The Observer 03-16-2023

Covering Lee County Alabama

Opelika, Alabama Vol. 15, No. 23

Spring is Almost Here

New COO Named at Local Accounting Firm

Governor's State of the State Address

CONTRIBTUED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. KAY IVEY ALABAMA —

At the invitation of the Alabama House of Representatives, Gov. Kay Ivey delivered the annual State Of The State address to a joint session of the Alabama Legislature on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6 p.m. CST in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol.

The transcript of Ivey's State of the State address follows:

Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, Pro Tem Reed, Speaker Ledbetter, Speaker Pro Tem Pringle, members of the Alabama Legislature, justices of the Alabama

Supreme Court, distinguished guests and my fellow Alabamians.

As we begin the first legislative session of this new four-year term, I am especially proud to be joined by so many students from around our state, including Livingston’s University Charter School and the Northeast Alabama Community College.

Folks, our students — our young people — are why our work today matters and why we must get it right. Everything we do today is for a better tomorrow for these children and all the families who call Alabama home. We have an opportunity

See IVEY, page A3

CONTRIBUTED BY MACHEN MCCHESNEY

AUBURN — Machen McChesney, one of the region’s leading CPA and business advisory firms, recently announced that Reid B. Gavin has been named the firm’s new chief operating officer.

A senior executive with 15 years of experience, Gavin excels in leading organizations and teams to deliver excellence to clients while driving sustainable growth.

Throughout his career, he has held executive roles in operations, quality assurance and business development in various medical provider establishments.

Gavin has a strong track record of challenging organizations to achieve their potential. As Machen McChesney continues to evolve and grow, Gavin’s operations expertise will be key in accomplishing its goals to better serve clients, recruit and retain top talent and positively impact our communities.

Gavin obtained his MBA from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, his doctorate in audiology from Auburn University and his Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Auburn University.

“We are excited to have Reid officially join Machen McChesney,” said Michael D. Machen, the firm’s managing partner. “He complements our high-performance culture, and his impressive execution of achieving results makes him the perfect choice to lead operations as we continue to grow and return value.”

ABOUT MACHEN MCCHESNEY: Machen McChesney, a CPA

See GAVIN, page A2

REID B. GAVIN

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

Opelika's

Azaela Trail is now open, as is Auburn's Floral Trail. In Opelika, the trail starts at the corner of 8th Street and 2nd Avenue — follow the signs and pink ribbons. Directions can be found at www.keepopelikabeautiful.com under programs and events. Auburn's trail is open through April 21 and one can take a stroll, drive or bike ride through the 14-mile trail that highlights some of Auburn's finest blooms and foliage. Find a map at www.auburnbeautification.com/floral-trail.

Pictures of each trail can be found on pages A5 and A6.

March 16, 2023

OPINION —

Dear Mrs. Grill: On Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, I began to have extreme nausea and vomiting. The acid from multiple vomiting episodes burned my esophagus.

I was unable to drink fluids or eat. By Friday, Feb. 10, I could barely stand. I contacted Dr. Susan Wright and she wanted me to come to the office immediately. Blood was drawn and a chest X-ray was made.

Dr. Wright examined me and contacted Dr. Spiker at EAMC. They want-

Letter to President, CEO of EAMC

ed me to go to EAMC immediately. Upon arrival at EAMC, portal 3, a security guard with a wheelchair was waiting for me. The guard took me straight to the sixth floor telemetry unit and room 6128. My nurse was waiting for me in the room. She started an IV access, drew labs and applied the telemetry monitor with pulse oximeter. Within 15 minutes Dr. Spiker was at bedside doing a physical assessment. We discussed the plan of care for hyponatremia.

I explained to Dr.

Trash Amnesty Runs Through April 7

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF

AUBURN/DAVID D. DORTON

AUBURN —

Ready to clear out the clutter in and around your home this spring? Trash Amnesty 2023 is taking place March 13 through April 7, allowing Auburn residents to take care of spring cleaning without paying extra fees for collection.

This will mark the 19th year the city of Auburn’s Environmental Services Department has provided a trash amnesty period. Five years ago, the city held the first Trash Amnesty Month as an extension of the weeklong amnesty period that the Auburn City Council had long designated to waive collection fees for oversized yard debris and other bulky yard waste that exceeds 5 cubic yards.

Please follow these guidelines when taking advantage of Trash Am-

nesty 2023:

• The city will accept yard waste, appliances and bulky items for collection. Please do not include materials such as household garbage or hazardous waste.

• Place debris at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day.

• Place items at least 3 feet from mailboxes, utility boxes, poles, storm drains or other fixed objects.

• All items should be contained or bundled so they do not fall into the street or down storm drains.

• Limbs and other debris should be no longer than 5 feet.

• Place all items in one pile for pickup.

Please note, because of the large volume of pickup expected during this time, residents may experience a delay in their normal collection schedule.

Spiker that I was completely independent in daily activities and my wife and I travel extensively. He assured me that with the increase in my sodium levels my strength and ability to walk would return, but this would take a few days. My vital signs were monitored every two hours. The nurse took the vital signs on the four hour increments and provided a full assessment utilizing her stethoscope and by checking my extremities.

Any time I used the

‘Odds

call light, someone came into my room within four minutes. A couple of times the response wasn’t from my nurse or care assistant, but another nurse from the unit. She would explain that my nurse was with another patient and wanted to know if she could help me. The team work among the staff was impressive.

Several of the nursing staff expressed how much they appreciate Dr. Spiker and Dr. Zouhary. They said these doctors respected the nursing staff and included them

in their plan of care for patients.

During my stay, Dr. Spiker and Dr. Zouhary visited me frequently. They stayed at my bedside until all my questions were answered and completed their full physical assessments.

I think that I should mention a few staff members who provided care above and beyond. The outstanding nurse was Aly. The outstanding care assistant was Beth. The physical therapist who showed the most compassion and care was Shay. The most im-

pressive employee was Tiffany. She loves her job and she knows that it contributes to patient care. Tiffany was like “a ray of sunshine” when she came into the room because she smiled and had laughter. More important, she did a good job cleaning the room. I knew that EAMC had received a number of awards in patient care. Now I have experienced for myself the high quality of teamwork and doctor dedicated care at EAMC. Thank you, Richard T. Plott

Are Alabama’ Shines Light on Dangers of Fentanyl

CONTRIBUTED BY JEANNIE GAINES / ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

ALABAMA —

Odds are, if you buy pills or other illicit drugs online or from a dealer, they will be laced with a deadly dose of fentanyl.

According to a 2022 United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory study, six out of 10 fake pills seized by the DEA contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. These were some of the facts highlighted Tuesday by several statewide organizations announcing the launch of “Odds Are Alabama,” a yearlong campaign to bring awareness to Alabamians on the dangers and prevalence of illicit fentanyl.

Notice to Taxpayers

“Odds Are Alabama” will not only heighten awareness of the dangers, but it will also provide critical information regarding help for those with substance use disorders, along with information

The assessed valuations of all property listed for taxation has been fixed as provided by law. The tax return lists showing these valuations are in the Revenue Commissioner’s office and open for public inspection.

If you have justifiable cause and supporting evidence to protest the value of your property, you may do so by filing a letter postmarked within 30 days of this notice requesting an appointment with the Board of Equalization, PO Box 3050, Opelika, AL 36803-3050.

Please include a Map Number or Pin Number and Daytime phone number in your letter.

Oline W. Price, ACTA Lee County Revenue Commissioner

PUBLISHER: Michelle Key

about medication that can reverse an overdose and strips to test drugs for fentanyl.

Dr. Scott Harris, State Public Health officer, said, “Alabama has seen a tremendous increase in opioid

GAVIN >> FROM A1

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

overdoses over the last several years. With about two-thirds of all overdoses nationwide attributed to synthetic drugs like fentanyl, it’s obvious why the need for this campaign is so great.”

According to the DEA, illicit drug manufacturers and dealers are lacing other drugs like cocaine and marijuana with fentanyl and manufacturing fake pills that include the drug to ensure that users are hooked on the first try. Because a lethal dose of fentanyl is only about two milligrams, equivalent to a few grains of salt, it’s becoming increasingly common for users to overdose on fentanyl-laced products. In Alabama, the number of people who died from fentanyl poison -

See FENTANYL, page A4

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 nationwide association of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting and service firms. For more information about Machen McChesney, its people, services, experience and alliances, visit machen.cpa.

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

Mark Jackson of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama speaks with other leaders of the “Odds Are Alabama” anti-fentanyl campaign in Montgomery.

during this legislative session to continue making progress for Alabama families.

We must be prudent and wise with our folks’ hardearned dollars.

We must support a strong economy in Alabama so mom and dad can provide for themselves and their children.

We must support these hardworking parents.

We must ensure our children have the opportunity to receive a quality education no matter where they live.

And we must prioritize the safety of our children and our communities.

I believe Alabama can accomplish these goals and more because we believe in the power of strong families.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a lot of work still ahead, but as I have said before: I am confident Alabama’s best days are still in front of us.

As Pro Tem Greg Reed takes on his first full term in the Senate, and as the House has its new leader in Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, I predict we will have a busy and productive session, and I certainly thank you both for your good service.

I know at the end of this session, we will have made great strides for the 5 million Alabamians who call Alabama their sweet home.

This evening, I am proud to offer a report on the state of our state. Folks, Alabama is thriving. It is filled with immense opportunity and endless possibilities.

Alabama’s budgets are strong. Folks, that is not by chance. That is because, together, we have taken a fiscally conservative approach to budgeting.

We’ve fully funded our rainy-day accounts, paid down our debts and made robust investments that are paying long-term dividends for our people.

We can be very proud of the fact that during my time as governor, we have not once used the word “proration,” nor have we spent beyond our means. And that’s not going to change moving forward.

Members — I urge you to completely pay off the Alabama Trust Fund this year. That was the promise made to the people of Alabama, and we should make it a priority. Unlike D.C., we pay our debts.

Alabama’s financial footing compared to other states across the country is solid, and on top of that, Alabama has one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the nation and one of [the] best business climates.

I urge each of you — especially our new members — to continue being wise and responsible with our people’s hard-earned money.

We are, once again, tasked with allocating our taxpayers’ dollars that are part of the second round of the American Rescue Plan Act from Congress.

And I’ll say again: This is not “free money,” and we must invest these one-time funds wisely. Last year, thanks to you, members of the Alabama Legislature, we put these dollars to work, meeting some of Alabama’s biggest

challenges. I commit to the people of Alabama we will once again take a smart approach and put it towards major and needed endeavors like expanding broadband access, improving our water and sewer infrastructure and investing in our health care — including telemedicine.

This evening, I am calling a special session of the Alabama Legislature to begin tomorrow so that we can urgently address these endeavors. Let’s wisely invest these federal monies to overcome some of our biggest challenges, while also paying off our debts.

If you turn on the news or even just make a run to the store, we know that times are tough right now.

A paycheck does not go as far as it did two years ago.

That is why I am calling on you to put nearly a billion dollars back into the hands of hardworking, taxpaying Alabamians through onetime rebates of $400. That means $800 for our working families, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

Folks, this is the people’s money, and it’s only right, while still acknowledging we are recording revenues far exceeding normal and sustainable levels, we give a fair share of this money directly back to the people of Alabama.

While there is still uncertainty in our national economic climate, we must create stability here at home.

Our stability begins and ends with our small businesses — the backbone of our state’s economy. We will reduce the financial load shouldered by our small businesses by lowering their monthly prepaid sales tax burden. This will positively impact thousands of small businesses across the state.

During my inaugural address, I promised we would reduce burdens holding back our businesses with the goal of cutting regulations by 25% over the next two years. I am proud to share with you all that tomorrow, I will sign an executive order to cut red tape so that our businesses are not held back, but can thrive. As I like to say, sometimes the best thing government can do is just get out of the way.

I am also proposing we invest even more into our locally owned businesses — the ones engrained into the DNA of our communities — through a $200 million grant program known as our Main Street Program.

These competitive grants will help revitalize our small cities and towns. When folks think of main streets, they should think of rural Alabama.

I am proud of the successful track record we have had in recruiting business and industry to both the rural parts of Alabama and the larger cities.

Since I’ve been governor, more than $42 billion have been invested in our state, which has created some 78,000 new jobs.

For most of those, we can thank the Alabama Jobs Act. And any good coach knows when you have a play that’s working, the team needs to keep running it.

Today, we have to look ahead and create an economic development strategy for the 2030s.

I assured you we would

have a winning game plan here at home, and tonight, I am calling on you to get behind our playbook for economic success, what I am calling "The Game Plan."

We will ensure stability and growth by renewing and improving the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama Act.

We will create a promising future by investing in large, shovelready sites and take steps to accelerate their development.

We will spur innovation by stimulating the creation of high-tech jobs, sparking growth in rural areas and supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.

And lastly, we will build confidence by increasing transparency in our incentives program.

Y’all, Alabama is working. Let’s keep it that way. I call on you to join me in ensuring that we keep winning by implementing The Game Plan through its passage in the legislature, and I urge you to make this an early priority.

It is also important we be a state that supports our working moms and dads.

In a post-Roe world, I am proud Alabama has one of the strongest pro-life laws in America to protect our unborn babies. However, our work is not done. We must also support parents, whether they are looking to adopt or need childcare so they can put in a hard day’s work to provide for themselves and their children.

We must ensure our children have the opportunity to receive a quality education. Improving our children’s educational outcomes is my top priority and will continue to be over the next four years.

The first policy initiative of my first term was what I call "Strong Start, Strong Finish." Our groundwork positioned our youngest learners to receive a sturdy foundation, ensuring their strong finish when they entered the workforce.

I am confident in the direction we are taking to improve our children’s education. We have aligned our standards and assessments. We have seen stability in leadership. And we are experiencing a hunger from all areas of our state to produce better results for our students. That’s why I believe we will make tremendous improvements in the area of education so Alabama ranks among the top 30 states in reading and math by the end of my term as governor.

We have seen tangible results in the students who have received instruction in our First Class Pre-K program. That is why I have instructed the Department of Early Childhood Education to prioritize funding classrooms in the most challenged areas of our state. No matter the ZIP code, a child should be able to get a strong start in their educational journey.

It’s also past time we require our students to complete kindergarten. I call on you to adopt legislation to ensure our students are ready for the first grade. Our first grade teachers should be preparing those students for the second grade, not simply catching them up to be on a

first-grade level.

Last year, I presented a challenge to our schools, communities, citizens and leaders to band together to pledge we will no longer accept the existence of failing elementary schools in our state.

No longer are we letting family income or any other barriers define a child’s ability to obtain the quality education they so deserve. Instead, we are tackling these critical issues head-on by taking an individualized approach, examining and acknowledging the specific needs of each school and providing crucial resources to our disadvantaged school systems. I am proposing we continue funding this strategic vision to find new, personalized ways to solve old problems, ensuring every Alabama school is a successful one.

Through the Numeracy and Alabama Literacy Acts, we are putting a renewed emphasis on the fundamentals of education: Reading and math. The full implementation of these will be key to our students’ success.

In my budget proposal, I am including increased funding for more reading and math coaches so we can ensure every child in every school has the ability to be proficient in these two essential areas.

We are also continuing and strategically funding after-school programs. We are doubling our funding for computer science education in Alabama.

We are working to increase our labor force participation rate by eliminating any and all barriers to enter the workforce. Today, there are needs in industries across the board, one of those being teachers.

My goal is to have the starting salary for all Alabama teachers to be the highest in the Southeast by the end of my term.

To that end, I am proud to announce tonight that I am proposing a 2% pay raise for our teachers.

I want Alabama to be aggressively working to recruit, retain and prepare the teacher of tomorrow.

As I laid out my vision for these next four years during my inaugural address, I chose to speak on the need to improve school choice in Alabama. In fact, I was probably the only Alabama governor to ever do so in an inaugural address.

It’s important we continue to have meaningful discussions on school choice. That must begin with improving the school choice we already have: our charter school options and the Alabama Accountability Act.

I am proposing we provide startup funds for charter schools and make needed reforms to the governance of the Charter School Commission in order to create better accountability.

These actions will allow more charter schools to form and to ensure highquality education, and ultimately, create more choices for parents.

Alabama also continues to support destination magnet schools, including the Alabama School of

Cyber Technology and Engineering, the Alabama School of Fine Arts and the Alabama School of Math and Science. All are excellent options, and they are most certainly a part of what school choice means in Alabama.

In order for Alabama to be innovative tomorrow, we must be innovative in how we teach our students to learn today. It’s schools like these that immerse them into subject areas like computer science or writing, or even ballet.

I announced the creation of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering during my first State Of The State address in 2018.

Now, tonight, I am proposing we establish the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences to address the growing health care worker shortage we are predicted to experience in the coming years.

This new health care high school, to be located in Demopolis, will offer an innovative curriculum for ninth through 12th graders, exposing them to a diversity of STEM and health care opportunities, as well as hands-on clinical training experiences.

Y’all, when these students receive their diplomas, they will be ready to fill a broad spectrum of health care jobs or pursue a higher education.

I am a firm believer in getting our students in real-life experiences. In this modern economy, I also highly value STEM education. And learning must not stop at the classroom door.

Coach Saban has said before that while there are many trophies and championships in the game of football, the most lifechanging achievement is getting an education. I could not agree more, Coach.

The Saban Center – a partnership between the Saban family and the city of Tuscaloosa – will be an interactive and immersive STEM experience for young people from all over Alabama.

And it won’t just be limited to STEM, it will help students become even more well-rounded, exposing them to the arts and very appropriately — sports sciences.

This evening, I am very proud to add the state to the team of partners making the Saban Center a reality. I believe this will be a learning center for many Alabamians for generations to come — and to that I’ll say, "Roll Tide!"

This evening, I am thrilled to be joined by Terry Saban. Terry and Coach Saban are incredible partners to our state, and I am very proud to join you on this venture.

Miss Terry, we’re all honored to have you here. Would you please stand and be recognized? And while education is No. 1, nothing is more important than the safety of our children.

Since 2018, we have invested over $126 million in school safety and security. We must continue to do that in this legislative session.

Ensuring safety in our schools also means caring for the mental health of

our young people. We are making tremendous strides to put a focus on mental health care in Alabama through our investments and our actions.

Unfortunately, we have to worry about the safety of our children in so many more ways today, including by dangerous and lethal drugs like Fentanyl.

That is why I am instructing ALEA to make combatting this drug the top priority of our Alabama Drug Task Force. Tonight, I am also urging you, our legislators, to pass House Bill One so I can sign it into law as soon as possible. By doing this, we will put any traffickers of this deadly drug behind bars — and keep them there.

While I cannot control what steps are being taken — or maybe better said, not being taken — at our southern border, I can do everything in my power to stop this drug from being a killer in Alabama.

