The Observer 03-30-2023 E-edition

Opelika, Alabama

Going Blue for a Good Cause

East Alabama Event Raises Autism Awareness

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

East Alabama’s 12th annual Going Blue for Autism event is slated for this Saturday, April 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Courthouse Square in downtown Opelika. The city of Opelika will declare April Autism Awareness Month with a proclamation to begin the festivities.

“The purpose of the event is to bring awareness and acceptance of autism in our community and throughout the state,” said Event Organizer Luanne Helms.

Helms is an Opelika native whose son, Jake, has autism. Helms said one of the reasons she continues to lead the setup of this yearly event is because of her personal connection to people living with disabilities.

“Autism is a passion for me,” she said. “At this

See AUTISM, page A3

From the Governing Body of Opelika, Alabama

WHEREAS, the City of Opelika knows the importance of having citizens with honorable character qualities based on the moral standards upon which our nation and legal system are established. We desire to build upon our heritage in making Opelika a place where families are strong, neighbors are caring, homes and streets are safe, education effective, businesses productive, and citizens free to make wise choices for their lives and their families; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that individuals are responsible for their actions and that daily decisions should be based upon sound timeless values and are the basis of universally recognized character qualities, including kindness, courage, loyalty, diligence, generosity, truthfulness, honesty, and obedience; and

WHEREAS, a lack of commitment to these values and irresponsibility have resulted in an increasing number of significant problems causing personal, social, and financial consequences to individual family members and to society. When people fail to adhere to positive character qualities or make poor moral choices, the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens are endangered, resulting in an increased financial burden u pon the taxpayers for the costs of lower productivity, increased social services, and additional law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, our children learn and develop best in a safe school atmosphere in which character is exemplified, taught, and strengthened Research shows that workplace morale, employee safety, productivity, and corporate performance are significantly improved where positive character qualities are expected and recognized, and such actions are essential in competition in a global market; and

WHEREAS, the Character Council of Opelika has been o rganized for promoting, developing, and reinforcing a strong character environment in all aspects that touch the lives of Opelika’s citizens; will identify and recognize the “best pr actices” and resources that build and reinforce positive character attributes; and facilitate access, coordination, and implementation of these resources and “best practices” to continue Opelika’s recognition as a City of Character

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary Fuller, Mayor of the City of Opelika, Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of April 3–April 7, 2023, as “Character Week in Opelika ” and call upon all citizens of Opelika to extend the hand of fellowship to their neighbors, and unite in service to our community.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunder set my hand and caused the seal of Opelika, Alabama, to be affixed this the 21st day of March 2023

Gary Fuller Mayor, City of Opelika

LIVE

EDITOR: Hannah Lester

MARKETING: Woody Ross

PHOTOJOURNALIST: Robert Noles

SPORTS EDITOR: Wil Crews

SPORTS WRITER: D. Mark Mitchell

PUBLISHER: Michelle Key

STAFF REPORTER: Kendyl Hollingsworth

CORRECTIONS

City of Smiths Station Gearing Up for Inaugural ‘Rockin’ on the Rails’

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF SMITHS STATION

SMITHS STATION —

The community is invited to attend the city of Smiths Station’s inaugural Rockin’ on the Rails event that will be held at the Smiths Station Government Center on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. E.T.

This event will feature a marketplace with a wide variety of vendors and fun activities including a tug-of-war tournament, barbecue cook-off, food

trucks and live music from artists Jake Carroll and Abby Perper.

“This is going to be a great event to showcase what it means when we say that Smiths Station is the ‘Heart of East Alabama,’” said Mayor F. L. “Bubba” Copeland. “There’s going to be a little something for everyone to do and plenty of fun to keep people here all day. We’re looking forward to a massive turnout.”

Following is a schedule of the event, with all times listed being Eastern:

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. –

Walk For Life, 5K Planned April 15

CONTRIBUTED

BY WOMEN'S HOPE

OPELIKA —

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic & Hope Adoptions will be hosting its annual Walk for Life plus 5K fundraising event on April 15.

Women’s Hope is a local nonprofit that has been serving local families in Lee County now for 40 years.

The 5K race will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 9 a.m. After the race, Women’s Hope will announce awards and will share what God is doing in its growing ministry before the onemile Walk for Life.

After the walk, there will be an after party until 11 a.m. It will include local food trucks, face painting, yard games and a bounce house.

The race will be held at the Opelika Sportsplex, which is located at 1001 Sportsplex Parkway in Opelika.

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic is a pregnancy care center that exists to bring about healthy, hope-filled families. This clinic provides care to local women (over 900 this

AUTISM >> from A1

point I call myself a veteran autism parent. I like to do these events to show other families that it is going to be okay and to love on them.”

Essentially a nighttime block party, the Going Blue for Autism event will feature food trucks, first responder meet-and-greets, people in costumes, DJ’s, inflatable games, a train, a car show, local resources for special needs families and much more. The months of planning put in by Helms have her excited about the scale and possibilities of this year’s event, she said.

market

• 3:30 p.m. – Tug-of-war tournament begins

• 5 p.m. – Barbecue cook-off judging begins and food trucks open

• 6 to 9 p.m. – live music on the back lawn.

Opelika Chamber to Host Business Over Breakfast

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OPELIKA —

past year) who may be experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Additionally, it provides educational, relational and spiritual support to these families so they can walk through pregnancy and parenting with confidence.

In 2021, Hope Adoptions was officially licensed as Lee County’s only adoption agency and added as a branch to the ministry of Women’s Hope. Hope Adoptions wants to serve the community well by uniting families through the beautiful gift of adoption.

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic does not receive any government aid, but it is funded solely by donations from individuals, businesses, churches and events like the Walk for Life plus 5K.

“The Walk for Life plus 5K really is very important for the work that we do at Women’s Hope & Hope Adoptions,” said Executive Director of Women’s Hope

See WALK, page A5

“This year is — I’m hoping — going to be one of our best events yet,” Helms said. “I’ve been planning this for about three months. I am super excited.”

Helms added that the event’s longevity would not be possible without community support.

“We have an awesome community that have come behind me and said ‘yes we will support it and want to be a part of it.’ That’s how I have made it happen. Yes, I may be the one who has put in the footwork and all those details but if it weren’t for the community, it wouldn’t happen. I am so thankful to the many sponsors who made this event possi -

CHARACTER >>

from A1

For more information, please visit the city of Smiths Station’s Facebook page and look under the “Events” tab. The Smiths Station Government Center is located at 2336 Panther Parkway (Lee Road 430) in the heart of downtown Smiths Station. tenacity, justice and humility.

The latest undertaking by the Character Council is Character Week, slated for April 3 through 7. While the group has in the past done “Character trait of the month” promotions, according to chairman of the Character Council Tom Tippett, this Character Week is completely new.

“Barbara Patton traveled to Oklahoma City because there was an organization out there encouraging citizens to promote character in their cities,” Tippet said. “She came back — and she was mayor at that time — and got a group of citizens together to say let’s try to do this. The idea is that.”

According to the group’s Facebook page, Character Week aims to make citizens think:

1) How do you demonstrate traits such as courage, discipline, compassion and dedication in your daily life? And

2) How do you teach children the attributes of positive character? It also challenges you to be kind. To assist in getting the community engaging with these questions and calls to action, Envision Opelika has set up a Character Council Family Activities for Trait of the Month tab on its website which provides activities that

ble.”

Another reason that gives the annual Going Blue for Autism event meaning is the chance to build a connection between law enforcement and those with disabilities. Helms calls herself an “autism safe specialist,” and believes wholeheartedly in the importance of a connection between first responders and those who live with Autism.

“I feel it’s important to bring families and individuals with autism together with first responders because those living with Autism are seven times more likely to have contact with responders than their peers,” she said. “We

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Business Over Breakfast event on April 11, 2023, at Southern Union State Community College in Opelika. Join the Opelika Chamber of Commerce as it hosts the quarterly Business Over Breakfast

promote good character to the user.

“It’s family-centered, universal things you can do for character,” Tippett said. “We want to emphasize character.”

The Opelika Character Council is an all-volunteer team of concerned citizens committed to promoting monthly character traits throughout the city and school system. Originally the Envision Opelika Race Relations/Cultural Diversity Task Force, the goal of the organization was to create racial harmony that enhances all aspects of life. Opelika Character Council’s continuing goals include improving quality of life for all people, building character among citizens, eliminating negative results of discrimination within minority groups, bringing together factions and creating awareness in schools.

The Opelika Character Council operates under the umbrella that is the nonprofit Envision Opelika, started in 2001. Envision essentially operates as a consolidation of representation for the citizen’s desires for the city. Tippett’s role as the executive director of Envision dictates that he promote the work of the foundation.

“That involves public relations, staying in contact with the entities and seeing

event. Today’s fastpaced world has led to more work and less time, resulting in high-stress environments and decision fatigue. Leaders struggle to balance work, life, stress, success and more. Over breakfast from Wilton’s Catering, guests will hear a discussion led by Eloise Stewart on stress management.

Stewart is the owner of two businesses, Eloise Design

how healthy they are,” Tippett said. “We want to report to the board the different entities of the foundation.”

Alongside the Character Council, a number of other entities like Circles Opelika, O Grows, Creekline Trails, Southside Center for the Arts, the Front Porch Initiative, Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy and worthy2, receive the support of Envision.

“We are very privileged to be able to … I’m not sure the word 'sponsor' is right …. we’re like an umbrella and the nonprofits benefit by our 501(c) nonprofit status,” Tippett said. “We encourage them at some point to seek their own nonprofit status. In the interim, they can stay with us. Some have been with us for quite a while. We can take new ones anytime.”

Since its inception, Envision has played a large role in many of the noticeable improvements to life in Opelika.

“When Envision started, we had a big fair downtown,” Tippett said. “People could come down and you say we need to work on this or that. You saw where people really thought the needs of the community were.”

The organization has worked tirelessly over the years to field concerns from citizens and help get

Co. and Beingwell. After seven years of successfully helping clients grow their careers and businesses through branding and strategy services Stewart realized the need to address the other aspects of building a life and business well and thus founded Beingwell. Through a podcast, workshops and retreats, Stewart and her team teach on time, boundaries, See BREAKFAST, page A4

the ball rolling on projects to improve the city.

“I think investors saw that the citizens were going to be involved in the revitalization of the community and they made the investment,” Tippett said. “It’s citizen-driven.”

Some of undertakings include the Opelika SportsPlex, Miracle Field, renovating empty buildings like the Southside Center for the Arts, downtown revitalization and the creation of a new Pre-K schooling option.

“One of the more ambitious projects that we have done is the Pre-K Academy,” Tippett said. “The city has worked great with us on that. The school system just decided that they don’t have the space or finances for a Pre-K school. We were fortunate … got a teacher, got a staff. … The state is funding millions of dollars every year for Pre-K programs all over Alabama, realizing that early education is critical to the future education of children. And 4-year-olds is a great place to start.”

Envision Opelika produces an annual report of its business dealings and community-improvement efforts each year. It can be found on the “About Us” tab on its website. For more information about the Character Council or Envision as a whole, visit envisionopelika.org.

“Even if it’s not autism families, most of the events I do, all individuals with special needs are invited,” she said. “This event is specifically meant to be inclusive. The community can’t learn about people who maybe have differing abilities without being around them. So, it’s kind of a little bit of everything. We welcome all families with any differing abilities, this event is to promote inclusion for all, and the entire community is welcome.”

will also be offering Safety ID kits with CDs done on site for anyone who might benefit.”

Lastly, Helms stressed that this event

is not exclusive to those with autism, and encourages families or friends of people with any type of disability to turn out.

For more information about Going Blue for Autism, visit the Facebook page “12th Annual Going Blue for Autism–East Alabama 2023.”

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller (left), "Going Blue for Autism" event organizer Luanne Helms (center) and Auburn Mayor Ron Anders (right) at last year's "Going Blue for Autism" event.

Opelika Chamber President Completes U.S. Chamber Foundation Program

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OPELIKA — President and CEO of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce Ali Rauch completed the U.S. Chamber Foundation Business Leads Fellowship Program on March 17.

The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies and trade associations with resources, access to experts and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.

Rauch was selected in September as one of 35 people to be part of an elite cohort of business leadership fellows. Selections were made based on an individual’s accomplishments in im-

plementing education and workforce initiatives in their communities, as well as their level of engagement on U.S. Chamber Foundation initiatives.

Over the course of six months, Rauch attended both in-person and virtual meetings covering the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12 education, postsecondary

education and workforce development.

“Being a part of this cohort has been such an enlightening experience,” Rauch said. “Communities like ours are experiencing the same struggles with affordable and ample childcare, workforce shortages and more. Not only have I learned strategies to bring back to Opelika to make headway

on those challenges, but I have 35 other resources across the country to learn from and connect with in the years to come.”

Rauch has now joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of over 250 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from across the nation who regularly engage on education and

workforce initiatives.

ABOUT THE OPELIKA CHAMBER

For more than 80 years, the Opelika Chamber has worked to strengthen the community as the champion of business by building bridges, cultivating community and elevating business in order to achieve excellence. Representing more than 900

and

over 20,000 employees in the region, the Opelika Chamber has been recognized for its operational best practices among 501(c)(6) not-for-profit chambers of commerce.

The Opelika Chamber is one of only three 5-star accredited chambers in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit www.opelikachamber. com.

Business Council of Alabama Announces 'Renew Alabama' Four-Year Plan to Propel Alabama Business

CONTRIBUTED BY BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA

ALABAMA —

The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) has announced a four-year plan to propel Alabama to become a national leader in innovation, workforce development, health care and economic growth. BCA’s guiding principles for the quadrennium, which are outlined in a plan called “Renew Alabama,” was created and developed by BCA with direction from the BCA policy committees.

“Alabama can be a national model of economic growth and success,” said BCA President Helena Duncan. “From the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley, you’ll find small businesses to large corporations primed to succeed and expand. This is the path to economic

prosperity that our hardworking citizens deserve. The Business Council of Alabama is here to make it happen.”

BCA’s number-one legislative priority for the 2023 legislative session, and a key component of the “Renew Alabama” plan, remains supporting Gov. Kay Ivey’s “The Game Plan” to renew economic development incentives, which play a vital role in Alabama’s current and future economic success.

BCA will be working to ensure the best climate for innovation to thrive is provided throughout Alabama. Broadband infrastructure is a necessity in a modern economy and a critical part of providing access to adequate health care, particularly in our state’s rural areas. BCA will be actively promoting and encouraging policy

that prioritizes this critical piece of infrastructure.

Also outlined in “Renew Alabama” is BCA’s commitment to supporting policies that give businesses the freedom to make their own decisions, and flexibility to adapt and shift to the needs and desires of the modern work-

force. Government-regulated mandates increase the cost of doing business and tamper with the benefits of our free-market economy. Alabama’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and forcing expensive, unrealistic and often unneeded regulations puts

'Light the Night' Event Held for Grieving Families

them at a competitive disadvantage with businesses in other states.

Workforce development is also a major concern for BCA members and a legislative focus area in “Renew Alabama” in the next four years. There is a clear need for more trainable workers to backfill

BREAKFAST

>> from A3

mindsets and decision fatigue to help professionals show up stronger personally and professionally.

The event will be held on April 11 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Southern Union State Community College in the Southern Room. The cost of the breakfast is $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-members.

The deadline to register is Friday, April 7, at 5 p.m. Register for the event online at www.opelikachamber. com.

This event is presented by Glynn Smith Chevrolet–Buick–GMC. Gold Sponsors for the event include AJA Financial LLC, Baxter, MAX

existing jobs. BCA has made a promise to help lawmakers find new and proactive solutions to further prepare Alabama’s workforce to fill the jobs of tomorrow.

For more information on BCA’s “Renew Alabama,” visit www. renewalagain.com/.

ABOUT BCA

The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business. The BCA is a non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Credit Union, The city of Opelika and Southern Union State Community College.

The Opelika Chamber’s Small Business of the Quarter Award and Minority Business of the Quarter Award will be presented at this event. The Small Business of the Quarter Award is sponsored by First Realty. The Minority Business of the Quarter Award is sponsored by Alabama Power.

To nominate a small or minority business for future quarter awards, visit www. opelikachamber.com/ cultivate-community/ recognition-committee/.

If you have questions or concerns, contact Mackenzie Poole at Mackenzie@opelikachamber.com to learn more.

The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) has announced a four-year plan to propel Alabama to become a national leader in innovation, workforce development, healthcare and economic growth.

businesses

Opelika Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ali Rauch recently was one of 35 people to be a part of an elite cohort of business leadership fellows at the U.S. Chamber Foundation Business Leads Fellowship Program.

Families who have experienced recent loss gathered for the Compassus-sponsored event Light the Night, March 23, below the Bethany House around the fountain in memory of their loved ones. Chaplain James "Q" Smith offered words of encouragement to the families that were in attendance. The ceremony was sponsored by Compassus Hospice. Luminaries lined the pathway around the fountain.

‘Taste of the Town’ to Feature 17 Restaurants, Caterers, Breweries

BY ANN CIPPERLY FOR THE OBSERVER

—

OPELIKA

With 17 of the area’s best restaurants and caterers, as well as local brewing companies, the eighth annual Taste of the Town will provide an exciting evening of fabulous food Tuesday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of East Alabama in downtown Opelika.

From appetizers to desserts, chefs will showcase a tasting of their best dishes, while a silent auction will feature a variety of items and packages.

