The Observer - 10-26-2023 E-edition

Halloween and Fall Event — A4

You're Invited to our birthday celebration, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Photos from 'On the Tracks' — A7 IN THIS ISSUE

BUSINESS NEWS A2 | SOCIETY A9 | OBITUARIES A13 | COMICS A15 SPORTS B1 | POLITICS B9 | PUBLIC NOTICES B12 | PUZZLES B15

2022 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2023 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 16, No. 03 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'

www.opelikaobserver.com PHOTO BY MICHELLE KEY / ART BY COURTNEY STORY

It's a birthday party, and you're invited —

The Observer to celebrate 15th year with open house

BY ANITA STIEFEL ANITAS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM OPELIKA — It’s our birthday, but we’re bringing the gifts!

The public is invited to join The Observer in celebrating its 15th birthday throughout the day on Monday, Oct. 30.

Stop by the office,

located at 223 S. 8th St. in downtown Opelika, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to pick up some swag, have a bowl of chili with cornbread and enjoy a slice of birthday cake.

The Observer was originally founded in 2008 by a group of local businessmen and women that saw a need

for a weekly paper that was focused on Opelika news.

Michelle Key took over as editor in August 2017 and became owner of the newspaper on Jan. 1, 2018.

Under her leadership, the company has expanded its publishing portfolio. In addition to The Observer, Key

Media began publishing LIVE Lee magazine in 2020, Neighborhood Tour Homes and Real Estate, a monthly real estate guide, in 2021 and a weekly podcast, The Lee County Listener, in October 2022.

Key said that she is excited to see what the next 15 years brings.

The Observer celebrates 15 years with window art.

Whitaker Drugs coming to Betts Crossing PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY TOM WOFFORD FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Chip Whitaker and his wife, Mandy, have previously opened two drug stores in the state, in Camden and in Greenville, both communities that were previously underserved by pharmacists. Both stores continue to thrive.

Now the two are ready to serve the former patients of the Winn-Dixie pharmacy in Betts Crossing on Fox Run Parkway.

“That's always been our goal, to go where we're needed,” Chip said.

Chip and Mandy have Whitaker Drugs under construction, just around the corner from WinnDixie, also in Betts Crossing. The store should be open in a few weeks, around the middle of November. The Winn-Dixie pharmacy was scheduled to close this past week.

Roughly 2,500 patients lost their community pharmacy when WinnDixie announced it would

Mandy and Chip Whitaker are set to open Whitaker Pharmacy in Betts Crossing on Fox Run Parkway, Opelika, near the former site of Winn-Dixie.

close its in-store pharmacy after its purchase by discount grocery chain Aldi was announced; but the store is expected to remain a Winn-Dixie.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Aldi announced in August that it would be acquiring 400 Winn-Dixie stores from Jacksonvillebased Southeastern Grocers, the Betts Crossing store among them.

Some of the Winn-Dixie

locations are destined to become Aldi stores, while many will continue to operate under the WinnDixie brand, those stores practically unchanged, except for the elimination of the in-store pharmacies there. Aldi is expanding quickly in the U.S. It plans to have 2,400 locations nationwide by the end of the year.

Even thought the Betts Crossing store is expected

to remain a Winn-Dixie store and look the same, there will be no pharmacy inside. Of the 400 WinnDixie stores in the sale, none should have pharmacies by the end of the year.

“Aldi is not in the pharmacy business,” Chip said, “So, I knew as soon as their purchase of those Winn-Dixie stores was announced that those Betts Crossing patients were about to lose their pharmacy.”

Some of these patients have been using that pharmacy for nearly 30 years.

“Mandy and I talked about it and we decided to come here and help aleve the displacement,” Chip said.“That’s been our mission, to go where people need us.We will be around the corner from Winn-Dixie, in the same shopping center, no less.”

Both Chip and Mandy have a lot of roots in the area.

They both studied

OPD: Remains found in Alex City may be missing Opelika man CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Human remains found in Alexander City may be of a missing Opelika man, according to an Oct. 18 press release from the Opelika Police Department.

Alexander City authorities contacted OPD regarding remains located within their jurisdiction on Oct. 15 that they believe to be 45-yearold Ricky Montel Johnson.

OPD detectives are RICKY assisting MONTEL Alex City police JOHNSON with the investigation. They ask that anyone with information regarding this case contact Alexander City Police at (256) 234-3421.

See WHITAKER, page A4

O O

Find Us Online:

FRED ERi CK-DEAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY Compassion • Integrity • Tradition

334-745-4667 On-site Crematory Now Open

A2 Oct. 26, 2023

TRINDGROUP celebrates 15th anniversary water/wastewater, aquaculture, engineering, manufacturing, oil and gas and more. TRINDGROUP recognizes the strong connectivity among its client industry segments and views it as an opportunity to enhance agency knowledge of industrial markets to serve clients more efficiently.

“Our team does a phenomenal job collaborating with our clients to contribute to client successes,” King said. “The TRINDGROUP team is a wonderful collection of expertise, unique personalities and ,most importantly, colleagues who enjoy working with each other.

That is what I am proud of the most.”

The agency’s name TRINDGROUP is made up of three components: “TRI,” “IND” and “GROUP.” “TRI” represents the agency’s three areas of focus in public relations, marketing and design; the “IND” represents the industrial focus; and “GROUP” represents the team dedicated to its clients. TRINDGROUP’s team of experts are

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — TRINDGROUP announced its 15th anniversary of partnering with businesses across the industrial field. For 15 years, TRINDGROUP has been trusted to enhance client communication and messaging channels through public relations, content creation, digital marketing, creative design and production.

In 2008, Jessie King and Kevin Smith founded TRINDGROUP originally as a creative boutique agency with the vision of helping local businesses in their area achieve their own business goals.

By working in several different industries over the years, the company recognized its passion to excel in industrial market segments. In 2016, TRINDGROUP transitioned to an industrial-focused agency.

TRINDGROUP’s expertise is in the B2B industrial and manufacturing sphere.

The agency works with small, medium and large businesses in marine,

communication and visual strategists highly skilled in public relations, strategic marketing, graphic design, brand development, website design and more.

In honor of the agency’s 15th anniversary, TRINDGROUP has chosen to work with the Auburn Student Veterans Association (ASVA) in its fundraising efforts.

The nonprofit organization serves as a beacon for military veterans transitioning into academic life at Auburn University. Each fall, the Auburn Student Veterans Association and the Campus Veterans Association (CVA) at the University of Alabama host Operation Iron Ruck to raise awareness of the veteran suicide epidemic.

TRINDGROUP is contributing its public relations, marketing and design expertise to help elevate this event and support the veteran population that serves a vital role for its team personally and the veteran workforces of TRINDGROUP clients.

For TRINDGROUP, it said that the most exciting part of its milestone

Auburn's TRINDGROUP team offers public relations, content creation, digital marketing and creative design and production.

anniversary is having the opportunity to give back to the community by investing in the success of ASVA. To celebrate 15 years of TRINDGROUP, the agency wanted to make an impact in the community by finding a philanthropy it was passionate about, the organization said.

The organization said it knew its team’s skillset would be of value to a community partner in need of public relations, marketing or design. Ironically, one afternoon ASVA knocked on TRINDGROUP’s door, literally. The veteran workforce is

significant to the success of many TRINDGROUP clients. Being able to support a local veteran organization and support its initiatives is a wonderful combination for TRINDGROUP, it said. TRINDGROUP has committed to drive forward ASVA’s passion for working with veterans by offering services and resources to strengthen Operation Iron Ruck this November.

Curtis Pippin, program coordinator for the Auburn University Veterans Resource Center, notes the influence from TRINDGROUP’s

partnership with ASVA and Operation Iron Ruck.

“TRINDGROUP’s collaboration with the Auburn Student Veterans Association goes beyond mere professional assistance," Pippin said.

"It’s a genuine contribution to our community and mission. Their expert guidance has been pivotal in enhancing the impact of Operation Iron Ruck and the causes close to the hearts of veterans.

TRINDGROUP’s support is more than technical; it’s emotional and deeply appreciated, solidifying their role as true champions for veterans in our community."

Burlington Stores grand opening is this weekend nationwide, offering shoppers up to 60% off other retailers’ prices on merchandise including everything for ladies, men, children, baby, along with home décor. New, brandname merchandise will arrive at the store regularly, allowing customers to discover something new every time they shop.

Opening day is set for Friday, Oct. 27, at the Tiger Town Outdoor Shopping Center. The store is located at 2746 Enterprise Dr. On Friday and on Saturday, Oct. 28, following the ribboncutting ceremony, the first 100 customers ages 18 and up will receive a $10 Bonus Card to be used toward their purchase.

On Sunday Oct. 29,

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Burlington Stores Inc., a national discount retailer, is opening a new store in Opelika.

“Our goal is to continue to offer communities low prices on brand name merchandise for the entire family and home,” said Burlington Stores CEO Michael O’Sullivan.

“We’re continuing to expand our footprint across the country and are excited to be opening a new store in Opelika. We look forward to giving local customers the chance to discover big savings on a wide range of products.”

The new store brings the total number of locations in the state to 11, and it continues to expand

customers will receive a free Burlington umbrella, while supplies last, no purchase necessary.

Store hours will be Sunday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Mounday through Saturday 9 a.m. to midnight.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT Burlington is dedicated to adding value to the communities in which they live and work. Throughout the year, Burlington supports a variety of philanthropic initiatives that empower those locally to live better lives and build better futures.

To celebrate the grand opening of its new store location and highlight its ongoing commitment to education, the retailer will be donating $5,000 to the teachers at Carver

Primary School through its long-standing partnership with the national nonprofit organization AdoptAClassroom.org.

Funds will provide students in a local high-need school with classroom materials they need to learn and succeed.

The presentation of the donation will take place at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Recognized as a Great Place to Work by Fortune and the Great Place to Work Institute, Burlington Stores offers a welcoming and inclusive environment

where associates can create meaningful careers.

This location is looking to hire approximately 65 associates in a wide range of full-time and part-time positions throughout the store. Those interested in joining an award-winning culture and one of the fastest growing retailers are encouraged to visit BurlingtonStores.jobs.

ABOUT ADOPTACLASSROOM. ORG AdoptAClassroom. org believes every child deserves the tools and materials they need to learn and thrive in school.

AdoptAClassroom.org is

a national nonprofit that funds PreK-12 teachers and schools across the U.S. to help equip more classrooms and students for success, and offset the financial burden on teachers. Since 1998, AdoptAClassroom.org has raised $65 million and equipped more than 6.4 million students across the U.S. The 501(c)(3) holds the highest 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the highest transparency rating offered

by Candid/GuideStar.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

Do you love The Observer? Want to support CARE Humane Society $20 from every subscribtion goes to CARE now through Nov. 20.

Subscribe to The Observer today!

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LIVE LEE EDITOR | Hannah Goldfinger PHONE: 334-749-8003 Editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com

MARKETING | Woody Ross

PUBLISHER | Michelle Key

SPORTS WRITER | D. Mark Mitchell

MANAGING EDITOR | Anita Stiefel

VIDEOGRAPHER | Samantha Sweatman

PHOTOJOURNALIST | Robert Noles

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

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

A3 Oct. 26, 2023

Opelika to host Veteran's Day Celebration Nov. 10 CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

OPELIKA – The city of Opelika invites the public to join the mayor and city council on Friday, Nov. 10, as we host a Veterans Day Celebration and pause to say thank you to our veterans.

“It’s important that we pause and say thank you to our veterans,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “We are honored to recognize them on this special day in Opelika. It’s because of our veterans that future generations can enjoy a life of freedom.”

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

At 10 a.m., the Veterans Day program will begin in the Cooper Room at the Opelika Public Library.

Commander Timothy “Tang” Aja of the Navy Reserves will be our special guest speaker.

Aja is a native of Maryland. He

earned a Bachelor of Science from Salisbury University and a Master of Science in Finance from Auburn University. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in February 2003 and was designated naval aviator in February 2005.

After earning his aircraft and tactical helicopter qualifications for the SH-60B Seahawk he was assigned to the GRANDMASTERS of HSL-46 in Mayport, Florida. There he deployed to CENTCOM onboard USS Anzio (CG-68) as part of the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group and then onboard the USS Gettysburg (CV-64) to participate in BALTOPS 2008.

His first shore assignment was at the Auburn/Tuskegee Naval ROTC Consortium in Alabama. Departing in 2011, he volunteered for an Individual Augmentation serving as the Commander’s Initiative Group deputy director at Special Operations Headquarters in Afghanistan.

Aja’s final active-duty billet

was at San Diego Naval Station teaching officer professional development.

He left active service in 2014 and immediately affiliated with the Navy’s Selected Reserves (SELRES).

As a member of SELRES, he first served with the Navy’s Europe and Africa Command, Sixth Fleet, participating as a mission planner for multiple exercises across Europe. In 2016, he was recalled to active service and mobilized to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. There he served as the air operations officer leading military and civilian personnel to enable top-tier national tasking. In December 2019, he took command of NR USFF MAO TYNDALL leading the Naval & Amphibious Liaison Element (NALE) for NAVNORTH and NAVSTRAT at the 601st AOC on Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

Currently he commands NR CNRSE ROC in Jacksonville, Florida, where he leads a

unit that provides operational and contingency support to Commander Navy Region Southeast’s Crisis Action Team, Incident Management Team and Regional Operations Center (ROC) watches in addition to associated training and exercise life cycle support.

Aja’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various campaign,

unit and service awards.

Aja resides in Opelika with his wife and daughter. He is an entrepreneur and investment manager at Aja Financial LLC. Additionally, he is a council member for Opelika's Ward 3.

Other Veterans Day week news: All city offices will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, including the Opelika Public Library. The Opelika SportsPlex will be open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is no change to weekly garbage schedule.

Moon Golf Junior tourney raises money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama

Event supported by Auburn-Opelika Tourism gives back to community CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The American Junior Golf Association is proud to share the 2023 Moon Golf Junior All-Star presented

by Auburn-Opelika Tourism raised more than $20,000 for charitable causes. Proceeds from the tournament are supporting the AJGA’s Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama.

The tournament was held July 3 through 5 at Rober Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National – Lakes Course.

“I’m thrilled to learn that the AJGA Foundation choose the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama (BGCEA) to be the recipient of an $11,000 gift from this year’s Junior event at the RTJ Grand National Golf Course,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “I cannot think of a better or more deserving

organization. The clubs provide a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Richard Curry [Jr.,] and his staff do an excellent job providing a world-class club experience for our kids.”

Since 1990, The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama (www.bgceastal. org) has provided a safe place for children and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship and highimpact youth development programs daily during critical non-school hours.

Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles with a special emphasis on Life & Workforce Readiness and Mental Health & Trauma Informed Care. BGCEA, is a proud partner agency with United Way of

Lee County and serves more than 2,000 youth through membership and community outreach.

“Today’s young people are the future leaders, innovators and changemakers for our nation,” Curry, president & CEO of BGCEA said. “Our organization is committed to doing whatever it takes to provide a great future for all kids. We are honored that the AJGA Foundation has stood by our side to support thousands of youth across East Alabama.”

The AJGA Foundation supports growing the game of golf for juniors ages 12 to 18, the AJGA’s Leadership Links program and the Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant.

The Liberty National ACE Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a

college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf. Leadership Links helps children impact their community and help others. Since 2009, more than 4,000 juniors have volunteered for over 50,000 hours and raised more than $6 million for charity.

“With the support of Auburn-Opelika Tourism over the last few years and Moon Golf coming on board in 2023 to sponsor, we are excited to have the highest charitable proceeds in tournament history,” said Matt Emmi, AJGA regional manager – Southeast. “We cannot thank Moon Golf and Auburn-Opelika Tourism enough for their generous support and are excited to give back to the local community.”

