The Observer 11-30-2023 E-edition by OpelikaObserver

2022 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2023 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 16, No. 08 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'

www.opelikaobserver.com PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

Christmas in full swing

Multitude of festivities throughout Lee County kick off this weekend BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce announced the grand marshals of the 2023 SNOPELIKA Christmas parade will be brothers Bob, Bert and Jim Harris, lifetime natives of Opelika. Their parents, John T. and Eleanor Harris, sparked and helped develop the Museum of East Alabama. Located in the heart of the historic district in Opelika, the Museum of East Alabama houses more than 5,000 artifacts relating to the rural, business and architectural heritage of Chambers, Lee, Macon, Tallapoosa and Russell counties. The museum opened in August 1989 and completed a major renovation in 2010. It

welcomes more than 2,000 visitors each year. Jim is the playwright who wrote "We’ll Meet Again," a WWII musical about the Stern family who escaped Germany and came to Opelika. Bob, Bert and Jim continue the family’s legacy each day in the city of Opelika by staying involved and giving back to the local community. The annual Christmas parade will kick off the SNOPELIKA festivities at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1. At the conclusion of the parade, Opelika’s Courthouse Square will be transformed into a snowy winter wonderland, complete with Christmas music, snowball fights, food trucks, picture opportunities galore and a chance to visit with Santa Claus on the

Courthouse steps. The Christmas tree lighting will take place at 8 p.m. at the corner of 9th Street and South Railroad. Everyone can gather around and watch as Mayor Gary Fuller flips the switch and lights the tree. The event concludes at 9 p.m.. Opelika Community Theatre will hold a Christmas Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The theatre is located at 1220 Fox Run Ave., Suite 216 in Opelika. LEE COUNTY — The annual Donuts with Deputies event will also take place on Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Twin Cities FOP Lodge No. 21, which is located at 1307 Saugahatchee See EVENTS, page A3

Feeding the hungry PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER Sarah "Mama Mocha" Gill and her mother, Debbi, "Grandma Mocha."

BY OBSERVER STAFF EDITOR@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM OPELIKA — Local coffee enthuasist and expert Sarah Gill, founder and owner of Mama Mocha's Coffee Roastery, along with Hannah Parker, co-founder of nonprofit Project 153, organized a Thanksgiving event last week to feed those in the community that experience food insecurity. Gill discussed why she and Parker wanted to host this event.

See HUNGRY, page A7

Opelika Power Services employees prepared this year's tree, which will be lit following the SNOPELIKA Christmas parade on Friday, Dec. 1.

Dedication: 28 years and counting BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN — Tangela Frazier, finance director for the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, has been a dedicated employee for 28 years. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders recently recognized her hard work for the city during his annual State of the City address and Lamplighter Awards Ceremony.

Frazier was one of six awardees. July 28,1995, was Frazier’s first day with the chamber. “When I applied for this position, I actually had just graduated from Southern Union,” Frazier said. “I had got my accounting degree from Southern Union and I had previously worked at Auburn daycare in the office. And I just was ready for a change. So, I ended up going through the

newspaper and I sent out 13 resumes that day. “And I actually got offered a position here, at Russell and Alex City. And so I, you know, just weighed my options because at the time I had three small children that were two, four and six. And so I was like, well, if I have to drive all the way to Alex City, which it paid me a little bit more, but it was just having to manage, driving to Alex See DEDICATION, page A3

O O

Find Us Online:

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

334-745-4667 On-site Crematory Now Open

A2 Nov. 30, 2023

OFD receives $1,500 from Operation Helping Heroes OPELIKA — Country Financial insurance agent Karl Allen announces Opelika Fire Department as an Operation Helping Heroes recipient of $1,500. The funds will be used for equipment. “The Opelika Fire Department is a hardworking team,” Allen said. “They are a block from my office and I hear them going out on calls throughout the day. We want to congratulate them on their 150th anniversary, and we appreciate their service to our community.” Country Financial, an

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

insurance and financial services company, has donated more than $4 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to “enrich lives in the communities we serve.” The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Later, the program expanded to include first responders and teachers.

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

COUNTRY Financial insurance agent Karl Allen, third from right, named Opelika Fire Department as a recipient of an Operation Helping Heroes donation of $1,500, which will be used to purchase equipment for firefighters.

Bunkers now open in Auburn, featuring golf simlulators AUBURN — Bunkers, a cocktail bar, restaurant and indoor golf simulator unlike anything in the area is now open in Auburn. Located a block from the famous Toomer’s Corner, Bunkers has more than 50 parking spaces for guests only, making it an ideal choice for students, locals and out-of-towners to eat, drink and play in the heart of downtown Auburn. The concept was developed by Plainsmen Consulting, the team behind many of Alabama's well-

from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. For more information, visit www.bunkersauburn. com.

Bunkers is a cocktail bar and restaurant now open in Auburn, featuring eight semi-private golf simulator suites. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STACY K. ALLEN

eight semi-private simulator suites with comfortable seating that can be reserved for up to 10 guests. The suites can be booked daily to experience the stateof-the-art immersive sports game simulators featuring golf, football and more. They can also be reserved for game day Saturdays, the Super Bowl and other sporting events or pay-per-view watch parties. Bunkers is open every day for lunch and dinner, with brunch every Sunday. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday

known establishments, including Collins Bar, Cayo Coco and Local Roots. The beverage menu, created by award-winning beverage director Josh Schaff, showcases unique spins on familiar cocktails like the Frozen Azalea, Bunkers Julep and the Nitro Charged Espresso Martini. On the culinary side, the food menu focuses on classic gastropub dishes with an elevated twist, such as Tachos, the Bunkers burger, shrimp tacos, Thai chili wings and more. For game day entertainment and beyond, Bunkers has

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

The Corner Store becomes a U-Haul neighborhood dealer the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income through their U-Haul affiliation. When customers rent from a U-Haul dealer, they are directly supporting an independent small business in their community. Local affiliates are not U-Haul franchises, as there are no financial investments required to be a neighborhood dealer. These small businesses have committed a portion of their lot space for U-Haul equipment

trucks and support rental items. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (334) 737-5202 or by visiting www.uhaul. com. U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945. During these challenging times for small businesses, more than 21,000 dealers across

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The Corner Store has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Opelika community. The Corner Store Owner, Dev Prajapati, is proud to team with the industry leader in doit-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of Lee County. Located at 2028 Lee Road 166, The Corner Store will offer essential services like U-Haul

and a portion of their time to help meet the mobility needs of their neighbors. ABOUT U-HAUL:

Founded in 1945, U-Haul is the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers with more than 23,000 rental locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The enhanced U-Haul app makes it easier for customers to use U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 to access trucks anytime through the self-dis-

patch and self-return options on their smartphones through our patented Live Verify technology. Our customers’ patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to 192,200 trucks, 138,500 trailers and 44,500 towing devices. U-Haul is the third-largest self-storage operator in North America with 959,000 rentable units and 82.3 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul is the top retail-

Subscribe to The Observer today! Name: Address: City:

State:

ZIP:

Phone number: Email address: Payment Type (circle one): Check / Credit Card Visa or Master Card # Exp. Date:

Security Code:

Amount Paid:

• $40 for 1 year (inside Lee County) $50 for 1 year (outside of Lee County) •

Return to: The Observer 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801 Please do not send cash through the mail.

er of propane in the U.S. and the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul was recently named one of America’s Best Large Employers (Forbes, 2023), a Best for Vets Employer (Military Times, 2022) and one of the Healthiest Workplaces in America (Healthiest Employers, 2022). Find careers at uhauljobs.com. Get the U-Haul app from the App Store or Google Play.

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. The Observer is published weekly by Key Media LLC, 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Observer, 223-A S. 8th St.,, Opelika, AL 36801

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 Nov. 30, 2023

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies ACES offers tips for held at Auburn businesses picking, preserving PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY THE AUBURN CHAMBER

The UPS Store offers printing, shipping, shredding and mailbox services at 100 N. Gay St., Suite 120, in Auburn.

LaMar Wealth Management, a Raymond James partner, is open at 822 N. Dean Road, Suite 100, in Auburn.

DEDICATION >> from A1 City and then coming back home and getting my kids. And so I ended accepting the position at the chamber.” At the time, Frazier said she wasn’t even that familiar with what the chamber was. “I've just been learning as time has gone on, of course,” she said. “… You know, the main purpose of the chamber

is to promote businesses in the area … We help with ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking, networking events and things like that.” Frazier said it is the staff that has made her time at the chamber special. “You can't find a better staff here,” she said. “I enjoy working with people and we just all get along as a family. If somebody needs something, we're always

there, we just back each other up.” Frazier said she couldn’t think of any downsides to the job, but loves being able to help members. “Just getting that phone call where somebody may need something or need to know information, just being able to answer questions and to help people find things that they need,” she said. Anders presented

Frazier’s award second during the lamplighter ceremony on Nov. 8. Every year Anders presents six awards to people who make a difference in the community. “Loyal, dependable, humble and reserved,” Anders said. “Every organization needs people who carry these attributes into their work every day.” Anders listed all the many ways in which

Christmas trees BY COLE SIKES, ACES

AUBURN UNIVERSITY — There is nothing quite like the scent of Christmas trees. These natural living room centerpieces are beloved and provide an aesthetic that fits the season. However, choosing the right tree and caring for it can be a daunting task. An Alabama Cooperative Extension System expert offers a guide to choosing and purchasing Christmas trees in 2023. INDUSTRY HURDLES

A 2023 survey from The Real Christmas Tree Board (TRCTB), a national research organization funded by North American Christmas tree growers, indicated that 25% of TRCTB members would be increasing prices by 5 to 15% in 2023. This is a decrease from last year, when approximately 71% of members increased their wholesale prices by the same percentages. Input costs from labor, fertilizer, equipment and other expenses have increased by 10% annually. More than half of TRCTB tree farmers indicate that this is the

the chamber supports Auburn. “Behind all this energy, is our next lamplighter,” he said. “Overseeing the financial activities … guided by her faith … she does her job with professionalism.” Frazier said the award came as a surprise. “It was a total shock,” she said. “And right before the program … we go and I help with registration and then I leave, I don't stay. And so a couple of days before, my staff here was saying, ‘well, after the event, maybe we'll just go to dinner.’ And so we had made plans to go to Hamilton's for dinner. While we were there doing registration, I was like, ‘Does anybody happen to know who's gonna be receiving the award tonight?’ One of the staff people here said, ‘No, I don't know.’ And so I didn't think anything else about it. I had no idea. I was clueless.” She said she still gets emotional thinking about it. “When it first popped up, talking about the … chamber, I thought it was gonna be my boss, Anna Hovey, who was gonna get the award and then as we kept talking and I think it was the minute when [Anders] said 28 years and I was like, ‘Oh no.’ And one of my coworkers grabbed my hand and I really just lost [it] and I just started shedding tears.”

same situation for the 2023 growing season. Today, even though Christmas trees are more expensive to grow, most farmers are choosing not to dramatically raise prices so families will have even more opportunities to pick out their perfect tree. ON THE FARM

Christmas tree shoppers could see a small price increase in both precut lot trees and farm-grown trees. This is because of the input that it takes to grow the best quality tree. Steve Mannard of Fish River Farms in Baldwin County said he sums up the 2023 growing season in one word. “The best way to describe this year was challenging,” Mannard said. “Cold temperatures in the spring caused certain trees to brown in the tops and the sides. Some trees even stopped growing in July due to excessive heat and flash droughts in summer. It was the most environmentally difficult year to work in my 42 years of Christmas tree farming.” Mannard said input See TREES, page A4

EVENTS >> from A1 Lake Road in Opelika. This event is free and open to all. SMITHS STATION — Smiths Station will host its Christmas Tree Lighting event on Dec. 1 starting at 6 p.m. EST at the government center located at 2336 Panther Parkway in Smiths Station. The event will include food trucks, a visit from Santa, fireworks and more. AUBURN — Auburn's Downtown Holiday Market will be Saturday, Dec.2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This holiday event will feature more than 45 vendors in the Gay Street parking lot with some vendors along College and Magnolia. Browse local art, baked goods, gifts and more. The 28th Annual WeHelp Cookie Walk will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon at True Deliverance Holiness Church, located at 936 N. Donahue Dr. in Auburn. The city of Auburn will hold its annual Christmas parade Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. This year’s parade will feature festive floats, local celebrities and a surprise ending. For more information on local events be sure to check out our holiday calendar on A8.

A4 Nov. 30, 2023

Opelika Community Theater partners with Penguin Project OPELIKA — The Penguin Project, which allows disabled youth to showcase their talents and abilities through theatre, has partnered with the Opelika Community Theatre. Dr. Andy Morgan established the Penguin Project in Peoria, Illinois, in 2004. Since then, it has expanded to more than 50 other theaters. The partnership with the Opelika Community is one of 13 launched in 2023 and is the project’s second chapter in Alabama. The Penguin Project’s primary focus is to highlight the abilities of disabled youth, enabling them to showcase their talents and become immersed in the world of theater. Morgan said that often, people tend

from A3 costs have gone up substantially over the last two years. Fertilizer, chemicals and labor costs, especially, have been the most impactful to Fish River Farms’ operation. However, the good news is Mannard’s trees were resilient in the end. “They are growing more normally now with our moderate temperatures,” he said. “There may have been some lost growth, but we were blessed with resilient trees. We have a great crop for families this year.” CHOOSING YOUR TREE

Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Assistant Professor Jeremy Pickens said Christmas tree farms typically open the day after Thanksgiving. However, many choose to open earlier to ensure that families have plenty of opportunities to purchase a tree. “If you want to get an Alabama-grown tree, then you should go early,” Pickens said. “Growers are selling out earlier and earlier each year due to a rapid increase in demand.” The first step to purchasing a Christmas

tree is to determine which species of tree is preferred in your home. Most lot trees are Douglas and Fraser firs, which have the classic Christmas tree smell combined with strong, robust branches for heavy ornaments. However, these species do not grow well in Alabama, meaning the firs you see on lots are delivered from cold-climate states. More species consumers will find at choose-andcut farms in Alabama include Murray cypress, Arizona cypress, Leyland cypress, Eastern red cedar and Virginia pine. These species typically have fuller foliage than Northern firs and have branches best suited for lighter ornaments. None of these trees are considered more valuable than the other. To ensure your tree lasts through Christmas, Pickens suggests buying a fresh-cut tree from a local choose-and-cut operation or buy precut trees with their bases stored in water. “Trees that were stored in water will last longer because they have been kept hydrated,” Pickens said. CARING FOR YOUR TREE

The best insurance policy for a healthy Christmas tree is always

The Pengin Project, founded by Dr. Andy Morgan, seated center, will spotlight disabled youth via the Opelika Community Theatre.

come more engaged in community activities. Involving youths with disabilities in theater promotes inclusivity and community engagement, ultimately contributing to increased employment opportunities for individuals keeping the water reservoir full. “I check my tree daily until I get a feel for its water use,” Pickens said. “If you are unable to bend down to check, construct a dipstick. Just take any rod (broom handle, pool stick, fishing rod, etc.) and mark the depth of the water bowl on the side. Check the water level by dipping the stick in the water bowl to reveal a watermark. It’s similar to checking your automotive oil.” Be sure to keep the dipstick vertical as possible when checking. This practice will ensure the most accurate water level reading. If the tree is placed in an area exposed to heat (HVAC or fireplace), consider moving the tree away from heat sources or closing the appropriate vents. While not completely necessary, keeping the room temperature slightly lower and reducing direct sunlight exposure will also help the tree’s need for daily water. DISPOSAL

When it is time to finally take down Christmas decorations, there are some appropriate options for tree disposal. “Check with your local municipalities, as some have tree collection

with disabilities. Participants in these programs develop essential socialization and communication skills, addressing a critical need for many children with disabilities who lack opportunities to make friends and socialize.