Restaurants and caterers participating in this year’s event include Botanic, Café 123, The Waverly Local, Longhorn Steakhouse, Niffer’s, Irish Bred Pub, Tart & Tartan Bakery, O Town Ice Cream, Ursula’s Catering, Jefferson’s, Butcher Paper Barbecue, Cakeitecture Bakery, Birdie’s Cup and Saucer, Acre, Chicken Salad Chick and Takoyaki. Red Clay Brewing and John Emerald Distilling Company will provide tastings, and the Bottling Plant Event Center will also provide wine. Toomer’s lemonade, sodas and bottled water will also be served throughout the museum on the upper and lower levels.

Sponsors for the fundraiser are AuburnBank, Smith T Building Supply, The Observer, Starr Insur-

ance Group LLC and Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.

While tasting superb dishes and sipping wine, attendees can browse the silent auction on the lower level, featuring treasures from local merchants, as well as golf packages. Proceeds from the fundraiser provide for repairs and upkeep of the museum. Every year, visitors from around the globe visit the museum to view the history of East Alabama.

Located at the site of the old Clement Hotel on 9th Street, the museum contains over 5,000 artifacts from Lee and surrounding counties. The museum was founded in August 1989 by the late Eleanor and John T. Harris. Volunteers kept

the museum operating until funds were available to hire a director.

“The museum truly owes its existence to so many wonderful people who have been willing to donate their family treasures, their time and money to make the museum a success,” said the Harrises’ son, Bert, as he reflected on the museum’s history. “The museum is preserving our heritage intact with funds from the Taste of the Town as restaurants and wineries donate, and the community supports the event.”

Among the permanent exhibits are the World War II POW Camp collection, John Herbert Orr collection, Pepperell Post Office and other items from

Pepperell Mill, a covered bridge exhibit and antique doll collection.

Lee County’s business, rural and architectural heritages are also displayed. Other exhibits spotlight the Civil War, World War II, Roy Lee Jackson, Billy Hitchcock, a collection of arrowheads, local fire and police, vintage apparel, a pioneer frontier kitchen with a wood burning stove and much more.

“We thank the restaurants and sponsors for their continued support of the Taste,” said Jim Hardin, president of the board. “It is our major fundraising effort for the year and is critical for our service efforts to preserve the history of East Alabama.”

Tickets for the event are $25 and are available at the museum or online at eastalabama.org. Membership is also available at various levels. Glenn Buxton is director of the museum.

On the evening of April 18, enjoy an entertaining evening of delectable food, while helping to continue to provide a living history for future generations.

The Museum of East Alabama is located at 121 South 9th St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free; donations are accepted.

For further information, call 334-749-2751.

& Hope Adoptions

Daria Monroe.

“Without the support of our community we couldn’t do the work that we are doing here in East Alabama. We look forward to the Walk for Life because it’s a way for us to get together, get to know one another, have a great morning with each other and at the same time help fund the work that’s being done at Women’s Hope.”

This event will be an opportunity for the community to come together to join in support of a local organization while also building and furthering relationships with each other. Last year, over 400 people came — runners, churches, students, children and even some of the families served by Women’s Hope — to join in the fun and Women's Hope looks forward to having even more people in attendance this year. The event is structured to be a fun-filled morning with lots of activities to enjoy with ones friends and family. Visit www. womenshope.org/walk for more details and to register.

The eighth annual Taste of the Town will be held April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of East Alabama in downtown Opelika.

The event will feature 17 local restaurants and local brewing companies, as well as a silent auction. Pictured preparing for the event are, from left, Glenn Buxton, director of the museum; Jean Heath; Deborah Williams; and Jim Hardin, president of the board.

Whatley Family Celebrates Easter with Traditions, Good Food

Ann Cipperly

SHouthernospitality

Easter is Debra Whatley’s favorite Christian holiday, and she prefers it over Christmas, as it is not as commercialized. At Easter, her four children and their families gather at Debra’s country home in Beauregard for a festive celebration luncheon.

“I feel like we can celebrate the true meaning of Easter, which is Christ’s death and resurrection,

without so much secular celebration that Christmas entails," she said.”

Debra grew up in the small town of Pine Apple in the Black Belt, while her late husband, Alex Whatley, was a native Opelikan. Debra and Alex met on a blind date on Valentine’s Day when they were students at Auburn University. They were both from large families with good cooks. Debra and Alex were married for 40 years before

he passed away from ALS.

Three books have been written on the Whatley family history. Simeon Whatley, who was born in 1810, and his wife, Catharine Lazenby, settled 10 miles south of Opelika in what is now the Beauregard community. Simeon fathered 13 children and became the patriarch of one of Lee County’s oldest and largest families.

Alex’s father, uncles and

grandfather owned Dairyland Farms, which was located where the Auburn Mall is now. Along with cows and a dairy, there were spacious barns where parties were

held.

After Alex and Debra married, they founded the Whatley Construction Company, which is now operated by their son,

Edward. They have four children. Edward and his wife Elizabeth have four children as well — Kate, Anne

See CIPPERLY, page A8

Sundilla to Present Kim Richey

CONTRIBUTED BY SUNDILLA

AUBURN — Kim Richey will make her triumphant return to Sundilla on Friday, March 31. Showtime at the AUUF (450 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn) is 7:30 p.m.

Artsapalooza at First Friday, April 7.

The first Artist Talk, featuring Partridge — a musician, singer, songwriter, podcaster and visual artist — will give

See ARTS page A12

A limited number of advance tickets are available for just $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at www. sundillamusic.com. Admission at the door will be $25. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is invited to bring their own favorite food or beverage.

An Ohio native, Richey’s passion for music was sparked early on in her great aunt’s record shop

where she’d scour the bins and soak it all in. She took up the guitar in high school and, while studying environmental education and sociology at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, she played in a band with Bill Lloyd. But it didn’t stick — not right away.

After Kentucky, Richey worked in

nature centers in Colorado and Ohio and traveled to Sweden and South America. She eventually landed in Bellingham, Washington, where she worked as a cook while her boyfriend went to grad school. Their deal was that she got to decide where they went

See RICHEY, page A11

Opelika resident Rob Barge, pictured, will present at Artsapalooza on Friday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at Sweet Georgia Bakery and Cafe, located at 134 West Lamar St. in downtown Americus, Georgia. Barge is a graphic designer and illustrator.

KIM RICHEY

Debra Whatley and her family are sharing their Easter traditions and favorite recipes. Pictured are, from left, first row, Ward Whatley, Marileta Stone, Libby Burch with miracle baby Jake, and second row, from left, are Elizabeth Whatley, Mary Kathryn Whatley and Debra Whatley.

SEAN DIETRICH

Ihave a thing for trees. I don’t know why. Maybe because I’ve always been a nerd. I think it all dates back to my days in Boy Scouts. My cousin Ed Lee and I were second-class Scouts, and we earned our forestry merit badges one summer. Actually, I earned both his badge and mine. He mainly read “Archie” comic books while I did all the fieldwork.

I’ve been obsessed with trees ever since. Namely, because I’ve always felt that trees are the strongest things you’ll ever see. Trees endure the hell of an earthly life, and they just keep on living.

Strong. The first officially published story I ever wrote was about a longleaf pine. The story was published in my small hometown paper in Florida.

In Florida, the longleaf is our flagship specimen. At one time, they covered 90 million acres in the southeast. Now they cover less than 3% of that.

Throughout history, mankind has ceremoniously massacred longleafs to build his railroads, his battleships, his Dave and Buster’s and his crappy D.R. Horton express homes.

The mighty longleaf is

Trees

endangered, in case you were wondering.

I will go out of my way to visit a good tree.

There was the Angel Oak, just outside Charleston, South Carolina. The oldest oak east of the Mississippi. Sixty-five feet tall, 28 feet in circumference. Its branches cover 17,000 square feet. The largest limb reaches 187 feet long. The tree is 500 years old, predating Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

I’ve also seen the Methuselah tree, in the Inyo National Forest. The tree stands in a distant location between the Sierra Nevada range on the California-Nevada border.

The Methuselah is 4,853 years old. That’s a Stone Age tree. It’s not just the oldest tree on earth. It is the oldest living organism on Earth. You want to talk about strong?

The exact location of the Methuselah is kept secret to prevent

vandalism. A former park ranger showed it to me privately. I placed a hand on Methuselah’s gnarled trunk and I cried.

My favorite tree, however, stands in Thomasville, Georgia.

It is a live oak, Quercus virginiana. The tree is 338 years old.

There is just something about it.

You can see the oak standing on East Monroe Street. It’s always a little surprising when you first lay eyes on it.

You don’t expect to see a tree this huge in a residential section of town. One minute you’re driving through cutesy historic houses and then, boom, there’s a tree bigger than the Chrysler building.

The limbs span 165 feet and are covered in green resurrection ferns. The tree’s base has a 26-foot circumference.

A lot goes into keeping this tree healthy. There is an underground watering system. An above-ground

watering system. There are steel cables to support the heavy limbs and keep them from snapping. The tree has its own on-call arborist, its own surgeon and its own dedicated IRS agent.

When you stand beneath the impressive Thomasville Oak at dusk, as small-town life eddies around you, as people drive kids home from school, as folks get home from work, you cannot help but be moved by the tree’s simple power.

The crickets sing an evening chorus. The Georgian air is balmy. And you can’t help but do what President Eisenhower once did when he visited this same tree. You take selfies.

The last time I was at this tree, I took many photographs. And I wrote a column about the tree.

The next morning, I received an email from a woman in Connecticut. Her name was Lucinda.

Lucinda is originally from Thomasville.

Her mother was born beneath the shade of this exact tree. In fact, the Thomasville Oak is growing on Lucinda’s family land. She and I became friends after that. Because that’s how special trees can be.

And as I write this, Lucinda’s family is gathered around her bedside because she is seriously ill. Her prognosis is not good. They are trying to make her comfortable.

I know Lucinda will read this because she reads everything I write. Because Lucinda is the kindest, sweetest human you’ll ever meet, and she has supported me from day one. And I love her. Which is why I just wanted to say here, publicly, that I misspoke earlier, when I began this column. Trees are not the strongest things I have ever seen.

Lucinda Secrest McDowell is.

Stephens, Margaret and Ward — while Libby and her husband Mike Burch, who works for an earth science firm in Columbus, Georgia, have one child, Jake. Mary Kathryn owns the Tart & Tartan Bakery in downtown Opelika. Walter, who worked for Samaritan’s Purse for several years and traveled to more than 30 countries, now resides in Birmingham and works for a consulting firm.

Debra’s mother, Marileta Stone, moved in with her three years ago from Pine Apple. She was a home economics major in college and enjoyed cooking. The Homecoming Potato Salad was served for a huge homecoming at the school in Pine Apple. The ladies would make the same recipe.

Debra said one of her most cherished Easter memories with Alex and their children was when they went to Europe on a spring break trip with Lorna and Don Roberts several

years ago. There were about 20 people on the trip, and they realized that they did not have transportation to a church service on Easter. Don led a worship service in the lobby of their hotel.

“It was a very meaningful Easter,” Debra remembered, especially now that both Lorna and Don have passed away.

Other favorite memories were attending Easter sunrise services in Pine Apple and later with Alex at Garden Hills in Opelika she said. They attended the Holy Week luncheons, which Debra has continued to do.

When their children were young, Debra held Easter egg hunts using real eggs that they dyed. She would have a golden egg, and divided the children by age groups, with some in the backyard and another group in the front yard. One year, Walter received a real lamb and Marty Kathryn received a bunny, which Debra said was a fun Easter for the family.

Now that the children are grown, everyone goes to their own churches on Easter

before meeting at Debra’s house for lunch. Sometimes more extended family and friends are invited for Easter lunch.

While Debra said she enjoys entertaining, she didn’t develop an interest in cooking until after she and Alex married. They lived across the street from Merle Whatley, who was a good cook, and she taught Debra how to cook a roast and other dishes. Her cooking skills quickly improved.

All the children were active in sports, church or school activities. Debra would have two slow cookers with chili or spaghetti sauce simmering all day. She would freeze dishes ahead and always tried to keep a dish if she needed one for a bereavement.

The Whipping Cream Pound Cake is one of her favorite cakes to keep in the freezer. It is Mary Kathryn’s favorite and the first recipe she learned how to cook.

When Mary Kathryn was growing up, she would help her mother bake family recipes for tailgates and

other times when the family entertained in their home. To assure these favorite family recipes would not be lost, Mary Kathryn and Debra assembled them into a cookbook for family members.

After she graduated from Auburn and was working in Atlanta, Georgia, as a CPA, Mary Kathryn could hardly wait to get home at night to bake, as she found it relaxing. It was the most enjoyable part of her day. She moved back home to Opelika to be closer to family, while working remotely as a CPA for the Atlanta firm. Mary Kathryn soon realized she wanted to change careers and open a bakery to continue her family’s tradition of gathering around delicious food. She felt downtown Opelika would be the perfect location for the Tart and Tartan Bakery.

A few years ago, Mary Kathryn and Debra visited Portugal and took a class on making pastry tarts called pastel de nata. Debra has been making cream cheese pastry tarts for many years

to serve at showers and teas. She helps at the bakery by making casseroles.

As Mary Kathryn celebrates the second anniversary of her bakery opening, she is creating southern desserts served at family reunions and church dinners, as well as Easter cakes and other confections.

Edward and Elizabeth met in their freshman year at Auburn and married after they graduated. Elizabeth, who grew up in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, has a love of cooking for their four children. Elizabeth lets the children help make Easter Resurrection Rolls. The children also paint designs on wooden eggs.

Elizabeth has carried on an Easter tradition from when she was growing up. For the egg hunt, each of the eggs have a number. Once the hunt is over, everyone checks the numbers to see what they are receiving, which includes gift cards, stickers or other fun gifts.

Walter is sharing a recipe for Lobster Bisque, his favorite recipe that he made frequently while living in

the Bahamas. At the end of a workday, he would head to the water with his snorkel in hand. There were several coral heads nearby which attracted lobsters, and he would gather a couple to make the bisque on weekends from a recipe a neighbor gave him. It was served at a party with guests from the U.S., Bahamas, Australia, Japan and Colombia.

When the family gathers to celebrate Easter at Debra’s lovely home in a country setting overlooking a pond, they are especially thankful for baby Jake, who is a miracle baby that was born with heart defects and other problems. After four surgeries and being in the hospital for 83 days, he is doing well.

While there will be plenty of good food on the menu served at a beautifully set table, Debra is thankful for being able to celebrate the resurrection of Christ surrounded by her family, remembering treasured traditions and memories.

See CIPPERLY RECIPES, page A10

John

Distilling Company

Distillery

'Eggcellent' Easter Scavenger Hunt begins April 1

CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN

BY GABRIELLE FILGO / COMMUNITY & SPC PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATOR

AUBURN —

Auburn Parks and Recreation will host its third annual Eggcellent Easter Scavenger Hunt from Saturday, April 1, through Wednesday, April 5. The hunt will take place at a different city of Auburn park or facility each day.

A clue will be posted on Auburn's Parks and Recreation's Facebook

CIPPERLY RECIPES

FROM A8

EASTER RESURRECTION ROLLS

Elizabeth Whatley

When making these rolls with children, tell the following with each step.

• Unrolling the crescent rolls represents the “cloth” they wrapped Jesus in.

• The marshmallow represents Jesus in white being pure.

• Dipping in melted butter symbolizes embalming oils.

• Rolling in cinnamon and sugar represents the spices to prepare the body for burial.

• Wrapping the crescent roll around the marshmallow is the tomb.

• After baking, the marshmallow disappears, representing the empty tomb.

10 oz. can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

8 large marshmallows

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a parchment or silicone liner. Open the crescent roll package and separate the rolls into eight triangles.

In a small bowl, whisk together cinnamon and sugar. Dip each of the marshmallows in the melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Place a marshmallow

and Instagram at 8 a.m. each morning during the scavenger hunt. The first clue will lead participants to one of the city’s parks or facilities. Participants must use their phones to scan the QR code on the Easter egg to find the next clue. Once they have found all the clues at that location, they will be prompted to enter their name into the drawing for a prize. Only one entry per day is allowed for each participant. Each day of the hunt is a chance

in the middle of each dough triangle, then roll the dough tightly around the marshmallow, pinching to close all of the seams.

Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 1014 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the rolls cool a few minutes, and then let the children pick a roll to open up. The marshmallow will have disappeared.

HONEY DIJON GLAZED PORK

Debra Whatley

2-3 lb. boneless pork loin

¼ cup honey

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp. black peppercorn, crushed

¼ tsp. thyme

½ tsp. salt

Use broiler pan. Line with foil. Spray rack. Combine glaze ingredients. Brush over roast several times.

Cook at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Brush again with glaze. Bake 30 additional minutes or until temperature reaches 160 degrees. Let roast rest a few minutes before slicing.

STUFFED EGGS FOR EASTER

Libby Burch

1 dozen eggs, boiled and peeled

4 Tbsp. pickle relish

to earn another entry.

Five participants will win a $25 gift card to a local business along with an Easter basket full of goodies. Winners will be drawn at random on Thursday, April 6.

For more information, follow Auburn Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram @ COAParksAndRec or visit www. auburnalabama.org/ parks.

3 Tbsp. mayonnaise Stuffed olives, halved

Cut eggs in half. Put yolk in small bowl.

Mash yolk with fork. Mix with relish and mayonnaise. Place mixture in whites.

Garnish each with half an olive.

HOMECOMING

POTATO SALAD

Marileta Stone

5 lb. cooked, diced potatoes

2 tsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. salt or to taste

½ cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped sweet pickles

1 1arge jar chopped pimento

5 hardboiled eggs, chopped

1 ½ cups mayonnaise

Sprinkle sugar and salt on potatoes after cooking.