The 2023 event was an exciting one where RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National — Lake Course

again played host to the AJGA. Julia Herzberg of Gilbert, Arizona, and Hamilton Coleman of Augusta, Georgia, each earned their first AJGA titles. Coleman won by six strokes in the boys division.

“We were thrilled to be partners with the AJGA as well as Auburn-Opelika Tourism for this year’s event,” said Anne Moon, owner of Moon Golf. “We are passionate about the growth of the game and the AJGA makes it their mission, so partnering with them was a no brainer.

The positive impact this event will have for the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama is incredible and we are honored to be a part of giving back to the community. We are excited for 2024.”

“Auburn-Opelika Tourism is honored to be a part of giving back to community

partners like the Boys and Girls Club of East Alabama,” said Anthony Terling, sports and event development manager at Auburn-Opelika Tourism. “Through AO Tourism’s mission and our focus of bringing quality sports tourism to Auburn, Opelika and Lee County; we partner with organizations such as the AJGA and local businesses like Moon Golf on hosting events that bring an economic impact to our community but more importantly leave a legacy of giving back to our community.”

ABOUT THE AJGA: The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

A4 Oct. 26, 2023

Auburn student's flower business blossoms AUBURN — Brianna Bowers was looking to combine her passion for florals with the need for a business that was flexible to also being a student.

Bowers is a senior at Auburn University graduating in December in international studies.

She has been involved with florals since she was in high school — helping a local business in Opp, Alabama, with the flower arrangements it would do for bigger events.

“I fell in love with it, I love doing it, [the owner] was really good

to teach me and just [got] my feet wet in the business,” she said.

When she moved to Auburn, Bowers said she wanted to continue working with flowers, so she took a job with Flowersmith’s in downtown Auburn.

Although this business is now closed, it gave Bowers a chance to continue working in the field she enjoyed.

“I was able to work a lot more, I got into some funeral work, I was able to do corsages, boutonnieres, things for proms and homecoming stuff and my passion just kind of grew from there,” she said.

At times, Bowers would also travel back to

Opp to help with events, too.

Now in her senior year, Bowers was struggling with work because of the schedule of classes she had to take.

“I was like, ‘Well you have the skill, you might as well use it,’” she said.

“So, I put a post out on the ‘What’s Happening in Auburn [and Opelika]’ and a couple other community Facebook groups and that really kickstarted it,” she said.

Suddenly Bowers had her own clients.

“It really blew up faster than I expected,” she said.

Now, she’s handling enough events to pay her bills.

“If I can do this, it gives me more of a freedom to have my own schedule; I’m writing capstone papers for graduation, so it really gives me flexibility to stay on top of my schoolwork and still be involved with football games and club things,” Bowers said. “So, it really ended up being exactly what I needed for this time in my life and I love doing it. It doesn’t feel like work.

I love talking to people and making those connections and creating things that people love.

“It just kind of happened out of necessity and then See BLOOMS, page A5

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Auburn University senior Brianna Bowers balances school work, social activities and a growing floral business.

Halloween happenings — Kreher Preserve offering Community theatre to present Nature Nightmares hikes live Edgar Allen Poe radio show

BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Nature Nightmares is back at Auburn University’s Kreher Preserve and Nature Center.

The haunted forest event for teens and adults will be open Friday & Saturday, Oct. 27-28, from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Nature Nightmares is a self-guided hike for those ages 13 and up.

The hiking trails will be dimly lit or not all, with volunteer cast members stationed throughout the forest with costumes and props to engage and frighten visitors.

The event will contain high-impact scares, fog, strobe lights and theatrical smells that may not be suitable for people with epilepsy, pregnant women or those with a heart condition or mobility challenges.

“Nature Nightmares is the most terrifying experience local to Auburn,” said Kreher Center Manager Michael Buckman.

“We have a great set of

actors for the various performances this year.

We are lengthening the hike a little bit, maybe about 10% longer than last year, and we're adding a few more scenes and monsters along the trail. So, it's going to be pretty cool.

“With the lights off, the forest is pitch black — every little sound or shadow will make you jump,” Buckman said.

“Nature Nightmares will be a great addition to the haunted events in our area, and it’s sure to frighten even the boldest among us. We’ll have zombies, witches, wraiths and all kinds of haunting surprises.”

Nature Nightmares’ cast will not, however, include any representations of animals or plants.

“We don’t want people to be afraid of the forest — it’s not inherently a scary place and we want people to be comfortable going into the forest, even at night,” Buckman explained. “So, we are avoiding any animals or plants in our horrifying cast. We are also making sure

that none of the Nature Nightmares props are visible during the day, so our day visitors can continue to hike without fear.”

The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center is located at 2222 N. College St. in Auburn.

Hikes will depart from the main pavilion at seven-minute intervals beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The last hike of the night will depart at 11 p.m.

The hikes last 35 to 45 minutes, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a lowlight flashlight.

Tickets are $12, and participants must be at least 13 years of age.

Anyone under age 19 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased in advance at www.aub.ie/ naturenightmares.

This event will be postponed or cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

Notifications will be posted via the KPNC website and Facebook page.

Opelika Villains Ball is Friday CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Time to dust off your fangs and get your costume ready — the Opelika Villains Ball is back.

The annual event, hosted by Heritage House, will be held Friday, Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Railyard at John Emerald Distillery in downtown Opelika.

The event will feature classic jazz & blues music by The Secret Sounds, a

dance party brought to you by SammyD and performers from Brenna Ballet Institute, Auburn Tango Group and Zephyr Embers.

It will include Spooky party décor from Heritage House event team, bar by John Emerald Distillery, kettle corn from Big Top Concessions and non-alcoholic refreshments from Grandma Val's Lemonade.

All costumes are welcome, no need to

be a villain. The best costume will win a $100 cash prize.

Tickets cost $35 and are available at www. universe.com/events/ opelika-villains-balltickets-5VG2MB. This is a 19+ event. ID will be checked at the door.

Volunteer opportunities are available at hello@ heritagehouse1913. com.

There will be an official after party at Rock 'N Roll Pinball, located at 815 W. Railroad Ave.

Submit your event information to editor@opelikaobserver.com

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) will present “Twisted Tales of Poe” Oct. 28-31.

Select stories from Edgar Allen Poe will be shared in the form of a staged radio drama, compete with live sound effects and music, just like the hey-day of American radio programs of the 1940s.

Witness “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amomtillado,” “The Black Cat” and “The Raven” all come to life before your eyes and ears.

Originally produced by public television station KTWU in Kansas, “Twisted Tales of Poe” has been performed throughout North America.

“This experience is a lot of ‘firsts’ for us — our

WHITAKER >> from A1 pharmacy at Auburn, and both first worked as pharmacists in the local market. Both of their children were born at East Alabama Medical Center.

Chip also has pharmacy in his blood; both his parents were pharmacists in Marengo County when

first time staging stories

by Poe, our first time at the University Chapel and our first Halloween performance,” said Terry Kelley, AACT president and director of the show.

“I think people will really enjoy these classic America horror stories.

I think we forget how creepy-good Poe is. It’s always exciting and challenging to perform in a new space, and this chapel has its own ghost story — a bonus ghost.

I look forward to people coming out and enjoying the experience.”

Performance times are Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. and Halloween night, Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 8:30 p.m. following the downtown Auburn Trickor-Treat.

All shows will be at the Auburn University Chapel, located at 139 S.

College St. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children, students and seniors. Parental guidance is suggested, and costumes are encouraged.

Call (334) 246-1084 or visit www.auburnact.org for ticket purchases and more information. Email info@auburnact.org for group rate information.

AACT is a nonprofit volunteer organization.

AACT offers multiple opportunities to get involved and depends on the time and energy of community volunteers.

Please visit www. auburnact.org to find the volunteer interest form or email info@auburnact. org to get involved.

Follow AuburnACT on Facebook or keep up to date at www.AuburnACT. org for the latest information on auditions, volunteer opportunities, tickets and more.

he was growing up.

The Whitakers’ deep connection to the area is obvious with their first hires for Whitaker Drugs.

Former Winn-Dixie pharmacy manager Jacqueline Katich is coming on board with the Whitakers. She and Chip graduated pharmacy school together.

Cheryl Wood,

who is also coming to Whitaker Drugs after a long stint as pharmacy manager at Winn-Dixie in Auburn, hired Chip for his first job in pharmacy as a technician at WinnDixie.

“We’re also hoping to hire some pharmacy techs from the closed store,” Chip said. “The patients will see a lot of familiar faces.”

A5 Oct. 26, 2023

BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVER

WAVERLY — Era Waverly, previously Era Opelika, will hold a street market event in Waverly on Nov 4.

Era Waverly is an antique store that sells secondhand goods, including clothes, home goods, jewelry and much more.

This will be Era Waverly’s second street market but the first one held at its new store location.

“The first street market turned out great,” said Jasmine Oliver, founder and owner of Era Waverly. “I loved it, and everyone really enjoyed the experience

and shopping. I think we had well over 1,000 people attend, and we only had about 25 vendors, which I thought was phenomenal. This time, our second street market, we’ll be doubling up on the vendors.”

According to Oliver, around 50 vendors will attend the street market to sell vintage and handmade goods.

“The criteria for the vendors is vintage items,” Oliver said.

“That could be anything like home decor, clothing, jewelry or handmade stuff.

So, there's going to be a lot of artists and things. You know, the artisans have just gotten

PHOTOS BY AUDREY KENT / FOR THE OBSERVER

Era Waverly to hold street market Nov. 4

really good. Their imaginations are so big, and they make so many great things. There’s a vendor that will be selling their own plants and a vendor called Whiskey Wares. So, I'm looking forward to that. It's going to be a fun time.”

Not only will there be vendors to buy from, but Era Waverly’s storefront will be open for business.

The street market will be located at 1473 Patrick St. and will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit Era Waverly’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/ erawaverly.

Era Waverly is located at 1473 Patrick St., in Waverly.

BLOOMS >> from A4 ended up being bigger than I expected it to be.”

Her first client and event was a baby shower.

“She had her specific things that she wanted but she gave me creative freedom to kind of do what I thought that I needed to do,” Bowers said.

Bowers said she has loved making connections between clients — word of mouth is one of the biggest supporters of her business.

One of Bowers’ biggest

upcoming projects is a wedding that will take place in a little over a year.

“That’s a big deal, it’s a big event,” she said.

The people, however,

are what Bowers said she enjoys the most about this business.

“I moved here a couple years ago, and I didn’t know anyone, and I wasn’t familiar with the area,” she said. “I love getting to know people and getting to know what they love, and that is reflected in the flowers that I make for them. It is a representation of their event or of their personality.”

Bowers can be reached on her Facebook page @Briannabowers or her cell phone number, (334) 2087250.

First Baptist of Opelika presents Fall Festival CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — On Sunday, Oct. 29, the First Baptist Church of Opelika will present Fall Festival on the Square.

The event, which will be held in downtown Opelika, is free and the community is invited to attend.

The festival will feature 5,000 pounds of candy and more

than 30 inflatables for the children, as well as food trucks, the First Responders Challenge competition, fireworks and more.

The fun is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.

Kiwanis, OPD to host 'Chili on the Tracks' CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The Kiwanis Club of Opelika and the Opelika Police Department (OPD) are cooking up some competition for a cause this fall.

The inaugural Chili on the Tracks, a chili and grilled cheese competition, is set for Saturday, Nov. 18, in downtown Opelika. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. on North Railroad Avenue and North 7th Street.

Competitors will line the streets, serving samples of their best chili and/or chili and grilled cheese combos for a chance to win the coveted title of Judge’s Choice or Crowd Favorite.

Teams have four options for registration: Corporate Chili, Corporate Chili and Grilled Cheese Combo, Amateur Chili or Amateur Chili and Grilled Cheese

Combo.

Event tickets are $15 and include six chili samples and six grilled cheese samples.

The event will conclude at 1 p.m. or when the chili runs out.

Proceeds will benefit children in the community through several organizations.

OPD’s “Shop with a Cop” is a new program focused on strengthening relationships between law enforcement and youth in the community.

Local children are selected for the program and will have the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for their family and items for themselves with the assistance of a police officer.

OPD’s goal is to raise $8,000 this year to sponsor 40 children. Additional funds raised will be split between two organizations, Big House Foundation and Magic Moments. Big House

is a nonprofit ministry in Lee County dedicated to meeting the needs and improving the quality of life for children in foster care. Magic Moments mission is to grant nonmedical magic moments to children with chronic life-threatening or severe life-altering conditions, who live or receive treatment in Alabama.

Kiwanis Club of Opelika and OPD have partnered with Opelika Mainstreet to host the inaugural Chili on the Tracks. Event entertainment is sponsored by the Opelika Public Library and will feature live music from artist Joe Rushing.

Team registration is now open, and more information can be found online at www. bit.ly/OPDShopWithACop. Team registration closes Monday, Oct. 30, at noon CST.

A6 Oct. 26, 2023

his

A7 Oct. 26, 2023

Fall art exhibit opens at Auburn University's BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose (BCPP) and the Auburn University

Graduate School is currently hosting its fall art exhibition in Hargis Hall, Room 106, on campus.

BCPP is a community inclusion, health and wellness day center

which enhances and elevates the lives of young adults with disabilities facing moderate to severe cognitive and communication difficulties.

The photo exhibit is free and open to the public.

The exhibit will run through Nov. 16 and is open Monday through Friday.

'On the Tracks' fills downtown Opelika PHOTOS BY STEVEN STIEFEL, EMILY KEY AND OPELIKA MAIN STREET

The annual On The Tracks Wine Tasting Event was held this past weekend in downtown Opelika. Businesses featured wine pairings with tasty snacks. There were food trucks, a photo booth and lots of local businesses to interact with.

A8 Oct. 26, 2023

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES /THE OBSERVER

Isaac's Lemonade hosted a Pumpkin Carving Party at Courthouse Square, Saturday, Oct. 21. Participants had the opportunity to decorate a pumpkin and vendors offered up goodies like kettle corn and more.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES /THE OBSERVER

The Opelika Sportsplex hosted its annual Great Pumpkin Splash last weekend.

E vents,Food & SocietyNews

UPCOMING EVENTS OCT. 26 | VALOR PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS OCT. 27 | AIRVIEW BAPTIST'S FALL FESTIVAL OCT. 30 | THE OBSERVER'S BIRTHDAY PARTY NOV. 4 | SMITHS STATION CHRISTMAS BAZAAR NOV. 4 & 5 | HAY DAYS AT THE FARM AT ROCKY TOP NOV. 5 | CLOCKS "FALL BACK" NOV. 5 | SHINE FOR EPILEPSY EVENT

Remembering 15 Years of Great Cooks, Delectable Recipes PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY / FOR THE OBSERVER

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

s I look back over the past 15 years of my food column being in The Observer, starting with the first issue, I am reminded of many wonderful cooks who have shared their recipes, as well as spending busy days looking through my own recipe files. The best part has always been sitting in a feature cook’s home listening to their family’s traditions and history in gathering together to celebrate good times at the table.

I was attending a neighborhood coffee when I heard Jane and Calvin Rhodes talking about a group of Opelikans who were starting a newspaper.

Although I was writing for a magazine, I thought it would be interesting to write for a newspaper again. I had been a newspaper lifestyle, food and entertainment editor for 15 years. During that time, I also wrote a weekly food column called Southern Gourmet.

The Rhodes told me to call Charles Whatley about the paper. I knew Charles and Ann for years, and they were familiar with my work. I called Charles, who told me to go see Jayson Hill at the office and tell him he said to hire me.

The office at that time was in the former Woolworth’s space. Growing

up in Opelika, I remember going in the store many times as a child and later in high school. As Jayson and I talked, he wanted to know about my experience. We decided I would write a weekly food column and features.

I went home to decide quickly what to call the new column and assemble recipes for the first issue.

The first issue was about my mother and grandmother being outstanding southern cooks. Although I lived away for almost eight years after marrying, my heart will always treasure the dishes of the southland.

