The Observer 04-07-2022 E-edition

Thursday April 7, 2022

Vol. 14, No. 26

Opelika, Alabama

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Covering Lee County, Alabama

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

166 N Gay Street, Suite 12, Auburn, AL 36830 334-821-5050

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Gov. Ivey Issues Autism Awareness Proclamation

LCYDC Marches Against Child Abuse PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY — The staff and youth clients at Lee County Youth Development Center (LCYDC) marched in solidarity with child abuse victims Friday to kick off National Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation on Monday, April 4, declaring April as Autism Awareness Month in Alabama. Pictured with Ivey from left to right are Luanne, Jake, Jason Helms and Jake's friend, Opelika Council Member Todd Rauch. A resident of Opelika, Luanne has been an autism advocate since her son, Jake, was diagnosed with autism at a young age. She recently organized the 11th annual Going Blue For Autism event at Courthouse Square in Opelika. For photos of that event, turn to A13.

Dr. Farrell Seymore Named Superintendent of Opelika City Schools OPELIKA — The Opelika City Schools Board of Education selected Dr. Farrell Seymore as the next superintendent of Opelika City Schools.

Seymore currently serves as the principal of Opelika High School. “After careful consideration of the submitted applications for the position of superintendent of Opelika City Schools, the OCS Board made the unanimous decision to offer the job to Dr. Farrell Seymore," said Dr. Kevin Royal, OCS

SEYMORE Board chairman. " Dr. Seymore possesses the leadership qualities necessary to lead our system into the future, building on the strong foundation laid for him

by Dr. Mark Neighbors and his predecessors.

These qualities are tempered by humility and a genuine desire to serve the children of Opelika.

He is greatly respected by his peers as evidenced by his positions of leadership in local and state organizations.

We are excited to see what can be accomplished for the students of Opelika City Schools under Dr. Seymore’s leadership.”

Seymore began his career with the Opelika City Schools in 1997 as a science teacher at Opelika Middle School.

He became assistant See SUPERINTENDENT, page A3

RE-ELECT

Richard LaGrand Sr. for District 5 Commissioner

on May 24

See CHILD, page A6

Fitch-Taylor, Marshall Receive Annual Pace Award

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — PACE (People of Action for Community Enrichment) presented its annual awards during the Virtual 35th Anniversary and Scholarship Celebration last week.

Founding members Rev. Clifford Jones, Rev. Jonas Rutledge, Dr. Keith Parker and Dr. Willie Larkin reflected on 35 years of PACE’s service to the community. Larkin, former administrator at Auburn University, former president of Grambling University, former chief of staff and executive

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY OCS

Dubbed “Blue Friday”, the event started on the campus on LCYDC and saw the group of staff, clients, local police officers and community members march to the Respite House, where everyone gathered for an awareness ceremony to learn more about child abuse in America.

The event featured

Connie Fitch-Taylor (L), Rev. Clifford Jones and 2022-23 PACE President Audrey Marshall (R)

assistant to the president of Morgan State University and currently the chief of staff and diversity officer at Edgewood College, served as the featured speaker. Larkin challenged past, present

Keep Progress Moving Lee County

Your VOTE is important.

Paid for by Friends of Richard LaGrand Sr.

and future PACE members to continue to enrich the lives of community members through education and active involvement. The celebration can See FITCH-TAYLOR, page A3

CONTENTS OPINION ..................... A4 ENTERTAINMENT ........... A7 RELIGION ................... A14 OBITUARIES ............... A15 COMICS ....................... A16 SPORTS ........................ B1 POLITICS ...................... B9 CLASSIFIEDS ................ B12 PUBLIC NOTICES ........... B13 PUZZLES ..................... B15

A2 April 7, 2022

Charter Communications Launches Spectrum Internet 100 Spectrum Internet 100 Free to Eligible Affordable Connectivity Program Households CONTRIBUTED BY CHARTER COMMUNCIATIONS

LEE COUNTY — Charter Communications, Inc. announced last week that it is now offering Spectrum Internet 100 across virtually all of its entire 41-state service area. The new highspeed, low-cost broadband service provides 100 Mbps download speeds for just $29.99 per month, and includes a modem, in-home WiFi and self-installation at no additional charge.

Spectrum Internet 100 is available exclusively to households eligible for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and all Spectrum Internet and legacy plans — including Spectrum Internet Gig — are eligible for ACP credits.

The ACP provides qualifying households up to a $30 monthly credit ($75 on qualifying Tribal lands) toward broadband service — which allows eligible customers to receive Spectrum Internet 100 at no monthly cost. Like all Spectrum Internet plans, Spectrum Internet 100 also has no modem fees, data caps or contracts, and customers can cancel anytime with-

out penalty.

“The Affordable Connectivity Program is an important step in driving broadband adoption in America,” said Catherine Bohigian, Charter executive vice president, Government Affairs.

“With Spectrum Internet 100, Charter is delivering a high-speed, high-quality broadband option — available at no cost to ACP-qualified households — throughout our 41-state service area.”

For more information on the ACP and to apply online, consumers should visit fcc.gov/acp.

Interested consumers should first confirm their eligibility through the National Verifier, then contact Spectrum at 1-877-959-1748 to apply for the credit.

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household participates in or is eligible for a variety of assistance programs, including: SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC or Lifeline.

Tribal-specific programs, such as Bureau of

Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.

Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Internet Service Provider for Rural Areas in its 2021-22 ratings, Spectrum Internet also exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report” issued in December 2021.

Charter is Advancing Access to High-Speed Internet

High-speed internet access is more important than ever, yet tens of millions of households and businesses — especially among vulnerable communities and in rural areas — still lack access, worry about costs or have not adopted service.

Charter has taken a comprehensive approach to solve this problem: Improve Affordability: The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program makes internet service available at effectively no cost to families in financial need, and Spectrum Internet 100 includes a modem, router and in-home WiFi at no additional charge.

And all Spectrum Internet plans have no data caps, modem fees or contracts.

Advance Access: Charter is investing over $5 billion to bring reliable, high-speed internet access to approximately 1 million currently unserved families and

leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.

For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals.

More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter. com.

small businesses through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).

Increase Adoption: To increase adoption and access to technology, Charter offers philanthropic support to community organizations through Spectrum Digital Education grants, which provide computers, digital education classes and technology labs for thousands across the country.

Protect Americans’ Privacy and Security Online: Charter has been a longtime advocate for Congress to come together in a bipartisan, consensus way to take action on a comprehensive, uniform, national framework to protect consumers’ privacy online and offers certainty now and for years to come.

ABOUT CHARTER Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a

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A3 April 7, 2022

Nationally Recognized Law Firm Opens Auburn Office Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Serving Auburn, Dothan, West Georgia

CONTRIBTUED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, a leading and influential national personal injury law firm, recently opened an office in Auburn, Alabama to serve the surrounding communities such as Opelika, Phenix City, Dothan and West Georgia, including Columbus and Albany.

This team will be led by respected local attorney, Mallory Storey Ulmer.

“It’s an honor to be a part of a team of extremely talented trial lawyers who work together to get the best results for their clients,” Ulmer said.

“Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys embodies a client-first culture for success. As a plaintiff’s lawyer, relationships matter — helping people matters. These principles push me to be a better trial lawyer and better human being. I advocate passionately for my clients, and I’m excited to expand Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys to Auburn, Dothan and new communities in Georgia.”

SUPERINTENDENT >> FROM A1

principal of Opelika Middle School in 2002 and then Principal in 2007. He served in that capacity until he was selected as Opelika High School Principal in 2011.

In 2015, Dr. Seymore was named the Alabama High School Principal of the Year.

Dr. Seymore has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education (Biology and English), a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, and a PhD in Educational Administration from Auburn University.