Toss all ingredients gently with potatoes. Chill until ready to serve.

MARY ANN’S BEAN

CASSEROLE

Mary Kathryn Whatley

1 or 2 cans green beans

4 Tbsp. butter

¾ cup chopped onion

1 can sliced mushrooms

2 Tbsp. flour

1 carton sour cream

½ tsp. salt

½ cup slivered almonds

Cracker crumbs mixed with melted butter

Bring beans to boil and drain; set aside.

Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in skillet; add onions and mushrooms. Cook until onions are transparent. Add flour and stir until smooth.

Add sour cream while stirring; add salt. Add beans and almonds.

Pour into baking dish; cover with buttered cracker crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

TWICE BAKED POTATO

CASSEROLE

Elizabeth Whatley

4 medium sized russet potatoes (about 2 lbs.)

1 Tbsp. oil

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup salted butter

½ cup sour cream

½ cup milk

6 slices bacon, chopped and fully cooked

2 cups (about 4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

4 green onions, sliced

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

2 tsp. fresh chopped parsley, optional

Wash and scrub potatoes. Rub a bit of oil on the outside of the potato. Poke potatoes 3-4 times with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes until potatoes are fully cooked. Cool until easy to handle. Slice potatoes in half and scoop out potato into a bowl. Save skin from one potato. Mash potatoes with a potato masher. Add butter and sour cream. Stir in milk, about half at a time using enough to make the potatoes creamy, adding more if needed.

Set aside ½ cup of cheese, a few Tbsp. of the bacon and a few Tbsp. of the green onion for the topping. Fold remaining into potatoes.

Chop the reserved potato skin and add to mixture. Add salt and pepper, adding more if needed.

Place mixture in a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake uncovered in a 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes until heated through.

Top with remaining green onions and freshly chopped parsley.

WHIPPING CREAM

POUND CAKE

Debra Whatley and Mary Kathryn Whatley

1 cup butter, room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups cake flour, sifted

½ pt. heavy whipping cream

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. butternut flavoring

Mix butter and sugar in large mixing bowl. Add eggs one at

a time.

Alternately add flour and whipping cream. Add vanilla, almond and butternut flavorings.

Pour into greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Tip: Do not preheat oven.

SUNSHINE SALAD

Marileta Stone

1 pkg. orange Jell-O

1 cup boiling water

½ cup ice water

1 can crushed pineapple

Pinch salt

2 medium carrots, grated

Place gelatin into a small mixing bowl; stir in boiling water. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Stir in water, pineapple and salt. Add carrots. Pour into 8-inch square pan. Chill until firm.

EASY BAKED RICE

Libby Burch

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 cup rice, uncooked

1 can onion soup

1 can consommé soup Garlic salt

Mix ingredients together except garlic salt and place in casserole dish.

Sprinkle top with garlic salt.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

ANGEL BISCUITS

Debra Whatley

5 cups flour

¼ cup sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup shortening

1 pkg. dry yeast

2 Tbsp. warm water

2 cups buttermilk

Melted butter

Sift dry ingredients; cut in shortening.

Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to buttermilk. Add to dry mixture and mix well.

Roll dough ¼ inch thick. Cut into desired size.

Dip biscuits in melted butter and fold over.

Let stand 1 ½ hours before baking.

Dough can be

refrigerated overnight. Allow to rise for 3 hours if refrigerated.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes about 36, depending on size.

LEMON PIE

Debra Whatley

This is low-calorie but tasty.

1 large sugar-free instant vanilla pudding

2 ½ cups skim milk

1 tub Crystal Light

12 oz. fat-free Cool Whip

2 small graham cracker crusts Beat pudding and milk until fluffy. Mix in Crystal Light. Fold in Cool Whip. Pour into crusts and chill.

CHOCOLATE POUND

CAKE

Marileta Stone

This is a good recipe to make when you need a dessert, as the ingredients are ones that are generally on hand. Marileta said this was her favorite since she lived in the country and couldn’t always get to the store for other ingredients to bake a cake.

1 cup Crisco

3 cups sugar

5 eggs

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 cup milk

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

3 Tbsp. cocoa

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Beat. Sift together dry ingredients. Add alternately with milk. Tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

SILVERPOINT

LOBSTER BISQUE

Walter E. Whatley

4 lobster tails

2 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

1 tsp. fresh chopped thyme

See RECIPES page A11

Next Level Café: One Year On

The Truth Behind 'Eggcessively' Expensive Eggs

CONTRIBUTED BY ACES BY COLE SIKES

AUBURN —

regarding biosecurity (i.e., security from exposure to harmful biological agents).

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Next Level Café in Opelika celebrated one year of business March 16.

Best described as “Elevated American cuisine,” Next Level Café came to Opelika via owners Tim and Suzanne Lowery, the owners of former Opelika restaurant Susie K’s.

Next Level Café, located at 1006 1st Ave., is a passion project for the Lowerys. It offers allday breakfast and serves lunch and dinner. When the restaurant first opened, the Lowerys enlisted the help of local chef Jeremy Vines, owner of Obsidian Catering, to help train the staff in order to bring their high-end vision to life.

“Creating the menu for Next Level was a fun experience,” Tim said. “We had lots of testing to see what we loved and didn't.”

One year on, the Lowery’s vision has taken

RICHEY

FROM A7

>>

after he graduated. One night in 1988, some old friends — Lloyd, as well as Radney Foster — rolled through town. She sold T-shirts at their gig, and they talked up Nashville. To drive the point home, Lloyd sent her a tape with Steve Earle and others

RECIPES >>

from A10

1 tsp. fresh chopped tarragon

1 tsp. chicken

bouillon powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. fresh cracked black pepper

½ tsp. cayenne

pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

3 Tbsp. flour

1¼ cups dry white

wine

4 cups lobster stock

¾ - 1 cup heavy

cream Garlic butter

ingredients:

2 Tbsp. butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt, pepper and cayenne, to taste

Lobster stock: Bring

5 cups of water and

1 Tbsp. salt to boil in

shape, and Next Level Café has become a familiar and favorited community stop.

“In the last year we have seen so much support from our community and have received lots of positive comments on the restaurant and the changes we made in the building and the love of the food,” Tim said.

As with any new business, however, Next Level Café has faced its fair share of challenges in year one. Luckily, according to Tim, the restaurant has been able to fill in the cracks when they appear.

“With any business that's new to the organization there are always pushback and challenges,” he said.

“Staffing has been a struggle for us and many other restaurants in the area. We have learned that we are our biggest supporters and always fill in where needed.”

Next Level Café has seen a number of changes come to its menu since opening in 2022.

“Over the last year you can see that several menu

on it. So taken by the songwriting, Richey and her partner loaded up their Ford F150 and headed to Music City. In Nashville, Richey cooked at the famed Bluebird Café and gigged around town at writers’ nights. At a show one night at 12th & Porter, Mercury Records’ Luke Lewis approached her. In

large stock pot. Add lobster tails, cover, and boil for 5 minutes.

Remove lobster tails and let cool slightly.

Remove meat from shells.

Return lobster shells and juices to water in stock pot.

Simmer for at least 15 minutes to draw flavor out of shells.

While stock is simmering, dice meat and place in refrigerator.

Bisque:

Heat butter and oil in large pot. Sweat onions, carrots, celery and fresh herbs. Cook until soft. Season with bouillon powder, salt and peppers. Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Mix in tomato paste. Sprinkle over flour and cook for

items have been added after lots of feedback from customers asking for more,” Tim said. “And now we have added several of our favorites from Susie K's including the omelet and now the cinnamon roll pancakes, which are better than before.”

Some of Next Level Café’s most commonly ordered menu items include (for brunch) cheesecake stacked French toast, shrimp and grits, omelet and the next level burger. And (for dinner) the baconwrapped sweet chili glazed meatloaf and both pork chop dishes.

As for what’s next?

The Lowerys said they are always looking for ways to improve, but will continue to serve their guests with “elevated” American cuisine and hospitality.

“We are always looking at items to add to the menu,” Tim said. “We have been working on our bar menu to add more requested items as well as looking at menu items to add.”

classic Richey fashion, she didn’t know who he was. Still, she went to a meeting with him and Keith Stegall, played one song, talked a lot and got a record deal at the musical home of Billy Ray Cyrus and Shania Twain. Remembering the glory days of major labels in the ‘90s, Richey said, “They gave me way more than enough rope

several more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pour in wine, simmer and reduce to half. Stir in lobster stock, reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid has thickened slightly and flavors have blended, about 30 minutes.

Take off heat, transfer mixture to blender and blend until smooth (can also use immersion blender). Return to medium-low heat and stir in heavy cream.

Garlic Butter Lobster

Meat:

Melt butter in skillet. Sauté garlic and add in lobster meat.

Season with salt, pepper and cayenne. Sauté about 1 minute to warm lobster meat.

Mix ¾ lobster meat into bisque and serve in bowls. Top bisque with remaining lobster meat and extra tarragon.

Today’s chicken egg costs 140% more than one year ago. Demand for eggs has progressively increased in since 2009, exacerbating the current expense that consumers are feeling in their wallets. Many egg-related experiences — such as cooking breakfast or dyeing Easter eggs — will cost much more than previous years. Dennis Brothers, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System associate professor, said the cause for this price increase is supply and demand.

A TALE OF TWO VIRUSES

Perhaps the easiest direction to point an unhappy finger is that of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and COVID-19. The one-two punch of these diseases during the last few years has impacted the poultry industry and other food resources, contributing the primary reason for surprised faces in supermarkets.

“To dispel a myth that one may have heard going around, the low supply of eggs combined with expensive prices is not the result of a feed-company or egg-company conspiracy,” Brothers said. “The steep increase in egg prices is simply economic supply and demand working as expected.”

Just in 2022, Alabama witnessed two confirmed diagnoses of HPAI in noncommercial flocks. This sent many poultry producers on even higher alert

to hang myself with. I could do whatever I wanted.”

What followed was a career that has seen her release 10 albums (including a collection of her greatest hits), garner a Grammy nomination and work with some of the best in the music business. Her latest release, “The Long Way Back: The

Other states also recorded HPAI events in commercial and backyard flocks.

According to a USDA report, as of March 24, 2023, approximately 811 flocks — 323 commercial and 488 backyard — have been diagnosed with HPAI in the United States, dating back to January 2022. These diagnoses affected more than 58 million birds in 47 states.

“The industry had a slight downturn during and after the early COVID-19 era, but as people started cooking more at home, they also needed more eggs,” Brothers said. “As people started eating out again — often at sit-down restaurants — more eggs were used. That high demand was then met by the sudden low supply in 2022. Low supply meeting high demand leads to higher prices as more buyers compete for a diminished resource.”

Brothers said egg producers are also sharing the pain of inflation — spending more on necessary resources for farming eggs. For example, feed ingredients — such as corn — have sustained high market prices for two years. Labor shortages and shifting fuel prices have also prevented farmers from making a profit.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FOR FUTURE EGG PRICES?

The future of egg prices is not an easy prediction. However, Brothers and other experts have reasonable expectations for the industry in a post-COVID-19 climate.

“In the short term, egg prices are starting to decline

Songs of Glimmer,” is a re-imagining of her 1999 release “Glimmer.”

Through it all, Richey has worn her heart on her lyrical sleeve, revealing herself time and again.

“I started writing songs because of Joni Mitchell, probably like most women songwriters of a certain age,” Richey confessed. “I loved

and may reach a reasonable level,” Brothers said. “As egg producers aggressively molt and repopulate their birds as fast as possible to try to capture profit as well as maintain business operations, the lower post-holiday demand period may help keep prices down. However, we are quickly approaching Easter with historically the highest demand for eggs all year. That increase in demand on the not-so-fullyreplenished hen numbers may push prices back up.”

Because of the severity of HPAI, some poultry growers are literally having to start over from scratch. Many farms are family-owned, and some are operated by aging generations. This factor may deter some farms from repopulating or cause farms to change ownership. HPAI has caused the poultry growing business to be an uncertain, risky business because of the potential for instantaneous loss of investment.

ON THE SUNNY SIDE

Brothers said even though egg prices at the grocery store may provide a few gasps, eggs are still mostly affordable. The refrigeratorvalue of eggs at home have tilted consumers to use them more sparingly, ensuring that there is no waste and changing perspectives of this protein-rich resource.

To learn more about egg prices, read the Extension Brief, Is the Egg Market about to Crack?, available at www.aces.edu. More information on the poultry industry is available under the Poultry section of the Alabama Extension website.

being able to write songs because I was really super shy. I couldn't say things to people that I wanted to say. If I put it in a song, there was the deniability. If I ever got called on it, I could say, ‘Oh, heavens no, that's just a song! I made that up.’”

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

Next Level Cafe is located at 1006 1st Ave. near downtown Opelika.

CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA

/ KATIE NICHOLS

EXTENSION

AUBURN —

Many homeowners in the southern portion of Alabama have a backyard citrus tree that can survive cold snaps with proper care and maintenance. However, disease difficulties and lack of cold hardiness can make citrus a challenging fruit to grow in some parts of the state.

CITRUS: A POPULAR

BACKYARD TREE

Jeremy Pickens, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System horticulture specialist, said learning how to properly care for citrus in the home garden will keep trees productive for years to come.

“As a garden plant, citrus provides a unique texture, season-long dark green foliage, a unique fragrance when in bloom and colorful, edible fruit,” Pickens said. “Healthy plants are more resistant to diseases and insects. Proper installation and maintenance are important to produce healthy plants.”

TREE SELECTION

Homeowners should purchase trees from a certified nursery. Inspected nurseries will pass examinations by state or federal inspectors to confirm the nursery is producing clean, disease-free plant material.

Choosing a Citrus Tree for the Backyard

“Citrus trees grown in a certified nursery will have a tag stating the name of the nursery, registration number, the tree variety and rootstock,” Pickens said.

The following are some tips for homeowners to keep in mind when choosing citrus trees:

• Examine trees for symptoms of pest damage or disease.

• Trees should have dark-colored leaves and a smooth trunk.

• Consider choosing varieties based on cold tolerance — the bestsuited rootstock for Alabama is trifoliate orange.

• Choose plants 5/8 to 1 inch in diameter and 2 to 4 feet tall.

• Look for trees with three to four upwardgrowing side branches.

• Avoid trees with sharp angles that will break under pressure with a heavy crop load.

PLANTING AND SITE SELECTION

Growers can plant citrus any time during the year. However, an early spring planting time is a wise choice to avoid freeze damage.

“A planting location in full sun on the south side of the home is typically warmer, although citrus can be grown less productively under shade,” Pickens said.

Planting site considerations include

the following:

• Remove weeds and plant material from the area.

• The planting hole should only be as deep as the root ball.

• The soil line should be level with the tree’s root flare.

• Do not plant the tree any deeper than it was in the pot.

• Fill the remaining area with native soil.

WATERING, FERTILIZATION AND PRUNING

Water and fertilizer are important to the establishment of the tree and its growth. From March through June, water the trees twice a week — or 1 to 2 gallons — if there isn’t enough rainfall.

Pickens said citrus

are considered heavy feeders. The plants can also handle high fertilizer rates. Consider taking a soil sample and submitting it for testing through the Auburn University Soil, Forage and Water Testing Laboratory to determine the correct amounts of fertilizer and lime to apply. Split the total annual fertilizer recommendation into three applications. To make the timing easier to remember, fertilize near Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Avoid nitrogen applications between September and February, as it will increase the risk of cold damage.

Citrus growers should remove suckers from the

base of young trees to prevent issues with tree development. Unlike other fruit trees, mature citrus trees do not require much training and pruning.

“Prune lightly to shape the tree or to remove dead or damaged limbs,” Pickens said. “Excessive pruning usually results in reduced fruit production, vertical shoots or suckers.”

Jacob Kelley, an Alabama Extension commercial horticulture regional agent, said growers should consider skirting the trees after they remove suckers, dead wood and diseased wood.

“This involves removing any branches below 18 to 24 inches from the ground,” Kelley said. “Skirting will ensure that the fruit is not touching the ground when the branches begin to bear fruit. Many times, citrus trees will grow vertical shoots from the inner canopy. These branches will grow fast and will outpace the rest of the canopy over time, adding height to the tree.”

Kelley said they call this the secondary canopy. It should be removed because these shoots will siphon nutrients needed for flower and fruit production.

“If the secondary canopy does produce

fruit, it is usually too high to reach without the use of a ladder,” Kelley said. “Removing it can keep fruit within arm’s reach. Remember that pruning can initiate growth; it is best to prune after the last chance of frost in the spring to avoid latespring freeze damage.”

CONTAINER-GROWN CITRUS

Central and northern Alabama gardeners can consider patio citrus, grown in containers. However, it is important to remember that container citrus do not have the added insulation of ground temperatures. Therefore, container citrus are more susceptible to mild freezes.

“Dwarfing citrus varieties tolerate container confinement quite well,” Pickens said. “Container-grown citrus allow gardeners to move the plant indoors in case of an imminent freeze.”

MORE INFORMATION

Homeowners can learn more about caring for backyard citrus or growing patio citrus in the Alabama Extension publication “Citrus Tree Care for the Home Gardener.” Additional information about regulated and unregulated citrus pests in Alabama can be found in the publication “Citrus Pest Identification and Management Guide.”

the audience a glimpse into his journey as a folk artist. His work is now featured in private collections and galleries throughout the Southeast, including a current exhibit titled “With Signs Following” at the

Kindergarten Registration

WHAT: 2023-2024 Registration

Alabama Contemporary Art Center in Mobile that runs through May. Partridge will also shed light on how American Songwriter Magazine credits him with establishing “himself as one of the most respected songwriters and visual folk artists in the southeast.”