I met my husband Don when he was attending

Pierce Pettis returns for Sundilla concert this Friday CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Longtime local favorite Pierce Pettis returns to Sundilla on Friday, Oct. 27.

Showtime at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 450 E. Thach Ave., is 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, Foodies and online at sundillamusic.com.

Admission at the door will be $25.

Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food or beverage.

Pettis, adored See PETTIS, page A12

PIERCE PETTIS

Offering hospitality can be easy when you prepare recipes ahead and reheat. Pictured is a setting for a shower, but it could be for an open house or tea. Recipes for the dishes have appeared in the column. These include pork tenderloin sliders with apricot mustard sauce, chicken salad in tart shells, cheese wafers, mushroom rolls, pimento cheese topped with a pepper jelly glaze, roasted pecans, cheese board with fresh fruit, mini cheesecake roll-ups, lemon glazed mini cupcakes, peppermint brownies, punch, tea and coffee.

Auburn University. Our backgrounds were completely different. He was from New York and had lived in various places, including Europe when his father worked for Radio Free Europe. Don had graduated high school in Long Island, New York, when his father accepted a position at the Red Stone Arsenal.

With the Vietnam War not going well, Don decided to join the Marine Corps. We got married and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By this time his parents had moved to Manhattan as his father just finished work at NASA in Germany.

After spending many weekends in Manhattan dining at fine restaurants, I

began learning a great deal about gourmet cooking and other cuisines. Don’s mother was an excellent gourmet cook and had collected recipes from extensive travels. I began making copies of all of her recipes and reading cookbooks. All of this was developing my intense inter-

See CIPPERLY, page A11

Pebble Hill to host lecture, singer/songwriter contest CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

NOV. 3, 2023 The public is invited to “Picturing Justice: Race and the Supreme Court,” a lecture by renowned historian Vernon Burton, on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Pebble Hill. A reception will precede the talk at 6 p.m.

The reception and public lecture are held in recognition of Kenneth W. Noe. Noe is Draughon Professor of Southern History Emeritus at Auburn University, where he taught in the Department of History from 2000 to 2021.

He is the author or editor of eight books, most recently "The Howling Storm: Weather, Climate and the American Civil War," a Lincoln Prize finalist in 2021 and co-winner of the

2022 Colonel Richard W. Ulbrich Memorial Book Award.

Orville Vernon Burton is the inaugural Judge Matthew J. Perry Distinguished Chair of History and Professor of Global Black Studies, Sociology and Anthropology, and Computer Science at Clemson University. Burton is a prolific author and scholar with more than twenty authored or edited books and nearly three hundred articles published.

In 2022 he was appointed to the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, and received the Southern Historical Association’s John Hope Franklin Lifetime Achievement Award.

The program is free and open to the public and is cosponsored by the Caroline

Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities and the Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University.

The Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Pebble Hill is located at 101 S. Debardeleben St., Auburn. For more information on the program, call (334) 844-4903 or visit www.auburn.edu/cah.

NOV. 10, 2023 An AU Student Singer/ Songwriter Competition will be held at Pebble Hill in Auburn on Friday, Nov.10 at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

All students selected to compete will perform one original song for a live audience at the event, and judges will determine finalists for a second and final round. The winner of the event will perform a See LIBERAL ARTS, page A10

Tickets for 2023–24 season performances are available now.

A10 Oct. 26, 2023

Beulah Land

T

SEAN DIETRICH

he man had a dream. In this dream, he died.

It happened so quickly he almost didn’t know life was over. One minute he was alive; the next, poof, he was organic fertilizer.

He went to Beulah Land. And it was the whole heavenly enchilada. Everything you’d expect. Motherof-pearl gates. Twentyfour-carat streets.

Greenery everywhere.

Like the opening scenes of “The Sound of Music” minus the twirling nun.

The first to approach him was an old man.

“We’ve been expecting you,” said the oldster.

“There are a lot of excited souls waiting for you.”

“There are?”

“Oh, yes.”

The gates opened.

The first soul to come barreling out of the gate was four-legged.

Blonde. Slender. Like a pixie. She was the man’s first dog, a long time ago.

“Goldy!” the man shouted. And he was 10 years old again.

This was the dog that raised him. He got her when he was a boy. He picked her out of a cardboard box.

She peed on him. She chewed everything he owned.

She was his best friend. Not metaphorically.

Goldy was with him during the suicide of his father. She was with him through the growing pains of adolescence.

Through voice changes.

Bad grades. Middleschool crushes.

She was with him until her little body gave out. The boy buried her beneath a cedar tree. He didn’t eat for three days.

Next out of the gate came a chocolate Lab. She was sprinting toward him. Tongue flapping in the wind.

Cody. She had originally been his father’s dog. But after his father’s untimely death, the boy inherited this dog. That’s just how it works.

She was a tender animal. A country dog.

And a survivor. She survived copperhead bites, arsenic poisonings from cattle farmers, near drownings, and the one time the boy’s little sister made the poor dog wear a tutu.

But no dog can survive old age. Every

dog must fall. Every animal’s breaths are numbered. Them’s the rules.

Cody leapt against him and he fell backward. He was laughing like a teenager.

He was so happy his heart hurt.

Next came Lady. All black. Long ears. Pure cocker spaniel. She was a stray. The man found her when he was 15 years old. She came wandering through his neighborhood and landed on his doorstep when he had nobody to love him.

The kid put up “found” posters.

Surely an animal this wonderful would have an owner who was just sick over their missing dog.

But nobody claimed her.

Well, it was their loss.

For one decade Lady slept at the foot of the young man’s bed. She loved Hank Senior.

Loved TCBY. She growled at the young man’s girlfriend because Lady was an excellent judge of character.

When Lady died, he buried her in the woods behind Walmart. Her

favorite patch of woods.

A cop found him trespassing on the vacant lot with a shovel, carrying a heavy black plastic bag. The boy was crying so hard he couldn’t breathe.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” said the officer. “This is private property.”

But in the end, the officer helped the boy dig the hole.

Next out of the gate came Boone, Hurley and Gurgle. Three brothers. Border collieLab mixes. Long hair.

Zest for life.

Hurley was hit by a car. Gurgle died on the floor of the doctor’s office. Boone died in the young man’s arms.

Next came Ellie Mae. The black and tan bloodhound. She bolted out of the gate like a girl chasing the Beatles. Her loose jowls must have been eight feet long.

“Ellie Mae!” the young man screamed, and his voice broke.

He loved Ellie Mae in a unique way. They were close.

When she was a younger pup, they wrestled every night after supper. She rode

shotgun in his vehicle, every blessed day of her life. She slept next to him each night, pressed against the crook of his back. She was The Dog. When Ellie Mae died, the young man’s world went black. But today, in this ethereal place, Ellie was strong, fit, happy. No hip problems.

No pain. No white hair around the muzzle. No pancreatitis.

So here they were.

The young man and all his dogs.

He was lying there on the heavenly floor, in the dirt, getting lovingly mauled by canines. Rolling around.

Laughing. Smiling.

Playing. Running.

Shouting.

Funny. He’d always thought heaven was a place where people sang Gloria Gaither hit singles and wore bleached underpants.

But heaven was so much more.

Heaven was a place where, for all eternity, and still a thousand eternities to come, you could have dog hair on your long white robe.

They say there are no tears in heaven. But, oh, they lied.

Cornerstone Church to present Comedy Cafe fundraiser Nov. 6-7

BY ANDY LEE WHITE FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Youth for Christ’s annual Comedy Café fundraiser is set for Monday, Nov. 6 and Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Cornerstone Church in Auburn. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. both nights and the program starts at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s event will feature Comedian Brad Stine. For more than 20 years, Stine has been one of the most unique Christian comics in the country. He has been featured on Fox & Friends, Huckabee, CNN, as well as on numerous Christian broadcasts and has earned the nickname “God’s Comic.” His desire to mix his style of intelligent and relatable comedy observations has always

BRAD STINE been supplemented by his passion to inspire believers to be bold and unapologetic about their faith in Christ.

Each table for the evening is sponsored by a table host. Table hosts and guests will enjoy some family-friendly comedy, have some tasty desserts and hear all about the incredible things that God

is doing through Youth for Christ.

YFC Executive Director Tabitha Vasilas said she is expecting a great turnout.

“Comedy Café provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about the mission and impact EAYFC is making throughout our community,” she said. “It is a great date night option to have fun while you make a difference for the Kingdom.

You won’t want to miss it. Go ahead and sign up to host a table and reserve your spot at this incredible event. We look forward to seeing you there.”

For more information about the event or to sign up to be a table host or sponsor, visit wwweastalabamayfc.org/ comedycafe/ or contact tabitha@eastalabamayfc. org.

LIBERAL ARTS >>

from A9

Send your news and information to editor@opelikaobserver.com

third and final song to close the event. The winner will receive $500 and the two finalists will receive $250 each. Hosts for the evening will be Professors of Practice Jilla Webb and Khari Allen Lee of the AU Department of Music’s Commercial Music Program.

Tickets for the event are $15 for the general public and $7.50 for students. Purchase tickets at www.aub.ie/ songwritercompetition.

Pebble Hill is located at 101 S. Debardeleben St. in Auburn and is home to the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts. The event is presented by the Center and AU Department of Music.

A11 Oct. 26, 2023

CIPPERLY >>

FROM A9

est in cooking and learning as much as I could.

In between having three children in the next eight years, I had developed a huge collection of recipes that I cooked during their naps and after they went to bed. As toddlers, they would be in the kitchen with me, stirring a wooden spoon around a plastic bowl like they were cooking too (one became a chef).

By the time I talked Don into returning to Opelika, I had so many recipes that I began wondering what I was going to do with all of them. However, it didn’t stop me from experimenting and developing more.

When I noticed a local paper didn’t have recipes, I felt God leading me to

CIPPERLY RECIPES MINI CHEESECAKE ROLL-UPS WITH CINNAMON Ann Cipperly These are wonderful to keep in the freezer for teas, brunch or any occasion.

1 loaf very thin white bread (Pepperidge Farm) Two 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened ½ cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon ¼ cup or more butter, melted Trim crusts from bread. Roll flat with rolling pin.

Mix cream cheese and sugar. Spread two teaspoons filling on each slice of bread. Roll up.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

Dip each roll in melted butter, then roll in brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Place on cookie sheet. Neatly trim edges of each roll (if desired) and cut in half. Chill or freeze until ready to use.

Bake on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly. Good warm or room temperature.

These freeze well.

Freeze rolls before baking. Great to keep on hand to quickly bake to serve with a cup of tea or coffee.

PEAR SALAD WITH BUE CHEESE AND

write about food. I resisted, but finally took samples to Millard Grimes, who hired me. The first columns were about fancy crepes, tortes and recipes that probably didn’t interest many people. It became more interesting when I began writing about other cooks in the community.

Over the years, I have been blessed to travel extensively, which was also an education in good food and cooking.

With Southern Gourmet going and the kids in school, I became an assistant in the Living department and a short three months later was offered the editor’s position. That required a great deal of prayer. From laying out papers with blue ink for the composing room to laying out pages on computers, taking photos and

writing features, it was exhausting. I needed a break, but then God was calling me back.

With 15 years of the other food column packed away in tubs, I began writing Southern Hospitality.

Although I ran a lot of my own recipes, especially during the pandemic, I have enjoyed visiting other cooks and hearing their story and traditions.

Over the past 15 years, I have visited with many wonderful cooks and never missed a week sending in the column except for a time in the fall of 2010. I had been sick for months, and things weren’t looking so good. When surgery was scheduled at UAB, I knew I needed to take a short leave to recover.

After learning I had a rare stage four cancer, I was sent to an oncologist,

who said she couldn’t do anything for me. She wanted me to take anti-depression med since it was going to be a “rocky ride.”

I will forever be thankful God already had another plan. Although it was very rare, God opened the door for me to meet two other people with the same cancer, who had found a doctor. Instead of being devastating, God provided a miracle.

Two of my feature cooks were on similar journeys going to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. When one of those friends and I discovered we were going to be there at the same time, we planned to meet. I was there on that day, but my friend wasn’t. It was the day of her funeral and one of the saddest days on that “rocky ride.”

SUGARED WALNUTS Nancy Whatley 10 oz. bag of baby spinach 1 ripe Bartlett pear, cored and thinly sliced (you might place it in a paper sack to ripen before you make the salad) 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 4 oz. pkg. crumbled blue cheese Sugared Curried Walnuts Maple-cider vinaigrette Sugared Curried Walnuts: 6 oz. pkg. walnut halves 2 Tbsp. butter, melted 3 Tbsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/8 tsp. curry powder 1/8 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper Toss walnuts (or pecans) in melted butter.

Stir together sugar and next four ingredients in a medium bowl; sprinkle over walnuts, tossing to coat. Spread in a single layer on a nonstick aluminum foillined pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack; separate walnuts with a fork. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Maple-Cider Vinaigrette: 1/3 cup cider vinegar 2 tsp. pure maple syrup 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 2/3 cup olive oil Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Gradually whisk in oil until completely blended. Cover and refrigerate for up to

3 days.

Salad assembly: Combine first 5 ingredients of salad in a large bowl. Drizzle with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette, gently toss to coat. Sprinkle walnuts over top and serve.

Serves 8 and is beautiful in a trifle bowl.

TENDERLOIN WITH MUSTARD HORSERADISH Tiffany Denson 1 (4-5 lb.) whole beef tenderloin, trimmed and tied Vegetable oil Freshly ground black pepper Coarse kosher salt *Note: Sometimes I add fresh, chopped rosemary to the salt and pepper.

Remove beef from refrigerator and allow to rest for 30 minutes before roasting.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees and position rack to center.

Rub meat lightly with oil using your hands. Coat tenderloin well with salt and pepper. Place beef in a shallow roasting pan.

Put in oven and reduce temperature to 450 degrees and roast for 20 to 30 minutes (22 minutes for rare and 25 minutes for medium rare). Remove meat from oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes.

Remove string and slice. Serves 8 to 10 for a seated dinner.

Mustard Horseradish Sauce: 1 cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. whole-grain mustard 3-4 Tbsp. prepared horseradish ½ cup sour cream, not light ¼ tsp. kosher salt Whisk together all ingredients and serve at room temperature.

Can be made ahead.

MARINATED PORK TENDERLOIN OR PORK LOIN WITH APRICOT MUSTARD SAUCE Martha Hicks 1 cup red wine ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup canola oil Chopped garlic Chopped fresh rosemary Black pepper Combine ingredients. For pork tenderloin, marinate for three or four hours and for a pork loin, marinate over night or all day.

Grill pork tenderloin on medium heat, turning for about 20 to 30 minutes.

For a pork loin, place on grill to brown and then finish tightly covered in a slow oven at 325 degrees until desired doneness.

Apricot Mustard Sauce: 1 small jar apricot preserves or orange marmalade ¼ cup grainy mustard ¼ stick butter Lemon juice Heat all together until butter is melted.

Serve with pork.

FOOLPROOF BEEF

Several other feature cooks have passed away over the past 15 years. I still make their recipes and think of them every time.

We will all have storms to walk through, which is why it is important to make the best of every day. Don’t wait to plan a gathering with family and friends. Forget that the carpet needs replacing, you don’t have nice dishes or that the yard needs work.

Everything will never be perfect. People will enjoy whatever you offer and just being with you.

I have had a great time at people’s homes eating something simple, such as a hot dog on a paper plate.

I never noticed the yard or how the interior looked.

We were sitting around the table telling stories and laughing. This is what hospitality is all about.

CHICKEN PICCATA Janine Simmons 6 boneless chicken breasts 1 cup sliced mushrooms 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 Tbsp. butter 3 Tbsp. olive oil Flour 1 tsp. rosemary, optional ½ cup lemon juice ¾ cup chicken broth (I usually double the liquid) 1 jar capers 1 lb. angel hair pasta Pound chicken breasts and cut in half.