He is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board where he serves as Vice-President and

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys now boasts offices in 24 cities across 12 states, with more than 500 attorneys and staff members working to assist clients across the country. The expansion and growth further solidify Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys as a nationally recognized, elite personal injury law firm with superior capabilities to assist those who have been wrongfully injured find justice for their injuries.

"We want everyone across the Southeast to know that the Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys team is here, committed and dedicated to fighting for every one of our clients," said Alexander Shunnarah, founder and president of Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. "We're excited to have the local and highly experienced attorney, Mallory Storey Ulmer, leading our Auburn litigation team with her exemplary abilities and drive to fight for our clients who experience life-altering injuries from an accident."

Ulmer is leading the Alexander Shunnarah as a member of the Legislative Council.

Seymore is also a graduate of the Alabama Superintendent’s Academy.

“I am honored and humbled to accept the position of Superintendent of the Opelika City Schools. I am thankful to the members of the school board for this opportunity,” said Seymore. “The Opelika community is a special place with outstanding students, families, and teachers. It is my desire to continue to find ways to build on our mission statement of Educating Every Child, Every Day.” Dr. Seymore and his wife Sarah have two children, Anna, a freshman at Florida State University, and Patrick, a junior at Opelika High School.

catastrophic injuries to her client.

Ulmer is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group and Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. She currently serves as the assistant to the Editor of AAJ TLG’s Journal of Trucking Litigation and

as a member of AAJ’s Exchange Advisory Committee. Additionally, Ulmer enjoys writing, speaking, and advocating for issues trucking litigation, and is an advocate of the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, which provides critical resources for people in our communities affected by traumatic brain injury. She has been recognized as a Rising Star Honoree by the Mid-South Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers Alabama Top 40 under 40.

Ulmer earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law and graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

For more information on the Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Auburn location or the firm’s national expansion, please contact Krista Conlin at krista@ kcprojects.net.

ABOUT ALEXANDER SHUNNARAH TRIAL ATTORNEYS Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is committed to protecting the

legal right to be compensated for individuals who have suffered loss, accidents, or injuries the chance to rebuild their lives after misfortune.

The practice was founded on the belief that the civil jury system is the best means to provide compensation and deter wrongdoers from injuring others in the future.

With over 500 attorneys and staff, the firm has a vast knowledge and experience in handling all types of claims for clients who have been injured. The firm consistently recovers substantial settlements in lawsuits involving personal injury, auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, social security disability, pharmaceutical litigation, drug recalls, medical devices, and mass torts throughout the United States.

The premier, award-winning, and nationally recognized firm has represented over 60,000 clients and recovered over $1 billion for them to date. The firm prides itself on providing outstanding legal advice and excellent representation for their clients.

Representatives prepared her for the journey to make a difference in the Auburn community.”

Fitch-Taylor founded the North West Auburn Task Force where she is CEO, the YFABS, which is a young girls scout troop, and MATCH, a male scout troop which meets monthly and has planned activities.

Fitch-Taylor spearheaded the first Juneteenth celebration in Auburn this year, and Mayor Ron Anders made it an annual event.

Fitch-Taylor spearheads the senior citizens, disabled and the homeless Thanksgiving dinner annually in November. She has served two terms on the city of Auburn’s Cemetery Advisory Board, has served on the Lee County Commissioners Sub Committee, is a former secretary for the local NAACP and a former foster parent. She is a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church where she serves in several capacities.

Fitch-Taylor is a graduate of Auburn High School; she earned a business administration degree from Faulkner University, is a mother of three and a grandmother of two.

The PACE Member Award was presented to Audrey Marshall, 202021 president of PACE. As president of PACE, Marshall lead the organization through some challenging times. She worked tirelessly to continue to meet and provide community services during the COVID-19 pandemic. She works with local individuals and business each day, beyond her regular workday, to provide intern opportunities for students and jobs. She never says “No” to anyone as she helps students with college and job applications, creating or designing newsletters, programs, presentations and more that will enhance the program or project being developed.

Marshall develops business

and community partnerships which continue to result in work-based learning opportunities for Auburn City Schools students.

Her mission is to assist in providing a highly trained, technologically sophisticated and career-oriented young work force for our local community. Marshall is very humble and compassionate as she volunteers and makes a difference in the lives of so many within Lee County, the state and at the national level. Marshall has been teaching since 1994 and is currently employed with Auburn City Schools. She earned a B.S. in Business/Marketing Education and a M.Ed. in Business Education from Auburn University. She is a graduate of Opelika High School, married to Marcus Marshall, Sr., also a PACE member and has two children, Marcus Marshall, Jr. and Lauryn Marshall, and God-children Dr. Tennille Curtis and Calvin Bryant.

ULMER Trial Attorneys Auburn location with her area of expertise in representing victims in personal injury litigation, including the areas of wrongful death, motor vehicle and trucking litigation.

Ulmer recently obtained a $15 million settlement in a contested liability case arising from a crash that caused

FITCH-TAYLOR >> FROM A1

be viewed in its entirety on YouTube.

Each year, PACE presents the Arthur Hill Sr. Community Service Award to a citizen who has made significant contributions to the community, who exhibits leadership qualities in the area of community service, who is dedicated to helping others and who is a positive role model.

An award is also given to a PACE member who exhibits those same qualities and is dedicated to the goals of this organization.

The Arthur Hill Community Service Award was presented to Connie Fitch-Taylor, Auburn City Council Representative for Ward 1.

“Working and campaigning for over 20 years with Auburn City Councilmen, Lee County Commissioners and Alabama State

APRIL 23, 2022

http://give.childrensal.org/Piedmontskeet

A4 April 7, 2022

Good

W

forgot to eat.

The next morning, when Ryan’s family awoke, it was to the sound of a noisy air compressor thrumming in the backyard. When Ryan’s dad looked out his window, a few neighbors were erecting a bouncy house in Ryan’s yard to celebrate, unannounced.

Another surprise came in the form of more unannounced cars arriving in the driveway. Soon, the downstairs was alive with the voices of unexpected visitors, throwing an impromptu party.

Hundreds stopped by to wish Ryan well.

“A lot of people had been praying for him,” said Ryan’s mother. “It’s been a long journey for us all.”

Ryan’s dad spent an entire 12 hours jumping in the bouncy house with his children. Ryan’s dad has an appointment with an orthopedic knee specialist next Wednesday.

At the same time, over in Redding, California, a young woman named Alejandra had just left a store and was walking home when she realized

she was being followed by a bearded man. Her follower kept getting closer; she kept walking faster.

She became so concerned that she called her mother. Her mother told her to call the police, but Alejandra decided that (a) she was not going to call for help because (b) she used to run track in high school and could probably still run a mile in under six.

So the young woman tore into an Olympian sprint.

“My legs have never ached like that,” she recalls.

After running for what felt like fifteen years, Alejandra turned to look behind her. She was out of breath, doubled over and her face was purple from oxygen debt. That’s when she saw the young man still chasing her. He wasn’t giving up.

When he got closer, Alejandra struck a fighting stance and announced that she was about to detach the young man’s head from his neck with her bare hands.

The man shouted, “Please, don’t hurt me, ma’am! I’m just trying to return your credit card!

You left it back at the store!”

Then the young man presented Alejandra her card, whereupon he limped away, massaging his sore hamstrings and cussing a blue streak.

Which takes us to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where a group of secondgraders led by 7-year-old Lucinda had an idea for raising money to aid Ukrainian refugees. The second-graders were mostly girls, although one boy was involved. His name was Mark.

“It was my mom who made me help,” said 7-year-old Mark. “She really gave me no choice.”

The kids held a bake sale. Lucinda set up card tables in front of her house and all her friends made cookies and cinnamon buns. The kids earned enough money that they were invited to hold another bake sale in a local church.

This time, the

But, by far, the most thrilling innovation in my life is the fact that our Smart TV has an entire channel running every episode of the classic Unsolved Mysteries show from the 80s and 90s.

The original one, with Robert Stack, not the reboot that was nowhere as good as the real one.

