Share with me the issues that matter most to you, and we will address them together, one at a time. I will hold public forum meetings in the district during my candidacy and continue to hold them even after elected, to meet with you and discuss real issues, in real time. And we can disagree and debate, but we need to communicate. Unlike the current commission, I am not afraid of differing opinions. Disagreement does not equal disrespect.
I will not support hastily and quietly, proposed resolutions, such as the one to remove public dumpsters. Nor will I support government-backed monopolies, enforced by government employees hired to shake down citizens for said monopoly. I will not support the infringement of 2nd amendment rights as this commission voted to do. I swore an oath
Dragonfish Drone from RMUS Unmanned Solutions for over $131,600.
- The council approved a contract with Schmidt Environmental Construction Inc. for the HC Morgan Clarifiers 1
to the Constitution for unending support and I understand the importance of all Amendments.
The Lee County Commission has made some hasty and poorly thought out decisions that affect our lives and even jeopardize our safety. This is not melodrama, this is fact. When our fire district cannot adequately function because the commission-appointed board fire district board members squandered funds, our lives are literally at risk. The Lee County Commission does not want you to connect those dots. Transparency is a must. To fix a problem, the problem must first be visible.
I enlisted to serve my country and the people of this great nation. My oath to our Constitution has no expiration date. My military service taught me a great deal about leadership. It gave me skills that I will use to give back to Lee County. I am ready to serve as your commissioner. You can contact me at any of the following:
Davis4District3 @gmail.com
Brian Davis
P.O. Box 1081 Smiths Station, AL 36877
Facebook: @ Davis4District3
X: @Davis4District3
Cell: 762-261-2705
and 2 Weirs and Baffles Replacement Project for over $1.5 million.
- The council approved a tax abatement for Lotte Chemical Alabama Corp in the Auburn Technology Park North.
Opelika Police Department
Landscaping Project shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, October 16, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. The successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other
licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work. The other requirements include:
1. State of Alabama Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Supervisor License
2.State of Alabama Plant Setting and Maintenance License
3.State of Alabama General Contractor License Specifications may be obtained from the Purchasing Department located at 204 S 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-7055120. Bid documents may also be downloaded from the City’s website at www.opelika-al.gov/ bids.aspx.
The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposalmust be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.
A certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00 must accompany the bidder's sealed proposal - refer also to Instructions to Bidders.
Performance and statutory labor
FROM B10
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trying to cut down on the legal votes of the party (Democratic) that is more popular with young adults than their own. “Dead people don’t usually vote but when they do they prefer to vote by mail,” is an election-day adage.
After Secretary State Wes Allen oversaw changes to the voter list, finding a dead voter’s
and material payment bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder at the signing of the Contract. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing/ Revenue & Codes Director, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Opelika Police Department Landscaping Project LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING/REVENUE & CODES DIRECTOR CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5121 Legal Run 10/5/2023, 10/12/2023
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INVITATION TO BID
24001
Sealed bids for the construction of the South 10th Street and Avenue C Infrastructure Improvement Project
name on a ballot will be rare indeed.
Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a masters in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An awardwinning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer since 2011. He writes on politics, education and books.
gm.markley@charter.net
shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.
Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.
All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.
Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika,
Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450. Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box. The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/ her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted. A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.
Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 368030390. Attn: South 10th Street and Avenue C Infrastructure
prior to going to press.
- The council held a public hearing regarding the amending of the Zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone 197 acres located in the 3400 block of Anderson Road from R-3 to a planned unit development (PUD) known as The Edgefield Farm PUD. The proposed development is a mixed residential development consisting of approximately 342 residential single-family home lots and 165 town home lots, according to city documents. The council later introduced the ordinance for its first reading and is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at the next meeting on Oct. 17.
- The council held a public hearing on the proposed elimination of the railroad grade crossing at Edwards Road.
Several members of the community that live near the railroad crossing spoke at council, stating their desires to keep the crossing open. The council later introduced the ordinance for its first reading and is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at the next meeting on Oct. 17. However, there was discussion about the possibily tabling the ordinance at the next
meeting should more time be needed to gather more information on the topic.
- The council approved expense reports from various departments.
- The council approved the bid from CDW Government for Samsara IoT Data Services for the Information and Technology (IT) Department.
- The council approved a resolution for the allocation of the ARPA CSLFRF Funds. This resolution passed 4 to 1 with Ward 2 Council Member Erica Norris being the lone nay vote.
- The council approved a resolution to amend the Organizational Chart of the Accounting Department for the Human Resources (HR) Department.
- The council approved a resolution allowing certain tax abatements and exemptions for Clear Springs Properties LLC/ PFI, LTD. Clear Springs has announced that it expects to have capital improvements of a little more than $8.3 million and will create nine new jobs.
- The council approved a resolution pertaining to employment contracts with Kyle Burdette and Jeffrey Fuller for the Opelika Police Department (OPD).