In a frying pan over medium heat, sauté mushrooms and garlic in 1 Tbsp. butter and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes; remove from pan.

Sprinkle chicken with flour, salt and pepper.

Brown 3 to 5 minutes on each side in butter and olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary.

Remove from pan; add lemon juice and chicken broth.

Add chicken and mushrooms and heat through. Serve with pasta. Sprinkle with capers.

PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS WITH SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE FILLING Ursula Higgins Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

6 medium portabella mushroom caps Scrape out gills and season with: 3 Tbsp. olive oil 3 minced garlic cloves

With the holidays coming up, now is a great time to plan on offering hospitality. Just use whatever dishes you have, and cook what your family enjoys.

To make hospitality failproof, gather a few recipes together that you can make ahead and maybe freeze a casserole or dessert.

Set the table a day ahead.

Then, all you have to do is warm the prepared dishes and serve them buffet style.

I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful cooks in the community and share their story and recipes. I would like to tell about every special one, but there wouldn’t be space.

The following recipes are a sampling from over the years. I couldn’t pick favorites as it would take the entire paper to run.

Salt and pepper Put oil side up and bake until tender, about 10 minutes.

6 oz softened cream cheese 5 Tbsp. mayonnaise 1 tsp. fresh thyme Stir together.

15 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 1/2 cans 14 oz. artichokes (whole or quartered) Salt and pepper Add to above cheese mixture and fill mushroom caps.

2 minced garlic cloves 1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme 3/4 cup panko crumbs 1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese Combine these in a bowl. Sprinkle on top.

Bake until filling is golden brown and hot, about 10 minutes.

GRATIN OF YUKON GOLD POTATOES WITH BACON Linda Letlow 12 oz. bacon slices, chopped 2½ cups whipping cream 1½ cups whole milk 3 ½ lb. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 1½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 13 x 9 baking dish. Cook bacon until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels and drain.

Mix cream and milk in a 4 cup measuring

See RECIPES, page A12

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A12 Oct. 26, 2023

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

from A11

cup. Layer 1/3 of potatoes in baking dish, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper. Top potatoes with 1/3 cheese and 1/3 of bacon.

Pour 1 cup cream mixture over. Repeat layering.

Top with remaining potatoes. Sprinkle with ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper, remaining cheese and bacon. Pour remaining cream mixture over.

Bake gratin uncovered until potatoes are tender and cream mixture thickens, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Let stand 15 minutes before serving. You can prepare this a day ahead.

Refrigerate and reheat covered with foil in a 375 oven for about 30 minutes.

NANA’S CARAMEL POUND CAKE Peggy Dyar 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 cup sugar 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/2 cup vegetable oil 5 large eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Caramel Frosting Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan. Beat sugars and butter at medium speed until blended.

Add oil, and beat until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

PETTIS >>

from A9

by both critics and the public alike, is one of this generation’s most masterful songwriters.

His music is distinguished by his uncanny ability to capture universals in human experience by drawing on the humor and trials in daily life. Pettis’ music can simultaneously pull on our hearts and keep us laughing. The beautiful harmonies, inventive yet subtle percussion, strong guitar, and his rich vocals are a constant throughout his body of work.

His fellow songwriters aren’t above lavishing

Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Pour batter into a greased and floured tube pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, remove from pan, and cool on wire rack. Drizzle with Caramel Frosting.

Caramel Frosting: 1 box light brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine 5-oz. evaporated milk Dash of salt 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring often.

Boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat; add baking powder and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Drizzle quickly over cake.

MARINATED OLIVES Debbie Purves 1 pint Kalamata olives 1 pint green olives 1 large yellow onion, sliced 4 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 cup balsamic vinegar 1 cup extra vinegar olive oil 2 tsp. dried thyme 3 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 Tbsp. fresh cracked pepper 3 tsp. kosher salt Mix all ingredients together and marinate in the refrigerator for several days. May be served chilled or warmed accompanied with a good

praise. Darrell Scott said that “Pierce Pettis bares a gentle soul with a keen eye, a soulful voice, and perfect guitar accompaniment for his beautiful songs — a masterful poet treasure.”

And from Eliza Gilkyson, “I have loved Pierce’s music for many years nowhe has the gift of a true inner compass.”

Pettis has performed in all 48 continental states as well as in Canada and Europe, appeared nine times on American Public Radio’s Mountain Stage, been featured on National Public Radio’s E-town, Morning Edition and World Café, and appeared on VH-1, CBS News, and

crusty bread.

CHUCK’S MOM’S RED BEANS AND RICE Chuck Beams 2 lbs. Conecuh smoked sausage, sliced into small pieces 1 large onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tsp. cumin 2 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sage 2 bay leaves 4 cans dark red beans Rice, hot sauce Cook sausage in large saucepan or Dutch oven; set aside. Sauté onion, pepper and garlic in sausage grease.

Remove sausage to pan; add seasonings and beans. Simmer for 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Serve over rice with your favorite hot sauce.

CRAB AND CORN BISQUE Kim Hudson ½ cup butter, melted ½ cup chopped celery ½ cup chopped green onions ¼ cup chopped green pepper 2 cans cream of potato soup 1 can creamed corn 1 can corn 1½ cups half and half 1½ cups milk 2 bay leaves ½ tsp. dried thyme 1/8 tsp. hot sauce 1 lb. crabmeat Sauté celery, green onions and pepper in butter.

Add potato soup, corn, half and half, milk baby leaves, thyme and pepper.

Cook until thoroughly heated. Gently stir in crab.

Discard bay leaves before serving.

What's Happening in Lee County FARMER'S MARKETS OGrows Fall Market, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP 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.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404 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 ANNOUNCE 2023-24 MEETING DATES the Nashville Network.

During his long career Pettis has been a writer at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama, recorded for Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York, won the prestigious New Folk songwriting competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and was a staff songwriter at Polygram/Universal Music Publishing in Nashville.

He has received numerous songwriting awards including a 1999 ASCAP Country Music Award for “You Move Me” — recorded by Garth Brooks.

For more information, go to www.sundillamusic. com.

Auburn/Opelika MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and MOMSNext meet at Pepperell Baptist Church located at 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika.

- Jan. 18 - Feb. 1, 15 - March 7, 21 - April 4, 18 - May 2 Contact Rachel Elrod at 706The next meetings scheduled are: 244-5620 or Kaela Sexton at 719- Nov. 2, 16 351-8093 for further information.

- Dec. 7

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Nov. 15, 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.

A13 Oct. 26, 2023

To whom do you belong?

WALT ALBRITTON

D

OPINION — uring my early and middle years, but not much during my older years, there were occasions when I had lustful thoughts while admiring the beauty of another man’s wife. Each time that happened, I heard the inner voice of Jesus saying, “Relax, Walter; she belongs to someone else.” To have to be reminded of that was embarrassing.

Actually, the concept of belonging to another helped strengthen my faithfulness to the beautiful woman God had given me. Early in our marriage, Dean and I were blessed with the conviction that God has hard-wired each of us with a need to belong.

A sense of belonging is simply a basic human need.

A child, growing up, needs a sense of belonging to a family.

Each of us begins to discover our identity as we find joy and wellbeing in belonging to various groups such as the Glee Club, cheerleaders, athletic teams, etc. Later on, the choice of a vocation is usually based on feeling that “this is where I belong.”

Bring the Bible into this discussion and we find the good book telling us that we belong to God. Paul, for example, reminds the Corinthians that they should avoid sexual immorality because God owns their bodies and intends for each body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is how J.B. Phillips unfolds this idea in his Modern English New Testament: “Avoid sexual

looseness like the plague.

Every other sin that a man commits is done outside his own body, but this is an offense against his own body.

Have you forgotten that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, and is God’s gift to you, and that you are not the owner of your own body? You have been bought, and at what a price. Therefore bring glory to God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

Peter explains that the price God paid for our sins when he bought us, or redeemed us, was “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19).

Take a moment and think about that. You are not your own. God bought you. You belong to Him. He bought

you with the blood of Jesus. Reflect on that, the amazing idea of how valuable you are to almighty God. Is that not overwhelming?

In this day and time, when so many people ignore God and demand their rights and personal privileges, the Bible tells us about a man named Paul who was overwhelmed with a sense of his indebtedness to Jesus Christ. Oswald Chambers said of Paul, “Paul sold himself to Jesus Christ. He says — I am a debtor to everyone on the face of the earth because of the gospel of Jesus; I am free to be an absolute slave only” (My Utmost for His Highest, July 15).

Songwriter Norman Clayton considered this matter and wrote a song

that has a home in my memory box: “Now I Belong to Jesus.” The first verse stirs my soul: “Jesus my Lord will love me forever, from Him no pow’r of evil can sever, He gave his life to ransom my soul, now I belong to Him.” That song reminds me of my true identity: I belong to Jesus.

In a culture darkened by violence and selfishness, and loudly insisting “It’s All About Me,” I think it’s time for those who belong to Jesus to stand up and say, “No, It’s All About Jesus.”

My brother, my sister, to whom do you belong?

You really don’t have to shout it from the rooftop; people know from your behavior to whom you belong.

Evelyn Stroh.

In Celebration of Julie’s life, a service was held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory Donations can be made to Pilots for Christ in honor of Julie. Pilots of Christ and the wonderful people with this organization have truly been a blessing getting Julie and Gerald to and from Alabama and Texas. Pilots for Christ PO Box 707/107 Airport Road, Monroeville, AL (251) 575-9425.

2023. She was born and raised in Troy, Alabama.

Marianne was a devoted wife to her late husband, Lafayette Roney, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children Scott (Clearice) Roney of Auburn, Reid (Claudia) Roney of Huntsville, and Paige (Chris) Buttrill of Cornelius, North Carolina.

Marianne was a cherished grandmother to Daniel (Michelle) Roney, Rachel Roney-Rivera, Ross (Jamie) Roney, Larke Roney, Clint (Abigail) Roney, Layne Roney, Austin Buttrill, Hampton Buttrill, and Hollyn Buttrill. She was also blessed with seven greatgrandchildren, Kyia, Cam, Piper K, Sophia, Desi, Riggs and Scout.

Marianne was a woman of faith and worshipped at Trinity Lutheran Church. She found solace and strength in her religious community.

During her lifetime, Marianne was first employed in banking by the First National Bank of Montgomery, moving to Auburn in 1965, and accepting a position with Central Bank of Auburn and then the First National Bank of Auburn, where her areas of responsibility included cashier, branch manager, lending director of business development and public relations; and whereas, in 1981, Marianne

OBITUARIES WILLIAM BRUCE LEE William Bruce Lee, of Opelika, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Emmett Jackson and Lucille Hagan Lee, siblings Euartis Lowe and her husband Robert, Minnie Harrison and her husband John Jr., James H. (Buck) Lee; brother-in-law J.W. Long.

Bruce is survived by his spouse, Mary Helen Smith Lee, whom just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on July 25; three sons William Terry (Sharon), Jackson Keith (Susan) and Michael Craig (Hollie); sister Alma Long; four grandsons Trey (Dana), Bruce (Bridget), Robert (Dacy) and Hollis; great-grandchildren Alyssa, Rachel, Alyson, Dacy Caroline, Isaac, Jonah, Anna Kathryn and Robert.

Mr. Lee began working at West Point Pepperell upon completing school and worked there until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Lee always loved spending time with his family. After retirement you could always find him sitting on the porch in the rocking chair or swing or fishing in his pond.

Regardless of the situation you could always expect him to want to crack a joke to make everyone laugh.

There will be a huge void in everyone’s life that loved him.

The family respectfully

requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Oak Hill Church Opelika, at www. oakhillopelika.com.

A graveside service for Mr. Lee was held Oct. 23.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

FRANCIS EDWARD "ED" FOSTER Francis Edward “Ed” Foster, of Opelika, passed away Oct. 19, 2023. Mr. Foster is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Foster; parents Elizabeth Daniel Foster, John Foster; sister Beth Damato. He is survived by his children Michael Foster, Frances Franks; grandchildren Sydney Pritchard, Jack Pritchard and Paxton Franks.

Ed retired in 2010 from Internal Medicine as the lab director. He enjoyed fishing, golf, camping, dove hunting and watching college football especially Alabama football.

He was a scout master for Troop 45 at Trinity Church for many years. Ed was a man of faith and believed in God’s promise of eternal life trough His Son Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Oct. 28, 2023, at Trinity Church in Opelika with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service.

Burial will follow in Garden Hills Cemetery.

JULIANNE "JULIE JUJU" HILLIS STROH

Julianne “Julie, Juju” Hillis Stroh, 62, went to be in Heaven on Oct. 18, 2023. Julie fought a long and difficult battle against cancer.

She was born Sept. 30, 1961, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Seaborn and Winifred Hillis. She was married to her heart, Gerald Stroh, for 40 years full of love and happiness.

Gerald and Julie met in 1980 and married June 4, 1983, at First Baptist Church of Montgomery. During the first 10 years of marriage, they traveled extensively.

Some of her favorite places were Hawaii, Bermuda and San Fransico to name a few.

On March 11, 1993, they welcomed their “angel” Katy Lee into the world.

Julie wanted to be a mother for as long as she could remember, and she truly devoted her life to Katy Lee and Gerald. She never missed the opportunity to be active in Katy Lee’s life. Whether to be a classroom mom, at dance lessons or cheerleading, she was always there! Katy Lee blessed Julie and Gerald with four grandchildren: Oliver McClung, Anna Kate Britt, Julianne Britt and Andrew Britt. She was truly the best Juju to her grandchildren.

Julie attended Brenau University and Auburn University. She was an active member in her sorority where she was a Chi Omega at Brenau and Auburn.

Julie has worn many “hats” throughout her beautiful life.

In her younger years, she worked for her father Seab at Franklin Life. She was active in Mongomery Junior League and Springfield Junior League and was honored by starting a Holiday Market in Springfield, IL. Julie also helped start Birthday Club with 11 of her friends, each month they would go out for lunch to celebrate each other together. In her recent years, she has been an Independent Health Insurance Agent with Medicare. She truly enjoyed the time spent with her clients and the impact she felt she was making with them.

Julie is survived by her husband Gerald Stroh, daughter Kathryn Britt; grandchildren Oliver McClung, Anna Kate Britt, Julianne Britt and Andrew Britt. Her sister Kathy Patterson; nieces and nephews, Blake Patterson (Joanne), Taylor Holsembeck (Brett), Cole Patterson (Ashlyn), Eric Stroh (Candy), Evelyn Stroh, Alyson Phillips (Andrew) and Keely Calixtro (Robert). Her brother in laws Sammy Stroh (Emmie) and Al Stroh (Brenda); aunts Margaret Kerns and Shirley Love.

Her family truly meant the world to her, and she loved them more than anything.

Preceding her into heaven are her father and mother Seaborn and Winifred Hillis; her grandparents Fred and Kathryn Taylor; her father-inlaw and mother-in-law Ed and

JESSICA LYNN WHITE Jessica Lynn White passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at East Alabama Medical Center. She was 39 years old.

She was preceded in death by her mother Lori Green White.

She is survived by her father Joseph White (Renai); aunts Cheryl White and Chris Matthews (Bruce) and numerous cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, from noon until 1:45 p.m. in the parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

A graveside service and interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.

MARIANNE RONEY Marianne Roney, age 88, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Oct. 19,

Pre-Need Services Available Call 334-749-8700 for an appointment Your Full-Service Funeral Home

See OBITUARIES, page A14

A14 Oct. 26, 2023

When temptation calls your name

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

L

OPINION — ast week we saw from Daniel 3 how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego made the courageous decision on the plain of Dura not to bow down to the image Nebuchadnezzar had made. They doubled

down on this when the king offered them another opportunity.

What was involved in the decision they made?

1. They understood the simple truth that doing right is never wrong, so they didn’t feel the need to defend themselves before the king or anyone else (v. 16). While there’s something to giving a reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), it needs to be balanced with the truth that sometimes actions speak louder than words.