Here in our state, we have and we will always back the blue, and that means standing behind the men and women who serve Alabama as corrections officers. That is a tough — and too often thankless calling, not just a job, and we must continue to make increasing their salaries and benefits a priority.

Here in Alabama, we also proudly support the men and women who serve in our nation’s military. Let’s, all of us in this room, continue working to make Alabama the most military-friendly state in the nation and find ways to support our service men and women deployed abroad or here at home.

Alabama is blessed with an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities — from our scenic mountains and lakes, to our lowland forests teeming with wildlife, to our sandy beaches and gulf seafood. Each year, thousands of tourists travel long distances to share in our quality of life.

But that’s not all. Alabama’s beauty and opportunity are a natural advantage in recruiting and retaining new generations of highly skilled workers seeking the best balance of life for their families.

They are discovering there is no place like Sweet Home Alabama!

There is great possibility in the future of our state.

As we look ahead to a future filled with rich opportunity and great possibility, I pledge that we will build on our roots by focusing on getting the hard work done today, while never forgetting that our work now matters most to our future generations.

Since inauguration, we’ve hit the ground running. We are working hard to improve life for our Alabama families.

I’ll say it again: We will have a busy, productive and full four years in front of us. Let’s work together, and let’s go to work!

The people of Alabama deserve our very best. Future generations of Alabamians deserve our hardest work today.

This is our opportunity. So, let’s not waste a moment.

May God continue to bless each of you and the great state of Alabama.

IVEY >> from A1

Applications Now Open for the 2023-24 Lee County Young Leaders Program

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OPELIKA —

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that applications for this year’s Lee County Young Leaders are now open.

Lee County Young Leaders is a county-wide program that aims to nurture and develop positive leadership qualities in high school juniors by giving them the knowledge, tools and contacts to become successful leaders in the community.

This program begins in September 2023 and will have one session per month until April 2024. Sessions will cover topics and skills like team building, education, public safety, health amd human service, economic development and government.

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet area leaders in business, media, government educa-

tion and service organizations, all while earning a one-hour Leadership credit to Southern Union State Community College.

Among other criteria, applicants must attend a city or county regionally

Montgomery shared her family’s tragic story of losing her brother due to a fentanyl overdose.

accredited high school (private or home school) in Lee County and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

“The Opelika Chamber is proud to lead this joint initiative to help build up a diverse group of thriv-

ing students and prepare them for the future,” said President and CEO of the Opelika Chamber Ali Rauch. “We can’t wait to see what this year’s applicants have to offer. These kids are truly the best and

hobbies and leadership potential with only 34 high school juniors being selected each year.

All applicants must submit their applications by Friday, April 14, 2023, to be considered.

The Lee County Young Leaders program is a joint initiative among Lee County businesses, municipalities and chambers of commerce.

It is sponsored by the city of Opelika, the city of Smiths Station, Auburn City Schools, Lee County Board of Education and Opelika City Schools.

ing more than doubled from 2019 to 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Closer to home, Lauren Littlefield of

“Last April, my brother, being a curious 18-year-old, took something given to him by a co-worker,” she said. “He had no idea

that what he was taking was laced with fentanyl, and by the time the ambulance had gotten to him, the damage was done. All it took to change our family’s lives forever was one pill, one time.”

“We hear from

hospitals all across the state of the alarming increase in patients coming to emergency departments with a fentanyl overdose,” said Joseph Marchant, CEO of Bibb Medical Center and chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association. “Unfortunately, many of these individuals don’t make it, and those who do survive are often left with injuries that can last a lifetime. We have to find a way to let people know that if they don’t get a pill from their health care provider or pharmacy, the chances are very high that they are making a deadly decision.”

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Julia Boothe, president of the Medical Association of the state of Alabama, urged young people and their parents and grandparents to heed the warnings and to understand the dangers are real.

brightest, and we want them to thrive and grow right here in Lee County.”

Each application will be judged anonymously based on application neatness, extracurricular activities, career choice,

“Opioid prescriptions in Alabama have fallen for eight consecutive years, but a surge of illicit fentanyl is driving overdose deaths to their highest level ever,” Boothe said. “Our message to every Alabamian is this: Never take any drug except those prescribed by your physician and filled by a pharmacist. Fake pills containing fentanyl are everywhere in Alabama. They look identical to real medicine, but you won’t know until it’s too late. Don’t take the chance because one fake pill can kill.”

For more information on the dangers of fentanyl and the resources available, visit OddsAreAlabama.org. The webpage, hosted by VitAL, includes important facts about fentanyl, along with links to additional resources, such as help in recovering from an overdose and assistance for those with substance use disorders.

The Alabama Department of Mental Health

For more information about the program, visit www.opelikachamber. com/leadership-development/lcyl/. To apply to join the Lee County Young Leaders Program visit www. docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB0xnoZRkEQdVADMKpjJI26a_7haieAR8p3BA6xqfkevDwjw/ viewform.

(ADMH) encourages everyone to download the Connect Alabama app, a behavioral health services and treatment finder application that provides individuals instant access to education, information and services related to substance use, mental health and prevention. The app is a partnership of ADPH, ADMH, and managed by VitAL of The University of Alabama School of Social Work. Campaign sponsors include:

• Alabama Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics

• Alabama ChapterCollege of Emergency Physicians

• Alabama Department of Mental Health

• Alabama Department of Public Health

• Alabama Hospital Association

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

• Medical Association of the State of Alabama

• Scout Branding Company and

• VitAL Alabama.

Members of the 2022-23 Lee County Young Leaders program.

Auburn Floral Trail Underway Through April 21

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN/DAVID D. DORTON AUBURN — The 2023 Auburn Floral Trail is underway now through April 21.

Community members are invited to travel the 14-mile, self-guided trail

that highlights some of the finest blooms and foliage Auburn has to offer. The trail features common springtime flowers such as azaleas and blooming trees such as pear, cherry and plum trees.

The Auburn Floral

Trail is broken into a 10.5-mile south trail and a 3.5-mile north trail with two bonus sections. Wayfinding signs are posted along the north and south trails to help visitors, cyclists and pedestrians navigate. Brochures with

trail maps are available at City Hall, AuburnOpelika Tourism and other city facilities. Brochures are also available online at auburnalabama.org/ environmental-services/ auburn-floral-trail.

The Auburn Floral

Trail is brought to you by the Auburn Beautification Council, Auburn-Opelika

Tourism and the city of Auburn. The Auburn Beautification Council is a non-profit, volunteer organization designed to assist with fostering

and promoting the best interests of the residents of the city of Auburn and its environs so that it is a cleaner, healthier, safer and beautiful place to live, work and visit. Find more information at auburnbeautification. com.

vents, E

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 17: FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY

MARCH 17: ST. PATRICK'S DAY

MARCH 18: BARK IN THE PARK/TAILS AND TRAILS 5K

MARCH 18: LEPRECHAUN HUNT AT KREHER

MARCH 18: MOTHER-SON DATE NIGHT

MARCH 19: JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS "SONGS WE LOVE" AT THE GOGUE

MARCH 22: NATURE BABIES

Newcomer Margaret Maynard Shares Recipes Collected Over the Years

Ann Cipperly

S Food ociety & News SHouthernospitality

Nestled along a winding road in the countryside outside Auburn, the home of Margaret and Bill Maynard is filled with rustic antiques, some from her childhood home. After making frequent trips from Harvest over the years for football, basketball and baseball games, the Maynards are enjoying living full-time in their country home instead of making weekend trips at

a game-day apartment.

The daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Margaret lived in several places in Alabama and Georgia growing up. She was born in Montgomery when her father was serving at a church in Tallassee. The family then moved to Mississippi, where her father had two churches, one in the country and another outside Hattiesburg near Collins.

Margaret said she has fond memories of many Sunday dinners after church services in Mississippi. She remembers the wooden tables built between the trees on the church grounds. Tables would be laden with delicious homemade dishes. The macaroni and cheese was always her favorite dish.

As the minister’s wife, Margaret’s mother was in charge of hosting bridal

showers at the church. While Margaret and her sister were in grammar school, they learned to be mini hostesses. They learned how to make mints and

other confections, as well as mix punch.

While her father was serving two churches, it was difficult to support their family with two children.

When her father received an offer from Decatur, Georgia, he accepted the position. Margaret’s father had a degree in agriculture from

See CIPPERLY, page A9

Pollen:

A Sticky Situation for the Better

CONTRIBUTED BY

ACES / COLE SIKES

AUBURN —

The appearance of pollen typically marks the beginning of spring, and it literally shows. If your vehicle or home recently received a natural paint job, there is a positive meaning behind the new look. According to Alabama Cooperative Extension System experts, people should view pollen in a shade other than yellow.

WHAT IS POLLEN?

Simply defined, pollen is a powder-like substance that is produced by flowering plants and trees. Every tiny grain of this substance contains reproductive material known as male gametes that are used in fertilization of flowers

— ultimately producing a seed. According to

Alabama Extension Home Grounds Regional Agent

Mallory Kelley, humans have a direct relationship with pollen.

“Without pollen, we would not exist,” Kelley said. “We can thank it for all of our fruits and vegetables that we eat every day.”

Kelley explains that pollen is released differently by each plant, and at different temperatures and times of the year. For example, when cool crops such as cabbage, kale and broccoli receive consistently warmer temperatures, their natural defense is to begin reproducing. The plant(s) will begin to grow longer shoots to produce flowers and begin pollinating.

As a secondary reaction,

Broadway’s

bees will also begin pollinating these plants as well. Pollen is primarily transported by insects and wind — causing everyone to see it latch onto virtually everything in sight. WHERE DOES IT ALL COME FROM?

In 2023, the common association of pollen’s coming-out party with a particular month of the year has not proven to be accurate. Alabama’s consistent warmer temperatures during February has caused plants to begin pollinating earlier than usual.

“Temperature certainly has an effect on pollen dispersal,” said Drew Metzler, an Alabama Extension forestry and natural resources regional agent. “In most years, I

See POLLEN page A11

Jewel Musical is Next Production for Springer Mainstage Series

CONTRIBUTED BY SPRINGER OPERA HOUSE

COLUMBUS, GA — The city that never sleeps comes to dynamic life in the Springer Theatre's production of "Guys and Dolls," winner of nine Tony Awards, including best musical. From the heart of Times Square to the heat of

All-time Crown

Havana, the romantic comedy is a spectacular representation of Broadway’s golden age that opens March 17 at 7:30 p.m. on the Springer’s Mainstage.

Considered by many to be the perfect musical, the story follows Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, two Depressionera, big-city gamblers

who unwittingly roll the dice on love. All bets are off as Nathan challenges Sky to convince moral missionary Sarah Brown to go on a date. Nathan, however, has his hands full with his own relationship issues.

Adelaide, his fiancée of 14 years and headliner at the Hotbox Club, is

See SPRINGER, page A8

Margaret Maynard and her husband Bill moved to Auburn last May from Harvest. They are both Auburn University graduates and have been coming to the area over the years to watch Auburn sports and stay at their game-day apartment. They said they are glad to be a part of the community and meet new friends. Margaret, who has a love of cooking, is sharing her favorite recipes that she has collected over the years.

SEAN DIETRICH

am a little old woman who lives in an assisted living facility…” her email began.

Her following message was about the length of “War and Peace.” She is a woman who is as sweet as Karo syrup. But — and I mean this respectfully — brevity is not her strong suit. Reading her email took me three or four presidential administrations.

“I had a baby when I was 14…” she wrote.

The 14-year-old gave birth in the singlewide trailer that belonged to

“Ian aunt. The delivery was in secret. Nobody knew her son existed. Least of all her immediate family.

Finally, the aunt put the child up for adoption. It was impractical for a girl of 14 to raise a child. This was a different era.

The goodbye between mother and son was almost too much to bear. The 14-year-old held her infant in her arms when officials came to take him away.

Over time, the girl grew into a woman. The woman grew into a wife. The wife had three kids. The wife’s husband made decent

Mother's Love

money.

She moved into a nice house. Her children did pretty good in school. Her offspring grew up to be successful and handsome and beautiful and well-off and happy. Fill in the blank.

But the woman had a void in her heart.

“A child is a piece of you, physically. Like an organ. People who’ve never had kids can’t understand.”

She dreamed about her son. Every night. Without fail. In her dreams, she could see him. She watched him grow. She saw saw his smile. She heard him speak. Once again, she cannot explain what she means. But she tries.

“It’s like a radar,” she explains. “My soul was sending out a radar signal, and I think God was sending me radar signals back.”

I took a break from reading the email. I still

had 78,000,000 words left to read before finishing her story.

So I’ll hit the highpoints.

On her son’s 42nd birthday, she had an unusually vivid dream. This dream was the strangest one she ever had.

In this dream, an old man told her to search for her lost son. It was undoubtedly an angel, the woman believes. He wore the quintessential white gown. He had the shining halo. The whole celestial enchilada.

The next morning, she contacted an agency who helped with this sort of thing. It didn’t take long to find her son.

Her son was living in Texas. And for the purposes of this story, let’s just say he was an important guy. A very, very important guy.

The agency gave her his address. She made no calls. She gave her son’s family

no advanced warning. She simply got in her car and drove to Texas. Alone.

“I didn’t want my husband or my kids to go with me,” she said. “This was something I had to do.”

She arrived at a nice house. She got through the gate by saying, “I don’t need an appointment, he’ll want to meet me, I promise.”

In a few moments, a man came down the stairs. It was him all right. She would have known him anywhere. She’d watched him grow up in her mind’s eye.

“Do I know you?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “But I know you.”

“How?”

She began to cry. “It’s a very long story,” she said.

The man, unexpectedly, began to cry along with her. He apparently understood what was going on

here. “Are you my mother?” he said in a kind of shellshock.

All she could do was nod.

They embraced. And there on the porch of a sprawling Texan estate, they dehydrated themselves, snug in each other’s arms.

“I always knew you’d find me,” he said.

“How did you know?” she said.

“You’re going to think I’m crazy if I tell you.”

“Try me.”

“I’ve been dreaming about you every night since I was a baby.”

In an age when it’s hard to believe in anything good, when crisis and insanity rule the airwaves, when visions of hell are the only things television journalists can report on. I am glad — no, I am eternally grateful — for little old ladies in assisted living facilities who write extremely long emails.

Session Cocktails Partners with Local Nonprofits Through Monthly Initiative

CONTRIBUTED BY NIKKI TAYLOR/MC SOCIAL

AUBURN — Session Cocktails, a cocktail lounge originally out of Tuscaloosa, has brought its monthly partnership program to its Auburn location.

Session Cocktails features a "Cocktail for a Cause," an initiative that partners with different charities and nonprofits in creating a specialized cocktail in which they receive a portion of the sales. Tito's Handmade Vodka matches Sessions' donation every month to the nonprofit it partners with.

"One of our core principles as a business is to positively impact the people that work for

us, our customers and the community we serve," said Hunter Wiggins, Session Cocktails owner. "Cocktail for a Cause really helped us hit the mark of positively impacting people's lives."

March's Cocktail for a Cause is a partnership with the Auburn Raptors program, a travel basketball organization located in Auburn. It is a nonprofit organization put together with the primary purpose of developing young athletes in the game of basketball on a more significant, more competitive level.

March's cocktail will be a Cucumber Collins, which is a cocktail made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, soda water and

salted cucumber cordial. In addition to proceeds from March's Cocktail for a Cause, donations can also be made directly to the Auburn Raptors. For more information about Session Cocktails and Cocktail for a Cause, visit www. sessioncocktails.com.

ABOUT SESSION

COCKTAILS

Session Cocktails was opened in 2019 by Hunter Wiggins in Tuscaloosa, and it now has a second location in Auburn. It is a cocktail bar that focuses on preProhibition and modern classic cocktails. Session is known for its stiff drinks, fancy glassware and funky atmosphere. Visit its Instagram page to see more @ sessioncocktailsaub.

SPRINGER

growing impatient with his wagering ways and lack of commitment.

The production is directed by Associate Artistic Director Keith McCoy, who also choreographed the lively dance routines.

“Guys and Dolls” is one of those productions that evokes old school, classic Broadway,” McCoy said. “It’s filled with song and dance and snappy dialogue that truly brings the audience back to a time when stage productions were an event as well as entertainment. Even the costumes and the ensemble, the Hotbox Girls, add to the retro vibe.”

McCoy has assembled a dynamic cast that dazzles under his direction while paying

homage to the original Broadway performance. Elements that remain true to the original in spirit and character include an ensemble of gangster gamblers and cabaret cuties who belt out classic Broadway hits such as “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” There are also nods to more recent revivals, such as the 1992 production starring Nathan Lane and Faith Prince.

Working with Matthew Swindell (scenic designer), Patti Jo Fenzel (props artisan and designer), Julianne Slaton (sound designer/ production engineer) and Alex Allison (costume designer), McCoy has created a production that appears larger than

life while maintaining a distinct intimacy in scale. Each location becomes a complex character that allows the audience to become invested in the outcome of the primary relationships.

“Guys and Dolls” first premiered during Broadway’s “golden age” in 1950 with a score by Frank Loesser and a book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling. With six revivals between the West End and Broadway since then, “Guys and Dolls” has become a staple of musical theater nominated for 65 awards and winning 30.

“Guys and Dolls,” the next production in the Springer’s Mainstage series, opens March 17 and runs through April 2, 2023, on the Emily Woodruff Hall stage. Tickets are available at springeroperahouse.org.

>> FROM A7

Auburn University and had helped with grounds work when he was attending seminary in Decatur. When the grounds manager retired, her father accepted that job. While her mother influenced Margaret in having a love for cooking, she also learned how to cook from a grandmother and another grandmother’s beloved family cook. Margaret enjoyed visiting her grandmothers at Marion Junction, an old railroad town outside Selma where her parents grew up.

Her maternal grandmother, “Grandmommie,” was an excellent cook who prepared southern dishes “by sight” instead of recipes. Margaret watched her make cornbread and divinity candy, which were her favorites, she said. During summer, Margaret and her sister would shell peas with her on the porch. Fresh okra was cooked with freshly snapped green beans. Sometimes meals were entirely garden vegetables.

Her grandmother also made fruit preserves that she gave the family. Margaret said she grew up savoring homemade strawberry and

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

MRS. RANDALL’S

fig preserves on toast at breakfast.

At her paternal grandmother’s house, Margaret and her sister would sit on stools in the kitchen and watch her grandmother’s cook, Ida, prepare meals. When Ida made breakfast, she would use a scoop of lard sitting in a container at the window for cooking biscuits, eggs and bacon. Margaret said she enjoyed watching how she used the cast iron skillets and cooked everything at once.

Ida would clean as she cooked, which influenced Margaret, since the kitchen didn’t look messy. She also learned how to organize the kitchen from Ida and to keep a list of items as they were getting low.

“Ida was always there and she was a part of our world,” Margaret said. “When she was no longer able to work, we would go visit her.”