Do you remember that show? There was never a more perfect host than Mr. Stack. For an entire generation of television/ mystery junkies, his voice became synonymous with murder and spooky encounters.

My family loved that show. Wednesday nights, after church, we gathered around the TV. The opening music was like a siren song, and we all came from various rooms in the house for another dose of whodunit.

Each episode was usually broken down

into several parts: an Unsolved Murder, the Supernatural, Wanted Fugitives, Hidden Treasure, and Lost Loves were the typical stories.

The segments where family members described how their loved one “just disappeared one night” were my favorite.

People last seen climbing in a truck or walking down a lonely highway made me shiver with the possibility that anyone could just vanish at any given time. And then I would reward myself with the realization that I was safe and at home where I belonged.

The Supernatural segment featured stories about UFOs and ghosts that made me roll my eyes. I am a born skeptic, so I mentally refuted all the eyewitnesses who claimed their toaster was possessed by a dead Civil War general or their attic

was infested with other-worldly squatters from five centuries ago.

The Wanted Fugitive part was always exciting.

Robert Stack would describe a bank robber or kidnapper who was last seen in New York City or Chicago and had so far evaded capture for months or even years.

And then Mr. Stack would ask the audience to be on the lookout. And we were… we all were!

The Hidden Treasure tales were fun. Who doesn’t like the idea of chests of pirate gold or barrels of outlaw bounty being found in the desert by a group of wannabe cowboys who were lucky enough to find a crossshaped pile of rocks behind the one tree for hundreds of miles around?

Of course, they rarely actually dug up anything of value, but they sure seemed to have fun try-

ing. They would hold their breath expectantly, and I held my breath right along with them.

The Lost Loves stories were my least favorite. I found them overly sentimental and usually featured older folks who had time on their hands to cry and reminisce. I was not one of those old folks.

My tastes were much less misty-eyed and more cloak and dagger. This was the best time to take a bathroom/snack break and then race back to the TV set just as I heard the theme song start to play.

Often, at the end of a segment, there would be a blast of music and the word ‘Update’ would scroll up the screen.

We would all sit up straighter, ready to hear what mystery had been solved. And then a mug shot would appear, or if we were lucky an actual video of a suspect in

handcuffs being led from some seedy motel room in the middle of nowhere.

And our sense of justice had been restored, our faith in law and order renewed.

Watching Unsolved Mysteries with a group of people is one thing.

Watching it by yourself is an entirely different prospect. By the time I was in college, Unsolved Mysteries had moved to Friday nights. One of my favorite hobbies was to frighten myself to death by leaving off the lights and tuning in when my roommate was not home.

Robert Stack would look straight at me while he described a young girl, home alone, who never made it to Saturday morning. The curtains seemed to move, the shadows flickered on the walls, and I would have goosebumps on every

SEAN DIETRICH

ith all the important problems going on in the world — the war in Ukraine, political upheavals and Oscar Award winners assaulting each other on live television — I’d like to tell you a few things that happened last week that you might not have heard about.

Such as Janice’s dog, Freddy Fender.

Freddy went missing last Thursday in McLennan County, Texas. Janice printed up flyers, she went door to door, she asked people to keep an eye out.

She prayed. She cried. She camped in her car, hoping to spot Freddy.

WENDY HODGE

T

Then, on a whim, she visited her priest, who had an idea.

“Cook bacon,” suggested the padre.

“It was brilliant,” Janice told me. “My priest said the smell of bacon naturally attracts dogs.”

Leave it to the Catholics.

That same evening, her priest came over to help. He stood outside her house, frying fatback on a Coleman camp stove and using a welcoming voice, saying, “Here, Freddy, Freddy!”

Come to find out, when a priest fries bacon in a suburban area, it does more than attract dogs.

It also attracts middle-

aged dads, neighborhood children, woodland creatures, feral cats, hitchhikers, escaped convicts and members of Congress. In a few minutes, Janice’s priest was the most popular human being in nine city blocks.

He cooked one package of bacon and it worked. In a pivotal moment that can only be called “cinematic,” a slightly overweight, 19-pound pug came trotting out of the woods, heading toward the smell of hickory-smoked Roman Catholicism.

“We call Freddy the ‘Prodigal Pug,’” remarked the padre.

Meanwhile, over in Charlotte, North Carolina, a kid named Ryan was given a good medical report.

This past year has been traumatic for his family, and the pediatric oncology treatments have been pure misery. Still, after months of medical hell, the therapy has worked.

As of last week, Ryan was given the all-clear by his doctors. Ryan’s family wept so hard that they

echnology has opened the universe ... we have robotic surgery and driverless vehicles, digital money and quantum computing. We can program everything in our homes from a thousand miles away with a tap of an icon on our cell phones. We have 3-D printing and fiber optics, microartificial intelligence and quantum graphics (I have absolutely no idea what those last two things even are).

Unsolved Mysteries

See DIETRICH, page A5

See HODGE, page A5

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A5 April 7, 2022

Smiths Station Market Day Draws Crowd PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

DIETRICH >>

FROM A4

Saturday, April 2, Smiths Station held its Market Day 2022 at the Smiths Station Government Center Camus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors and local merchants were in attendance for the community to gather, shop, eat and fellowship together.

HODGE >>

FROM A4

square inch of skin. Inevitably the phone would ring, and I would race to answer it, eager to hear another human voice.

Once the show was over and the lights were back on, things returned to normal.

But I was more watchful and more suspicious than I ever would have been without that iconic show to fill my mind with enough true-life horror stories than the world should be able to hold.

As an older woman, with decades of life be-

hind me, stumbling upon the Unsolved Mysteries channel has been like reuniting with a part of myself that never really went away. I have always been, and I imagine will always be, a fan of the unsolved and a chaser of the unknown. The music is exactly the same, and it still sends a child up my neck. Robert Stack’s voice is as resonant as it ever was. It’s been so many years since I heard it anywhere but in my memory. When he looks at the camera and says, with the tiniest smile that hints that he already knows the answers, “Perhaps you may be able to

help solve a mystery,” I find myself nodding and answering, “Why, yes, Mr. Stack, perhaps I can.”

The ironic thing is that, although the whodunit part is still my favorite, it’s the Lost Love stories that I find myself waiting for. The Vietnam veteran who searched for the Army nurse who helped him learn to walk again, waiting ten years for his chance to be able to thank her – that’s pure gold. Just the other morning, that segment came on, and I stood in the bedroom crying like a little girl. Last month I saw the one about the

five children in Louisiana who had been separated at birth and adopted by five different families. It took ten years, but they all found each other. And I wept as if I myself had been lost for a decade.

My heart just soaks up those stories like rain after a drought. There will always be death and pain, mystery and murder, but there will also always be people who search and wait for and find each other. There will always be love and kindness.

And, thanks to technology, there will always be Robert Stack and his deep commanding voice to guide us through it all.

Take care of yourself and others with an easy test.

Don’t wait. If you have symptoms, find out if you have the virus.

The testing is simple, fast, and effective at identifying COVID-19.

ingredients were donated from a local charity and many other kids got involved. Altogether the children raised nearly four grand for Ukrainian refugees.

“I pray for all those kids in Ukraine,” said Lucinda. “I hope they know we care about them over here in America.”

Said Mark: “My cookies turned out super weird, and they tasted like plastic.”

Well, I’m out of room here or I would keep

going. I could tell you about the man who dove in front of an oncoming SUV to save the life of a 5-year-old; about the guy who received a new kidney from his school principal; about the young woman who traveled across 10 U.S. states to rescue a feral dog; or about the man who built a small house for a homeless single mother using his own two hands and his personal checking account.

But I’ll save all that for another time because right now the padre is cooking bacon.

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HOME FOR THE SUMMER? Take a class at your local community college that transfers back to your university in the fall.

Ask about our transient classes.