After his Artist Talk,

• All students entering kindergarten

Partridge will be playing his music at Toboggan Steve’s later that evening. Both events will showcase Partridge's artistic talents to those in attendance.

The following Friday, April 7, Americus Downtown will be celebrating First Friday Artsapalooza, and Barge,

Students entering first grade who were not enrolled in the Opelika City Schools System kindergarten

WHEN: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, April 3, 4, and 5 Kindergarten registration will be open online on the dates listed above. The link to register is listed below and located on the Opelika City Schools website If you prefer to submit your registration documents in person, you are welcome to do so. If you have any questions about identifying school zones or the registration process, email us at registration@opelikaschools.org or you may call the Board of Education at 334-745-9700

WHERE: Carver Primary School, 307 Carver Avenue, Opelika 334-745-9712 Jeter Primary School, 700 Jeter Avenue, Opelika 334-745-9723 Southview Primary School, 2712 Marvyn Parkway, Opelika 334-745-9711

REGISTRATION: Click on the QR code to register.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

To be enrolled in kindergarten in August, a child must have their fifth (5th) birthday no later than September 2 of the year entering school. To be enrolled in first grade, a child must have their sixth (6th) birthday no later than December 31 of the year entering school. All children must live within the city limits of Opelika and within the school zone in which they are registering.

1. BIRTH CERTIFICATE Directions

a graphic designer and freelance illustrator, will lead his Artist Talk audience through his own artistic journey as they, too, participate in the creative process. With 40 years of experience as an artist, Barge has worked with The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, The Palm Beach Post, and Columbia, South Carolina-based The State. For the last 15 years, he has also cultivated his own freelance shop, Hardware Graphic Design+Illustration Studio.

A recipient of over 40 state Press Association awards in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, as well as countless other national and international awards for his graphic design and illustration, Barge has a wealth of knowledge and expertise about the creative process and how to follow one’s passion.

Besides being a lifelong artist, Barge also played semi-professional baseball in his 20s. Although he was “a sure-handed defensive first baseman who couldn’t

hit the curveball,” he has successfully mastered the playing field of a professional artist. With both his presence and passion for the creative process, Barge will dazzle his audience with his charm and wit.

Admission is free for both Friday night Artist Talks, though donations and membership to the Americus-Sumter Arts Council are encouraged. All proceeds support the Arts Council’s mission and vision.

Dwarf varieties of lemon trees can often be grown in containers.

RELIGION —

Iheard a news report about food insecurity making the point that it is not merely about having enough food; it is about having a sufficient amount of the right kind of food. Filling yourself up with high-calorie

Food Insecurity

items might satisfy your hunger pangs, but it won’t do much for your body’s nutritional needs.

Christ knew something about hunger. After His baptism, the Spirit sent Him into the wilderness, where He fasted for 40 days. That’s a long time — almost six weeks — and no one today should think about doing something like that without the consent and oversight of medical personnel. So, Jesus was h-u-n-g-r-y in a way that’s difficult for us to imagine.

Unlike us, though, Christ had the ability to miraculously provide food for Himself. That’s the point of Satan’s taunt, “If you are the Son

of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread” (Matthew 4:3).

Jesus was fasting not because of the lack of available food, but to draw nearer to His Father and steel Himself for the mission before Him. This helps us to understand His reply to Satan that “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (4:4). With these words, Jesus was saying that we need to do more than feed our bodies, we also need to nourish our spirits! And just as it’s possible to fill ourselves up on non-nutritional things in the physical realm, we can do the same thing spiritually. A

diet of Netflix, TikTok, Spotify and ESPN will leave us with food insecurity of the soul. We need to feed our spirit the food that comes from God’s word! Food insecurity exists on a physical level because nutritious food generally costs more. I don’t think it’s any different with spiritual food insecurity. Only the cost isn’t in dollars and cents — it’s in time and discipline. After all, there are very few people we know who don’t have access to God’s word. No, the challenge isn’t accessibility — it’s availability. It’s putting down the phone, setting aside the remote or pulling out the AirPods

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

in order to take a seat at the feet of Jesus.

Christ responded to all three temptations in the wilderness by going to the word of God. His familiarity with it meant that even when Satan tried to distort the word of God, Jesus saw through it (see Matthew 4:5-7). Let’s follow in the steps of Jesus and live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

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

334-401-1014

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church

3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church

301 Highland Ave., Opelika

334-749-9672

BAPTIST

Beulah Baptist Church

5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

3089 Judge Brown 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

CHURCH OF GOD

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

EPISCOPAL

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

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

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

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

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

Southern Plains Cowboy Church

13099 U.S. Hwy. 280 Waverly

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

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." — John 13:21

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

When the Apostle Paul said he had been “crucified with Christ,” he did not mean that he had died on a cross. It was his way of explaining that he understood the

Celebrating Your Death

paradoxical words of Jesus in Luke 9:23-24 — “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

So, Paul could share with his friends in Galatia, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). He

used the phrase “crucified with Christ” to symbolize his death to himself. Paul had “died” to the law and the ways of the world so he could live for Christ. He had become by faith a “new” man.

Authentic discipleship is only possible through this death that leads to life. Paul David Tripp explains that “coming to Jesus” is not a negotiation, an agreement or a contract. It is, he says, “a death — your death. He died so that you may live. Now he asks you to lose your life so that you may find life in

him.” In his book, “New Morning Mercies,” Tripp helps us understand what Jesus means by asking us to die: “Jesus is giving you eternal life the only way it can be given. He has to call you to die because you are in the way of you having life. It is our pride, our rebellion, our independence, our foolishness, and our denial that stand in the way of his offer of life. We tell ourselves that we are okay. We act as if we are smarter than God. We like our little kingdoms more than we love his.

We think our rules are better than his. We tell ourselves that present pleasure is better than eternal gain. If someone doesn’t rescue us from our delusions about our lives, we will lose our lives. Yes, we must die if we are ever going to live.”

Tripp’s entire book is about God’s grace; he constantly reminds us of the truth proclaimed by Paul, that “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). To drive home his point that death really is the portal to life, Tripp

writes: “So grace is out to kill us. But in presiding over our deaths, grace gives us life — real, abundant, and eternal life. Don’t fight the death of your old life; instead, celebrate the new life that is yours by grace and grace alone. And remember that your Savior will continue to call you to die; it is the way of life.”

So, if you have not done so, this is a funeral for yourself that you can plan and celebrate before your body dies — and it is truly the gate to real life, in Christ!

JEANETTE KEEL HORNSBY

Jeanette Keel Hornsby of Opelika passed away March 23, 2023. Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with visitation beginning prior to the service. Burial followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.

TAYLOR DOWE LITTLETON

Taylor Dowe Littleton departed this life March 25, 2023. He was born March 14, 1930, in Birmingham, to May Taylor Littleton and Florence Longcrier Littleton. He attended Birmingham public schools, graduating from Woodlawn High School in 1947. He attended Auburn University (formerly API) for two years before continuing his higher education at

Florida State University, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees before serving for two years in the U.S. Army. After beginning doctoral studies at FSU, he married Mary Lucy Williams of Tallahassee, Florida, in 1954, and they remained married for 67 years until her death in 2021.

When his GI Bill benefits expired, Littleton and his family moved to Auburn in

1957, where he began an appointment in the university’s Department of English. Receiving his Ph.D. in English Renaissance Literature from FSU in 1960, Littleton taught the department curriculum for more than 40 years, including periods when he also held various full-time administrative appointments. He served two years as the first dean of undergraduate studies, then spent 11

years as vice president for academic affairs.

His many administrative contributions in this position included arranging for the appointment of the first named professorship at Auburn, with a salary supplement from private sources — a plan intended to attract and retain outstanding faculty.

Under a new president, he led a committee in the renovation of the

entire undergraduate curriculum, resulting in a program of liberal education studies required of all students. For several decades, since 1967, he directed a program which, with generous foundation funding, brought to the campus eminent international scholars from both England and America — Nobel laureates, Pulitzer

The Shepherds will be at First Freewill Baptist Church for a gospel sing/revival on Saturday, June 3, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 4 at 11 a.m. Find more information on them at www.theshepherdsonline.net and on Facebook. The church is located at 103 19th St. at the corner of 1st Avenue in Opelika. Call the church at 334-703-3333 for more information.

What's Happening in Lee County

LEE COUNTY PUBLIC FISHING LAKE NOW OPEN

Lee County Public Fishing Lake will reopen on March 28, 2023, under the operation of a new lake manager. The lake had been temporarily closed during the transition of operations to the new manager. Lee County Public Fishing Lake is located at 321 Lee Road 808, in Opelika, Alabama.

The facility features a 130-acre lake, public restrooms, a fishing pier and a boat ramp. Bait, fishing tackle and snacks may be purchased at the lake. In addition to a valid fishing license, a daily $3 fishing permit is required.

Alabama’s State Public Fishing Lakes are located throughout the state and are managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) for quality fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie (in most lakes).

For more information about Lee County Public Fishing Lake, contact the lake manager at (334) 745-6563; the Fisheries Section of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division at (334) 242-3471; or visit the State Public Fishing Lakes Section of www. outdooralabama.com.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.

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.

and Auburn citizens on literary topics, especially Shakespeare and epic poetry.

designates, distinguished writers and scientists — to give public lectures, visit classrooms and interact informally with faculty, alumni and friends of the university. He was named W. Kelly Mosley Professor of Science and Humanities in 1980.

Littleton’s booklength publications, some written with distinguished colleagues, include studies in American biography, English literature, American art history (including an account and the significance of the “Advancing American Art” paintings, which now form the basic collection of the university art museum), American natural history, and a consideration of the relationship between athletics and the university (Athletics and Academe). He also edited a four-volume, university-press edition of essays by scholars who visited during the earlier years of the Littleton-Franklin Lectures series (Rights of Memory).

Following his retirement from university service, Littleton was active in the organization and administration of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art, serving as the first president of its advisory board. He was also one of the first retirees to offer courses in what is now the OLLI program, teaching regularly for more than 10 years large classes of fellow retirees

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet April 17, 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.

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.

BETTY LEONARD SCROGGINS

Littleton and his family were among the small group of parishioners to attend in 1957 the first services at the newly constructed Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In 2018 Littleton received the Holy Trinity Service Award for his many years of ministry as Vestryman, Senior Warden, church school teacher, and especially as an early-service lay reader.

He is survived by his children Dowe Williams (Elizabeth), George Burwell (Dorothy), John Franklin (Carole) and Mary Wood (Gayle); his grandchildren Wells (Meagan), Taylor, Lucas, Benjamin, Lucy, Annie, Kaitlyn and Gabriel; and great-grandchildren Laekeyn and Brayden; and by his affectionate nephew and nieces: Jack Kane, Beth Bice, Grace Johnson, Lucy Carter and their families. The family extends special thanks to Susan Brown, Nancy Brown and Amanda Ford, who provided loving care for Taylor and Lucy for many years. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 Church Drive in Auburn.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial is encouraged by the family to consider a contribution to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, the Food Bank of East Alabama or the Lee County Humane Society.

Betty went to be with the Lord on March 21, 2023, at the age of 88. Betty’s entire life was devoted to her family. Her greatest joy in life was traveling the world with them during her husband John’s military years. Betty was born in Opelika and graduated from Clift High School. She was a faithful member of Farmville Baptist Church. She also belonged to several ladies’ groups which she enjoyed.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband John A. Scroggins, her mother Vesta E. Leonard and her sister Bobby L. Jackson. She is survived by her four children Patti (Robbie) Lunday, Al (Leeann) Scroggins, Susie (Jeff) Cartledge and Nanci (Lee) Andrews; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, brother Billy (Sandra) Leonard and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express a very special thank you to Pat Ann Crayton, a loving, sister-like caregiver to Betty and the angels of Bethany House.

A celebration of life will be announced by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Bethany House at 1171 Gatewood Drive, Building 100 in Auburn.

115 years ago AuburnBank was founded on the principles of sound money management and putting the customer first. As we’ve opened our new home in downtown Auburn, those principles still drive everything we do. Come by and help us celebrate our most recent success, and let’s talk about helping you achieve yours.

Glenwood's McCraine Brothers Look to The Plains

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

Spring Break

Rundown

OPELIKA —

Opelika City Schools were on spring break last week which allowed some student-athletes time off and others a chance to play out of town.

BASEBALL

Opelika varsity Bulldog baseball head coach Zach Blatt gave his team several days off early in the week prior to playing four games at Toyota Field in Madison.

The Dogs (11-10) finished with three wins against Holtville (11-3), Oakland (1-7) and Creek Wood (13-0). Collierville beat OHS 7-0 in its only loss on the trip.

Opelika scored 11 runs in the span of three innings to beat Holtville 11-3. Jackson Killcreas pitched a complete game of seven innings, allowing three hits, three walks and striking out five batters. OHS belted 11 hits, two from Taylor "Tommy" Fields and Bryce Speakman. Brodie Jones, Jake Smith, Davis Ford, Christopher Floyd, Jackson Killcreas, Parker Killcreas and Trent Henderson added hits.

The Bulldog baseball team scored 13 runs on eight hits and used a solid pitching performance from Floyd to emerge with a 13-0 win over Creek Wood.

Three Dawg players recorded two hits apiece: Jones, Speakman and Henderson. Floyd earned the win on the mound, pitching a complete game, allowing two hits and no runs and striking out eight batters.

OHS continued scoring runs in Madison, beating Oakland 10-7 behind 13 hits. Jones, Smith, Logan Elkins and Henderson recorded two hits apiece while Fields, Jackson Killcreas, Speakman, Floyd and Parker Killcreas added hits.

Russell Copous earned the win, throwing six innings, allowing four earned runs, walking three and striking out eight. Parker Killcreas and Henderson combined to pitch the seven innings.

The Dogs were then shutout, 0-7, by Collierville for their only loss on the trip. Opelika senior Fields recorded the only hit of the game due to a dominant pitching performance by Collierville. Ford pitched four innings for the Bulldogs, and Slade Clayton threw two innings in relief to finish the game.

OMS TRACK & FIELD

The Opelika Middle School track and field team recently participated in a shortened meet at Auburn Junior High

See SPORTS, page B3

MASON MCCRAINE

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION —

The McCraine family pulled into the driveway at their home in Smiths Station, Alabama, walked through the basketball-filled garage, up the stairs and past an orange

and blue sign that reads: “Welcome to Auburn Country.” They had just returned home from a long, summer day at Glenwood’s baseball tournament in Atlanta. On the way home, their younger son, Mason, got two life-changing calls.

One was from Auburn University, and the other was from the University of Alabama.

His brother, Brandon, had committed to play baseball at Auburn University just two weeks ago, and now, in June 2022, both McCraine boys had verbally committed to

play college baseball for the household’s favorite team: the Auburn Tigers. “We were just trying to keep the wheels between the lines [on the way home],” said Scott McCraine, Brandon and Mason’s dad. “I’m still

See BROTHERS, page B2

The Man Behind the Scenes How

Mike Burgomaster Has Helped Shape Auburn

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN —

The Auburn Tigers men’s basketball program has entered a new era. Expectations for the program have never been higher. Head coach Bruce Pearl has built something special, but he did not accomplish it alone.

Mike Burgomaster has been a part of Pearl’s staff since 2019. He served as assistant director of operations before being promoted to assistant to the head coach

and recruiting coordinator during the 2021-22 season.

Basketball

“Coach Pearl is a very authentic person,” Burgomaster said. “I think what you see, whether he’s coaching on the sidelines or you see him in media or you see him at these events, he’s the same in public as he is to work for. He’s a very passionate guy. He cares about each and every member of our program, whether it’s the managers, whether it’s the players, whether it’s the staff — and he’s just a passionate, See BURGOMASTER, page B3

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER PHOTO BY STEVEN LEONARD AUBURN TIGERS

Bruce Pearl and Mike Burgomaster (first sitting on right) during the game between the Houston Cougars and the Auburn Tigers at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

BRANDON MCCRAINE

Beauregard Softball Improving

Dominant Pitching Duo Keeping AHS Softball Hot

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS FOR THE OBSERVER

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

BEAUREGARD —

Spring sports are in full swing throughout the state of Alabama, and Beauregard High School softball is no exception. With a record of 14-12-1, the Hornets have learned a lot about themselves at this point in the season. After a disappointing season last spring, the Hornets have shown some definite improvement.

Head coach Scott Meadows offered his take on how things have been so far this season.

“We have played a tough schedule,” Meadows said. “We won the Valley Tournament on [the] March 11th weekend. We are 1-2 in area play with losses to Elmore County and Tallassee.”

Following his general overview of how the Hornets are performing well, Meadows highlighted

some of the issues that the team has been experiencing so far this season.

“We are committing too many errors,” Meadows said. “If we can get that under control and get the lower third of our order to step up a little more and our pitchers fine-tuned just a little more, we got a shot at regionals and that's our goal.”

Meadows noted how strong the bond is around the team. It is hard to find success in sports when team chemistry is bad. Fortunately for Beauregard, that has not been a problem.

“I’m most happy about our team chemistry,” Meadows said. “They are all for one and one for all.

'#SQUAD14' is our motto.”

A good team always has a set of dependable players who can produce when it matters the most.

The Hornets have gotten solid production from several players, some of them being freshmen, which is

encouraging for the future of the program.