When Margaret and her sister were older, their mother worked and would leave recipes on a butcher block in the kitchen for them to start making dinner. Sometimes they had to figure the recipes out, which helped them learn to cook, she said.

When Margaret graduated

COOKIES WITH BUTTERSCOTCH

These are a family favorite.

1 cup Crisco shortening ¾ cup granulated

high school, she attended Auburn University, where she met her husband Bill, who was living in Madison near Huntsville. They continued to date after graduating.

Margaret graduated with a degree in elementary education and began teaching in Clayton County, Georgia, while Bill accepted a position with McDonnell Douglas in Huntsville, later becoming Boeing. A year later, they were married. Margaret began teaching fifth and sixth grades in Madison County, then became a reading coach.

She enjoyed teaching and sharing recipes with other teachers. They also shared cooking tips and shortcuts.

The Maynards continued to come to Auburn over the years for sports events and had a game-day apartment, which made it easy for Margaret to prepare large servings of food for tailgating with friends, she said. She was the designated cook for tailgating and always had a taco tailgate that was popular. When the weather turned cooler, she made large batches of soup.

Margaret and Bill have two grown children, Amy and Sam. Amy, who graduated from Auburn,

sugar

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. soda

resides in Huntsville. Sam is a junior at Jacksonville State and plays baseball. During his freshman and sophomore years, Sam played baseball for Southern Union.

Since Margaret and Bill wanted to attend Sam’s games, they decided to retire and make Auburn their home since they were already spending so much time here attending sporting events, as well as visiting friend, Margaret said. They made the move last May after purchasing their country home on 10 acres.

The Maynards are enjoying being part of the community and seeing shows at the Gogue Performing Arts Center, she said. They attend Trinity Methodist Church in Opelika, and Margaret is involved in the sewing ministry, learning to make quilts.

She is continuing her love of cooking and is sharing her favorite recipes she has collected over the years. One of the recipes is Miss Randall’s Chocolate Chip Cookies from a lady who lived next door to her paternal grandmother in Marion Junction. The recipe calls for chocolate and butterscotch chips and has been a family favorite for

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. water

1 tsp. vanilla

12 oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips

12 oz. pkg. butterscotch chips

decades.

When Margaret was teaching, she would use this recipe to teach that math is important to her students. One project was making cookies and bags to take home.

Since the cookies freeze well, Margaret keeps a batch in the freezer to pull out for company to serve with coffee. Another favorite is Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies that she prepared for parties at the school, she said. The taste is similar to Thin Mint cookies.

Her mother made the Oakhurst Casserole recipe, which she collected from an event at Oakhurst Elementary School in Decatur years ago. It is quick and easy to assemble using all canned ingredients. Margaret keeps the ingredients on hand for when she needs to take a dish somewhere quickly.

Betty’s Topping recipe is from a friend’s mother in Decatur. Making this to serve over ice cream is a sweet memory for Margaret.

Molly’s Chicken Rollups recipe is one she would prepare before going to church and let it slowly bake. When the family came in from church, it was ready to serve with

2 cups quick oatmeal

1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Cream together Crisco shortening, granulated sugar and brown sugar; add eggs. Be careful not to over beat.

Sift flour, soda and salt. Gradually add to cream mixture. Add water and vanilla.

Stir in oatmeal, chips and nuts.

Place parchment paper on cookie sheet and using teaspoon, drop cookie dough on to parchment paper.

Bake at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Hints: For soft cookies, bake for 8 minutes and let cool. For cute, round cookies, chill dough and shape into small balls before baking.

PIZZA CASSEROLE

1½ lbs. ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

2 small cans mushrooms

3 cans cream of tomato soup

1 cup chopped celery

2 chopped green peppers, optional

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

12 oz. bag egg noodles

1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Sauté onion and ground beef. Add mushrooms, soup, celery, pepper, lemon juice, salt and pepper; simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Cook egg noodles according to directions on package. Add egg noodles to meat mixture and combine.

Pour mixture into large casserole and top with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees

rice and biscuits for lunch. The recipe is easy to double or triple to serve a crowd. She uses Boar’s Head Black Forest ham from the deli rather than a sweet honey ham. Sometimes she thickens the drippings with flour and serves it in a gravy boat.

Pizza casserole is always a hit, especially with children, she said. The recipe will make two smaller casseroles, which will give you one to share. The green peppers can be omitted.

Other favorites include the Marinated Carrots recipe from her aunt. Margaret makes those at Thanksgiving, along with her Grandmommie’s cornbread for dressing.

Margaret also credits her mother-in-law as an influence on how to manage a home. She kept the children when Margaret was teaching and helped in other ways to make her life easier.

“We are thrilled to be living in Auburn now,” Margaret said. “It is wonderful being in the community and meeting new people. We enjoy having our Huntsville friends visit at our new home and continuing to attend Auburn sports.”

until cheese melts and mixture bubbles.

BETTY’S TOPPING

¼ cup butter

¾ cup pecan pieces

1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 Tbsp. white corn syrup

½ cup evaporated milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter and add broken pecan pieces. Sauté for a few minutes. Add brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook until mixture boils and sugar melts. Stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add evaporated milk and vanilla.

Serve warm over scoops of chocolate ice cream.

MOLLY’S CHICKEN ROLLUPS

6 slices deli ham (I use Black Forest thinly sliced ham.)

6 boneless chicken breast cutlets

6 slices bacon

Small sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Rice for serving

Lay one chicken breast on top of one slice of ham and roll the chicken up into the ham to make a small package. Wrap with a slice of bacon.

Place each bacon wrapped, ham and chicken bundle in a 9x9 casserole that has been lightly coated with cooking spray.

Top each chicken bundle with a spoonful of sour cream (use all the sour cream).

Pour a can of mushroom soup over all the chicken bundles.

Cover casserole with foil and bake at 275 degrees for 2 hours.

Uncover and continue to bake at 275 degrees for

CHOCOLATE CHIP

typically don’t see pine pollen dispersal in central Alabama until mid-March. Because we have had a string of consistently warm weeks in February and early March, it has accelerated the dispersal process by several weeks.”

According to Metzler, all trees in Alabama pollinate, including hardwoods and pines. In order to produce a viable offspring, cross pollination is necessary for trees to produce seeds. Trees are pollinated

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> from A9

an additional hour. Serve over rice and use the pan drippings as gravy.

BANANA-CHOCOLATE

CHIP BREAD

This also makes delicious muffins.

¾ cup butter, softened

1½ cups sugar

3 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1½ tsp. baking soda

3 bananas, mashed

10 oz. jar maraschino cherries, ¼ cup juice reserved

6 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat butter and sugar at medium speed until

primarily by insects, birds and wind. Some examples of wind-pollinated trees are Southern yellow pines (i.e., loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf and slash) as well as oaks.

“Because they are dependent upon wind pollination, these trees tend to saturate the air with pollen because it is dry and light, allowing it to travel through the air for miles,” Metzler said.

“Pine pollen is the most notorious because it tends to be much larger than hardwood pollen. This is the reason why people can literally see clouds of it this time of year —

creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating until blended. Don’t over blend. Combine flour and baking soda and gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed. Don’t over blend. Stir in mashed bananas, cherries, reserved juice and chocolate chips.

Pour mixture into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until middle is done (watch to make sure bread does not burn around the edges). I sometimes bake mine for only 50 to 55 minutes.

For muffins, bake in greased muffin tins for about 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

both in the air and when it settles on vehicles and homes.”

REMEDYING A STICKY SITUATION

For those who are not fans of pollen — especially those with seasonal allergies — any remedy for removing or avoiding pollen is welcomed. Spring normally brings frequent rains that knock it out of the air, as well as off vehicles, roofs and outdoor furniture.

“We are used to getting more consistent rainfall,” Kelley said. “We have been more dry than normal, so we need more

MINT CHOCOLATE

CHIP COOKIES

1 pouch sugar cookie mix (I use Betty Crocker)

½ cup margarine, softened

¼ tsp. mint extract

6 to 8 drops green food color

1 egg

1 cup crème de menthe baking chips (I chop up Andes Crème de Menthe candy if I can’t find baking chips.)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg in a bowl until soft dough forms. Stir in crème de menthe baking chips and chocolate chips.

rain to arrive.”

Other practices to prevent pollen from interfering with everyday activities are:

· Bring in outdoor furniture cushions to reduce exposure.

· Keep windows closed so that pollinated air doesn’t infiltrate your home.

· Exercise inside rather than outside.

· Take showers more frequently — especially prior to going to sleep — to reduce potential contamination in bedding. Bathe pets more often because their fur typically carries pollen

Drop dough by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. (I use parchment paper on my cookie sheet to prevent chocolate chips from sticking.)

Bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Cookies should be very soft so you might need to decrease cooking time. Cool and enjoy. These are great at Christmas with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce.

LEMONADE PIE

9-inch pie shell, baked and cooled

6 oz. can frozen lemonade mix*

14 oz. can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

12 oz. container Cool Whip Mix 6 oz. can of frozen lemonade and 14 oz. can of Eagle Brand.

Fold in container of Cool Whip.

Put in baked pie shell that has been cooled. Place in refrigerator to chill for several hours.

*Pink lemonade works best for this pie. It will make the pie a light pink color. Perfect for a hot summer day.

MARINATED CARROTS

¼ cup oil

½ cup white vinegar

½ cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

Small onion, sliced into rings

Bell pepper, chopped

1 can tomato soup

2 cans 16 oz. each)

fingerling carrots

Combine oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion, bell pepper and soup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.

Drain carrots and pour into a deep, casserole dish.

Pour heated ingredients over carrots and place in the refrigerator to marinate at least overnight. Serve chilled.

OAKHURST CASSEROLE

1 can French style green beans, drained

1 can shoe peg corn, drained

1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained

½ cup chopped celery

granules, much like human hair.

A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

Although pollen can be overwhelming at times, it serves as a perennial reminder of life’s cycles. The old saying “don’t curse the rain” applies in the same fashion to pollen. Too much rain (in this case, pollen) can have negative effects; however, its purpose is pure, and many forms of life rely on it. Each season, when everything seemingly has a yellow tinge, remind yourself that nature is at work — ensuring that our

½ cup chopped onion

1 can cream of mushroom soup

8 oz. sour cream

Tube of Ritz crackers, crushed

½ stick margarine

Mix all ingredients except for Ritz crackers and margarine.

Pour in a casserole dish and top with crushed Ritz crackers.

Slice margarine into small pieces and place on top of crushed crackers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until casserole bubbles. Make sure cracker topping does not burn.

CORNBREAD

DRESSING

Grandmommie’s

Cornbread:

1 cup corn meal

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

½ cup melted

margarine

Combine ingredients. Pour into a heated baking pan and bake at 350 until golden brown.

Dressing:

3 cups cornbread, crumbled

2 slices wheat bread, toasted

3 stalks celery, diced

1 large onion, sliced

1 ½ to 2 cups chicken broth

4 eggs

Salt and pepper to taste

Pats of butter

1 cup cooked rice, optional

Crumble cornbread and wheat bread into a large bowl.

Boil celery and onion in chicken broth for 10 minutes. Add mixture to cornbread and wheat bread mixture. Add eggs, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Margaret also adds a cup of cooked rice to the dressing, which is optional.

Pour into greased baking pan. Top with pats of butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

CHICKEN SPAGHETTI

Basically, you cook the chicken and save the broth to cook the spaghetti noodles. This recipe makes a lot and freezes well.

Combine the following in a large

everyday needs are met.

For more information on pollinating plants and pollinators, search “pollen” in the search bar of Alabama Extension’s website, www.aces.edu.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System takes the expertise of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University to the people. Its educators in all 67 counties are community partners — bringing practical ways to better our homes, farms, people and the world around us. Its research extends knowledge and improves lives.

boiler:

4 large chicken breasts with ribs

¼ whole white onion

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Cover with water and cook on low until chicken is done. This usually takes about 2 hours.

1 pkg. spaghetti noodles

When the chicken is cooked, strain the broth and use it to cook spaghetti noodles.

While the chicken cools, sauté:

½ stick margarine, melted

¾ chopped onion

1 chopped bell pepper

Once chicken is cool, cut it into small pieces or shred and place into a large bowl. Add the following:

Cooked spaghetti noodles

Sauté onion, bell pepper, margarine

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

Stir the entire mixture and place in a 9x13-inch casserole.

Grated cheddar cheese

¼ cup chicken broth, optional

Top with cheese. Pour ¼ cup of broth over the casserole for added moisture.

Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly, about 30 minutes.

BUCKEYES

2 2/3 cups creamy peanut butter

2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar

3 sticks margarine, softened

2/3 block paraffin

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate blocks (takes 8 blocks)

Mix peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, and margarine.

Shape peanut butter mixture into balls about ½ inch diameter, insert a toothpick into each ball, place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, and chill.

After peanut butter balls have had time to become firm in the refrigerator, place chocolate and paraffin in the top of a double boiler and heat until melted.

Use toothpick to dip each peanut butter ball into chocolate-paraffin mixture about half-way. Chill Buckeyes again. Remove toothpicks and serve.

POLLEN >> from A7

March 16, 2023

Lee County Listener Speaks With OMS Educator

BY THE LEE COUNTY LISTENER

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Listener published the newest installment of its Education Series Monday, March 6. Hosts Sam DiChiara and Garrett Martinez sat down with Katherine Apel, a history teacher at Opelika Middle School. Below is an excerpt from their conversation, edited for brevity and clarity.

GARRETT: We’ve talked about ChatGPT, Chromebooks and technology [in general]. Why does teaching still need to be in person?

KATHERINE:

Because they give up if it’s not. … They need someone to hold

them and say, “You need to listen. This is important to you.”

Some of the kids don’t care, but I told them, “I do, though.” I had a kid recently who was like, “I’ll just get a zero.”

I said, “I’m not going to let you get a zero. If you need to come back every day during P.E. to write this essay, I’m going to do that.” And a lot of it is just tough love. They need consequences. … Who wants to be punished or [deal with] boundaries? But they need that. And they really, actually crave that because, when it’s not there, it’s just crazy. And they need to know that someone is on their side — someone to say, “If it’s up to me, you’re not just going to get a zero, because I care about it and I know someone

at home cares about it. You’re in sixth grade. It’s too early to give up.”

At the end of the day, they’re 12, and they’re just learning how to be a human, and so they need this support. They’re learning how to do it themselves, but they need someone to show them how to do that.

SAM: That reminds me of something Tiffany Gibson, the final guest of our Black History Month series, talked about [regarding] her time as a school counselor. There are a lot of kids who just have this view that the people who work at the school are people who tell them what to do, and they do it, or they get a bad grade and they get in trouble.

[But] there’s this other perception that [the faculty and staff] want them to come to understand — that these are people who have dedicated their whole careers and lives to helping [them] grow and thrive, and they actually want to see it happen. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always register, and I agree that being there in person together helps with that.

KATHERINE: And it’s hard when — I had one kid who I think was boxed as “the bad kid” in fourth and fifth grade. And I think when you’ve been that for so long, you’re just like, “Well, I’m going to take pride in it. I’m the bad kid.” The thing is, he’s not. I feel like I have a pretty strong connection with the kids that are like that because I’m like, “This is not you.”

And I have one

kid, [whatever I tell him, he says,] “Huh? Huh?” And I just told him, “This is a front, and I know it is. You are smart and you’re pretending like you don’t know anything.” And he just started laughing because he knows it’s true. And ever since then, he’s been fine. …

You give them that extra attention [and say], “Hey, I see this in you. And I like you.” They need that. … I remind them almost every day, “You’re choosing who you want to be. … This is an amazing opportunity that you have, and so we need to be thoughtful about how we act and what we’re doing [both] in school [and] outside of school.”

Listeners can find the "Lee County Listener" podcast at Lee County Listener on Facebook and on Spotify.

KATHERINE APEL

RELIGION —

The word

“inheritance” is rich, deep and expansive — like the word “faith” or “family.” It’s used in a legal sense to speak of what takes place when a person dies and their land and possessions are passed on to another (see Numbers

Out of this World

27:8-11). Although the specifics of Israel’s inheritance law might give us cause to pause (think of the levirate law — Deuteronomy 25:5-10), the concept of inheritance itself isn’t difficult to understand.

However, most of the time “inheritance” is used in the scripture, it’s not in a legal sense, but in a spiritual one — such as the land of Canaan being Israel’s inheritance (Deuteronomy 4:21, 38). In contexts like this, it carries the meaning of being a gift “with an emphasis on the special relationship between the benefactor and the recipients,” (Will E. Brown, “Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology”).

And contrary to the legal usage, there is no death of the benefactor. In fact, God’s ability to give this gift to Israel was proof that He was very much alive (see 12:10). God gave Israel the land as their gift or inheritance. But we’re also told that God brought Israel “out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are now,” (4:20). After the incident at Kadesh Barnea, Moses pled with Yahweh, “do not destroy Your own people, Your own inheritance that You redeemed with Your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand” (9:26, see also v. 29). In Egypt, God inherited Israel by virtue of the redemptive acts He performed on their behalf.

To say that Israel was His inheritance is similar to saying He adopted them or redeemed them. It’s another way of saying they were His people.

In the NT, “inheritance” is often used to speak of what God has in store for His people (Jew or Gentile) when this life is over. Just as Israel under Moses was headed toward its inheritance in Canaan, disciples under Jesus are headed toward their inheritance in heaven (Hebrews 3:1-4:11). The writers of the NT don’t go into detail about our inheritance, so it seems best to just apply Paul’s words (spoken in another context) in 1 Corinthians 2:9 in framing our expectations: “What no eye has seen,

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love Him.

We’ll all have our day in court when we come before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). For some, the result will be condemnation, but if Christ is your defense lawyer (1 John 2:1), then you’ll receive an inheritance that’s out of this world.

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

Find more of his writings at his website: www.a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

334-705-0538

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church

3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church

301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

BAPTIST

Beulah Baptist Church

5500 Lee Road 270, Valley

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

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

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

Union Grove Baptist Church

4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461

CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721

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

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

Southern Plains Cowboy Church 13099 U.S. Hwy. 280 Waverly 334-401-1014

PENTECOSTAL

Gateway Pentecostal Sanctuary

1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn 334-745-6926

PRESBYTERIAN

Providence Presbyterian Church

1103 Glenn St., Opelika 256-405-8697

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

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

BRUCE GREEN

Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

He [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

— Colossians 1:17

Bethel #2 Baptist Church and the Beauregard community celebrated the church’s 153rd anniversary in the month of February. The church members dressed in African attire the entire month. Michael A. Heard is the pastor at Bethel #2 Baptist Church, located on Lee Road 29 in Opelika.