This was one of those times.

2. They did the right thing for the right reason. Verses 17 and 18 make it clear that the young men had no doubt about God’s ability to rescue them,

but they also had the maturity to understand and accept that He might not choose to do that on this occasion. So, they weren’t defying the king because they knew they would be rescued, they were obeying God because it is the right thing to do. Period.

3. They left the consequences of their actions to God. They didn’t know what was going to happen, but they knew the God they served was in control and in the end, everything would be okay. We would do well to remember if everything isn’t okay right now, it’s because we haven’t reached the end.

As a parent, grandparent and teaching minister, I wonder how

these young men came to have the faith they did. Were they raised in a family where God was honored above everything else? Or is it possible that they grew up in a compromised environment — certainly many existed in Judah — where idols were given equal or superior standing to God? If so, perhaps they came to God as a result of the captivity.

Or it could be possible that everyone but Daniel was in some lesser state of following God when they started their training in Babylon. If so, then Daniel’s actions (he is the only one mentioned as requesting the special diet – 1:8ff), and the consequent results convicted them and stirred them to a greater

faith.

We have no way of determining how these young men came to faith.

Maybe it was different for each of them. But if it was important, we would know. The fact that we don’t reminds us that people can come to faith out of all sorts of circumstances. What matters most is not where they came from but that they made the choice to follow God. As you read this, you might have had a smooth path or a rocky road to your faith, it doesn’t matter. All that is important is that you made the choice to follow Him as these young men did.

Find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-withbruce-green.com.

Bible verse of the week: But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. — 1 John 2:5-6

CHURCH DIRECTORY ANGLICAN The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

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

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

joined Auburn National Bank as vice-president and loan officer, in charge of real estate mortgage lending and relationship banking. She was awarded by the Senate of the Alabama Legislature for outstanding professional achievement and elected to the office of Alabama Bankers Association where she was responsible for the Alabama’s Bankers School which is located on the Mobile Campus of the University of the South.

Marianne made many friends and influenced the lives of so many in the Auburn community. She served as the President of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in 1978, awarded as the first woman in the state of Alabama to become a member of the Kiwanis Club and a long member of the Auburn Beautification Council, where she was

CHURCH OF GOD Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552

Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108

EPISCOPAL- AME Saint Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St., Opelika 334-749-1690

Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148

Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608

EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054

Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949

Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800

Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika

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

dedicated to keeping Auburn the loveliest village on the plains.

After retiring, she was known and loved for her work in the offices of the Dean of Engineering and Athletic Department at Auburn University.

In her spare time, Marianne found joy in knitting and French hand sewing, especially for her grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and friends.

She poured love and care into every stitch, creating beautiful and meaningful pieces. Marianne also had a passion for Auburn sports and could often be found cheering on the teams with enthusiasm.

Marianne Roney will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends.

There was a graveside service at Auburn Memorial Park Oct. 23,2023; pastor Corey Grunklee officiated.

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755

Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika Southern Plains Cowboy Church 13099 U.S. Hwy. 280

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

If you are searching for a friendly, loving and Spirit lled church, Father’s House Christian Fellowship is the church for you.

Serving this community since 1999 Father’s House Christian Fellowship is located at 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika.

Sunday 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

The Lions Club of Opelika meets every Monday at noon at Western Sizzlin' in Opelika.

Email gm.markley@ charter.net.

A15 Oct. 26, 2023

Hunley Group Lambert Transfer and Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, Alabama 36801 334-745-5706

A16 Oct. 26, 2023

East Alabama Community Band presents 'Heartsongs' PHOTO BYJOHN HILLSMAN / FOR THE OBSERVER

The East Alabama Community Band, conducted by Joshua Wine, entertained with a performance of "Heartsongs of America" on Oct. 23 at Southside Center for the Arts in Opelika.

The event featured performances of the songs "Forged in Fire," "Rockwell Portrait," "The Governor's Own," "Travelin' Music," "On the Fields of Glory," "Down to the River" and "America the Beautiful."

Meet David Hedges 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

Schools & Sports ON THE MARK OHS Volleyball ends with loss to Central 20:08.70 — Trevor Thompson,16th 20:11.70 — Caleb Thornton, 62nd 20:23.30 — Alexander Burgess, 64th 20:39.00 — Murphy Williams, 72nd 21:21.10 — Seth Huling, 90th 21:54.30 — John Greer — 104th 21:57.20 — Zane Sexton, 105th 22:10.48 — Teotl Heredia, 34th 22:18.69 —Tripp Campbell, 35th 22:19.03 —Benjamin Owens, 36th 24:01.08 — Daylan Sanders , 41st 25:54.34 — Javis Bedell, 47th 26:28.59 — Ephraim Thornton, 50th Opelika participates in the7A Sectional Meet Saturday at Kiesel Park in Auburn. Top qualifiers advance to the state meet next weekend.

ENTERPRISE BEATS OPELIKA 28-14; DOGS MUST BEAT DOTHAN TO MAKE 7A PLAYOFFS Enterprise (6-2, R 4-2) defeated Opelika (4-5, R 4-3) 28-14 , last Thursday at "Bill Bacon Field" in Enterprise.

The Dogs loss means they See ON THE MARK, page B5

Loachapoka game photos— B5

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023

Friday Night Lights Recap: Week 9

BY D. MARK MITCHELL THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — The high school football regular season is winding down.

The AISA (Alabama Independence School Association) is playing the final week of the regular season and will start playoffs next Friday, Nov. 3. The AHSAA (Alabama High School Athletic Association) has two weeks remaining in the regular season with playoffs starting Nov. 10.

The following is a summary of local schools: LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY

See WEEK 9, page B6

Auburn lost its game against Central in Phenix City, Friday, Oct. 20.

Loachapoka claims 1A Region 4 title CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BEULAH — On Oct. 19, the undefeated Loachapoka Indians took on the Maplesville Red Devils at Beulah High School.

The game started off slow with both teams scoreless until about halfway through the second quarter when Maplesville took a 6-0 lead after a passing touchdown and failed two-point conversion.

The Indians responded quickly as they swiftly pushed downfield and into the red zone. Loachapoka’s senior running back Jeremiah Darlington ran the ball in for a 15-yard rushing touchdown to tie it up. The two-point

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

OPINION — The OHS Volleyball season ended with a 3-0 loss to Central in the Area Tournament last week at Auburn High. The Lady Tigers beat Smiths Station and Central to win the Area and earn a trip to the South Super Regional at the Multiplex in Montgomery.

CROSS COUNTRY Opelika's varsity Cross Country team competed in the 27th Annual Tiger Classic at Keisel Park in Auburn.

The following are Opelika's runners and their results: GIRLS 20:42.60 —Caroline Couey, 9th 23:46.20 — Violett Alcorn, 45th 24:52.60 — Frida Cruz Valdez, 62nd 25:46.60 — Heidi Peralta Fernandez, 72nd 27:21.30 — Alyson Culberson, 92nd 28:10.10 — Ellie Kendrick, 103rd BOYS 16:56.80 — Brantley Turnham, 6th 19:00.14 — Amari Bynum, 10th 19:47.40 — Aiden Stephens, 55th 19:55.50 — Drew Schoonoven, 57th 19:56.10 —Ben Bell, 58th

• AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING NOV. 14 AT 6 P.M. • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING NOV. 14 AT 6 P.M. • OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 5 AT 6 P.M.

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

INSIDE SCHOOL & SPORTS

Loachapoka brought home a win, Thursday, Oct. 19, clinching the 1A Region4 title, after defeating Maplesville for the first time since 2009.

conversion also failed, leaving the game at 6-6 through the half.

The game remained scoreless for some time after the half,

with no team scoring See LOACHAPOKA, page B4

Excellence. Innovation. Compassion.

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

www.theorthoclinic.com

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

B2 Oct. 26, 2023

Central Red Devils serve up region loss to Auburn PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

Auburn lost its game against the Central Red Devils, 41-20.

Read Tucker Massey's recap on B4.

PLAYER of the

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

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

KAIDEN HARRIS 6 Tackles

BEULAH Senior RJ Shealey #19 146 Rushing yards and 2 TD's

Lee County Sheriff’s Office is proud to support our local athletes!

STAY INFORMED SUBMIT A REPORT, & SO MUCH MORE

#myOpelika • www.opelika-al.gov

SCAN THE QR CODE AND DOWNLOAD THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE APP

Lee County Sheriff’s Office

1900 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36803 334-749-5651 | LeeCountySheriff.org

@LeeCoSheriffAL

B3 Oct. 26, 2023

Hornets fall to Central of Clay County at home

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES/THE OBSERVER

Beauregard felt the sting of its fourth straight loss at home last Friday night, losing to Central of Clay County 7-49. The Hornets face Jemison in an away game Oct. 27.

LEE SCOTT

LOACHAPOKA

*Correction : Last week we listed the wrong player as the player

Donell Buster — Offense Javion Gary — Defense Edgar Flores — Special Teams

JJ MEYERS vs Fort Dale 129-yards and 3 TD's 2-catches 37-yards

of the game for Lee-Scott. JJ Meyers should have been listed.

B4 Oct. 26, 2023

Undefeated Glenwood strolls past Morgan on senior night SMITHS STATION — A week after clinching the top seed in its region, Glenwood honored its seniors before giving way to the program’s future in a 49-8 victory over Morgan Academy on senior night.

Three senior receivers hauled in touchdowns for the Gators within the first four minutes of the game — the first six offensive snaps. On the third play of the night, senior Eli Bankston snagged his first career TD catch before seniors Griff Garner and Brayden Gooden followed — hauling in passes from threeyear starter and senior quarterback, Dallas Crow.

“I’m blessed to be their coach, and thankful that we have 20 seniors that are phenomenal kids, great character guys and great players,” said head coach Ryan Nelson. “It’s been a fun bunch to coach … I can’t say enough about them and how tight they are and how much of a family culture we have in our locker room.”

While Crow and the starters improved to 9-0 and continued their undefeated season in

dominating fashion, their nights ended before halftime. Up 42-8 going to the break, Glenwood showed off a glimpse of the program’s future in the second half, playing mostly all freshman, junior varsity and underclassmen to wrap up the win.

After sophomore running back Carter Judah pounded one in from 10 yards out and senior Levi Pinder hit junior River Baker for a TD to make it 35-0 after a quarter, freshman QB Trey Claridy and freshman RB Josiah Clark first appeared in the second quarter.

Claridy, who “has a little Crow in him” with his shifty running and ability to throw on the move, started his night by leading a scoring drive. The drive included a few long QB keepers and was capped off by a TD scamper from Claridy to end the half with a 34-point lead. The Gators held onto that lead and tacked on in the third quarter with a Clark rushing TD. The young defense also kept Morgan scoreless for the remainder of the game, marking two weeks in a row where the Gators have surrendered just one score. More

importantly, Nelson said everyone was able to stay healthy and rested after blowout wins in two straight weeks.

“We came in here tonight and did what we wanted to do,” Nelson said. “We’re 9-0, and you know, we’re looking forward to a big one next week.”

Looking to stay undefeated in the season finale, however, will not be an easy task.

Glenwood will go on the road to Chambers Academy (8-1), who hasn’t lost a game since a week one loss to LeeScott, 14-6.

With the region title and first-round playoff bye already secured, Nelson is looking forward to the final test of a clean slate in his second year leading the Gators. This would be Glenwood’s first undefeated regular season since 2020.

But Glenwood’s hopes go beyond the regular season. It is vying for the program’s first ever state championship victory in what is set to be its final year in the AISA. Glenwood’s playoff race all starts in the semifinal round at Glenwood on Thursday, Nov. 9, but not until the Gators go for an undefeated season next Friday.

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

Auburn High sees its first region loss of the season

Auburn High School Varisty football faced off against the Central Red Devils, Friday, Oct. 20.

BY TUCKER MASSEY FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN — No. 3 in 7A Region 2 Auburn High School had a matchup against undefeated No. 1 in 7A Region 2 Central High School out of Phenix City on Oct. 20.

The Tigers got off to a slow start and allowed a big Central passing touchdown to take the lead at 6-0, followed by

a successful PAT. Auburn was unable to respond, but the Tigers’ defense held the Red Devils to just a field goal to widen the lead to 10-0. Auburn was held off for a second time, and Central mimicked its prior possession with another successful field goal, ending the first quarter with a 13-0 lead.

Moving into the second quarter, Auburn tried to gain momentum,

but ultimately could not keep up with the Red Devils, with Auburn successfully kicking a field goal and scoring one touchdown with an extra point while Central put up another 14 points going into the half.

When the teams returned to the field, the Red Devils led the Tigers 27-10. Auburn came in and kicked another successful field goal, followed by another Central touchdown.

Before entering the final stretch, Auburn narrowed Central’s lead to 34-20, but the Tigers would not score again the entirety of the fourth quarter.

Central expanded its lead over Auburn to 41-20 and won the game to claim the regional title.

Auburn will take on another region competitor next week as Prattville High School comes to play at Duck-Samford at 7 p.m., followed by the season closer against Smiths Station High School at Smiths Station on Nov. 11.

top, winning 12-6 and leaving the Indians undefeated for the season and with their first 1A Region 4 Title in a decade.

As Loachapoka advances to the playoffs, they will take the No. 1 seed from Region 4.

However, the Indians still have regular season

play to take off before the playoffs begin.

On Friday, Oct. 27, Loachapoka will face off against the Billingsley Bears at Billingsley.

Billingsley is currently fifth in 1A Region 4 but is currently undefeated at home.

Opelika Board of Education approves new assessment contract

BY ANITA STIEFEL ANITAS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA— The Opelika City Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Among the items of business, the board approved a textbook committee, granted permission for two field trip requests and approved contracting with a new company for benchmark assessment.

The board approved recommendations from Pam Fourtenbary, assistant superintendent of curriculum, to appoint educators Judy

Eldred, Mandy Baker and Katie Murray to a committee to review choices for a new Family and Consumer Science textbook. Stephanie Kemp was approved as parent representative.

The board approved a request for OHS’s Ovations Choir to travel to Biloxi to participate in a show choir competition, as well as approved a request for OHS’s OGRE robotics club to participate in a regional competition in Orlando. Both field trips are set for March 2023.

To comply with state literacy and numeracy laws, the board approved a

recommendation to change the schools’ benchmark assessment and intervention product from Aimsweb Plus to I-Ready. According to Fourtenbary, I-Ready is an upgrade, with expanded screening services, and it is approved by both the state literacy and numeracy task forces. The state of Alabama will provide a total of $32,000 in funding toward the total cost of $46,000.

The next meeting of the board will be a combined November/December meeting and is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 4:30 p.m.

LOACHAPOKA >>

FROM B1

until late in the fourth quarter.

Loachapoka’s junior running back Anthony Wheat finally ran it into the endzone for the Indians’ second touchdown of the game, a touchdown that would prove to be the final blow to Maplesville.

The game ended with Loachapoka on

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B5 Oct. 26, 2023

Loachapoka defeats Maplesville, earns 1A Region 4 Title PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Loachapoka bested Maplesville 12-6 Thursday,Oct. 19. The game was played on the Beulah Bobcat field. Loachapoka will travel to Billingsley, Friday, Oct.27, for its last game of the regular season.

ON THE MARK >>

FROM B1

must beat Dothan ( Friday) to avoid missing the 7A playoffs for the second year in a row.

Neither team scored in the first quarter, however EHS was able to use a strong rushing attack behind Dunlop and Winters to score 21 straight points, after the Dogs took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. Keion Dunlop led Enterprise with 162-rushing yards and scored three TD's on runs of 45, 29 and 5 yards while QB Eric Winter ran for 91-yards on 16 rushing attempts and three for 85 yards. Opelika's Roman Gagliano scored Opelika's

first TD on a 4-yard run with 11 minutes left in the first half. E'Mauri Smiley scored the Dogs second TD on a 1-yard run. Will Carroll made both PAT for Opelika.

