The Observer 02-09-2023

Covering Lee County, Alabama

AEDs Save Lives

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

Automated External

Defibrillators, more commonly referred to as AEDs, provide a necessary resource to people, families, organizations and communities.

While the average response time for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the United States is about eight to 10 minutes, AEDs are a crucial health resource that can help save lives in the immediate aftermath of a medical emergency.

An AED is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It's a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze

CarePoint Resources LLC offers CPR and first-aid certification training to the community.

the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help

the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

According to the American Heart Associ-

ation, an average of over 350,000 Americans per year suffer cardiac arrest

See AEDS, page A3

Opelika Parks and Recreation Wins Big

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA PARKS AND REC

OPELIKA — Opelika Parks and Recreation took home two awards at the Jan. 31 Alabama Recreation and Parks Association’s (ARPA) conference in Orange Beach.

Opelika Parks and Recreation was named the 2022 Agency of the Year. This award recognizes exemplary agencies in the state that have made contributions to parks and recreation programs on the local, state, regional or national level.

Opelika’s Champions Academy received the award for

See AWARDS, page A4

annual

Opelika, Alabama

Pandemic Had 'Tremendous Impact' on Hospitals

CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

ALABAMA —

Hospital margins in Alabama have dropped 79% since the start of the pandemic, despite receiving financial assistance directly from the federal government and federal funds distributed through the state.

Currently, 50% of Alabama’s hospitals are operating in the red. These jarring statistics came from a report released today by Kaufman Hall, a nationally known healthcare and higher education consulting firm, prepared at the request of the Alabama Hospital Association.

“Last year was the worst year financially for hospitals nationwide, but the situation in Alabama is much worse,” said Erik Swanson, senior vice president of data and analytics at Kaufman Hall and the lead on the national and Alabama reports. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, Alabama’s hospitals have lost $1.5 billion — money they couldn’t afford to lose. The report clearly shows that Alabama’s hospitals are in serious financial difficulty, which creates a huge threat to the ability of Alabamians to have access to health care.”

See IMPACT, page A3

Opelika Chamber Encourages Vote for School Tax Renewal

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OPELIKA —

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently voted to act as the advocate and leading communicator to encourage a positive voter turnout to support the 11-mil tax renewal that contributes more than $7.1 million in local revenue to Opelika City Schools. Local revenues account for more than 40% of the Opelika City Schools 2023 operating fund.

“A strong education system is so integral

to a strong business community,” said Ali Rauch, CEO of the Opelika Chamber. “For this reason, our board of directors voted unanimously to encourage the Opelika community to show up to the polls on Feb. 28 and vote ‘for’ this tax renewal.”

Originally voted on in 1948, this tax renewal started as a five-mil tax, but as the quality of the community and the value of homes rose in this region, so did the value of the tax. In 2000, the five-mil tax transitioned to an 11-mil tax.

See SCHOOL TAX, page A2

Bobby Nix (left) and Pam Driver (right) of Opelika Parks and Recreation are part of the team that won two awards at the

Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) conference in Orange Beach, Alabama, last week.

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

Historical Commission to Host First Yard Sale Fundraiser Event

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF SMITHS STATION

SMITHS STATION —

Wanting to clean or declutter your home?

Look no further than the city of Smiths Station Historical Commission’s Inaugural Yard Sale at City Hall on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Eastern time).

With an admission

fee of $20 for each vendor, all proceeds from this event will benefit the commission’s goal of maintaining the Historic Jones Store Museum, as well as curating and preserving remnants of the city’s history for generations to come.

Those interested in reserving a space should call the city at 334-297-8771, Ext.

8. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This will be a rain-or-shine event.

For more information and updates, please visit the city website and social media pages. City Hall, also known as the Smiths Station Government Center, is located at 2336 Panther Parkway (Lee Road 430).

Local Sorority Chapter Celebrates Founders Day

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ALUMNAE CHAPTER, DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY

AUBURN —

The Auburn Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. recently celebrated its 110th Founders Day. Elsie Cooke-Holmes, Delta Sigma Theta national president and

“Opelika is incredibly blessed to have such an amazing school system in our town — one that is thriving, growing and producing impressive and capable adults who are college or career-ready,” Rauch said. “A vote ‘for’ this tax renewal for Opelika City Schools is a vote for Opelika and its strong and prosperous future. And, remember, this is not a new tax, but

chair of the National Board of Directors, served as the keynote speaker.

This Founders Day Brunch took place in the Southern Room at Southern Union State Community College. Lisa Ruffin, president of the Auburn Alumnae chapter, welcomed the national president and over 200

a renewal of an existing tax.”

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce will have “Vote FOR Opelika” yard signs and stickers available for pickup starting Monday, Feb. 6, at both the Opelika Chamber (601 Ave. A, Opelika), and at O Town Ice Cream (700 Second Ave., Opelika). If a business is interested in being a pickup point for signs, please call Rauch at 334-745-4861. Signs and stickers will also be available to attendees at Food Truck Friday on

guests in attendance.

The theme was “Lighting Our Legacy with Fortitude,” in which the keynote speaker, Cooke-Holmes, delivered a dynamic challenge reminding those in attendance that “the world needs Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and that we must be the light for all that is going on in

Feb. 3 and 17 in downtown Opelika.

As with all elections, there are some important dates and reminders to be aware of:

• City Clerk,Russell Jones is currently accepting absentee ballot applications. Citizens can visit the Opelika city clerk’s office on the first floor of City Hall, located at 204 S. 7th St. You have the option to vote onsite, early or pick up an absentee application and return it at a later date.

• Thursday, Feb. 23, is

this world.” She touched on Delta Sigma Theta’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust and thanked the Auburn Alumnae Chapter for its service and work in the community in the areas of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement,

the last day to apply for absentee ballots. Applications must be received by the city clerk by 4:30 p.m.

• Monday, Feb. 27, is the last day for a voter to hand-deliver absentee ballots, which must be delivered to the city clerk by 4:30 p.m. Additionally, if an absentee ballot is returned by mail, it must be postmarked by Feb. 27 and received by Feb. 28.

• Tuesday, Feb. 28, is the day of the election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central

physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement with social action. Some of the key areas of service include assisting students at Valley Haven School, providing supplies for the Domestic Violence Intervention Center, Adopt-AMile in Opelika, voter

Standard Time. Opelika polling locations are listed below.

- Ward 1: Covington Community Center, 213 Carver Ave.,

- Ward 2: Opelika

Learning Center (Old Jeter Primary School), 214 Jeter St.,

- Ward 3: Opelika Community Center, 1102 Denson Drive,

- Ward 4: EAMCEducational Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway and

- Ward 5: Opelika

SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, 1001 Andrews

PUBLISHER: Michelle Key

registration, S.T.E.M. workshops, HBCU college expos, scam and fraud workshops, hygiene packs for high school girls and many more.

The program included a tribute to the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a remembrance of the 27th national president, the late Cheryl A. Hickmon.

Road.

• On Tuesday, March 7, the city council will meet in the courtroom of the Municipal Court Building to canvass the election results at noon. Should voters have questions about the voting process, we encourage them to contact Opelika’s city clerk at 334-705-5110. For any other questions related to materials and paraphernalia to support the vote, contact the Opelika Chamber at 334745-4861.

LIVE LEE EDITOR: Hannah Lester

MARKETING: Woody Ross

PHOTOJOURNALIST: Robert Noles

SPORTS EDITOR: Wil Crews

SPORTS WRITER: D. Mark Mitchell

STAFF REPORTER: Kendyl Hollingsworth

CORRECTIONS

Members of the Auburn Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. recently celebrated its 100th Founders Day at Southern Union State Community College.

Opelika Native Creates Solution For Deciding Where to Eat

about their restaurant.

CONTRIBUTED BY MARCUS MARSHALL

OPELIKA — Hometown developer

Marcus Marshall Jr. last week announced a major update to an app he created in 2020.

“I’m excited to unveil a preview of the next version of Beary Hungry here in the Opelika and Auburn community before launching state and nationwide,” Marshall said. “Beary Hungry is a

outside of a hospital.

“You could fill Jordan-Hare Stadium over four times with that number,” said Randy Boone, CEO of CarePoint Resources, LLC in Opelika.

Unfortunately, in many instances of cardiac arrest — ones where an AED is not readily available — the survival rate is 9.1%. An average of 75% of those cases happen while at home, and another 10% happen at work.

Based on a study done in Las Vegas Casinos, in instances where an AED is utilized in the first four minutes after the cardiac event, before the arrival of EMS, the chances of survival greatly increase — to 74%.

“The common denominator [in those survival cases] is that the arrest was witnessed,” said Boone, who has a background in EMS and has been a paramedic in private ambulance services, fire-based ambulance services with OFD and hospital-based ambulance services with East Alabama Medical Center for 18 years. “No. 2 is they were able to perform CPR and use an AED almost immediately. No. 3 is they had access to advanced life support care from EMS providers. Those first two are the key.”

Boone knows the importance of AEDs firsthand. Several years ago, while on a shift with the Opelika Fire Department (OFD), Boone received a text from his wife explaining that a performer at First Baptist Church of Opelika’s Vacation Bible School had gone

Kaufman Hall prepared a similar national report for the American Hospital Association in the fall of 2022.

“This study demonstrates that we are likely on a collision course with disaster, and we have only a short window to avoid losing access to services or seeing some hospitals close,” added Dr. Donald E. Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association.

“While the access crisis will be worse in already underserved rural areas,

food discovery app that helps you decide what to eat when you don’t know, and it’s been completely reengineered. Beary — the app’s mascot — can now use your ‘Taste Buds’ and what’s on the menu at restaurants in town to help decide where you should go and what to eat when you get there.”

BEARY MAKES RESTAURANT ADVERTISING AFFORDABLE AND EFFORTLESS

The new version of

into cardiac arrest. While Boone’s department was not the one that responded to the situation, by the time the emergency crew from OFD arrived on the scene, the performer was conscious, alert and even expressing the desire to not go to the hospital.

It was during the time that OFD was responding to the emergency call that two off-duty health care providers at the church began CPR and instructed a police officer to get the AED from inside the building. The device was on the individual within 60 seconds, according to Boone.

“Eight seconds after that shock was delivered, his heart started beating again in a normal, organized rhythm,” Boone said. “Essentially, exactly what we want an AED to do.”

The quick response and action from the medical professionals and police officer more than likely saved the performer’s life that day. And that is why CarePoint Resources provides its services.

Boone started CarePoint Resources in 2007.

“I started with just a set of mannequins and the desire to help people respond more appropriately to medical emergencies,” Boone said.

The company has grown nationally — and internationally — over the past 15 years, as it mainly functions to place AEDs around the community and provide emergency response training to people from all walks of life.

“Whether you are a paid professional health care provider or just a new parent who wants to know how to help their

as local hospitals close and patients pursue care in larger centers, many of the financially precarious urban facilities may not have the resources or capacity to absorb the volume. This report should be the canary in the coal mine for our state and national leaders to ensure the system avoids collapse.”

Joseph Marchant, CEO of Bibb Medical Center and chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association, also spoke on the potential for collapse.

“A collapse of the system would have a ripple effect on the state’s

Beary Hungry has been built from the ground up to serve two groups: restaurant “goers” and restaurant owners. First and foremost, the food discovery app is made to help anyone easily decide where to eat. As a result, the app has also created a way to make digital advertising affordable and nearly effortless for restaurants of any size. In fact, restaurant owners simply provide their menu, pricing and details

family if an incident occurs, we help people respond more appropriately to the most common emergencies that we may see,” Boone said.

AEDs are an obvious resource for medical professionals, Boone said; however, professions such as lifeguards and forestry workers require mandatory CPR and first-aid certifications, too. That is why many organizations seek out CarePoint Resources either for training or the placement and maintenance of an AED.

“They come looking for us because they need a class, and typically they needed the class yesterday,” Boone said. “We have a staff of instructors who go out in the community that go to businesses and organizations that want on-site CPR and AED training, as well as AED placement. One of the things our service does is we will maintain AEDs. We can actually pull the date off the device to see the underlying data.”

Although there are many areas of life where CPR and first-aid certification is not regulated, such as new parents, coaches, families of highrisk children or anyone with significant cardiovascular history, Boone encourages everyone to get CPR-certified and familiar with AEDs.

“These are all areas of life where maybe it is not regulated that we have CPR, first-aid training, but if something happens, you would certainly want to have that training in the moment,” he said.

CarePoint Resources carries all the FDA-approved AEDs available in the U.S. While any AED

economy as a whole,” he said. “There is not one area of our state and local economic infrastructure that doesn’t depend on hospitals and other health care providers. In Bibb County, our hospital is one of the largest employers, and because of the hospital, our county has doctors, pharmacies, home health and other services. We also help attract new businesses, support existing ones and contribute substantially to the local tax base.”

Following are some of the highlights from the Kaufman Hall report:

• Operating margins for

Then, whenever anyone in the area is hungry for food they serve, Beary can suggest something off their menu that matches the app user’s tastes as the solution. All restaurants in the Opelika and Auburn area are eligible and encouraged to join the app. Details about the onboarding process and locking in early-access pricing for restaurants can be found online.

BEARY HUNGRY PREVIEW NOW AVAILABLE BEFORE OFFICIAL LAUNCH

Restaurant goers living in or visiting the Opelika and Auburn community should know the preview of Beary Hungry will release in stages to anyone with an iOS device. This means app features are being unveiled one at a time and are currently available on iPhone/iPad only.

During each stage of the preview, community

members will have an opportunity to download the preview on the Apple App Store, experience the currently released features on their own device and contribute feedback via the app’s Facebook group. Members of the Facebook group called Beary’s Taste Buddies will be the first to receive information about the app. Group members will also have

See HUNGRY, page A4

But we would like to see a policy where we don’t have a practice or a game unless there is an AED on site.”

will do the same job, Boone likens AEDs to buying a new car.

“If you’re choosing an automobile, you can choose a Buick or an [Aston Martin]; both will get you from point A to point B just fine,” he said. “However, you might be a little more comfortable using the [Aston Martin] even though you invested a little more money into it. AEDs are the same way. You can purchase one that gives you minimal guidance whenever you are performing a resuscitation, or you can purchase an AED that gives you real-time feedback on your performance.”

Using an AED can be intimidating on the surface. But with some training, the process is rather straightforward, Boone said. For the laymen — if someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest and an AED is accessible to you, the correct response is as simple as:

1. Identifying the extent of the emergency by checking for responsiveness and whether the victim is breathing.

2. Calling 911.

3. Grabbing the AED, turning it on, reading the prompts on how to use the device and adminis-

Alabama hospitals have decreased 79% in 2022, compared to pre-pandemic (2019) levels, despite receiving federal financial support. Without that assistance, the operating margins would have declined by more than 100%.

• More than 50% of Alabama hospitals have negative operating margins, which have increased by 125% since 2019.

• In 2022, Alabama hospitals lost $738 million from operations, compared to 2019. Since the beginning of the pandemic, hospital income

tering the shock according to the directions.

4. Starting chest compressions.

Typically, an AED has two pads which are to be put just below the right collarbone and just below the left underarm. Once those pads are in place, the AED takes care of the hard part by identifying whether the person would benefit from a shock or not. Some AEDs will require you to press a button to administer the shock, however some will act automatically.

“It’s important to note that an AED is not going to shock someone who wouldn’t benefit from a shock,” Boone said. “So you can’t just slap this on somebody and shock them just for giggles.”

Moving forward, Boone said he would like to see more AEDs readily available in the community. He suggests having them specifically around areas with municipal complexes.

“We want to see businesses, sporting programs and teams acquiring AEDs,” Boone said. “There typically are already policies, specifically for high school sports, that we don’t do kickoff unless there is an ambulance on standby.

declined by almost $1.5 billion. Without federal funds, the lost income would have been more than $2.4 billion.

• Seventy-five percent of the increased labor costs for Alabama hospitals were due to increases in pay and benefits for existing staff — including hazard pay, retention bonuses and other compensations. Approximately 25% of the increased labor costs were the result of significant increases charged by staffing agencies for contract labor during the pandemic.