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

During almost 89 years, I never lived alone. Then my wife died. Sensing my need, my sons took turns spending the night with me for a couple of weeks. Since then, for two years now, I have lived alone. My sole companion has been my little dog Buddy, who sleeps in my bedroom but not in my bed.

I had several choices about the challenge of learning to live alone. I could wallow in self- pity. I could move into an assisted-living community. I could search for someone who might live with me. Since none of these options seemed wise, I decided to begin practicing what I had been preaching for 70

JAN WEYANT

Jan Weyant, 91, of Opelika, passed away on March 11, 2023. Jan was born in Woodward, Oklahoma, on Dec. 6, 1931. Jan was a graduate of Henry G. Clift High School in Opelika and received a degree in nutrition from Auburn University. She was married to Charles E. Weyant on March 17, 1951. Jan and Charlie owned and operated Jan's Town and Country dress shop for 36 years. When Jan wasn't working, she enjoyed horseback riding, water skiing and playing bridge. She was a member of Farmville Baptist Church. Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, and daughter, Debbie. She is survived by her children: Susan, Greg (Barbara), Eric (Robin); son-in-law, Larry Hurst; grandchildren: Melissa (Brad), Abby (Wil), Andrew and Ione; five greatgrandchildren; siblings:

Since God is Everywhere

years: We can find strength and comfort in the presence of God.

That God is everywhere is a fundamental biblical truth. In Psalm 139, King David reminds us there is no place where one may escape the presence of God. There is no hiding place, even in the darkness, for “the night will shine like the day” to God. This is called the omnipresence of God. Its truth is reinforced by the familiar biblical name for God, Immanuel, which means “God with us.” So God is “with” us not now and then but in every circumstance of life.

The assurance of God’s presence with us provides awesome encouragement as we face life’s hardships.

Just today, a card arrived from a dear friend on which he had written, “As you have often reminded us by the way you live, our Lord Jesus Christ is always with us. May what God said to Joshua bless you today: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord

Gary (Diana), Kay (Glen) and Ross (Georgia).

A private graveside service was held at Garden Hills Cemetery with the Rev. David Bradshaw officiating.

The family would like to thank all the caring employees of Southeast Hospice and Arbor Springs Health and Rehab.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Farmville Baptist Church at farmvillebaptistchurch.org or P.O. Box 3638, Auburn, AL 36831.

SHIRLEY DIANNE KELLEY

Shirley Dianne Kelley was the oldest of three children born to Jack and Alice Thompson on Aug. 17, 1951, in Opelika, Alabama. Shirley passed away Friday, March 10, 2023, surrounded by loving family at East Alabama Medical Center at the young age of 71.

your God will be with you wherever you go.’” As I read those words, I felt the tender yet inexpressible presence of God!

Our faith is strengthened by the biblical stories of people who experienced the presence of God — from Adam and Eve to John the Revelator. As we struggle with our own adversities, we find hope in reading how Saint Paul endured persecution because “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17). In faith we cry out, “Lord, do for me what you did for Paul!” Then, blessed with the certainty that our Lord has been with us, we can affirm with the Psalmist: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy” (16:11)!

For countless centuries, God’s people have testified to the reality of God’s presence in their lives. Beyond those described in the Bible, we have the written testimonies of prominent Christians like Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham and others who have verified God’s

Shirley enjoyed cooking and baking, reading and spending time with family and friends. Her storytelling captivated everyone around her, and she will always be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor that never failed to make everyone laugh.

Also known as “Naw Naw,” Shirley loved her family more than anything in the world. She was kind and generous and always had the best advice. You could always depend on her to answer when you called and know exactly what you needed to hear. As a loving grandmother she spent countless hours baking treats, handmaking costumes and making personalized gifts for her grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Jackson “Jack” Thompson and Alice Bell Thompson; her brother, Jackie Thompson (Wanda); one nephew, David Darnell (Jill); and one great-niece Abbey Darnell.

presence in their lives.

One lesser-known Christian whose testimony inspired me was Nicholas Herman, a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris during the 17th century. Better known as “Brother Lawrence,” Herman was not a great writer. But after his death, a fellow monk compiled Herman’s unusual accounts of his intimacy with God in a book that became a Christian classic, “The Practice of the Presence of God.”

Brother Lawrence’s testimony has inspired many, including me, to believe that we can live a holy life pleasing to God within the daily routine of common life. Lawrence learned to “practice” God’s presence primarily in the monastery kitchen. There, while cooking vegetables or scrubbing pots and pans, and without the use of lofty rituals, Lawrence became keenly conscious of God’s strengthening presence. He called it doing common tasks “wholly for the love of God,” allowing the mundane to

She is survived by the love of her life, Lee Roy Kelley, and would have celebrated 53 years of marriage in April. Shirley is also survived by her sister, Wanda McCary; two children: Gerald Kelley (Charlotte) and Karen Ingram (Billy); five grandchildren: Piper Ingram, Parker Ingram, Pryce Alley (Perry), Owen Kelley and Jebediah Kelley; one greatgranddaughter, Posie Alley; one niece, Twyla Thompson, and four nephews: Shane Thompson (Beverly), Josh McCary (Edith), Jonathon “JP” McCary and Kelley Darnell (Tonya); two greatnieces, Jessica Core and Grace Darnell (Tonya) and six great-nephews: Christian McCary, Gabriel McCary, Benjamin Darnell, Thomas Darnell, Daniel Darnell and Jack Darnell.

To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her was immeasurable. She will be missed immensely and will be remembered through every memory she’s left

become a channel into rich encounters with God.

I love the way he described how he achieved intimacy with God: “It is not needful to have great thing to do. We can do little things for God; I turn the cake frying on the pan for love of Him, and that done, if there is nothing else to do, I prostate myself in worship before Him who has given me grace to work. Afterward, I rise happier than a king. It is enough for me to pick up a straw from the ground for the love of God.”

Imagine that — happier than a king! If Brother Lawrence could let his daily chores lead him into the joy of the Lord’s presence, I can do that too! So that has become my plan for overcoming the difficulty of living alone: Do what has to be done for the love of God while embracing the joy of His presence!

Frying an egg, heating a Pop Tart, washing dishes, refilling the bird feeder outside the window of the Glory Room, or serving Buddy another bowl of

behind.

Services were held at the Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Monday, March 13, 2023, with graveside interment immediately following at Hephzibah Cemetery. Phillip Saylor of Fountain Gate Church officiated.

JACQUELYN (JACKIE) MOSELEY BROWNING

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Moseley Browning passed away Tuesday, March 7, surrounded by loving family.

Jackie was the eldest of seven children born to Ralph and Doris Moseley of Live Oak, Florida, on Feb. 27, 1937.

Her hobbies included her three dogs, Coco, her constant companion, Buddy and Tigger. She loved flowers, gardening, listening to gospel music, sewing, reading and travel.

She met and married the love of her life, William (Bill) Andrew Browning,

dog food — each chore becomes a holy moment. I talk to God, thanking Him for the sacrifices Dean made for me and our boys for 88 years, or praising Him for the friends whose support and encouragement keep me going. I don’t fret over having to scrub a pot because I am thanking God for the thousands of meals Dean prepared for me and my children, while, in her words, I “was out somewhere saving the world!”

Is it a challenge to achieve daily sacred moments with the Lord? Of course it is. I continue to be lonely for Dean’s presence, her affirmation and companionship. But when loneliness knocks on my door, I don’t answer it and remind myself that I am actually never alone because the Lord Jesus is with me — and He is all I need to make it to the finish line.

Since God is everywhere, He is with me. And because He is, I can shout it with joy that comes from the fullness of His Presence — Glory!

in 1956, and loved him until her death. They were married almost 70 years.

She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Opelika and lifetime member of the Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church, Dowling Park, Florida.

Her professional career spanned over 45 years.

She was employed by the Alabama Gas Company, State of Alabama Department of Toxicology and Department of Human Resources.

She is preceded in death by her husband Bill Browning, their son Andy Browning, her parents Ralph and Doris Moseley, grandson Thad Matthews of Tennessee, brother-in-law Paul Driver of Day, Florida, and son-in-law Warren McCard of Opelika.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri Browning of Opelika, and daughter, Susan Galloway (Chip) of Chattanooga, Tennessee,

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 March 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.

ASU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEETING

The Lee County Chapter Alabama State University Alumni Association will sponsor a meet and greet reception March 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. CST at the Family Enrichment Center located at 1 Day Lily St. in Loachapoka.

The reception will include messages from Alabama State University president, the office of admissions and recruitment and various departments. Current students of Hornet Nation will be in attendance to share their experiences at ASU.

The event is free to the public. We especially invite high school students to come out and meet members of the Lee County Chapter Alabama State University Alumni Association hornet nest. Students and parents will have an opportunity to gain valuable information about scholarships and Alabama State University.

Dwight E. Howard, President Lee County Chapter Alabama State University Alumni Association

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.

The Standing Rock, Alabama Fish Fry & Bake Sale is set for March 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST at the old Standing Rock Community Center on Chambers County Road 278 in downtown Standing Rock, Alabama. Tickets are $15 and plates consist of fried catfish fillets, French fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, lemons, pickles and onions. Plates are available for dine in or carry out, rain or shine. For tickets call 706-333-8559 or 706-586-0252. Proceeds benefit the Standing Rock, Alabama Community Center Building Project.

OBITUARIES >>

FROM A14

grandson Bo McCard, Opelika; grandson Andrew Matthews, Tallahassee, Florida; great-granddaughter

Reyna Matthews of Florida; her sister Glynda Driver; brother Waldo Moseley (Melissa); sister Nelda Hatcher (Tommy); sister Denise Daniels (Jim); sister Marcia Geiger (Tommy); brother Keith Moseley (Bonnie), all of Live Oak, Florida; countless nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.

Special thanks to friends

Katrina Flournoy, Capt. Stephanie Durbin (daughter of Mama and Daddy’s heart) and the entire staff of the Opelika Fire Department for the love and consideration shown to our mother.

Services were held at the Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Friday, March 10, with a graveside interment immediately following.

Pastor Lester Curry of the Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church officiated.

KENNETH

WAYNE “KW” SHERWOOD

Kenneth Wayne “KW” Sherwood went to be with his Lord March 11, 2023, at age 93. He died peacefully at his home in Opelika, surrounded by his family. KW was born on May 7, 1929, in Allen County, Kansas, to Fred and Gladys Sherwood. He was the eldest of eight children.

Upon leaving high school he joined the Army, proudly serving in the 82nd Airborne. While stationed at Ft. Benning he met the love of his life, Betty Mayberry. They married in 1951, and had five children. They settled in the Beauregard community.

KW worked most of his career at Becks Turf, retiring to enjoy his favorite hobbies: fishing, horticulture, photography and spending time with his grandchildren. “Papa Sherwood,” as he was affectionally known, was a kind and giving person with a huge patriotic spirit. He instilled in us the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right. He was a role model who will be remembered with much love and admiration.

He was a long-time member of Providence Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School teacher in his early years and on the Cemetery Committee in the latter.

KW is preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Gilliland and brothers Fred, Tally and Charles Sherwood, and his eldest son, Steve Sherwood.

KW is survived by his wife of 71 years Betty, children Sandra (Tommy) Lowery, Kenny (Diana) Sherwood, Randy (Diana) Sherwood, Jennifer (Tim) Hughes, daughter-in-law Dawn Sherwood, 13 grandchildren, 21 greatgrandchildren, sisters Rose (Leon) Johnson, Lois Ruby and brother John (Melanie) Sherwood.

A service was held at Providence Baptist Church East Campus on Tuesday, March 14, with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Burial followed at Providence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

The family is grateful for the caring staff at Compassus and Enhabit.

Our

Is Built on a Solid Foundation... Just Like Our Bank.

Schools S

ON THE MARK

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Spring Sports Stay Busy

OPELIKA —

Opelika High School’s spring sports are fully into the meat of their schedules. Last week, the baseball, softball, soccer and tennis teams were all in action.

BASEBALL

Opelika's varsity baseball team (7-6) finished with one win and two losses in the East Alabama Classic last weekend.

The Bulldogs first played Tuscaloosa County, coached by Nick Richardson. Ultimately, OHS was thumped, 13-2, on Friday night. Tuscaloosa County scored six runs in five innings while its starting pitcher went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out eight and walking zero.

Christopher Floyd started on the mound for Opelika, going threeand-two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and seven runs while striking out two. Colby Rathel and Sam Kemp entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning and onethird of an inning, respectively.

Offensively, Jake Smith had a homer in the fourth inning; Brodie Jones led the way with two hits in

Beulah Softball Has Unfinished Business

two at-bats. "Tommy" Taylor Fields and Jackson Killcreas added hits for the Bulldogs.

Next up in the Classic, Hewitt-Trussville slipped by OHS, 6-5, despite being outhit five to seven by the Dogs.

The bulldogs used Davis Ford, Russell Copous and Killcreas on the mound. The three pitchers surrendered five runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out six.

Ford took the loss, pitching four-and-twothirds innings, allowing six runs on six hits and striking out five.

Opelika belted nine hits, courtesy of Smith, Ford and Fields’ two hits apiece, while Floyd and Killcreas added hits.

In the next game for the Bulldogs, Opelika and Baker were tied at eight in the bottom of the seventh inning. Smith hit a walk-off, two-run homer as Opelika beat Baker, 10-8, in the final game of the East Alabama Classic.

Smith went three-forfour at the plate, drove in five runs on a home run in the first inning, had a single in the sixth inning and a home run in the seventh.

The varsity Bulldogs notched six runs in the

See SPORTS, page B7

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

BEULAH —

Leading his team to the state 3A Final

Four in both of the previous two years, Beulah High School softball head coach Stan Pepper said he hopes 2023 can be the Bobcats’ year. “We have got

everything we need to return [to the semifinals],” Pepper said. “We just have to execute every week. We are actually probably better offensively and defensively overall, but it’s just a matter of depth in the circle. I’m confident that if we keep doing what we are doing and just cut the errors out, we will be where we need to

be when it's time to be there.”

Having lost four seniors from the 2022 team — two of whom are playing at the collegiate level now — the 2023 version of the Beulah Bobcats varsity softball team features three players in their last year of high school. To reach the lofty goals Pepper has set for his squad,

the skipper will lean on those seniors — Savannah Clements, Brandy Phillips and Amiya Dunn — to help the standard for the season.

“We lost some good talent and leadership but we have got good leadership from the seniors we have now,” Pepper, who is in his fifth year at Beulah,

See BEULAH, page B4

‘Bri Bombs’ Provides Power to Auburn’s Lineup

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN —

The Auburn Tigers softball team has been nothing short of impressive to start the 2023 season. Sophomore first baseman Bri Ellis, a native of Houston, Texas, is one of the main reasons why. After batting .302 last year in her freshman season, Ellis — also referred to as “Bri Bombs” — is Bri

See ELLIS, page B2

The varsity Beulah Bobcats in a home game against Randolph County, March 9. The Bobcats won 6-5 in 12 innings.

Ellis, Auburn softball infielder, was the No. 20 recruit of the 2021 signing class according to Extra Innings Softball.

PHOTO BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS FOR THE OBSERVER

Iron City Advantage?

Auburn Stays Close to Home for NCAA Tournament

Four Premonitions for Auburn Spring Football Practice

PHOTO BY STEVEN LEONARD / AUBURN TIGERS

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN —

on both sides of the ball this season. Linebackers

Owen Pappoe and Eku

Leota, defensive lineman

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers will be playing close to home through at least the first two rounds of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

The No. 9 seed Tigers (20-12) are in the Midwest region of The Big Dance and drew Birmingham as the location for its firstround matchup against the No. 8-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes (19-13). Auburn has a prospective second-round matchup in the Iron City as well, against No. 1-seeded Houston. Judging off recent history, this geographical stroke of luck could provide a huge boost for the Tigers. Auburn was a completely different team at home in 2023, finishing the regular season 14-2 at Neville Arena; contrarily, the Tigers struggled on the road, finishing 4-8 overall. Of course, the Tigers will need to play their best and rely on more than the fan advantage to advance in arguably the toughest competition across all sports. Against the Hawkeyes, however, Auburn has some clear advantages.

Primarily, the Tigers have a grit and quality on the defensive end of the ball that is unmatched by the Hawkeyes. Auburn’s opponents this season have averaged 67.1 points per game and shot just 28.8% from three-point range.

ELLIS >>

FROM B1

currently batting .400 with eight home runs in 2023.

Ellis’ origin story on The Plains is an interesting one. The Texas native wanted to be a Texas A&M Aggie for most of her life and was even committed to playing in College Station for about two years.

“I committed to A&M when I was a freshman,” Ellis said. “I de-committed from there when

On the other hand, Iowa’s opponents have averaged 74.4 points with 36.6% three-point shooting per game. Meeting the defensive standards reflected by these metrics will be crucial for Auburn’s success if it hopes to outlast the Hawkeyes — one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the country.

While Auburn holds a clear advantage on the defensive side of its first-round matchup, the Hawkeyes have a big advantage on offense.

Iowa relies heavily on five players who average double-digit point totals to maintain the nation’s third most efficient offense.

Arguably one of the best players in the country, Junior Kris Murray Jr. leads the way for Iowa, averaging 20.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes rank No. 85 nationally in three-pointers made per game, and No. 163 in three-point percentage. While those aren’t world-beating numbers, they are clearly superior to Auburn, which ranks No. 272 in three-pointers made and No. 314 (out of 363) in three-point percentage. Taking and hitting quality three-point looks — and limiting Iowa from doing just that — will play a key role in determining Auburn’s success in the first round (and beyond).

The last crucial statistic that could sway the firstround game in the favor of either team will be rebounding. Both teams

I was a junior in high school. And then about a week later, I came up here to Auburn on a visit and I just loved everything about it. I liked the fact that we are building something here instead of just going straight into a current dynasty. It's really fun to, like, surprise everyone with being good and better than they thought we would be.”

Mickey Dean has been the head coach of the Auburn softball program since 2018. The

are poor in this respect, with Auburn ranking No. 143 nationally in team rebounding, and Iowa ranking No. 121. Secondchance opportunities will be crucial if Auburn hopes to overcome its shooting woes and defeat the Hawkeyes.

If —and that is a big if — the Tigers play well and outlast Iowa in the first round, they face a gargantuan task to advance further in the tournament. That task comes in the form of No. 1 seed Houston (30-3).

Unfortunately for Auburn, the Cougars do what it does best, better. Houston is ranked No. 2 nationally in opponents’ points per game (allowing just 56.3), and No. 1 in defensive efficiency. In addition, Houston has outperformed Auburn in nearly all offensive metrics that matter in 2023. It’s a classic David versus Goliath matchup, in all honesty. But again, Auburn should have a clear home advantage in terms of atmosphere that could help propel the Tigers above their season standards.