The program actively fosters networking, socialization, inclusion and involvement. Marty Moore, executive director of the Opelika Community Theatre, said she encourages more children with disabilities to get involved.

She also invites additional mentors to volunteer and help cultivate a strong sense of inclusion. For more information, visit www.opelikacommunitytheatre.com.

always ask, ‘Will anyone show up?’” Mannard said. “When I see the cars pull up and kids begin to run around, I know that this was worth all that hard work. It’s a good feeling to know that people want your product.” Alabama Extension is instrumental in helping growers implement proven practices and methods. Pickens has a prosperous working relationship with farmers in the state. He serves as a representative on the Southern Christmas Tree Board and also performs fertilizer experiments on Mannard’s farm. “The most important part of Extension, especially if you’re a new grower, is that they

can help with unique technicalities that come with Christmas tree growing,” Mannard said. “If you don’t seek help, you may invest a lot of money and not sell a tree in the end. The first thing growers should do is get involved with their local Extension office.”

PHOTO COURTESTY OF ACES

TREES >>

to focus on disabilities, overlooking individuals' strengths and abilities. “For the one to two hours the children are up on stage, the disability disappears and there’s nothing but ability being shown,” he said. “What Special Olympics is to sports is what I want The Penguin Project to be to theatre.” The program advocates for a shift in the theater and film industry. Traditionally, Broadway and movies cast able-bodied actors to portray characters with disabilities. The Penguin Project encourages these industries to hire disabled individuals for such roles, promoting authenticity and representation. Morgan said there are numerous benefits of the program. For example, he said, there is a need to normalize allowing people with disabilities to be able to be-

PHOTO BY ELESE MCKINLEY

BY ELESE MCKINLEY FOR THE OBSERVER

CUTLINE

points,” Pickens said. “These trees are often turned into mulch and sometimes the mulch is free.” A popular method of tree repurposing is to place them in ponds or lakes to serve as fish bed structures. Some people also use them to start a bonfire during the winter. However, everyone should heed caution when burning a dry Christmas tree, as the hot fire can get away quickly. WORTH THE WAIT

After the long days on the Christmas tree farm performing hands-on care, tree farmers may wonder whether their season will provide. “At this time of year, I

DISCOVER MORE

To find a farm or retailer, explore the location tool from TRCTB and search using a zip code. Consumers may filter results by choose-and-cut farms, garden centers, home improvement stores and more. To learn more about Christmas trees, visit the Alabama Extension website, www.aces.edu.

A5 Nov. 30, 2023

Remembering the Gingerbread House's history, restoration PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Photos of the "Gingerbread House" before and after its renovations. BY ANN CIPPERLY FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Steep gables and porch columns adorned with lattice and icicle-like trim on the eaves create a storybook look for the picturesque Gingerbread House on South 9th Street in Opelika. While it stood for decades as a reminder of the early days in the town’s history, in the 1970s the unique structure began to fade and deteriorate, becoming in danger of being lost. The Gingerbread House had been intriguing since childhood when my family would drive past it. As a young journalist, I finally mustered up enough courage to knock on the door one sultry July afternoon. Sarah Lula Bean opened the door and stared at the nervous reporter carrying a heavy camera bag. I told her I was the niece of a lady she knew, and she graciously invited me inside. As we sat at her kitchen table, Bean began telling her family’s story of her great-grandparents, John Calhoun and Sara Jane Griffin Edwards, who built the house. When questions were asked, she presented an old family Bible with the exact dates of her greatgrandparents’ births, marriage and deaths, along with other family information. Bean explained that her great-grandmother and grandmother lived to reach their 90s, and the story of moving into the house was told over and over. Her great-grandparents built the house to resemble the William Penn Yonge house at Spring Villa. According to family

history, the house was finished in September 1865. Bean’s story began with the end of the Civil War in April 1865, and, like other Southerners, the Edwards were beginning to rebuild their lives. They had spent the Civil War years at plantations located 12 miles to the east of Opelika, not far from the Yonge house. With similarities between the Edwards’ home and the house at Spring Villa, many wondered if the same carpenter built both houses. Horace King, master bridge builder and former slave, was known to have built the Yonge house in 1850 for the daughter of his former owner, with whom he had a lasting friendship. Family records indicate the builder of the Gingerbread House was most likely John Edwards, as he was a master carpenter and built other houses in Opelika. Bean said she believed the Edwards moved into the house on a Saturday afternoon in September 1865 with a two-year-old son and an infant daughter. One son died before they moved to this house. Her great-grandmother was 24 years old, and her greatgrandfather was 27. Bean had been told that since the Civil War was over, the Edwards brought a young black couple and their two children with them to the house. Later, the Edwards had four more children, two sons and two daughters. The black couple had 10 children born in the house. Originally, the property the house occupies extended from 9th Street at Avenue C back to 10th Street. The Edwards also owned the triangle-

shaped property across the street, where they grew strawberries. Some of the furniture the Edwards moved to their new home from the plantation was still in the house. Bean had two beds, which were wedding gifts to the Edwards, and washstands. Bean was her parents’ only child. They divorced when she was five years old. Her grandfather, Dr. Samuel Henry Saul, was a veterinarian in Montgomery. Bean’s grandmother lived in the house with her mother after Saul died. Although Bean had little to say about her great-great-grandfather, Loxla Edwards, the Rev. F.L. Cherry wrote about him in the early history of Opelika, as well as J. Newell Floyd, who had a family connection. John Calhoun’s father, Loxla, was a prominent early settler. Loxla was born April 4, 1800, in Jones County, Georgia. He married Olivia Brown in Jones County on March 1, 1824. He first moved to Talbot County and then to Russell County, Alabama, about a mile and a half from Opelika in 1834. He had a small store and traded with the Indians. Three months later he moved near what is now known as Spring Villa, where he built cabins and opened a plantation on a small creek called Edwards Creek. Loxla quickly prospered and built another home in 1847 where his daughters were married and his sons given a marriage festival. John and Sara Jane Griffin were married at her father’s home. Sara’s father,

Andrew Bonapart Griffin, was also a prominent early settler and state senator. “All of these occasions were enjoyed by his neighbors, sons and daughters without distinction,” Cherry wrote. “He was democratic in all things, as well as politics. At this late day, I remember those fetes with other pleasurable associations of my early manhood.” Cherry wrote in detail of the flare-ups Edwards encountered with Native Americans, who killed his brother, and the attacks on his family. There was an incident with a squad of six stragglers of Wilson’s Raiders who intruded on Loxla and his family, hanging him until he was nearly strangled and stealing from his home. Cherry records they would have left him hanging if not for the pleas of three of his faithful servants. Loxla moved to Opelika in 1867, while his two sons John and Polk had moved there two years earlier, according to Cherry. Loxla traveled between his plantation and town until 1873, when he settled in Opelika. Loxla was mayor of Opelika for three successive terms, 1875, 1876 and 1877. Cherry wrote, “It is on record to his credit, and the credit of those who elevated him to office, that those three years are among the few years of great peace, quietude and prosperity in the municipal history of the city.” According to J. Newell Floyd, two of John and Sara Jane’s sons and one son-in-law, Dr. Samuel H.

Saul, were veterinarians, graduating from college in Washington, D.C. The Edwards’ daughter, Lula Victoria, married George Nelson Hodge and lived next door to her parents on South 9th Street. Another daughter, Wilhelmina, and her husband Dr. Saul had a daughter named after her mother who married Samuel Calhoun Bean. The Bean’s daughter’s, Miss Sarah Lula Bean, was the last to live in the Gingerbread House. As the house continued to deteriorate, some feared the unique house would be lost. When Bean was asked if anyone had wanted to purchase the house to restore it, she said, “No one has wanted to buy it, not in a long time. I couldn’t sell it even if I wanted to; my uncle in Miami and cousin in Montgomery are part owners.” Bean, who was nearly an invalid, said she wasn’t able to move any place else. Another owner of the house was I. J. Scott Sr. of Opelika, who owned 20 percent. “My interest in buying it was to have it restored,” Scott said in 1979. “I thought it was one of the most unusual houses, and I think it should be preserved.” After he learned of the estate situation he was unable to purchase the house. He offered his share of the house free twice to organizations. “It looks like an impossible situation as far as I can see,” Scott said. “If something isn’t done to preserve it at an early date, it will be beyond repair.” After Bean passed away,

the Carpenter Gothic house was vacant for 25 years before it was purchased by the Opelika Historic Preservation Society (OHPS). Peter Weiss, associate professor of the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University and a former president of the OHPS, removed everything rotten and stabilized the house. He enlisted the help of architecture students. The OHPS sold the house to John Marsh, who put a for sale sign in the front yard. In 2006, John Hendricks had been looking for a new location for his Auburn clock shop and museum after losing the lease. Former Opelika Mayor Barbara Patton called Hendricks to see if he would consider an Opelika location and gave him a tour. When he could not find anything suitable, Hendricks sat in his car on 9th Street near the railroad tracks and said he realized what was wrong. He said, “Lord, I have been doing this wrong, and I pray that you will find the best location.” He drove down 9th Street and was getting ready to turn onto Avenue B to return to Auburn. Since there was a long line of cars, he decided to drive through the intersec-tion and found himself in an area he had never been. “I said, ‘Lord where are we going?’” Then suddenly he said he saw the Gingerbread House and said, “That is it!” Seeing the house brought See HOUSE, page A7

John Rice The Rice School of Real Estate begins new session on January 9, 2024. Call Rebecca to schedule. 334-705-0800

A6 Nov. 30, 2023

Opelika PD's Chili on the Tracks event a rousing success

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPD

Corporate chili 1st Place: Jackson Thornton 2nd Place: Smith-Kastner Wealth Management LLC 3rd Place: Lambert Moving Systems Crowd Favorite: Lambert Moving Systems Corporate chili & grilled cheese combo 1st Place: Botanic LLC 2nd Place: OCV, LLC 3rd Place: The Bottling Plant Event Center Crowd Favorite: Botanic Amateur chili 1st Place: Opelika Utilities 2nd Place: Team Merritt 3rd Place: Newsworthy by The Observer Crowd Favorite: Pop’s

Pot of Gold Amateur chili & grilled cheese combo 1st Place: Auburn High School Culinary Team 2nd Place: Opelika High School Culinary Arts 3rd Place: Opelika Police Department Crowd Favorite: Auburn High School Sponsors of the event included: Kiwanis Club of Opelika, iHeartMedia Inc., Opelika Main Street, Niagara Bottling, Opelika Public Library, SS&L Architects, CoLab, Christie Ray Hill - State Farm Agent, Walton Law Firm P.C. and Lee County District Attorney's Office.

A7 Nov. 30, 2023

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

Volunteers dish up plates to go to help feed the hungry last Wednesday, Nov. 22.

HUNGRY >> from A1 "Hannah and I have always sought ways to serve people in our whole friendship ... We are best friends and find ways to love on people [and] collaborate our efforts and be more effective," Gill said. "Hannah loves to feed people. She has a heart to serve and give freely, and she was the one who dreamt this one up, and I jumped on board." Gill said that when she and Parker were first planning the event, they had no idea what to expect. "We were truly unsure if anyone would come," she said. "We knew we had the girls ranch coming, we knew we had reached out to our homeless friends around downtown, we knew we had personally reached out to some single mamas." What started out as a simple, heart-warming, belly-filling idea turned into something unforgettable. "We were blessed going into the event planning to hopefully feed anywhere from 100 to150

HOUSE >> from A5 back a memory from 1976, he said, when he had seen a photo of the house in the newspaper and was

people," Parker wrote in a post on social media. "We had some amazing people literally take off to stores and grab whatever they could to bring it back." At the end of the event, approximately 500 people had been served meals that day. "We ran out of plates before we even started at 11," Gill said. "When we ran out of food, people just left to go get more. It gives me chills to think about it. I remember I kept thinking about the fish and loaves story in the Bible. It really felt like a miracle that day." Gill said that she cannot take credit for the event; it was Parker's idea and that she just jumped in to help. "Mama Mochas was just a space for this, but I truly did or spent very little," Gill said. "The community, the volunteers, Hannah and Jeff Parker literally bought out both the Piggly Wiggly and Winn Dixie delis. Volunteers were running plates to people in cars to alleviate parking issues; volunteers were running plates of food to elderly and folks without transportation or caregivers unable to leave their

home. It was like whatever gift someone naturally had, they were able to use it to volunteer in a way that was helpful and specific to that need being filled." Gill and Parker both expressed that the love of God was a part of this event. "The Lord made some loving community happen in Opelika that day and I will treasure those memories forever," Gill said. "Over 500 plates ... God took it, and he multiplied," Parker wrote. Gill also said that they are already thinking of ways to do it again next year. HARVEST EVANGELISM This year, Harvest Evangelism hosted its annual Thanksgiving event feeding more than 4,000 people. “I work all over the world with poor and needy people and I’m glad that I do,” said Rick Hagans, founder of Harvest Evangelism. The Thanksgiving event was born from Hagans’ desire to meet a need that he saw in the area. Along with a college

buddy of his, Greg Glynn, they prepared five boxes of Thanksgiving food and decided to drive around delivering them. “In Auburn and Opelika, if you are impoverished foodwise, you’re also impoverished transportation-wise,” Hagans said. “You could have a gourmet meal somewhere but if the people can’t get there, it doesn’t do any good.” Those first few meals were the beginning of a 30-plus year tradition. Harvest Evangelism includes His Place and Hosanna Home. The Thanksgiving event has continued each year, even as ministries have changed. From that first year with five meals, the second year with 20, and the third with 100, the event has grown. Last year it was 2,700 meals. By the third year, 100 people were showing up to volunteer on Thanksgiving morning, too, Hagans said. “My volunteers say, ‘We live for this one day a year,'" he said. "Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without this opportunity.’”

Eventually, the event had to be held under a large circus tent, it was so well-attended. There are two meals, actually, on Wednesday evening — which is a sit down meal — and Thanksgiving Day. Hagans recently bought a food trailer, too, which helps with food distribution and opportunities. Harvest Evangelism also serves meals to the local jails in Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa Counties. According to Hagans, they also served two nursing homes this year. "We took over 2,000 meals out into some of our community’s neediest neighborhoods," Hagans wrote. "Several hundred people came by to pick up meals at our big tent site, and we took several hundred meals directly to people who called us and said they were in need of a meal. We took meals to the ER, orthopedic,cardiac and the ICU [departments]." Hagans took to social media to express his thanks and gratitude. "Giving thanks is a powerful

smitten with it. He placed the paper on a bedside table and had forgotten about it. He talked to Marsh about buying the house. Marsh would do the restoration. Hendricks and

thing. Giving thanks is good medicine. Thanks to everyone who made this Thanksgiving something special." NOURISH FOUNDATION The Nourish Foundation fed 25 families on Thanksgiving, delivering gift cards for turkeys and hams along with seasonal produce boxes to ensure that participants had provisions for the holiday. Started in November 2016 by Beth Hornsby and Dr. Katie Wolter, the Nourish Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of people living in Alabama through two branches: Nourish Wellness and Nourish, AL. Nourish Wellness is a pediatric wellness center, offering comprehensive care to individuals recovering from lifestyle-related illnesses, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Nourish, AL focuses on addressing hunger by supplying fresh produce, clothing and essential items to families facing food insecurity within the local community.