• Costs have increased by $443 million for

Although the price of AEDs can sometimes be a limiter to individuals, the current technological advancements are providing a remedy to monetary barriers. Ultimately, Boone said he would love for AEDs to be common household devices — like a fire extinguisher or thermometer — that are stored for emergencies only. Boone’s family has one. They call it the “football,” and take it with them on any family excursion.

“We don’t have to wonder if the facility we are going to has an AED in place,” he said. “They are small enough, portable enough and becoming affordable enough that families can purchase their own.”

Boone said a common misconception about cardiac arrest is that it only happens to older individuals. This was spotlighted to the entire country just a month ago when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and required emergency medical attention.

“He is not an older individual, and he is not an unfit individual either,” Boone said of Hamlin. “Cardiac arrest is a condition that occurs at any age, and oftentimes it can occur because of undiagnosed congenital cardiovascular issues. Typically, the first sign we see of these issues is when the child initially collapsed with cardiac arrest. And if we are not prepared for it, it is too late. The more people we can reach with this, the better.”

Alabama hospitals for medication and supplies over the period.

• Even though COVID has become less disruptive, hospital capacity remains a challenge due to greater patient acuity coupled with staffing shortages in both the acute and post-acute settings.

• The net effect of these challenges is a continued worsening of the financial condition of Alabama hospitals, with losses of income growing from $124 million in 2020 to $738 million in 2022, even with federal relief funds.

SEAN DIETRICH

She has long red hair. Fair complexion. A high school senior. Quiet. Mild-mannered. When she speaks, her voice sounds like Locust Fork, Alabama. Her name is Morgan. Seated beside her is Clarabelle, a black Labrador wearing a Service Dog Alabama vest.

Morgan has paralysis on the left side of her body; her left hand

doesn’t work. She has frequent seizures, and she is sensitive to light. She has diabetes. She has low vision, and is nearly blind in one eye.

Her intestines are paralyzed, too, so digestion is an issue. A day in the life of Morgan is no walk on the beach.

Her health issues stem from a previous bout with encephalitis (brain swelling). The encephalitis complica-

Good Dog

tions should have killed her. But they didn’t.

“Took me six months to learn to walk again,” she said. “But I knew I could do it. I believed I could.”

She’s a tough cookie. Morgan practically grew up in Children’s Hospital, in Birmingham. Her youth was nothing like the average American childhood. While most kids were busy playing in their backyard sprinklers, eating Flintstone Push Ups, Morgan was in a hospital room, relearning how to walk.

Her mother remained at her bedside. When Morgan was too paralyzed to feed herself or hold her head upright, nurses did these things for her.

Heroes In Our Midst

A few hours before she was rescued, she and her mother stood on the side of a road, where the mama doe placed her newborn in a safe spot to wait while she foraged for food. A volunteer told me that, when tucked in like this, fawns do not move under any circumstances. Instinct tells them to wait for their mothers to return, no matter what. Plus, fawns can’t really walk until a few hours after they’re born.

I talked in last week’s column about having done some photography in my college years. On one excursion, I found myself in Enterprise, Alabama, at Big Bend Wildlife Sanctuary.

Big Bend was a volunteer organization that rehabilitated injured wildlife. First, I met the owls.

Many of the birds had been shot, some by hunters. One owl was missing a whole wing.

As I walked through each room and met the injured owls, hawks, eagles and others, I encountered some interesting characters. There was the armadillo who struggled to walk on feet that were severely underdeveloped because his previous owner had carried him around in a purse for most of his early life and given him few chances to walk on his own.

Then there was Sue the silver fox, who was the painful product of generations of inbreeding by Russian pelt dealers. She was partially blind and deaf and had severe problems with several internal organs. She was so thoroughly disabled that the owners at Big Bend, John and Terry Morse, who

always tried their absolute hardest to help animals get back into the wild, could only get an education permit for Sue and take her to schools to teach students about wildlife preservation.

The protagonist of an amazing story sat resting and healing in the tranquility of every room at Big Bend Wildlife Sanctuary. As I met all of these animals, I was followed by an entourage of wobblylegged fawns chewing on the straps hanging from my camera bag and licking my arms; John and Terry said they love the taste of the salt on our skin.

The fawns were allowed to run around inside and interact with volunteers until they got older and needed to be moved progressively farther into the woods so they would no longer feel comfortable around humans and avoid us like smart deer do.

My posse of saltcrazed fawns, still young enough to prance around inside, followed me into a room where one lay by herself under a bale of hay suspended in a metal cage above her head.

I learned that she was brought to Big Bend when she was only 12 hours old.

“My happiest childhood memories are at Children’s Hospital. Those people love me.”

In her teenage years, things have gotten even tougher. What she misses most is her independence. When you deal with the medical trials Morgan deals with, you’re always under supervision. This gets old, fast.

“I couldn’t do anything on my own,” she said. “Couldn’t even walk the school hallway without nurses hovering around me, waiting for me to have a seizure.”

Morgan wouldn’t sleep by herself, for fear a nighttime seizure would kill her. She wouldn’t eat by herself, for fear that she would choke. She couldn’t

drink a bottle of water without someone nearby.

“I was always afraid. Always.”

But her story has a good ending, in as much as Morgan isn’t afraid anymore. Not even a little bit. Because now she has Clarabelle.

Enter Clarabelle. You’re looking at 65 pounds of pure black Lab, seated beside Morgan, wearing a bone-serious face. The dog glances at me now and then, but the animal makes it clear, she’s not here to mess around.

Clarabelle is working. She is constantly monitoring Morgan’s physical body, ready to alert for an oncoming seizure.

“Before Clarabelle, I

had no independence. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom by myself. Now, I do everything by myself. I’m a regular kid … sorta.”

Thanks to Service Dogs Alabama, Morgan is independent. To prove it, next semester, Morgan is going away to college. She will be a freshman at UAB. Morgan will live on her own. She will do everything on her own.

Morgan will live the obligatory college life. She will do all things ordinary college kids do: She will spend hours creating TikToks, listen to loud music, eat too much junk food, and waste entire years of her life learning

See DIETRICH, page A5

Tragically, this fawn’s mother was then hit by a car and killed as she bounded across the road. To make matters even worse, the infant fawn watched the car speed off from a few yards away while laying in the worst possible place to have been accidentally stashed by her mother: on top of a fire ant hill.

A little while after the mother doe died, a man drove by, saw the baby fawn being consumed by fire ants, jumped out of his truck, pulled her off the ant hill, set her in the passenger seat and drove her to a veterinary hospital while fire ants swarmed both of them. After delivering the fawn to the haven where she would be treated and saved, he drove himself to the emergency room. Doctors there told him he had roughly 2,000 fire ant bites on his body and that it was a miracle he wasn’t in anaphylactic shock. If you were walking through Walmart and passed by a guy covered head to toe in big red welts, would you figure he must be a hero? My middle school principal

See DICHIARA, page A6

AWARDS

Innovative Program of the Year. This award honors programs that demonstrate exceptional innovation in design, presentation and implementation in the parks and recreation field.

Covington Area Manager Bobby Nix created Champions Academy to help equip seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade young men with the character and skills necessary to thrive and contribute to our community.

Additionally, Opelika Parks and Recreation Public Relations Coordinator Laura Leigh Chesser was named president of ARPA. Chesser will

HUNGRY >>

FROM A3

the ability to provide their input about app features and more.

SHARE YOUR TASTE BUDS

Stage 1 of the preview unveils how Beary sets up a person’s Taste Buds. After downloading Beary Hungry Preview from the Apple App Store, users can walk through the Taste Bud setup process, and for fun, Beary will tell them which of the 15 Taste Bud Types their taste buds are most

lead the 520-member organization during her one-year term.

“I am excited about the recognitions received by our department at this year’s ARPA State Conference — Laura Leigh Chesser for being elected president of ARPA for 2023 and Bobby Nix for the Innovative Program award,” said Opelika Parks and Recreation Director Sam Bailey.

“It is also a great honor that for the first time ever, the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department was recognized as Agency of the Year in the state of Alabama.”

Opelika’s first Park Board began functioning on May 15, 1946, making the Opelika Parks and

like — similar to Spotify Wrapped or the Myers Briggs Personality Test.

More features of the app, including using your Taste Buds to find food, will preview in the coming months. The fully featured app will officially launch later in the year for free in the App Store.

Everyone in or visiting the Opelika/Auburn area with an iPhone or iPad is encouraged to download Beary Hungry Preview to get an insider look at what is to come. Then, for fun, they may share

Recreation Department one of the oldest municipal recreation departments in the state of Alabama.

Since that time, the department has grown to include 33 full-time employees, 200 parttime employees and 500 volunteers. They provide more than 100 different programs, events and activities each year.

“The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department has been an invaluable member of the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association for more than 30 years,” said Natalie Norman, ARPA executive director. “These awards reflect the tangible difference they are making in their community. We greatly appreciate all that.

and compare their Taste Buds to see how well their family and friends know their tastes.

Moreover, all restaurants in the community are encouraged to take advantage of early-access pricing for Beary Hungry — a simple and more cost-effective way to bring customers to their door. Restaurants can instantly get their early access discount by texting “HUNGRY” to 833-456-3393 and begin the quick onboarding process.

Members of Opelika Parks and Recreation pose with the two honors the team received from ARPA Jan. 31.

SAM DICHIARA

New Partner Named at Machen McChesney

CONTRIBUTED BY MACHEN MCCHESNEY

AUBURN — Machen McChesney, one of the region's leading CPA and business advisory firms, recently announced it has named R. Murry Guy III, CPA, as a new partner.

"The focus of our growth is grounded in our continual effort to best serve our clients,” said Managing Partner Marty Williams. “We understand having a large, competent and highly motivated team provides our clients access to deep advisory knowledge and industry-specific expertise while receiving individualized attention and timely service. We are very proud of Murry and his commitment to continually seek ways to return value to our clients, friends, community and firm."

R. MURRY GUY III

Guy has 20 years of experience providing accounting, tax, audit and advisory services to individuals and small businesses. Murry has expertise in restaurant, health care, professional and retail service industries, as well as specific skills in client accounting systems, streamlining monthly financial operations and reporting, tax planning advisory and

CFO advisory services.

Guy is instrumental in the firm's sister company, FocusPay Solutions, where he is responsible for operations development, client management and overall delivery of services.

In addition to serving clients, Guy returns value to Machen McChesney through his involvement in the community and in the firm's core process, mentoring and staff training teams.

Guy is a graduate of Auburn University with a master’s degree and a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He resides in Auburn, Alabama, with his wife, Tiffany, and their three children.

ABOUT MACHEN MCCHESNEY, LLP

Machen McChesney, a CPA and business advisory

firm, has a 69-year history of Returning Value to its individual and business clients, friends and community. The firm has offices in Auburn and Montgomery with 52 professionals and staff members. The firm offers comprehensive services, which include accounting and outsourcing, audit and assurance, business advisory, business valuation, estate and trust tax, family office and elder care, individual and business tax, industry specialization, international tax and wealth management.

Machen McChesney is an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA, a national network of leading CPA firms. For more information about Machen McChesney, its people, services, experience and alliances, visit machen. cpa.

ab out the cosine.

Meantime, Clarabelle will continue to do her job. She will alert before Morgan has a seizure. She will help Morgan off the ground after seizures. She will help Morgan walk if need be. Clarabelle even helps Morgan get dressed.

“Clarabelle is my everything. We’re so tight. She totally feels it when I’m suffering. We’re that close.

“One time, I couldn’t breathe, and they thought I was dying. The ambulance came. But Clarabelle wasn’t allowed to be with me when I was with the paramedics. So she was freaking out and barking. Because she considers me her baby.”

When Clarabelle finally reunited with Morgan in the hospital, Morgan

was intubated, attached to a ventilator. It was a hard sight to see. But nobody took it harder than Clarabelle.

“Clarabelle got so upset when she saw me on that breathing machine, she started puking and crying. Then, she jumped up in my bed, laid her body on me. Nobody could get her off. She wouldn’t even leave me to go pee. I am her child.”

I ask Morgan what it’s like having a service dog wherever she goes.

“Well, before Clarabelle, I was so scared. Nobody understood me. Nobody could relate to what I was going through. I was friendless and alone. Clarabelle saved me. Clarabelle gave me back my life. I wish more people knew how great she is.” I’ll tell as many as I can, Morgan.

Opelika, Auburn Celebrate New Businesses, Milestones

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce had a great time celebrating Show Digital with a ribbon cutting Friday, Jan. 27. Show Digital was born to help realtors sell and win listings seamlessly by capturing homes in a way that accurately represents them via professional photos and videos. The business prides itself in putting its clients first in both content and customer service. Owner of Show Digital Alex Burandt has previously worked on teams in Los Angeles shooting $40 million-plus mansions and said he is excited to live closer to his network now. Looking to list your home? Need amazing photos and videos of it? Look no further than Show Digital. Check out the business’ work at showdgtl.com. You can reach Burandt directly at showdgtl@gmail.com or give him a call at 334-444-8466.

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce had a great time celebrating Stone Martin Builders' new Cannongate Model Home & Neighborhood with a ribbon cutting last week. Located just 1.5 miles from downtown Opelika, Cannongate offers the perfect balance of a peaceful yet exciting location. It is located just off Opelika’s famous Historic District, which is home to several parades and events. Cannongate homes range from 1,300 to 4,300 square feet. Visit the Cannongate Model Home at 2110 Cannon Gate Dr. in Opelika. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

The Opelika and Auburn chambers celebrated Grossman Law Firm with a ribbon cutting Wednesday, Feb. 1. Located in Auburn at 2436 E. University Drive, Suite 2102, this Law Firm is stacked with a great team, led by Deborah Grossman-Mitchell, R.N., J.D., M.B.A. Mitchell is a Social Security Disability claimant’s attorney providing Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefit services to claimants in East Alabama and West Georgia. Learn more by visiting the firm’s website at www.rnlawyer.net or calling 334-758-6344.

told all of us one day in a class assembly that “character is what you do when

no one’s watching.”

When we hear every day about violent criminals and corrupt politicians, it’s easy to feel like there are no true heroes walking

among us. It’s easy to get the impression that Superman really only ever existed in comic books.

But here’s the quiet truth that too often goes

untold and unheard: On some road in southern Alabama — when no one was watching — an ordinary guy looked through his windshield, saw an animal suffering and risked his own life so that she might live. He drove while fire ants bit his whole body and chose to go to the vet before the E.R.

There are heroes in our midst — we just make the mistake of looking for them on the

TV and in the Capitol, when we should really be looking in the family farmhouses, the underfunded schools, the unassuming churches, the momand-pop restaurants, the gravelly backroads and the wildlife sanctuaries.

Owls are among the many rescued birds and other animals being treated and rehabilitated at the Big Bend Wildlife Sanctuary in Enterprise, Alabama.

A rescued fawn sits under a pile of hay in a basket.

&

Church of Opelika.

Recently, Bonnie and Virgil invited Mike, me and four other church family members to eat lunch (dinner) at their house after church services.

Bonnie, who is an A+ cook, served two meats, two desserts and about 20 sides.

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

A

One such person, who meets the above listed criteria, is our friend Bonnie. She and her husband Virgil are members of our church family at Central Baptist

Well, I exaggerate somewhat. She served roast, pork tenderloin, crock pot corn, mashed potatoes, rice, green beans, congealed salad, rolls, coconut cake and cherry o’ cream pie. All of it was slap-your-grandmatwo-times good.

s I’ve often mentioned in this column, I love to eat, but I dislike cooking intensely. Therefore, family and friends who love to cook and are talented at the culinary arts hold a special place in my heart.I told Bonnie that on the RARE occasions when I cook for company, I serve ONE meat, TWO sides, bread and ONE dessert.

Bonnie said, “I like for people to have choices.”

There you go; that’s what A+ cooks do.