Find testing near you at

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accs.edu/transient

A6 April 7, 2022

Alabama PALS Kicks Off 2022 “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA PALS

ALABAMA — The 2022 Statewide “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup will be held the entire month of April.

The annual cleanup is coordinated by Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State), which also coordinates and implements the Alabama Coastal Cleanup (a partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), the Alabama Clean Campus Program, the

CHILD >>

FROM A1

a presentation of child abuse facts, a poem reading, a song performance and a balloon release to commemorate victims of child abuse/ neglect. Executive Director Laura Cooper gave the opening remarks.

“Wow, this is a beautiful and splendid day," Cooper said. " I want to give god a hand for this spectacular weather. April 1 starts Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it’s our pleasure to wear blue in honor of you … the most important people here … our children.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. We do not believe that child abuse will be stamped out in our lifetime but the things I have seen with my eyes, the things

Alabama Adopt-AMile and Adopt-AStream programs (a partnership with the Alabama Department of Transportation).

Each effort is made possible through partnerships with business and industry, state associations and state agencies committed to making Alabama a leader in environmental volunteerism and awareness. The “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup is offered to all 67 Alabama counties and statewide volunteer

groups.

PALS is once again proud to continue and expand its partnership with Coca-Cola United as the Title Sponsor for the 2022 cleanup.

This partnership has enabled PALS to further incorporate the recycling of plastic bottles and aluminum cans into the annual cleanup effort.

“Coca-Cola United is proud of our role as the Title Sponsor of the statewide 2022 ‘Don’t Drop It on Alabama Spring Cleanup,’” said CocaCola United Director of Public Affairs and

Communications Andy Britton. “We are especially pleased with our annual partnership with Alabama PALS as we all move forward toward our goal of a world without waste.”

The 2022 “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup is made possible through the following PALS Sustaining Partners: ALDOT, Alabama Farmers Federation, CocaCola United, Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Vulcan Materials Company, the Association of County

Commissions of Alabama and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Alabama PALS is also proud to announce a cleanup partnership with the Alabama Community College Systems (ACCS) campuses.

“We are extremely proud of the commitment and dedication from ACCS and its campuses,” said Spencer Ryan, Alabama PALS executive vice president.

“The participation and results from the ACCS campuses in 2021 was a fantastic example of

what we can accomplish when we work together.”

PALS distributed approximately 175,000 bags statewide for the 2022 cleanup, as well as all materials and supplies to participating cities, counties and volunteer groups.

Volunteers interested in participating are encouraged to contact the local coordinator to join an existing cleanup or to establish their own local cleanup within their respective community. For more information, visit alpals. org.

our officers have seen, would bring you to tears.

What we can do is stop it in its tracks. We don’t have to recreate the abuse that we may have endured and we don’t have to perpetuate that abuse. So this is what we are about. We stomped down that street because we are trying to stomp out child abuse at Lee County Development Center in Lee County, in the state of Alabama and in this nation. Would you all join with me?

Are you with me?”

Following the opening remarks, a youth client read off facts pertaining to child abuse.

“We are all here today to support the ending of child abuse and I hope these facts will help you think and realize the pain that children across the United States have to endure,” she said.

She cited that five

children die every day across the U.S. due to child abuse — most under 4 years old; 3.6 million cases of child abuse occur every year; child abuse victims are more prone to practice unprotected sex; and 11,663 child abuse cases occur per year in Alabama, among other things.

Next, two clients performed a reading from the book “A Spoonful of Faith”, another gave a reading of the poem “IF” and a third (accompanied by Coordinator of Fiscal and Financial Resources Calandra Harris) engaged the crowd with a moving performance of the song “Rise Up” by Andra Day. Before closing the event with the release of over 50 blue balloons as a tribute to those lives lost due to child abuse,

Cooper thanked the crowd for its attendance and the clients for their hard work in creating signs and posters for the event. She also gave thanks on behalf of Deputy Director Wendy Birmingham who was not in attendance due to illness. “[Birmingham] is here in spirit. She loves you; she loves every heart out there,” Cooper said.

“Again I want to say thank you. We are going to celebrate 50 years of being at Lee County Development Center next year and I promise you we could not do it without our community.

To all our community stakeholders, thank you. We can’t see about these children, we can’t do the things we do without you. Join us as we continue the rest of the month in finding ways to stomp out child

abuse, hopefully in our lifetime, prayerfully, if not, that we don’t recreate the abuse that has happened to us.”

LCYDC is a not-forprofit, 501 (c3) agency with deep roots in our local community and an impact which reaches statewide. Founded in 1973 by the late Mrs. Jane C. Walker and the late Mrs. Cecil D. Moreman, from the beginning this agency was intent on making an impactful difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable among us.

Its main campus is located in Opelika on property donated by the George King family.

It also operates off campus programming which includes Project Uplift — housed on the campus of Auburn University — its Transitional Living Home, Therapeutic Foster Care

homes and Independent Living apartments.

LCYDC is governed by a Board of Directors who represent a broad spectrum of diverse community interests and specialties. From policies established and endorsed by its board, the agency’s workforce of more than 200 full, part-time and contracted employees set about establishing meaningful programming which meets the evolving needs of those they serve.

For more than 40 years, LCYDC has been entrusted with the privilege of improving the human condition one child ... one family ... and one situation at a time, according to its website. LCYDC’s mission is to be a place of service with offers hope to children and families and strengthens communities.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

E vents, Food, & SocietyNews

UPCOMING EVENTS:

APRIL 8: TIGER TRAIL OF AUBURN INDUCTION CEREMONY APRIL 9: LOCAL MARKET & CAR BOOT SALE APRIL 10: PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATION FIRST BAPTIST OPELIKA

Jane Thrash Enjoys Arranging Family Get-Togethers Year Around PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

O

ver the years as Jane Thrash was a busy, successful businesswoman, she always made time to dine nightly with her family seated around the table, which would feature a lovely centerpiece. Now that Jane’s and husband Ed’s three daughters are grown with families of their own, the tradition continues for holidays, birthdays and other special days. Along with sharing recipes for these occasions, Jane and her daughter Alicia look back over the family’s companies, with two,

Heartstrings Enterprises and Initial Outfitters, conducting business in every state before they were sold.

Jane’s and Ed’s lovely home in White Oaks was built with a large dining room opening from the spacious foyer. Ed built a table that fits at the end of their dining table that goes under the arched opening into the foyer to fit all 16 members of their family.

The Thrashes’ three children and grandchildren include: Alicia and Jim Storbeck with children, Josh, Paola; Amy and Scott Padgett

Girls Night Out To Benefit Women’s Hope

CONTRIBUTED BY CFC

AUBURN — Cornerstone Family Chiropractic is hosting its eighth annual Girls Night Out on April 8. Ladies, this event is just for you (for ages 12-plus). The event will be held at 323 Airport Road in Auburn from 6 to 9 p.m.

More than 30 local

businesses have partnered together to bring a pop-up shopping experience just for you. There will be food, live music, shopping boutiques, pampering and prizes. This event only happens once a year, so grab your girlfriends and head over to Airport Plaza. Proceeds from the event will benefit Women’s Hope Medical Clinic.

with two children, Katie and Tyler; and Holly and Mike Keel and their children, Jorja Jones, Sawyer and Summer Jones and Levi Jones.

Jane and Ed both grew up in Montgomery where they were high school sweethearts. Following high school, Jane attended Samford in Birmingham, while Ed graduated from Auburn University.

A week after Jane graduated, they were married.

While Ed served in the military for two years, they lived at Fort Polk in Louisiana for a year.

When he served in Korea, Jane moved back to

Jane and Ed Thrash’s family enjoy getting together frequently throughout the year for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions, and they all sit together at one big table. The family also enjoys taking vacations together. Pictured on a beach trip are, from left front row, Paola Storbeck, Amy Padgett, Jane Thrash, Ed Thrash, Jorja Jones, Holly Keel; back row from left, Jim Storbeck, Josh Storbeck, Alicia Storbeck, Katie Padgett, Scott Padgett, Tyler Padgett, Mike Keel, Sawyer Jones and Levi Jones.