Margaret closed on the house in January 2007. The house had deteriorated so badly that there were times Hendricks said he had his doubts. At the end of November 2007,

the Hendricks began displaying 400 antique clocks. The shop and museum opened in June 2008 with no exterior changes. “It was a challenge and a labor of love,” said

Hendricks. “We are glad we did it.” The Gingerbread House began a new life as the Old Timers and Chimers Clock Shop and Museum. After a few years, it closed during Covid.

The Gingerbread House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Geneva Street Historic District. It is also registered as one of three gingerbread houses in America.

A8 Nov. 30, 2023

HOLIDAY CALENDAR SNOPELIKA PARADE & TREE LIGHTING Snopelika is Opelika’s official kick-off event for the Christmas season. The annual community event will feature a parade along Railroad Avenue, artificial snowfall and a tree lighting ceremony at Courthouse Square on Friday, Dec. 1. The festivities, which begin at 5 p.m., are free. DOWNTOWN AUBURN HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Downtown Auburn merchants will remain open for extended shopping hours and offer exclusive discounts and specials 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, with children’s activities, Santa, live music, cocktails to go and more. DONUTS WITH DEPUTIES Don't miss a festive and fun holiday drop-in with the Lee County Deputies at the Donuts with Deputies event on Friday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Twin City FOP Lodge #21 in Opelika. There will be sweet treats, coloring activities and more, including a special mailbox to send off letters to Santa. JINGLE JOG 5K & SANTA STROLL FUN RUN Pull out your ugly Christmas sweaters and get ready for the Jingle Jog 5k and Santa Stroll Fun Run, set for Saturday, Dec. 2. The one-mile Santa Stroll Fun Run will begin at 6:30 a.m., and the Jingle Jog 5k will begin at 7 a.m., both at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn. AUBURN DRIVE-THRU TOY DRIVE Help make the holidays bright for disadvantaged children in Auburn by bringing newly purchased, unwrapped toys to a drive-thru donation event at the Dean Road Recreation Center on Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MARKET For more than 50 years, the United Women of Faith at Auburn United Methodist Church have used all proceeds from its annual Christmas Market to support local area missions. Shop local arts, crafts, food, traditional baked goods and frozen soups and casseroles at this year’s Christmas Market at AUMC on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free to attend. SANTA ON THE CORNER Santa Claus will be at Toomer's Corner in Downtown Auburn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, and from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 ANNUAL COOKIE WALK The 28th Annual WeHelp Cookie Walk will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon at True Deliverance Holiness Church, located at 936 N. Donahue Dr. in Auburn. The Cookie Walk is a fundraiser sponsored by the WeHelp Coalition of Churches, which proceeds benefitting the Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity. Choose from thousands of Christmas cookies and treats while listening to musical talent and visiting with Santa. Enter for a chance to take home one of three beautiful handmade quilts. Cookie donations may be dropped off at Grace United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m, and at the event before 9 a.m. For more information, email auburnopelikahabitat@gmail.com. HOLIDAY ART MARKET @ OPELIKA ART HAUS The annual Holiday Art Market at the Opelika Art Haus is a one stop shop for local arts and crafts, as well as artisan foods, soaps, candles, pottery and many other beautiful items. The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. HO-HO-HO HIKE & HOLIDAY CELEBRATION On Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kreher Perserve & Nature Center in Auburn will transform into a winter wonderland filled with nature-themed crafts, performances, cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Mrs. Claus. The Ho-Ho-Ho Hike is a fun "Santa Hunt" where guests hike the Preserve looking for the elusive visitor in red, meeting many of nature's creatures along the way. O.C.T. CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE The Opelika Community Theatre will present Christmas Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 2, featuring a festive performance, hot chocolate and cookies. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime is 6:30 p.m. at 1220 Fox Run Ave., Suite 216. Tickets are $5 for children, $10 for adults and are available at www.opelikacommunitytheatre.com. MERRY MARKET GLYNN SMITH CHEVY GMC Glynn Smith Chevrolet GMC’s inaugural Merry Market, featuring more than 80 vendors, food trucks, a bouncy house, live music and visits with Santa, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 600 Columbus Pkwy., Opelika. A MARTHA’S TROUBLE CHRISTMAS Martha's Trouble will perform Christmas tunes twice in December at The Sound Wall, located at 605 Avenue B in Opelika. Performances will be on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Friday, Dec. 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $25. BYOB. AUBURN CHRISTMAS PARADE The city of Auburn’s annual Christmas parade will march through downtown on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.

CAROLING @ RANE CENTER Enjoy Christmas caroling prior to the Auburn Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University. GINGERBREAD VILLAGE @ RANE CENTER Following Auburn’s annual Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 3, the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center will unveil the Gingerbread Village at 3 p.m. The display, East Alabama’s largest, will remain up until New Year’s Day. Santa will be onsite at the Gingerbread Village from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on three Saturdays throughout the holiday season, ready to listen to wish lists and pose for photos. The dates are Dec. 9, Dec. 16 and Dec. 23. HOLIDAY TEA @ 1856 – CULINARY RESIDENCE On three Sundays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, celebrate the holidays with a Holiday Tea at 1856 – A Culinary Residence from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will feature a mixture of assorted patisseries, a selection of specialty teas and wine and champagne selections, as well as a Teddy Bear Tea menu specially made for children. Reservations required. BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is teaming with Home Instead for the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program again this year. Through this program, Home Instead and their community partners deliver Christmas gifts to financially challenged seniors. Last year, more than two million gifts were delivered nationwide. Each of the ornaments on the tree in the Sheriff’s Office lobby represents the wish list for a local senior. “Be a Santa” participants may stop by and pick out a senior’s wish list, then drop off the unwrapped gifts and ornament by Friday, Dec. 8. Gifts will be delivered in time for Christmas. ICE SKATING The ice-skating rink at Auburn’s Hey Day Market greenspace is open daily from noon until 8:30 p.m. through Jan. 15, 2024. The cost, which includes skate rental and one hour of skate time, is $13 for children ages 12 & under, $20 for adults. DAILY “SNOWFALL” Enjoy a touch of winter wonder every evening at 5 p.m., with “snowfall” at Auburn’s Hey Day Market. COUNTRY CHRISTMAS @ ROCKY TOP FARM The Farm at Rocky Top will host Country Christmas each weekend through Dec. 17. The farm, located at 2910 Lee Road 145 in Salem, will feature Santa Claus Corner, a reindeer food-making station, a snow castle, Christmas tree picking, train rides and more. Admission is $12 for ages two and up and $7 for ages 65 and up. Dates and times are: Fridays, Dec. 1, 8 & 15, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Dec. 3, 10 & 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. BIG BAND HOLIDAYS Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. With big band arrangements of songs both sacred and secular, Big Band Holidays is an uplifting tradition enjoyed by audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Special guest vocalist Ashley Pezzotti joins the band for imaginative new versions of classic holiday tunes. The performance is set for Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Gouge Performing Arts Center at Auburn University. Ticket prices range from $35 to $90 and are available at the website goguecenter.auburn.edu. CHRISTMAS IN A RAILROAD TOWN Christmas in a Railroad Town, set for Friday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Opelika, is a night full of activities for children and children at heart, including a mini train, pony rides, large and small animal petting zoos, wagon rides, trolley rides and late night shopping and dining. VICTORIAN FRONT PORCH CHRISTMAS TOUR Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tours will be held in Opelika’s Historic District along 8th & 9th streets Dec. 8-12. This Christmas tradition has been voted one of the southeast's top-rated tourism events and was featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. Sixty Victorian and historic homes are transformed into colorful, nostalgic reminders from a simpler, slower-paced era. AUBURN TOYS FOR TOTS RACES Auburn Toys for Tots 10k, 5k and one-mile races will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School. All participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed to children in need. The one-mile race will start at 8 a.m., followed by the 5k and 10k races at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $35 for the 10K, $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1-mile fun run, which includes a t-shirt, if pre-registered by Nov. 19 through the website runsignup.com/Race/Info/AL/Auburn/ AuburnToysforTots10k5k1mileAORTA. Race Day registration fees are $55 for the 10k, $40 for the 5k and $25 for the one-mile race. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & RUDOLPH The Oaks Farm will host Breakfast with Santa and

Rudolph on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be small crafts for the children to enjoy while they visit with Santa. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children and free for ages 2 and under. Price includes a breakfast buffet, beverages and a photo with Santa. Tickets will be available at the door and may be purchased by cash, check or credit card. RSVP at www.theoaksfarm.net/eventdetails/breakfast-with-santa-2/form. The Oaks is located at 18221 Veterans Memorial Parkway in LaFayette. BRUNCH WITH SANTA Enjoy brunch with Santa at the Auburn Marriott Opelika at Grand National on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature Christmas crafts, train rides on the North Pole Express and time with Santa and his elves. THE NUTCRACKER The classic holiday ballet The Nutcracker will be presented Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, at Woltosz Theatre at the Gouge Performing Arts Center at Auburn University. Performances are set for Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office and online at gougecenter.evenue.net. SANTA CLAUS AT HEY DAY MARKET Santa will Join Hey Day Market in their holiday festivities with a visit from Santa Claus! Bring your cameras and Christmas cheer to meet the big man in red from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Santa Claus will be back at the Hey Day Market from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 and again on Dec. 23. MOVIE MATINEE AT AUBURN LIBRARY The Auburn Public Library will present a free movie matinee on Monday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m. featuring "The Nightmare Before Christmas," rated PG. Run time is 76 minutes. For more information or to arrange accommodations for those with disabilities, email libraryevents@auburnalabama.org or call (334) 510-3296. ROCKY BROOK ROCKET REINDEER EXPRESS The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department will host the Rocky Brook Reindeer Express Dec. 14 through 16 in Monkey Park. Train rides will be $2 per person, cash only, and will take you through stunning Christmas scenes with thousands of lights sure to put you in the Holiday mood. COLLINWOOD LUMINARIES Collinwood Luminaries is a neighborhood event off 10th Street in Opelika with live characters and animals and a live nativity. Drive through the neighborhood beginning on Friday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly. SOUND WALL CHRISTMAS SUPPER CLUB The Sound Wall Christmas Supper Club is a reservationonly event featuring Chef Chris Wilton’s fan favorite Beef Wellington with an exquisite four-course chef’s menu. On Sunday, Dec. 10, and on Monday, Dec. 11, guests will gather around the table to watch and interact with the Chef as dishes are being created. Expect next-level, delicious food. This is a bring-your-own beverage event. Tickets are $75 and are available at theswmi.org. The venue is located at 605 Avenue B in Opelika. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and supper is at 7 p.m. each night. BYOB. FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES On Wednesday, Dec. 13, join The Hound and The Depot for their Sixth Annual Feast of the Seven Fishes, a traditional Italian celebration of Christmas Eve with fish and other seafood. A seven-course meal and five drink pairings will be planned and prepared by Chef Robbie Nicolaisen from The Hound and Chef Scott Simpson from The Depot. A limited number of tickets are available for $200, which includes tax and gratuity. The event will be held at 124 Mitcham Ave. in Auburn. Cocktail Hour will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. This event will be community seating. Please advise if there are friends coming with which you would like to be seated by leaving their name(s) in the comment box when purchasing your tickets at https:// www.allaboardauburn.com. Due to the nature of the event, changes to the dishes to accommodate allergies and/or dietary restrictions are not available. MARRIAGE CHRISTMAS BALL Covenant Relationship Ministries will present the 11th annual Marriage Christmas Ball on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Southern Room at Southern Union Community College. This black-tie event was started and is hosted by marriage counselors Glenn and Anita Comer to provide an evening of fun for married couples and those who are seeking marriage relationships. Tickets are on sale for $50 per person, which includes a plated dinner and entertainment by a live band featuring Demetriace Jordan and other performers. This event is supported with donations from local businesses and three area churches: New Life Christian Center, Pastor Auzzie Comer; True Deliverance Holiness Church, Bishop Nolan Torbert; and Christ Temple, Bishop Kenneth Carter.

Got news?

Send it to editor@opelikaobserver.com

E vents,Food & SocietyNews

Making the Grade

Conquistador lives up to its reputation

o hablo español un poquito. That is Spanish for, “I speak Spanish a little.” I took one year of Spanish in junior high and a second year at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City. I also took Spanish at the Alexander City State Junior College (now Central Alabama Community College). In high school, Señor Hitson, my Spanish teacher, was a terrific educator and linguist. Besides English, he was fluent in Spanish, French (which he also taught) and Russian. Also, at the time, he was learning to speak Chinese. In other words, Señor Hitson was very bright. I really admired him for being a teacher when he could have made a lot more money as a translator for the United Nations or at the State Department in Washington, D.C. Also, during class, Señor Hitson spoke almost entirely in Spanish, which was a great teaching strategy. If you wanted to go to the restroom, you had to ask him for permission in Spanish. Therefore, I quickly learned to say, “Quiero ir al baño, por favor,” or “I wish to go to the restroom, please.” When I became an English teacher at Long Cane Middle School in

atmosphere. Joy Williams, our server and the restaurant’s general manager and bartender, was so sweet, helpful and patient. She had the best personality for her position, making us feel very welcome. Also, she was very kind because she didn’t laugh at me when I tried out my two years of Spanish on her. This retired English teacher gives her bonus points for that. Williams told us that Cesar Bautista was the chef and owner of Conquistador. Cesar splits his time between Auburn and Columbus, where he owns two other restaurants, Bodega 1205 and The Market. Williams said that Conquistador has live music on Wednesday and Friday nights. For our appetizer, Mike and I chose ham croquettes. They were really good. Mike, who wasn’t as hungry as I was, ordered sweet potato fries. I selected the shrimp burger and steak fries. Every-thing was really delicious. My shrimp burger had a knife sticking in it, so I jokingly said to Mike, “Be nice; I have a really big knife.” The knife was really helpful because my shrimp burger was so big that I cut it in half. Also, even I couldn’t eat all of my steak fries. I talked to a couple who was sharing the sweet steak sandwich because it was so large. They said it was really tasty. I want to try that next time. Besides our delicious lunch choices, Conquistador offers diners a great variety of entrees, including beef burger, Cuban sandwich, salmon with Spanish rice, ropa vieja (braised top

sirloin) and Spanish rice with seafood. For dinner, Conquistador serves all of their lunch selections and also offers diners tablas, or boards. I prefer the Spanish name “tablas,” which is much easier to pronounce and spell than the term, charcuterie board, which, according to Google, is “a delicious way to enjoy a variety of meats and cheeses.” The name comes from the French word for “butcher,” and it refers to a style of food presentation, not just the types of foods included.” But I digress. For their tablas, diners may choose from mar, or sea, items such as octopus, shrimp, trout and Spanish rice. Tierra, or earth selections include sausage, chorizo, ropa vieja, chicken and Spanish rice. So, if you’re looking for a delicious, unique and international dining experience, visit Conquistador, the only restaurant of its kind in all of Lee County. Conquistador is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s closed on Sunday and Monday. Conquistador makes the grade with an A+ from this teacher. Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy! Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear every other week in The Observer. Wallace may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com.