After lunch (dinner), I asked Bonnie if she would consider opening up a meat ‘n three restaurant. Unfor-

tunately, she said, “No.” Oh, well. You can’t blame a “Pooh-sized” girl for trying.

Since I love Southern cuisine, recently Mike and I joined our new friends Rich,

Mona and Mickie to eat at Red’s Little School House Restaurant at 20 Gardner

PHOTO BY MIKE WALLACE FOR THE OBSERVER

on Feb. 2. Located at 234 N. Gay St., Suite C3, the “better-for-you” brand will feature menu items aimed

at offering the Auburn community unique and exciting flavor profiles and provide health-conscious guests with nutritious meals that are budget-friendly.

The restaurant is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Mark Weeks, who is no stranger to the restaurant business. Weeks began working in the

town. With his years of experience in the restaurant industry, Weeks is able to lead his staff with the understanding of what it is like to be in each role in a restaurant. Weeks was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, but after spending several years living in

Road in Grady, Alabama.

See BARBERITOS, page A11

See WALLACE, page A9

P H T O O C O N T R B U T E D T O T H E O B S E R V E R

Cooptastic: An 'Eggcellent' Conference for Backyard Poultry Growers

CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA

EXTENSION NEWS

JUSTIN MILLER

AUBURN —

Don’t be chicken.

Make plans to attend Cooptastic, a conference designed specifically with backyard poultry owners in mind. The conference will take place March 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama.

The information covered at Cooptastic is suited for everyone, both veteran and novice poultry growers alike. Brigid McCrea, an Alabama Cooperative Extension

System poultry specialist, said Cooptastic is unlike any other event in the country.

“There are so few of these opportunities designed just for backyard poultry growers,” McCrea said. “This conference will have wonderful opportunities for people to speak one-on-one with some of the foremost individuals in the world of poultry science.”

To register for Cooptastic, visit the Alabama Extension Store online at www.aces.edu/go/ Cooptastic. The cost to register is $20, and lunch is included in that cost.

A HOT TOPIC

With the recent dramatic increase in egg prices, backyard chickens are a hot topic right now. Climbing prices have people wondering if they should start raising chickens of their own. There are many aspects of raising backyard chickens that people may not think about.

“There is a lot of misinformation about raising

backyard chickens circulating across social media at the moment,” McCrea said. “Extension provides you with solid, science-based information because we care about the welfare of your flock.”

Cooptastic will cover a wide range of great topics that will help those that may be new to raising chickens understand

everything involved in this venture. These topics will also help refresh and broaden the minds of veteran growers.

“We want owners to have access to the highest quality information possible because they and their flocks deserve only the best,” McCrea said. “Why not spend a day with your fellow feathered-friend enthu-

siasts and gain access to the knowledge of these professionals?”

Some of the topics that will be discussed include basic nutrition, poultry behavior, egg incubation and processing chicken, among others.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the conference, visit the Cooptastic: A Backyard Poultry Conference web page on the Alabama Extension website, www.aces.edu. There, you will find a conference agenda and a full list of topics. You can also contact McCrea directly at mccreba@ auburn.edu.

From The Live Well Kitchen: Island Tilapia

CONTRIBUTED BY ACES

AUBURN —

Take a trip to a private island for dinner tonight. Live Well Alabama’s Island Tilapia is your guide to a mouthwatering entrée that will make it seem like a beach and palm tree is in sight.

TIPS

Tilapia is a highprotein, low-calorie white fish with a mild flavor that even picky eaters can enjoy. If using canned pineapple, choose fruit canned in

water or 100% juice and drain well. Serve over brown rice for more fiber.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound tilapia

Creole seasoning to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ bunch fresh parsley, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 ½ cups tomatoes, diced

3/4 cup pineapple, diced

1 ½ teaspoons garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

DIRECTIONS

Season tilapia with Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.

In a large pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook until it is tender and flakes with a fork, about 4 minutes per side. Remove fish from pan and set aside.

To the same pan, add parsley, bell pepper, and onions. Cook until vegetables are tender.

Stir in remaining

ingredients. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes or until liquid is thick. Salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked tilapia to the pan until warmed. Remove bay leaf and serve.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Live Well Alabama provides numerous recipes that are simple and budgetfriendly.

For more information about Live Well Alabama and to find more recipes, visit www.

LiveWellAlabama.com.

Also, check out more Live Well Alabama tips and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

LIVE WELL ALABAMA

Live Well Alabama is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative developed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University. This initiative reaches residents across the state with research-based education.

ABOUT ALABAMA

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

Alabama Extension is the primary outreach organization for the land grant mission of Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. Its educational programs grow from these two land grant university campuses to serve the people of Alabama. Science-based educational programs are delivered that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.

Tilapia is a high-protein, low-calorie white fish with a mild flavor that even picky eaters can enjoy, and this island-inspired tilapia meal packs plenty of flavor and nutrients.

The Tipsy Tiger Takes Over The Plains

BY MADELINE ACOSTA FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

For Aliceson LeCroy, being a traveling bartender was not her expected career path.

Originally attending school to become an EMT, LeCroy changed career paths and went to school to become a dental assistant. For 10 years, LeCroy worked as a dental assistant until four years ago, when one of her best friends suggested that the two become traveling bartenders. After being convinced that her friend was not making up the

Later, he worked at Hamilton’s on Magnolia for a few years and fell in love with the restaurant industry. For the next 15 years, Ables stayed in the food industry while gaining more experience and learning more of the behind-the-scenes work involved.

But then the food industry took a big hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some restaurants and other businesses resorted to closing their doors as it was too difficult to remain open. “COVID affected a lot of industries, but it affected the hospitality space two times harder than any other industry,” Ables said. “So many of the workers, you know, they were already on thin ice just from the long hours and the low access to benefits. But with COVID, everything escalated, and all the more people were

WALLACE >>

FROM A7

Back in November, Mike and I had met Mona, her daughter Zara and Mickie when we ate at Martin’s Restaurant in Montgomery. Those three gals were entertaining Bama fans who were kind when they saw me in my Auburn shirt.

When I mailed my column to them, Mona and Mickie sent us Christmas cards. They also mentioned that we should eat at Red’s so that I could write about it.

Now, I had never heard of Grady, which is about 40 miles south of Montgomery. Thankfully, Mike and I met Rich and Mona at a parking lot in Montgomery so that Rich could drive us there.

Boy, were we glad he did. Grady is a small community of 1,700 people and is in the beautiful Alabama countryside; that meant that the cooking would be outstanding.

Mona knew the restaurant’s history. She told us that the restaurant was an actual school when it opened in 1903; the school closed in the 1960s. Then, Mr. Red Deese, who was originally a barber, opened Red’s Little School House

Aliceson LeCroy, owner of Tipsy Tiger, a traveling bartender business.

having to work with less and less staff.”

The concept of an app first started through conversations about the industry and its issues. In October 2020, Ables — along with Lindsey Noto, Jennifer Ryan, Kenny Kung and Stewart Price — attended TechStars Food Tech event in Birmingham. All the attendees were tasked with creating a solution for an “industry issue, based on technology.”

“Seeing the landscape of everything that was going on, we certainly wanted to make [the workers’] lives better,” Ables said. “But at the same time, we also wanted to make life better for all for the restaurant owners.”

Eventually, Croux (pronounced “crew”) was born, and staffing was the biggest issue that Croux wanted to tackle. While there are other issues within the industry, the partners wanted to focus on staffing since it benefits

Restaurant in the building in 1985.

Mike and I were fortunate to meet Mr. Red that day. Mr. Red, who is 90 years young and as sharp as a tack, is a charming, Southern gentleman and was so kind to let us bother him at lunch (dinner). Also, I really admired his unique Auburn baseball cap.

After Mr. Red retired from running the restaurant, his daughter Debbie took over. In 2022, Debbie retired, so the restaurant closed.

“People went crazy on social media when Red’s closed,” Mona said. Therefore, Red’s grandchildren reopened the restaurant, much to the delight of regular customers, I’m sure.

But on to my review.

Red’s Little School House Restaurant has a buffet, and diners may also order off the menu. Our group elected to dive into the buffet.

Allison and Jillian, our servers, were wonderful, attentive, friendly and helpful. I loved the rustic charm of the former school house. As a retired teacher, I was naturally drawn to it.

At the buffet, we chose from a plethora of Southern delicacies such

both the business and the worker, or “talent,” as Croux calls them.

Through Croux, restaurant workers and owners can create profiles to easily connect with each other regarding shifts. With much regard to flexibility, Croux can match talent with shift postings made from restaurants in surrounding areas.

“We’re used to having food delivered to our door instantly,” Ables said. “We’re used to being able to watch any TV show or movie that’s out there. We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips, but flexible work has kind of been on the back burner, especially for people who work in the hospitality space.”

Croux gives the talent access to flexible work, as well as higher wages with instant payment offered after a completed shift. Croux also offers health care for the individual. Once the talent has worked five shifts, they

as fried chicken on the bone (prepared the way God intended), chicken and dumplings, sweet potato soufflé, corn, boiled okra (My Grandma Patton called it “okrey.”), butter beans, black-eyed peas and fried cornbread. I was especially excited to see the boiled okra; I really like it, but not many restaurants cook it. The fried cornbread was amazing. Every Southerner knows that anything fried just tastes better.

Oh, my two times. Our meal was outstanding.

job, the two started working for a company where they traveled around the country bartending for various events.

After a lot of clients directly contacted LeCroy about bartending events, she decided to create her own business as a solo traveling bartender. LeCroy has her own setup of a pop-up bar that she can easily travel with, and she is in the process of converting a cover trailer into a mobile bar.

A big part of forming her own business was creating a good name. LeCroy said she knew she needed to include the Auburn Tigers because

can access cheaper rates through health care policies that are provided.

“We feel like that just creates a better lifestyle for workers in the hospitality industry,” Ables said. “And simultaneously, it helps these businesses staff their operation because they’re able to access a talent pool.”

The workers are able to pick and choose which shift works with their own busy schedules, whether they’re a student or parent. This kind of “gig work,” similar to Uber and DoorDash, is something that Ables says is greatly advantageous for everyone involved.

Along with connecting businesses to talent, another important aspect of Croux is safety, with multiple safety measures put in place to confirm legitimacy on both sides. Within the app, there is a “dual-sided ranking system” where both parties can rate each other at the end of a shift. Through

of how much Auburn means to her.

“I said, ‘Lord, if this is what I’m supposed to do, help me pick a name,’” LeCroy said. “I wanted it to be something catchy, but not basic. I wanted something that was going to catch people’s attention, but then also to be something that I like. And that’s when it just came to me: ‘Tipsy Tiger.’”

One of the perks of being a traveling bartender, according to LeCroy, is being able to meet and connect with people. LeCroy has grown in her social skills as she’s networked through her job.

“You have to connect with your clients,” LeCroy said. “You have to assist them in whatever they need.”

LeCroy can travel all throughout Alabama and Georgia to bartend for weddings, birthdays and any other kind of celebrations.

“It’s a dream job,” LeCroy said. “I absolutely love every bit of it. I never dread going bartending. It’s always fun — there’s always something happening.”

Among all the events for which LeCroy has bartended, there have

P H T O O C O N T R B U T E D T O T H E O B S E R V E R P H O T O C O N T R I B U T E D T O T H E O B S E R V E R

Pictured left to right are Croux founders Kenny Kung, Jenifer Ryan, Stewart Price, Brett Ables and Lindsey Noto.

this process, Croux is able to determine how good of a fit each party is for the app.

Ables said he is looking forward to expanding the app to more markets in the Southeast, and eventually nationwide.

Croux is that, regardless of what your job skills are, your age, your past experience, etc., there is likely a job that fits you,” Ables said. “And it’s a great opportunity to go test your skills and learn new skills without the confines of a full-time job.” See TIGER page A10

To top it off, Mike and I shared a piece of lemon ice box pie. Mona took home some chocolate pie to enjoy later. Red’s also gets bonus points for serving Diet Dr. Pepper. Run and do not walk to Red’s Little School House Restaurant in Grady. It’s definitely worth the trip, and you can enjoy

some beautiful Alabama countryside. Bonnie and Virgil, this review was for you. Love you bunches.

Red’s Little School House Restaurant is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Monday

and Tuesday.

Red’s Little School House Restaurant makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear every other week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail. com.

Auburn MMA Helps Parents Enjoy a Night Out

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN — Auburn Mixed Martial Arts is providing a respite for parents in the local community.

Once a month, Auburn Mixed Martial Arts hosts a “Parent’s Night Out,” a fun, themed event that takes children off the hands of parents for one night.

“Our general goal is just to provide a fun area for kids to come and hang out and enjoy themselves while their parents get a night away,” said Grace Killingsworth, Auburn Mixed Martial Arts office manager, teacher and after-school program coach.

“We try to provide a safe environment for the kids to have fun and for the parents to feel safe leaving their kids with us.”

Despite hosting this event for many years now, much of the advertising for Parent’s Night Out has been through word of

TIGER >>

FROM A9

been some memorable ones. From grand rooms to farms, indoor fireworks to marching band processions, LeCroy has seen it all.

“His cake hung from the ceiling,” LeCroy said of a party for which she bartended for Tytus How-

mouth. Therefore, Auburn Mixed Martial Arts is still trying to grow the program.

“It definitely used to be much smaller due to how small our business was,” Killingsworth said. “But as we have grown throughout the years and our name has gotten out there by word of mouth and Google searches and stuff like that, our Parent’s Night Out event has grown. … I believe the first one we did had about five kids, and the last one we did was 32.”

The growing success of the Parent’s Night Out program can be partially attributed to the unique themes that each night takes on, making the event different from your typical day- or night-care. The latest theme for the January Parent’s Night Out was Nerf War.

“We had a bit of freefor-all, and then a couple more organized events later in the evening,” Killingsworth said. “We generally have a lot of fun with that.”

ard, of Houston, Texas. “It had all these strings and lights with jewels and diamonds. It was just floating in the air.”

Aside from the glitz and the glamour, LeCroy bartends for events that are a little more toned down in style. She has set up her bar stand in barns for weddings and, most recently, a cow

Following the games and play time that usually kick-starts Parent’s Night Out, the staff with Auburn Mixed Martial Arts typically settles the children down with dinner — pizza is a recurring favorite — and a movie.

“After dinner, we usually put on a movie, let them kind of calm down or sleep, and then the parents come pick them up,” Killingsworth said.

pasture.

Along with the interesting locations, LeCroy has noticed people’s interesting tastes when it comes to the drinks they order.

“Pineapple and tequila,” LeCroy said. “Yeah, it’s different, but then I tried it later on, and that’s actually pretty good. But I would have

In order to maintain control of the situation and provide quality care to each child in attendance, Auburn Mixed Martial Arts typically employs at least one instructor for every 10 children present at its Parent’s Night Out events. Safety is a big priority for the Auburn Mixed Martial Arts team, according to Killingsworth.

“We believe that as long as we have everything

never thought to put the two together.”

LeCroy plans on expanding her business to hire more bartenders so she can schedule more events.

“I’m hoping to have at least two mobile bars by that point and at least 10

under control, which is practically always, there is about one coach per 10 kids,” she said. “Our kids are very well-behaved. We sit them down before we start anything and go through the rules and what our expectations of them are.”

Following the do-anddo-not talk at the beginning of each session, the fun begins and doesn’t stop for hours. The Parent’s

to 15 bartenders sent out in different areas, so that way I can have multiple events going,” LeCroy said.

Although being booked all the way through September, LeCroy said she is excited for the future and the upcoming

Night Out usually lasts from 5 to 9 p.m.

Killingsworth said that Auburn Mixed Martial Arts has several ways for parents to find out more about Parent’s Night Out, whether it be by flyers placed in the community, or its website (www. auburnmma.com/#).

Outside of the Parent’s Night Out event, Auburn Mixed Martial Arts offers programs for Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, after-school, summer camps and more. \ Moving forward, Auburn Mixed Martial Arts plans to continue hosting Parent’s Night Out, as families see it as a beneficial program in the local community. A summer luau and dance party theme is already in the works.