Montgomery and taught school.

The Thrashes moved to Auburn in 1970 for Ed to work with Alabama Power. Jane taught some at Lee Scott but was mostly a stay at home mom when daughters, Alicia, Amy and Holly, were growing up. They enjoyed doing crafts together. Later Ed, Jane

and her daughters made crafts to sell at Betty’s Cabin, which was owned

by Betty Woodward.

When a store space opened in downtown Auburn, Ed encouraged Jane to open a business, as Alicia was getting ready to leave home to attend Samford. Being a close knit family, Ed knew it was going to be difficult

for Jane. Since her mother and grandmother had both sold cosmetics when she was growing up, Jane had an interest in sales.

In 1986, Jane opened Heartstrings, which was a popular retail store with home and seasonal décor, various collectibles and other items. Three years See CIPPERLY, page A10

Sundilla Concert Series & Radio Hour Presents Griffin House CONTRIBUTED BY SUNDILLA

AUBURN — Sundilla will welcome Griffin House to Auburn on Friday, April 8. Showtime at Pebble Hill for this outdoor concert is 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at sundillamusic.com. Admission at the door will be $25.

Since first breaking into the music scene almost 20 years ago, House has been considered a “rising star,” which might be one reason that “Rising Star” is the title of his latest album. And part of his

career definitely fits the definition: he had been in Nashville just a few months when he signed a record deal, saw his first album lauded by critics, was noted on national TV as “one of the best emerging songwriters,” and found himself touring with John Mellencamp and The Cranberries, and meeting the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Willie Nelson. Some might consider that a path to ‘overnight success,’ but, “I’ve been a “rising star” for the past 15 years,” House said. “It’s a slow rise.”

That slow rise has seen the Ohio native

HOUSE release more than a dozen albums, enjoy plenty of success as a national headliner for over a decade and earn a great deal of respect as a well-known performer and singer-songwriter.

And he shows no signs of slowing down. Maybe American Songwriter says it best: “If you are looking to be blown

away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.”

“We’ve been hoping to get Griffin House to Sundilla for years” said Sundilla Organizer Bailey Jones. “His booking agent represents several performers that have played here, such as Kim Richey and Dan Navarro.

When I told her that we wanted Griffin to play, she said ‘Yeah, everybody loves Griffin!’ So we started trying to make it work, and it’s finally going to happen. And it will be worth the wait!”

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

VIDEO GAMES • COMICS • POSTERS ART • ANTIQUES • COINS VINTAGE JEWELRY • TOYS POKEMON • MTG • SPORTS CARDS

221 9th St, Opelika • 334.741.0808

A8 April 7, 2022

Making the Grade: Next Level Café

A

s I’ve mentioned many times, I am a fried chicken freak. A little over a year ago, I noticed a billboard in Opelika, which advertised Susie K’s Country Cooking and decided to give it a try. To my delight, the restaurant had: 1. delicious Southern cooking, including fried chicken on the bone, as it was meant to be served 2. a wonderful staff and 3. a terrific location, being about one to two miles from my church, Central Baptist of Opelika.

That first Sunday after church, I came into Susie K’s and placed my to-go order. (Again, my husband Mike rarely eats lunch, or dinner, as we call it in the South. And again, I don’t understand that choice, but I love him anyway.)

As I waited, I met Suzanne Lowery, who, along with her husband Tim, owns Susie K’s.

She was so kind to chat with me when she was so incredibly busy. As a result of that first of many dinners, which

for supper at Next Level Café.

Nicole, the Lowerys’ daughter, who knows me well from Susie K’s, warmly welcomed us and said, “Hi, Mrs. Wallace.” Again, I haven’t been called that since I retired from teaching, so it makes me smile.

Nicole led us to our table. Then Anna, our server, brought us our menus. Anna was such a delight, being sweet, helpful and patient.

For a starter, Mike and I ordered the buffalo chicken dip, which is house-made and comes

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

I’ve eaten there, Susie K’s Country Cooking was my sixth restaurant review for The Observer.

Therefore, I was happy to hear that on Wednesday, March 16, the Lowerys opened another restaurant, Next Level Café, at 1006 1st Ave. in Opelika in the former Jim Bob’s building.

While Susie K’s was my sixth review, Next Level is now my 60th review for The Observer.

A few weeks ago, Mike and I met our friends Jack and William

with tortilla chips.

We shared it with our friends; it was really good. As Jack pointed out, the chips tasted homemade as well.

“They’re good and crispy, not hard and oily,” he said.

I was really happy to learn that Next Level Café serves brunch all day, so I went a little wild for a diabetic and ordered the cheesecake stacked French toast, which consisted of brioche, fresh berries and butter rum sauce.

I also ordered a side of delicious Conecuh sausage. Oh, my three times.

Suzanne came over to speak to us. She said, “The butter rum sauce and cream cheese filling are homemade.” In the words of my much older brother Jim, “That girl wasn’t just wuffin.” I actually asked for extra butter rum sauce; I can only hope that my endocrinologist never reads this review. However, I did leave two bites on my plate; I thought that was a positive.

Mike was feeling “brunchy,” too, so he chose the biscuits ‘n’ redeye gravy, which had buttermilk biscuits, gravy and country ham.

He also ordered an egg over easy; he enjoyed it very much.

Last, Jack and William both selected the bacon-wrapped sweet chili meatloaf, which came with cornmeal tempura green beans, whipped potatoes and a sweet chili glaze. They both really loved the

entrée. I want to order it when we come back.

And believe me, this is a DEFINITE do-over.

Run, do not walk, to Next Level Café.

Jack and Mike both ordered cheesecake with butter rum sauce. And yes, you guessed it; I ate several bites of my husband’s dessert. Oh, my three times again.

Besides having delicious food, Next Level Café’s entrees had an eye-appealing presentation. Also, our meals were very affordable, and that’s important, especially in these inflationary times.

Besides our tasty buffalo chicken dip, other Next Level Café starters include: strawberry bruschetta, chicken ‘n’ biscuits and pimiento cheese ‘n’ bacon crostini.

Other brunch items include: breakfast biscuit, traditional breakfast, shrimp ‘n’ grits, pork ‘n’ greens and steak ‘n’ eggs.

Next Level Café also offers diners salads, sandwiches and entrees such as: pan-roasted pork chop, mac ‘n’ mornay, next level pot roast, chicken pot pie soup, ribeye steak and beef tenderloin.

Next Level Café is open on Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Next Level Café makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner.

Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com

FunCarts of Opelika

funcarts.opelika@gmail.com

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Protect your patients against vaccine preventable diseases.

As healthcare professionals, it is up to you to ensure your patients remain up to date with their vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommend the following vaccines for adolescents: • • • •

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

The Alabama Department of Public Health is seeking LPNs and RNs for parttime positions in the Wellness Program.

Responsibilities include conducting biometric screenings and administering influenza vaccine at worksites. Must enjoy working with the public, teamwork with other nurses, and strong interpersonal skills.

To request more information, go to alabamapublichealth.gov/worksitewellness/contact.html.

To apply visit alabamapublichealth.gov/employment/opportunities.html, apply for Licensed Practical Nurse-Hourly – 40122 or Nurse-Hourly – 40251.

The Alabama Department of Public Health complies with the State and Federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, citizenship, age, or physical or mental disability.

The Alabama Department of Public Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

A9 April 7, 2022

Local Businessman Brings Popular Atlanta-Based PONKO Chicken To Alabama AUBURN — Alabama residents are rejoicing as respected local businessman Walker Styron will be opening the first PONKO Chicken in the state of Alabama. This award-winning, Japanese Fusion, fast-casual restaurant is slated to open in Auburn in the coming weeks.