“Berkley Wilson, Raegan Brooks and Bailey Abernathy are all hitting around .400 or over and providing some power,” Meadows said. “Lindsey Moulton and Mary Payton Dees are two ninth-graders that are in that .300-.325 range, which is a big plus.”

Beauregard High School softball is headed in the right direction under the leadership of Meadows.

The team has big plans for this season and the players are buying in — even amid a much needed break.

“We are on spring break this week,” Meadows said. “I’m hoping six days off will bring them back rested and ready to make a run.”

Beauregard was back in action against Beulah on the road on Wednesday.

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

At 17-3-1, Auburn High softball is ranked No. 8 in the 7A state in this week’s poll by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, and the pitching duo of senior Allie Roberts and sophomore Abigail Helms is a big reason why.

“I call them 1-A and 1-B,” said head coach Matthew Hendricks. “Allie Roberts is the senior. She’s a little more experienced, so she gets the ‘A’ handle, and Abby [Helms] is a 10th-grader. She gets the ‘B,’ but they’re both comparable.”

is right behind her with a 1.3 ERA and a 7-3 record. They have thrown 55 and 54 innings, respectively.

The duo has pounded the zone with great results. Hendricks said the team's goal is for their pitchers to have a 2-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a target they have left in the dust.

They’ve combined for 127 strikeouts compared to just 23 walks, nearly a 6-1 ratio. That is a combination that’s led Auburn to six shutout victories, along with a 2-0 start to region play after taking a pair of contests with Smiths Station last week.

from the offense. In their first loss this season, however, the bats went cold.

“We’ve always pitched and played defense well, so that part I’m accustomed to, but we started off hot offensively, and then we went into a struggle where we were a little bit outside of the zone, making poor decisions,” Hendricks said. “It kind of caught up to us last week, and we ended up dropping a game to Enterprise.”

But the switch flipped back on, and the Tigers attribute that to playing team ball.

OCS Board Receives Solid Financial Report, Approves Budget Amendment

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The Opelika City Schools Board’s March meeting consisted of a positive 2022 audit report and the approval of the year’s first budget amendment.

Although monthly expenses have spiked due to the capital fund project of building Fox Run Elementary School, John Boles,

accounting partner with Himmelright, Huguley and Boles, assessed that the board has seemed to handle its financial situation well.

“This was a very good audit,” he said.

“The Opelika School system is financially healthy. One thing I will say is the school board seems to have quite a bit of cash on hand, and interest rates have increased significantly. But

before I could even tell [Chief Financial Officer Chris Harrison], ‘Hey, I see other municipalities and governments getting good rates,’ he had already taken care of that. So, you guys are managing your money very well.”

After the audit report and the brief approval of board personnel recommendations, Harrison

See OCS BOARD, page B6

For Auburn’s opponents, it’s a matter of picking their poison. Roberts boasts a 0.89 ERA with a 9-0 record plus a save, and Helms

A big part of Auburn’s offensive success is ball placement and making strategic contact to advance runners, putting pressure on the defense

The Hornets will be back in front of their home crowd next Tuesday when they host Elmore County at 5 p.m. See SOFTBALL, page B3

excited about it, but the shock is over. At first, in my mind I was like, ‘My kids are getting something better than I ever had and the life that a lot of people dream of.’ I hope and I pray that they realize that.”

Although they received offers around the same time, Brandon said the decisions to commit to Auburn were made individually. It just boiled down to the way Auburn treated them.

“[Auburn head coach Butch Thompson] just really got to know us — not really on a personal level, but attitude-wise,” Mason said. “Like, he came to our game at Southland (Academy). When he watched my bullpen, he was also seeing where I was mentally. He stood there for a good 30 minutes.”

Brandon echoed his brother’s statements.

“I was talking to Alabama for a good bit, and I went to their showcase, but they weren’t really as attentive as Auburn was,” Brandon explained. “That’s what made it feel like a better decision for me. Just the atmosphere and the coaches [are why I chose Auburn].”

But neither of the boys had even started their junior year at Glenwood High School yet. Brandon

The dominance in the circle is nothing that caught Hendricks by surprise he said, but six of the Tigers’ first nine wins came via double-digit run explosions

was a rising junior, and Mason was a rising sophomore. They were both being recruited as pitchers initially, but the boys haven’t even set their positions in stone yet.

Both contribute for Glenwood on both sides of the ball. Brandon is a right-handed pitcher, first baseman and has played shortstop to fill in for an injured player. Mason is a left-handed pitcher who has played all around the field, including first base and outfield. Both guys are consistent forces at the plate, according to Glenwood head coach Tim Fanning, but whether that will carry into college remains to be seen.

“I’m trying to be a two-way player, but [Thompson] mentioned to us that he’ll start watching our bats when we hit junior year because that’s when we need to be developing,” Mason said.

Considering all the uncertainty, Scott initially encouraged the boys to wait to commit until their senior years, but college coaches were persistent to the point where he didn’t feel like they had that option. Brandon got his first offer from UAB the summer before his sophomore year, and the brothers have been attending showcases all throughout high school.

Scott said his phone is “constantly buzzing” between college coaches contacting him and travel

ball coaches recruiting his sons. Along with the pressure from coaches, they’ve dealt with negativity and people trying to bring them down.

Through all the noise, the family has learned some important lessons.

“As I get older, I learn to just sit back and be quiet and let them do their thing,” Scott said. “We don’t focus on negativity. You try to love everybody and live by ‘treat others the way you want to be treated.’ And that works out pretty good for you.”

Both boys are on their third Glenwood sport this school year. First, they made a run to the state championship in football, then Brandon hit a buzzer-beater to win the basketball state title and now they are 17-3 in baseball and look primed for more ring chasing.

The McCraines are embracing the success they’ve had on the field and court, but the boys aren’t letting their commitments take away from what’s in front of them.

“I mean, when I’m playing baseball and like, hanging out with friends, [being committed to Auburn] is not really something I think of,” Brandon said. “I just want my friends to see me as one of them and not someone that’s like … higher than them or better. I try to stay as humble about it as I can.”

The varsity Auburn High School softball team defeated Smiths Station 9-4 in an area game March 22.

Beauregard softball plays in the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 5, and is coached by Scott Meadows.

BROTHERS >> FROM B1

John Boles delivers Opelika City Schools' 2022 audit to start off the board meeting on Tuesday, March 28.

PHOTO BY NOAH GRIFFITH / FOR THE OBSERVER

SCA Scrapes By Busy Week

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY — Southern Christian Athletics’ baseball season has surged into full swing with six games over the past two weeks.

On March 21, the Patriots’ junior varsity came out on the short end of an 11-6 verdict against Heritage Christian of Birmingham. Jagger Scott led the team with a two-for-three effort at the plate. The varsity couldn’t quite hold off Heritage’s hitters and lost by a 6-5 score. Jedd

SPORTS >>

FROM B1

School, presented by Glynn Smith Chevrolet Buick GMC. The following are top finishers for OMS.

100-METER DASH

12.22 - Andrew Barnett

- 5th

13.34 - Braeden Dowdell

- 18th

HIGH JUMP

4-10 - Andrew Barnett

- 3rd

LONG JUMP

17-9 - Braeden Dowdell

BURGOMASTER >>

FROM B1

hard-working man.”

Seeing the program grow into a perennial contender is not something that Burgomaster takes lightly, he said.

“There’s definitely a sense of pride,” Burgomaster said. “The heights that the program reached — first No. 1 ranking ever last year, first trip to the Final Four in program history — there’s definitely a lot of pride in that. Coach Pearl says [to] all the team it’s easier to get it going than it is to keep it going. You don’t necessarily get as much time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished because you’re on to the next year.”

Recruiting is vital to the success of any collegiate program, and

SOFTBALL

— a strategy that the Tigers executed to perfection against Beulah last Thursday. After a pair of bunts extended the second inning, Robertson took advantage by launching a ball to the opposite field for a three-run bomb that led to a 7-1 win.

“When you get down back-to-back bunts and get runners on because of it, things just change. You become a lot harder to defend,” Hendricks said after the win over Beulah. “The biggest thing is, we’re willing to hit the ball the other way. We’ve hit 15 or 16 homers now, and only one of them has been to the pull side.”

Offensive versatility has also played

Scott and Jaxon Frazier each had two hits.

Last Thursday, the Evangel Lightning paid a visit to Covington Park for two games.

SCA’s junior varsity claimed a 5-2 victory behind the strong pitching of Noah Sawhill and (Jagger) Scott. In the second contest, the varsity dropped a 6-16 decision.

On Saturday (March 25), Tuscaloosa Academy came to town for two games.

Behind two-hit performances from Jayden McKee, (Jedd) Scott, (Jagger) Scott and Josiah Frick, the varsity

- 4th 16-9 - Andrew Barnett - 6th

OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS

BASEBALL FOR AGES 13-15

REGISTRATION THROUGH APRIL 15

The Opelika DBB league is holding baseball registration for ages 13 through 15 at the Opelika Sportsplex and online at opelikasportsplex. com. Click "YOUTH ATHLETICS/SPORTS" and look for Dixie Boys Baseball.

Burgomaster said it all comes down to personal connections.

“I think at the end of the day it’s about relationships,” he said. “It’s all about being able to identify and get really good information about high school kids coming up.”

Auburn has landed some big recruits recently. Players such as Jabari Smith, Isaac Okoro and Sharife Cooper have altered the landscape with which Auburn basketball adds talent to its roster.

Burgomaster played a big role in landing all of them.

“I think every recruiting process is unique,” Burgomaster said.

“Isaac’s, for example, you know, was a very long process. He’d come to camps here from when he was a freshman on, and so you kind of see him develop and turn into the player

in Auburn’s favor. Hendricks bragged on his two-hole hitter, senior Ashlyn Hartin, for her unpredictable approach.

“She’s dynamic because she may bunt one at-bat; she may slap the next. Then, she may hit a bomb the next time up,” Hendricks said with a chuckle. “That’s been really helpful.”

In addition to Hartin’s .379 on-base percentage, his two pitchers are heavy contributors on offense with a combined 29 RBIs, and he has the threat of senior Ivey Davis at his disposal.

Second on the team to only Katie Johnson (.533) with a .517 OBP and first in RBIs with 17, Hendricks moved Davis from her usual place at third in the

cruised to a 15-5 mercy rule-shortened victory in the first game. Then in the finale, Noah Sawhill’s two hits and (Jagger) Scott’s stellar pitching led the way for a 10-3 JV win. This was the Patriots’ first doubleheader sweep in the team’s history.

(Jagger) Scott continues to lead the Patriots’ hitting attack with a .550 average, while McKee has risen to .500.

SCA hosted local school Trinity Christian Tuesday in a junior varsity game at Covington Park.

The registration fee is $45 if you live inside the city limits of Opelika and $50 if you live outside the Opelika city limits. Registration fee covers jersey and cap, and every player will be on a team. The league offers 13U and 14U All-Star teams that will be selected by coaches and league.

The city of Opelika is hosting the Junior DBB World Series (13U) at West Ridge Park July 21 through 26. Eleven states will be

that he was going to be over those four years. It’s a steady process with the relationships you’ve built with the people on his AAU program, his high school and his family over that time.”

Auburn has put a number of these high-profile recruits into the NBA over the past few years, and Burgomaster said he enjoys watching the Tigers succeed at the next level.

“Getting to see those guys not only reach their dreams but have success at their dream — it’s really cool,” Burgomaster said. “At the end of the day, when they’re here, they’re kids. They’re going to a league where there are only so many jobs in the entire world. That’s the highest level of the game. We’re trying to watch them as much as possible when we’re not

order to the top of the lineup last week. Playing to a speedy bottom of the order, she now has the opportunity to clear the bases with her power, while also setting the table for Hartin and others behind her.

With dominant performances on both sides of the ball and a deep, talented lineup, Hendricks said he feels like the team will only improve as it dives further into region play with a pair of matchups versus Opelika next week.

“A lot of [our improvements] comes with confidence, too,” Hendricks said. “They’re starting to believe in what they’re capable of. The longer we keep it rolling, the better off we’ll be.”

represented, along with the 13U Opelika All-Star team.

SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ON iHEARTRADIO

The Opelika High School softball team (9-10) will host Central Phenix City next Wednesday at West Ridge Park at 5:30 p.m. You can listen to the game on WZMG FOX Sports the Game 910-1310, presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic. You can also listen on the iHeartRadio app (WZMG)

scouting or recruiting or that sort of stuff.”

More recently, the transfer portal has changed college recruiting in a short period of time. Burgomaster said he has adapted his approach in order to make sure Auburn has the best roster possible.

“There’s a major pivot in college basketball,” Burgomaster said. “The transfer portal is a major shift in how we had to operate as a staff. I think we, as a staff, have sort of figured out a little bit more how to balance whether you take a high school kid or whether you go and get somebody out of the transfer portal. I think we’ve

or online at foxsportsthegame.com.

You can listen to the Bulldog baseball team play Central Phenix City Thursday, April 6, at Bulldog Park on WZMG FOX Sports the Game, starting at 4:30 p.m., presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic.

iHeartRadio and Opelika continue to be your home for Opelika Athletics. WKKR is the only FM station to ever broadcast Opelika athletics. The

had a lot of successful transfers here, so I think we’re a desirable place for transfers to come.”

Overall, Burgomaster said he most enjoys the process of recruiting and building a team.

“I think the thing I enjoy the most about recruiting is the journey from when we’re in the recruiting process, then to see that success on the court,” Burgomaster said. “I think seeing — not necessarily the finished product — but seeing what we said to them in the recruiting process coming to fruition. There are a lot of programs where anyone could go, but it takes a real buy-in to what we’re

Kicker started airing OHS sports in the late ‘80s under then-owner and now Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. iHeartRadio will continue to support Opelika athletics and Opelika schools.

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.

trying to do.”

Seeing a recruit sign with the Tigers is one of the most rewarding parts of Burgomaster’s job, he said.

“It’s a great feeling because it’s a lot of hard work that has paid off,” he said. “A lot of people have put a lot of time and energy into that. It’s a good feeling, and it just makes you excited for what the future is going to hold.”

Auburn basketball has taken off in the past few years, and Burgomaster has played — and will continue to play — an important role in sustaining and growing the place the program is currently in.

Jedd Scott pitching for the Southern Christian Academy varsity baseball team.

>> FROM B2

SEC CHAMPS: Auburn Equestrian Wins FifthStraight SEC Title

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

AUBURN —

It was another big day for the Auburn equestrian team as the Tigers captured the program’s fifth-consecutive Southeastern Conference title on March 25. The top-seeded Tigers downed No. 2 seed Texas A&M, 13-6, at One Wood Farm in Blythewood, South Carolina.

“This team is unbelievable,” said head coach Greg Williams. “They brought the energy today and it was just another special championship for our team. To win five straight is remarkable and I’m so proud of all the hard work and effort that went in to win today.”

“With this season being my last, it’s really been

an emotional ride,” said fifth-year Emma Kurtz.

“To know that the work we’ve put in has paid off is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. I’m so proud of this team for

buying into the program and I’m so thankful for our coaches who push us to be better every day.”

“It means the world to win another championship with this team,” said

Three Auburn Gymnasts

Named WCGA All-Americans

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

AUBURN —

Fifth-year Derrian Gobourne, senior Cassie Stevens and sophomore Sunisa Lee of the No. 12 Auburn gymnastics team added to their lists of accolades as the three were named regular season AllAmericans, the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association announced last Thursday.

Lee earned two honors, while Gobourne and Stevens earned one each. Lee was named First Team All-American on bars and picked up Second Team in the all-around. Gobourne was Second Team on floor, while Stevens earned FirstTeam on vault.

Student-athletes with the top eight National Qualifying Scores (NQS) for the regular season earned First Team honors, while Second Team went to student-athletes ranked Nos. 9 through 16.

“It’s such an honor to get these awards,” said head coach Jeff Graba. “This is a tribute to the hard work these student-athletes have

put in this year. I’m so proud of them, and we’re lucky to have these three representing Auburn so well.”

Lee’s two awards moved her career total to 10 overall. That is the most by any gymnast in program history. Caitlin Atkinson (201316) held the record at nine prior to this year.

Lee finished the regular season tied for fourth on bars with a 9.965 NQS. The St. Paul, Minnesota, product totaled two 10.0s this season, as well as one 9.975 and four 9.95s. She earned six titles in the event for the Tigers.

She secured Second Team recognition in the all-around, having a 39.655 NQS that came in ninth nationally. Lee finished with one of the highest allaround totals on the year, having a 39.825 on the road at Alabama (Feb. 3). She had three other all-around scores of 39.75 or better. Overall, Lee had four allaround wins on the year.

Gobourne’s Second Team selection is the seventh of her career and third on floor. The 2023 SEC

Specialist of the Year finished with a 9.940 NQS on floor, having three titles in the event on the year.

The Sarasota, Florida, native had two scores of 9.975 on the season as well as three 9.95s for the Tigers.

Stevens picked up the first All-America honor of her career, finishing on the vault First Team with a 9.925 NQS. That score finished tied for eighth nationally.

Stevens, of Phoenix, Arizona, had five scores of 9.925 or better on the year, including a career-best 9.975 on the road at Kentucky (March 4). Stevens earned a share of the SEC Vault Champion crown, scoring a 9.95 at the conference meet.

The Tigers return to action this week, heading to the West Coast for the 2023 NCAA Los Angeles Regional. Auburn will compete in the afternoon session, March 30, as the third seed and looks to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, April 1. The three-day regional will be held in Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA.

did today is something really special. This win is for those who paved the way before us and for the next group to be a part of this team.”

all went undefeated in Jumping Seat action for the Tigers.