“We know our parents deserve a night off every once and a while,” Killingsworth said. “We enjoy having people join us and are working on our business, so if anyone is interested in coming, we would love to have them.”

events to which she will be traveling.

“In March, I have a birthday party that I am doing,” LeCroy said. “And they’re going to be using the cover trailer — which they’ll be the first people to use it, and I’m pretty excited.”

Photo from the last Parent's Night Event at Auburn Mixed Martial Arts, which carried a theme of Nerf War.

Monroeville Literary Festival to Bring Writers, Readers Together

CONTRIBUTED BY MONROEVILLE LITERARY FESTIVAL MONROEVILLE —

The Monroeville Literary Festival, a project of the Monroe County Museum, will bring best-selling writers and readers together in the Literary Capital of Alabama Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4. Most events take place in the courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum, famous as the setting of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” All readings and discussions are free, but advanced paid tickets are required for the opening reception and Saturday lunch.

"We have an exciting lineup of authors this year, and attendees can expect a full weekend of captivating

readings, enlightening discussions, amusing conversations and Monroeville’s famous brand of hospitality," said Festival Director Gail Deas. "Our courtroom is one of the South's most celebrated literary destinations, and hearing authors read there is pure magic."

Best-selling authors range from mystery writer Robert McCammon to prolific novelists Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Kay Andrews. Featured poets are former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and Jacqueline Allen Trimble. New writers include Lisa McNair, whose acclaimed debut book, “Dear Denise,” imagines a relationship she could have had with her sister killed in the 1963 16th Street Baptist

Church bombing.

A highlight of the festival will be presentations of the Harper Lee Award and the

Truman Capote Prize.

The festival, now in its 26th year, is expanding its activities for young readers

to include a full Saturday morning of family fun headlined by top-selling children’s author Charles

Ghigna (also known as “Father Goose”) and the Birmingham Children’s Theatre.

Food writing is celebrated by award-winning chef and writer Scott Peacock, followed by a Southern lunch inspired by his recipes.

“We are a small town, but we don’t do small parties,” Deas said. “Our Friday supper reception and the Saturday lunch are the only paid events for the weekend, and we aim to impress and inspire.”

A full schedule of events and registration details can be found at MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com or by calling the museum at 251-575-7433 or by email at info@MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com.

APD Releases Collectible K9 Trading Cards

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / CLARENCE STEWART

AUBURN —

The Auburn Police Department (APD) is excited to announce the release of APD Deck, a set of collectible K9 trading cards, including one card for each of the eight K9s and their handlers in its K9 Unit.

Local partnerships — such as those with Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Canine Performance Science (CPS), Auburn City Schools, Charter Communications and Global K9 Protection Group — have contributed largely to the expansion of APD’s K9 Unit over the years. The K9 Unit

BARBERITOS >>

FROM A7

many different states, he decided Auburn was the perfect place to raise his five children and open his business. He is an active member of the community, coaching his children’s sports teams, running concession stands for Parks and Rec and more.

Weeks said he is excited to continue bringing quality food options to the Auburn community.

“I am thrilled to be opening another Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina in the Auburn community,” he said. “Our goal is not only to have happy customers but happy employees. I am a firm believer that the customers’ experience directly relates to the team members’ experience, and I strive for quality all around. We look forward to continuing to serve the community we love for years to come.”

WOWorks franchise owners come from diverse backgrounds, including existing franchise owners of different brands, various business ownership backgrounds in construction, hotels and fitness, former professional athletes and military veterans. The company has franchising opportunities available in 49 states (all

is currently made up of eight police dogs specially trained to locate narcotics, explosives, firearms and assist in searches to locate missing items and/ or people. Each K9 has a unique personality and life story, some coming from other countries or even retiring from a different career prior to joining the force. The training the K9 and their handler receive is hands-on and never stops.

Each of the eight cards in the APD Deck, like K9 Leon’s pictured, features his photo and name, the year he joined the force, his nickname, specialty training, a fun fact and background information such as breed, favorite toy, his handler and more. The police dogs and their

states except Hawaii) and offers 25% off franchise fees for veterans and first responders.

If you are interested in owning a WOWorks restaurant brand franchise, visit https://woworksusa. com/a-place-to-invest/ to learn more.

ABOUT WOWORKS WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals, along with its Vow to “WOW!” guest hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks’ portfolio consists of Saladworks, the nation’s leading fastcasual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting.

WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more.

handlers spend the majority of their work out in the community. You may see them working at special events, in the Auburn City School system, training at local businesses or demonstrating their specialties during a public demonstration.

By having the cards available to hand out, K9 handlers will have a chance to create a connection with community members, especially the younger

way to make learning about safety fun, start a conversation and get to know local police officers and their four-legged partners.

Start collecting all eight cards in the APD Deck any time you meet a member of our K9 Unit. Simply say hello and ask for their card. As standard practice for any pet, don’t forget to ask if you’d like to pet a working police dog.

Sean Dietrich, also known as "Sean of the South," performs inside the Monroe County Museum at the 2020 festival.

Sgt. Sistrunk and his K9 partner Leon.

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Walk-On's of Opelika opened its doors yesterday to a line of hungry customers.

With the promise of free food to the first 100 guests in line, some arrived as early as 7:30 a.m. to make sure they were a patron of Opelika’s newest restaurant.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is located at 3041 Capps Way, Opelika, near the TigerTown AMC.

Walk-On's employees were rearing to go — dancing and prepping for new customers with

Walk-On's Ready For Hungry Athletes

smiles and laughs.

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting with General Manager Noah Kline, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Opelika Council Member Tim Aja, Opelika Fire Chief Shane Boyd and members of his crew, former Lee County Commissioner Richard LaGrand, members of the community and more.

Walk-On's was founded in 2003 by Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, both former walk-On's to the Louisiana State University basketball team in 1997.

“We’re so happy to have y’all,” Fuller said during the ribbon cutting. “What a great

staff that you have, what a marvelous way this business got started.”

During the ribbon cutting, Walk-On's presented $5,000 to the BigHouse Foundation — investing in the community.

The first customer in line, Michael Nathan, who arrived at 7:15 — said he was excited to have something new in Opelika.

“It’s something that we don’t have anywhere nearby,” he said. “… I just want some good food.”

Kline said that the support from customers helped energize his staff too on opening day.

“Absolutely amazing — the community support

Walk-Ons opened Monday to an excited crowd at 3041 Capps Way in Opelika. See WALK ON'S, page A13

What's Happening in Lee County

2023 CITY MARKET VENDOR APPLICATIONS OPEN

Are you a local grower or artisan wanting to share your products with those in the community? Apply to be a vendor at Auburn Parks and Recreation's 2023 City Market. City Market vendor applications opened Nov. 14. City Market will be held Saturdays from May 20 through Aug. 26 at Town Creek Park from 8 to 11 a.m., with vendor setup beginning at 7 a.m.

Farmers, growers and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must fill out an online application or apply in person at the Harris Center (425 Perry St.).

For more information, including a link to vendor applications and the City Market handbook, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket or contact Sarah Cook, market coordinator, at scook@auburnalabama.org.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Feb. 21, 2023 at 7 p.m.

NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn.

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.

NEW PARKING KIOSKS IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN

Four new parking kiosks have been installed throughout downtown Auburn, including one on Tichenor Avenue, one on East Magnolia Avenue and two on North College Street. These parking kiosks became functional Jan. 10.

Parking along Tichenor Avenue and on Gay Street adjacent to Hamilton's is now $1 per hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking will be limited to two hours, like other on-street parking spaces throughout downtown.

Find more information about downtown parking at auburnalabama.org/downtown-parking

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.

O GROWS — SATURDAYS AT THE GARDEN

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Southside Center for the Arts, located at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika. Activities include planting, story time, crafts or art projects for children and hanging out with the goats.

Valentines for Seniors, Children

Send Valentine Cards to Patients at Children’s of Alabama

CONTRIBUTED BY CHILDRENS OF ALABAMA

BIRMINGHAM —

Children’s of Alabama is asking for your help to show some love to its patients on Valentine’s Day.

Through Feb. 14, you can send free greeting cards to patients in the hospital. Visit give.childrensal.org/ valentinesday and select one of three Valentine’s Day card designs. Hospital staff will print the cards and distribute them to patients

WALK ON'S >>

FROM A12

has been incredible out here,” Kline said.

“Everything from staffing to just the general care, it’s just been amazing.

[I'm] speechless, really.”

Kline said the staff grew more excited as the opening grew closer.

“It’s just a sense of community involvement," Kline said of the city’s support. "… We want to be a part of the community.” Kline said of the city’s support.

on Valentine’s Day.

“Hospitalized children can’t attend school parties or exchange Valentines,” said Children’s of Alabama Community Development Manager Mindy Wald.

“A simple gesture like a Valentine’s Day card can really lift their spirits.”

The card drive is sponsored by Spire, a proud supporter of Children’s since 2017. Spire will also match donations made by donors during this card drive up to $5,000.

“I’ve seen firsthand

how the medical play program brings smiles to the patients and families at Children’s and helps brighten up their day,” said Joe Hampton, president of Spire Alabama, Mississippi and Gulf Coast. “That’s why Spire is excited to once again support this special Valentine’s Day campaign.”

Children’s cannot accept any in-person gift donations, handmade cards, food/candy, stuffed animals, toys depicting violence, religious items,

crocheted/knit items and gently used homemade items due to infection control protocols.

For more information about donating to Children’s of Alabama patients, visit childrensal. org/foundation.

ABOUT CHILDREN'S OF ALABAMA

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient, outpatient and primary care throughout Central

Alabama. Ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s serves patients from every county in Alabama and nearly every state. Children’s is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB

faculty and Children’s full-time physicians, as well as private practicing community physicians.

Walk On's presented the Big House Foundation a check for $5,000.

RELIGION —

Deuteronomy 17:16-17 says this about Israel’s king:

“The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are not to go back that way again.’ He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not

The Kingdom of More

accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.”

This legislation was given by God through Moses as Israel was preparing to enter the land of Canaan. It was a momentous time for the fledgling nation. They had been in the wilderness for 40 years. They had watched the previous generation perish there. They helped two-and-a-half tribes take possession of their land east of the Jordan (2:243:20). But now the time was upon them, and under Joshua’s leadership they would finally set foot in the land that God promised to Abraham hundreds of years before. They must have been experiencing a flood of emotions.

Although it would be a while before Israel would have a king, God laid out for them what His expectations were. Contrary to the kingdoms around

them, the king was not to build for himself a kingdom of more (Brueggemann) — more horses, more wealth or more wives.

More horses have to do with the build-up of their military. At this time, Israel had no army; every man over 20 was available to fight if needed, but they were not professional soldiers. God didn’t want the king to oversee a large military build-up — He wanted the king to trust in Him (Deuteronomy 20:1ff; Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1)!

The silver and gold have to do with accumulating riches — not for functional purposes like building infrastructure or helping people, but for display and status (see Hezekiah’s exhibition in Isaiah 39). Moreover, this kind of wealth usually came from militaristic conquest, tribute and/or extreme taxation

(i.e., Solomon – 2 Kings 12:1-4). This was not what God wanted the earthly leader of His people to be about.

“Many wives” have to do with treaties and alliances with other nations to be sure, but that’s not the stated concern of the text. It is that “his heart will be led astray.” Of course, this is exactly what happened with Solomon (1 Kings 11:1ff). He “held fast to them in love” (v. 2), and they “turned his heart after other gods” (v. 4).

God’s desire for the king was remarkably counterculture and reflected the truth that He wanted Israel to be a special people (Exodus 19:5-6) who modeled the redemption and relationship that He desired with all the world and would one day bring about in Jesus.

It’s probably not a bad

idea when we read this to think about our little kingdoms. We all have self-rule of our lives, and Jesus instructs us in the model prayer to abdicate that rule and allow God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done. Otherwise, we seem to inevitably end up building little kingdoms of more — more stuff, more status, more success. The reign of God in our lives means we jettison that approach and live to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).

That is the true kingdom of more.

Bruce has written a book on the model prayer called “Praying in the Reign.” It is available through 21st Century Christian.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: www.a-taste-ofgrace-with-bruce-green. com.

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. — Romans 15:30

CHURCH DIRECTORY

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

BAPTIST

Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528

Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117

Greater Peace Missionary

Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487

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

High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750

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

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

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika

10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181

Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721

Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015

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

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

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

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

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

St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319

PENTECOSTAL Gateway Pentecostal Sanctuary 1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn 334-745-6926

PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

First Baptist in LaGrange Hosts

Date Night with Marriage Experts

CONTRIBUTED BY FIRST BAPTIST ON THE SQUARE

LAGRANGE, GA — First Baptist Church on the Square is hosting Date Night with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the church's New Life Building located at 117 Church St. in LaGrange.

Opelika, Alabama 36801

334-745-5706

Tickets are $30 a couple, and childcare is provided.

Date Night will be an engaging and fun event for couples of any age or stage — featuring

real-life and practical content, dinner, games, music, a Q & A and a better love assessment.

The Parrotts are No. 1 New York Times bestselling authors, and they have been featured in USA Today and the

New York Times. Their television appearances include CNN, The View, The O’Reilly Factor, The Today Show and Oprah. Their books include “ Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, ” “ Real Relationships, ”

“ L.O.V.E., ” “ The Parent You Want To Be, ” “ Trading Places ,” “ The Complete Guide To Marriage Mentoring ” and “ Love Talk. ”

For more information and to buy your tickets, see www.fbclagrange. org/event/date-night/.

BRUCE GREEN

Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

THE PARROTTS

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

The word “matters” is used often with reference to what is truly significant. When I ponder what really matters, three words come to mind: faith, family and friends.

The longer I live, the less significance I find in things. Though Jesus impacted the world like no other person who ever lived, he owned nothing except the clothes on his back. He possessed none of the “stuff” that none of us can do without, like a cellphone for example. Pondering that frees me from the temptation to spend a thousand dollars for a “new” cellphone.

ALVIN HUSTON

Alvin Huston, 87, of Opelika, passed away Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Visitation was held Feb. 6, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with a graveside service following at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Alvin was born Jan. 4, 1936, in Weogufka, Alabama, to Robert and Sula Huston. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Alberta Huston.

Alvin is survived by his children: Sharon (Terry) Lee, Al (Renee) Huston; grandchildren: Trey (Dana) Lee, Garrett Huston, Keely Huston; greatgrandchildren: Alyssa Lee, Alyson Lee, Robert Tyson, Jackson William Huston; special nieces and nephews: Pat (John) Blythe, Sherri (Kelley) Griswold, Wayne Talton; sisters: Virginia Smelcer, Vera Barnett.

Alvin retired from Michelin North America in 1993. He was the 58th employee hired by U.S. Rubber in 1964.

The family wishes to thank his caregivers for the last month, Teresa Dubose and Tammy Sistrunk. They loved and cared for him like their own. The family

What Really Matters

Jesus offered the ultimate warning about things when he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed.

Life is not measured by how much you own” (Luke 12:15).

Faith determines how we live out our days. When the fierce winds of trouble drive me to my knees, my fears are subdued by the conviction that a loving Father is in control of all things, me and the world. Faith in the love of God steadies my soul amidst life’s turbulent struggles. I cannot control my circumstances, but I can trust God, who says to me what he once said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

On what grounds can I say that? I can say it because God has given me the faith to believe it, faith that is “based not on human wisdom but on the power of

also wishes to thank the staff of Bethany House for their care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Harbor at Opelika Memory Care Facility.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

JAY MERRILL HUMBURG

Jay Merrill Humburg passed away on Feb. 3, 2023, and is now enjoying the presence of his Savior. He was born on March 10, 1933, in La Crosse, Kansas. He was predeceased by his parents Merrill M. and Dorothy V. (Meyer) Humburg. Dr. Humburg has one sister, Carolyn Brewer (Mac), of Tucson, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Jay Humburg married the love of his life, Margaret McCall from Auburn, in 1963, and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 22 of this year. They have two children: a daughter, Merrillee Humburg Reese; granddaughter, Kayla; a son, Kenneth Humburg (Cheryl); and grandson,

God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). How does one get such faith? It is a spiritual gift, freely given by the Spirit of God to all who trust in Jesus.