Enterprise outgained Opelika in total yards, 276 yards to 217 yards. Gaglian finished 8 for 18 with 114 passing yards including a 45 yard pass and Waites rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively: Autry made nine tackles while Moss, Jenkins and Lighhtfoot made seven tackles each.

OHS MUST BEAT DOTHAN TO MAKE 7A PLAYOFFS It is real simple: The winner of the Opelika Dothan game Friday night at Bulldog Stadium makes

the playoffs. Both teams need a win to qualify for the AHSAA 7A State playoffs.

Opelika is trying to avoid missing the playoffs for the second year in a row.

DHS (6-2, R 3-2) enters Bulldog Stadium after having a bye week. The Wolves are trying to make history by making the playoffs for the second year in a row under head coach Jeb Kennedy.

Dothan beat: Carroll (59-14) , Percy Julian (42-6), Prattville (59-24), Smiths Station (66-0), Baker (35-14) and Enterprise (21-14). The two losses were: Auburn in double overtime (28-27) and Central (48-14).

The Wolves beat OHS 14-7 last year at Rip Hews

Stadium in Dothan.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bullldog Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets at the Bulldog Stadium ticket office Friday night at 5:30.

You can listen to the game on WKKR 97.7 KICKER FM , the iHeartRadio app and online kickerfm.com.

Van Riggs and his crew will begin coverage at 6:30 p.m., presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic.

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.

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B6 Oct. 26, 2023

Anemic offense costs Tigers against Rebels

Auburn had 26 yards passing in the first half. In the third quarter, Auburn tallied zero passing yards — the only pass attempt of the quarter resulted in a sack. It wasn’t until Ole Miss had built a seemingly insurmountable twotouchdown lead with 7:51 to go in the game and the Rebel defense began to play softer coverage and

quit blitzing that Auburn was able to move the ball through the air and skewing the final passing numbers. While the game was competitive, the passing totals for Auburn were four completions on six attempts for twenty-six yards and two interceptions.

The defense held on as long as it could, but, in the

end, the offense’s inability to move the football proved too much, and the dam finally burst as a tired and overtaxed defense gave up two second-half touchdowns to fall 28-21 for its fourth consecutive loss. Auburn fell to 3-4, 0-4, while Ole Miss improved its record to 6-1, 3-1.

“Yeah, I’m

disappointed,” said Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze after the game. “I think our kids played hard. I feel like that we’ve got to coach them better, and it starts with me. … The margin for us between winning and losing right now is so small…Obviously, I’ve got to do a better job, too, to make sure we don’t make those mistakes in those areas…And we got to convert those critical downs. We continue to lose the battles on third and fourth down, and that’s disappointing. …

The defense got some stops against a very explosive offensive. Offensively, we kept shooting ourselves in the foot, it felt like.”

Auburn won the coin toss and elected to receive.

The opening drive started off promising, with the offense converting its first third down and moving to the Auburn 48-yard line, where it faced a fourth down and one. Opting to go for it, the Rebel defense stiffened and stopped Tiger quarterback Robby Ashford for no gain, turning the ball over on downs.

Warriors were led by: JJ Meyers, Jake White and Pelzer Reeves. Running back Meyers gained 128-rushing yards on 14 carries, caught two passes for 27-yards and scored three TD's. Wide receiver White caught 10 passes for 123-yards and scored one TD and quarterback Reeves threw for 170-yards and

one TD. Other players that contributed on offense; Tyler Kennedy gained 52-yards and Banks Sims gained 44-yards.

Lee-Scott travels to Wetumpka to play Edgewood Friday in the last regular season game of the 2024.

AUBURN The Tigers (6-2, R 4-2)

lost to Central 41-20 last Friday at Duck Samford.

AHS travels to Prattville (3-5) Friday night. The Lions are coming off a 37-29 loss to Percy Julian..

RUSSELL COUNTY Russell County (1-7, R 1-5) won its first game of the season last Friday, beating Park Crossing 25-10. The Warriors travel to play Central Clay in Lineville.

CHAMBERS ACADEMY Chambers Academy (8-1, R 4-0) beat Hooper 58-7 to win its eighth straight Region Championship. The Rebels host Glenwood in a non region game in LaFayette Friday night.

LOCHAPOKA The Loachapoka Indians (8-0, R 6-0) won the Region championship after beating Maplesville, 14-6, last Friday. Head coach Reco Newton is in his fourth year at Loachapoka.

The Indians play at Billingsley Friday.

NOTASULGA The Blue Devils (4-

2) earned their fourth win of the season and cliniched a playoff berth after beating Billingsley 36-34 last week. Notasulga plays at Calhoun Friday night.

SMITHS STATION SSHS won its first game of the season last Friday night, beating JAG 16-8 at TC Britton Field. The Panthers travel to Montgomery for a game with Percy Julian.

VALLEY The Rams (6-2) clinched second place in the region after beating Elmore County 41-40.

Valley plays Carroll in Ozark Friday night.

BEULAH The Bobcats lost to Randolph County 50-29 last Friday. Beulah plays at Weaver this week.

Below is a summary of our local teams playoff seeds and scenarios: 7A, REGION 2 Opelika will clinch playoff spot and No. 4 seed with win vs. Dothan 6A, REGION 3 Benjamin Russell

AUBURN — After giving up touchdowns on Ole Miss’ first two drives of the game, the Auburn defense found its footing and effectively shut down the nation’s 12thranked offense, limiting the Rebels to 145 yards over the next eight drives.

During that stretch, the Tiger defense had two interceptions, forced three, three-and-outs and limited the Ole Miss offense to just a single third-down conversion over its first 10 drives of the game. But, in a refrain all too familiar this season, the Auburn offense never could get untracked.

In perhaps its best showing of the season, the thin but gritty Tiger defense continued to get stops and gift the offense good starting field position while the offense failed to take advantage time and again — often not garnering so much as a first down.

JUST HOW BAD WAS THE OFFENSE?

WEEK 9 >>

FROM B1

The Warriors (8-1, R 6-1) beat Fort Dale 42-10 last Friday, wrapping up second place in the region, a bye in the first round of the playoffs and a home semi-final game at Jud Scott Field. Offensively, the

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

BY BRANDON HUGHES FOR THE OBSERVER

Auburn's Jarquez Hunter during the game against Ole Miss, Saturday, Oct. 21.

Despite giving the ball to Ole Miss in its own territory, the defense and the crowd made its presence felt immediately.

After two penalties, the Rebels faced third and 17 but converted the third down after a defensive pass interference penalty.

Once again, after two more penalties, the Rebel offense faced its second third and long of the drive. A 21-yard run on 3rd and 22 allowed Ole Miss to go for it on fourth and one, converting on a 17-yard run by Quinshon Judkins. The Rebels would score three plays later on an 11-yard touchdown pass to Zachary Franklin to take a 7-0 lead.

Auburn struck back on its next possession. Jarquez Hunter ran 53 yards to pay dirt to even the score at 7-7. Ole Miss wasted little time taking the lead back on its next possession, moving 75 yards in six plays in 2:35. On fourth and one, Quarterback Jaxson Dart found the end zone on a quarterback draw for 29 yards putting the Rebels back out front 14-7.

would win region championship with win over Helena Friday night.

5A, REGION 4 Valley clinched No. 2 seed and 1st round home game with win last week at Elmore County.

Beauregard is No. 4 seed in region and will play at No. 1 Gulf Shores in first round.

3A, REGION Dadeville will clinch No.2 seed and first round home game with win Friday at Randolph County.

Beulah will clinch playoff spot and No. 4 seed with win at Weaver.

1A, REGION Loachapoka won area championship with win over Maplesville last Thursday.

Notasulga clinched playoff spot with win last week at Billingsley.

AISA Lee-Scott clinched No. 2 seed and 1st round bye with win at Fort Dale Chambers Academy won 2A, Region 1 championship with win at Hooper last week.

See TIGERS, page B7

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B7 Oct. 26, 2023

After an Auburn threeand-out, Ole Miss began its drive at its own 30-yard line. On the fourth play of the drive, Auburn’s Donovan Kaufman intercepted a Dart pass and returned it 41 yards to the Ole Miss 24-yard line. The Tiger offense needed only four plays and 1:42 to tie the game 14-14 on a oneyard rushing touchdown by Hunter.

Following three-andouts by both teams, Ole Miss put together a drive covering 57 yards, moving to the Auburn 10-yard line. The Tiger defense bowed its neck and forced a 27-yard field goal try.

Ole Miss holder Charlie Pollock could not handle the snap and threw the Rebels’ second interception of the game to Auburn’s Zion Puckett.

Auburn promptly went three-and-out, but the defense forced an Ole Miss punt on its next drive. The punt went only twelve yards, giving the Tigers excellent field position at its own 45-yard line with 1:01 left in the half. But the opportunity was shortlived, as Ashford threw an interception on the first play. Ole Miss ran out the clock sending the game to halftime.

The Auburn defense held strong on the opening second-half drive as Ole Miss went for it on fourth and five gaining only four yards on the play giving the Auburn offense the ball

OHS presents 2023 homecoming court PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

TIGERS >>

FROM B7

Congratulations to the 2023 Opelika High School Homecoming Court. Pictured (l-r): Aayla Billingsley-Freshman, Mackenzie Young-Sophomore, Lathan Rogers-Junior, Kennedy Brewer-Senior, Roniyah Lilly-Senior, Aimee Alcantara-Senior, Sara Kate Speakman-Junior, Kennedi Davis-Sophomore and Jordan Youngblood-Freshman. The 2023 Homecoming Queen will be announced during halftime of the OHS vs. Dothan High football game on Friday, Oct. 27.

at its own 35-yard line.

But the Tiger offense could not take advantage going three-and-out. That was the first of four straight threeand-outs between the two teams.

Following an Ole Miss punt, Auburn got the ball on its 49-yard line but, once again, could not take advantage. On the cusp of field goal range and an opportunity to take the lead, the Tigers attempted an ill-conceived trick play resulting in a nine-yard loss putting the Tigers in a third and 19. After a 4-yard rush, the Tigers punted the ball pinning Ole Miss at its own 10-yard line. Eight

plays, 90 yards, and 2:32 later, Ole Miss had taken a 21-14 lead on a one-yard Dart rush.

Perhaps no sequence of events symbolized just how out of sync the Auburn offense was than its first drive of the fourth quarter. Ashford began the drive at quarterback, and the Tigers seemed to have gotten first down yardage on second and eight, however, the officials ruled the Hunter came up a yard shy. Facing third and one, Freeze inserted Payton Thorne in at quarterback and got a fiveyard illegal substitution penalty, moving the down

and distance to third and six. Freeze then sends in Ashford, only to hand the ball off for a three-yard run and then a punt.

Ole Miss took 5:08 to move 68 yards in nine plays to add to its lead on a Judkins four-yard rush to make the score 28-14. With the Rebels comfortably out front, its defense allowed the Tiger offense, lead by Thorne, to march down the field when, on second and six from the Ole Miss 27-yard line, Thorne threw into double coverage in the end zone where it was picked off by Zamari Walton.

The Auburn defense forced a three-and-out and,

on the Tigers’ ensuing possession, moved down the field aided by a 47-yard catch and run by Hunter on 4th and 15. Thorne capped off the drive with an eight-yard pass to Rivaldo Fairweather to bring the score to 28-21.

That is where the score would remain as Ole Miss recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran the clock out.

On the offensive struggles, Fairweather said, “It's frustrating because the defense is real, real good. We’ve just got to find a way to help our defense. We will. We're just going to go back to the drawing table, practice

hard, and find a way to help our defense.”

RAREFIED AIR: Ole Miss has beaten Auburn in consecutive games for the first time since 1951-52.

NOSE FOR THE BALL: Auburn leads the SEC in turnovers forced with 13 (nine interceptions and four fumbles).

GOOD STREAK: Auburn has forced a turnover in nine consecutive games dating back to last season.

BAD STREAK: Prior to forcing Ole Miss to punt in the second quarter, the Auburn defense had allowed a touchdown in six consecutive drives going back to the LSU game.

IS A

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B8 Oct. 26, 2023

Lee youth excel at Alabama National Fair LEE COUNTY — Several Lee County youth were recognized at the Alabama National Fair held earlier this month.

In showmanship, youth livestock exhibitors are judged on their abilities to properly guide their

animal around the ring and set their animal up for the judge. In premier exhibitor, youth livestock exhibitors are judged on their overall show performance as well as a written test.

Beginner, junior, intermediate and senior divisions are based on the competitors' ages. Begin-

ners are ages 4 to 8. Junior competitors are ages 9 to 12. Intermediate competitors are 13 to 15 and the senior deivision is for those ages 16 to 19.

Youth livestock programs at the fair are sponsored by Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY ALFA

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Beginner Showmanship winners in the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 were, from left, Brooklyn Ray of Cullman County, first place; Georgia Flowers of Pike County, second place; Boone Maples of Lee County, third place; Macie Barfoot of Elmore County, fourth place; and Luke Sexton of Autauga County, fifth place.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Junior Showmanship winners in the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 were, from left, Jessi Maples of Lee County, first place; Walton Epperson of Chambers County, second place; Levi Franklin of Geneva County, third place; Aiden Brice of Cullman County, fourth place; and Chase Burkett of Montgomery County, fifth place.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Junior Premier Exhibitor winners in the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 were, from left, Jessi Maples of Lee County, first place; Walton Epperson of Chambers County, second place; Aiden Brice of Cullman County, third place; and Easton Elrod of Cullman County, fourth place.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Jessi Maples of Lee County exhibited the Shorthorn Plus Reserve Champion during the Alabama National Fair Youth Beef Cattle Heifer Show on Oct. 8. Maples is pictured with judge Abigayle Pollock of Tennessee, left, and Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell, right.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Junior Premier Exhibitors in the Beef Show were recognized at the Alabama National Fair Oct. 7. They were, from left: Claire Smith of Chilton County, first; Camden Upchurch of Clay County, second; Courtney White of Randolph County, third; Collins Cofield of Randolph County, fourth; Jessi Maples of Lee County, fifth.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Junior showmanship winners at the Alabama National Fair Youth Beef Show were, from left, Claire Smith of Chilton County, first; MJ Flowers of Pike County, second; Camden Upchurch of Clay County, third; Jessi Maples of Lee County, fourth; and Brooklyn Price of Lee County, fifth. Pictured with the group is Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Senior Premier Exhibitors in the Beef Show were recognized at the Alabama National Fair Oct. 7. They were, from left: Amelia Thrower of Marshall County, first; Annabelle Wesley of Pike County, second; Lyndee Meadows of Randolph County, third; Mary Elliott Martin of Lee County, fourth; Etta Hudson of Cullman County, fifth.

Jessi Maples of Lee County exhibited the Reserve Champion Yearling Commercial Doe at the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 in Montgomery. She is shown with Judge Tim Hubbard of Charlotte, Michigan.

L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

B9

Oct. 26, 2023

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023

Inside the State House

University philanthropists

STEVE FLOWERS OPINION — In the past two to three years we have had some very generous benefactors make some very magnanimous contributions to their university alma maters in Alabama.

One of those philanthropist is Alabama businessman Jim Kennemer. Thanks to a $2 million gift from Kennemer, the University of Alabama funded the James C. Kennemer Center for Innovation and Social Impact.

Jim and I were in school together at the University of Alabama in the 1970s, where we became friends and we have remained friends. Many of his close friends call him “Robo,” a nickname he picked up while a fraternity pledge at the University. Why? Because he was so proficient and efficient at washing the older active members cars.

I remember, quite vividly, that Jim was involved in an unheard of secret university endeavor called “computers.”

As students, most of us vaguely knew that these strange new machines existed, but that is about all we knew.