Coming off a historic 2021-22 campaign that featured the program achieving its first ever No. 1 AP ranking and sending two players to the NBA via the first round of its draft, Auburn’s 2023 regular season could rightly be classified as a disappointment. The first-round exit in the SEC

See NCAA, page B7

Tigers have never had a losing season under his leadership and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times. Ellis reflected positively on her experience playing for Dean so far.

“He's a little bit of both old school and kind of willing to experiment with new coaching techniques,” Ellis said. “He's a really tough coach, but if you want to play at any big school and you want to get to where we want to get ultimately, you're going to have to play for

The temperature is starting to dance around the 80-degree mark, and that can only mean one thing: It is once again time for spring football on The Plains.

Spirits are high around the Auburn football program. There is a lot more enthusiasm surrounding the Tigers than there normally would be for a team that is coming off a 5-7 season. With Hugh Freeze’s first season at the helm of the program, a roster that is expected to be improved, and it being the last season of the current SEC schedule structure, there are plenty of storylines going into the 2023 football season.

Last year was not an ideal year for the Tigers. The program had its second-straight losing season, which included multiple blowout losses — a few of them happening at home in JordanHare Stadium. Auburn parted ways with head coach Bryan Harsin after week nine, and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams stepped up as the interim head coach. This change increased hope in the program.

Auburn hired Freeze as its next head coach in December. The program saw an instant uptick in recruiting and finished with the No. 17-ranked recruiting class and No. 4-ranked transfer portal class, according to 24/7 Sports.

Auburn will have some big shoes to fill

a tough coach, and to be successful, your coach needs to be on you.”

The Tigers have already seen some success in 2023, which has the morale of the program running high.

“The vibes are great right now,” Ellis said in an interview on “The College Loop” podcast. “Obviously we’ve got some stuff to work on, but I think we’re all heading in the right direction. We’re all excited to be playing.”

Ellis holds the Auburn

Derrick Hall and Colby

Wooden, running back

Tank Bigsby and kicker

Anders Carlson represented Auburn in the NFL Combine earlier this month.

The roster has some question marks, but the answers are coming together.

PREMONITION NO. 1: THE RUNNING BACK ROOM IS LOADED.

Tank Bigsby will leave a hole to fill, no doubt. Bigsby rushed for 834, 1,099 and 970 yards in his three seasons with the Tigers. Auburn is in good hands at the position, however. Jarquez Hunter is expected to take the most carries for the Tigers in 2023. Hunter rushed for 675 yards and seven touchdowns off 104 carries last season.

Damari Alston will see an increased role this season; USF transfer Brian Battie and incoming freshman Jeremiah Cobb will also see the field.

PREMONITION NO. 2: CAMDEN BROWN WILL GET A LOT OF TARGETS.

Brown caught nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns last season. Those are not eye-catching numbers, but Brown has the opportunity to be wide receiver No. 1 this spring in what is an unproven wide receivers group. He has the frame and the skill to be huge for the wide receiver group this season.

PREMONITION NO. 3: THE NEW AND IMPROVED OFFENSIVE LINE IS GETTING

program record for most home runs hit by a freshman with 20, an accomplishment that means a lot to her.

“It was a really special moment for me,” Ellis said. “Obviously breaking a record is going to be a special moment for anyone, but it had been a long time between my 18th and 19th home run. I went from hitting home runs like every other game to about two or three weeks before I hit 19.”

Every great athlete

IT DONE.

The offensive line has been one of the biggest causes of concern for the Tigers for a few seasons. For the last two years, the unit has been one of the worst in the SEC. Freeze wasted no time improving this group. Auburn landed three four-star transfers: Avery Jones from East Carolina, Gunner Britton from Western Kentucky and Dillon Wade from Tulsa. The Tigers also have some incoming freshmen who are expected to make an impact. Four-star recruit Connor Lew will likely see the field immediately.

Jeremiah Wright will likely be the only returner to keep their spot on the starting offensive line.

PREMONITION NO. 4: THE STARTING QUARTERBACK MIGHT NOT BE ON THE ROSTER YET.

The QB room still has a lot of questions to be answered. T.J. Finley is still on the roster but will likely transfer out after spring practice. Robby Ashford played well, but a new offensive staff may want to go in a different direction. Sophomore Holden Geriner might transfer out as well if he doesn’t have a role in the new system. Hank Brown is an incoming three-star freshman who was committed to play for Freeze at Liberty. There is a good chance that Freeze and staff turn to the portal to add another QB to the roster. Auburn’s annual A-Day scrimmage is scheduled for April 8. There will be a lot of eyes on the team as they begin a new era.

needs an even better nickname. Luckily for Ellis, she did not have to search hard to find the perfect one for her.

“My dad started tweeting and responding to everything I was tagged in with #bribombs,” Ellis said. “When it started, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so dumb,’ and here we are. It stuck, and now everyone calls me that.”

The sky is the limit for Auburn Tigers softball in 2023, and Ellis will be a crucial part of the team’s success.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl during the game between Memphis and No. 11 Auburn at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, Nov. 27.

PHOTO BY AUSTIN PERRYMAN / AU ATHLETICS

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn on Feb. 27.

No. 9 Auburn Tops Penn State on Senior Night

CONTRIBUTED BY AU

ATHLETICS

AUBURN —

Derrian Gobourne put the crown on for the last time at Neville Arena on Friday night. The fifthyear capped the night for No. 9 Auburn with her renowned floor routine and helped the Tigers score a 197.600 to beat Penn State in the regular season finale.

“I just wanted to come in here and feel the positive energy and just be grateful for a great career,” Gobourne said. “I didn’t want to put any pressure on myself. I didn’t want to make it something that it wasn’t.

I just wanted to have a good time and be grateful — grateful for the fans, grateful for this opportunity and shine bright tonight.”

Gobourne was one of seven seniors recognized on Friday as part of Senior Night.

For Auburn, it was the third-highest score of the season despite not having Sunisa Lee in the lineup. The sophomore was recognized along with the seniors but did not compete.

Instead, it was a team effort from the Tigers, who had at least two gymnasts score 9.9 or higher in every event.

Senior Cassie Stevens

won the all-around title with a score of 39.525 and shared the individual titles with Gobourne on vault (9.9) and bars (9.925).

“I think we came together as a team tonight, and it was really fun,” Stevens said. “The vibes were different. We were doing it for each other. We were having fun while we were doing it. That’s Auburn gymnastics.”

“I’m just really proud of the effort tonight,” said Auburn head coach Jeff Graba. “I thought the girls did a good job of coming in and building off what we’ve tried to work on in practice. This

is a hard night, a lot of emotions, and I thought they did a really good job to get through it and get us set up for the next few weeks.”

While the crowd anxiously awaited Gobourne’s floor routine, it was Olivia Hollingsworth who stole the show with one of the top performances of the night on floor. The junior set a new career high with a score of 9.95 to win the individual title.

Stevens, fellow senior Aria Brusch and Sophia Groth all posted a 9.9 on floor while Gobourne and Gabby McLaughlin rounded out the rotation with a pair of 9.875s. As

a team, Auburn finished with a score of 49.525.

The Tigers also earned a 49.525 on bars, a season high on the event, despite not having Lee in what is her best event. Gobourne and Stevens led the way at 9.925 — which matched a career high for Stevens — while Brusch and Groth both went 9.9.

“We’re great at bars,” Gobourne said. “With Suni in or out, we’re going to have her back. We’re going to do what we need to do. Showing up the way we did even though we were missing her is really special, and it shows what we can do.”

The highlight on beam came from McLaughlin,

who anchored the event and set a season high with a score of 9.95 to win the individual title. It matched Hollingworth’s floor routine as the top score of the night for Auburn. Brusch (9.9) and Hollingsworth (9.85) also set season highs on beam as the Tigers finished with a 49.250.

The Tigers will now set their sights on the postseason. First up is the SEC Championship on Saturday, March 18 in Duluth, Georgia.

“This (meet) shows that we can compete with anybody in the country when we’re on,” Graba said. “It’s our job to be on.”

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

Auburn gymnastics will compete in the SEC Championship Friday, March 18, in Duluth, Georgia.

Beulah Building Towards Championship Goals

“All three do a great job in leading the girls in the right direction, and I couldn’t be prouder of their leadership ability.”

Pepper expanded how much Clements and Phillips, who last month was announced as the school’s first recipient of the Bryant Jordan Award (given by AHSAA to a student-athlete who is outstanding in both her

academic and athletic career), mean to the team.

“[Brandy] is the heart and soul of this year’s team — she and Savannah Clements both are,” he said.

“When I think of one I think of the other. The way those two girls play and the way they lead us, we are going to follow them … whatever we do this year is going to be because of their leadership ability.

Extremely proud of

[Brandy]. Honored to be coaching her. And she

deserves all the accolades she has gotten — she has earned them.”

Overall, Pepper said he is happy with how the Bobcats have performed to this point in the season. And although there is still well over a month before area postseason play begins, the team has picked up some invaluable experience playing teams from higher classifcations in the early part of the season. Pepper said he knows the importance each game holds in order to

progress throughout the year.

“Seeing those teams and seeing the pitching, we aren’t going to see any better throughout the year,” Pepper said. “We feel like we are battle tested. I’m not trying to brag or anything, but we will play anybody in the state. We are not going to back down from anybody.”

Pepper explained that the team’s identity is tied to its togetherness and ability to put bad plays — or games

— behind them.

“We just battle through,” he said. “We don’t panic. That’s why we have been successful. The girls just keep playing. They are always looking forward. We don’t get down; we don’t get too excited. We just play ball. That’s our identity.”

Coming up, the Bobcats have a number of games that Pepper said he expects will test his team’s metal. Buoyed by previous years' success, however, the Bobcats are setting

their sights on a state championship in 2023. “We’ve got great young ladies who are great athletically, but more importantly they are going to be great citizens,” Pepper said.

“If we keep improving like we are, we will have another chance to hopefully be in Oxford when all is said and done. We want to give all the praise to God. He gives us the ability and we want to make sure we are playing to glorify him in everything we do.”

The varsity Beulah Bobcats softball team is 12-3, and 2-0 in the area having picked up a win over Randolph County and Dadeville March 9 and 15, respectively. The Bobcats have reached the AHSAA 3A state semifinals in back-to-back years. said.

BEULAH >>

FROM B1

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Lee-Scott assistant baseball coach Jacob Ozment said all the Warriors needed was to see themselves win after starting 0-2. They have since done plenty of that.

Lee-Scott won 11 straight games leading up to spring break after dropping its first two to tough Georgia competition. The wins included two over Bessemer, who knocked the Warriors out of the playoffs in 2023, and an undefeated run to win the Edgewood Tournament.

LSA Baseball Finding Its Groove

Then they ran into Glenwood (17-2).

“So, obviously, winning 11 straight games takes guys coming together and rallying to win some games,” said senior third baseman Kade Hudson after a home loss to Glenwood.

“When you go on a streak like that, it feels sometimes like you can’t lose, but eventually you’ll drop some games. But after a night like tonight, you just got to bounce back and try to win two more tomorrow.”

Lee-Scott’s spring break and its winning streak simultaneously came to a close when it hosted the

rival Gators on Monday, March 13. Working around a three-run bomb in the first inning by sophomore Sam Jackson, Glenwood starter Jacob Page stayed on for the complete game and downed the Warriors 9-3.

Despite the loss to Glenwood, Ozment said he likes how things are coming together for his club after some confidence-boosting wins.

“One thing you’ll notice is they’re a little more selfaware of their approaches at the plate. Definitely tough to come back from spring break and get right into a Glenwood series, but

we got two games in with Southern to hopefully get the rust off,” Ozment said after Monday’s game with Glenwood. “Our guys know what they have to continue to work on. Had a lot of flyouts tonight and a lot of strikeouts. Just being able to catch up to velocity and be more comfortable with that is probably the biggest thing for us.”

At the beginning of the season, Ozment bragged on his team’s cohesion and how his team is tight-knit. After seeing his team settle into individual roles and perform as a unit, he points to his group of seniors as the

leaders vocally as well as the top statistical producers.

The leadership, as well as having “10 or more” strong arms to go to on the mound, is transforming a team with a losing record a year ago into a team who expects to show up and compete each time out under head coach Tim Hudson and his bolstered staff (www.opelikaobserver.com/lee-scottbaseball-ready-to-reboundunder-bolstered-staff/).

“I think our seniors are doing a good job of taking some ownership now of the team,” Ozment said. “They’re starting to establish standards that they feel

coaches starting to put into place. I think one of the biggest things is making sure we’re setting attitudes the right way during games, picking each other up. It’s been cool watching that.”

Through 16 games, Hudson and his Warriors have already seen stiff competition, tough losses and big wins, but they are far from done. They have 27 more games remaining on the schedule, but being battle tested early on means plenty of time for the team to self-evaluate.

Lee-Scott is 11-5 going into a doubleheader at Autauga on Thursday.

Bulldogs Battle Panthers to Final Minutes

The varsity Smiths Station and Opelika soccer teams faced off March 8 in Smiths Station. The Bulldogs won the girls' matchup in penalty kicks and the boys team defeated the Panthers, 3-1. For more information on Opelika soccer, read D. Mark Mitchell's column on B1.

Opelika Baseball Working Through Non-Region Schedule

Game. Set. Match. OHS Tennis Adjusting to 7A

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

The Opelika varsity baseball team fell to Northside High School (pictured above),

in the East Alabama Classic last week. For more information about OHS baseball, read D. Mark Mitchell's column on B1.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The Opelika varsity tennis team swept Northside and Benjamin Russell last week. For more information about the Bulldogs, read D. Mark Mitchell's column on B1.

Glenwood Baseball Keeps Excelling, Sweeps Lee-Scott

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION —

Glenwood baseball (17-2) is the only

AISA team ranked in

ITG Next’s Alabama High School Baseball Rankings, just one parcel of proof that this team is loaded with talent.

Coming in at No. 25 across all classes in the state rankings, Glenwood hasn’t even been able to utilize all of its star power yet.

“We’re still a work in progress to be honest,” said head coach Tim Fanning. “We’ve had some guys down with˙some arm injuries,

you know. We’ve kind of been trying to find our way from a pitching standpoint, like getting a rotation together, but we’re scoring a lot of runs. We’ve just had to plug and play a little bit off the bench, and I think it’s made us deeper and stronger.”

Among those with lingering, “non-serious” arm issues are shortstop Hunter Milam, who hasn’t played in a week, and his replacement, junior Brandon McCraine. McCraine hasn’t pitched since joining the team after winning state in basketball, but filling in in the outfield and now at shortstop, his bat is a “game changer” in the

Glenwood batting order.

While a few of those guys aren’t able to contribute on the mound yet, seniors Jacob Page and Jackson Kennon have given the team lots of quality innings.

In a series sweep of rival Lee-Scott to start region play earlier this week, Page and Kennon both earned complete-game wins, while Mason McCraine combined with Trent House and Wyatt Tharpe to get the win in game two.

Each of those games had something in common: Glenwood started out either behind or tied in each game. In Monday’s game one at Lee-Scott, Page gave up

a three-run bomb in the first inning before finding his stride. He stayed on for six more shutout innings in a 9-3 win.

On Tuesday, Glenwood found itself down 6-0 in the third inning of game two. Then, the Gators scored 16 unanswered runs, and Kennon stayed on the mound through it all for the complete-game, five-inning victory. At the helm of that 16-run explosion was a solo dinger from Page, once again making his presence felt.

“It feels great (to sweep Lee-Scott). It feels awesome, really,” Page said with a chuckle. “We just

battled. We kept our heads up through it. You know, those first three innings (in game two on Tuesday) we made a bunch of errors and stuff, but we kept the energy and stayed strong.”

Glenwood put up 34 runs in three games against the Warriors, and with three games in two days, the Gators displayed their depth and explosiveness. The pitching turned in two complete games; the bats got hot; and the defense, despite a few errors in game three of the series, made several tough plays — including a sliding grab by left fielder

Lukas Holman in game three to save an extra-base hit.

As Glenwood continues to get healthy and solidify its pitching rotation, a dominant team feels like it will only go up from here with plenty of depth to fall back on.

“Well, even tonight, we had a big pinchhit double from Eli Bankston, and Mason (McCraine), he hadn’t been starting and he wasn’t hitting, but in this three-game series, I think he had six or seven hits. That was big for us,” Fanning said. “I still don’t think we’re there yet. We got some work to do.”

Lee County School Board Names Teachers of the Year

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYL@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

It was a night of honors as Lee County Schools named its Teachers of the Year and recognized Beauregard’s state champions in bowling.

Jason Wright, assistant superintendent of secondary education, presented the Teacher of the Year awards for secondary school teachers.

Honorees included:

• Debra Hightower –Sanford Middle School

• Laura McCoy

– Smiths Station

Junior High

• Amy Overton

– Smiths Station Freshman Center

• Lacy Hackney –Smiths Station High

SPORTS >>

FROM B1

sixth inning. Smith, Bryce Speakman and Killcreas all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Copous led Opelika to victory on the pitcher's mound. The righty surrendered one run on five hits over four innings, striking out three and walking zero. Killcreas allowed six hits and seven runs over three innings, walking one as the starting pitcher.

OHS tallied three home runs. Speakman went long in the sixth inning. Smith went yard in the first and seventh innings.

The Bulldogs racked up 11 hits in the game. Smith, Floyd, Ford and Fields contributed hits.

The Bulldogs will host Marbury at 11 a.m. and Ariton at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Bulldog Park.

OHS SOFTBALL

The OHS Lady Bulldog softball team won three games and lost three games last week, improving their record to 9-8.

Opelika opened the busy week with a 1-7 loss to Beauregard. The

School

• Britian Murphy

– Beauregard High School

• April Harrell –Beulah High School

• Laura Ramkorun

– Loachapoka High School

Brad Hunter, assistant superintendent of elementary education, presented awards to the Teachers of the Year from the elementary schools. Those honorees included:

• Mallory Stewart

– Beauregard Elementary School

• Cherry McConnell – Beulah Elementary School

• Michele Rogers –East Elementary School

• LaSharra Henderson

– Loachapoka

Elementary School

• Elizabeth McAdory

Lady Hornets never trailed after scoring two runs in the first inning.

Bailey Abernathy led the Lady Hornets on offense with three hits, followed by two hits apiece from Lucy Vann, Kiley Brooks and Taylor Howard. Memoree Lyles led Opelika with two hits; KD Lee and McKay Yountz added singles. Brooks earned the win, pitching a complete game and allowing one run.

The Lady Bobcats then shut out OHS 5-0 last Saturday. Beulah's two pitchers, Brandy Phillips and Abrianna Green, allowed one hit and struck out nine OHS batters.

Opelika then earned its first win of the weekend after beating Horseshoe Bend 5-0. KD Harrelson earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings without allowing a hit or a run.

Nylen Thomas and Jade Jones led on offense with two hits apiece.