AU's Campus Kitchen serves meal for more than 70 EASE House residents PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Campus Kitchen at Auburn University, in partnership with AU Dining Services, provided a Thanksgiving-themed meal for more than 70 residents at East Alabama Services for the Elderly, also known as EASE House. EASE House is a 100-unit low-income independent living housing facility for seniors 62 and older who qualify for an accessible unit. Students ate with the residents, but most importantly engaged in various forms of conversations.

PHOTOS BY STACEY PATTON WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

LaGrange, Georgia, I encouraged my students to take Spanish in high school and college as I did because it was the fastest-growing language in the world. I told my students who spoke both English and Spanish fluently that if they majored in business in college, they would have an advantage because they could work with both English and Spanish-speaking customers. Over the years, I had a few students who spoke very little or no English. Late in my teaching career, I taught a boy, I’ll call him Miguel because I can’t remember his name. Since Miguel could speak almost no English, my lessons on argumentative writing, novels and grammar/usage were useless to him. Therefore, I would give Miguel 10 English words to learn per week. Then, I would test him on Friday so that I would have grades for him. My husband, Mike, a two-time teacher of the year, let Miguel come to his yearbook class several times a week, where eighthgrade girls would help Miguel learn the English words. Mike said Miguel clearly loved the attention the girls gave him, and they enjoyed working with him. Also, Miguel began to learn English. Recently, a unique Spanish restaurant opened in Auburn, and you don’t have to speak Spanish to enjoy it. Conquistador, which opened on Sept. 4 of this year, is located at 2514 S. College St., #101. When Mike and I arrived at Conquistador for lunch, we loved the Spanish décor, soothing music and relaxing

Conquistador offers a wide variety of entrees featuring international flavors.

Potters of Rockybrook celebrate 12 Days of Giving, bowl presale BY ANN CIPPERLY FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — As part of the Empty Bowls event, the Potters of Rockybrook at the Denson Drive Recreation Department in Opelika are holding 12 Days of Giving through Dec. 12 and a presale of bowls. Anyone visiting the pottery department at this time can sign up to win one of 12 handmade Christmas ornaments. Proceeds from bowl sales go to the Food Bank of East Alabama.

See 12 DAYS, page A11

A10 Nov. 30, 2023

Sean of the South

SEAN DIETRICH

here is a little girl in my house. She is 11. She is currently playing piano in my office. She is blind, so she plays by feel. She has no idea what she’s doing on the instrument. But she actually sounds pretty good. I do not have kids. I’m not a smart man, but I am sharp enough to know I’d make a bad dad. So this is unique, having a kid in my house. Today is a flawless November day. Leaves are falling. The air is dry. My windows are open. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And it feels like it. Becca has been staying at our house for a few lazy days this weekend.

The 11-year-old in the house

My wife and I are sort of like Becca’s crazy aunt and uncle. I don’t know how this happened. I never thought I’d be the crazy uncle who perpetually smelled like Tiger Balm and was always telling children to pull his finger. But there you are. In her time here this weekend, we’ve gone for lots of walks, Becca and I. Becca usually holds my hand and does all the talking. Somehow, she knows that I have no idea what I’m doing with kids. She can sense that I am not paternal material. But she doesn’t hold this against me. I was a bar musician whose youth lasted way too long. I grew up in dim lit rooms, filled with smoke, clinking glasses, and Willie Nelson ballads. I used to have a ponytail, for crying out loud. But Becca doesn’t seem to care. She treats me like I’m a real adult. Which is her first mistake. Consequently, Becca has done a lot of adultish talking since she’s been here. She has talked

about everything from moon rocks to the Battle of Gettysburg. From the invasion of Pearl Harbor to Zacchaeus who—come to find out—was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. During this brief, 48hour period, I’ve learned a lot from Becca. I have learned, for example, that tornadoes are caused by warm and cold air. I have learned that the words “wow,” “mom,” and “poop”’are palindromes. I learned that the Aztecs invented an early form of basketball. The Aztec rules of basketball, however, differ from modern-day rules. The losing team was brutally sacrificed, publicly, and their organs were offered to the gods. “Brings new meaning to the term March Madness,” I said. “What’s March Madness?” she asked. So I have my work cut out for me. Then, we played outside in the backyard for a little bit. It goes without saying that I have not “played outside” in many years. In

fact, I think Jimmy Carter was president the last time I played outside. But that’s what we did. My yard is covered in dead leaves because I am allergic to yardwork. Becca plopped down into the blanket of leaves and declared that she was making a leaf angel. She told me to do the same thing. So I did. And there we were, rolling in the grass and leaves. At which point she crawled atop my chest and said: “Are you glad you met me?” “Yes.” “How glad?” “Becca, I am making a leaf angel.” She laughed. Then rested her chin on my chest. “I wish I could see you.” “You aren’t missing much.” “How tall are you?” “Taller than you.” “What color is your hair?” “Same color as yours.” “What about your eyes?” “They only see you.” Becca’s birth parents didn’t want her. They

abused drugs. So they left her in a crib for the first few years of her life. As a result, the back of her head was flat. She couldn’t walk. She had health problems. It is what medical professionals call “Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.” What nonprofessionals call an “addict baby.” Becca was adopted by two loving parents who have fostered upwards of 30 kids in their lifetime. They gave her the world, and then some. Beck has a good life, full of love. But she’s been through a lot, and she has scars to prove it. Multiple operations, open-heart surgery, lymph node removals, minor hearing loss, she has Turner’s syndrome. And then came the loss of her vision. I met her shortly after she went blind. I came into her life one November day, and I don’t know how we became friends. Or why. But she’s the youngest friend I have. And possibly the closest. When we finished

Home for the holidays For nearly 50 years, Annie and Henry lived in a mobile home on their property, with the intention to build their dream home there once they retired. With an unwavering commitment to their goal and a little help from AuburnBank, they moved into their new home this year. It was an honor for AuburnBank to assist Annie and Henry in fulfilling their dream. Mortgage lender, Celeste Smith Norris stated, “They reminded me why I love this job.” We’d love to talk with you about your plans for purchasing a home. Call us at 334-887-4608 to make an appointment.

Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com

w/Celeste at our new

home

playing in the leaves, we dusted each other off and went inside for supper. We sat at the table to eat. My wife made macaroni and cheese, roasted turkey and green beans. The kid devoured the mac and cheese. Ate one bite of turkey. Her green beans died of exposure. But before the meal, we all held hands and said a brief Thanksgiving prayer. The little girl held my hand. Hers were warm. Mine were cold. We all took turns saying what we were thankful for. She cleared her throat before she prayed. “God, I’m thankful for Sean.” Well. I hope someday she raises her standards. Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored 15 books, he is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast and he makes appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.

A11 Nov. 30, 2023

Stone Martin Builders Auburn Downtown Merchants hosts Toys for Tots Drive Association to host “Santa on the Corner” to support the United Way of Lee County

Stone Martin Builders is collecting toys for the U.S. Marine Corps' 76th annual Toys for Tots campaign.

participation by designating model home locations in various communities as official toy drop-off sites. Open for donations from Tuesday to Sunday, between noon and 5 p.m., 20 model homes will collect toys. Local volunteers will then pick up and deliver these toys to less fortunate children in multiple Alabama communities, including Opelika, Auburn, Dothan, Enterprise, Montgomery, Wetumpka, Prattville, Pike Road, Huntsville, Athens, Meridianville and Columbus, Georgia. Stone Martin Builders is dedicated to positively impacting the communities it serves, believing each donated toy creates cherished holiday memories for children in need. The company extends gratitude to all participants and encourages them to spread the joy of Christmas to those less fortunate. Since 1947, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve units have conducted Toys for Tots campaigns annual-

ly, distributing an average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children across the country. This effort provides them with recognition, confidence and lasting positive memories. For more information about Stone Martin Builders and its participation in the Toys for Tots drive, please visit www.stonemartinbuilders.com. ABOUT STONE MARTIN BUILDERS: Based in the Auburn-Opelika area, Stone Martin Builders is dedicated to developing aspirational communities throughout Alabama and Georgia, including Huntsville, Athens, Prattville, Montgomery, Auburn/Opelika, Dothan and Columbus, Georgia. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has quickly grown and, in 2022, was ranked as one of the 100 largest home builders in the U.S. by Builder Online. More info at www. stonemartinbuilders. com.

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — This holiday season, families in need will wake up to brand new gifts from Stone Martin Builders, a leading home builder known for its commitment to community engagement. As part of the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s 76th annual Toys for Tots campaign, Stone Martin Builders' employees and residents aim to bring the joy of Christmas and a message of hope to less fortunate children across Alabama. "At Stone Martin Builders, our ongoing commitment to Toys for Tots is deeply rooted in a genuine passion for uniting our community and creating moments of joy for children who might otherwise miss out,” said John Manasco, Stone Martin Builders COO. “This year, we're working to magnify our impact, aiming to share the warmth and spirit of the season with families in need throughout Alabama. The community’s support in making this vision a reality means the world to us." Until Dec. 7, Stone Martin Builders will collect new, unwrapped toys in drop boxes at all model homes. These toys will be transported to a central warehouse at Stone Martin Builders' office located at 13 N 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801, by Dec. 7, contributing to Toys for Tots' mission of distributing an annual average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children, creating lasting positive memories. The community is encouraged to drop off donations at the locations attached. Stone Martin Builders encourages widespread

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY STONE MARTIN BUILDERS

Santa will be across from Toomer's corner in downtown Auburn Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.

CONTRIBUTED BY UNITED WAY

LEE COUNTY — The Auburn Downtown Merchants Association is hosting “Santa on the Corner” on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. to benefit the United Way of Lee County. Santa will be set up on East Magnolia Avenue across from Toomer’s Corner. Those who come to take pictures with Santa will need to bring their own camera as no official photographer will be available for

12 DAYS >> from A9 “The Christmas ornaments being given away are made with white clay, have a hand painted scene and are dipped in a clear gloss,” said Robin Governo, chairman of 12 Days of Giving. An attractive ribbon is added for hanging the special ornaments. Themed scenes on the ornaments include the manger, the Wise Men, O Holy Night, Christ the Savior is Born, O Come Let Us Adore Him, the Christmas star and others reflecting the holiday. “The Empty Bowls’ 12 Days of Giving presale is a wonderful opportunity to purchase unique bowls, while simultaneously helping the Food Bank of East Alabama provide for those in our community experiencing food insecurity,” Governo said.

the event. Photos are complimentary, however donations to the United Way of Lee County are encouraged. When you donate to the United Way of Lee County, you can rest assured that your money goes to trustworthy causes that are community driven and selected by local individuals. In addition, 99 cents of every $1 donated to the United Way is invested back into the local community. The United Way of Lee County is a nonprofit organization in

Opelika whose mission is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another by generating and applying the necessary resources to meet the needs of the community. They look to improve and strengthen the community by focusing on and funding organizations and programs working in four key impact areas, areas they believe are the building blocks for a good life: education, health, crisis, and families and communities.

During the presale, choices include bowls made on the wheel and hand-built in shades of tan, blue, green and brown. Some have special designs pressed in the clay and/or painted underglaze. Bowl donations are from beginner, hobby and professional potters. A bowl purchase will include a ticket to attend the 2024 Empty Bowl event where those attending receive a container of soup. “These hand crafted bowls paired with the Empty Bowl event ticket make wonderful holiday gifts,” Governo said. “To make extra special they can be filled with cookies/or candy, or given with a package of dry soup mix.” Sherie Spain of the Rocky Brook Potters is the founder of the local Empty Bowls event, which rotates between the Opelika potters and

the Auburn Dean Road Ceramics Studio. Spain had read about the Empty Bowls project that started in 1990 as a class project in Michigan. The class made ceramic bowls to sell and served soup for a food drive. The idea caught on, and other Empty Bowls events began being held across the country. Over the years the Rocky Brook Potters have raised over $40,000 for the Food Bank of East Alabama. Richard Talbot is director of the April 20, 2024, Empty Bowls event, while Kitty Greene is chairman of the preview party, which will be held April 13. The Opelika Recreation Department is located at 1102 Denson Drive. Hours for the 12 Days of Giving are 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday through Dec. 12. PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

One example of a handcrafted bowl that can be found at the annual Empty Bowls event.

A12 Nov. 30, 2023

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Small business Saturday came and went, overshadowed locally by the Iron Bowl. We, downtown Opelika, have lost some very nice businesses in 2023. Almost all the South Railroad Avenue shops between 9th and 10th streets are gone. Three owners of struggling businesses have relinquished ownership to others. You normally won’t see any publicity when a fairly new business closes or needs to take

lifesaving measures. Clearly, running a small business is not easy. We don’t have many of the benefits big businesses offer, and we certainly can’t afford the level of advertising big box stores seem to permeate the media with. A single decision, like location, your landlord, hours, pricing, etc., can be pivotal. We’re not going to publicize that we are struggling to stay afloat. One day we’re there, the next day gone. Supporters will

wonder why and be left with only memories. Some will wish they had been more supportive; others will just wonder what’s coming next. So, the next time you have a choice between the hardware chain store and Smith T’s, Starbucks and Sidetrack Coffee, Amazon and Almost Anything, Burger King and Breezeway, you know which one I’d recommend first. Use it or lose it. Ernie Rains Opelika, Alabama

Local agencies join forces to distribute coats at the “Bundle Up Boutique” LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Helping Families Initiative, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and United Way of Lee County have teamed up to open Bundle Up Boutique, a pop-up, free coat shopping experience to make sure that everyone in Lee County is warm this winter. The Bundle Up Boutique will allow community members who need a coat and are unable to afford one to stop by and choose a coat that is the best fit for themselves and/or their child. Deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office

will be on-site to ensure a safe shopping experience. Identification, proof of residency, and proof of income will not be required to shop at the boutique. The Bundle Up Boutique will be open at the United Way of Lee County office (2133 Executive Park Dr, Opelika, AL 36801) the following times: Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. This coat drive has truly been a community effort. All the coats in the

Bundle Up Boutique were donated by community members in donation bins located at Auburn Bank, Auburn Police Department, East Alabama Health, Lee County Justice Center, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Opelika Police Department and United Way of Lee County. Harvest Evangelism and 4 Seasons Dry Cleaners have generously donated clothing racks and dry-cleaning services. For more information about the Bundle Up Boutique, visit www.leecountysheriff.org or e-mail communityrelations@ leecountysheriff.org.

Shelia Jackson & Friends Christmas Concert in Opelika CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The Shelia Jackson & Friends annual Christmas concert has been a sell-out event in Troy, Alabama, for over a decade, and now it's coming here. East Alabama Arts, with generous support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, will host the holiday celebration this season for East Alabamians. “I am looking forward to coming to Opelika this year to spread Christmas cheer with everyone,” Jackson said, when asked

SHELIA JACKSON about the upcoming show. “The band and singers have a wonderful show planned with Christmas favorites with jazz, pop, gospel and classical. There is something for everyone, and I am so excited to

meet everyone. A special ‘thank-you’ to all those involved and to everyone who purchased a ticket.” With guest hosts Tonya Terry and Willie B. Williams Jr., Shelia’s show brings favorite Christmas specials in her unique gospel, jazz and Broadway performance style to Opelika at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for Shelia Jackson & Friends Christmas Concert in Opelika are on sale now for $15. To purchase tickets in advance, call (334) 749-8105 or visit www.eastalabamaarts. org.