Family is precious to me. Family makes a house a home. When my wife died, it was the love of my family that helped me get back in the race. Though life is difficult, it would be impossible without the loving support of family.

Faithful friends are as essential as breathing. To be friendless would be worse than being homeless. Without good friends, life shrivels and dies. Faithful friends keep us from falling into the abyss of loneliness. While in prison, Paul wrote to Timothy, telling him that everyone but one man had deserted him. But Paul says, “Luke is with me.” It is not too much to believe that Paul could persevere because his dear friend Luke was with him. A lonely person may say, “My dog is my best

Max. Bobby Shapouri joined the family at the age of 11 in 1986. In addition, Jay was also father and grandfather to devoted friends Jack and Melissa Manifold, their seven children and eight grandchildren; Bill/Bubba and Rachael Jones, their two daughters, a son and two grandchildren.

Jay was a graduate of Kansas State University in 1957. He was a member of the Acaica Fraternity, where he served as president. He practiced veterinary medicine for several years in Broken Bow, Nebraska, in a large animal practice. Many adventures were had, and it was a great experience for a newly married couple.

In 1967, Dr. Humburg joined a Kansas State project with AID in Nigeria. Jay was professor there for five years to aid in the building of a veterinary school. It was a very special experience. Many years later, he spent one year in Zambia, Africa. The countryside, the people and the many safaris taken were highlights in their lives.

Dr. Humburg joined Auburn University in 1973 after his time in Nigeria. He was a professor of

friend.” But as valuable as a dog may be, a dog’s companionship pales in significance to the unwavering love of a faithful friend. I love my little dog Buddy; he can bark and wag his tail and stay near me, but he cannot put his paw on my shoulder and say to me, “Walter, you’ve got what it takes to make it through what you are facing.” A faithful friend, doing that, can make all the difference in the world.

My dearest friend for 68 years was my wife. Dean told me the truth, but she clothed it with kindness. That made it palatable. When she spoke truth I needed to hear, I realized she was doing it for my good. And I knew I would be a fool not to listen — and mend my ways.

I like this description of a good friend: “When it hurts to look back, and you’re scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your best friend will be

large animal surgery and medicine from 1973 to 2000.

After retiring from Auburn University in 2000, Dr. Humburg moved to the Island of Grenada. He was instrumental in helping to develop the veterinary school at St. George University. Upon retirement in 2015, he was awarded as the “Distinguished Professor” of Grenada.

Dr. Humburg also served as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association Equine Practitioners, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and served as president of that organization in 1987. His life revolved around his family and veterinary education. During the course of his career, he taught more than 3,000 students from many countries and was known as “The Legend” far and wide. Dr. Humburg was a man of great integrity. His smile will be missed, for he was deeply loved. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His people” –Psalm 116:15

On Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, a private burial

there.” Dean was always “there” for me, even when I least deserved it. When the Lord God saw how lonely Adam was, he said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Genesis 2:18). I can never thank God enough for making Dean for me; more than a helper, she was the best mentor, companion and friend any husband ever had.

Another fit description of good friends is this: “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” How true! I am a blessed man because of true friends who have left their footprints in my heart.

I grew up with one such friend. Grady and I became close friends in high school. In our retirement years we live only 20 miles apart, so we have met often to “catch up.” When we meet, it is as though we are continuing the conversation we had when we last met. He

service was held at Town Creek Cemetery. A Celebration of Life was held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Auburn.

Donations to Honor Dr. Jay Humburg can be made to: The Owens Center, 607 N. College St., Auburn, Alabama 36830.

BOBBIE PARHAM

Mrs. Bobbie Parham passed away at the age of 95 on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. Bobbie, a longtime resident of Lake Harding, was born on Jan. 22, 1928, in Louisiana. A funeral service will be held in the chapel at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time, with a visitation to follow. A full obituary will be published at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Valley, Alabama.

CYNTHIA (CINDY) GENE SHARP

Cynthia (Cindy) Gene

makes me feel remarkably accepted, and I sense he feels the same way.

This friend’s sense of humor blesses me. He cannot speak long without laughing. There is joy inside him that keeps bubbling up. He has a gift for injecting fun into an ordinary chat. About our friendship he would probably say, “A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked.” With that I cannot argue.

The telephone may be a nuisance sometimes, but it can also be a great blessing. Who is not overjoyed when the phone rings and you hear a good friend saying, “I just needed to hear the sound of your voice today.” Such moments call for a loud “Glory!”

What really matters?

When Jesus is your Savior and primary friend, who knows your every weakness, surely there is no better answer than faith, family and friends.

Sharp was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She left this world on Feb. 1, 2023. She was born to Wilma and Gene Snodgrass on June 30, 1949. For over 50 years, she shared a life with her husband John Sharp. Together they had four children: Shanna, William, James and John. She leaves behind five grandchildren that she adored and cherished.

Cynthia, "Cindy," to those that knew her, had a personality and spark that endeared her to all that met her. She was a fierce protector of family and imparted her spirit in everyone that crossed her path. Later in life she reenvisioned herself and set off on a successful career that landed her as a valued member of IBM for over a decade. There was very little that Cynthia couldn’t do and do well. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 11, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church on Second Avenue between Ninth and 10th Streets. A visitation will be held starting at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Schools S

ON THE MARK

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Basketball Enters Postseason

OPELIKA —

The Opelika varsity girls and boys basketball teams completed the regular season last week.

The Lady Bulldogs (1014) won their final two regular season games against Dadeville (61-28) and Russell County (53-44).

The leading scorers were Tyra Pitts with 14 points against Dadeville, Cherdi Daniels and Z Fanning with 17 and 10, respectively, against Russell County.

The OHS varsity boys basketball team (9-11) split their last two regular season games, beating Dadeville (72-64) and losing to Russell County

Coach and Player, Father and Son: OHS’s Speakmans

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

The bond between a father and his son is one of the closest relationships many people will ever

(66-56).

The girls’ area tournament will be held at Central High School in Phenix City this week. The Lady Bulldogs played Auburn in the first round, Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs fell, 68-53, to the Tigers.

The Tigers advanced to the Area Tournament Championship game against the winner of Central and Smiths Station High School.

The championship game is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The boys’ area tournament is hosted by Auburn High School (AHS).

See SPORTS, page B3

Opelika High School head football coach Erik Speakman and his son Bryce have gotten to enjoy making those memories at the high school level. With Bryce signing to play baseball at Gadsden State, it is

nothing new to Speakman. The Bulldogs had five players sign to play football at the collegiate level on National Signing Day this year.

“It means a lot to you as a coach watching these kids grow up and realizing their goal,” Speakman said. “A lot of these kids have a goal of playing athletics in college and work really hard over four, five or six years trying to achieve that goal. So, it means a lot to see these kids achieve it.”

Getting the opportunity to play for your dad in high school is a rare thing, and Bryce does not take it for granted.

“It’s everything really,” Bryce said. “As a kid, you always love playing for your father but then to do it at the high school level was something that was really special. A lot of high school coaches don’t get to see their family much during the season, so I’m glad that I got to spend time with him every day.”

know, you’re together a lot,” Speakman said on coaching his son at the high school level. “He was a ball boy and a water boy for us coming up so there’s been a lot of years of being on the sideline together.”

Bryce was able to learn a lot from his dad about navigating the recruiting process to ensure that he ended up at the right college for him.

“No matter what, don’t get too high or low,” Bryce said on the advice his dad gave him about the recruiting process. “Just keep working hard, because if you’re arrogant and cocky it will come back to bite you.”

Speakman was confident in his son’s ability to figure out the process of recruiting and find the best fit for him.

have. A father coaching his son in sports creates some of the best memories within those relationships.

safe to say that Speakman is one proud dad. Seeing his players advance to the next level is

This opportunity was not taken lightly by Speakman either.

“It’s a lot of fun, you

“He did a lot of it on his own,” Speakman said. “Nowadays every kid is using twitter to try to get recruited. In fact, we do that with our football players and send in film to coaches.”

See SPEAKMANS, page B2

LSA Boys, Glenwood Girls Win Region

JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

Opelika head football coach Bryce Speakman (left) and his wife Drew (right) with their son Bryce, an Opelika athlete who signed a baseball scholarship to Gadsden State Community College this month. PHOTOS BY

The Glenwood Gators varsity girls basketball team (left) and the Lee-Scott Academy Warriors varsity boys basketball team(right) were crowned AISA Class 3A Region 1 champions Feb. 3 at Springwood High School in Lanett, Alabama. The Gators won the championship game by defeating Lee-Scott's girls, 61-43. The Warrior boys defeated Springwood, 76-37, in the second round, and Macon East, 52-42, on their way to being crowned champions. For more pictures of the teams in action, turn to B5. Both teams were in action in the AISA 3A state tournament this week.

Freeze Talks Spring, Recaps Recruiting

AU Jungle Expanding with Auburn Athletics

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Less than three weeks before the Auburn Tigers start spring football practice, head coach Hugh Freeze talked with the media last week recapping a whirlwind of a recruiting period and previewing the work that is to come.

“It’s not an ideal calendar for us in year one,” Freeze said. “But it’s part of taking over a new job and the transition of it. I appreciate that February is a dead month that you can really start focusing on your team, but typically you would like to take a little breather right now. We are not afforded that opportunity. We have got to really hustle to get everything installed.”

Freeze has been steady in rebuilding the Auburn football brand and culture since arriving to The Plains in November 2022. Since then, he has made good moves: re-hiring Carnell “Cadillac” Williams as associate head coach and bringing in experienced coordinators Ron Roberts and Phillip Montgomery from Baylor and Tulsa, respectively. Among other things, Freeze explained that this period in the calendar is big for getting his entire staff on the same page.

“We are all coming from a plethora of backgrounds,” he said of his staff. “This is the first week that we have really sat down and said, ‘What are we calling this?’ I’m really open to new ways; I just want to do what is best. We have got a long way to go. We have got

SPEAKMANS >>

FROM B1

Guiding athletes through the process of getting to the next level is nothing new to Speakman, and he has plenty of useful tips.

“The biggest thing is pick somewhere where you fit and where you can go play,” Speakman said on the advice he gives to his athletes during

PHOTO BY AUSTIN PERRYMAN

a full month of February facing us.”

Freeze added that he has relied on guys like Williams and secondary coach Zac Etheridge to get a sense of what needs to change in order for Auburn to be more successful.

“I lean on Cadillac quite a bit, and Zac,” he said. “And there are some in the off-field roles that we kept too, and I value all of their input as I’m trying to make decisions as to what do we change, what do we try to get a lot better at, or this was pretty good and how did work. Their input is valuable to me.”

In addition to filling his staff with quality and experienced members, Freeze did wonders on the recruiting trail for the Tigers across the last two months. National Signing Day just passed on Feb. 2, and the head ball coach has Auburn’s 2023 class ranked No. 18 overall by 247Sports, and its 2023 transfer class ranked No. 4.

“I would love to say that I knew our team better, but the current roster demanded that we hit it hard,” Freeze said about the recent recruiting period. “I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to sit in the office and try to do anything else other than recruit. How much can you really do in two and a half weeks? It’s hard to really say how much we have closed that gap on the teams we are trying to catch. But I do think we have improved ourselves.”

The area of the roster where Freeze and his staff did the most work was undoubtedly the offensive line — signing eight new players overall.

the recruiting process.

“We always use the term around here 'do you want to play, or do you want to be on the team?' Because there is a difference.”

Bryce took this advice to heart when choosing where he would continue his academic and baseball career.

“I was looking for somewhere that I could play immediately or have the potential to play immediately,” he said. “I

“That’s unheard of to try and get to your 16 number,” Freeze said of the new offensive linemen. “That’s a big challenge. There was no way around it. And you also feel like you’re behind on the 2024 class. That made for a full January to try and catch up on some of those.”

In terms of the roster he inherited, Freeze lamented the lack of time he has had to this point to get familiar with his squad. Going forward, however, getting acquainted is one of Freeze’s top priorities.

“I don’t know if it is the right approach, but I’m listening and watching right now, trying to know them by their actions,” Freeze said. “Looking forward to getting to know our team. It’s one of the most uncomfortable things about transition right now, and the way we have to recruit is you don’t get to know your guys. So I am excited to get to know them.”

The head coach added that aside from getting to know his team, it’s the culture that he is trying to develop that is crucial to Auburn’s success right now.

“There are so many dynamics to running a program at this level today,” he said. “I’m very convinced that the culture and locker room for teams that have talent — if the culture is right, it’s going to pay dividends. I think there is an enormous amount of time that I can put into that that will help us.”

Freeze and company are turning their attention to spring practice now, with an eye firmly

See RECRUITING, page B3

really like coach Lewis and what he had to offer.”

Bryce is ready to make the transition from the Bulldogs outfield to that of the Cardinals. His father’s expertise and leadership has helped many different athletes out of Opelika High School achieve their dreams of playing their sport in college. This time, however, it is even more special for the veteran coach.

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

The year 2022 was a thrilling year for Auburn University sports.

Auburn climbed to the top of the men’s basketball rankings for the first time in program history, gymnastics reached the National Championships under the leadership of Olympic Gold Medalist Suni Lee, baseball made a College World Series run and softball broke into the NCAA Tournament behind an electric freshman class.

But the experience was filled with more excitement for all these teams when compared to past years, thanks to the AU Jungle. It’s not a special occasion — it’s an ongoing celebration.

“If you want to be an ‘everything school,’ you need to back that up with students that serve as a student section for an everything school,” said AU Jungle Vice President Michael Floyd. “The Jungle believes in Auburn and loves it.”

To go along with the historic athletic year for the Tigers, their ferocious

student section, known far and wide as one of the loudest in the nation, became an official student organization last spring. According to Floyd and Jungle President Jenny McBride — both juniors at Auburn University — this simply solidified what had already been brewing.

When the Bruce Pearl era began on The Plains in 2014, one of his priorities was reviving student involvement in basketball. All it took was a few students buying in, headed up mainly by Clint Richardson and Jacob Varner, and it took off.

The movement kept building, and when Floyd brought his “iconic, tattered and torn” straw hat from the bookstore into Auburn Arena his freshman year, and McBride brought her spirit and energy to the arena at the “crack of dawn” each weekend, The Jungle chose them as leaders.

When former President Jacob Hillman and others requested them as Jungle leaders, he found two of the peppiest personalities to get the crowd raging in today’s Neville Arena.

But it goes beyond the

arena. The group of now 13 leaders — which more than doubled in size from last year’s six — takes to social media, creates flyers, inspires student section themes (white out, jersey night, jungle theme, etc.) and provides shakers to match the game’s theme. Oh, yeah, and they do that one thing.

“I don’t know what it’s called — you know, that one thing that gets people there? Yeah, giveaways,” McBride said with a smile. Simply put, they spread the word. Because it’s not just Saturdays in the fall when there’s a party on The Plains. Auburn roars on throughout the week for men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer and, from time to time, tennis.

Lesser-attended sports’ growth is a mission of The Jungle because, at one time, basketball was a lesser-attended sport. Look at it now.

“(Over the years,) I definitely think that the lines have gotten a lot longer, and we’ve gotten a lot more support from all the

See JUNGLE, page B3

Former Auburn Edge Rusher Eku Leota (No. 55), Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and former Auburn Edge Rusher Derick Hall (No. 29) during a Reese’s Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

Feb 1, 2022; Auburn, AL, USA; Fan Reaction between Auburn and Alabama at Auburn Arena.

PHOTO BY ELAINA EICHORN / AU ATHLETICS

OHS, Beauregard Athletes Part of National Signing Day

Stevens Leads Tigers Through Competitive SEC

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN —

The Auburn gymnastics team has a roster that is loaded with talent. Among these athletes is Cassie Stevens, a senior from Phoenix, Arizona, who has made her mark on the program.