The Lady Dogs thumped Russell County High School, 15-0, in a three-inning mercy rule game last Saturday.

Rylee Long led OHS with three hits and four RBI, followed by

– South Elementary School

• Megan Johnson –Wacoochee Elementary School and

• Allison Rankin

– West Elementary

two hits from Lee and Yountz. Thomas, Jamiah Williams and Kennedy Soltau added hits.

Sanai Stringer earned the win, pitching three innings and allowing one hit.

Opelika scored five runs in the sixth and seventh inning to beat Pike Road, 5-3. Yountz earned the win by pitching seven innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits.

The Valley Rams defeated OHS, 4-3, last Saturday in Fairfax. The Lady Rams scored two runs in the last inning to win by one run. Opelika managed singles from Yountz and Williams.

Harrelson and Yountz combined to pitch for OHS, allowing six hits and four earned runs.

OHS TENNIS

Opelika's girls’ and boys’ tennis teams swept Northside and Benjamin Russell last week. The Lady Bulldog netters beat Northside, 9-0, behind single wins from Mamie Nicholson (8-0), Joanne Smith T (8-0), Mary Cara Montel (8-0), Addison Kemp (8-0), Emma Brown (84) and Avery Massey (8-2). Doubles winners included Montel/Kemp,

School.

Finally, two teachers earned further recognition as the school system’s recommendations for the Alabama Teacher of the Year award.

Brown/Addison Bryan and Massey/Smith T.

The varsity boys slipped by Northside, 5-4, behind the following winners: Conner Mullins (9-7), Anderson Melnick (8-1), Myles Tatum (8-5) and a doubles win from Mullins/Devam Patel.

SOCCER

Opelika's varsity soccer team defeated Russell County High School (RCHS), 6-4, improving to 6-4 overall. Babi Ramirez scored the first goal; Malee Story scored a hat trick (three goals) and Amiya Brown added two goals for OHS. Ashley Hilyer and Kam McDaniels recorded two assists apiece.

The varsity boys soccer team improved to 8-1 after blanking RCHS, 8-0. OHS’s goals were scored by Dexter Graham (two), Luke Roberts (two), Moe Forbes (two), Nathan Faison and Eduardo Moran.

Assists included Faison (three), Graham, Forbes, Kenneth Frazier and Jake Campbell. Three keepers — Moran, Patel and Charlie McCullough — combined for the shutout.

OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL REGISTRATION

Hackney of Smiths Station High will be recommended in the secondary category, and Johnson of Wacoochee will be recommended in the elementary category.

AGES 13-14-15

Registration for the Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball league begins March 17 at the Opelika Sportsplex or online at opelikasportsplex.com. The baseball league is for anyone ages 13, 14 or 15 interested in playing baseball. Registration costs $45 in the city of Opelika and $50 if you live outside the city of Opelika. The fee covers a jersey and cap. All players will be on a team. For more info, contact D. Mark Mitchell at foxonthemark@yahoo.com.

KICKOFF CLASSIC

I expect the AHSAA will announce soon that Opelika will play Thompson in the Kickoff Classic in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. Details are not official at the time of press. Beauregard is expected to play Selma Thursday night prior to OHS against Thompson.

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.

“May I just say, on behalf of the board, I know that our teachers a lot of times don’t think we appreciate them, but trust me — we appreciate everything y’all do,” District 5 Board President Ralph Henderson told the teachers. “It’s such an honor for us as a board to be able to honor you tonight. Please leave here tonight knowing that we love you, and we support you, and we thank you for the jobs you do.”

Superintendent James E. “Mac” McCoy echoed Henderson’s sentiments.

“Teaching has become a true calling of a profession, especially since COVID,” McCoy said to the teachers. “The postseason tournament last week only bolstered that notion. But the Tigers are still dancing. And Auburn has been in — and lost — an innumerable amount of close games this season. Those experiences have hopefully taught this team something about itself and how to finish games. Pearl will put his stamp on each game with coaching adjustments, and then it’s all left to the players. No matter how low the Tigers and their fanbase have been this year, the team earned its opportunity in The Big Dance. That’s the minimum of what the program sets out to achieve. But ever since the program made its way to the Final Four in 2019, the NCAA Tournament has left a nasty taste in the mouths of the Tigers and their fans. Birmingham could be the place where it all starts to turn around — or where the Tigers’ season comes to a close and the eyes turn to 2024. Whatever the result, at least the bus ride home will be a short one.

NCAA >> FROM

B2

Fourteen LCS teachers were honored as Teachers of the Year at the board’s March 14 meeting.

Front row, from left to right: Megan Johnson, Elizabeth McAdory, Michele Rogers, LaSharra Henderson, Allison Rankin, Cherry McConnell, Mallory Stewart, Laura Ramkorun, April Harrell, Lacy Hackney, Amy Overton and Laura McCoy.

See LCBOE, page B8

PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH THE OBSERVER

Iwant to give my readers a headsup: Wear green on Friday, March 17, so you won’t get pinched. St. Patrick’s Day rolls in among beautiful flowers, green clover and birds singing beautiful songs all day long.

I love the way Opelika celebrates spring with the Azalea and Dogwood Trail. This is a wonderful driving field trip for our families.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17. In Ireland, the Irish honor St. Patrick with both a holy day and a national

Don't Get Pinched on St. Patrick's Day

bring good luck.

In St. Patrick’s Day tradition, Patrick used the shamrock’s three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity: The Father, God; the Son, Jesus; and the Holy Spirit.

the rainbow as we ran into a prism of beautiful colors. My son and I had many adventures chasing rainbows in fields by Mobile Bay and by the ocean in Gulf Shores as he was growing up.

find the rainbow.

You can also take a bowl of water and pour different food colorings into the bowl — along with a drop of dishwashing soap — to create a rainbow that appears in the middle of the water.

upon it. I allow my young students to take out magnifying glasses and nature bags if they cannot find that one special four-leaf clover. Children enjoy making beautiful nature jewelry from white clover flowers.

hurdles, the darts and the rocks that have been put in front of you and thrown at you, you have overcome and dodged. From the bottom of my heart, I truly thank you, and I appreciate you for the job you do in representing Lee County and representing this board of education. It’s an honor for me to be able to work with people like you because without you, we would not be here.”

Honorees were accompanied by their respective principals as they accepted a personalized, engraved silver plate. Hightower and Murphy were unable to attend the meeting.

The board also had another group to celebrate:

holiday. The Irish cherish their beautiful green countryside and remind themselves of its beauty by wearing green. Although it began in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world with parades and other festive traditions.

Key symbols that stimulate a lot of early childhood fun and curiosity are rainbows, four-leaf clovers, shamrocks and leprechauns.

Leprechauns are fictional, small-bodied, little fellows, which if spotted — according to Irish lore — are said to

the Beauregard High School girls bowling team.

The Lady Hornet bowlers outscored the Scottsboro High School Wildcats in January to earn the title of state champions at the 2023 AHSAA Bowling State Championship, held at The Alley Bowling Center in Gadsden, Alabama.

The team also defeated Marbury High School and Southside-Gadsden High School on its way to the championship match.

“We’re very proud of you,” McCoy said. “It’s an honor for you to be here tonight.”

Later in the meeting, Lee County CSFO Ken Roberts gave a financial report for January 2023.

Roberts said the school system has collected

Young children love rainbows. I can remember as a teacher, my son would stay with me after school as I graded papers. He would play right outside of my classroom as I would work on my tasks. One afternoon, I looked out of my classroom window and did not see my son anywhere.

We had had a light rain and the sun was shining brightly. One of my fellow teachers rushed into my room as we both went searching for Gus.

As we looked up at the playground and baseball field, we saw the most beautiful arching rainbow that seemed to almost touch the ground. My son was running into the rainbow, jumping up and down, trying to catch it. My fellow teacher and I joined my son in trying to catch

The scientific definition of a rainbow is “a curved arc of light of many colors across the sky.” Rainbows are caused by the sun’s rays shining through water droplets during or after rain.

An experiment I have done in the early childhood classroom is to simply take a clear glass, fill it to the top with water and put it in the windowsill. Then, I would place a white sheet of paper on the floor in front of the window with the sun shining through. A rainbow will reflect on the paper, depending on how bright the sun is that day.

Another fun family activity is to use a water hose to make rainbows. The sun must be shining with your back facing the sun. Have your young child hold the hose where you can make a fine mist, then

Rainbows are symbols of hope. We see this in the Bible, represented by the story of Noah and the ark. After 40 days and 40 nights of flooding, Noah and his family step out of the ark to be met by a rainbow of promise that there will be no more floods. On St. Patrick’s Day, we see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on greeting cards, bulletin boards and crafts.

I love the song “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” written by Mort Dixon in 1927 with music by Harry M. Woods. I know each of you can recall the desire to frantically find the rare gem of a four-leaf clover. We can remember as children sitting in the middle of a bed of clovers to find that special one with four leaves — then making a wish

catch up,” Roberts said.

While necessary, Roberts said the cost of living adjustment put some “pressure” on the General Fund, and the state does not cover all of the additional costs.

Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is to prepare green (lime) “Jello Jigglers.” You can also celebrate the holiday by enjoying other green foods. Eat a bowl of lime sherbet, or spread some mint ice cream between sugar cookies to make mini St. Patrick’s Day ice cream sandwiches. Adults also love having a slice of key lime pie to celebrate the holiday. Other little treats include green lollipops, green jellybeans and green chewing gum. We are also blessed with young children giving us hope like a rainbow. Have a good St. Patrick’s Day. I hope you find your four-leaf clover.

Beth Pinyerd Classroom Observer

about 40% of the revenue for the year, which is typical for this time of year. Total expenditures also amount to about 35% of the budget.

Compared to last year, revenues are about 3% ahead of last year but is expected to increase. Expenses are also up

about 9%, according to Roberts, and the majority of that goes to personnel because of the rising cost of living and the need to adjust pay accordingly.

Local revenue in particular is up 1.6% and will eventually increase.

“It’s less than we expected, but we expect to

“Cost of living adjustment raises are good in terms of our staff, the wellbeing of the community — things of that nature — but it does have a little bit of a negative effect on our General Fund,” he explained. “… When there is a cost of living adjustment, there is a commitment of local funds to fund … personnel, contracts — things of that nature.”

The board approved the report.

In public comments, Ronnie Kilpatrick returned to ask if anything was being done about a situation at Smiths Station High School in which he said students are displaying animal-like behavior. He also cited the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment in arguing that parents should be notified of

any clubs or activities that may influence their children, or that their children take part in. Kilpatrick also expressed frustration about a gay pride flag allegedly on display in the school’s parking lot.

“I was told that as long as it didn’t offend anybody, it could stay there,” he said. “Well, I’ve been offended the whole entire school year. My daughter’s been offended. A lot of kids I know have been offended.”

In other business, the board approved various out-of-state and overnight field trips, as well as Human Resources recommendations and three student expulsion cases.

The next regular meeting of the Lee County Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. in the central office, located at 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika. To view meeting minutes and agendas, visit simbli.eboardsolutions.com/index. aspx?S=36031072.

BETH PINYERD

LCBOE >> FROM B7

Pictured left to right are Superintendent Mac McCoy; bowlers Keely Kirby, Carlee Craft and Katie Wilkerson; coach Shane Lake.

PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH THE OBSERVER

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Disgraced, Fraudulent Criminal Con Man Donald Watkins Blogs From Prison

companies. Watkins is posting these lies to the internet while serving a federal prison sentence under the jurisdiction of the federal penal system.

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

I am old and old-fashioned. I have been writing this column on Alabama government and political history for 20 years, and it appears weekly in more than 60 newspapers. Folks believe what they read in their local papers because local editors and journalists they trust act as a filter to provide them with the truth.

But technology has created a whole new breed of internet publications where lying is the standard and not the exception. One deranged person can sit in a dark room and pump out vicious lies and fabrications without any evidence — and there is no local editor standing up for the truth. I believe in the First Amendment to our Constitution, but having a website should not be a license to lie and slander people.

I do not pay much attention to the so-called “internet bloggers,” but the outlandish lies of one such blogger have gotten my attention.

A convicted criminal named Donald Watkins has been blogging scurrilous, vicious, outlandish lies about some of our state’s and nation’s most outstanding leaders and

State Rep. Appointed House Member Family Services Liaison

Watkins was born in a world of privilege, the son of Dr. Levi Watkins, the president of Alabama State University. While he presented himself as a multi-millionaire, high-rolling investor, court documents show Watkins swindled friends, celebrities and an FDIC-insured bank out of more than $15 million. In 2019, a federal court sent him and his son, Donald Watkins Jr., to federal prison.

Federal records show Watkins represented he was selling stock in an energy company called Masada and claimed he was the majority shareholder in the company.

Watkins did not own any of the company stock. He claimed the company was associated with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Martin Luther King III. Both testified they had no connection with the company.

The vast majority of you have never heard of Watkins. Some of you may remember him as the lawyer who helped Eric Ramsey attack the Auburn Football program, landing the school on NCAA probation. He later defended other high-profile criminals, like himself.

But basketball legend Charles Barkley will remember Watkins as the man who swindled him out of more than $6 million. Federal records show that

Watkins and his son took money from investors and channeled that money to pay for extravagant lifestyles. Records show Watkins Sr. used the money to pay back taxes, alimony, living expenses for his girlfriend and for his own private jet. It is easy to see why a jury of hard-working, honest folks found him guilty on 10 counts in a New York minute.

Watkins and his son were convicted in federal court, and Watkins was found guilty on all 10 counts brought against him. He was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay more than $14 million in restitution. He was sued for defamation — for lying about someone — and ordered to pay $1.5 million to those he harmed. But from a prison cell, Watkins continued to attack those he harmed, always claiming to be the victim and not the villain. Watkins claims he was railroaded as he continues spreading his lies across the digital landscape.

He blames scores of people for conspiring against him, including the Alabama Supreme Court, federal judges, federal prosecutors and the leadership of some of Alabama’s major corporations. Watkins even has the audacity to accuse Sen. Richard Shelby of some unspecified scheme to send Watkins to jail.

In 2017, Alabama businessman Joe Perkins sued Watkins for defamation. A circuit court ruled in Perkins’s favor and awarded a judgment

See FLOWERS, page B11

CONTRIBUTED BY TIFFANY

TYSON

MONTGOMERY —

Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R - Rainsville) announced on Wednesday that he has appointed State Rep. Debbie Wood (R - Valley) to serve as the House liaison for Member Family Services, a role that provides support and counsel for all 105 state representatives and their immediate family members.

“Serving in the House demands a great deal of sacrifice and responsibility, not only from the members who hold office but also from their immediate family members back at home,” Ledbetter said.

“Experience has taught us that legislators and family members who need support services

are best served by having one, dependable point of contact who is a peer, and because Rep. Wood is so reassuring and detail-oriented, she became the immediate and obvious choice.”

Wood said her service in the House has taught her the importance of having a support service

contact, and she looks forward to working with her fellow state representatives and their family members to ensure their needs are being met.

“The liaison role will be wide-ranging and includes everything from coordinating

See WOOD, page B11

County Discusses Broadband

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Commission heard a presentation by Dan Mellot with Sain Associates on the results of a broadband feasibility study in Lee County during its meeting on Monday, March 13.

“Last year the commission partnered with the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama to put together a study of

existing broadband infrastructure and to try to come up with a plan for the county on how they can advance broadband infrastructure, to those parts of the county that are unserved or underserved,” Mellot said.

Mellot said that some of the broadband goals of the study included providing broadband internet access from a provider to 95% of the county and at least two to 85% of the county.

“The idea, obviously, of the feasibility study is to determine if that is possible or realistic and

if not, what are those realistic goals,” he said.

The study showed that close to 30% of the county by area was unserved in broadband, Mellot said, and 42% underserved.

By parcel, however, meaning inhabited areas, only 12.9% is undeserved and 49.4% is underserved.

The final test was to look at potential customers, which showed that there is only 2.9% of the county that is unserved and 34.5% that

See COMMISSION, page B13

334-705-8858

DEBBIE WOOD

Carter’s Post-Presidency Will Not Remake His Presidency

an Agenda. I agree that the economy was not Carter’s strong point and that his leadership in the Iran hostage situation needed work.

But on the positive side, he has high scores in seeking social justice and in moral authority, such as his emphasis on a human rights approach in foreign affairs. In the conservative magazine National Review (July 8, 2021) Cameron Hilditch wrote about “C-SPAN’s Woeful Presidential Ranking List.”

terms, Cleveland emerged one place above Carter — 25 out of 44 presidents studied.

To me, the four or five more Gallup poll jump points that a president gets after his funeral are not based on the president’s terms but on sympathy for the family. As the deceased president is saluted for his post-presidency, I recognize that is ridiculous. Presidents should be judged by their term in office, not what follows.

recession gone wild in his term? Never will. I do not aim at just one ex-president but those after we are gone.

OPINION —

In his play “The Tempest,” William Shakespeare famously wrote, “What’s past is prologue.” In today’s parlance, the phrase advances the idea that history provides entry for the present. Centuries later, Southern writer William Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

In the long life of Jimmy Carter, his troubled oneterm presidency was not really a prologue. Yes, some of the diplomatic skills he learned while president served him well later. But

the past is not dead, as his presidency will be judged based on its record and his performance in the White House, not his success later doing things such as building Habitat Houses.

In the 2021 Presidential Historians Survey, Carter came in at 26 out of 44 presidents evaluated. Out of 10 categories, his worst scores were 37.8 in Economic Management, 39.5 in Crisis Leadership and 43.0 in Public Persuasion. His best scores were 72.0 in Pursued Justice for All, 71.7 in Moral Authority and 50.5 in Vision/Setting

“The list makes for ugly reading,” he wrote. “No one could reasonably argue with the ranking of (Abe) Lincoln and (George) Washington as first and second, respectively, but things quickly go off the rails after that. It’s probably unwise to spill too much ink over something so subjective and arbitrary, but I have to confess I’m something of a sucker for ranking lists. They’re awfully fun to argue over.”

One can say that presidents like Carter, whose rating is fair, cannot have a do-over. That is, all except for Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. For his two non-consecutive

The belief that the post-presidency should help lift the burdens of a mediocre presidency goes against all work traditions in America. If you or I were booted out of a job, yet excelled at our next, would our previous failures be erased? No way. If an ex-president creates a center for spreading human rights and battling human suffering, is that added to his presidential resume? No, not likely.

If a former president regularly helped build some houses, do you cover over a disastrous Mideast crisis, to improve one’s image? Of course not. If he is very active in a Sunday School, does that cancel out a

Back to Carter. There was some question which was the justification for his award of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. Many people forgot that Carter missed a Peace Prize nomination in his presidency because the correct paperwork was not filed. That might raise his score because the honor was related directly to his presidency (1978 Camp David Accords).