The first PONKO Chicken franchise to open outside the state of Georgia will be located at 2111 S. College St., conveniently located right off the interstate and close to Auburn University.

This spectacular 1,600 square-foot restaurant will have PONKO’s bright, modern and engaging touches throughout.

Styron first became familiar with PONKO while looking for an impressive business to bring to Auburn.

When his friend and now General Manager, Matthew Ventimiglia, mentioned that his uncle, Dr. Patrick Sallarullo, was franchising PONKO Chicken, one of Atlanta’s most pop-

ular fast-casual restaurants in recent years, it sparked Styon’s interest. Together Styron and Ventimiglia took a drive to Atlanta where they sampled a variety of PONKO’s tenders, salads, sandwiches and

that with Dr. Patrick Sallarullo’s strong faith and desire to raise significant funds for charities he believes in, it was my goal to share PONKO Chicken with the Auburn community. Bringing this new

the dealership to Walker, who has successfully run it since then.

Now, Walker is eager to launch a business solely on his own, and thrilled that PONKO Chicken is that business.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

MNOZIL BRASS Opelika Center for the Performing Arts

tacos, and from there, the vision of bringing PONKO to Alabama became a reality.

“I sincerely loved PONKO Chicken since my very first bite,” Stryon said. “Between the crispiness, fantastic flavor and juicy texture along with the health benefits of being cooked in rice bran oil, I couldn’t stop raving about it. Combining

style of health-focused, fast-casual restaurant to the tight community of Auburn has us very energized.”

Walker is also the owner of Riverside Chevrolet. He has done his best to be a part of his father’s dream since he was 16. When Walker was just 18, his father who started Riverside Chevrolet, passed away and left

MarchSunday.

30, 2022, 7:30 pmLive 2019 and “Best This “Eats Meets ABOUT PONKO CHICKEN Dish” in the Midtown Tickets call: West” restaurant, which For PONKO ChickAlliance Spring Crawl seats 50 people, offers en is known for its 2019.

334.749.8105 PONKO‘s full menu, award-winning JapaThe flagship PONKO or visit chicken Chicken with its award-winning nese-American Restaurant PONKO Chicken as tender, claiming the opened in 2017 in www.eastalabamaarts.org well as vegan, vegetitles of “Three-Peat Chamblee, Georgia. In tarian and gluten-free Winner” at Taste of 2018, ownership decidoptions, beer, wine and Atlanta, “Best Salad ed to take the unique a customized catering In Atlanta” by Atlantaste to the masses by menu. ta Magazine in 2022, offering the opportuniPONKO Chicken Au- “Best Fried Chicken” ty to franchise, and the burn will be open from at ATL CLuckFest in first PONKO Chicken 10:30 a.m. until 10:30 2018, “Top Selling p.m. Monday through Vendor” at SuperBowl See PONKO, page A11

Opelika Center for the Performing Arts April 27, 2022, 7:30 pm For Tickets call: 334.749.8105 or visit www.eastalabamaarts.org

A10 April 7, 2022

FROM A7

later, they expanded the business, purchasing the building next door. As the business continued to grow, they expanded the upstairs for sorority merchandise.

“It was wonderful,” Jane said, “and I had wonderful employees and still stay in touch with some of them.” She became friends with many of her customers. Everywhere she goes, people remember Heartstrings.

In 1997, Heartstrings Enterprises started a wholesale business to provide monogramed jewelry and gifts to other stores across the country.

In 2006, Alicia and her husband Jim started Initial Outfitters, which was a direct sales company that allowed women across the country to have their own business, selling through the homesales format. It offered different merchandise than what other businesses were selling.

While all three business were successful, the retail store, Heartstrings of Auburn, closed in 2007 when Jane retired.

Alicia and Jim sold Heartstrings Enterprises when they adopted two children, and they sold Initial Outfitters last year,

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> CATTLEMAN’S DIP Best “football food” ever. Easy to make, hot, great with chips and crackers, and everyone loves it.

2 8 oz. blocks of cream cheese 5 oz. dried beef, finely chopped 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 cup sour cream 2 tsp. minced onions or 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. white pepper (optional) 1 tsp. black pepper 1 cup chopped pecans 2 Tbsp. butter Soften cream cheese in microwave for 1 minute.

Stir in sour cream, spices, and dried beef. Spread mixture evenly into an ovenproof dish ( I use a pie pan.). Sauté pecans in butter and spread over cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with crackers (we like Wheat Thins).

DILL PICKLE SANDWICHES Wait until you try these!

Everyone will want the recipe, regardless of where you serve them.

16 slices white bread, crusts removed OR flour tortillas 16 dill pickle spears 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese ½ packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix Pickle juice 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise Roll the bread slices out with a rolling pin until very flat, including the edges. Soften the cream cheese in the microwave for 1 minute. Add dressing mix, mayonnaise, and

with businesses in all 50 states.

“Making the decision to open our own business was the best decision we ever made,” Alicia said.

“It was hardest thing we have ever done, and the most fun we have ever had. The very beginning stages are tense, hard and challenging. Then, it was absolutely thrilling when we started to see success and opportunities that were there not only for our family but for everyone around us.

“We were working with a lot of the same vendors in Mexico forever. We were able to think about what our growth was going to mean for them and their families. We built personal relationships with them, and to see our orders grow meant a lot to them, their employees and the artisans. We could see a huge ripple effect.

“That was a really good feeling to know every time we were able to take that business forward it wasn’t just for our team. We were making a difference for so many more. It was incredibly rewarding.”

Since selling the businesses, Alicia has been trying to figure out what God wanted her to do next. “I was thinking about the talents and gifts God has given me and enough pickle juice to soften mixture to a spreadable consistency.

Spread cream cheese mixture over bread, being careful not to get too close to the edge. Place 1 pickle spear on the edge of the bread and roll up.

When all are finished, cover with a barely damp paper towel and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Slice into ¼ inch rounds and serve!

PENNE ALL’ ARRABBIATA In Italian, Arrabbiata means “angry”! According to my interpreter while visiting there, this dish “must be angry to be good!” This is Maria’s family recipe.

My favorite souvenir from my travels to Rome!

We make it every week (at least) at our house. It is a great side dish with meat, or main meatless dish. Just add a salad and bread…and voila! ½ lb. penne pasta 1 can tomato sauce 1 clove garlic, minced or 1 tsp. pre-minced Crushed red pepper Olive oil Salt Parmesan or Pecorino Romano or Mozzarella Cheese Bring water to boil for your pasta and add salt so that it is “salty like the ocean.” Cook the pasta just until it is not hard inside, but still firm.

Drain immediately, do not rinse. It will continue to soften a little as it sits both in the colander and on your plate.

Make your sauce after you put the water on to boil. Everything will be ready at once!

In a saucepan, heat about 1 Tbsp. of olive

PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

CIPPERLY >>

Jane Thrash, right, and daughter Alicia Storbeck look over family cookbooks that Jane has assembled over the years to plan a family get-together. The cookbooks include one with handwritten recipes for her daughters, a cookbook of party recipes published when she was owner of Heartstrings and cookbooks she assembled for grandchildren.

how He wants me to use them. For starters, I now have an on call position as a Spanish language interpreter at East Alabama Medical Center Health and love it.”

Jane is enjoying being home in retirement and stays busy planning special occasions for family get-togethers. While she did not start cooking until after getting married, Jane studied home economics in high school and college. While in college, Jane had to prepare a meal and arrange a centerpiece for the table.

“To this day, I cannot serve a meal without a centerpiece," she said.

Jane has to have the ta-

ble set ahead of time and will have an elegant centerpiece. She wants her grandchildren to grow up to know how to sit at a nice table and dine on a good homemade meal, as well as have good manners.

“The big thing for me is getting together with family,” Jane said. “If you don’t get together you kind of lose each other. You have to make that a purpose in your life. We get together for holidays and birthdays.