Jim would disappear and show up for breakfast. When asked about these nocturnal activities, he would curiously respond that he had been at the computer center where he had been “programming.” Now, understand that this was in the early 1970s and these computers were very new. Little did we know what an impact these machines would ultimately have in our daily lives.

Kennemer is from Tuscumbia. His wife Nancy Pettus is from Birmingham. They met and bonded at the University. They

have been married 50 years and have built an empire together and have given back to their alma mater, the University of Alabama.

The University of Alabama recently hosted a reception to announce the gift and the naming of the Kennemer Center. The Center will be housed within the UA Honors College.

After leaving UA with B.S. and MBA degrees, Jim settled into the back of a warehouse in Birmingham and designed the first fully programmable payment processing workstations. The first customer was the largest bank in the country. Within a few years, systems were installed at major banks, utilities and other large processors throughout the United States. At one point roughly 12% of the U.S. GDP flowed through these systems that Jim designed.

When that company was acquired, Jim and a partner pursued an opportunity in England that ultimately grew into a company he took public on the London Stock Exchange.

Back in Alabama, Jim continued with a series of successful companies. After one of these companies had been acquired, Jim came across a revolutionary NASA developed technology for early detection of eye problems in children. Thus, Vision Research Corporation was launched.

Vision research became Jim’s real love.

Jim originally had an entrepreneur’s interest and intent with the company. However, after seeing thousands of children’s lives made so much better after correction of their vision problems, he was hooked for life with his project.

Hundreds of thousands of kids are screened each year and over the years, almost one million children have been helped.

Jim Kennemer grew up about a mile from Helen Keller’s birthplace. I have always thought that she was an impetus towards Jim

Kennemer’s Vision Research Center.

Recently, Crowne Health founder and CEO, Billy Jones, of Monroeville, and his wife Frances, gave $2 million to Troy University, his alma mater. Troy University will use the gift for a new building on the Troy campus. The building will be named in honor of Jones. It will be a center for research in the area of polymers and polymer recycling. The building named in Jones’s honor will also primarily and appropriately be a Health Science building.

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Chancellor of Troy University, has been known for his prowess at fundraising during his 35 year reign as chancellor of Troy University. He made an elegant presentation in his remarks honoring Jones at the ceremony bestowing the Jones name upon the building. He said succinctly, “Billy Jones is a cornerstone in the quality of healthcare in Alabama. As president and CEO of Crowne Health Systems, he has been a legend in Alabama, and he is a Troy product. With 18 nursing homes and 2,000 employees, he has made a remarkable difference in the quality of care given to many thousands of people. It is appropriate that his name will be reflected on a building that is dedicated to the development and education of healthcare workers. He has been a great supporter of this university and we are very proud of the relationship we share with him.”

The saying that Alabama is one big front porch continues.

Hawkins and Jones grew up together in Mobile. They have known each other since their days together at Murphy High in Mobile.

See you next week.

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

PUBLIC NOTICES - B12

Sen. Katie Britt joins bipartisan delegation visit to Middle East

KATIE BRITT CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF SEN. KATIE BRITT

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues, led by Sen. Lindsey Graham

(R-S.C.) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.), for a press conference to discuss what they saw and heard while on the ground in Israel on Oct. 22.

The delegation of senators visited Israel as part of an official trip to the Middle East to meet with key leaders, advocate for regional stability and long-term sustainable peace and emphasize the United States’ unequivocal support for Israel in the wake of the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7.

“I want to start by thanking Sen. Graham," Britt said at the press conference. "Thank you for getting this group together. You and Senator Cardin put together a group of bipartisan senators — each of us set foot in this country not as a Democrat or a Republican. We set foot here united as Americans, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel.

"When we walked in the room today and talked to the families of these hostages, I See BRITT, page B11

Juvenile arrested for charges associated with residential, auto burglaries CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN

AUBURN — On Oct. 20, Auburn Police arrested a 14-year-old juvenile from Auburn on felony juvenile complaints for the charges of burglary second degree and two counts of unlawfully breaking and entering into a vehicle.

The arrest stems from Auburn Police responding to an auto burglary call on Oct.

20, near the 300 block of Bowden Drive.

Officers met with a victim that observed a suspect make unauthorized entry into a vehicle.

Responding officers located a 14-year-old suspect in the area a short time after the crime occurred.

The victim identified the juvenile as the suspect. During the investigation, police discovered that the suspect also entered a residence nearby

and stole property from the residence.

Additionally, officers discovered the suspect made unlawful entry into a second vehicle in the area.

The juvenile was charged with crimes associated with the residential and auto burglaries and was transported to the Lee County Youth Development Center.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

B10 Oct. 26, 2023

Alabama women in the US Senate — Part 2 of 2

GREG MARKLEY

S

OPINION — ome jaded and cynical voters may call presidential candidates “clowns.”

Many modern-day men and women vying for the highest office do have blemishes or weaknesses. Most of us voters do, too. But “clownish?” No, but I did find one genuine clown who ran for president in 1940, under the Surprise Party ticket.

None other than Gracie Allen, comedian George Burns’ wife; lost the election but the Burns and Allen show kept its ratings

up. The couple took a cross-country whistlestop tour, just like real candidates did in the 1940s. In a speech, Allen said: “I don’t know much about the Lend-Lease bill, but if we owe it we should pay it.”

Maryon Pittman Allen, the second woman appointed to serve as a U.S. senator from Alabama, was too outspoken for Alabama voters. (Maryon Allen was not related to Gracie.) She won the Democratic nomination in the primary. Within five months, she upended her career after a frank talk with

a The Washington Post writer shortly after her appointment to the Senate in 1978.

She took on Alabama political giants Gov. George Wallace and his second wife Cornelia.

“The worst thing a person can do is be a bore,” Allen said.

“That’s a cardinal sin.

And they don’t know they’re bores. How can they not know? The Wallaces should shut up. It would be the Christian thing to do.

Everybody in Alabama is getting tired of seeing those old dirty sheets flapping around on Perry Street.”

In the Senate, Allen was assigned to the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and became the first woman ever on the Judiciary Committee.

She was appointed by Gov. George Wallace after her husband Jim Allen died at age 65.

He was a Democrat and midway into his second Senate term; a heart attack took him.

Like Jim Allen, his wife was very conservative even by Alabama Democratic standards of the time.

After her time in the Senate ended in 1978, Maryon Pittman Allen wrote for several years at The Washington

Post and returned to Alabama where she died in 2018 at age 92.

In the 118th Congress, there are 25 women in the Senate; 15 Democrats, nine Republicans, and an Independent (Kyrsten Sinema I-AZ). In the U.S. House, 125 women are serving; 92 Democrats, 33 Republicans, and four Delegates, two Democrats and two Republicans.

Alabama gained a lot of attention in the 1952 election when U.S. Senator John Sparkman was nominated as VP running mate for Adlai Stevenson, Governor of Illinois. He was chosen over Mike Monroney, a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. Sparkman was chosen because he was a conservative Southerner to balance with the liberal Midwesterner, Adlai Stevenson. Eisenhower/ Nixon won with 34 million votes to 27 million votes for Stevenson/Sparkman.

George Wallace sought the presidency four times, in 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976.

He lost all four times, but his progress was impeded after an assassination attempt. In 1968, he was polling at 20-25

percent with a chance the outcome might be decided in the House of Representatives. But that was not necessary.

“The next day (after the shooting) Wallace won 39 percent of the vote in Maryland and 51 percent of the vote in Michigan,” wrote Glenn Eskew in The Encyclopedia of Alabama.

“Conservative Democrats registered their opposition to busing and concerns over crime. Released from the hospital to attend the Democratic National Convention in July 1972, a wheelchairbound Wallace received an ovation when he addressed the delegates.”

For Wallace, his political career was a case of “winning by losing.” He never won at the national level, but his ideology and focus on the working man inspired many people, even presidential hopefuls.

His populist themes and anti-Washington ideas can be found in the speeches of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and others.

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is the first woman elected to the Senate in Alabama history.

Politico has speculated

that she might run for the presidency sometime; she told an interviewer “I’m a long way from that. I still get ID’d when I try and go vote every day on behalf of the people of Alabama. I think incrementally, we’re a long way from that.”

Britt denied that she even talked with family members that she might consider at some point running for president.

It’s a good bet that as an Oval Office hopeful in several years, the organized and charismatic Britt could be a viable candidate.

She would definitely not be a “clown” like Gracie Allen. Gracie laughed all the way to the bank. Britt would have a higher goal than comedy—being the first Alabamian to be called Madam President.

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.

Tuberville introduces bipartisan bill to protect student-athletes CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE

ALABAMA — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has introduced bipartisan NIL legislation alongside Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) The Protecting Athletes, Schools and Sports (PASS) Act, proposed in July by the senators, creates basic guidelines to ensure student-athletes

are protected while preserving the integrity of college athletics.

"After spending 40 years as a football coach, educator and mentor, Tuberville is proud to be leading the charge in Congress to protect student-athletes and maintain a level playing field in college sports," according to a press release from his office.

In June 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled

that student-athletes could be paid for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Thirty-two states have passed a number of conflicting laws on this issue, creating an unequal playing field for universities and student-athletes. If Congress does not act, then one state — or a handful of states — will be able to dictate the rules to the rest of the country.

According to Tuberville, the PASS Act would put student-athletes first by: • Guaranteeing student-athletes receive health insurance for sports-related injuries for eight years after graduating from a four-year institution, • Requiring universities to honor the original scholarship commitment made to a student-athlete — even if they get an

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NIL deal and • Educating student-athletes on financial literacy and regulatory rights to ensure they know how to manage NIL deals responsibly.

The PASS Act would preserve the integrity of college sports by: • Providing stability for students and teams by moderating transfer portal eligibility, • Ensuring NIL deals

are not used in recruiting, • Requiring boosters and collectives offering NIL deals to be affiliated with the school and • Establishing national standards for NIL deals by creating a uniform contract.

The legislation would ban NIL agreements with student-athletes involving alcohol, drugs, weapons or gambling.

Reader sends kudos to Alabama governor LETTER TO THE EDITOR OPINION — Now more than ever before, clean energy is powering homes and businesses across Alabama.

Recognizing this, Gov. Kay Ivey recently issued a proclamation celebrating Sept. 25 through 29 as Clean Energy Week in the state of Alabama.

With Alabama serving as the fourth-largest generator of electricity from nuclear power, the governor recognizes the economic opportunity, job creation and healthier environment that comes from embracing clean energy. In just Alabama, the clean energy sector has created over 44,000 jobs.

The governor’s

proclamation is part of a larger celebration happening across the United States. In the nation’s capital, clean energy leaders and advocates from all perspectives will be convening to celebrate National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) and discuss innovations and policy solutions that empower America to lead the pack in reducing global emissions and securing affordable, reliable energy for all.

Thanks to Gov. Ivey, Alabama is an active participant in this national celebration and continues to invest in critical clean energy initiatives and clean energy jobs.

Butch Brock Opelika, AL

B11 Oct. 26, 2023

OFD chief visits Opelika Lions Club last week

BRITT >>

FROM B9

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Opelika Fire Chief Shane Boyd, right, was a recent guest of the Opelika Lions Club. Boyd discussed the challenges presented the Fire Department by the continuing growth of the city of Opelika. The delivery of four new fire pumpers is anticipated in the next three months and a new fire station will open behind Southview School on Gateway Drive in November. All station pumpers will be staffed with paramedics, enabling faster responses to medical emergencies.

Introductions were made by Lion James Morgan Jr., left.

listened as a mom, I listened as a wife, as a daughter, as a sister," Britt said. "Thinking what these families are going through, thinking what each individual hostage is going through is absolutely unbearable.

When we watched the videos and heard the stories today, the things that happened were unthinkable. The loss of life — kids having to watch their parents be murdered.

Parents having to watch their children be burned to death, women having to be raped, kids decapitated.

It’s disgusting, it’s despicable and it is pure evil. Make no mistake, I believe that people of all faiths can coexist in peace and prosperity.

But I do not believe that good can coexist with evil. And when evil rears its head, we must look it in the eyes, and we must take it down — and

Hamas is pure evil.

Israel has every right to defend herself — and not only the right —

to tell you that we are unafraid. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel. We will take

"We set foot here united as Americans, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel," Katie Britt they have the obligation, the obligation to their children and their children’s children.

They have an obligation to the innocent. They have an obligation to the peace-loving people of this world. And that is ultimately what we want. We want Hamas to be destroyed and we want peace to be restored.

"President Reagan said that ‘evil cannot exist if the good are unafraid.’ Iran, Hamas — we stand here today

you down.”

In addition to Sens.

Britt, Graham and Cardin, members of the delegation include Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.Dak.), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

Opelika Kiwanis Club learns about Pines Crossing PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Taste the food, remember the name Madison's Place

Last week, Cliff Knight with Pines Crossing spoke to the Opelika Kiwanis Club. He updated the group on some details for the newly redesigned golf course set to reopen Nov. 3. The speaker for Nov. 2 will be Bob Norton, a retired federal agent who will be speaking on the conflict in the Middle East.

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NOW OPEN IN BETT'S CROSSING Located at 1479 Fox Run Parkway madisonsplacecafe22@gmail.com

B12 Oct. 26, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICES INVITATION TO BID 24002 Sealed bids for the construction of the Intersection Improvements to Cunningham Drive and Frederick Road 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 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 §348-1, 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 CDG, Inc., 197 East University Drive, Suite #1, Auburn, AL 36832, (334) 466-9431 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.

Contractor will be required to provide two (2) Owner’s Protective Liability Policies.

Named Insured shall be as follows: 1. City of Opelika 2. CDG, Inc. See Section 00700 - General Conditions for full details 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, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Intersection Improvements to Cunningham Drive and Frederick Road LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 10/12/2023, 10/19/2023, 10/26/2023 ---------------

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CLINTON OMEGA ADAMS SR A.K.A. CLINTON OMEGA ADAMS, Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2023-209 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of CLINTON OMEGA ADAMS SR. a.k.a CLINTON OMEGA ADAMS deceased having been granted to DEBORA ANITA NICHOLS on the 20th day of June, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

DEBORA ANITA NICHOLS Legal Run 10/12/2023, 10/19/2023 & 10/26/2023 --------------Legal Notice – Notice of Service By Publication: Publish the following notice for four (4) consecutive weeks in The Observer and return the proof of publication to Joshua K. Chesser, attorney for the Plaintiff, at the address shown below upon the final publication of the notice.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA EASTERN DIVISION United States Fire Insurance Company, Plaintiff, vs.

Provision Contracting Services, LLC and Nicholas D. Dowdell, Defendants Civil Action No.: 3:23‐cv‐00133‐ECM‐CWB NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: PROVISION CONTRACTING

SERVICES, LLC c/o Nicholas Dowdell, Registered Agent and NICHOLAS D. DOWDELL, whose whereabouts are unknown, are being sued civilly by UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY for breach of indemnity agreement-indemnity; common law/ equitable indemnity, reimbursement and exoneration; specific performance of obligations of indemnitors; and collateralization/quia timet.

The complaint requests injunctive relief, compensatory damages and other relief against Defendants, jointly and severally. The publication shall be circulated on a weekly basis for four (4) successive weeks in accordance with Rule 4.3 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Defendants are required by law to answer this complaint within thirty (30) days of the last publication of this notice.

Service shall be deemed complete at the date of last publication. Defendants answers should be filed with the Clerk of Court at The United States District Court For The Middle District Of Alabama Eastern Division, Frank M. Johnson Jr. U.S. Courthouse Complex, One Church Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 and a copy should be mailed to Plaintiff's attorney, Joshua K. Chesser at Krebs Farley, PLLC, 2204 Whitesburg Drive, Suite 302, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Done this the 9th day of October, 2023.