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 Auburn/Opelika MOPS (Moth- Feb. 1, 15 ers of Preschoolers) and MOMS- March 7, 21 Next meet at Pepperell Baptist - April 4, 18 Church located at 2702 2nd Ave. in - May 2 Opelika. Contact Rachel Elrod at 706The next meetings scheduled are: 244-5620 or Kaela Sexton at 719- Dec. 7 351-8093 for further information. - Jan. 18

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will not meet in December. The next meeting will be Jan. 16, 2024 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 Nov. 30, 2023

Altar Call

The healing gift of understanding

WALTER ALBRITTON

OPINION — ike most Americans, our family came together to celebrate Thanksgiving. It seems a good thing that the fourth Thursday of every November is set aside by our nation as a holiday to give thanks for our blessings. It is indeed a healthy exercise of the freedom we enjoy. The first Thanksgiving in America was held on a day in the fall of 1619. The early pilgrims celebrated a good harvest

of their crops by inviting their Indian neighbors to share a meal together. Later, in 1623, Governor William Bradford designated a day for the colonists to thank God for their blessings. President George Washington liked the idea of a day for thanksgiving. He chose February 19. Perhaps he favored February because it was the month of his birth. In subsequent years a day of thanksgiving was observed by our countrymen on the third Thursday of November, but finally settling on the fourth Thursday. Thanksgiving is delightful for many

reasons. Most people do not have to work. Throw in Friday and you have a nice long weekend. Many people travel to spend Thanksgiving with their families so a lot of people in the transportation business must work. For them Thanksgiving is not a fun time for food, family and football. Some of us can remember hectic times trying to get home for Thanksgiving and wishing we had stayed home. My wife and I once spent Thanksgiving Day in a New York airport. Pilots went on strike a few hours before we landed in LaGuardia on a trip from Rome. It is not a fond memory.

There was no turkey and dressing or cranberry sauce that day. This past Thursday we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the old home place where I was born. My parents built the home in 1930. Our youngest son Steve and his wife Amy bought and remodeled the home after my parents died. Sixtyseven family members and friends thanked Steve, Amy and their son Josh for superbly hosting the gathering once again. As the day wound down I recalled earlier Thanksgivings with my family. Those were not better but different. Death explains one difference. Many who

once were among us walk with us no more. I could close my eyes and see the faces of the deceased, like my own mother and father, the spouses of my siblings, many aunts and uncles as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. With the passing earlier this year of my mother’s youngest sister, Katie Murphy, I am now the oldest living member of the Johnson family. Since that distinction has no inherent prestige, I can testify that what Jesus said about prophets is true as well about patriarchs. Thursday the tables were laden with delicious food but some memorable dishes were

missing. Nowhere to be found was my Mama’s special dessert – Ambrosia. Nor did anyone bring salted, roasted pecans. Mama always had those two items on the table at Thanksgiving. Despite the absence of those dishes. we all ate too much as expected. Beautiful weather, delicious food, lots of children, family members and friends all made Thanksgiving Day wonderful again. William Bradford would have been proud of us. As he advised the pilgrims to do, we gathered together and gave thanks to almighty God for our blessings.

Lancaster was a founding director of Auburn Bank & Trust Company and continued serving as director of SouthTrust Bank of Auburn. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Elks. Mr. Lancaster served in the Alabama National Guard for 10 years, achieving rank of Second Lieutenant. Mr. Lancaster was a private pilot and a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was an active participant in the Auburn community track meets into his 60's. He also enjoyed photography and painting and was a bird watcher. He was an avid sports fan, particularly for Auburn University Tigers. Mr. Lancaster was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Auburn, having served as a trustee. He previously served as a deacon and as an elder of Presbyterian Church USA. Mr. Lancaster sang in adult choirs for over 60 years. He served many years on building and grounds committees and oversaw numerous renovation and building projects. Mr. Lancaster was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lucille Lancaster Barclay, a nephew, Lee, and a great grandson, Dylan. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Cox Lancaster; his daughters, Lauren Walton Lancaster of Auburn, AL, and Wynn Lancaster-Brown

(Keith) of Daphne, AL; stepdaughters Freda Cox Farrell of Roswell, GA, Lisa Cox Wilson (Michael) of Conyers, GA; and a stepson, Ken Cox (Lauren) of Athens, AL; grandchildren, Katie Moody (Brooks), Jonah Brown (Mihaela), Kristen Beverly (Josh), Hannah Jones (Anthony), Lena Brown, Lynn Nelson (Tommy), Brady Smith, Deborah Suggs (Evan), Beverly Keyton (John); great grandchildren, Jacob, Anthony Shonze', Emily Kate, Antwan, Lizzy, Losha, Drew, Ellae, Josh, Samuel, Naomi, Nolan, Johnny, and Ezra; great, great grandchildren Brooks and Walker; nieces, Barbara, BJ, and Nancy, and nephew, Alan, all of whom he adored. A funeral service was held at Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, with a graveside service immediately following at Auburn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.

OBITUARIES JEAN OLAVESON HOOKS Our beloved Mother, Jean Olaveson Hooks, peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 21, 2023. She was known by her family as “Gran” and lived a full, wonderful life mentoring and loving her six children, 11 grand-children and four great-grandchildren. Born to Thelma Brewer and Fred McCain on Feb. 28, 1939, she grew up in Roanoke, Alabama. Jean married the late Jack Olave-son in 1955 and together they raised six children in LaFayette, Alabama: Jackie (Fred) Wertymer of Roswell, Georgia; Pat (Graham) Weatherstone of Columbus, Georgia; Phillip (Nancy) Olaveson of Opelika; David Olaveson of Opelika, who preceded her in death; Melissa (Jason) Cherry of Opelika; and Jen (John) Heffner of Alpharetta, Georgia. For many years, Jean owned a childrens store “Youngland” in LaFayette and later opened a daycare. Families always came first, and she was naturally gifted with ba-bies and young children. Jean was the first to lend a hand to those in need and a tire-less worker with any task or hobby she pursued. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in LaFayette, where she was involved with teaching, singing in the choir and volunteering. In her early sixties, Jean decided she wanted an

adventure, so she packed her car and headed out west to work at Yellowstone National Park in Montana. While there, she met and later married Hugh Hooks, and they resided in Texas until Hugh’s death. Jean relocated and renovated her father’s 100-year-old family home in Wedowee, where she met Sanford Chambers, who became her longtime, devoted companion. In order to be closer to family, in 2014, Jean and Sanford moved to Opelika. They en-joyed playing weekly bridge games, gardening and entertaining at Jean’s home on Anderson Road. Jean and Sanford were frequent travelers both in the United States and abroad. Their favorite trip was to Egypt and included a week-long excursion down the Nile River and a day trip to the Pyramids and Israel. A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Opelika, in the Chapel. Family members will begin receiving guests at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lee County Humane Society or to Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. FANNIE DELL DAVIS YOUNGBLOOD Fannie Dell Davis Youngblood of Little Texas, Alabama, passed away Nov. 22, 2023. She was born on Nov. 20, 1939, to the late Grady W. Davis and Lucille E. Davis

Grimes. Fan was a graduate of Tuskegee High School and trained at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta to become a registered nurse. She enjoyed baking and playing bridge, but what she enjoyed most was spending time with her family and friends. Fan is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harry Youngblood; daughters Kelli (Andy) Floyd of Little Texas, Penny (Sonny) Rule of Hoschton, Georgia, and Melissa (Garrett) Barnes of Auburn; granddaughters Jordan Rule, Hayden Rule, Lauren Rule and Charlotte Barnes; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Mercer Davis, and sister, Carol Davis Kennedy. A graveside service was held Nov. 28 in the Little Texas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be made to Union Christian Church, 1111 County Road 69, Tuskegee, AL 36083. EARL MILLER LANCASTER Earl Miller Lancaster, 95, of Auburn, passed away on Nov. 22, 2023, having lived a long life, most of which he lived in Auburn. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Edwin Bragg Lancaster and Lucile Morgan Lancaster. He graduated from Lee County High School (Auburn) in 1945, and from Alabama Polytechnic

Institute (Auburn University) in 1950 with a degree in Architecture. While a student at A.P.I., he served as President of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) and was in the Scarab Architectural Honorary Society. He was a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association. He was a Corporate Member of the A.I.A. and a member of the Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, and East Alabama Chapters. He was registered as architect by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards of Certificate in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri over the years of his career. Mr. Lancaster worked for architectural firms in Atlanta and Macon, Georgia, and Birmingham. He returned to Auburn in 1960 when he and his father formed Lancaster and Lancaster Architects, where he practiced until his retirement. His goal as an architect was to create environments that make people happy. Mr. Lancaster served the Auburn community as vice president, president elect, and president of Kiwanis International and served on the Board of Directors. He served on the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as vice president and president. He served on the City of Auburn Planning Commission. Mr.

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

MATTHEW STROZIER On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, Matthew Steven Strozier left his wheelchair and ventilator behind and walked into Heaven praising God in person. He was born on May 8, 1997, in Opelika, Alabama. He is survived by his

See OBITUARIES, page A14

A14 Nov. 30, 2023

The good news of God's reign

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

OPINION — aniel has a dream in the first year of Belshazzar (7:1). The dream is an expansion of the one he interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar in chapter two. Instead of a statue with four parts representing four kingdoms, his dream has

four creatures representing four kingdoms (v. 23). As in Daniel 2, these creatures also represent the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. As with the dream in chapter two, attention is drawn to the fourth creature. It is “terrifying and frightening and very powerful” (v. 7). It also has 10 horns which represent the first 10 kings (emperors) of Rome (v. 24). While Daniel is contemplating these horns, an 11th horn/king appears and displaces three of the horns/kings. We’re told “the horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully” (v. 8). This refers to Domitian, who was the 11th

emperor of Rome. Daniel later sees him “waging war against the holy people and defeating them” (v. 21). Gabriel explains that Domitian will “speak against the Most High and oppress His holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into His hands for a time, times, and half a time” (v. 25). That’s not the end of the story, though. In response to this, we’re told in v. 27-28: “But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms will be handed over to the holy people of the Most

High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him.” In broad terms, Daniel’s dream lays out the conflict between the Roman Empire (personified by Domitian) and the followers of Jesus’ kingdom. This conflict is more fully developed by John in the book of Revelation. Nonetheless, Daniel furnishes us with in broad outline Domitian’s rise, his oppression of the people of God and his fall. That makes the chapter a highly compressed version of Revelation. And when you consider the message of chapter 7 in light of the overall context of Daniel’s

look at four kingdoms, it makes the book of Daniel a prequel to Revelation. Finally, if we consider chapter 7 from the book of Daniel’s perspective, the takeaway is that once again, God’s sovereignty is shown. He is in control. Whether it is Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome or any other nation, "the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (4:25, 32). God reigns and that’s good news, Green has written an entry level book on Revelation called The Thrill of Hope. It is available through Amazon.com.

Bible verse of the week: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18

CHURCH DIRECTORY

3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

ANGLICAN The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

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

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

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

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

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 E. 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

parents, John and Tracy Strozier, his sister and very best friend, Shelby; his grandparents, Nick &amp; Grace Abbett (Papa Nick &amp; Nana) and John W. Strozier (Pappy); his aunts Susan (David) Voss and Cheryl Strozier. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Ellen Strozier (Grandma), his grandfather, James A. Treadwell (Granddaddy), and his uncle, Bobby Treadwell. Our family expresses our deepest gratitude to Mattman’s wonderful, loving care attendant, Denese Easley. She truly became, and will continue to be, a part of our family. Matt attended Southview Primary School and graduated from First Baptist Opelika Christian School in 2015. He has been a blessing and encouragement to

Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST 10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD Lakeside Church of God

his family, friends and community in so many ways. Matt enjoyed many years of Miracle League baseball. He also spent lots of time at Storybook Farm riding horses. He briefly volunteered with Way 2 Serve Ministries performing data entry. Matt became a Christian on Aug. 30, 2005, and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Opelika. He had a special place in his heart for his youth Bible study led by A.J. Richardson and continued weekly Bible study with his close friends and brothers in Christ, Josh Gatlin and Gunter Nawrocki. Matt also had a special bond with the Waddell family of Sharpsburg, Georgia. A life highlight for Matt was our two families going on a 14-day, out-West adventure where he was able to see the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. His favorite part of the trip

ADD YOUR CHURCH Add your church to the directory for only $75 a year. Email editor@opelikaobserver. com or call (334) 749-8003.

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552 Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika

was watching Old Faithful erupt. He enjoyed attending Magic Moments Family Camp at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin each Memorial Day weekend. A life celebration was held at First Baptist Church Opelika on Nov. 27, with Dr. Jeff Meyers officiating, followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in memory of Matt to Storybook Farm, The Way2Serve, The Miracle League of East Alabama or Magic Moments. HAZEL "JEAN" PARKER Hazel (Jean) Parker passed away at the age of 88 on Nov. 20, 2023. Jean was a native of Opelika. She was the daughter of R.M. Roberts and Ethel Ennis. Jean was preceded in death by Don Parker, her devoted and loving husband of 63 years, and her daughters Cecilia (Cece) Whitman and Connie Whitman, her sister

334-707-3949 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika Southern Plains Cowboy Church 13099 U.S. Hwy. 280 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

Katheryn (Kathy) Muncus and her brother, Bruce Roberts. She is survived by her caring son Steve and wife Shelley of John’s Creek, Georgia. She loved her grandchildren, Casey Pagliarulo (husband Alec) and Colin Parker. Along with her son, they were the pride of her lifetime. A graveside service was held at Garden Hills Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 27. BRENDA HERREN THROWER Brend Herren Thrower, 79 of Opelika, passed away Monday, Nov. 27 at her home. A native of Roanoke, Alabama, she moved to Opelika upon her marriage. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Thrower and her parents, Maggie and Wilson Herren. This exceptional lady was a loving mom of two

sons, Trey (Whitney) and Scott, and a proud grandmother of Loren and Eleanor Thrower. She is survived by her sisters, Margie Bowen and Louise Smith (Jack) and many nieces and nephews. She was a dedicated career woman, working as a hairdresser for more than 50 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed needlepoint, crossword puzzles and cooking. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online or by mail. Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, on Thursday, Nov. 30. Graveside service will be held Friday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke.

The Lions Club of Opelika meets every Monday at noon at Western Sizzlin' in Opelika. Email gm.markley@ charter.net.