One of the grandsons can’t stand for everyone not to be at the table, so we added on to the table for everyone to sit together.

oil and sauté the minced garlic just until it starts to turn white/golden.

Immediately add your tomato sauce and stir.

Add about ½ tsp. salt and a couple of shakes of crushed red pepper, but this is absolutely to taste.

Very angry to Maria may be tremendously different than very angry to you!

Better to add too little than too much because you can always add more!

Combine cooked pasta with sauce and serve sprinkled with cheese.

If you make a lot of this, combine only what you are going to use and store the remaining sauce and pasta separately.

Otherwise, the pasta will soak up all the sauce and be a very different dish.

in a single layer. Pour remaining sauce over the shells. Sprinkle with oregano and parmesan cheese. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.

Remove foil and bake 10 minutes longer.

Serve with salad and bread and enjoy! This can also be made with large shell pasta if you can’t find manicotti.

COLLEEN’S MANICOTTI This is a birthday tradition at our house!

Jim’s mom’s manicotti.

Not the traditional ricotta filled dish, but a meaty, delicious treat!

1 lb. ground beef ¼ tsp. garlic powder 1 cup cottage cheese 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese ½ tsp. salt ½ cup mayonnaise 1 box manicotti shells, cooked, drained, and spread on a towel 32 oz. of your favorite pasta sauce – she uses one with mushrooms ½ tsp. dried oregano Parmesan cheese Brown beef with garlic powder. Drain fat. Mix with cheeses, salt, and mayonnaise.

Spread a little sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Fill each shell with this mixture and place in pan

GRILLED BARBECUE CHICKEN This marinade!

Seriously we could eat this every day, use this chicken in every recipe, and never get tired of it! One granddaughter simply calls it Vinegar Chicken, and asks for it all the time!

1 stick butter 1 cup vinegar ¼ cup water 2 Tbsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 1 tsp. poultry seasoning 1 tsp. paprika Put everything into a small pan and bring to a boil. Cool completely before pouring over boneless chicken breasts. Marinate 12-36 hours. Grill, bake, or sauté in a skillet. We like it grilled best! Serve with Loaded Creamed Potato Casserole and loads of summer veggies!

UNBELIEVABLE BROWNIE PIE This was served at our rehearsal dinner, and we loved it so much that we begged Rex Barrington to share the recipe! Here it is!

2 squares unsweetened chocolate ½ cup butter

“I think it is so important to sit at the table with family. Stories we tell generally happened around the dinner table.”

The recipes for these occasions have evolved, and the menu changes according to the season and holiday. Each grandchild has a favorite recipe, and she is sharing those recipes. Jane compiled a cookbook with handwritten recipes for each of her daughters and assembled a cookbook for the grandchildren. She also published a small cookbook with party dishes when she owned Heartstrings.

Alicia, Amy and Holly divide the cooking, with 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. flour 1 tsp. vanilla 1 pie shell, unbaked Melt chocolate in a saucepan over low heat and add ½ cup butter. Stir until melted.

Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Pour into unbaked pie shell. Place this in a cold oven and turn heat to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes, and do not overbake! Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

You can add ½ cup of chopped nuts as a variation.

LEMON MERINGUE PIE Daddy’s favorite! So much so that he is literally known to eat it with a toothpick to make it last longer!

1 pie shell, baked ½ cup lemon juice 1 tsp. grated lemon rind or ¼ tsp. lemon extract 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 2 eggs, separated ¼ tsp. cream of tartar 4 Tbsp. sugar Combine lemon juice and grated lemon rind. Gradually stir in condensed milk. Add egg yolks and stir until well blended. Pour into chilled pie crust.

Add cream of tartar to egg whites. Beat until almost stiff enough to hold a peak. Add sugar gradually, beating until stiff but not dry. Pile lightly on the pie filling.

Bake at 325 degrees until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool before serving.

each preparing a couple of dishes. This keeps it easy as no one has to do a great deal of cooking for the get-togethers.

The husbands help too by doing the dishes. The family keeps it a team effort.

For the meals, the main dishes and sides are served on the counter bar in the kitchen, while the desserts are arranged on the bar in the breakfast room. Before the family dines, they stand in a circle and hold hands. They sing “Blessed Be the Ties that Bind” before every meal.

After lunch, the family will play games outside.

At Easter, they will play an egg toss game.

“You have to work at it to keep the family together," Jane said. “It just doesn’t happen. You have to make it a priority to have get-togethers and do things together. We have also taken some pretty memorable vacations together.”

Jane feels fortunate that all of their children and grandchildren have been able to stay in the area. “We have been blessed,” Jane says, as she gathers her cookbooks together to plan another get-together.

SOUR CREAM CORNBREAD Such a favorite that the recipe lives in the outside window sleeve of the recipe notebook.

2 eggs ½ cup vegetable oil 8 oz. sour cream 1 can creamed corn 2 cup self-rising corn meal Put a cast iron pan with 1 Tbsp. butter into a 400 degree oven. Mix all ingredients together and pour into cast iron pan. Bake for about 30 minutes. Hot and buttered is the best!

LOADED CREAMED POTATO CASSEROLE One of our family’s favorite sides, we serve this with burgers, grilled chicken, barbecue, Easter ham and Thanksgiving turkey!

It’s almost impossible to make too much of it.

3 lb. russet potatoes, red potatoes, or both – boiled until soft enough to mash 16 oz. cottage cheese 8 oz. sour cream 1 stick butter 1 Tbsp. salt 2 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. garlic powder 2 cup grated cheese – cheddar jack or mozzarella are our favorites In a large pot, mash potatoes with butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Stir in cottage cheese and sour cream. Taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in cheese.

Scoop into a 9x11 casserole dish and top with additional cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until potatoes are bubbly. If you made it ahead and put it in the refrigerator, this will take longer, and you should top See CIPPERLY RECIPES, page A12

A11 April 7, 2022

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — Ironically, Owner Luis Saavedra, wasn’t even present when he learned his business had won the award.

He received a call while attending the Business Over Breakfast to take care of some things for Boonie Hat and excused himself. He returned while the chamber was taking the event down — only to learn he’d won the award.

Because Boonie Hat won the small business of the quarter, it will be eligible for small business of the year, later on, Saavedra said.

“Out of the 800 businesses or so that are a member of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, 60 businesses had been nominated for the Small Business of the Quarter,” Saavedra said. “And I had been one of the finalists.

They ask you, ‘can you be at this business over

breakfast?’ And so, I thought I had no chance of winning.”

Saavedra said he’d been told a few people nominated his business.

“You spend so much time worrying about ‘Is somebody else getting ahead? Is somebody else doing better than I am?’ And you work so hard. And you have no idea how you’re perceived and how your business is perceived because you spend so much time worrying about, ‘am I falling behind?’ So this was a big honor.”

Boonie Hat will be celebrating its one year mark of working out of the brick-and-mortar soon. Boonie Hat shares a space with Market Street Paint Shop and the collaboration between the two owners, Saavedra and Jim Bryson, has benefitted both of their businesses, they said.

“Jim Bryson made this possible by inviting me to be here,” Saavedra said. “My wife Sharon, and my team of

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Boonie Hat Wins Small Business of the Quarter

baristas make me look better than what I am.

I’m the biggest Wizard of Oz in this town. ‘Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.’ Because that’s me, there’s a lot of people that are making me look good.”

Boonie Hat started with Saavedra roasting coffee in a popcorn

popper, selling it to local businesses and eventually turned into an actual storefront with Bryson.

“When I opened Boonie Hat Coffee Company, I had envisioned something that would be really good coffee but I really wanted it to be acces-

sible and available to blue collar people, to hard-working people, to professionals, who need coffee at the time when they need it,” Saavedra said.

Saavedra roasts his coffee fresh and onsite, wanted to make sure his place was veteran-friendly.