- The council approved a supplemental agreement with Sain
and Associates for 10th Street and 2nd Avenue Intersection Improvements Project for the Engineering Department in the amount of $26,200. This resolution passed 4 to 1 with Norris casting the nay vote.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Alabama Council on Human Relations (ACHR) in the amount of $22,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Art Haus in the amount of $7,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama in the amount of $42,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Christian Women's Job Corp of Lee County in the amount of $2,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Circles Opelika in the amount of $3,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Domestic Violence Intervention Center in the amount of $4,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation
contract for the fiscal year 2024 with the East Alabama Healthcare Authority for an emergency response, and rescue and ambulance service agreement. The combined amount to be paid out by the city of Opelika is a little over $410,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Employers' Child Care Alliance in the amount of $6,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Envision Opelika Foundation in the amount of $31,000
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Esperanza House in the amount of $6,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Frazelma Teaching Parents LLC in the amount of $17,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Girls' STEPS Inc., in the amount of $12,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with J. W. Darden Foundation Inc., in the amount of $5,000. The resolution passed 4 to 1 with Ward One Council Member George
Allen abstaining from the vote.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with CARE Humane Society, formerly known as the Lee County Humane Society in the amount of just under $130,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Lee County Literacy Coalition in the amount of $3,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Lee County Rabies Officer in the amount of $6,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Lee County Youth Development Center Inc., in the amount of $40,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy in the amount of $25,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) in the amount of $125,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with PRF Teaching Ministry in the
amount of $65,00.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with The Curtis House LLC in the amount of $20,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Twin Cedars Child Advocacy Center in the amount of $5,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Worthy Squared in the amount of $2,500.
- The council approved a special appropriation to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Mu Sigma Omega Chapter in the amount of $1,000.
- The council approved a special appropriation to the East Alabama Community Ballet for 2023 Nutcracker Performance in the amount of $1,000.
- The council approved a special appropriation to the Opelika Kiwanis Club for "The Shoot" Fundraiser for local children in the amount of $1,000.
- The council introduced an ordinance to approve the leasing a portion of 1103 Glenn St. to Lee-Russell Council of Governments for a Senior Center for its first reading. The proposed monthly lease amount is $500.
CONTRIBUTED BY WENDY HODGE FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY —
As Fire Prevention Week approaches, Top Hat Chimney Sweeps wants to remind residents that “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”
In conjunctionw with Fire Prevention Week (FPW) Top Hat Chimney Sweeps is hosting a “COOK WISE” event on Oct. 13. There will be raffle prizes such as Fire extinguishers, co detectors, smoke alarms and a Primo grill valued at $1,900 The event will take place at 1280 Financial Court in Auburn from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Top Hat Chimney Sweeps is teaming up with the National Fire
FROM B13
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I N THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:The estate of Homer
E. Speir, Jr. Deceased.
Case No.2023-418
TAKE NOTICE that Letters
Administration having been granted to Ryan E. Speir as Administrator of the Estate of Homer E. Speir, Jr., deceased, on the 25th day of September, 2023.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred Ryan E. Speir, Administrator of the Estate of Homer E. Speir, Jr., Deceased
Protection Association (NFPA) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”
The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.
“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for [nearly] half (49%) of all U.S.
Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 10/05/2023, 10/12/2023 & 10/19/2023
In the Probate court of Lee County, Alabama Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of SHIRLENE C. SMITH.
Case No: 2023-500
Deceased
Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Revaldo Ray Smith, Nikki Yvette Stevenson and Krystal Smith on September 29, 2023 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
home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”
Top Hat Chimney Sweeps encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU,” said Trent Simmons, Top Hat Chimney Sweeps CEO.
be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.
BILL ENGLISH, PROBATÉ JUDGE Legal Run 10/05/2023
IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BOBBIE RUTH MILLER, Deceased
Case No.: 2023-495
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Adam L. Pierce, Personal Representative on the 28th day of September, 2023, 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
“A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”
Top Hat Chimney Sweeps offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.
1. Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
2. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid
the same will be barred. Adam L. Pierce Legal Run 10/5/2023, 10/12/2023 & 10/19/2023
Notice of Public Auction
Mini Mall Storage-Opelika
We will be holding a public auction online at SelfStorageAuction.com
Date: October 17, 2023, Time: 10:00am
The payment methods we accept for this are cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard and Amex. All sales are final: The bidder must place a $100 cash deposit, make payment and clear out the unit within 48 hours from the time the auction closes. Once the unit has been inspected, the $100 cash deposit will be returned to the bidder.
We currently have 1 unit: Unit-# AA-02- Couch, love seat, mattresses, tables, dresser, boxes Legal Run Oct. 5, 2023
nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
3. Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
Top Hat Chimney Sweeps is hosting an event in support of this year’s FPW campaign on Oct. 13, 2023 which includes food provided by Chick-Fil-A, raffles and activities for pre-school and kindergarten-age
children. A fire truck will be on-site along with first responders from our community. This event will be held at the Top Hat Chimney Sweeps site at 1280 Financial Court in Auburn, AL.
To find out more about this event, please contact Wendy Hamby at Top Hat Chimney Sweeps at 334-7493559. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org . For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org .