Carter was honored for his diplomatic efforts and advocacy of peace. Though many of these accolades were awarded post-presidency, they should not be minimized. According to the terms of founder Alfred Nobel’s will, the Peace Prize was created to award those who have "done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."

I attended Carter’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 1977. I was 20 years old. I was only 8 feet from Carter as he left his car, surrounded

by the Secret Service. With his family, he courageously walked down the street to the White House as the new president (My friend and I had press passes to walk in a close-up area.). That was my first election. I voted for Carter’s opponent, Gerald Ford. (I returned to D.C. on Jan. 20, 1981, for Ronald Reagan’s swearing-in ceremony.)

The big thing almost a half-century later is that this was the last time I can remember when a moderate liberal (Carter) ran against a moderate conservative (Ford). It was a very close election, 50.1% for Carter and 48% for Ford.

In 2023, the extremes have their grips on both parties — a sad development, indeed.

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.

GREG MARKLEY

Family Caregivers in Alabama Provide $8.3 Billion in Unpaid Care to Loved Ones

CONTRIBUTED BY AARP ALABAMA

MONTGOMERY —

The unpaid care provided by the 700,000 family caregivers in Alabama is valued at $8.3 billion, according to new state data available in AARP’s latest report in the Valuing the Invaluable series. This is an increase of $1.2 billion in unpaid contributions since the last report was released in 2019.

The report highlights the growing scope and complexity of family caregiving and highlights actions needed to address the many challenges of caring for parents, spouses and other loved ones.

“Family caregivers play a vital role in Alabama’s health care system, whether they care for someone at home, coordinate home health care or help care for someone who lives in a nursing home,” said Candi Williams, AARP Alabama state director.

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9

against Watkins of $1.5 million. Watkins appealed all the way up to the United States Supreme Court, and on Feb. 27, the highest court in the land unceremoniously refused to hear Watkins’s ridiculous appeal.

So, why don’t more of Watkins’s victims sue him for his lies?

WOOD

FROM B9

Smiths Station Talks Zoning, Pavilion at February Meetings

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

SMITHS STATION —

“We want to make sure all family caregivers have the financial, emotional and social support they need because the care they provide is invaluable both to those receiving it and to their community.”

AARP Alabama is advocating for and will continue to advocate for family caregivers and the loved ones they care for. Right now, AARP is urging the state legislature to support family caregivers and expand home care options in the new 2023 legislative session. Specifically:

• Provide greater access to respite care, training and support services for family caregivers.

• Expand home- and community-based services and supports, increase equity in the long-term care system and build a quality workforce.

• Improve the access to and affordability of services and supports that allow people to live at

As the old saying goes, you can’t get blood from a turnip. He owes his victims more than $15 million today. He is in such a deep hole that he cannot be stopped by more lawsuits.

Freedom of speech is one of the hallmarks of America’s creed. But that freedom in the hands of a proven liar and brazen, arrogant, non-repentant federal prisoner is not what our

>>

condolences and acknowledgments when a member suffers a death in the family to answering questions and providing assistance to the spouses and dependents of state representatives,” Wood said. “Serving in the House is a full-time job, not one that occurs only

home safely as they age.

Read the full report "Valuing the Invaluable" for national and state-bystate data on the economic value of unpaid care by family and friends.

Resources and information on family caregiving are available at www.aarp.org/caregiving.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @ AARPadvocates on social media.

forefathers envisioned when they enshrined the First Amendment. This blogger is a threat to society and deserves further jail time.

See you next week.

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

During the month of February, the Smiths Station City Council talked zoning and approved funding for a new event this spring, among other business.

The Feb. 28 regular meeting saw the council approve an amendment to its Zoning Ordinance to fix the process of approving home occupation permits. The council also approved a request for a property on Cynthia Drive to be rezoned from R-1 (Residential Single Family) to R-3 (High Density Single Family District). According to Planning and Zoning Administrator Taylor Verbowski, individual lots are smaller in R-3 zones, usually equating to about three home lots per acre.

A couple citizens raised concerns about the pre-zoning of two parcels of land on Lee Road 464 from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-3. They expressed opposition to a possibly permanent change in the wetland behind their property from a pond to a retention basin. They also expressed concern about construction vehicles utilizing the dirt road and the road being used for entrance into the high-density property.

While some construction vehicles are having to use the road to access the lot, Verbowski said it will not be used for entrance

into the finished property.

The council ultimately approved the pre-zoning request for Lee Road 464, as well as the annexation petitions and requests for pre-zoning of two properties at Cummings Road and Railroad Avenue to R-1 (Residential Single Family). Copeland gave the only “no” vote — for the property at Lee Road 464.

Work also began Feb. 27 to patch and repave the front portion of Cummings Road as part of the road’s improvements project. The project was set to last approximately two to three weeks and without major or prolonged disruption to the flow of traffic.

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved $5,000 of funding for the city’s inaugural “Rockin’ On The Rails” event, scheduled for April 22 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

“This was requested by our event coordinator,

Kami Billingslea, and is the same amount budgeted for our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony event we hold in December,” said City Clerk Morgan Bryce.

“It’s going to be an all-day event — barbecue cook-off, tug-of-war, music … so on and so forth,” said Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland. “It’s going to be a good day for people to come together, so I’m all for it. I’m excited about it.”

Copeland said the city hopes to make this an annual event.

Next, the council approved the purchase of a 2016 Ford F-250 truck for about $31,000 from the ALDOT Equipment Bureau’s surplus property listing. The truck is to be used for the city’s trash services.

“We are trying to expand our fleet for the city’s Public Works Department,” Bryce said.

“We’ve been waiting in See SMITHS, page B13

when we are in session, so I look forward to being the point of contact that members and families can rely upon at any time.”

Wood is currently serving her second term in the Alabama House and previously held a seat on the Chambers County Commission for 16 years. She was the first woman elected as chair of the Chambers

County Commission and was also the statewide president of the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama.

A breast cancer survivor and advocate for regular mammogram testing for women, Wood is employed as the broker and chief operating officer of Century 21 Prestige in Valley, Alabama.

Workers from D&J Enterprises begin work on the front portion of Cummings Road.

TO: OMAR BROOKS

A Petition for Step-Parent Adoption and to Terminate Parental Rights of the two minor twin children, O.P.M and A.M.M., born to Shadonna Marks having been filed by Dorian and Kimberly Brooks, hereby serves notice of the following:

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §19-8-10(c)

(1), When notice is given pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section, it shall advise such living parent that shall not be a party to the adoption and shall have no obligation to file an answer, but shall have the right to appear in the pending adoption proceeding and show cause why such parent’s rights to the children who is the subject of the proceeding should not be terminated by that adoption.

Let all interested persons show cause before me, if any they can, by filing responsive pleadings within sixty (60) days of the last day of the publication for this notice with the Troup County Clerk of Superior Court, State of Georgia and to serve upon the Petitioner’s attorney, Lonnie J. Haralson, IV P.O. Box 3597, LaGrange, Georgia 30241 said responsive.

Legal Run 02/23/2023, 03/02/2023, 03/09/2023 & 03/16/2023

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

TAKE NOTICE that JRBC

Holdings, LLC (“JRBC”) has filed with the Lee County Commission a petition to vacate all of Lee Road 196. Said petition states that Lee Road 196 runs entirely through and ends within the property owned on all sides by JRBC. A public hearing on JRBC’s petition is set at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Lee County Commission at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, April 24, 2023, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Commission may take final action on JRBC’s petition. Any citizen claiming to be affected by the proposed vacation may submit a written objection to the Lee County Commission or may request an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing.

Blake L. Oliver, Samford & Denson, LLP, P.O. Box 2345, Opelika, AL 36803-2345, 745-3504

Legal Run 02/23/2023, 03/02/2023, 03/09/2023 & 03/16/2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CV-2023-900059

METRO PROPERTIES, an Alabama General Partnership

Plaintiff, V. A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County Alabama, to wit:

Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 12, Township 19 North, Range 26 East, of Lee County Alabama; thence S00°28’00”E a distance of 477.40 feet more or less to a point in the southerly right-of-way of Renfro Avenue; thence following said right-of-way S88°41’00”E a distance of 5.40 feet to a found 5/8-inch rebar at the intersection of the southerly right-of-way of Renfro Avenue and the Westerly right-of-way of North Long Street; thence along said westerly rightof-way the following two (2) calls: (1) S01°08'43"W a distance of 425.14 feet more or less, to a point; (2)

S03°55'00"E a distance of 17.80 feet more or less, to a point in the southerly right-of-way of Bud Court; thence along said right-of-way the following two (2) calls:

(1) S87°32'19"W a distance of 138.68 feet more or less, to a found 1-inch pinch pipe; (2) S88°47'47"W a distance of 60.00 feet more or less, to the Point of Beginning: thence from said Point of Beginning S01°12'13"E a distance of 110.00 feet more or less, to a point; thence N88°47'35"E a distance of 60.00 feet more or less, to a found 1-inch pinch pipe; thence S87°29'21"E a distance of 28.93 feet more or less, to a found 1-inch pinch pipe; thence S00°24'54"E a distance of 7.79 feet more or less, to a point; thence S03°20'24"W a distance of 100.00 feet more or less, to a point; thence

N89°24'36"W a distance of 144.00 feet more or less, to a found 1/2-inch pipe; thence

N01°42'52"W a distance of 214.85 feet more or less, to a point; thence N88°47'47"E a distance of 65.00 feet more or less, to the Point of Beginning, and containing therein 0.528 acres (23,004 Square feet).; an Unknown persons who may claim an interest in said property whose identities are unknown and who cannot by reasonable diligence be ascertained, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION

To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 10th day of February 2023, a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County Alabama, regarding the following described real property: Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 12, Township 19 North, Range 26 East, of Lee County Alabama; thence S00°28’00”E a distance of 477.40 feet more or less to a point in the southerly right-of-way of Renfro Avenue; thence following said right-of-way S88°41’00”E a distance of 5.40 feet to a found 5/8-inch rebar at the intersection of the southerly right-of-way of Renfro Avenue and the Westerly right-of-way of North Long Street; thence along said westerly right-of-way the following two (2) calls: (1) S01°08'43"W a distance of 425.14 feet more or less, to a point; (2) S03°55'00"E a distance of 17.80 feet more or less, to a point in the southerly right-of-way of Bud Court; thence along said right-of-way the following two (2) calls: (1) S87°32'19"W a distance of 138.68 feet more or less, to a found 1-inch pinch pipe; (2) S88°47'47"W a distance of 60.00 feet more or less, to the Point of Beginning, thence from said Point of Beginning S01°12'13"E a distance of 110.00 feet more or less, to a point; thence N88°47'35"E a distance of 60.00 feet more or less, to a found 1-inch pinch pipe; thence S87°29'21"E a distance of 28.93 feet more or less, to a found 1-inch pinch pipe; thence S00°24'54"E a distance of 7.79 feet more or less, to a point; thence S03°20'24"W a distance of 100.00 feet more or less, to a point; thence N89°24'36"W a distance of 144.00 feet more or less, to a found 1/2-inch pipe; thence N01°42'52"W a distance of 214.85 feet more or less, to a point; thence N88°47'47"E a distance of 65.00 feet more or less, to the Point of Beginning, and containing therein 0.528 acres (23,004 Square feet).

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

Done this the 23rd day of February, 2023.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal

&

NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION

Joseph Michael Nagy, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer AubumBank's complaint for Breach of Contract, Unjust Enrichment, Open Account-Nate, Account Stated, and Money Lent by March 30, 2023, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in case number 43-SM-2022-900013.00, Circuit Court of Lee County.

Done the 20th day of February, 2023. Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee Count Blake L. Oliver SAMFORD & DENSON, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Telephone (334) 745-3504 Facsimile (334) 745-3506 Email: olivcr@samfordlaw.com Attorney

PUBLIC NOTICES

Robert H. Pettey SAMFORD & DENSON, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 03/02/23, 03/09/23 & 03/16/23

NOTICE OF COMPLETION

LEGAL NOTICE

In Accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that BRAWCO, INC., Contractor, has completed the contract for Renovation of: AU Project

Name: Greene Hall – Rm 130 (Mechanical), Concrete Beam Repairs, AU Project No.: 21-310

At Auburn University, Alabama

For the State of Alabama and the county, city of Auburn, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify LBYD Engineers, 1100 South College Street, Suite 201, Auburn, AL 36832 BRAWCO, INC 4040 FARR ROAD BESSEMER, AL 35022

NOTE; This notice must run once a week for four successive weeks for projects exceeding $50,000. For projects of $50,000 or less, run one time only. A copy of the publisher’s affidavit of publication (including a copy of the advertisement) shall be submitted by the Contractor to the Design Professional for inclusion with DCM Form B-13: Final Payment Checklist for state agencies, PSCA-funded and other bond-funded projects. Legal Run 03/02/2023, 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023, & 03/23/2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA 43-CV-2022-900376.00

BENJAMIN H. PARR, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF LOUIS LEON DURR, JR., LATASHA DURR and FELICIA DURR THOMAS

Plaintiff,

V. Parcels of Land Lying in Lee County Alabama, MONICA NELMS, and Unknown persons who may claim an interest in said property whose identities are unknown and who cannot by reasonable diligence be ascertained, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION

To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 26th day of October 2022, a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County Alabama, regarding the following described real property:

LOTS 1, 2 AND 3 OF DURRNELMS SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO AND AS SHOWN BY THAT CERTAIN MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 21 AT PAGE 155, IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA. (Also known as Lee County tax parcels 43-09-03-06-4-000002.000, 43-09-03-06-4-000003.000, 43-09-03-06-4-000004.000, and 43-09-03-06-4-000005.000); AND FROM THE NORHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 19 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST IN LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, RUN THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES EAST FOR 1,161.1 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE RUN SOUTH 00 DEGREES 04 MINUTES WEST FOR 415.9 FEET TO AN IRON PIN ON THE SOUTHERNLY MARGIN OF LEE COUNTY HIGHWAY NO. 54; THENCE RUN NORTH 81 DEGREES 05 MINUTES WEST, ALONG THE MARGIN OF SAID HIHGWAY, FOR 100.00 FEET TO THE IRON PIN AT THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE PROPERTY TO BE HEREIN DESCRIBED. FROM THIS POINT OF BEGINNING RUN THENCE NORTH 77 DEGREES 55 MINUTES WEST FOR 85.9 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 07 DEGREES 43 MINUTES WEST FOR 203.8 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 04 MINUTES WEST FOR 65.2 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTE EAST FOR 210 FEET; THENCE NORTH 81 DEGREES 04 MINUTES EAST FOR 34.0 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE NORTH 81 DEGREES 05 MINUTES WEST FOR 100.0 FEET TO AN IRON

PIN; NORTH 00 DEGREES 04 MINUTES EAST FOR 200.00 FEET TO THE IRON POINT AT THE POINT OF THE BEGINNING. (Also known as Lee County Tax Parcel Number 43-09-03-06-4-000-014.000).

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

Done this the 27th day of February, 2023. Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal Run 03/02/23, 03/09/23, 03/16/23 & 03/23/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of ROBERTA BROTHERS, Deceased Case No. 2023-090

NOTICE OF HEARING

TO: Wade McKinney, 5400 Big East Fort Rd., Franklin, TN 37064 AND ANY UNKNOWN heirs of ROBERTA BROTHERS, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition to Probate the Last Will and Testament of the Estate of ROBERTA BROTHERS, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office. A hearing has been set for the 13th day of April, 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 ROBERTA BROTHERS, deceased.

Bill English Judge of Probate, Lee County Alabama Legal Run 03/02/2023, 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023

NOTICE OF DIVORCE

ACTION

TRACY KYLES, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer CHERYL KYLES’ petition for divorce and other relief by May 1, 2023 or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in Case No. DR-2023900007.00, in the Circuit Court of Lee County Alabama.

Thanks for your help!

Melissa L. Chicha Samford & Denson, LLP 709 Avenue A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Phone: 334-745-3504 Fax: 334-745-3506 Mailing address: P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ARDELL LITTLE, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NUMBER 2023 -094 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Marilyn B. Fisher, on the 2nd day of March 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 the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Marilyn B. Fisher, Executrix of the Estate of Ardell Little, Deceased Legal 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023 & 03/23/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN ADAMS, Deceased Case No.: 2022-701 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Christopher Stephen Adams, Personal Representative on the 1st day of March, 2023.by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate

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

Robert G. Poole Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023

INVITATION FOR BIDS

23020

Sealed bids, subject to the conditions contained herein, will be received by the City of Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time, March 27, 2023, and then publicly opened and read at Opelika City Hall Conference Room 2nd floor at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika, Alabama for furnishing all labor and materials and equipment necessary to provide:

Right-of-Way Vegetation Management within the city limits of Opelika, Alabama. This project consists principally of the follow¬ing items:

The bidder is required to attend the Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting to be held at 10:00 AM on March 14, 2023, at the Opelika Power Services Building on 600 Fox Run Pkwy. No bids will be accepted by a company or vendor that does not attend the meeting.

All Contracts are to be signed and returned to the City of Opelika Purchasing Department within 10 days of the contract being awarded by City Council. A Contractor's ability to perform all of the work within the required time shall be a primary consideration in the awarding of the bid. Plans, Specifications, 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 8:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., or downloaded from the City’s website at www.opelika-al.gov/bids.aspx.

Technical questions regarding the bid may be directed to Brent Poteet, Power Services Director, City of Opelika, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama 36803. Phone: (334) 705-5591.

Guarantee will be required with each bid as follows: At least five (5) percent of the amount of bid in the form of a certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama. A Con¬tract Bond and Labor and Material

Bond shall be required when the Contract is awarded. A copy of the State of Alabama General Contractor license for ADM: NEW ADMINISTRATIVE, HS: HIGHWAYS AND STREETS, MU: MUNICIPAL AND UTILITY is required. The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: City of Opelika, Purchasing Department, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803. Attn.: Right-of-Way Vegetation

Management

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

LILLIE FINLEY PURCHASING/REVENUE & CODES DIRECTOR

CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023 & 03/23/2023

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

ESTATE OF ALMA R. YOUNG, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 2nd day of March, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Witness our hands, and dated this the 2nd day of March, 2023.

OLEANEY Y. RUDD MARY A. CARROL Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023 & 03/23/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2023-064

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CLAUDIA STEWART, AKA CLAUDIA P. STEWART, AKA CLAUDIA PACHECO STEWARD, AKA CLAUDIA A. STEWART, DECEASED

NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

Letters of Administration on the Estate of Claudia Stewart, AKA Claudia P. Stewart, AKA Claudia Pacheco Steward, AKA Claudia A. Stewart, Deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 13th day of February, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Probate Judge, Lee County Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred. Leigh S. Prickett, Personal Representative Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023, & 03/23/2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF BOBBY LEE JONES, DECEASED PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY, AL CASE NO.: 2022-440

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Christine Taylor on the 23rd day of February, 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.