“I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was like 2 or 3,” Stevens said. “My mom actually did it way back when, so she just

coaches and from the community,” McBride said. “There’s been more awareness across a bigger variety of sports, for sure.”

RECRUITING >>

FROM B2

locked on establishing basic concepts for the program’s future success.

“I want us to get in spring ball and get good at something,” Freeze said.

“Particularly, what can our quarterbacks do and how can we make that look different. And defensively, we must play hard, we must be physical and we must tackle well. Those will be my focus.”

Freeze reiterated in his press conference that Auburn sells itself. The fact that he, his staff and the administration are all on the same page lends to success in the future.

“Auburn sells itself

SPORTS >> FROM B1

Opelika will play Central at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night.

The winner advances to the Area Tournament Championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. in the AHS gymnasium.

The area tournament winner and runner-up advance to the Southeast Regionals.

OHS SPRING SPORTS

The Bulldog girls and boys soccer teams were unable to open the season last Thursday due to rain. All Springs sports will be playing games in the coming weeks.

pretty well if it has someone that is leading with a vision that people can see and buy in,” Freeze said. “I do think I have a gift [for that]. Our administration has the same vision and we are aligned on that — to be one of the most competitive programs in this conference and an elite program nationally. We have been supported very well by everyone on campus to try and help sell the vision.”

Finally, Freeze stressed that the time to firmly establish the culture at Auburn is right now. It’s something he doesn’t take lightly in the new age of NIL, and what he hopes will be a pillar for the Tigers to come in 2023 and beyond.

SELECT OHS BASEBALL/ SOFTBALL GAMES ON IHEARTRADIO

Local iHeartRadio station, FOX Sports the Game 910-1310, will air six baseball and two softball games this spring.

The broadcasts of all games are presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic and can be heard on 910AM, 1310AM, online at foxsportsthegame.com and the iHeartRadio app.

The following is the schedule of games being broadcast:

Softball:

• March 15: Central at OHS (first pitch 5:30 p.m.)

• April 4: AHS at OHS (first pitch 5:30 p.m.)

Baseball:

“It’s a new world now,” Freeze said on recruiting in NIL age. “The teams that can handle it, this new world of all the voices in their ears … I think it’s critical that you have to decide what your identity is going to be gotten from. If you don’t get this settled, its going to be wrestling match that wins against you if your identity is only tied to what I do and what I get.

I’m praying and hoping that we can make Auburn different so that the culture we cultivate here and their value and identity is gotten from who they are becoming on the journey we are on, not the external things.”

• Feb 20: Wetumpka at OHS (1:30 p.m. first pitch)

• Feb 25: Benjamin Russell at OHS (11 a.m. first pitch)

• Feb 25: Beauregard at OHS (4 p.m. first pitch)

• April 6: Central at OHS (first pitch 4:30 p.m.) Game two, following game one:

• April 12: Smiths Station at OHS (first pitch 5 p.m.)

• April 19: Auburn at OHS (first pitch 5 p.m.)

Stay tuned for more schedule updates from IHeartRadio.

OHS AMENDS ATHLETICS

CODE OF CONDUCT: ALLOWS STUDENTS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES WITH HAIR Opelika High School

Basketball, however, was the beginning of the movement. Things began to escalate quickly when the 2018-19 team made a legendary Final Four run. And then, in 2022, they peaked.

The football edition the previous semester had an ugly ending for the Tigers for a second straight season in 2021 with a four-overtime loss after Auburn led Alabama 10-0 after three quarters. But, according to Floyd and McBride, basketball was Auburn’s chance for redemption, and The Jungle made sure it happened.

It ended with Pearl in “the crane,” following the moves of The Jungle, to celebrate a 100-81 win to give them a season sweep of a ranked Tide team. Both Jungle presidents named that

Principal Kellie Fischer confirmed to me that the code of conduct for OHS athletes has been amended.

Fischer said the new version does not include grooming and hair length.

OHS implemented a “Code of Conduct” for student-athletes when coach Spence McCracken took over as athletic director and head football coach.

The athletic code of conduct addressed numerous topics, including academic requirements (including GPA), random drug testing and hair length/grooming.

Prior to the start of the school year, the student-athlete and one parent was required to sign the code of conduct before the

loves it and put me in it to start.”

In a career that has spanned over 20 years, Stevens said she has a lot of fond gymnastics memories, but two stick out in her mind.

“One was probably my first year of level 10 Nationals when I got my skill named after me,” Stevens said. “That was pretty cool because I ended on beam, and you have to successfully compete it at a competition to get it

game last Feb. 1 as the most memorable in their years at Auburn.

“If you would’ve lit a single match, the whole place would’ve exploded,” Floyd said, wide-eyed. “It was a white out and, man, it was crowded. That was a great atmosphere.”

That energy carried over from the game versus Kentucky, where students camped out overnight in anticipation of the game and in hopes of stealing front-and-center seats in the student section.

The basketball team notices the support, too, and shows love to its most enthusiastic fans. Pearl has made several appearances before the student doors open an hour and a half before games to deliver food and supplies to the students. In fact, the circle of the Village where students stand in line has become known as “Pearl-Ville.”

This unrelenting support of Auburn basketball is one that didn’t happen overnight, even though many students might tell you it did. Basketball is now a huge hit at Auburn, but it hasn’t always been that way.

“Going back to the ‘80s

student could participate.

Fischer explained her reasons for making the change by saying that by taking the hair policy out of the code of conduct, student-athletes can express themselves with their hair while playing sports. I think this important in today’s society she said.

SMITHS STATION SET TO

NAME NEW FOOTBALL COACH AT LEE COUNTY BOARD MEETING

Smiths Station High School is set to name Bryant Garrison as its new head football coach, pending board approval on Feb. 14.

Garrison just completed his first year as head coach at Slocomb High School, finishing 5-5.

named after you, and that was a really special moment.

“The second one would probably be vault at the Florida meet last year, just because there was a lot behind that, losing that one and a half and coming back and nailing it.”

Stevens has been at Auburn during one of the biggest transitions in program history. Gymnastics on The Plains has seen a See GYMNASTICS, page B7

and the ‘70s, before — and really roughly after the (Charles) Barkley days here — if you would’ve told them Auburn basketball was going to be a legit scene in the year 2023, they would’ve thought you were crazy,” Floyd said. “That speaks to The Jungle, that speaks to coach Pearl and what has happened here, and the investment in basketball from the university and the Athletic Department.”

Auburn lost its nation-longest home winning streak of 28 games at the end of January to Texas A&M just after it became the longest when Gonzaga lost, but The Jungle lives on regardless. According to Floyd, that’s the way it’ll always be in Auburn from now on.

“If you love Auburn, Auburn will most definitely love you back,” Floyd said. “[Being a Jungle leader is] something that has taught me to work well with others. Tempers flare, but you learn to adapt and keep rolling. … Auburn will always be home. Auburn will always be special. Even after Jenny and I leave this place, The Jungle will remain strong in the hearts and minds of its students and fans.”

Prior to 2022, Garrison spent three seasons as defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach at Central Gwinnett in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He was a graduate and assistant under coach Nick Saban at Alabama.

The Lee County school board will vote on his hiring at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

Five Opelika senior football players signed scholarships with collegiate universities on National Signing Day, Feb. 1. Pictured left to right from front row are Andre Smiley (Faulkner University), Kendarius Sewell (Jones Community College), Jakori Thornton (Allen University), Kaden Cooper (University of North Alabama), Tae Gay (Tuskegee University).

Five Beauregard High School student-athletes signed scholarships on National Signing Day, Feb. 1. Pictured left to right are Logan Ballew (Blue Mountain College), Eddie Hayes (Huntingdon College), Kyan Malloy (Miles College), Thad Fields (Faulkner University), Qua Barnes (Faulkner University).

JUNGLE >> FROM B2

PHOTO BY TAYLOR SONDGEROGH / AU ATHLETICS

Dawgs Close Out Regular Season

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Gator Girls, LSA Boys Win Region

Auburn University’s NVP Lab Seeking Participants for Research Study

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

If you are an adult who experiences high blood pressure, or simply has the desire to help with medical research, researchers at Auburn University could use your help.

Dr. Austin Robinson, an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology, is working with five students in the Neurovascular Physiology Lab (NVPL) on Auburn’s campus to study vascular function.

Through studies that involve high-sodium diets, lifestyle choices and dietary supplements like MitoQ, the research team aims to determine how these factors affect blood pressure and blood vessel function. But beyond that, Robinson said the lab focuses a lot on racial disparities when it comes to these functions.

“There’s a lot of literature in the scientific record showing that Black adults have greater proportion of what’s called ‘salt sensitivity,’” Robinson said, meaning their blood pressure may change a lot in response to how much salt they consume. “… What we’re trying to do is kind of establish the ‘why,’ and that’s one of the major things that we do in the lab.”

Robinson, who also serves as director of the NVPL, said the lab began collecting data for some of these studies as early as October 2020. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, things were put on hold.

Now, the team is proceeding in full force, thanks in large part to a $300,000 grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a branch of the

GYMNASTICS >>

FROM B3

huge increase in popularity, and Stevens has been part of the group that has laid the foundation.

“It’s been really special to be a part of,” Stevens said. “Just seeing, feeling and hearing the growth from my freshman year to my senior year — I feel like one of the biggest things is just our mindset is different.”

Gymnastics is largely an individual sport until athletes reach the collegiate level. That transition can be difficult, but Stevens said she appreciates the team aspect.

“It’s different for sure,” Stevens said. “It’s good because you have all the extra support, your teammates are there for you, they have your back. It also adds more pressure because you’re not only doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for your team — and you want to be successful for your whole team.”

Stevens had a big year in 2022, setting a career-high on every event. The sky is the limit for her in 2023.

“Last season, I gained a lot of confidence just

National Institutes of Health (NIH). This type of grant is given to universities that don’t typically receive much NIH funding. According to Robinson, NIH funds about 70% of the biomedical research conducted in the U.S.

“This particular grant is to kind of help build the research infrastructure here, and then it also emphasizes participation of undergraduate researchers, and that’s something that we kind of pride ourselves on in the lab,” Robinson said. “Every semester, we have at least five or six undergraduate students who are helping us out in different capacities, whether it’s entering data or processing blood and urine samples and analyzing some of the data — stuff like that.”

The NVPL is recruiting participants for three paid studies:

• The Effects of a High Salt Meal on Blood Flow Regulation – for adults 19 to 75 years old with blood pressure no higher than 150/90 and a body mass index (BMI) no greater than 35 kg/m², with no metabolic, liver, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, and who do not smoke or use tobacco or blood thinners. Includes a screening visit and two experimental visits. Pay is

in my competing and my gymnastics,” Stevens said. “I think how I build on that this year is with the mental side, like the confidence. My gymnastics is the same, if not better this year — maybe being in those bigger spots in the lineups and possibly getting those bigger scores and setting up Derrian (Gobourne) and Suni (Lee) for 10’s.”

The anchor in gymnastics is the last athlete to compete in an event. It is an important role because it can make or break the whole rotation. Stevens has moved into the anchor position on vault this season.

“I think that’s something really special, and I don’t take it lightly,” she said. “Knowing all the challenges I’ve had and being in the place where I am now, I see it as an opportunity, and I just want to be the best I can for my team.”

Stevens has responded well to seeing her role drastically increase this season.

“That’s just the most incredible feeling,” Stevens said. “That’s honestly why I do it. That’s one of the things that keeps me going is just that daily grind, but

$225.

• Antioxidant

Supplementation and Blood

Vessel Health – for adults 19 to 75 years old with blood pressure no higher than 150/90 and a body mass index (BMI) no greater than 40 kg/m², with no metabolic, liver, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, and who do not use blood thinners. Includes a screening visit and two experimental visits. Pay is $300.

• MitoQ Antioxidant Supplement and Blood Vessel Health – for adults 45 to 75 years old with blood pressure no higher than 150/90 and a body mass index (BMI) no greater than 35 kg/m², with no metabolic, liver, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, and who do not use blood thinners. Includes a screening visit and four experimental visits, totaling about 12 hours within an 18-week period.

Pay is $600.

MitoQ is an antioxidant taken orally. Its purpose is to target free radical damage, or dysfunction caused by unstable atoms, in the mitochondria of cells. Free radical damage can help cause a variety of chronic health problems, according to “Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health,” published

then seeing that work pay off in such a big manner. I love my spot — I really do.”

One accolade that all gymnasts strive for is to have a move named after them. That is something that Stevens has been able to check off her bucket list.

“For the longest time, I did a front handspring to my knee,” Stevens said. “Basically what I do now, but with my hands on the beam. I don’t remember whose first idea it was, but we just thought to try it without my hands, and it worked. The next summer, one of my teammates did a front toss, and then she was working a swing through front toss. I wanted to try a swing through into my front aerial to my knee. That whole year leading up to every meet, they have to turn in paperwork because it’s a new skill. If you qualify for competition at level 10 Nationals and successfully complete it, then it gets named after you.”

Auburn is a place that is near and dear to the hearts of many. Most of the athletes that compete for Auburn will say the same thing, and Stevens is no different.

in the NIH’s National Library of Medicine.

Both antioxidant studies involve taking the antioxidant supplement and a placebo, but it’s random which one the participant will receive first.

“We’re giving this supplement to both white and Black adults, but the idea that we kind of have is that it’s going to have more of a benefit in Black adults because they might have more free radical damage and more hypertension and blood vessel dysfunction to begin with,” Robinson explained.

This research holds some personal meaning for Robinson, whose own experience with high blood pressure in his youth sparked his interest in studying exercise science and cardiovascular health.

“I want to say I was 13 or 14, went to the doctor — and it was just a routine physical for, like, football — and my blood pressure was really high,” he recalled.

He was prescribed hypertension medication but was later able to normalize his blood pressure through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. But as an African American male growing up in a blue-collar area, Robinson said he could

“I just love the family aspect here — I really do,” Stevens said. “I know that’s cliché, and everyone says that, but it turns a big university into a small

see how environment could also influence someone’s health.

“We don’t think that Black people are just born at higher risk for disease, like innately, so it’s definitely a lot to do with the environment and social context,” he said. “And there’s published literature on that, too. Like, for example, in Jamaica or Nigeria — there’s other countries that have a high proportion of people with West African ancestry, and they don’t necessarily have the same rates of high blood pressure and stuff like that. So, it definitely shows the importance of the environment and how that influences health disparities.”

Zach Hutchison, a lab technician and PhD student, said he believes the NVPL’s work is important, and he hopes others in the community will recognize the value of their participation in these studies.

“I think once … they can kind of see that we’re really trying to help — we’re trying to drive science forward — that hopefully we develop that relationship with the community,” he said.

Robinson said the NVPL’s work is also unique in that it extends beyond the lab.

“In our lab, we’re basically broadly interested in these

college, and people know your name. They genuinely care about you, and the support here is unwavering; the fans are like none I’ve ever seen.”

health disparities, but then, I think, the angle that we’re looking at it from that makes our work unique is that we work with other investigators here at Auburn to try to capture some of the social determinants of health that are contributing to the health disparities,” he said.

That includes working with people who have backgrounds in psychology, as well as human development and family studies, to assess environmental factors with questionnaires. Questions might ask where the participant grew up, if they have depression or anxiety, if they feel that they experience racial discrimination, or if they’ve had adverse childhood experiences.

Robinson said the goal with this research is to inform medical practices, including drug development, but also to inform policy.

“We might find that something like neighborhood poverty is one of the major mediators of a health disparity,” he said. “I think that could inform policy where we start trying to target kids at a younger age, like with their school programs or different interventions, to try to get them less exposure to some of the negative aspects of living in a poor neighborhood, and that could maybe kind of move the needle a little bit in terms of the health disparities.”

Anyone interested in participating in any of these studies should email their name and contact information to the lab at nvpl019@ auburn.edu. For more information on the NVPL and its work, visit www.education. auburn.edu/initiatives/ neurovascular-physiology-laboratory-austin-robinson-ph-d/.