BY AU ATHLETICS

The championship win is the team’s sixth in the Southeastern Conference (2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) since the league began sponsoring the sport in 2013.

“I think it shows that we’re doing things right,” Williams said. “It has become a part of the whole culture here. It shows in the way we go about our business day in and day out.”

“I was lucky to have two good rides this weekend, but ultimately my teammates are the reason I was able to do that,” Tordoff said. “I’ve had some bad luck this year, and my teammates just continued to pull me up and build my confidence. That’s what makes us a championship-caliber team. I just wanted to ride for them this week and put it all on the line for them.”

senior Olivia Tordoff. “I wholeheartedly believe the SEC is the hardest conference, and to win in this conference truly means more. Seeing this group come together the way we

Tordoff was placed on the SEC AllChampionship team after going 2-0-0 in Horsemanship. Kurtz, as well as senior Ava Stearns and junior Ellie Ferrigno,

“I really feel like I thrive under pressure and live for big moments like those this weekend,” Kurtz added. “I’m so grateful for the amazing horses I was able to ride. In this sport, dominant

See EQUESTRIAN, page B5

Auburn Men Solidify Top 10 finish at NCAA Championships

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

AUBURN —

In just his second season at the helm on The Plains, head swimming and diving coach Ryan Wochomurka has vaulted his squad back into the top 10 at the NCAA Championships.

“I don’t know if there’s been a team that’s gone from zero points to top 10 in just two years that I can remember, at least in recent memory,” Wochomurka said. “Just an incredible performance from the guys this weekend but importantly, it was an incredible team performance. They worked together as a group. They loved each other the entire week to help each other. And you saw that manifest itself in the totality of the week.”

On the final day of competition, Wochomurka’s crew went out with a bang, adding two more individual AllAmerica honors as well as

Jumping In

a gutty ninth-place effort in the 400 free relay to secure 10th overall with 127 points.

It’s the most points the Orange and Blue have collected since Wochomurka arrived on The Plains and the most since 2017 (127.5). Auburn’s 10thplace finish is also its highest since 2016 (10th).

“So proud of this week but also the entirety of the year and the belief that began two years ago that we could come back to this meet and be a top 10 program,” Wochomurka said. “It wasn’t the goal to be top 10 at this meet. It was to improve upon last year, but this team believed, understood and knew they could do more.”

After a strong effort in the 100 back on Friday, both Aidan Stoffle and Nate Stoffle took their turn at the 200 back on Saturday morning. Stoffle pushed out a sturdy 1:40.07 to qualify 15th and slide into the evening’s B final. Nate grabbed 26th

overall, hitting the wall at 1:41.54.

Stoffle saved his best individual swim for last. The captain put together the second-fastest 200 back in school history to hit the wall at 1:39.30 and win the consolation final.

In the 200 breast, it was the trio of Reid Mikuta, Henry Bethel and Jacques Rathle. Mikuta managed a 1:53.58 to grab 25th overall, his best finish in the event. Bethel clocked in 39th with a 1:55.79 while Rathle swam a 1:56.04 to snag 40th.

The 200 fly proved to be an electric race for the Tigers. Freshman Danny Schmidt dropped almost a second from his seed time, hitting the wall at 1:43.25 to finish 28th overall. However, it was one of the last men who qualified for the meet in Evan McInerny who would make the loudest noise in the Orange and Blue. Coming .02 seconds within a personal best,

See SWIM, page B8

Ambition, drive and a rock ‘n’ roll vision helped two Auburn graduates build a global outdoor lifestyle brand

CONTRIBUTED BY

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

AUBURN —

Corey Cooper (’05) walks to the edge of the roof of his guest house and stares down at the pool below. His wife, Magda Cooper (’05), lounges on an inflatable dock and faces the poolside photographer, who is waiting to see what Corey will do. Will he jump in the pool? Corey looks again and inches closer, his toes touching the edge.

“This is what the company is like” he says.

In one quick move, Corey steps off the roof, into the air below. He jumps in.

Corey and Magda have always been jumping in.

Jumping into their marriage

and family. Jumping into solving impossible problems. Jumping into graduating early from Auburn and winning national championships in swimming.

For the last 13 years, they’ve spent every waking moment building BOTE, a global water lifestyle brand that mixes the couple’s rebel spirit with a relentless pursuit of quality and “badass” design.

What started in a storage unit below a Mellow Mushroom in Destin, Fla., has become a company with more than 70 domestic employees, 350 products and $100 million in annual sales.

The Jimmy Page of Paddleboards

It is a hot August day in

Destin and Corey and Magda are taking us around their warehouse facilities in an industrial park near the airport.

We walk through a 110,000-square-foot warehouse packed with stand up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, coolers, inflatable chairs and other items that make up the BOTE product lines of “paddle,” “leisure,” “gear” and “power.” It is a hulking reminder of BOTE’s reach across the outdoor and watersports market, which is estimated at $14 billion in North America alone.

They empty this huge warehouse almost every week, shipping more than 200 paddleboards daily to consumers and retailers like outdoor company REI. In

all, the company keeps about $20 million of inventory in Destin, also filling up old Sears and JCPenney store spaces in a shuttered shopping mall across town.

Next door is the Darkroom, the innovative heart of BOTE. Corey is quick to remind that they didn’t invent the paddleboard, they just improved it, using one of his favorite topics: music.

“You look at Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page,” Corey said. “That band didn’t invent the blues or rock, they just remixed it. That’s what we’re doing here.”

The Darkroom features a 4-Axis CNC Mill that allows a new board design to be quickly cut from a foam

blank. Those blanks are taken to shaping rooms where the boards are laminated and finished. BOTE can go from design idea to rideable prototype in about a week. This allows the company to average six new product releases a year.

One area of product innovation for BOTE was building a better inflatable paddleboard. Unlike their fiberglass counterparts, inflatable SUPs can be deflated and carried in a trunk of a car or a backpack, opening up paddleboarding to landlocked customers. In fact, 60% of BOTE buyers are inland, not near a beach or water.

The other was allowing their customers to outfit their kayak or board to fit

their lifestyle. If you want to fish, you can buy the board and then all the accessories that help you land the big one. It’s that quality — plus customization — that has fueled BOTE’s growth. The brand is further extended with a full suite of coolers, inflatable furniture, beer, hats and T-shirts, all reflecting the brand’s gritty, sun-filled aesthetic that feels like a cross between a surf shop and a tattoo parlor.

It’s a look that almost everyone at BOTE refers to with a smile as “badass.”

William Addison ’11 is a product designer and industrial design graduate. Beyond the look, he says the key to

See COOPERS, page B8

The Auburn University equestrian team poses with its fifth-consecutive SEC title last Saturday in Blythewood, South Carolina.

performances are just as dependent on the horse as they are on the rider and I’m thankful I got to put up big numbers for my team.”

The Tigers (11-2) had three Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) honors for the championship meet. Kurtz won Fences, while Ferrigno took Flat. Junior Madison Parduhn won her first MOP of the season in Horsemanship.

Opelika Baseball Honors Seniors

The Jumping Seat corps put together a dominating performance overall, going 8-1-1 between Fences and Flat.

“Our Jumping Seat squad really came out today,” Williams said. “They went at it hard and took it to them. And the Western side had a great showing as well. I have two of the best position coaches in the business in Jessica Braswell and Taylor Searles. This team earned them today and wouldn’t be as

successful without them.”

Fences led things off with a 4-0-1 mark against the Aggies in the first half. Kurtz’s MOP win came first as she downed Haley Redifer, 263-235.

Sophomore Sophee Steckbeck followed with 246 points in her win, while Ferrigno earned her 11th win of the season in the event with a 245.

Sophomore Mary-Grace Segars tied Morgan Rosia, 242-242, and Stearns capped Fences with a

246-245 edge over Brooke Brombach.

Auburn’s Flat crew put together a 4-1-0 mark in the second half for the squad. Ferrigno’s MOP ride gave her a 250 to beat her opponent before Kurtz bested Maggie Nealon, 252-248. Segars bested Brombach, 240-233, and Stearns gave Auburn its championship-winning point with a 239-228 win.

In Western, Horsemanship earned a 3-2 win in the second half

The varsity Opelika High School baseball team held its senior night festivities March 18 at home versus the Marbury Bulldogs. Opelika fell to Marbury, 5-9. Pictured are the seven seniors honored by Opelika for their contributions to the baseball team. Seniors pictured top left to right: Taylor Fields, Trent Henderson, Bryce Speakman, Jake Smith, Caleb Chisum, Colby Rathel and Knox Chase.

of the meet for the Tigers. Tordoff scored a 225.5 to defeat her opponent by 18.5 points. Parduhn’s 216 topped Ella Gerbrandt’s 205 to give her the MOP win on her birthday, and freshman Caroline Fredenburg finished out her excellent showing in the tournament with a 223.5-221 edge over Alexis Robinson.

Auburn’s Reining squad got two points during the first half of the meet. Freshman Caroline

Buchanan bested Lisa Bricker by two (208.5206.5) and junior Isabella Tesmer finished her undefeated weekend with a 190.5-0 victory.

The Tigers look to close out the season with another championship as the team will head to Ocala, Florida, for the 2023 NCEA Championship. The threeday meet will be held April 13 through 15 at the World Equestrian Center, and Auburn will once again be the host team.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

EQUESTRIAN >> FROM B4

Panthers, Tigers Battle for Area Supremacy

OCS BOARD >>

FROM B2

presented this year’s premier budget amendment, which he explained as a routine development that happens yearly.

The amendment has three parts: adjusting beginning equity balances, additional funds from the state and federal level and carryover programs. Harrison explained that those adjustments are made when looking into the first several months

of the year, and further amendments will be brought up around June.

“We’re increasing revenues from the original budget to this amendment by 3.2%,” Harrison said. “The expenditures, actually, we’re decreasing that from the original budget by 6.6%.”

Taking into account the school system’s special projects, debt and capital projects, such as the building of Fox Run Elementary and past renovation projects

on the high school, total revenue is up from last year. However, Harrison explained that those numbers aren’t likely to stick.

“[Total revenue] can really fluctuate from year to year,” he explained. “We’ve got a lot of extra capital projects on the way, so that number can really spike up in a year and come down in another year.”

Harrison went on to explain how the audit will help the board move forward financially.

“The main reason why we’re doing this amendment is it adjusts our fund equity balances,” he said. “Now that we have completed the year, and it’s been audited and approved by the state, we know what those ending equity balances were from the prior year. Now, we’re able to adjust those.”

With a positive monthly financial report, the board’s next meeting is set for April 25, where it plans to discuss the monthly child nutrition report.

The varsity Auburn and Smiths Station softball teams squared off in an area matchup March 21, with the Tigers emerging with a 9-4 victory. The Smiths Station baseball team hosted Enterprise March 24 and emerged with a 5-4 win.

BOTE’s products is they make everything “bomb proof.”

“We’re not trying to shave pennies off every product,” he said, holding up cups they’ve designed for a floating beer pong game. “It’s about quality. When you buy anything from BOTE, you can feel how well it’s made.” According to the company’s internal documents, BOTE’s brand quality perception outpaces legacy outdoor companies like Yeti, Patagonia and Hobie.

DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS

Talking with the Coopers is an exercise in contrasts. Corey is all positive energy. Even in the most casual of conversations, he is pushing forward, exploring, testing out ideas by speaking them into existence. It’s a style that some employees said takes a while to get used to.

“I jump into things deep and fast,” said Corey. “I’m like a dolphin. I use talking as echolocation. I can’t passively observe. I haven’t ever gotten what I want that way.”

Magda has the quiet confidence of a former athlete and the poise of someone used to playing the long game. Someone who can swim six hours a day for an entire year to try to win a national championship in four days in March. She often pauses before speaking, looking for the right word.

“There’s a yin and yang with the two of us for sure,” she said. Their 18-year relationship reveals itself in the easy way they finish each other’s sentences and the occasional furtive looks they give one another.

But they are united in their passion for their work, for their family, for their employees and for Auburn. Their love of the school is the reason they won’t relocate the company because it would be too far away from the Plains. And why they come back on the weekends to games and hire Auburn graduates whenever they can.

“Auburn has a soul,” Corey said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Corey grew up in Jackson, Miss. an inquisitive and energetic kid. His mom taught school and his father ran a small car dealership. They both started several unsuccessful small businesses and provided Corey with the basics, but nothing more.

By the time Corey is five, he is tearing apart radios and toy tractors to see how they work. At six, wanting a guitar, he makes a working one — out of a cereal box. Already sure he is going to be an engineer, Corey makes his own fishing rod at eight. He tinkers. He analyzes. He begins to construct a life he wants with his own hands.

His parents divorce and he moves with his mom to Texas, then Alabama and then to Woodstock, Ga. for high school, where he excels in math (“it was like my second language”), physics and calculus. He graduates with a 4.2 GPA and picks Auburn engineering over Georgia Tech. He enrolls in fall 2001 with 31 college credits.

Magda Dyszkiewicz never sat still, even before she was born. In 1981, her parents fled Communist Poland for Germany while her mom was pregnant with her. When Magda was two, the family moved to Salisbury, North Carolina, where she said she

became an “explorer.” Their house sat on six acres and was next to a hunting preserve. Magda spent her days climbing trees, lighting bonfires and “messing around in the woods.”

But the water soon called.

Magda’s father was an accomplished swimmer in Poland and founded a club team in Salisbury. Along with her two older brothers, Magda began swimming when she was four. At 15, she decided to get serious about it. And she was good.

In 1999, Auburn came calling. Coach Dave Marsh and Women’s Coach Kim Brackin recruited Magda. While the men’s team had recently won multiple national championships, the women’s team had not. That didn’t discourage Magda; it was what attracted her to the program.

“What sold me on Auburn was the idea of being able to go somewhere and help build something,” she said. Little did she know how much that would help her after she left Auburn.

But first she must swim four hours every day under Brackin’s stern command, hoping all the work will pay off in the NCAAs at the end of the year. The women’s team wins their first national championship in 2002, and then follows it up with two more in 2003 and 2004.

Magda earns All-American honors and graduates with a degree in business. On her graduation night, she meets a mechanical engineering major and fellow graduate named Corey.

BUILDING A BETTER MOUSE TRAP

Like all things BOTE, the origin story of the company is part sun-drenched day and part insane idea.

In 2009, Corey and Magda are hanging out at Crab Island, a shallow water inlet in Destin where people gather to swim, sunbathe and party. A guy comes around with something new called a “paddleboard.” It is bulky and slow and hard to stay on. They watch 10 people try it and 10 fall off.

“It’s a bad mouse trap. It’s a poor design,” said Corey, who was already working as an industrial engineer for the military. “It’s something that people were attracted to. The simplicity, the elegance, the visual concept of being able to stand up to paddle, but nobody could do it.”

Right there, they have the vision. Of a better paddleboard. One that was cool looking, easy to ride and, most importantly, a platform

that the user could customize to go anywhere and do anything on the water, from yoga to fishing. The “unicorn,” Magda calls it, that they would chase for the next decade.

“I’m looking at this as a simple platform, basically like, ‘Dude, this could be your boat, your vessel to go places,’” Corey said.

And so, they name it BOTE. A play on words, sure, but also a guiding principle. Anything you can do on a boat, you should be able to do on their paddleboards.

Revenge Of The Beach Bums

Sometimes, the place where a vision becomes a reality smells like oil and spaghetti sauce. For BOTE, that place was a dingy storage unit below a Destin Mellow Mushroom. There, Corey works every night until 2 or 3 in the morning, shaping the first BOTE paddleboards, smoke and fiberglass billowing out into the parking lot. They test them on the beach on weekends, iterating one ride at a time.

In 2010, they sell the first 50 to friends and family, Corey making them all by hand. They max out their credit cards and borrow money from family. “The whole idea is how do we turn one dollar into two dollars,” Magda said.

To increase production, Corey travels to China and strikes a deal with a manufacturer to make the shells. Even as they sell their first 1,000 paddleboards, it is just the two of them, making, shipping and selling the products. Corey is still working a daytime engineering job and Magda is hitting all the outdoor shows in the Southeast.

Friends and family tell them they’re crazy. Why would two people with degrees from Auburn want to build paddleboards? Want to be beach bums?

And for a brief moment they contemplate quitting. But that’s when Magda remembers those hours training in the pool, keeping her eye on a unicorn that’s always on the horizon.

“We had to have complete tunnel vision,” Magda said. “We just knew we had no option but to go forward.”

And so they did what they always do: they jumped in.

Corey leaves his engineering job in 2012 to focus full time on BOTE. In July 2012, they open their first store in Destin and hire their first employee. They can’t keep the product on the shelves.

Their vision was starting to take shape. What the

haters didn’t understand was Corey and Magda weren’t building paddleboards. They were building a brand. And that brand was about to take off.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS

What happens when you build a company, a family and a life at the same time?

For the Coopers, it means the line between BOTE and their family, between their professional and personal lives, doesn’t exist.

“Not at all,” Corey said. “We call BOTE our second baby because it was ‘born’ right after our first child, Tristan.”

Look at a BOTE catalog and the photogenic family are the models for many of the products. Their modern home in Destin (which they knocked down to the studs and rebuilt themselves), Magda calls their product testing lab. It’s full of discarded demos, forgotten ideas and paddleboard prototypes.

“We don’t sell a product that our family hasn’t used, is using or will use in the future,” said Magda.