A15 Nov. 30, 2023

A16 Nov. 30, 2023

Schools & Sports

INSIDE SCHOOL & SPORTS • OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 5 AT 4:30 P.M. • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 12 AT 6 P.M. • AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 12 AT 4 P.M. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023

British fan attends Iron Bowl PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

On the Mark

Lady Bulldogs fall to 2-4 record

BY D. MARK MITCHELL FOR THE OBSERVER

OPINION —

BASKETBALL

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Opelika is still searching for a new head football coach. I informed you last week the position was posted on the state’s website. OHS is the best high school football job that is open in Alabama. A proven head coach will be easy to hire if Opelika pools it's resources and makes big changes. Yes, change is difficult for all of us, but sometimes it is needed. The new football coach at Opelika High must be given the authority to manage the entire football program from the middle school to the varsity, including being able to make staff changes. The new coach must implement his ideas to the staff at OMS like his varsity staff. He must be a part of building the program from bottom to top and inside and outside. See ON THE MARK, page B4

Paul Mortimer traveled all the way from England to experience the Iron Bowl first-hand. BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN — The Iron Bowl may have been a heartbreak for

most Auburn fans, but for at least one, just being there was a dream come true in spite of the final score. "It was so loud and colorful," Paul

Mortimer said. "The size of the stadium and the number of people is incomprehensible to an ordinary British person. We just don’t have many stadiums

that hold that amount of people. Being able to run out in the field was the most amazing thing." See FAN, page B6

Two new disc golf courses now open at Opelika's Spring Villa PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

The OHS varsity Lady Bulldog basketball team dropped to 2-4 overall after losing to Park Crossing, Arab and Grissom over the break. Park Crossing pulled away in fourth quarter to beat OHS 61-42. The game was close heading into the final quarter, despite the 19-point win. Opelika head coach Blake Smalley summed it up with one sentence: "We fell apart with six minutes left." Mya Pearson led the Bulldogs with 10 points and five rebounds. Arab beat OHS 66-33 in the Thanksgiving Tournament at OHS last week. Arab, the defending 5A state champs, handled OHS with ease. Naomi Whack scored 13 points to lead OHS. The varsity girls host Talledega Friday night at 5:30 p.m. Opelika’s varsity basketball team record is listed at 2-2 in dragonfly (AHSAA site for all schools to enter athletic scores). The Bulldogs beat Columbia 74-41 and

Therrell high school 58-55. The two losses came to the hands of Russell County (63-43) and Clay-Chalkville (67-53). No details were provided by coach Button or on the official website of Opelika high athletics, opelikaathlet-ics.com.

The new disc golf course at Spring Villa opened Tuesday, Nov. 28.

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA PARKS AND RECREATION

OPELIKA— Opelika Parks and Recreation hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Spring Villa Disc Golf Course on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 9 a.m. The Spring Villa Disc Golf Course is comprised of two 18-hole championship disc golf courses. Both courses were designed by renowned course designer and disc golf professional Kevin McCoy. The Spring Villa See DISC GOLF, page B6

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

www.theorthoclinic.com

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

B2 Nov. 30, 2023

1,200 local schoolchildren inducted into Legends Club PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

The Hudson family, Coach Bruce Pearl, Aubie the Tiger, the AU cheerleaders and marching band and others inducted elementary students from Auburn City Schools, Opelika City Schools and Lee County Schools into the Legends Club on Nov. 13. Auburn University Athletics rolled out the blue carpet at Neville Arena for the 1,200 students — 400 from each school system — who were nominated by their teachers and guidance counselors for outstanding effort, respect and service to others. To maintain membership among legends like Bo Jackson and Suni Lee, students must continue to portray the positive character traits that granted them their Legends Club status. The Hudson Family Foundation Legends Club focuses on building self-esteem, pride and hope in school-age children battling to overcome challenges. These challenges could include the death of a family member, terminal illnesses, military deployments, eco-nomic hardships and more. The Hudson Family Foundation provided $100 Kroger gift cards for the new Legends Club students for Thanksgiving meal shopping. All three of the area's school superintendents were in attendance and praised the foundation's efforts to celebrate students.

Deck the Halls WITH

10AM - 6PM Monday-Saturday 102 N. College Street Auburn, AL

auburnart.com

B3 Nov. 30, 2023

Heartbreak at Jordan-Hare

Late touchdown lifts Tide to Iron Bowl win AUBURN — Prior to Alabama’s improbable touchdown pass on 4th down and goal from the 31-yard line, there was an equally improbable defensive call made by the Auburn coaching staff. The same coaching staff that formulated a game plan that kept an outmanned Auburn squad not just in the game but saw it with the lead with 43 seconds remaining opted to playnot-to-lose rather than play-to-win, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Rushing only two defensive linemen and leaving a third lineman to spy Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (in the unlikely event the QB tried to scramble 31 yards to the end zone, I guess?), the defense dropped into coverage, giving Milroe whatever time he needed to find Isaiah Bond in the back left corner of the north end zone and ending the 88th edition of the Iron Bowl in dramatic fashion. The upset-minded Tigers (6-6, 3-5) fell 2724 to the rival Crimson Tide (11-1,8-0). Auburn is now 1-27 in the Iron Bowl when it is unranked and playing a ranked Alabama team. The disappointment in the Auburn locker room was palpable. “We played our hearts out,” said Auburn LB Jalen McLeod after the

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

BY BRANDON HUGHES FOR THE OBSERVER

On fourth down with less than a minute left on the clock, Alabama's Isaiah Bond caught a pass in the end zone to win the game 27-24.

game. “You can tell that. And when you play your hearts out, it’s the worst feeling. The closest games are the worst games, and we lost, and it means so much ... when you play your hearts out, and you lose like that, in that type of fashion, it’s the worst. There was a lot of emotion going through everybody.” Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter echoed the sentiment. “It was hard for everybody,” Hunter said. “One play can change a game, and

you have to fight until the end. It is hard on everybody, especially the players on defense.” Losing the coin toss, Auburn opened the game on offense and promptly went three-and-out on three incomplete passes, a familiar refrain throughout the season. Alabama, on the other hand, could not have asked for a better offensive start executing play after play, facing only a single third down on the drive. It took them eight plays to move 69 yards and score

on a two-yard rush by Rydell Williams to make the score 7-0. Alabama entered the game having won 53 of its previous 55 games when it scored first. On the ensuing kickoff, Auburn’s Brian Battie opted to bring the kickoff out of the end zone and was ripped down by the facemask at the sevenyard line. Auburn fans cheered when penalty flags littered the field, expecting a 15-yard personal foul against Alabama; however, despite Battie nearly

having his helmet ripped off, the officials inexplicably called a block in the back penalty on Auburn, ignoring the obvious facemask. Backed up at its own four-yard line, the Tigers were conservative offensively and punted after another three-and-out. The Tiger defense would force Alabama into a three-and-out of its own, and, following an 18-yard punt, took over on its own 32-yard line. Five plays (all on the ground) and 68 yards later, RB Damari

Alston punched it in from four yards out, tying the ballgame at 7-7. Alabama would answer the Tiger touchdown with a 32yard field goal on its following drive, retaking the lead 10-7. The teams traded punts on the next two drives. Auburn found itself beginning on its own 12-yard line. However, this time, the poor field position wouldn’t matter. Sparked by a 56-yard run by Alston with a facemask penalty tacked onto it, the Tigers found themselves with a first down at the Alabama 12-yard line. Auburn WR Ja’Varrius Johnson would take a pitch from QB Payton Thorne on a reverse around left end to give the Tigers its first lead of the game, 14-10. With 2:17 remaining in the half, Auburn looked ready to take the lead into halftime when Milroe found Jermaine Burton looking like the first guy out to practice as he sprinted wide open down the sideline for a 68-yard touchdown, putting Alabama back on top 17-14. That is where the score would remain at the end of the second quarter. Alabama began the second half in much the same way it began the first. It marched efficiently down the field, gaining yards in chunks before See IRON BOWL, page B5

B4 Nov. 30, 2023

the main emphasis ON THE MARK>> keep of "On the Mark" (in

FROM B3

Simply put, the hiring of the next head football coach is the most important decision Dr. Farrell Seymore has had to make as superintendent. Time will tell. ON THE MARK-PRINT

I have written "On the Mark" column in The Observer since the first edition. I've tried to

The Observer) on Opelika Athletics. There have been many changes over the years with staff changes at Opelika City Schools, including the addition of the Opelika website opelikaathletics.com. I was president of the Opelika All-Sports Booster Club when coach Brian Blackmon (athletics director/ head football coach)

approached me about a website for athletics. Long story short, the ASBC agreed to pay the fee for website and the result is www. opelikaathletics.com. The site has places for sponsorships and a place for every team to have its own page. The sad part is, the site is not updated on a regular basis. The front page is somewhat updated but there is very little information available.

There are no schedules, rosters, updates or ways to keep up with timely information. If you have info on any sport at OMS or OHS, please email me at foxonthemark@ yahoo.com. AHSAA SUPER 7

The Alabama High School Athletic Association will host this year's Super 7 Football Championship at Bryant-Denny

Stadium in Tuscaloosa Dec. 8-10. The 7A matchup sets four-time defending champion Thompson against Central on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Classes 1A through 6A are playing semifinal games Friday night, Dec. 1. The Reeltown Rebels host BB Comer for a trip to Super 7. Fans can listen to all seven championship

football games on WZMG FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic. D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 9101319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

“Our Mission is Your Health”

BEAUREGARD DRUGS

WE DELIVER!

• Drive Thru Only • Regular Operating Hours • Please Call Ahead on Refills to Avoid Wait

334-364-9993 | 334-364-9997 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Suite A, Opelika www.beauregarddrugs.com Mon-Fri 8am–6pm | Sat 9am–12pm | Sunday Closed

B5 Nov. 30, 2023

Notes from Auburn City Schools ACS recognized as Cognia System of Distinction for Excellence in Education

AHS Athletic Director gains master certification PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Auburn High School Athletic Director Dan Norton, left, has been named Certified Master Athletic administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). To earn this distinction, Norton demonstrated exemplary knowledge, contributions and ongoing professional development in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The voluntary certification process included a thorough evaluation of the candidate's educational background, experience, NIAAA leadership courses and professional contributions. The process culminated with a practical written or oral presentation project. Norton is one of a very elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of commendation. Pictured with Norton is Auburn City Schools Board of Education President Melanie Chambless.

Cognia, the global nonprofit school improvement organization, named Auburn City Schools as a System of Distinction. Accreditation Engagement Reviews were administered for more than 1,100 eligible institutions during the 2022-2023 school year by Cognia, and ACS was one of eight to earn this designation. Accreditation is the launchpad for school improvement based on rigorous research-based standards and evidence-based criteria with a process that probes the whole institution, from policies to learning conditions and cultural context, to determine how well the parts work together to meet the needs of every learner. Pictured from left are ACS Superintendent Dr. Cristen Herring, Board Member Blake Prestridge, Director of Instruction and Assessment Dr. Ed Smith, Board Vice President Kathy Powell, Board President Melanie Chambless and Board Member David Warren.

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

IRON BOWL >>

FROM B3

the Auburn defense stepped up and forced a field goal try from the four-yard line. The kick was successful and extended the lead to 20-14. On its subsequent drive, the Auburn offense found rhythm through the air for the first time in the game. Johnson had receptions of 37 and 27 yards on the drive, the last of which was a wellexecuted touchdown pass from Thorne, giving Johnson a rushing and receiving touchdown in the Iron Bowl, becoming the first Auburn player to accomplish the feat since Ben Obomanu in 2005. Auburn now had the lead, 21-20. On Alabama’s following drive, it looked as if it would answer an Auburn score yet again when the Tide’s 42-yard field goal try was no good, giving Alabama a missed or botched field goal attempt in its third consecutive game at Jordan-Hare. The Tiger offense then took possession of the football with the

lead for the first time in the game. The offense embarked on its most time-consuming drive of the season, taking 8:18 to go 72 yards in 16 plays—12 of which were on the ground— and culminated in Alex McPherson’s record 19th consecutive made field goal, extending the Tiger lead to 24-20. Alabama would punt on the next drive, and Auburn would follow suit. When the Tiger defense forced the second Tide punt in a row, Auburn inserted its backup punt returner, Koy Moore, into the game. Moore would lose his footing and muff the punt, giving Ala-bama possession with 4:48 remaining in

the game and the Tigers clinging to a four-point lead. Despite the quick change, the defense continued its strong secondhalf performance by continuing to hold Alabama out of the end zone. Facing first down and goal from the Auburn seven-yard line, Auburn’s Austin Keys burst through the line and tackled Williams for a one-yard loss. That was followed by a wayward snap, resulting in an 18-yard loss. Facing 3rd and goal from the 26-yard line, Milroe would be penalized for an illegal forward pass, setting up the fateful 4th down game-winner.

Auburn's Damari Alston stretched across the goal line for a Tiger touchdown.

B6 Nov. 30, 2023

OHS Class of 1973 celebrates with 50th year reunion PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

FAN >>

FROM B3

Mortimer traveled to Alabama from his home in England. He became fascinated with American football, specifically the Auburn Tigers, after watching the 2013 Iron Bowl and witnessing the now famous Kick Six play that gave Auburn the win over rival Alabama. After 10 long years of watching Auburn play from across the ocean, Mortimer finally had the chance to embrace the Auburn Iron Bowl experience in person. "I am over moon

I traveled here for the game," Mortimer said. "It’s been a dream come true to visit Auburn. The experience has been more than I could have ever dreamed." During his trip to the Plains, he visited local icons such as Little Italy, Mama Goldberg's, Niffers and Toomer's Drugstore, as well as new hot spots like The Plains Taproom. He said he enjoyed meeting people from the Auburn community, but he said he was excited to also meet Aubie. "The best part of my trip has been meeting the people of

Auburn," Mortimer said. "I already knew the Auburn family was AUsome but meeting them has just confirmed everything I already thought. Also, Aubie recognized me at a basketball game, so that was pretty cool!" Mortimer had the opportunity to watch Auburn basketball, volleyball and, of course, football. Even though the game did not end with an Auburn win, Mortimer said that he welcomed the experience. "The game didn’t end the way I had hoped but it was 'a game,'" he said. "Most people

didn’t give us a hope of winning before the game started. Mortimer even spoke of the game as 'a true Auburn fan.' "It may not have been an Auburn win, but it was a game we will talk about for a long time. I was so proud of the team for fighting till the end, and I was privileged to be part of it." He said that he plans to come back. "I will absolutely come again — I’ve made so many more friends and I’m so sad to be leaving. I’ve already started planning my return trip."

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

DISC GOLF >>

FROM B1

Disc Golf Course offers two distinct playing experiences, the Graveyard Course and the Rock Course. THE GRAVEYARD COURSE As the name suggests, this course offers a thrilling challenge with tighter fairways and steeper elevation changes. Disc golfers looking for an adrenaline rush and a true test of their skills will find the Graveyard Course to be a formidable adversary. This course promises to push players to their limits and reward them with breathtaking views of

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

Members of the Opelika High School Class of 1973 recently held a 50th year reunion. Pictured from left to right on the front row: Patricia Young Davis Dianne Kenny Green, Nancy Pitts Taunton, Mary Barnes Newman, Bobby Bond, Bruce Furlow Second Row: Marilyn Minter Shelly, Jackie Lunsford, Barbara Lackey Richmond, Brenda Vinson Cummings, Mike Newman, Penn Montgomery Third Row: Rigney Coifield, George Dyar, Karen Cummings, Dennis Feinberg, Jimmy Davis, Tommy Macrory and George Waller

Spring Villa Park's natural beauty. THE ROCK COURSE

The Rock Course was designed with a more diverse range of skill levels in mind.

The course’s terrain is much easier to navigate but dense vegetation, relentless obstacles and twisting fairways demand precise control and even seasoned players will be challenged. The Spring Villa Disc Golf Course is located in the northern end of Spring Villa Park. It shares a parking lot with the Opelika Community Archery Park and has access to bathrooms. The park is open seven days per week from dawn until dusk. The Spring Villa Disc Golf Course is free and open to the public. For more information about the Spring Villa Disc Golf Course visit opelikaparks.com.