Stevens has left her mark on the Auburn gymnastics program. Time will tell how she continues her career and adds to her legacy on The Plains.

Left: Dr. Austin Robinson, pictured fourth from left, poses for a photo with the NVPL team. Right: A participant undergoes a test in the lab.

As an early childhood teacher, I love the month of February. Readers, if you want to be loved, and to have heartfelt joy and happiness, spend time with young children. Right now, with it being mid-winter — overcast with rain and cold weather — the month of February brightens up this season with love.

Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, which comes next Tuesday, is one of my favorite days to celebrate in the classroom with beautiful lace doilies, heart stickers, drawings and cut-out hearts. Make cards, as well as decorate heartshaped bags and boxes so children can play Valentine post office in the classroom.

As I reflect back over the many years of teaching, the favorite lesson my young students seem to enjoy is talking about love

Love Returned To Heal a Heart

come and check on me each evening. They would check out my backyard with flashlights, walk around my home and make rounds each evening.

gently putting me back on my feet as we sold my home.

and how we can help others to live out love.

Young children share how their actions have shown love in helping others. Children learn so much when they are young. These are such valuable teaching years. We early childhood teachers see this on a daily basis. We can mold the heart of a young child by our words and actions.

Right after my husband suddenly passed away in 2017, as a teacher, I was the recipient of love when some of my no-adult, first- and second-grade students reached out to me. This is not bragging at all, but it was such a humble blessing in my life during such a time of need.

After my son returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan, I was comforted by my students who are now policemen serving on the city police force. They would

One night, a coil in my stove oven caught on fire. Immediately, the fire department made their way to my home. Again, I was met by one of my students who was now an adult and able to put out the fire. I remembered the many community field trips we had taken to the police station and fire departments as first- and second-grade classes and the time the community helpers had invested in these young students in teaching them about safety.

Some of my firstand second-grade students who are now grown helped me with making emergency repairs and maintaining my yard with mowing and landscaping.

When I knew that God was guiding me to move back to Opelika, Alabama, my hometown, I knew I would need to sell my home. I did not even know how to begin the process. Again, God blessed me with another one of my first-grade students, Terra Reeves, and her mother Laura Reeves, who served as my real estate team. This mother-daughter team went the extra mile and spent hours praying and loving this first-grade teacher by

After returning to Opelika, I was so excited to be able to teach in the summer program at Trinity United Methodist Church, where I was met in the classroom by another student, Mrs. Kaponia Holloway, whom I had taught at Carver Primary School back in the 1980s. She is now grown up — a mother and grandmother, as well as a teacher for older preschoolers. She and I have shared classroom ideas in teaching young children.

As a teacher, I have seen how love notes from parents, grandparents and other family members encourage young children. I have seen how little boys and girls cling on to a simple yellow Post-it note from Mom or Dad all day long. It brings joy and security from home to school.

Be sure to let your children know that you unconditionally love them for “who they are” and how God made them with their personalities and gifts. As we all know, praise and compliments go a long way in encouraging young hearts. Thank them in a note for how they have helped you — by cleaning their rooms, helping to set the table for a meal, cleaning up after a meal, feeding and taking care of

their pets or picking up paper off the floor — to express special feelings to your child that they are so quick to emotionally respond to. It expresses gratitude for what they do. We all want to feel appreciated.

Notes of encouragement to our children are so important. If a child is facing challenges for the week, such as tests or projects, let them know that you are praying and pulling for them to do well.

Also, social relationships with friends can be a challenge for young children. Our world is so busy with computers, cell phones and other technology. In the world of young child, spending TIME with them with no distractions spells LOVE. Raising young children is a challenge. We all make mistakes. A verbal “Will you forgive me?” is good, but a written “Will you forgive me?” note is one that a child will absolutely learn from.

As we embark on this month of February, “love month,” why not place surprise notes in unexpected places? As a teacher, I have loved to stick encouragement notes under desktops, chairs, student folders, etc. As a parent, you can slip notes in lunch boxes and backpacks, or put Post-it notes on bathroom mirrors, a child’s pillow, by their

breakfast plate and even in their clothes or shoes.

Also, let me gently remind readers that Sunday is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday which we teach and celebrate in the early childhood classroom. Our lessons focus on what children learn from Honest Abe, and that is telling the truth. Again, teaching a young child to know and understand what “telling the truth” means involves sitting down and teaching young children the importance of being honest.

My heartfelt desire and hope with this column is for parents, grandparents, adults and teachers to take time to model love in front of young children. Those of us who teach young children are blessed with hugs and hearing the words “I love you” even after our young students are grown. I want to wish all my students, present and past, a “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Thank you for your expressions of love in actions, cards, email wishes and Facebook outreaches.

1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE!”

Classroom Observer Beth Pinyerd

COLLEGE & CAREER WORKSHOP

February 15, 2023 | 10:00 am | Southern Room, BTC Opelika Campus

BETH PINYERD

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, Feb. 09, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Alabama Making Strides in Broadband Expansion

to do it the right way.

Opelika City Council Reveals New Street Name

BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION — If you took a nighttime plane ride across much of the rural South in the early 1900s, you would see nothing but darkness on the ground below because electricity at the time was centered mainly around highly populated areas.

But through federal, state and private sector partnerships, electricity was brought to rural America to light up homes and power the products many of us today take for granted. Life without access to electricity is tough for most of us to even imagine, but there was a time not too long ago when many simply did not have it. The same is true today of high-speed internet access.

Unfortunately, many homes, businesses and communities in Alabama and across the country do not have access to this essential 21st century necessity due to lack of broadband infrastructure — which you can think of as the highway that connects individuals and businesses to internet providers.

But there’s good news for Alabama. While states across the country are scrambling to build out the infrastructure needed to provide their residences with access to high-speed internet, Alabama is serving as an example of how

Over the past few years, Alabama has been ambitious — and innovative — in the way that it has set the state up to deal with the buildout of broadband infrastructure. Gov. Kay Ivey, the state legislature and groups such as the Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition, which includes organizations ranging from Alabama Power to the Alabama Hospital Association, deserve a lot of credit for the success the state is currently seeing on broadband. Along with Ivey, state Sen Clay Scofield of Marshall County and state Rep. Randall Shedd of Blount and Cullman counties deserve accolades for their involvement with this expansion of broadband in our state.

To name a few steps the state has taken, in 2017, Ivey issued an executive order establishing the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) as the state agency to oversee broadband planning and expansion.

Since 2018, Alabama has invested $64.1 million in state funding through grant awards supporting 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. The state has committed to over $300 million more in state and federal funding for broadband expansion.

In November 2021, ADECA established a new Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which was created through the Connect Alabama Act of 2021. This act also created the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority to work with ADECA to

oversee broadband expansion in the state.

In December 2021, ADECA released the Alabama Broadband Map and Alabama Connectivity Plan to guide the state’s efforts and recommend strategies to expand broadband. The map included months of collaborative work and the participation of 57 internet service providers to give a clear and accurate picture of broadband availability in the state down to the address level.

Recently, Ivey awarded a multi-million-dollar grant to fund a “middle-mile” broadband network to make statewide broadband service availability a more attainable goal throughout Alabama.

The grantee — Fiber Utility Network — will use existing fiber infrastructure and new infrastructure to create a middle-mile network that includes almost 3,000 miles of fiber — including approximately 1,089 miles from electric co-ops, more than 1,000 miles leased from Alabama Power and more than 500 miles that will need to be constructed. This is a big deal for the state, as more than 300 Alabama cities and towns with populations of less than 10,000 are within 10 miles of the planned path.

As late as last week, a crowning coup to our broadband expansion occurred when it was announced that the U.S. Treasury has approved $191.8 million to go toward expanding broadband in the state. This grant will connect 55,000 households and

See FLOWERS, page B10

OPELIKA —

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council honored Opelika native Patsy Boyd Parker during Tuesday night's city council meeting by announcing the naming of a street in the Northeast Industrial Park after her.

Parker served as a member of the Opelika Industrial Development Authority, formerly the Industrial Development Board of the city of Opelika, for 25 years and retired from the board in 2022. She also served with the Opelika City Schools (OCS) Board of Education for nearly 19 years, including serving as the chairperson of the board from 2017 to 2020.

Parker was a graduate of the J.W. Darden High School and earned a

bachelor’s of science degree from Alabama State University, a master’s degree in education from Auburn University and in 2008 was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from ASU. She began her career as an educator at Jeter and later served as a counselor at Opelika High School.

Parker’s accomplishments are many; these are just a

few of the ones mentioned in the resolution.

In honor of Parker’s years of service, both to the children of Opelika as well as the community as a whole, the council voted to pass the resolution declaring that a street in the industrial park will be named “Patsy Boyd Parker Drive.”

See OPELIKA, page B11

Auburn Hires State Representation

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Tuesday night the Auburn City Council debated — and ultimately approved — a decision to contract with a state governmental affairs representation service. Don’t speak legal jargon? Essentially, an affairs representation service, Bradley

Arant Boult Cummings LLP, tracks legislation, advocates for the city, can write legislation, provide legal advice on bills and more for the city of Auburn.

“One of our biggest problems is we don’t have a presence in Montgomery yearround,” said City Manager Megan Crouch.

The contract with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP will

be month-to-month for $7,500.

The cost was a brief point of contention. Ward 2 Council Member Kelley Griswold specified that Crouch has some authority without council approval — up to $15,000 for services. She said that she did utilize this in 2021 with this company.

See AUBURN, page B11

PATSY BOYD PARKER

Tuberville, Britt Use Bipartisanship as Wedge to Advance Alabama’s Needs

knows a lot about teamwork and forming winning coalitions. He was a college football coach for 40 years. He had outstanding success at Auburn University (1999-2008).

Britt brings her two years of experience as chief of staff for Sen. Richard Shelby. Now 99th in seniority in the Senate, she already knows some senators via her position with Shelby. (She was briefly the 100th senator in seniority; John Peter Ricketts of Nebraska was appointed.) Britt also served as CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (2018-2021).

Management (FARM) Act along with two Republican congressmen, Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Pete Sessions (TX-17). Making this bipartisan are Democrats Vicente Gonzales (TX-34) and Abigail Spanberger (VA07). Tuberville designed such a bill “because we’ve seen an alarming increase in foreign purchases of farm land and food companies, particularly by China.”

OPINION —

Many have heard the quote by Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father. But the setting for his saying, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes,” has seldom been noted. Franklin said that quote (in French) to a friend in a 1789 letter he sent to France. It indicated his concern that the nascent U.S. Constitution might someday falter, as all do except “death and taxes.”

U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt

have not signed on to the idea in the discouraging Franklin quote. They wish to use bipartisanship for both short-term and longterm purposes. Short-term is that Democrats have a majority of 51 seats (with the three independents). Republicans such as Tuberville and Britt know the math and adjust to it. Long-term, they hope bipartisanship leads to legislative victories.

Both senators are conservatives faithful to the Republican Party. But they have unique backgrounds that help them with legislative work. Tuberville

“I just don’t take it as a Republican bill or Democratic bill, I look for all bills that are going to be helpful for the people of the state of Alabama,” she said.

“Joe Manchin (D-WV) and I are on the Armed Services Committee; we’ve discussed many bills. I worked with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ). There is some partisanship, but there are still a lot of things we can do in the Senate as a whole. This is still America.”

Tuberville recently introduced the Foreign Adversary Risk

Village Friends Speaks to Auburn Rotary

Not all scholars of politics favor bipartisanship. Take Sam Haselby, an historian of the United States, who wrote “Divided we stand: The problem with bipartisanship” for the Boston Globe in 2009. He contrasts partisanship with bipartisanship and found that the former was preferable for a democracy.

“By contrast, bipartisanship can cloak corruption, obscure chasms between politicians and the people they are supposed to be serving, or simply show that the leadership of both parties has become a closed club. In principle and in practice, a serious partisanship — one that brings fresh reason to bear on orthodoxy — is fundamental to a healthy democracy.”

I disagree with Haselby

The Auburn Rotary Club heard a presentation about one of the area's most outstanding organizations, Village Friends (VF) at its last meeting. Due to

in two ways. First, bills that lack bipartisan input can be seen as illegitimate. When no one from the opposition joins in developing a piece of legislation, the new law is valid but divisive. In the Senate, even one or two legislators chipping in with bipartisanship beats none; a veneer is better than no covering at all.

Second, in a state senate and state house of representatives, often one party has a greater number of legislators while the other has seemingly little power.

Alabama’s Senate, for instance, has 27 Republicans and eight Democrats.

Alabama’s House after the 2022 election has 105 members, but there are four vacancies. Meanwhile, the Republican majority increased to 77 to 28, more than 3 to 1.

For Democrats in the Alabama Senate and House, bipartisanship should be of a high order, to be able to contribute to the bill’s crafting. Republicans should not want to get labeled as “uncooperative.” Especially when a member of the Legislature runs for higher office, it helps to have a reputation as bipartisan.

The part of Tuberville’s and Britt’s bipartisan

cooperation I am most impressed by is that both senators are popular and hew to the Republican orthodoxy — yet they reach out to Democrats anyway. It’s obvious they are doing so to add heft to the list of people who support the legislation they put forth.

These days, “bipartisanship” is out-of-fashion with people, except in situations such as now with the U.S. Senate and U.S. House closely divided. Each side sometimes needs help getting legislation passed. But our friend Benjamin Franklin has a quote in “Poor Richard’s Almanack” that still applies. Yes, he said, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes,” but he also said, “When you’re good to others, you’re best to yourself.” Enough said. 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 Alabama. 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. gm.markley@charter.net.

VCOM Doctor Speaks to Opelika Kiwanis

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9

businesses to broadband.

Expanding broadband infrastructure so that all Alabamians have access to essential, high-speed

internet is no easy task. It takes time, effort, financial investment and the collaboration of both state and local elected officials, private sector groups and others to successfully build out of the infrastructure needed to get Alabamians connected.

I believe that our state leaders and business community have been able to do that and have set up Alabama as a model for how to get it right when delivering broadband access to its citizens.

See you next week.

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

GREG MARKLEY

Democratic Executive Committee of Lee County Invites New Members to Its Board

CONTRIBUTED BY PATSY BOYD PARKER

LEE COUNTY —

Patsy Boyd Parker, outgoing chair of the Lee County Democratic Party's Executive Committee, invites additional members to the board. Individuals interested in

“Thank you so much; I love every one of you,” Parker said. The announcement was kept a secret from Parker, but her family was notified and was in attendance with her. She had much to say about everyone keeping the honor under wraps until the meeting but finally just quipped, “Lord have mercy, I just wanted to know so bad.”

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Opelika City Schools

Superintendent Farrell Seymore recognized the 2022-23 Teachers of the Year. The teacher of the year from each school was recognized, and the elementary and secondary school teachers of the year were also announced.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

• The council approved a request from Player 2 LLC dba Level 1 Bar and Lounge for a restaurant retail liquor and retail beer on-premise alcohol license.

• The council approved a request from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for the closure of 14 parking spaces near 805 S. Railroad Ave. for a ribbon cutting ceremony and a Business

After Hours event for the Crawford/Willis Group at eXp Realty on Feb. 21. The spaces will be barricaded from 4 to 7 p.m.

• The council approved a request from Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) for the eighth annual Bison Stampede 5K event to be held at the Opelika Sportsplex on March 25.

• The council held three public hearings during the meeting. Two hearings

applying for membership should phone one of the following numbers: 334-444-6107 or 334748-8200.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply.

Interested parties must be a registered Democrat and must have voted as

were about the demolition of structures located at 118 Chester St. and 800 Kilgore St. The council approved resolutions to demolish both structures during the meeting. The third public hearing was for the amendment of the Zoning and Ordinance Map for the rezoning of 8.1 acres located in the 2900 block of Anderson Road. Ward One Council Member George Allen later introduced an ordinance for its first reading regarding this matter.

• The council approved expense reports from various city departments.

• The council approved a resolution to designate city personal property as surplus and to authorize its disposal.