Carol Zorn ’07 is a BOTE graphic designer and loves working for a company that encourages you to be yourself and occasionally allows you to wear your swimsuit to work. “You can really see

Corey and Magda in the look and feel of the brand and the culture here,” said Zorn. “They understand what it’s like to be a parent.”

After more than a decade of charging ahead, there are signs the couple is starting to step back, at least a little. Now with three young children, Magda stepped away from the day-to-day operations last year to spend more time with them.

“I’d rather have regrets about the company, than our children,” she said. The company has hired a full executive team and plans to bring on a president, giving Corey the flexibility to step away from the daily operations.

Magda says she misses the days when she knew every employee by name and their families. Growth is what they want for BOTE, but both acknowledge it just feels a bit different than it did a few years ago.

Not that BOTE is going anywhere but up. They are doubling their retail stores and planning an aggressive expansion into Europe and Australia. But the Coopers realize that the company is bigger than them and there is a life after BOTE.

Magda drops a paddleboard into the shallows from the dock behind their house and steps down on it. She

is perfectly balanced as she starts paddling. “Not my first time doing that.” she says laughing.

“We failed so much, but we failed fast,” says Corey, thinking about the early days. He says he could launch BOTE again in 24 months, knowing what they know now.

“I don’t think I would change anything. You can’t do it any differently,” Magda says. She catches up to Corey, who has jumped in ahead of her, and they playfully splash each other. For a moment there are no deadlines. No employees to hire or products to test. Just the two of them gliding toward an orange and blue horizon, the sun melting into the bay.

MAN BEHIND THE BRAND

Sean Murphy’s images helps BOTE’s brand “stand apart.”

In 2012, when Sean Murphy was asked by BOTE’s new art director to shoot the first-ever catalog, he asked for one thing as payment: a paddleboard. Since then, the prolific photographer has done hundreds of photo shoots for the company in places like Belize and the Everglades.

When pressed to describe BOTE’s brand style, Murphy says it’s a cross between Apple and a hard rock video, something he knows well. Murphy grew up in Fort Walton, Florida, and worked in San Francisco and Hawaii, but his big break came in 1995 when he went to L.A. to shoot the band Tears for Fears. Murphy spent the next 25 years in L.A. shooting musicians like The Beastie Boys, Christina Aguilera, Greenday and Weezer. He also did advertising work for many of the major brands like Adidas, 47Brand and Hard Rock. But now he’s returned home and is happy to be one of BOTE’s visual storytellers.

“I’m super loyal and I just decided at 50 years old that I’ve worked my whole career for this,” he said. “And now I found the people that I really love and admire, and I feel a part of a family and I’m going to give all of me to them and ride it out. That’s going to be my thing.”

Don’t we all love the smell of fresh crayons as we open up a brand new box? On March 31, we can delight our senses of sight, smell and touch as we color and draw to our heart’s delight with children and families. We can thank Binney and Smith in 1903 for providing us with the delightful eight-pack of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown and black colors. With March winds blowing in the April showers, we have so much to look forward to in spring colors.

On the evening of March 23, as I was reflecting on these beautiful, God-made colors, I was encouraged by “Light of the Night” at the fountain below the Bethany House. Compassus Hospice sponsored this beautiful event under the direction

SWIM >>

McInerny’s 1:43.24 qualified 16th by .01 seconds to earn the junior a second swim.

Not satisfied with simply making the consolation final, McInerny moved his way up to 13th in the evening to steal even more points for the Tigers.

“Our relays were exceptional all week,” Wochomurka said. “And that’s what it takes to be a top 10 program. You have to be deep on the relays. … When we needed it most and when called

Spring Colors Give Us Hope

to understand “Weeping, Worship and Witness” after such a loss. After walking this path myself, it is my heart’s desire that this column will help people.

WEEPING

Mourning is different for each person. In Psalm 6:6-7, the shepherd David describes grief by saying, “I am worn out from sobbing. All night, I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.”

depression, anxiety, fatigue, anger or feeling overwhelmed. These physical symptoms are normal. It is good for a person to check in with their doctor during a time of grieving because of how it may affect you physically.

through His son, Jesus Christ.

WITNESS

of Nicole Barkley, bereavement counselor.

As dusk drew near, I gazed up at the evening sky colored by God’s hand. Then, I looked at all the individuals and families represented by a wide age range of children and adults — all of us coming together in one heart to show respect, love and honor to our loved ones who have recently passed. Whether the loss is sudden or longterm, we cannot depend on the strength of human nature alone to see us through. We must depend on God, our Heavenly Father, who made us and gave us life. He provides peace, direction and encouragement in His word, the Bible.

Readers, my intention with these words is to encourage those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, no matter how recent. I would like to review and equip friends

upon most, we had people step up. Evan [McInerny] stepped up. Aidan snuck into the B final and then winning the heat lit the fire for the evening.”

One last time this week, the Orange and Blue distance crew took to the blocks, this time in the 1650. Mason Mathias led the contingent, clocking in at 14:48.92 to finish 17th by just 0.92 seconds. Grant Davis solidified 29th and Michael Bonson notched 32nd.

Over in the diving well, Walker Creedon took 43rd on the tower.

Auburn gave the Tiger

In the grief tunnel, you may feel like you are losing your mind, but what you are experiencing is a normal part of grieving. I know that personally, I was hit by waves of grief at times unexpected. It was similar to the waves of the ocean — knocking me down as I looked up to find the sunshine.

God is there with you in your deep, unimaginable hurt; keep trusting and don’t quit. Don’t apologize for tears. From my experiences teaching young children who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or other family member, I know that tears are shed frequently. It is so normal for us to cry because we love those whom we have lost. I share with children — as well as friends who have lost someone — that tears are a gift from God to express the depth of our loss, and they lead to healing and restoration.

Challenges of grief may be manifested in

faithful something to roar about in the 400 free relay. Needing to outlast Ohio State for a top-10 finish, the Auburn quartet of Logan Tirheimer, Kalle Makinen, Ryan Husband and Aidan Stoffle were more than up to the task. Hitting the wall at a blistering 2:48.23, Auburn clocked the fifth fastest time in program history and solidified ninth in the event and 10th place overall.

Wochomurka’s men finished with 28 All-America honors from 12 different athletes, marking the most since 2017 and the most

WORSHIP We cannot blame God for our loss. We must trust God to carry us each and every moment of each and every day. As we read Job Chapter 1 in the Bible, we see that Job was a blessed and righteous man of God, but he lost his wealth, children and physical health all within one day. How can we worship God in the face of tragedy? We learn from Job’s example that he maintained confidence in the greatness of God, as well as the goodness of God. As he worshipped God in Chapter 2, he tore his robe, shaved his head and tears flowed and stained his face, which are symbols of grief.

As we strive to get through the loss of a loved one, we must cling to the God who created us. As we do so, walking and talking with Him each and every day, we learn for ourselves of His greatness and goodness. God created us to know Him, love Him and have fellowship with Him. Our God is known as “Jehovah Rapha,” which means He is the Lord who restores and heals. God offers us friendship

under the second-year skipper. The group also added three school records throughout the week as well as a dozen top-10 swims in program history.

“I’m excited for these guys and appreciative of the continued support of the entirety of our Auburn Family and our Auburn Swimming Family that were behind them all week long,” Wochomurka said. “They know how special that is, they know how special this program is and it’s a special moment for our alumni and fans to see the performance those boys put together this week.”

In 1 Corinthians 2:9, we read, “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” This is so true, as God himself guides you through the journey of grief.

When we have lost someone we love, we can count on God’s loving and everlasting arms to always be underneath us as we navigate this pain. I can witness to that as daily as I have often told God, “I need your help.” His love is truly a comfort blanket which has given me life and sustained me with security. God is always faithful, and He will guide you each and every day.

When you come to know God’s love as He carries you through difficult times, you grow in

your desire for others to be comforted in their difficult times. You can offer your witness by spending time with people who are walking the path of grief. This can be done, for example, through volunteer opportunities with local agencies or churches.

Camp Good Grief for youth and children who have experienced such loss will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Methodist Church in Auburn. If you have a child who has experienced loss, you can reach out to Barkley at Nicole. Barkley@compassus.com or Compassus Volunteer Coordinator Morgan Riley at Morgan.Riley@ compassus.com or 334826-1899. We are also in need of volunteers to help children on that day. If you can serve, please contact these two ladies.

Beth Pinyerd Classroom Observer

TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS

BETH PINYERD

FROM B4

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Marshall County and Enterprise

Emerging as Alabama Political Breeding Grounds

Track and Field Coming To Beulah, Loachapoka

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

Over the years, certain counties in Alabama have bred an inordinate number of governors and state political leaders.

The three most prominent enclaves, historically, have been Tuscaloosa, Barbour and Cullman. In the earlier years of statehood, Tuscaloosa was the most heralded county. It has continued, intermittently, throughout the years. The most prominent senator in Alabama history, Richard Shelby, who retired after 36 years in the Senate, calls Tuscaloosa home. Indeed, the state capital was in Tuscaloosa one time in the early years. It has had a fairly recent governor in Dr. Robert Bentley.

Barbour County is called the “Home of Governors” and for a good reason. It has had more governors than any county in state history. This sparsely populated Black Belt county has had six governors hail from there. George Wallace is, of course, the most prominent Barbour County governor, but it also has Chauncey Sparks, John Gill Shorter,

William Jelks, Braxton Bragg Comer and Jere Beasley. Barbour and Tuscaloosa counties both claim Lurleen Wallace. She was born and raised in Northport in Tuscaloosa County but married Wallace and moved to Barbour County. This split-county claim of governors also applies to legendary Gov. James “Big Jim” Folsom. He was born and raised in Coffee County near Elba but moved to Cullman as a young man. So, Cullman County gets bragging rights since he lived in Cullman when he was first elected in 1946. Cullman has indeed come on strong in the past few decades. It has had two governors in recent years: Jim Folsom Jr. and Guy Hunt.

Today, we have two counties emerging as hotbeds for breeding state political leaders.

Coffee County is percolating with political success — more particularly, the growing city of Enterprise. Our new U.S. senator, Katie Boyd Britt, was born and raised in Enterprise. She is only 40. The congressman from the second district, Barry Moore, is also from Enterprise, although Dothan, Montgomery and Elmore County have more population in that congressional district. Moore is only 56. A rising popular star in the state House of Representatives, Rhett Marquis, 48, is from the “Boll Weevil City” as well. Enterprise is the

home of the new state senator from that southeast Alabama hub. Josh Carnley just took the seat of retiring legend, Jimmy Holley, thus keeping that seat in Coffee County. Carnley is a Coffee County farmer and insurance broker. Enterprise has a very good mayor in William “Bill” Cooper. He has been in city politics for a good while.

Coffee County also dominates all the judicial posts in this circuit. All three circuit judges hail from Enterprise in Coffee County. Sonny Reagan, Jeff Kelley and Shannon Clark are all relatively young. New District Attorney James Tarbox is also very young. Jimmy Baker, who is chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, hails from Coffee County and lives in Enterprise. Enterprise has always laid claim to Ft. Rucker, which has been the impetus of its growth, but it is emerging as a political powerhouse.

The other county that is set to be called an Alabama political spawning ground powerhouse is Marshall County. It currently has a cadre of the state’s most powerful and promising Alabama leaders. The most prominent is 41-year-old Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who may be our next governor. State Sen. Clay Scofield of Marshall County is only 42 and is majority leader of the State Senate.

Attorney General Steve

See FLOWERS, page B11

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

Construction in Beulah will lead to a new track and field facility soon.

The Lee County Commission voted to approve a relocation of part of Lee Road 373 Monday night in preparation of constructing the new facility.

“The Lee County Board of Education has requested assistance from the Highway Department in relocating a portion of Lee Road 373 which runs through their property adjacent to Beulah High School,” said a memorandum from County Engineer Justin Hardee to the commission. “They wish to construct a new track and field facility on their property.”

Hardee said the board

will pay for out-of-pocket costs for the relocation, but the county would provide labor and equipment.

“The Highway Department has looked at this,” Hardee said. “It will take one of our crews approximately a week with good weather for us to construct this; in that this is a dirt road and not a paved road, it should go more quickly.”

There will actually be two tracks constructed — one for Loachapoka, one for Beulah.

LEE COUNTY LITIGATION

District 2 Commissioner Ross Morris made a motion to add an item to the agenda — allowing Christina Crowe to speak on the opioid crisis and litigation Lee County could benefit from.

“You may recall that I was here about six months ago with the Attorney General’s Office

when the attorney general was able to settle the opioid litigation against Johnson and Johnson (J&J) and McKesson for the entire state,” she said. “Since that time, they have reached a settlement with Walmart and also decided to participate in national settlements with Allergan, Teva, Walgreens and CVS.

“When you voted to approve Judge English signing the settlement paperwork for J&J and McKesson, there were no funds available for Lee County because Lee County chose not to participate in the litigation several years ago when it started. However, with the Walmart settlement, we have crafted a way to have non-litigating entities participate in receiving settlement funds if you choose to do so.”

The Walmart settlement

See COMMISSION, page B11

LCSO Forms Partnership with Fort Benning

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Leaders from Fort Benning met with Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones Tuesday morning to sign an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) — its ninth overall.

“This is an opportunity to not only partner with the community, but there’s also an economic perspective

piece of this as well,” said Fort Benning Garrison Commander Colin P. Mahle.

According to Mahle, there are just over 125 IGSAs in the entire Department of Defense enterprise. The agreement with LCSO is the third IGSA between Fort Benning and a Lee County entity in just over a year.

In March 2022, Fort Benning and Auburn University officials also formally entered an IGSA partnership to “enhance on-post

environmental compliance support,” according to a published report from the U.S. Army.

Fort Benning’s IGSA with the city of Smiths Station, which it formally entered in December 2022, allowed Fort Benning to “partner with personnel and subject matter experts from the city of Smiths Station for the next 10 years at a significant cost savings for Fort Ben-

See LCSO, page B11

Representatives from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Benning pose with their Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA). The agreement was signed by Sheriff Jay Jones, fourth from left, and Garrison Commander Colin P. Mahle, fifth from right.

The Lee County Commission voted to approve a project that will allow the Lee County School Board to construct a track and field facility for Beulah and Loachapoka.

PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH THE OBSERVER

For Many, Jimmy Carter Has Been a ‘Touchstone’; He Became One for Me

stones” can connect more.

people we do not know personally, such as athletes, entertainers and politicians. They can be “touchstones” guiding us or just showing up every so often in the news.

Below I explain the times I have come to meet Jimmy Carter, or when I did not meet him but knew he was nearby doing diplomatic things that impacted me. Like most presidents, Carter had long-time friends who were mentors and counselors to him. Yet some turned down jobs in the presidential administrations, preferring to be powerful “outside” advisors.

1983 oral history. “The TV followed, and they would show it on TV. All the TV stations and newspapers were against him. They showed all that stuff, and as it turned out, it didn’t hurt him at all. The Blacks didn’t vote for him the first go-round; later, they were with him.”

OPINION —

In the 1983 movie “Terms of Endearment,” a young woman character is the best friend of another young woman who is succumbing to cancer. The friend said to the hospitalized woman, “You are my touchstone, Emma.” She is telling her ill friend she will be hugely missed. She was always reachable, always sympathetic and always there for her friend.

Merriam-Webster, a leading American dictionary, has as the primary usage for a touchstone, “a

piece of fine-grained dark schist or jasper formerly used for testing alloys of gold by observing the color of the mark which they made on it.” But a usage, developing in the 1980s such as in “Terms…” is “a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized.” From another dictionary: “a touchstone of the city’s life.” Also: “a test or criterion for determining the quality of a genuineness of a thing.” This is why “touchstone” has evolved to describe relatives and friends and even famous

Charles Kirbo of Atlanta represented Carter in 1962 when he lost the Democratic primary for a Georgia state senate seat. After Kirbo proved the primary results fraudulent, Carter won the nomination and later the general election.

In 1971, then-Gov. Carter offered to appoint Kirbo to the U.S. Senate, but Kirbo declined, The New York Times said in 1996.

“Over the objections of some of our staff, Carter would go right to all the Black beer joints and everything, shaking hands,” Kirbo recalled in a

In October 1975, I met Carter and his one aide. The only other person who walked with us to the event was the top political writer in Rhode Island. I was a freshman in college. The former Georgia governor said, “I believe you are looking at the next president.” In March 1976, he was more confident when I saw him at a seaside $750-a-plate dinner and had caviar for the first time. By this time, he had Secret Service protection.

In September 1976, about 10 weeks before the election, I saw Carter speak at a concert where the Allman Brothers Band played, and they endorsed him. On Jan. 20, 1977, I attended Carter’s inauguration, a wonderful setting for a feature story about the event.

In June 1989, the ex-president was in Panama

City, Panama, trying to make the election there honest. That night, while putting the newspaper “to bed,” I was handed photos of Carter at an event, and I had 20 minutes to design and lay out a page. Some ex-pats who were unhappy with the Panama Canal Treaty expressed disdain for the former president.

In September 1994, I deployed to Haiti for Operation Uphold Democracy, and guess who had just left — Carter. He, Army Gen. Colin Powell and Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Sam Nunn cooled things down; it was Powell saying “the 82nd Airborne planes are already on their way” that made Haiti’s leaders comply. In June 2008, Carter signed my copy of his book “A Remarkable Mother” at his presidential library.