L ee County & A labama Politics

Nov. 30, 2023

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023

Inside the State House

Career politicians: Good or bad?

STEVE FLOWERS OPINION—

and the University of Alabama School of Law. Albert Rains represented the Gadsden area for decades in Congress. He was a power. He was successful in business and banking concurrently with his Congressional career. He graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. George Huddleston Jr. represented the Birmingham area with distinction during this era. He had a law degree from the University of Alabama and was a prominent lawyer before going to Congress. The great Black Belt Congressman, Armistead Selden, was a freshmen in that 1963 group. He was a graduate of Sewanee and the University of Alabama School of Law. These men, who made up the Congressional delegation representing us in Washington in 1963, will be remembered in the annals of Alabama history as some of Alabama’s greatest and most powerful public servants. Their gameplan was to be a public servant. Therefore, you might say they were pretty good career politicians. See you next week. . Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at: www. steveflowers.us.

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Commission voted Monday evening to move forward with Avenu Insights for collection and administration of taxes, rather than switch to the state’s program. Over the last few weeks, the county has heard from both Avenu and the state on what each would offer to the county. Avenu has been serving the county for over two decades,

but the past three-year contract ended recently and the county is reevaluating. “We adopted a resolution in September to change from Avenu to ADOR and at the next meeting we adopted a resolution to rescind that vote,” said Probate Judge Bill English. “So currently I don’t think we’re obligated, or contracted or in business with either one.” County Administrator Holly Leverette said the state just needs to know in 90 days. Two weeks ago, a

representative from the state presented and Monday night, Mike Poth with Avenu spoke, asking the county to consider another three-year contract. Originally the county voted to end its relationship with Avenu and move to the state, but after further discussions amongst commissioners, they rescinded this. Now, the county has revoted to move forward with Avenu again. “We had a call earlier this week with the See COMMISSION, page B9

Auburn Council Prepares Residents For Severe Weather PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN

n recent years, candidates for political office have lambasted, run against and proclaimed that they were not career politicians. Every television ad for someone who has never held office has proudly stated that they are not career politicians. That all sounds good, but is it really good? In my lifetime, the word politician has become synon-ymous with someone sinister and untrustworthy. In fact, politics has become something that the brightest and best people have come to avoid. That was not the case when I was a boy growing up in Alabama. The most outstanding young men in the state chose to go into public service. Having roots in the state was important towards success for the men who rose to public office. The great Alabama storyteller, Katherine Tucker Windham, would say, “Alabama is a big front porch.” Boys would grow up with aspirations of being Governor, United States Senators or Congressmen. People in their hometowns would identify young men who were talented and groom them to be a future governor or congressman. A study of Alabama political history will reveal that Alabama has done pretty well over the years in the halls of the United States Congress by electing homegrown boys to be their Representatives in Washington. These gentlemen of bygone years were born, trained and ready to be the most powerful, erudite and respected men in Washington. Their paths were laid out to be career politicians. A look back to 60 years ago in Alabama politics reveals that we had the greatest statesmen in our state’s history representing us in Congress. They all amazingly took the same path. Their career path to Congress was textbook. They grew up in their hometown, went to the University of Alabama,

further continued and went to the University of Alabama School of Law, came back home and practiced law for a short time. They then went to Congress and started building seniority and power in Washington. In 1963, 60 years ago, we had the greatest tandem in history as our two U.S. Senators, Lister Hill and John Sparkman. Senator Hill grew up in Montgomery, graduated from the University of Alabama and then the University of Alabama School of Law. He served the old second district in Congress a decade and then was elected to the Senate where he served 30 years. Sen. John Sparkman was born in rural Morgan County, graduated from the University of Alabama and then the University of Alabama School of Law, practiced law a few years in Huntsville before being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served 32 years. The man who took Sparkman’s Tennessee Valley Congressional Seat in 1946 was the great Bob Jones. Congressman Jones was from Scottsboro and was one of the state’s greatest Congressman and a savior for the Tennessee Valley. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. Carl Elliott was in that 1963 class. He was a giant in Washington. Congressman Elliott was born in Red Bay, but practiced law in Jasper and called Walker County home. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. George Andrews was a great congressman for the old third district. He served a decade with extreme effectiveness and distinction. Ft. Rucker would not be the mainstay of the Wiregrass if it were not for George Andrews. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. He was born and raised in the third district. Congressman George Grant served the old second district with distinction for 28 years. He followed Lister Hill in this seat. He was born and raised in the district and practiced law in Troy before going to Congress. He was a product of the University of Alabama

County to remain with Avenu

The Auburn City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday nights of every month.

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

its second regular meeting in November:

AUBURN — The Auburn City Council took the following actions at

Authorized a Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

The council approved an ordinance exempting specified items from the city’s 4% sales tax during See AUBURN COUNCIL, page B11

Call me for all your real estate needs! 1810 E. Glenn Ave. Suite 130 Auburn, AL 36830 Cell 334.444.8041 duffystewartrealtor@gmail.com www.BHHSPreferredAuburn.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affliates, LLC

B8 Nov. 30, 2023

'Fumbling Fob' and Carter were good stewards of taxpayer money

GREG MARKLEY OPINION —

(1979-1983) and as a Republican governor (1995-1999), James’ handling of monetary and fiscal policies was better than most people realize. Mark Thornton, senior fellow at the Mises Institute in Auburn, was an economics advisor to James in his second term. “Gov. James was a budget hawk as both a Democrat and later as a Republican,” said Thornton, a prominent libertarian. “He was frustrated with all the automatic increased spending built into government by special

n 1955, Fob James was a Lanett native playing college football under Auburn’s legendary coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan. He would sometimes fumble the ball, so he was nicknamed “Fumbling Fob.” Yet that year, James was named AllAmerican as a half back. During 1956, he played professional football in Canada with the Montreal Alouettes. It was evident that James was underestimated. As a Democratic governor of Alabama

interest groups — things beyond his control. “He was the best steward of taxpayer money in recent history. When he left office political commentators on Alabama Public Television were virtually speechless when asked the last time a governor left office with large surpluses in all three major budgets,” Thornton said. He said another politician who, like James, has not gotten his due for properly handling government funds and budgets is former President Carter. “The current federal government and politicians make anyone in the past look responsible and adult-like. Also, they were dealing with an economic depression, high inflation, and high unemployment — they had to do some responsible things.” Thornton pointed out: “He wanted to reverse some of the horrors the government was imposing with the

war on drugs. He also started to privatize public utilities, like air travel, pipelines and phones, which still brings the American people enormous benefits.” In the midst of this discussion of James and Carter as good overseers of the people’s money, I read that Frank Borman, the commander of NASA’s amazing 1968 Apollo 8 spaceflight, died at age 95. I explain the relevance of Borman below. First, I will explain to those who haven’t heard of him, his major role in the American space program. On Christmas Eve 1968, on their fourth orbit, the Apollo 8 astronauts saw Earth rising above the lunar horizon from a distance of more than 230,000 miles. It was a relatively small but simmering blue and white body in the dark. It being Christmas Eve, commander Borman wanted to make the first Apollo flight to the moon memorable. So

out came the Bibles. Astronauts took turns reading from the Book of Genesis, telling of Earth’s creation. Borman concluded the telecast with the words: “Good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.” That flight, along with the first man on the moon one in 1969, these are the two most noteworthy flights that were not related to accidents or a fatal crash. I remember the name Frank Borman, oddly enough, from 1985, when I was living in an apartment near Hartsfield International Airport. Upon his NASA retirement in 1976, Borman became chairman of Eastern Airlines. The company was close to bankruptcy, but Borman felt he could turn it around. He persuaded airline unions to accept a wage freeze along with getting a new profitsharing plan. He also made huge cuts in management. Borman

AUBURN AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS

Aub

rea rn A

Com

ity mun

tre

Thea

a Holiday walk in the

Woods

A celebration of m usic and traditio ns representative o f o ur whole communit y C O - H O ST E D BY KREHE R P R E SE RV E & N AT UR E CE N T E R 2 2 2 2 N . C O L L E G E ST, AUB UR N A L TIC KETS $7 | $85 T O R E SE RV E E N T I R E T I M E SL O T TIC KET INF O R M AT I O N L I N E : ( 334) 246 - 1 0 84

laid off 1,000 flight attendants and reduced the pay of 6,000 others by some 20%. He severely cut executive pay and middle manager salaries by 20 to 25%. At my College Park apartment complex, a lot of tenants worked at Eastern Airlines and boy, did they dislike Frank Borman. One day a fellow renter downstairs yelled so hard that I heard the name “Borman” clearly. Other airline people, at parties, wandered around saying “Borman, Borman, Borman!” I felt for these employees who would either lose their jobs or have their salaries diminished. Yet I understood the challenges business leaders had and was sympathetic to Borman and other CEOs, hoping things would improve. Then Charlie Bryan, head of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said the union would accept a deal only if Borman resigned. In June 1986, Borman resigned from Eastern. Borman had a long, fruitful life and died an American hero. Jimmy Carter’s extraordinary life is being celebrated as his journey nears the end. And Fob James, 89, is retired in Florida. His stewardship of Alabama in two terms is becoming better known, thanks to libertarian economists who study government budgets. Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a master’s in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Ala-bama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer since 2011. He writes on politics, education, and books.

Send us your local news and events. Editor@ opelika observer .com

B9 Nov. 30, 2023

Alabama to host its first ever Presidential Debate CONTRIBUTED BY THE ALGOP

ALABAMA — It's official. Alabama will host its first ever Presidential Debate on Wednesday, Dec. 6, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. "I am thrilled the fourth Republican presidential debate has been finalized, and

that it will be in the Yellowhammer State," said ALGOP Chairman John Wahl. "This is an amazing opportunity for the state of Alabama, as well as primary voters across the country," Wahl said. "Alabama is one of the strongest Republican states in the nation, and

I think it’s fitting that we host a primary debate as candidates fight for the support of conservative voters. "Tuscaloosa will be a great host city, and I look forward to working with student groups and young conservatives during this process. Reaching out to young

Auburn Community relationCOMMISSION >> long-lasting ship the county has had Church, Ward 8 will

FROM B7

representatives from Avenu,” said County Administrator Holly Leverette, sharing with the county what fees the state wouldn’t be able to handle. There is savings associated with the move to the states program — $150,000 per year. But because the state couldn’t collect some fees, the county could collect in house itself, but District 3 Commissioner Gary Long expressed disapproval of this. “If we have to let Avenu do it all because the state can’t, then that would be my suggestion,” Long said. District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand was in favor of staying with Avenu because of the

with the business. District 1 Commissioner proposed a motion to stay with Avenu for a twoyear contract. Avenu agreed to a two-year contract. POLLING PLACES The commission voted to add new polling places in the county to help alleviate voting day stress and lines. Auburn city wards got their own precincts from the change. Ward 1 will still be at Boykin, Ward 2 will still be at Frank Brown, Ward 3 will now vote at Embrace Church, Ward 4 will move to Church of the Highlands, Ward 5 will stay Dean Road, Ward 6 will move to Parkway Baptist Church, Ward 7 will move to

be the Auburn Soccer Complex. “It significantly adds voters but by splitting it up … all eight of those will be smaller than the currently smallest one in Auburn, so it really is helping,” English said. OTHER BUSINESS - EMA Director Rita Smith gave the MidSouth RC&D check presentations. - The commission approved an appointment to the Smiths Station Fire District. - The commission approved the allocation of ARPA funds to the Lee County Youth Development Center. - The commission revoked an ABC Application for lounge retail liquor license for Thirsty's (D3). - The commis-

voters is one of my targets as the youngest Republican State Party Chairman in the country, and this debate will give us a unique opportunity for collage outreach." The debate will be moderated by SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly, NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas and

the Washington Free Beacon’s Eliana Johnson. "I want to thank the Debate Committee and RNC leadership for making this happen," Wahl said. "This debate has been in the works for months, and I am proud to have played a small part in ensuring Alabama has the opportunity to

host its first ever official televised presidential debate. Raising Alabama’s political profile is important to me as chairman, and I think this debate will continue the work the ALGOP has been doing in this area." Details about the venue will be released in the coming days.

sion approved moving the Parks & Rec Department into the Highway Department. - The commission discussed local legislation that could help raise money for the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. - The commission approved an educational reimbursement request for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. - The commission approved the final play approval for The Cottages at Southern Ridge Estates. - The commission voted to approve the deputy coroner status change from contract workers to salaried employees. - The commission voted to approve the Loachapoka Community Park bid . - The commission

approved the proposed 2024 Holiday Schedule. - The commission approved to forego

the second December meeting. The next meeting will be Dec.11.

WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR Plumbing & Heating Supplies Pipes - Valves - Fittings 334.625.3384 800.625.3384 1975 MALL BLVD. STE. 106, AUBURN, ALABAMA

B10 Nov. 30, 2023

St. Dun's Buns continues to give back St. Dun's Buns made its monthly donation on Nov. 21 to several nonprofit organizations pictured below. The group will end 2023 with donations to 76 nonprofits over the last two and a half years.

Compassionate Hands of Hope — November is National Epilepsy Awareness month. The purpose of designating November in this way is to bring epilepsy awareness to our community. Compassionate Hands of Hope is committed to providing unwavering support and empowerment to individuals with unique abilities and their families. The group is dedicated to positively impacting the community and beyond by fostering a sense of belonging and promoting awareness and understanding of unique abilities. Accepting the donation for Compassionate Hands of Hope is Janataka Holmes. PHTOO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Beauregard Group Home — It is a multi-staffed group home for 10 adults, age ranges 27 to 64, all of whom are diagnosed with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Several have autism, others developmental delays, others psychiatric diagnoses. They all function at an age ranging anywhere from one year to 12 years and require assistance and supervision to get through their daily living and enhance their overall quality of life. So much has been accomplished with the residents and for them in the last several years, including family vacations to the beach, the mountains, Disney World and also participating in holiday parades, volunteering with pet rescues, even building and maintaining their own chicken coop on the grounds (They wanted pets ... they elected to get chickens because they stay outside and also provide eggs which is their absolute favorite breakfast item). There are a couple of items on their wish list that the group home leaders are striving to make come to pass. They have all wanted to have a big Christmas formal, both for their home and with the other group homes in the agency. They love the idea of getting all dressed up, taking formal pictures, dancing to a DJ, etc. Any donation would certainly be allocated to this project. The individuals have also shown an interest in starting a garden and sprucing up landscape on the property. The current curb appeal leaves much to be desired at this time. Accepting the donation for the Beauregard Group Home is Elizabeth Schutt.

Auburn University Raptor Center, Adopt-A-Raptor program — This program allows the public to learn more about raptors and help provide ongoing care for the educational ambassadors at the center. By adopting a resident bird, you help support the daily care, feeding and any required medical treatment for your adopted bird. If you haven’t seen an eagle fly at a football game, you have missed an awesome experience. There are four eagles presently up for adoption. We adopted Independence and Aurea. Accepting the donation for the AU Raptor Center is Andrew Hopkins. Also present was Aurea, who flew in Jordan-Hare Stadium before the Auburn-Alabama game.