• The council approved a resolution to purchase one stationary compactor and 40 cubic yard standard duty octagon receiver, utilizing the Sourcewell Contract No. 040621WQI for Environmental Services. The amount of this purchase is just over $29,300.

• The council approved a resolution to purchase 22 docking stations with printers and accessories for the Information Technology (IT) Department utilizing the Omnia Partners Contract No. 2018011-01 for an amount of just over $30,128.

• The council approved a quote from CDW Government for the renewal of Fire Eye Security hardware, software, licenses and services for the IT department for an amount just under $73,300.

• The council approved

a Democrat in the last election.

All applicants will be representing one of the five districts in Lee County. Upon submitting the necessary information, the party will provide the applicant all of the information needed.

A response to that

request must be made by Feb. 15. Applicants will be informed of the time and place of the reorganization meeting. Candidates will be elected by the membership at the next general executive board meeting.

AUBURN >>

FROM B9

“A return on investment [from the monthto-month contract] comes from the legislative things that they do, and the bills that they help us modify or understand better or do the things that are needed to be done for the city of Auburn,” Crouch said.

Ward 7 Council Member Max Coblentz said that Auburn can look at this after a year and see what the return on investment is compared to cost.

Ward 6 Council Member Bob Parsons suggested the council set a review time for the services.

amendment No. 7 to an agreement with ESG Operations Inc.

• The council approved a resolution for tax abatements and exemptions for Cumberland Plastic Systems LLC. The company announced that it has planned $2.3 million capital investment in its facility and equipment. The improvements will add approximately 10 jobs.

• The council approved a resolution for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a multiagency gun crimes task force. The task force will include the Opelika Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the office of the District Attorney. The job of the task force will be to investigate, pursue and prosecute criminal activity involving firearms.

• The council approved a resolution to appoint election officials for the 11-mil school tax renewal special election on Feb. 28, 2023.

• The council approved a resolution for a grant application to ADEM for the Alabama Recycling Fund Grant Program.

• The council approved a resolution from Dish Wireless for a request for a special use permit for the cell tower that is

to be constructed at 600 Floral St.

• The council approved a resolution for a special appropriation to the Envision Opelika Foundation for the Opelika Character Council for the amount of $2,500.

• The council voted to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 67.6 acres of land located in the 2700 block of Society Hill Road from C-2 and R-1 to C-2.

• The council voted to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 16.47 acres of land located at 2701 Society Hill Road from C-2 to C-3.

• Ward Two Council Member Erica Norris introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 27 of the City Code of Ordinances: Tree or Plant Protection and Management for its first reading.

• Ward Three Council Member Tim Aja introduced an ordinance to reschedule the July 4, 2023, meeting of the city council for its first reading.

• The council voted to appoint Brandon Hilyer to the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) for an existing term that will expire on Feb. 11, 2025.

• The council voted to reappoint Raven Harvis to the (BZA) for a new term that will expire on Feb. 11, 2026.

The contract can be canceled, however, should the council, in the future, decide to stop the services. Crouch advocated for the contract, rather than on an as-needed basis because she said the city needs to commit and not “jump in and out of the game” for the company.

Other cities and municipalities within the state have affairs representation — in fact, nine of the ten top cities in Alabama have had some type of representation in the past, Crouch said.

Coblentz said that there are benefits to creating relationships with the service; he compared it to a repairman who comes to help a customer on Christmas Eve because he knows them personally.

Crouch said that while the area has great political representatives, what Auburn doesn’t ask of its representatives is to lobby other representatives specifically for Auburn. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP will.

Despite some citizen push-back at the start of the meeting, the council approved this unanimously. However, after the meeting, a resident expressed thanks that the council provided so much information on the process Monday night.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The council approved a special retail - more than 30 days -

license for Proof of the Pudding by MGR Inc. doing business as Proof of the Pudding Football Performance Center at Auburn University.

- The council approved changing the city council meeting date on March 7 to March 14 and July 4 to July 11, 2023.

- The council approved a professional services agreement with Carmichael Engineering LLC, for the Lake Wilmore Community Center Project for over $46,000.

- The council approved a three-year contract to upgrade the city’s existing Spectrum Enterprise fiber internet service with Spectrum Enterprise from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps for over $1,700 a month.

- The council approved a contract with TRP Parts of Auburn, LLC to purchase an engine replacement for a chassis for over $21,800.

- The council approved an easement for Edgar Hughston Builder Inc. to accept public rights-of-way, sanitary sewer and various drainage and utility easements for property west of Lee-Scott Academy at the end of Academy Drive for the Landing at Academy Drive, Phase 1 Project.

- The council executed a quit claim deed for property at 407 Phillips Ave. for Jose Goes Vasconcelos and Denis Pergola Vasconcelos.

- The council amended the city code, chapters 1, 12, 13 and 22 for the regulation of police jurisdiction.

- The council approved a contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the FY2022 Community Project Funding Grant Agreement for $3 million to the Consolidated Appropriations Act for the Auburn Center for Developing industries expansion.

- The council approved a contract with Floyd Service Company Inc for traffic signal installations on Alabama Highway 14 at Webster Road/Alabama Highway 14 for Will Buechner Parkway Project for $599,900.

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, LLC has completed its work on the System Strengthening & Operational Improvements Project / 500,000 Gallon & 300,000 Gallon Elevated Water Storage Tanks / GMC Project No. CMGM-170126(1) for the Beulah Utilities District. Any person(s) having a claim against the project should notify Josh Pierce, P.E., Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC, 2660 East Chase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117. All claims should be filed within 30 days of the first publication of this notice. Legal Run 1/19/23, 1/26/23, 2/2/23 & 2/9/23

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

23011

Sealed proposals will be received, opened, and read aloud in public session for furnishing all labor and materials and performing all work required by the City of Opelika for DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL, for the City of Opelika until 2:00 p.m., local time, Monday, February 27, 2023, at Opelika City Hall Conference Room 2nd floor at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika, Alabama.

Qualified contractors are invited to proposal. The bidder expressly acknowledges, to and for the benefit of the CITY, that this Agreement may be funded with federal monies and, therefore bidder expressly warrants and agrees that it shall at times comply with all applicable federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations. For more information about the Federal regulations visit the website http://gpoaccess.gov/index.htm.

Emergency Debris Removal

The City of Opelika is soliciting proposals to provide Disaster Debris Removal and Disposal Services following an event within the city limits and some rights-ofway that may be outside the corporate limits of Opelika, Alabama.

Plans, Specifications, Request for Proposal, addenda, and other related documents may be obtained from the City of Purchasing Department located at 204 S 7th St., Opelika, Alabama, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., or downloaded from the City’s website at www.opelika-al.gov/ bids.aspx. Questions or comments pertaining to this proposal must be sent to the Public Works Director, Mike Hilyer before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Guarantee will be required with each proposal as follows: At least five (5) percent of the amount of proposal in the form of a certified check or Bid

Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama. Contractor may be required to provide the following bonds: Payment and Performance, Labor and Material Bond.

The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all proposals and to waive any informality in proposals received.

Envelopes containing proposals must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to:

Lillie Finley, PurchasingRevenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama,

36803. Attn.: Emergency Debris Removal

The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when proposals are submitted. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all proposals to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license must be documented on the outside of the envelope of the sealed proposal.

LILLIE FINLEY PURCHASINGREVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Legal Notice 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023, & 02/09/2023

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF SUSIE MAE MELTON, DECEASED PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY, AL

CASE NO.: 2022-409

Notice to Creditors

Take notice that letters of administration of said deceased having been granted to Annastacia M. McMullen on the 17th day of January, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

ANNASTACIA M. MCMULLEN

Legal run 1/26/23, 02/02/23 & 02/09/23

STATE OF ALABAMA

LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT

CASE NO. 2023-016

ESTATE OF CALVIN J. TURNER, JR., DECEASED

Notice of appointment of personal representative

Letters testamentary of said CALVIN J. TURNER, JR., Deceased, having been granted to Brian Turner this 19th day of January 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of The Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Brian Turner, Personal Representative Legal run 1/26/2023, 2/2/2023, 2/9/2023

--------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA

CASE NO. 2022-684

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BETTY FAY NORRIS, DECEASED

Take notice that letters testamentary having been granted to: Regina Fay Hattaway as executrix of the ESTATE OF BETTY FAY NORRIS, deceased on the 13th day of December, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Regina Fay Hattaway, Executrix Legal run 01/26/2023,

PUBLIC NOTICES

02/02/2023, 02/9/2023

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARCUS DUNCAN MOREMAN, DECEASED

In the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama

Case no: 2023-021

Letters testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 19th day of January, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Mark A. Cowhick

Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey

Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal run 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023 & 02/09/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SANDRA F. OLIVER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-026

Notice of hearing

To: Kathy O. Heath, 2435 Lee Road 375, Valley, AL 36854

And any unknown heirs of Sandra F. Oliver, deceased

Notice is hereby given that a petition to probate the last will and testament of the ESTATE OF SANDRA F. OLIVER, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate office. A hearing has been set for the 16th day of March, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Central time, electronically via "zoom". Please contact the Lee County Probate court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the hearing of the petition to probate the last will and testament of the estate of Sandra F. Oliver, deceased.

Bill English Judge of Probate Legal run 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023 & 02/09/2023

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

NOTICE TO

CONTRACTORS

ALDOT PROJECT NO. IAR—041-000-020 CITY BID NO. 23003 CITY OF OPELIKA LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA SEALED BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA PURCHASING DEPARTMENT (ATTN. LILLIE FINLEY) AT OPELIKA CITY HALL LOCATED AT 204 SOUTH 7TH STREET, OPELIKA, ALABAMA 36803, UNTIL 2:00

P.M., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023, AND AT THAT TIME

PUBLICLY OPENED FOR CONSTRUCTING THE FOLLOWING: CONSTRUCTION OF RIGHT TURN LANE AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS FOR ANDREWS ROAD FOR THE CITY OF OPELIKA, PROJECT NO. IAR-041-000-020. THE BRACKET ESTIMATE ON THIS PROJECT IS FROM $425,000.00 TO $500,000.00. THIS BRACKET RANGE IS SHOWN ONLY TO PROVIDE GENERAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO CONTRACTORS AND BONDING COMPANIES CONCERNING

THE PROJECT’S COMPLEXITY AND SIZE. THIS BRACKET SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PREPARING A BID, NOR WILL THIS BRACKET HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE DECISION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT. THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS OF WORK ARE APPROXIMATELY AS FOLLOWS:

2,051 PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT, 11 INCHES THICK, PER TON

2,144 CRUSHED AGGREGATE BASE COURSE, TYPE B, PLANT MIXED,

4” COMPACTED THICKNESS, PER SQUARE YARD

1,375 UNCLASSIFIED EXCAVATION, PER CUBIC YARD 161 COMBINATION CURB & GUTTER, TYPE C (MODIFIED), PER LINEAR FOOT THE ENTIRE PROJECT SHALL BE COMPLETED IN SEVENTY-FIVE (75) WORKING DAYS. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION, BIDS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON COMPLETE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE OWNER. BID DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING PLANS AND PROPOSALS) ARE AVAILABLE AT CDG, INC., 197 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE, SUITE #1, AUBURN, AL 36832, (334) 4669431. PAPER COPIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON RECEIPT OF A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $100 FOR ONE SET. PDF ELECTRONIC COPIES ARE AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL AT NO COST TO THE BIDDER, OR ON A CD FOR $25. NO BID DOCUMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED OPENING OF BIDS. A CASHIER’S CHECK (DRAWN ON AN ALABAMA BANK) OR BID BOND FOR 5% OF THE AMOUNT BID (MAXIMUM$10,000.00) AND MADE PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF OPELIKA MUST ACCOMPANY EACH BID AS EVIDENCE OF GOOD FAITH. IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 34-8-8, CODE OF ALABAMA, AS AMENDED, “ALL OWNERS, ARCHITECTS, AND ENGINEERS RECEIVING BIDS PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER SHALL REQUIRE THE PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION TO INCLUDE HIS OR HER CURRENT LICENSE NUMBER ON THE BID.” IT ALSO STATES THAT “…IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR HIM OR HER TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF LICENSE BEFORE HIS OR HER BID IS CONSIDERED.” PREQUALIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED ON THIS PROJECT. FURTHER DETAILS AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING THIS PROVISION ARE INCLUDED IN SECTION 102 OF SPECIAL PROVISION 22-LPA001 AND ALDOT’S 2022 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS. PROOF OF INSURANCE COVERAGES OF THE TYPES AND AMOUNTS AS SET FORTH IN

THE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED OF THE CONTRACTOR, AND ANY AND ALL SUBCONTRACTORS, PRIOR TO BEGINNING WORK. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM WORK AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST 30% OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT COST WITH HIS OWN ORGANIZATION. THIS IS A STATEFUNDED PROJECT THROUGH ALDOT. THE PROPOSED WORK SHALL BE PERFORMED IN CONFORMITY WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS AND TO DISREGARD ANY MINOR IRREGULARITIES IS RESERVED BY THE OWNER. HONORABLE GARY FULLER, MAYOR LEGAL RUN 02/02/2023, 02/09/2023 & 02/16/2023

--------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DANNY KAY ADAMS, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No. 2023-018

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 17th day of January, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

AMY LYNN HARTZOG

Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 02/02/2023,02/09/2023, 02/16/2023

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

Notice of Appointment Estate of GEORGE EDWARD BROCKWAY, Deceased Court of Probate Lee County (CASE No.:2023-032)

Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to VIVIAN PRIDGEN BROCKWAY on the 25th day of January 2023, by the Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Bill English, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

G. Keith Pridgen, Jr., Attorney for Petitioner. Legal Run 02/02/2023, 02/09/2023, 02/16/2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF RANDY JACKSON HODGE, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2023-003

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of RANDY JACKSON HODGE are hereby granted to Gloria Bass Hodge on the 4th day of January, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the

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

Gloria Bass Hodge LEGAL RUN 02/02/2023, 02/09/2023

STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT CASE NO. 2023-016 ESTATE OF CALVIN J. TURNER, JR., DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Letters Testamentary of said Calvin J. Turner, Jr., deceased, having been granted to Brian Turner this 19th day of January 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Brian Turner, Personal Representative Legal Run 1/26/2023, 2/2/2023, 2/9/2023

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SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION IN SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH, FOURTH DISTRICT COURT 137 NORTH FREEDOM BOULEVARD, PROVO, UTAH 84601, CASE NUMBER 234400194 JUDGE BRADY, PETITION FOR DIVORCE: Garenton Flowers. THE STATE OF UTAH TO GARENTON FLOWERS: You are hereby informed that you have thirty (30) days to file a response in this proceeding if you wish to contest the Petition for Divorce. Failure to file a response within thirty (30) days of this notice will result in a judgment by default entering against you and the divorce being finalized without your involvement. Any response to this notice and the divorce proceeding must be filed with the Fourth Judicial District Court, Provo, Utah County, Utah at the address listed above, and a copy shall be mailed to Petitioner’s attorney, John S. Larsen, at 75 South 300 W., Provo, Utah 84601. Legal Run 02/09/23, 02/16/23, 02/23/2023 & 03/02/23

-------------STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY DOCKET NO. 2023-046

RE: ESTATE OF PATRICIA WATERS JACOBS, DECEASED:

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 3rd day of February, 2023, by the Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

/s/ Jacob J. Key Jacob J. Key, Administrator Legal Run 02/09/2023, 02/16/2023 & 02/23/2023

the jay and susie gogue performing arts center at auburn university presents

momix: Alice

Take a trip down the rabbit hole ...

Thursday, February 16 7:30 p.m.

Woltosz Theatre

Presented as part of our 2022–23 Dance & Movement Series

Tickets available now!

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PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B12

09, 2023 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CASIMIRA D. VOELKEL, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2023-050

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to John Paul Voelkel on the 6th day of February. 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County. Alabama. Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. J. TUTT BARRETT P.O. Box 231 Opelika, AL 36803-0231 Legal Run 02/09/2023, 02/16/2023 & 02/23/2023

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