Joshua K. Chesser KREBS FARLEY, PLLC 2204 Whitesburg Drive, Suite 302 Huntsville, Alabama 35801 The Observer, Dates of Publication: 10/12/23, 10/19/23 10/26/23 and 11/02/23 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF PARA LEE

TRIMBLE, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY, CASE NO. 2022-354 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of PARA LEE TRIMBLE are hereby granted to Carissa Williams on the 21st day of June, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Carissa Williams Legal Run 10/12/2023, 10/19/2023 & 10/26/2023 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF NORMA HOWARD BROWN, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2023-487 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of NORMA HOWARD BROWN are hereby granted to Richard Earl Howard and Perry Wayne Brown as CoPersonal Representatives on the 27th day of September 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Richard Earl Howard Perry Wayne Brown Legal Run 10/19/2023, 10/26/2023 & 11/02/2023 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE Estate of MICHAEL KEITH

HOOD, Deceased CASE NO. 2023-524 NOTICE OF HEARING TO: ANY KNOWN ORUNKNOWN heirs of MICHAEL KEITH HOOD, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition to Probate the Last Will and Testament of the Estate of MICHAEL KEITH HOOD, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office. A hearing has been scheduled for December 4th, 2023, at 10:00 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 MICHAEL KEITH HOOD, deceased.

BILL ENGLIHS, Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama.

Legal Run 10/19/23, 10/26/23 & 11/2/2023 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF WILLIAM RUSSELL MOORE, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, CASE NO. 2023-140 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of WILLIAM RUSSELL MOORE, are hereby granted to Mark Russell Moore, on the13th day of September, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Mark Russell Moore Legal Run 10/19/23, 10/26/23 & 11/2/23

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14

B13 Oct. 26, 2023

Christian Care Ministries hosts 'Take A Stand' march, rally

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER Members of the Opelika Fire Deparment and the Opelika Police Department joined Carolyn Morton of Christian Care Ministries and others from the community for its annual "Take A Stand" march and rally Saturday, Oct. 21.

Indoor shooting

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B14 Oct. 26, 2023

PUBLIC >> NOTICES

FROM B12

ORDINANCE NO. 028-23 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (EDGEFIELD FARM PUD) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) 280 Land Company, LLC, (“280 Land Company”) is the owner of record of that certain property consisting of 197 acres located in the 3400 block of Anderson Road on the corner of Anderson Road and Andrews Road. (b) 280 Land Company heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) consisting of approximately 197 acres, designated as “Edgefield Farm PUD”. (c) The proposed development is a mixed residential development consisting of approximately 342 residential single-family home lots and 165 town home lots. The development plan shows planned amenity areas and open spaces, including a phased amenity area featuring a pavilion and restrooms, a pool and playground. The development plan shows four (4) entry points into the development from Anderson Road and Andrews Road. The proposed density is 2.57 units per acre. (d) The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing of the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development. (e) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the proposed property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a residential planned unit development.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18(N) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

Section 3. DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-3 District (Low-Density Residential District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City.

A tract or parcel of land being a part of Lot 2 of Church of the Highlands Addition to Opelika Plat No. 1 as recorded in Plat Book 47, Page 54, Probate Office, Lee County, Alabama and located in Section 28 and Section 33, Township 20 North, Range 27 East, Lee County, Alabama, being more particularly described as follows: Commence at the northeast corner of said Section 33; thence S01˚14’41”E 101.65 feet to the point of beginning; thence S01°14’41”E 336 feet more or less to the center of an existing creek; thence southwesterly 3345 feet more or less along the center of said creek; thence continue along said creek a chord bearing and distance of N72˚38’35”W 1467.14 feet to the east right-of-way limit of Andrews Road; thence along said east right-of-way limit N46˚32’40”E 324.99 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit along a curve to the left having a radius of 2331.83 feet, an arc length of 600.94 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N38˚59’40”E 599.28 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit N31˚40’38”E 641.65 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit N31˚40’33”E 483.40 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit N26˚30’37”E 592.89 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit N21˚43’19”E 57.64 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 1105.92 feet, an arc length of 552.23 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N35˚43’34”E 546.52 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit N49˚52’08”E 69.77 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit along

a curve to the left having a radius of 1185.92 feet, an arc length of 603.86 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N35˚27’11”E 597.36 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit N19˚49’15”E 12.97 feet; thence continue along said east right-of-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 778.51 feet, an arc length of 526.44 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N40˚15’59”E 516.47 feet to the west right-of-way limit of Anderson Road; thence along said west right-of-way limit S84˚36’17”E 81.26 feet; thence continue along said west rightof-way limit S49˚02’50”E 325.55 feet; thence continue along said west right-of-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 2815.09 feet, an arc length of 681.73 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S42˚00’37”E 680.07 feet; thence continue along said west right-of-way limit S35˚04’21”E 333.16 feet; thence leaving said right-ofway limit S54˚55’38”W 245.33 feet; thence S01˚06’32”E 204.14 feet; thence S28˚42’38”E 95.65 feet; thence S09˚35’19”E 491.86 feet; thence S39˚19’12”E 39.90 feet; thence S15˚06’03”E 82.62 feet; thence S12˚37’52”E 69.65 feet; thence S05˚30’50”W 28.19 feet; thence S08˚17’36”E 60.73 feet; thence S03˚39’04”W 48.53 feet; thence S05˚14’15”W 39.18 feet; thence S00˚36’07”W 35.39 feet; thence S07˚47’03”W 127.98 feet; thence N88˚47’05”E 515.75 feet to the point of beginning.

The above-described property, containing approximately 197 acres, is located in the 3400 block of Anderson Road at the intersection of Anderson Road and Andrews Road.

Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.

Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 17th day of October, 2023. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 18th day of October, 2023. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CM CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 18th day of October, 2023. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK Legal Run 10/26/2023 --------------ORDINANCE 029-23 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE LEASING OF A PORTION OF THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 1103 GLENN STREET TO LEE-RUSSELL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama as follows: Section 1. It is hereby established and declared that the following described property of the City of Opelika, Alabama is no longer needed for public or municipal purposes: A portion of the building located at 1103 Glenn Street and depicted on the Floor Plan attached hereto as Exhibit “A” (the “Leased Premises”). The Leased Premises consists of an area within the building containing approximately 2,270 square feet, including two classrooms, an office and kitchen as shown on the attached floor plan.

Section 2. That the City, having received an offer from Lee-Russell Council of Governments, to lease the Leased Premises for a monthly rental in the sum of $500. It is hereby declared to be in the best interest of the public and the City, to lease said property to Lee-Russell Council of Governments, for a term not to exceed three (3) years.

Section 3. That a proposed

Lease Agreement to be entered into between the City and Lee-Russell Council of Governments, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A”, be and the same is hereby approved, authorized, ratified and confirmed in substantially the form submitted to the City Council.

Section 4. Pursuant to the authority granted by §11-4721 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver said Lease Agreement in the name and on behalf of the City, and the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to attest said Lease Agreement.

Section 5. That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and publication as required by law.

Section 6. That the City Clerk of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed to cause this ordinance to be published one (1) time in a newspaper published in and of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 17th day of October, 2023. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 18th day of October, 2023. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CM CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 18th day of October, 2023. /s/Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK Legal Run 10/26/2023 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 030-23 ORDINANCE RESCHEDULING SECOND REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR NOVEMBER 2023 WHEREAS, Section 2-161 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Opelika provides that regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-161, the regular meetings of the Council for the month of November 2023 are scheduled on November 7 and November 21, 2023; and WHEREAS, Thanksgiving (November 23rd) falls on the week of the third Tuesday of the month of November in 2023; and WHEREAS, the Council desires to reschedule the second meeting of the City Council in the month of November 2023 from November 21 to November 14, 2023, in order to accommodate the observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama, as follows: 1. That the second meeting of the City Council in the month of November 2023 is hereby rescheduled from November 21 to November 14, 2023.

Said meeting shall convene at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

2. That the City Clerk shall give notice of said rescheduled meeting as required by the laws of the State of Alabama.

3. Except as provided herein, all other regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third of each month as provided in Section 2-161 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Opelika, Alabama.

4. That this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption and publication as required by law.

5. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish this Ordinance one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 17th day of October, 2023. /s/Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 18th day of October, 2023. /s/Russell A. Jones, CM CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 18th day of October, 2023. /s/Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK

Legal Run 10/26/2023 --------------CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING OF THE OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the second regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama, in November 2023 will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, commencing at 6:00 pm in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, per Ordinance 030-23 that was adopted and approved on October 17, 2023, rescheduling the second regular meeting of the city council in November 2023, from November 21, 2023 to November 14, 2023 in order to accommodate the observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.

Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5132 prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 19th day of October, 2023. /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 10/26/2023 -----------------

November 2, 2023 at 10:00AM Unit A32 Unit A68 Unit B3 Unit C86 Unit D25 The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Run Date: October 26, 2023 ----------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF SARAH L. THOMAS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 20th day of October,2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to prevent the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 20th day of October, 2023.

CRAWFOD S. MELTON Legal Run 10/26/23, 11/2/23 & 11/9/23 -----------------

* Advertisement For Completion In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Synagro WWT, Inc. Contractor, has completed the Contract for the Improvement of the Process Residuals Removal and Disposal at R.A. Betts Water Treatment Plant for the State of Alabama and the County of Lee / Auburn, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika, 4055 Water Street, Opelika, AL 36803, Synagro WWT, Inc. 435 Williams Court, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21220 Legal Run 10/26/23, 11/2/23,11/9/23 & 11/16/23 -----------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA THE STATE OF ALABAMA – LEE COUNTY CASE NO.: 2023-435 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Letters of Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to HEATHER CHRISTINE BARKER, Executorix, on the 29th day of September, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to prevent the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Heather Christine Barker, Executorix of the Estate of Brandon Wayne Barker, deceased Legal Run 10/26/23, 11/2/23 & 11/9/23 -----------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LOUIS FRANK MORGAN, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2023-484 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted Ellen Louise Ballard Personal Representative on the 18th day of October, 2023,

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

Ellen Louise Ballard Legal Run 10/26/23, 11/2/23 & 11/9/2023 -----------------

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF PATRICIA ANN HARRIS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted undersigned on the 24th day of October, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 24th day of October, 2023 CRYSTAL JENKINS Legal Run 10/26/2023, 11/2/2023 & 11/9/2023 -----------------

STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 2020 S. College St. Auburn, AL 36832 Thursday, November 2nd at 10:00AM Unit B127 Unit B273 Unit C293 Unit C334 Unit C338 Unit C345 Unit D458 The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Run Date 10/26/2023 -----------------

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF JENNIE H. LOWERY, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted undersigned on the 24th day of October, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 24th day of October, 2023 CRYSTAL JENKINS Legal Run 10/26/2023, 11/2/2023 & 11/9/2023 ----------------

STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage (Life Storage) will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 3951 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika AL 36801 Thursday,

STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 10:00AM Unit 226 The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase

up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Run Date 10-26-2023 ----------------PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR COMMENTS Notice of Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2022 Action Plan Notice is hereby given that the City of Opelika is considering a Substantial Amendment to the PY2022 Action Plan.

The City is the recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

A per the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, a Substantial Amendment is required when there is a change in the use of CDBG funds if an activity is added, deleted, or changed by more than 50% from the Action Plan.

Proposed Change: The City of Opelika is proposing to cancel funding the Public Facility Sidewalk Project and increase funding to the Emergency Home Repair Project. The reallocation of these funds will allow the City to better address affordable housing and improve the existing housing stock of low-to moderate income households. Reallocation will be as follows: ACTIVITY NAME / ACTION PLAN YEAR / FUNDEING AMOUNT Public Facility / 2022 - $37,000 Emergency Home Repair /2023 - $37,000 Comment Period: The City is accepting written comments for a 30-day period beginning Thursday, November 2, 2023 and ending at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2023.

Comments may be sent to Lisa Thrift, Community Development Administrator, Re: Substantial Amendment, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, AL 36801; Phone (334)705-5155; e-mail: lthrift@opelika-al. gov .

Public Hearing: In addition to the 30-day comment period, a public hearing will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Meeting Room, 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika.

“In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to participate, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at (334)705-2083.”

Legal Run 10/26/23 and 11/2/23 ----------------COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) Public Notice and Request for Comments Public Notice The City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., in the Municipal Meeting Room, 300 MLK Boulevard, to discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activity and progress for the end of the year Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for program year 2022: October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

Discussion about the program and how it benefited LowModerate income families in the City of Opelika will be heard and discussed; A copy of the CAPER will be available for public review and comment beginning November 10, 2023, at Public Works, City Hall (Mayor’s office), Opelika Library, SportsPlex, and Covington Recreation Center. Copies of the CAPER may be obtained at the public hearing or by contacting the Planning Department. Public participation and comments are invited either in writing or in person and will be accepted for a minimum of fifteen (15) days with the comment period ending on November 27, 2023.

Comments may be sent to: Lisa Thrift, Community Development Administrator, Re: 2022 CAPER, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, AL 36801; Phone (334)705-5155; Email: lthrift@opelika-al.gov .

“In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to participate, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at (334)705-2083.”

Legal Run 10/26/2023 & 11/2/2023

B15 Oct. 26, 2023

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B16 Oct. 26, 2023

Local men win statewide awards from governor LEE COUNTY — The Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities honored two local men with statewide awards during a ceremony organized by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) and held at the Alabama Department of Archives and History earlier this month.

Dillon Smith of Opelika received the Employee of the Year Award, while Auburn University's Fisher Rizk won Student of the Year.

Gov. Kay Ivey said the awards highlight what is possible when people with disabilities are given the opportunity to contribute their talents and skills to the workforce.

“It is the dream of all Alabamians to find a good job and provide for themselves and their families, and my administration is equally committed to that goal,” she said. “Today — as our state is experiencing one the most promising job markets for all applicants in many decades — it is time for people of all abilities to join our workforce.”

Smith, who is

employed at Another Broken Egg Café in Auburn as a busser, was nominated by Achievement Center Easterseals Director of Vwwocational Services Jaci Lee. Smith said he was excited when he learned he had been chosen.

“I felt happy,” he said.

“I was proud of that. I also was very excited that my family was going to get to go. I’m very excited to meet the governor and win the award. My bosses are excited too.”

Smith, who has anxiety and an intellectual disability that affects

his processing of information and speech, has other duties besides bussing, such as bringing ice to servers, stocking the refrigerator, cleaning and putting dishes away.

He said he has made lots of friends and has become part of the family.

“I love it here,” Smith said. “I just come in here and do my job.”

Smith recently earned his one-year employment pin and is working toward his second.

ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw said this is just another example of how businesses can be positively impacted when they hire skilled and talented people with disabilities.

“Today, it’s more important than ever to bring attention to the advantages of hiring individuals with different abilities,” she said. “At ADRS, we see Alabamians who, with support and the right accommodations, are helping businesses all over the state fill needed vacancies with their talents, abilities and pure enthusiasm for their jobs.”

Rizk is in his final semester of graduate school, pursuing a master’s degree in engineering management with a focus on product innovation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering.

His goal is to work in the biomedical or pharmaceutical industry as a project manager.

Rizk was

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Dillon Smith of Opelika received the Employee of the Year award from Gov. Kay Ivey.

Fisher Rizk of Auburn University received the Student of the Year award from Gov. Kay Ivey.

nominated by ADRS Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Service Counselor Brandy Mills, who first met Rizk during his senior of high school, when he was injured in a motocross accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury.

“I’m very honored to have received [the award],” Rizk said. “I always knew that I had

really big goals growing up, and to see a lot of those goals come to fruition now has been a really rewarding experience for me.”

The Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment with Disabilities awards recognize the contributions and successes of people with disabilities and those businesses that provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to achieve through competitive, integrated employment.

Created by the Alabama Legislature in 1994, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is the state agency that serves Alabamians with disabilities, helping them to reach their [maximum] potential.

Its continuum-ofcare approach means that support and resources are available to Alabamians with disabilities at every stage of life. Find out more at rehab.alabma.gov.