B11 Nov. 30, 2023

PHTOO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Opelika Lions Club hears from Storybook Farms

Chris Johnsick, Advancement and Event Support representative of Storybook Farms in Opelika, was a recent guest of the Opelika Lions Club. Storybook Farms is dedicated to creative, safe, fun learning environments that empower children to grow, mature and succeed in life with more emotional stability through contact with animals and plants while building reading, math and science skills. The annual fundraiser is held each year as a Kentucky Derby Day at the farm and will take place next year on May 24. Information on how to be involved with Storybook Farms may be found at hopeonhorseback.org. The introduction was made by Lion Jim Allen.

conditional use AUBURN COUNCIL >> the approval process,

FROM B7

the last full weekend in February, which is Feb. 23 through 25, for the Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday. Items included in the tax holiday are the same as those included in the state legislation authorizing cities and counties to enact this sales tax holiday. More information is available on the city website. Approved a private school use for ACC Academy. ACC Academy received approval for a private school use at 2200 Hamilton Road, where it will share space on the Auburn Community Church campus to facilitate a private school. The use is only approved for up to 100 kids in grades K through 2. To expand to include more students or grades, ACC Academy must go back through

which ends with a vote by the council.

Approved a sewer flow monitoring project. The council approved a temporary sewer f low monitoring project for the Southside Sewer Basin for $94,300. These monitoring services are in addition to the permanent sanitary sewer f low monitoring servings already being provided. The project will provide the city’s Water Resource Management Department with data that will help the city make informed decisions regarding infrastructure capacity, condition and future capital improvement needs at local wastewater treatment facilities. OTHER BUSINESS • Approved tax abatements with GE Aerospace-Auburn and I-PEX USA Manufacturing Inc.

Both companies were granted original tax abatements in 2019, and due to supply chain issues and program delays, each requested a one year extension to allow time to place new equipment into service. • Approved various contracts for the purchase of city vehicles or equipment for the Auburn Police, Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments. For a full list, visit www. auburnalabama.org/ agenda and select the Nov. 21 agenda. Meeting minutes and a video of the meeting are posted at www. auburnalabama.org/ agenda. Mayor Ron Anders’ recap of the meeting is posted @ CityofAuburnAL on social media. The next regular council meeting will be held on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Chamber, located at 141 N. Ross St. in the Public Safety Building.

Taste the food, remember the name Madison's Place

AYCE CATFISH FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Madison's Place Cafe is a soul food

restaurant that believes in feeding the soul. It is the mission of Madison's Place Cafe that you leave with the expectation of coming back for more.

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

B12 Nov. 30, 2023

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS Financial Manager - Cusseta, AL. Req’d: Bach’s deg. in Finance, Acctg., or Bus. Admin. & 2 yrs. managerial exp. in the job offered in the automotive industry. Mail resumes to: Hantal Alabama Corp., 1121 County Rd. 79, Cusseta, AL 36852 SERVICES SELLING a RV, Tractor or Golf Cart? ADVERTISE STATEWIDE or by region in over 100 Newspapers, reaching over 1 million readers each week! Run your ad in our Classified Network for just $210 per week! Make one call to this newspaper (participating Ala-SCAN newspaper) or call 1-800-264-7043 to find out how easy it is to advertise statewide! BATH & SHOWER

UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 833-4491307. BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 888-283-4780 LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America's Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 844-925-3534 EDUCATION ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-4751014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).

HEALTH/BEAUTY ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844322-9935. ATTENTION: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 866-505-0828. FOR SALE DirecTV Satellite TV Service Starting at $59.99/ month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-594-7108 NEED NEW Flooring? Call Empire Today to schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting and Flooring. Call Today! 1-888381-0916. UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE

in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844809-9165. Ask about our specials! Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-683-2005 GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-3235516 Safe Step. North Americas #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE

shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-8716175 METAL ROOFS Completely Installed $4750* Siding/Windows 40% Off. LIMITED TIME. Factory Warranty. Free Estimates Credit cards accepted. SR/Military discounts *1500 sq ft CALL NOW !! 800-664-4856 Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, we're waiving all installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/31/23 Call 1-877-2050836 Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material & steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer - up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st

responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-833-955-3163 Add ToneKote® to dog & cat rations to treat dry, scaly skin, doggy odor &insure winter coat. At Tractor Supply® (www. happyjackinc.com) AUTOMOTIVE SUPPORT THE BLIND! Donate a car to the American Council of the Blind. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24-hour response. Running or not. maximum tax deduction and no emission test required! Call 24/7: 844-601-1342. AUTO INSURANCE from $29 month Free 2-minute Quote! We Compare all Insurance providers offers for you! Lowest Rates! Call Now 866-450-0943 VEHICLE TITLE Problems? We have a solution! Call Jason Steward Enterprises, We’re Alabama’s #1 Vehicle Title Problem Experts! Free telephone consultation. North AL 1-256-850-0527, Central AL 1-205-267-5735, South AL 1-251-342-8538.

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA MICAYLA HEARD, et al., Plaintiffs, V. KENY FELIPE SALES, et al., Defendants. Case No. CV-2022-900404 LEGAL NOTICE In this cause it is made to appear to the Court, by the affidavit of the Plaintiff, that Keny Felipe Sales and Cleyver Yovany Felipe Sales defendant(s) are either nonresidents of the State of Alabama, whose residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort, or if being residents, either their residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort or they have been absent from the State more than thirty days since the filing of the comp1aint in this clause, or they have concealed themselves so that process cannot be served upon them, and further, that defendant(s) are over the age of nineteen years. It is therefore, ordered by the Court that publication be made in a newspaper published in Lee County in the State of Alabama, for four consecutive weeks, and the said defendant(s) are hereby notified of the issuance of said summons and complaint, and to be and appear if they think proper to defend this suit at the present term of this Court, and within thirty days after this notice by publication is completed. Done this the 31st day of October, 2023 Clerk of the Circuit Court| Lee County, Alabama 2311 Gateway Drive, Room 104 Opelika, AL 36801 Legal Run 11/9/23, 11/16/23, 11/22/23 & 11/30/23 ---------------NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION Zichao Huang, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer Montavious Finley's Complaint for personal injury and property damage and other relief by January 22, 2024, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in Civil Action No. 43-CV2023-900105.00, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama. Done this the 29th day of September, 2023. Mary Roberson Clerk, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama This Document Prepared By: JAMES R. BOWLES, ESQ. Law Offices of James R. Bowles 2 South Dubois Avenue P. 0. Box 780397 Tallassee, Alabama 36078 (334) 283-6548

(Email) JamesRBowles@aol.com Legal Run 11/30/23, 12/7/23, 12/14/2023 & 12/21/2023 ---------------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: (1231 Gatewood Dr. Auburn Al. 36830 ) Thursday, (12-7-2023) at 10:00AM Unit 179 Unit 814 Unit 820 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 11-30-2023 ---------------NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under The Self Service Storage Act. The undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on Thursday the 14th day of December, 2023 at 10:00 AM on Lockerfox.com. Said property is iStorage, 501 North 26th St, Opelika, AL, 36801 Glenn Johnson 3040 Furniture, Misc Items Household Goods. Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase by cash or credit/ debit card per facility policy. All purchased items are sold as is, where is, and must be removed within 48 hours of the sale. Sale is subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Legal Run 11/30/2023 ---------------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, December 7th 2023 at 10:00AM Unit A58 Unit C274 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 11/30/2023 ---------------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, December 7, 2023 at 10:00AM Unit A18 Unit C25 Unit C28 Unit D47 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 November 30, 2023 ---------------CITY OF OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA 300 Martin Luther King Blvd. December 12, 2023 TIME: 9:00 AM A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES B. VARIANCE 1. Matthew Hall, representative for Phil Moody and Shree Summerlin, 510 & 508 South 8th Street, C-2, GC-S, requesting a variance of 9 parking spaces from the minimum 24 off-street parking spaces to 16 parking spaces for a mixed use commercial & residential development on a 35,000 square foot property. 2. Brett Basquin, Foresite Group LLC, representative for QuikTrip Corporation, 920 Columbus Parkway, C-3, GC-P, requesting an 11.7% variance to increase the 70% maximum impervious surface ratio from 70% to 81.7% to construct a QT gas station and convenience store. 3. Bernard Jackson, representative for Barbara Jones, 1900 South Long Street, C-2, requesting a 2-foot side yard setback variance

Become an

from the 10-foot side yard setback requirement for a 10'x18' addition. “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 in this meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at (334)705-5130.” Legal Run 11/30/2023 ---------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: CV-2022-900316 M&T BANK, Plaintiff v. MYONG C. YIM, Defendant NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: MYONG C. YIM You are hereby notified that the above-styled breach of contract action seeking monies due the Plaintiff in an amount of $79,706.73, plus interest and fees, has been filed against you in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and that by reason of an order for service of summons by publication entered by the Court, you are hereby commanded and required to file with the clerk of the court and to serve upon Plaintiff’s attorney, Jason R. Watkins, 4317-A Midmost Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36609, an answer to the Complaint within thirty (30) days after the last publication of this Notice or default judgment will be entered against you. Dated this 17TH day of November, 2023. Mary Roberson Clerk of Court, Lee County, Alabama T.K. Davis Justice Center| 2311 Gateway Dr. Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 737-352 Legal Run: 12/7/23, 12/14/23, 12/21/23, & 12/28/23 ---------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CAMERON MICHAEL MCHARGUE, Deceased CASE NO.: 2023-283 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to DANA MCHARGUE, as Administrator of the Estate of CAMERONMICHAEL MCHARGUE, deceased, on the 28th day of November, 2023, by

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF

ADULT HUMAN RESOURCES 1-800-458-7214 FOSTER dhr.alabama.gov/AFC CARE Provider

This ad is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $3,686,987 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

“Love Never Ages”

the Honorable BILL ENGLISH, Judge of Probate. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against that said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. DANA MCHARGUE Administrator of the Estate of CAMERON MICHAEL MCHARGUE, deceased. Law Office of Gregory A. McKay 2105 S. Broad Avenue, Suite B Lanett, Alabama 36863 334-623-0263 greg@gregmckaylaw.com Legal Run 11/30/2023, 12/7/2023 & 12/14/2023 ---------------Notice of Completion McElhenney Construction Company, LLC. hereby gives notice of completion of contract with The Alabama Department of Transportation for construction of Project Number ATRP2-41-2022-456 in Lee County, AL. This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on Nov. 2, 2023, and ending on Nov. 30, 2023. All claims should be filed at P.O. Box 1409 Theodore, AL 36590 during this period. Legal Run 11/2/23, 11/923, 11/16/23, 11/30/23. ---------------IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF MERIWETHER COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA In Re: Petition of ERIC ANTHONY MINIX, ADOPTION NO. 2023-CA0006 FOR THE ADOPTION OF ANNALEE SUE LEDBETTER. NOTICE OF SUMMONS TO: WILLIAM STEVEN LEDBETTER Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption by Stepparent and Termination of your Parental Rights as against ERIC ANTHONY MINIX in the adoption of said child by ANNALEE SUE LEDBETTER was filed in the Superior Court of Meriwether County, Georgia on the 27th day of September, 2023. You are hereby commanded and required to appear before the presiding judge of the Superior Court of Meriwether County, Georgia, on the 7th day of February, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. The hearing is for the purpose of determining whether or not your parental rights should be terminated and for a final hearing for adoption of said

child. Please be advised that this is a serious proceeding and if the Petition is granted by the Superior Court, the Court's order will be without limit as to duration and will terminate all your rights and obligations with respect to said child and all rights and obligations of the child to you arising from your parental relationship, including rights of inheritance. Unless an Objection and Notice of the Filing of the Objection are filed, you will not thereafter be entitled to object to said adoption or otherwise to participate in the proceedings. You are hereby summoned and required to file with the Clerk of said court and serve upon Petitioner's attorney whose name and address is Megan E. Wallin, 5 East Broad Street, Newnan, Georgia, 30263, a response to the Petition. Notice shall be deemed the date of last publication. If you fail to do so, Judgment by Default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Petition. WITNESS, THE HONORABLE JACK KIRBY, SENIOR JUDGE, MERIWETHER COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, THIS 28TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2023. Legal Notice 11/30/23, 12/7/23 & 12/14/23 ---------------To: Bryan Lopez IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA; DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION DR-2023-900271.00 IN RE: CHLOE LOPEZ V. BRYAN LOPEZ NOTICE OF DIVORCE FILED AND SERVICE BY PUBLICATION Notice to: Bryan Lopez: BRYAN LOPEZ must answer the Complaint for Divorce filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, on September 14, 2023, by the Honorable Katherine M. Hoyt for the Plaintiff Chloe Lopez within thirty (30) days from the last date of Publication of this notice or a final judgment may be rendered in Case Number DR2023-900271.00 in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama. Answer must be filed at: Lee County Judicial Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Alabama 36801. ATTORNEY: Honorable Katherine M. Hoyt 114 North 9th Street Opelika, Alabama 36801 kat@alsolaw.com (334) 737.3718 Legal Run 11/30/23, 12/7/23, 12/14/23

B13 Nov. 30, 2023

Home sweet home with Sweet Grown Alabama Lee County Farm City holds annual banquet

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER

Lee County Farm City held its annual Farm City Banquet Nov. 20. The guest speaker was Ellie Watson, director of Sweet Grown Alabama. Dixon Farms was honored as the 2023 Lee County Farm of Distinction and Lydia Maple won first place in the Farm City Senior Essay contest. Entertainment was provided by Jerad Dyess.

Indoor shooting

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B14 Nov. 30, 2023

opelika, Alabama

SEASON of Comfort & Joy Christmas Decorations Nov. 26 – Jan. 4. Tag us with #MyOpelikaChristmas

OHS/OMS Christmas Band Concert December 12 • 6:30 p.m. Opelika Center for Performing Arts

Christmas Movie Series Thursdays in December • 6 p.m. Opelika Public Library

Where’s Theodore Elf Hunt December 11-15 Opelika Parks & Recreation

Opelika Holiday Open House November 12 • Noon – 5 p.m. Opelika Main Street

Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express December 14-16 • 5 – 8 p.m. Opelika Parks & Recreation

Bring Opie Home for Christmas Month of December City of Opelika Community Relations Office

Collinwood Luminaries December 15 • 5 – 9 p.m. Collinwood Neighborhood

Sno*pelika Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting December 1 • Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Rain Date: December 3 Opelika Chamber of Commerce

Winter Wonder Workshop December 16 • 10 a.m. Opelika Public Library

OHS/OMS Holiday Choral Concert December 6 • 6 p.m. Opelika Center for Performing Arts Christmas in a Railroad Town December 8 • 6 – 9 p.m. Opelika Main Street

Family Movie & Crafternoon December 19 • 2 p.m. Opelika Public Library Christmas Movie Marathon December 22 • Begins at 10 a.m. Opelika Public Library

Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour 3oth Anniversary December 8-12 Bike Tour: December 9 • 10 a.m. Walking Tour: December 9 • 6 – 8 p.m. Driving Tour: December 8, 10, 11, 12 OpelikaChristmas.com • #MYOPELIKACHRISTMAS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: City of Opelika • Opelika Parks & Recreation • Opelika Public Library • Opelika Chamber of Commerce • Opelika Main Street • Victorian Front Porch Tour • Auburn-Opelika Tourism • Opelika City Schools

B15 Nov. 30, 2023

Like Crossword Puzzles? Sudoku? Play Online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/

B16 Nov. 30, 2023

Get your hometown local news for less than $1 a week. Sign up at www.opelikaobserver.com/subscribe-today.

Returns Dec. 8 to Historic Downtown Opelika!

This Week's Puzzle Answers