When you infrequently meet somebody famous, or even an aunt or uncle who lives far away, you get a good impression periodically of how their lives are and your own is progressing. It’s fascinating when you see a man go from Georgia peanut farmer to president. Today, it’s amazing how with digital tools, “touch-

In 1995, after being away from my college job at a large newspaper for 14 years, I reunited in the newsroom with my mentor, who was a copyeditor and raconteur. I looked out at the cubicles and asked him, “Who are those new white-haired reporters and editors?” I said, “Oh, my god,” realizing several were age 28 or 29 when I last saw them, and they were now 42 or 43.

I knew that as a soldier and journalist, I probably would never see them again. Remember the woman telling a dying Emma in “Terms of Endearment” she was her “touchstone”?

I was 39 then and transitioning into a mentor and “touchstone” myself.

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

It’s Time to Put Fentanyl Dealers Behind Bars

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPINION —

I’m certain that many of you have heard about the drug fentanyl in the news these last few years — the powerful opioid similar to morphine or oxycodone but 100 times more powerful than both of those drugs and much more addictive and deadly.

Fentanyl’s original uses included pain relief for cancer patients and battlefield medicine for our military, but now, illegally manufactured fentanyl is streaming into our nation across our southern border and has become an addictive street drug and the cause of hundreds of deaths across our state. In Baldwin County alone, 68% of the overdose deaths were linked to fentanyl last year. Jefferson County reported more than 300 fentanyl-related deaths in 2022.

An overdose amount of fentanyl is as small as just 2 milligrams. This is equivalent to five grains of sand. A packet of sugar is about 1,000 milligrams. To put it in perspective, a substance in an amount that could fit on the head of a ballpoint pen can kill someone who comes in contact with it, regardless of whether the contact

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9

Marshall, 57, is in his second term as attorney general. It is rare that two of the state’s highest-ranking officials, Ainsworth and Marshall, are both from the same county.

There are two rising stars in the Alabama House of

is intentional or accidental. Drug dealers are intentionally adding this deadly substance to other drugs — heroin, cocaine, marijuana — and even passing it off on seemingly nonthreatening items like breath mints.

This lethal drug puts our children and communities in danger, as well as the law enforcement officers and first responders who are at risk of accidental exposure in the course of their job duties.

But, unlike the trafficking of every other dangerous drug in this state, fentanyl trafficking does not have a mandatory prison sentence attached to the charge. Currently, these dealers of death can just use their stacks of drug money to post bail and be back out on the streets pushing this poison in a matter of hours.

My bill, House Bill 1, hopes to correct this wrong immediately by

Representatives from Marshall County. Wes Kitchens, a young, emerging leader in the House, is from the county. Also, the youngest member of the House of Representatives, Brock Colvin, has just been elected at the ripe old age of 26 and is catching people’s eyes on Goat Hill.

Enterprise and

creating mandatory jail sentences for those found guilty of trafficking fentanyl in Alabama, putting these dealers of death behind bars where they belong and helping make our streets a safer place again.

Our families and friends have already been hit too hard by this drug, but this legislation will be a giant step forward in the efforts to protect our loved ones and communities from the fentanyl crisis that is quickly becoming a national crisis.

Rep. Matt Simpson represents House District 96 in the Alabama House of Representatives and serves as the chairman of the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee. HB1 was heard in committee on Wednesday, March 22, and will be considered by the Alabama House of Representatives during the legislative session.

Marshall County are emerging as new political breeding grounds for Alabama politicians.

See you next week.

Flowers is Alabama’s leadin 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.

LCSO >> FROM B9

ning,” according to another report on the matter.

This agreement with LCSO, however, is different, according to Mahle.

“This one is what I would call a ‘contingency IGSA,’ meaning that it is in place in the event that we need to use this,” he explained. “But we’re all hopeful that we won’t.”

Like the other agreements, though, the IGSA with LCSO will result in cost reductions for Fort Benning as the contract is put into action. Jones said LCSO is happy to help the military base in this way and any other way it can.

“This is something that

is very important to us in regard to having a connection with our partners in the military,” Jones said.

“… In our business, we have a lot of our staff that are former military, and we certainly have a very close connection in that regard. Anything that we can do as a civilian law enforcement agency to assist our military, especially providing them resources that they may not have in other circumstances — and this agreement being an example of that — then we are more than pleased to do that.”

Mahle said it was “really special” to come to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office with Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Sanchez and meet with Jones and

several LCSO employees.

“We represent the soldiers and families on Fort Benning, but we also represent the community, so some of our most important parts of our job are to make sure that we come out in the community and do these things,” Mahle said. “… Regardless of how often we use [the agreement] or we don’t use it, what it is is it strengthens our partnership with Lee County and strengthens our partnership with the communities.”

AboutFace-USA founder and CEO Joe LaBranche read the proclamation before Jones and Mahle signed the IGSA. The agreement will officially begin April 1, 2023, and expire March 31, 2033.

is $38.7 million and Lee County can approximately receive up to $76,000. The money can only be used for specific things, Crowe said, related to “abatement of the opioid crisis.”

The county not only voted to participate but Morris also suggested the county join other litigation efforts to receive more money for the county.

Crowe said she could not provide a number Lee County would receive from these settlements.

“I don’t know why we would not participate and miss out on settlement funds when this opioid crisis is here in Lee County as well as everywhere,”

Morris said.

The motion was approved.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The commission adopted the updated Building and Administration Code.

- The commission heard the second reading of two positions on the Loachapoka Water Authority Board.

- The commission heard the second reading of two positions on the Smiths Water and Authority Board.

- The commission heard the second reading of two positions on the Lee County Alternative Sentencing Board.

- The commission heard the first reading for one position on the Beauregard Water and Authority

Board.

- The commission heard a request from Fabien Smith for an appeal of a county risk services denial of claim. The commission informed him they would do more research.

- The commission approved an intergovernmental support agreement with the U.S. Army.

- The commission approved a restaurant retail liquor application for San Miguel Mexican Cuisine.

- The commission approved the result of bid No. 2023-07 for a passenger van for the coroner’s office.

- The commission approved the result of bid No. 2023-08 for two new 2023 three-quarter ton crew cab pickups.

COMMISSION >> FROM B9

Fentanyl is often added to other drugs without the user's knowledge, leading to overdoses.

PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH THE OBSERVER

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, left, and Fort Benning Garrison Commander Colin P. Mahle, right, signed an IGSA March 28.

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

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

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, 368030390. Attn: Veterans Parkway & Academy Drive Roundabout

LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA

204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801)

POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120

Legal Run 03/16/2023, 03/23/2023 & 03/30/2023

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

Willie Thomas

Patricia Jones

Melvin Kirk

Calvin Kirk

Richard K. Kirk

Kelly Summer

Beretha Flakes

Vera Townsel

Catherine Kirk

Bemice Hall

Janice Jemison

Sharon Jones

Karen Simmons

Brenda Armand

Jean Kirk

Tryone Wells

Delores K. Turner

Virginia Wells Albert

Legal Run 003/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/062023

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 & 04/062023.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE H. HARDY, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2023-124

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of March, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

ANNETTE HOFFMAN HARDY and ELIZABETH HARDY SCHMITT

Personal Representatives

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 03/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/062023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SAUNDRA EVELYN ALDRIDGE, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE No. 2023-125

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Adrienne Sonora Aldridge, on the 15th 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.

Adrienne Sonora Aldridge, Personal Representative Legal Run 03/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/062023

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID LEE TYNER, deceased, Case No.: 2023-122

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Benjamin H. Parr, Personal Representative on the 14th 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 barre_d. Benjamin H. Parr Legal Run 03/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/062023

INVITATION TO BID

23026

Sealed bids for the construction of the Access Accommodations to Floral Park Fields shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on 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 & Codes Compliance Director, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Access Accommodations to Floral Park Fields

LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING/REVENUE & CODES COMPLIANCE

DIRECTOR

CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA

PH: (334) 705-5120

Legal Run 03/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/062023

STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT - LEE COUNTY

CASE NO. 2023-026

RE: ESTATE OF SANDRA

F. OLIVER, DECEASED:

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 16th day of March, 2023, by the Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

/s/ Kristy O. Evans

Kristy O. Evans, Executor Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr., Esq. Attorney for Executor Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171

Legal Run 03/23/2023, 03/30/2023 & 04/062023

NOTICE OF HEARING IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of W. T.

TABLE, Deceased

CASE No. 2023-138

NOTICE OF HEARING

TO: Willie James Foster -

Address Unknown AND ANY OTHER

UNKNOWN heirs of W. T.

TABLE, deceased

Notice is hereby given that a Petition To Probate the Last

Will and Testament of the Estate of W. T. TABLE, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office. A hearing has been set for the 11th day of May, 2023 at 11:00 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 W. T. TABLE, deceased.

Bill English Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345

(334) 745-3504

Legal Run 03/23/23, 3/30/23 & 04/06/23

Notice of Action by Publication:

Michael L. Maddox et al. v. LeRoy Moss, et al., Civil Action NO. 43-CV-2023-900058. was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama on towit: February 9. 2023, seeking by Declaratory Judgment to Quiet Title in rem and for a Sale for Division to the property located in Lee County, Alabama and described as follows:

From a point where the apparent south boundary of the Northeast Quarter of Section 28, Township 20 North, Range 24 East, in Lee County, Alabama, intersects the centerline of an 18-foot-wide unpaved road, run thence on a magnetic bearing of North 72 degrees 29 minutes East for 19.9 feet to a point which is 19 feet east of the centerline of said unpaved county road, which is the point of beginning of the parcel of land here intended to be described; thence run along said road North 09 degrees 49 minutes East 300 feet to a point; thence leaving said road run East 290.4 feet to a point; thence run South 09 degrees 49 minutes West for 300 feet to a point; thence run West 290.4 feet to the point of beginning, containing 2.0 acres, more or less, and being situated in the Northeast Quarter of Section 28, Township 20 North, Range 24 East, in Lee County, Alabama

TO: ALL PERSONS claiming present, future, contingent, remainder, reversion, or other interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or lien thereon:

You are hereby notified that the above-styled action was filed against you on February 9, 2023, and that by Order entered by the Court, you are hereby commanded to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the complaint within 30 days of the last publication, the 1 5 t h day of May, 2023, or thereafter suffer judgment in rem to be rendered against you because this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the complaint, Your response must be filed with Mary B. Roberson, Clerk, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, Lee County Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Suite 104, Opelika, AL 36801, and served upon attorneys for the Plaintiff, Agricola Law, LLC, 127 South 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Plaintiffs' attorney's telephone number is (334) 759-7557 Done this March 24th day of 2023.

/s Mary B. Roberson Clerk, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 03/30/2023,04/06/2023 & 04/13/2023

IN The Probate Court of Lee COUNTY, ALABAMA

Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of DONALD EDWIN LOWERY. JR.

Deceased Case No: 2023-157

Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Timothy Bryan Lowery on March 23,2023 pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBAT& JUDGE Legal Run 03/30/2023

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF ELLEN ELIZABETH BRYANT, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 23'd 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 23rd day of March, 2023.

VICKIE MARIE HORNE Legal Run 03/30/2023, 04/06/2023 & 04/13/2023

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14

Local Youth Win at Jr. Livestock Expo

Expo

from left, Cortlin Ledlow of St. Clair County, champion; Cody Castleberry of St. Clair, reserve champion; Alyx Johnson of Randolph County, third; Brooke Ginn of Calhoun County, fourth; and Caroline Belcher of Lee County, fifth. Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance sponsor the annual contests, held March 17 during the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery.

Auburn Rotary Speaker Talks EAGLES

Junior Showmanship Contest winners at the Jr. Beef Expo during the Jr. Livestock Expo were, from left, Lou Lou Thompson of Pike County, champion; Harper Starnes of DeKalb County, reserve champion; Jessi Maples of Lee County, third; Camden Upchurch of Clay County, fourth; and Claire Smith of Chilton County, fifth. Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance sponsor the annual contests, held March 16 during the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery. Winners are pictured with Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell, right.

Recipients of the Randy Owen Exhibitor Scholarship Award were honored March 18 during the Alabama Jr. Livestock Expo, sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and held during the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery. Each recipient — all senior showmen headed to a university in Alabama — earned a $1,000 scholarship. Pictured with Owen are, from left, Victoria Thompson of Lee County; Taylor Guy of Elmore County; Katherine Evans of Mobile County; Ace Ashley of Cherokee County; Colt Thomas of Franklin County; Lauren Jones of Chilton County; Abby Burgess of Blount County; Karleigh Allison of Blount County; Lindy Powell of Clay County; Olivia Roberts of Cullman County; Ethan Tapscott of Cullman County; Emily Grace Rezek of Lee County; Tyler Crim of Tuscaloosa County; and Federation President Jimmy Parnell. Not pictured: John English of Escambia County.

Boy Scouts Assist with Opening Ceremonies

The Auburn Rotary Club heard about the Auburn University College of Education’s "Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success" (EAGLES) program at its March 22 meeting. The speaker was Katie Prather Basden, who is very involved in supporting the program and has a son who was a graduate. This program is for students with special needs, allowing them to earn a degree and prepare for life after college. Pictured with Basden is club officer Bart Nelson. To donate to the EAGLES program, go to www.theeaglesfoundation.org.

Opelika Kiwanis Gets Technological

This week's speaker was Bryan Chin, pictured center in the left photo. He spoke on his car collection, which includes the Model A, pictured right. The speakers next week, April 6, will be Richard Beld, who is the director of Aviation Technology, and Mark Williams, who is an Aviation Technology instructor at Southern Union.

Senior Showmanship Contest winners at the Jr. Swine Expo during the Jr. Livestock

were,

Local Boy Scout Troops 11 and 19 performed the opening ceremony for the Emblem Club's opening session on March 24.

Smiths Station City Council Gets Fort Benning Update

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

SMITHS STATION —

During an otherwise slow month, Fort Benning Garrison Commander Colin P. Mahle visited the March 14 Smiths Station City Council meeting to discuss the military post’s pending name change.

Fort Benning formally entered an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) with the city of Smiths Station in December 2022.

“We’ve got you all as community partners and neighbors, and we want to make sure that you understand the implications

and the process that we’re moving forward with,” Mahle said at the meeting.

Mahle explained that nine Army bases across the country were mandated to be renamed by Jan. 1, 2024, in accordance with 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. He said senior leaders at the Pentagon the week prior had approved Thursday, May 11, as the day Fort Benning’s name will officially change to Fort Moore. This will affect other assets bearing the Benning name, Mahle added.

“We’ve completed our internal review of physical and operational assets on buildings and roads and those kinds of things,”

he said. “We have a full database of anything that references the Benning name. I want to let you know and let the citizens of Smiths Station know that this process is being implemented with great care, and our stakeholders and community partners — we want to make sure they’re involved throughout this process.”

The new name, Fort Moore, honors the late Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Compton Moore. Mahle revered the Moores for their fine example and contributions to the American military.

“They exemplified the very essence of what it means to be an Army family.

I couldn’t think of a better role model to inspire our next generation of men and women that volunteer for service, come to Fort Benning for their training — really inspirational to be able to connect to the character and commitment of the Moore family as they train themselves for the crucible of combat, and ultimately to emerge victorious,” Mahle said.

Hal was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and Julia was a lifelong volunteer for the American Red Cross. She also helped streamline some of the casualty notification processes in the military.

The Moores each spent their final days in Auburn

and were buried at the Fort Benning cemetery. They had five children, including son David, who lives in Auburn.

“The lieutenant general wanted to be buried with his troopers, and I think that speaks volumes about his service and sacrifice, and the sacrifice of both Hal and Julia Moore,” Mahle said.

Fort Benning is the only post to be renamed after a husband and wife, according to Mahle, which he said is “really special.”

“We recognize the spirit and the service the Moore family represents … and our number-one priority remains training and producing soldiers for the Armed Forces at the highest level,” he said. “…

Working together with great community partners like yourselves, we’re grateful for your support throughout this process, and we look forward to continuing to expand our partnership throughout the related details of that.”

At the March 28 meeting, the council approved:

• the levy of annual property tax that the county collects and sends to the city annually by resolution,

• a back-to-school sales tax holiday for July 21 to 23,

• a pavilion event request for April 8,

• the general fund budget statement for February 2023, which showed a net income of nearly $58,700 for the city.

OPELIKA ESTATE SALE ON MARCH 31 - APRIL 1 Living Estate Sale of Mary Shirley

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IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary

Distribution

In the Estate of MICHAEL EARL JACOBS, Deceased

Case No: 2023-075

Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in The Lee County Probate Office by Rebecca Jane

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Jacobs on February 21, 2023

Pursuant to Section 43-2690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent. BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 3/30/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET DUNN MYNES, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2023-150 NOTICE OF THE FILING OF PETITION

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FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION

Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Beverly M. Pettey on March 22, 2023, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama, and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH Probate Judge Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 3/30/2023

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NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under The Self Service Storage Act. The undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on Thursday the 20th day of April, 2023 at 10:00 AM on Lockerfox.com. Said property is iStorage, 3806 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, AL, 36801 Adams, Clay 203 Boxes, furniture, and misc items. Walker, jaeden 53 Household furniture, boxes, suitcases and misc items. Sylvester Garner 145 Office furniture,

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file cabinets, chairs, boxes, small fridge and misc items. McCain , Jessica 104 Boxes, appliances, totes, furniture and misc items. Philip Singleton 246 Mattress, box springs, chairs, household items and misc items. johnson, lauryn 172 Boxes, totes and misc items. Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase by cash or credit/debit card per facility policy. All purchased items are sold as is, where is, and must be removed within 48 hours of the sale. Sale is subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party.

Legal Run 03/30/2023

STORAGE TREASURES

AUCTION

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 10:00AM Unit 273 The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run Date 03-30-23