Christine Taylor Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023 & 03/23/2023

NOTICE OF COURT ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA CHURMELL MITCHELL V. KRISTEN MORADI 43-DR-2016-900204.03

A court action was entered in the above case on 01/31/2023 5:15:45 PM ORDER: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA MITCHELL, CHURMELL, PLAINTIFF v. MORADI, KRISTEN, DEFENDANT CASE NO:. 43-DR-2016-900204.03

ORDER

The MOTION FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION filed by PLAINTIFF is hereby GRANTED. Done this the 31 day of January, 2023.

/s/ RUSSELL K. BUSH CIRCUIT JUDGE Legal Run 03/09/2023, 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

IN RE THE ESTATE OF RAMONA MILLER LUMPKIN, Deceased IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2023-114

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LEITERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 13th day of March, 2023, by Hon. Bill English, 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 the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

ROBERT FRED LUMPKIN SR. Executor Legal Run 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HAROLD EVANS WATTS, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2023-113

NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Lisa Watts Jackson, on the 13th day of March 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 the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Lisa Watts Jackson, Alternate Executrix Legal Run 3/16/2023, 3/23/2023 & 3/30/2023

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14

Opportunities Abound at 40th Alabama State Games

OPINION —

Dear Editor: Registration (alagames.com) for the 40th Alabama State Games is now open, and we are expecting a record-setting 6,000 participants to fl ood Je ff erson County to participate in the Games. The Alabama State Games — founded in 1982 at

the request of the US Olympic committee — are inclusive, encouraging participants of all ages and abilities to register.

Over the past 39 years, we’ve had track and fi eld stars barely old enough to see over the hurdles, an 89-year-old Pickleballer, Athletes of the Year come back generations later to

watch their children and grandchildren compete.

We are ever forward-facing, adding new and exciting sports. This year’s event includes Esports, baseball, flag football, swimming, track and field and wrestling. Visit www.alagames. com for a full list of sports and to register. Aside from a gold

Auburn Council Considers

LawnGolf Property

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

The Auburn City Council did not vote to amend conditional use approval for a property that will include pickleball and miniature golf in Auburn during its meeting Tuesday night.

The new business, LawnGolf USA, will be located at 2601 E. University Drive. The amended use included the removal of a condition that said: “vegetation on the eastern portion of the property must remain undistributed. The owner would like to utilize this area for the construction of single-family residences.”

Ward 6 Council Member

Bob Parsons raised concern that it looked like the remaining vegetation was already being uprooted. City Manager Megan Crouch said that invasive species were being removed, which is OK. The city said it wants to maintain the canopy of trees. This item was postponed from Feb. 28.

The Planning Commission approved the request unanimously. There is no conditional use approval for the housing, Crouch said. This condition just needed removing for the developer to be able to place the housing.

Ward 3 Council Member Beth Witten asked the developer what assurances the council has that the developer will actually place the single-family homes if the condition is removed.

The developer shared their vision for the homes, in response.

“Well, what we want to do is just, we’re going to do three cottage homes, cottage garden homes, as a common buffer from the property that’s already

underway [the entertainment uses],” he said.

Despite the condition not being removed, the entertainment uses will still be built.

In providing more information, the developer said that the entertainment uses probably won’t be used at night, as they decided against night lighting.

The mini-golf will have 18 holes. However, it will also have a restaurant — so that will be used at night.

Ward 5 Council Member Sonny Moreman said that with the property only being 3 acres, the amount of things going into the property is a lot.

Ward 2 Council Member Kelley Griswold said that the residents of his ward, where the business will be located, have been against the property. Griswold said that he, too, was against it.

The condition was part of the reason for approval, he said, and now the developer wants to remove it.

Ward 8 Council Member Tommy Dawson agreed that this condition was part of the reason for approval.

OTHER BUSINESS

- The council appointed two members to the Library Board.

- The council approved three members to the Historic Preservation Commission.

- The council approved a special events retail ABC license for Ithaka Hospitality Partners Auburn Beverage LLC d/b/a The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

- The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for Staks Auburn LLC d/b/a Stake Pancake Kitchen.

- The council provided a commendation to Auburn University SGA Director of City Relations Olivia Sutherland.

- The council postponed a vote on traffic calming devices

for Fairway Drive.

- The council approved a preliminary engineering and construction agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the installation of two dynamic message signs on I-85 at MP 49.

- The council voted to approve an upgrade to the lights in the parking lot at the Auburn Softball Complex for over $16,800.

- The council voted to approve a two-year contract renewal for debt management and lease accounting software with Fifth Asset Inc. D/b/a Debt Book for just under $39,000.

- The council authorized a professional services agreement to create planned unit development regulations with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. for over $99,000.

- The council voted to approve a contract with MXI Environmental Services LLC for the collection and disposal of household hazardous waste during Household Hazardous Waste events for $30,000 per event.

- The council approved the purchase of police vehicle equipment and installation for 12 vehicles from ProLogics ITS LLC, for the Auburn Police Division for over $129,100.

- The council approved a contract with Ryan Public Safety Solutions for FY23 support and maintenance services for over $35,800.

- The council accepted public utility easement and a public utility, sidewalk and lighting easement for property at 603 Harper Ave. for the Summer Hill Twinhomes, a redivision of Lots 14 and 15 James and Ware Subdivision with JTF Properties Inc.

- The council approved three positions to the Commercial Development Authority.

medal moment, participants who attend the June 9 Opening Ceremony are eligible to win one of 17 scholarships. In honor of our 40th Anniversary, we are giving away scholarships totalling $20,000. We have — so far — awarded $335,610 in scholarships.

“We expect our 40th anniversary to be

memorable. We want to have athletes of all ages, from all over Alabama register,” said Founder Ron Creel.

“We encourage you to spread the word, register to compete and then invite your friends.”

The Opening Ceremony for the 40th Alabama State Games will be June 9 at UAB’s Bartow Arena and will be televised life state-

wide on the Alabama State Games Television Network. If you have any questions, send a message to support@ alagames.com

“We want 6,000 athletes ready to show up and show out from the fi rst whistle to the fi nal lap,” Creel said Alabama State Games

Rep. Rogers Introduces Legislation to Allow States to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF REP. MIKE ROGERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), recently announced the introduction of legislation that would allow states to decide to remain on Daylight Saving Time yearround. This legislation builds on a longstanding commitment by Rogers to support statewide efforts in Alabama to remain on Daylight Saving Time.

COMMISSION >>

FROM B9

is underserved. 62.6% of the county is serviced by two or more providers.

“That doesn’t mean that that helps the people who are still in these areas of unserved,” he said. “So then we want to evaluate these gaps and validate the data that we come up with.”

The study included a public survey.

The second part of the study looked at how projects could be implemented, Mellot said.

“You want the most

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Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law passed through the Alabama state legislature in 2021 that would direct the state to remain on Daylight Saving Time. However, due to the Uniform Time Act of 1966, this law cannot take effect without Congressional action. Rogers' legislation would allow this law and similar laws across the country to take effect immediately upon receiving the president’s signature.

“I am proud to

people served for the best cost and try to cover as much of these unserved areas as possible,” he said.

Phase 2, looking at evaluation of how projects can be implemented, has not begun yet, Mellot said.

For anyone interested in seeing maps of served and underserved areas, the video of the commission and the presentation by Mellot is available on the county website.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The commission heard a report on the solid waste plan.

- The commission heard an update on the building and

line for a good vehicle — a good dump truck — so this is a good pickup truck, an F-250, that we need for our fleet to continue our trash business,” Copeland added.

“This money is not coming out of the General Fund. ... This money will come out of Solid Waste because of it being a trash truck.”

The council also approved the financial statement for January 2023 at the Feb. 28 meeting. The city finished in the black — with nearly $141,000. According to Bryce, this is due to business license renewals and ad valorem taxes from the county, as well as other tax season payments coming through.

The Feb. 14 meeting saw the council approve contract renewals for two city employees: Parks and

have reintroduced legislation to allow states to remain on Daylight Saving Time year-round,” Rogers said. “Remaining on Daylight Saving time could have tremendous benefits for the economy and people’s health. Furthermore, changing our clocks twice a year is an unnecessary and outdated nuisance. Alabamians want to remain on Daylight Saving Time, and my legislation would allow them to do just that.”

administrative code.

- The commission heard the first reading of two different water authority boards.

- The commission postponed the first reading and vote on the Beauregard Water Authority Board to the next meeting.

- The commission heard the first reading of the alternative sentencing board.

- The commission approved educational reimbursement requests for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

- The commission approved ABC applications from B&B Beverage management of two different events.

Recreation Director Jason Stewart and payroll services provider Lyn Stephens.

The council also approved a change in the rental agreement for The Pavilion on the government center campus. The change prevents for-profit events from being held on city government grounds.

In addition, the council approved four upcoming event requests at The Pavilion scheduled for March 4, April 29, May 6 and May 27.

Smiths Station City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 28 at 6 p.m. Eastern, with a work session preceding at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The meetings will be held at the city’s government center, located at 2336 Panther Parkway (Lee Road 430).

SMITHS >> FROM B11

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PUBLIC NOTICES >>

FROM B12

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE

The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 12491 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance:

ORDINANCE NO. ________

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND

THE ZONING

ORDINANCE AND ZONING

MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (DICKSON FARMS PUD)

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows:

Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct:

(a) Keith B. Norman (“Norman”) is the owner of record of that certain property consisting of 229.2 acres located between Anderson Road and Andrews Road.

(b) Norman, by and through his authorized representative, Foresite Group, LLC, heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) consisting of approximately 229.2 acres, designated as “Dickson Farms Planned Unit Development”.

(c) The proposed development is a mixed residential development consisting of approximately 606 single-family home lots, 216 townhomes and 98 cottage homes. The development plan shows planned amenity areas, including a 5.4 acre “central park” with a swimming pool, clubhouse, large open lawn and mail kiosk. The development plan also shows 5.19 acres of small pocket parks. The development plan shows five (5) entry points into the development from Anderson Road and Andrews Road. The proposed density is 4.01 units per acre.

(d) On February 28, 2023, the Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing of the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development.

(e) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the proposed property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a residential planned unit development.

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

Section 3. DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-1 District (Low-Density Residential District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City. Commence at an iron pin at the southwest corner of Section 28, T-20-N, R-27-E, in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama; thence run N 1°18'08" W 1367.99' to an iron pin and the POINT OF

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BEGINNING of the property herein to be described; from said POINT OF BEGINNING, thence run N 1°16'08" W 1663.34' to an iron pin on the southerly margin of CSX Railroad; thence run a chord of N 51°20'53" E 1418.13' along the curve of said margin to an iron pin, said curve being to the right with a radius of 1975.47’; thence run N 68°17'45" E 980.83' along said margin to an iron pin; thence leaving said margin, run S 15°48'57" E 302.00' to an iron pin; thence run N 64°40'08"

E 413.00' to an iron pin on the westerly margin of Anderson Road (Lee Road 162); thence run a chord of S 36°57'03" E 95.52' along the curve of said margin to a concrete monument at PC station 108+95.5, said curve being to the left with a radius of 5769.58'; thence run S 38°43'17"

E 1374.88' along said margin to a concrete monument at P.T. station 95+20.5; thence run a chord of S 43°16'03' E 676.26' along the curve of said margin to a concrete monument at the intersection of the southerly margin of Anderson Road (Lee Road 162) and the westerly margin of Andrews Road (Lee Road 48), said curve being to the left with a radius of 3859.70'; thence run S 4°58'37' W 59.76' along said westerly margin of Andrews Road (Lee Road 48) to a concrete monument; thence run a chord S 39°30'01'' W 545.17' along the curve of said margin to a concrete monument at P.C. station 111+95.4, said curve being to the left with a radius of 858.51'; thence run S 20°42'04" W 13.29' to a concrete monument at P.T. station 111+80.9; thence run a chord of S 35°29'35' W 556.37' along the curve of said margin to a concrete monument at P.C. station 105+96.9, said curve being to the right with a radius of 1145.91'; thence run S 49°46'54"

W 69.32' to a concrete monument at P.T. station 105+27.4; thence run a chord of S 35°39'06" W 586.49' along the curve of said margin to a concrete monument at P.C. station 99+54.1, said curve being to the left with a radius of 1185.90'; thence run S 22°09'53"

W 57.08' to a concrete monument at P.T. station 98+96.4; thence run a chord of S 26°35'03" W 578.89' along the curve of said margin to a concrete monument at P.C. station 93+08.8, said curve being to the right with a radius of 3274.04'; thence run S 31°37'23" W 533.97' along said margin to an iron pin; thence leaving said margin, run S 89°12'36" W 833.39' to an iron pin; thence run N 1°15'00" W 1367.93' to an iron pin; thence run

S 89°07'52" W 1320.50' to an iron pin and the original POINT OF BEGINNING.

The above-described property is located in Section 28, T-20-N, R-27-E, in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama; contains 229.2 acres, more or less, and is subject to all easements of record. The above-described property, containing approximately 229.2 acres, is at 3500 Anderson Road and is located adjacent to Anderson Road and Andrews Road.

Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection. Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law. Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

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concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at City Hall, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the Public Hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and Public Hearing. Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s Interim ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. WITNESS my hand this the 16th day of March, 2023.

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Legal Run 03/16/2023

INVITATION TO BID 23022

Sealed bids for the construction of the Veterans Parkway & Academy Drive Roundabout shall be received at the Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on April 10, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450. Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/ her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Veterans Parkway & Academy Drive Roundabout

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END All interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and be heard. Written comments

PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS

TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:45 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following:

I. Some items at the meeting will have a designated public hearing (noted below). Individuals are limited to 5-minute comment period per public hearing.

A. Approval of Minutes

B. Update on Previous PC Cases

C. Preliminary and Final PlatPublic Hearing

1. A public hearing on a request by Jerry South, authorized representative for Perryman Hill, LLC, property owners, for preliminary and final approval of the Perryman Hill Plaza Plat No. 1 subdivision consisting of 5 lots accessed at the southwest corner of Veterans Parkway and Highway 280.

2. A public hearing on a request by Barrett Simpson, Inc., authorized representative for JD Real Properties, LLC, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval for one lot at the northwest corner of Grand National Parkway & Highway 280.

D. Conditional Use – Public Hearing

3. A public hearing on a request by Jody Pate, authorized representative for Russell Herring, property owner, for a conditional use approval for an office of contractor without material and equipment yard in a C-3, GC-S zoning district at 601 South 7th Street.

4. A public hearing on a request by Yolanda Core, authorized representative for Sufia Sumi, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a carry-out restaurant in a C-2, GC-S zoning district.

5. A public hearing on a request by Wade Weekley, authorized representative for PKG Holdings, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for the outside display of products for a gravestone monument sales business located in a C-3, GC-S zoning district at 181 Columbus Parkway.

6. A public hearing on a request by Bolt Engineering, Inc., authorized representative for SKPW 400, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a Rich’s Car Wash business located in a C23, GC-P zoning district at the northwest corner of Frederick Road and Cunningham Drive.

E. Annexation and Rezoning –Public Hearing

7. An agenda item to consider an annexation recommendation to the City Council on a request by The Infinity Group LLC, David A. Gethers, managing members, property owners, to annex 46,680 square feet into the City limits accessed located at the 2700 block of Shelton Mill Road; a C-2 zoning district is requested.

8. A public hearing to consider a zoning recommendation to the City Council on a request by The Infinity Group LLC, David A. Gethers, managing members, property owners, to zone 46,680 square feet of annexed property into the City limits accessed at the 2700 block Shelton Mill Road to a C-2 (Office-Retail) zoning district. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/

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public hearings and be heard.

Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/ public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council. Please contact the Planning department at 334-705-5156 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal 03/16/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLYN C. CALLAHAN, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2023-109

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that Letters

Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Luann C, McQueen on the 13th day of March,2023, 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 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF REBECCA WYNETTE MARBUT, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

CASE NUMBER 2023 - 112

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters

Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Sharon Lynette Craft, on the 13th day of March 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 the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Sharon Lynette Craft, Executrix Legal Run 3/16/2023, 3/23/2023 & 3/30/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JULIA MAE FANNINING

A hearing will held on April 12, 2023 at 9 a.m. at the Lee County Justice Center, located at 2311 Gateway Drive, in Opelika, Alabama involving said estate.

To all heirs and those noticed below that you may attend said hearing but are not required to do so.

Mae Ella Presley

Marcus Calloway

Belinda Ligon

Dorothy Stringer

Hattie Parker

Bernice Gunn

Robert Carlton

Gloria Marbury

James Hughley

Henrietta Wright

Nathanel Gibson

Rosa Ann Menafee

Wayne Gibson

Henry Gibson

Larry Gibson

Carolyn Finley

Eugene Gibson

Alma McKenzie

Brenda Gibson Dumas

Wanda Faye McCowan

Hattie Mae Torbert

Jessie Mae Hixon

Marshall Thomas

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Willie Thomas

Patricia Jones

Melvin Kirk

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Vera Townsel

Catherine Kirk

Bemice Hall

Janice Jemison

Sharon Jones

Karen Simmons

Brenda Armand

Legal Run 03/16/2023,03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: CV-2023-900076.00 CLAUNCH WAYNE, CLAUNCH MELISSA, Plaintiffs,

V. A PARCEL OF LAND IN LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, UNKNOWN PERSONS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION

To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 28th day of February 2023 a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: Commencing at the Southwest comer of Section 21, Township 19 North, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama; thence North 89°12' East, a distance of 1320 feet; thence North 00°42' West, a distance of 1969.6 feet to a found 5/8" capped rebar, said point being the Point of Beginning of said parcel described herein: from this POINT OF BEGINNING, thence South 01°19'18" West, a distance of 68.65 feet to a found 1/211 solid iron pin; thence North 79°52'3611 West, a distance of 157.54 feet to a found 1/2" open top pipe; thence North 02°35'23" East, a distance of248.23 feet to a set 1/2" rebar by Precision Surveying (CA788) located in the Southern right of way of Old Columbus Road and the beginning of a curve; thence following the right of way for Old Columbus Road along said curve concave to the Southwest having a radius of 1764.39 feet and a chord which bears South 79°19'3511 East 149.90 feet, for an arc distance of 149.94 feet to a found 5/8" capped rebar located in the Southern right of way for Old Columbus Road; thence leaving the Southern right of way for Old Columbus Road, South 00°35'3311 West, a distance of 179.28 feet a 5/8" capped rebar and the Point of Beginning. Said Parcel contains 0.87 acres, more or less, and is located in the Southwest corner of Section 21, Township 19 North, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.Done this the 14th day of March, 2023. Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801

Telephone Number: 334-749-6999

Fax: 334-203-1875

ben@benparrlaw.corn

Legal Run 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/05/2023.