Saavedra is a veteran himself, and has designed his shop as place where both veterans, and community members, can feel comfortable.

To visit Opelika’s Small Business of the Quarter, check out Boonie Hat at 116 S. 8th St. Opelika.

Uptown Columbus, Inc. Spring Concert Series Kicks Off CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

COLUMBUS — Uptown Columbus is quickly approaching its spring event season which means the return of the Friday Night Concert Series.

Starting April 1, area residents and visitors are welcome to head to Broadway to experience a free concert that is sure to start the weekend off right. The series will run seven

consecutive Fridays with each show starting at 7 p.m.

Throughout the series, attendees will experience a variety of genres and entertainment. From touring tribute bands to local musicians, the Uptown stage will offer a great variety of tunes.

Concerts will be held every Friday night from 7 to 10 p.m. on the 1000 block of Broadway, finishing up on May 13. On

April 15, the show will switch to the 1200 block of Broadway.

The concerts are family-friendly and free to the public so make sure to bring the kids and spread the word with friends that every Friday night, Uptown is the place to be.

Uptown Columbus Spring 2022 Lineup April 8: River City Horns (R&B Soul and Contemporary Horns) April 15: 1200 Block of Broadway -

20 Ride (Zac Brown Tribute) April 22: Lloyd Buchanan and the Cubed Roots (Soul, Jazz and Blues) April 29: Money Shot (Rock-n-Roll) May 6: Skyler Saufley & 99th Degree (Blues and Boogie) May 13: Woodruff Park - 6-7:45 p.m. | DSOS (Funk) 8-10 p.m. | Hotter Than July (Stevie Wonder Tribute) Nearby restaurants

will offer food and beverages for sale.

Free parking is available in nearby public decks. Of course, lawn chairs are welcome.

Outside coolers are prohibited and pets are discouraged due to loud noises and crowds. To stay up to date on all things Uptown, sponsorship opportunities and spring events, visit Uptown’s website, www.alwaysuptown.com, follow on Facebook or call at

706.596.0111.

ABOUT UPTOWN Uptown Columbus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization facilitates and coordinates economic revitalization throughout the Uptown area. Uptown Columbus is dedicated primarily to the revitalization of all areas of Uptown Columbus into a model city where people desire to work, live, shop, dine and explore educational opportunities.

Become a Season Subscriber to the Gogue CONTRIBUTED BY GOGUE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

AUBURN — Our 2022–23 season is just around the corner, and we want you to join us for another year of unforgettable arts entertainment at the Gogue Center.

We’d like to invite you to become a full season subscriber before our 2022–23 season is announced on Tuesday, May 3.

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vidual performances and series to riveting artist talks and master classes, our vibrant artistic and educational programs are made possible thanks to your philanthropic support.

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to exclusive events, valet parking vouchers and advance access to tickets for season addon performances.

We’re sincerely grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you back to the Gogue Center for our 2022–23 season.

A12 April 7, 2022

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> it with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes or so.

Variations: add bacon bits, green onions, slivered almonds, or other favorite potato toppings.

PARTY CHICKEN This makes an elegant dish and is as perfect for a holiday gathering as it is for a weeknight dinner.

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut in half to make 2 thinner breasts 8 strips bacon, cut in half 4 oz. chipped dried beef 1 can cream of mushroom soup 8 oz. sour cream Divide chipped beef into 8 equal portions.

Place one portion on one end of the cut side of a chicken breast. Roll up and wrap with a bacon strip to secure. Place chicken rolls in a 9x11 dish.

Combine soup and sour cream. Spread over chicken. Top with remaining bacon. Bake 3 hours uncovered at 275 degrees.

The result is the most tender chicken you have ever eaten!

Serve over rice, with steamed broccoli almondine for a delicious meal.

CHICKEN ROLL-UPS A family favorite. A sure bet when we want to see the grandkids is to tell them these are waiting for them, and they will be over! One even said when offered “Grandmom, I will NEVER turn down Chicken Roll-Ups!” 5 oz. can of chicken, drained and chopped finely 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped finely ¼ cup pimento 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise ½ tsp. salt 8 oz. can of crescent rolls Mix all ingredients

together except rolls.

Grease a cookie sheet.

Separate crescent roll dough into 4 rectangles on a lightly floured surface. Place 2 dough rectangles with short sides together, slightly overlapping. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 15”x4” rectangle. Spread chicken mixture onto crescent rolls and roll up jelly roll style. Slice into appx. ½” sections, place flat on cookie sheet and bake for 20 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve with chicken flavored rice, a green vegetable, and fruit.

Variations: we have revised this many times, omitting peppers and pimentos and adding cheese, almonds, and other goodies that we enjoy. Feel free to improvise!

BROCCOLI AMANDINE 2-3 cups fresh broccoli crowns, cut into bite sized pieces and steamed ½ cup butter or margarine 3 Tbsp. lemon juice ½ tsp. salt ½ cup slivered blanched almonds Melt margarine in a small saucepan. Add lemon juice, salt and almonds. Simmer for 5 minutes. Drain broccoli, toss with sauce and serve.

SQUASH CASSEROLE Jane’s mother’s recipe! It has definitely stood the test of time and is a summertime favorite.

2 cups fresh squash 1 large white onion, chopped and sauteed 1 pkg Ritz crackers, crushed ¼ cup butter, melted 2 eggs ½ cup milk Salt and pepper Sook squash and

onion until tender. Drain off all liquid. Beat eggs and milk together and add to the squash. In a separate bowl, combine cheese, butter, and cracker crumbs. Add ½ of the cracker mixture into the squash and pour squash mixture into a buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees.

CHOCOLATE ICING No matter what cake you put this on, it is our family favorite. Literally all of us ask for this icing on our birthdays! It is originally from a crazy cake recipe, but we just make a boxed cake and ice it with this icing. It is to die for!

1 stick margarine 4 Tbsp. cocoa powder 6 Tbsp. milk 1 lb. powdered sugar 1 Tbsp. vanilla 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) Bring margarine, cocoa, and milk to a boil.

Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and nuts if using.

Spread over cake while both are hot.

PEAR SALAD This recipe is from a military friend of ours, given to me when we were stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. It is light, refreshing and a uniquely different side to serve!

1 can pears 1 pkg. lemon or lime Jell-O 1 cup Cool Whip 3 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup chopped pecans ½ cup mayonnaise Lemon juice Heat the juice from pears and dissolve Jell-O. Allow to cool completely. Mash pears and combine with cream cheese, Cool Whip, nuts and cooled Jell-O mixture.

Add a splash of lemon juice to mayonnaise and mix in a separate bowl. Serve salad with a dollop of the lemon mayonnaise on a lettuce leaf.

DERBY PIE This recipe came from a Samford University hallmate who was from Kentucky – home of the authentic Derby Pie! This is unbelievable served warm but is still incredible once it’s cooled down. Serve with ice cream!

1 cup sugar ½ cup flour 2 slightly beaten eggs ½ cup cooled melted butter 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cup chocolate chips 1 tsp. vanilla 1 unbaked pie shell Mix sugar and flour.

Add eggs and stir. Add remaining ingredients and stir just until combined. Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour.

Test with a toothpick to make sure it’s not runny before removing from the oven. Cool slightly before serving.

DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIES I have never made anything more frequently requested or devoured more quickly than these brownies! It’s crazy!

It’s simply a matter of changing up the directions on the box a little!

3 boxes Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Brownies 1 tsp. espresso powder (optional) 3 eggs Water and oil as called for on package This recipe is for two 9x13 pans. There’s just no way to make it right otherwise. Plus, you will want that many when you see how good they are!

In a very large mixing bowl, empty the 3 boxes of brownie mix. Add espresso powder, water, oil, and eggs. I always put the eggs in one spot and lightly beat them before mixing everything together. This keeps you from getting stringy pieces of egg in the brownies.

Gently stir, no more than 35 times (seriously, count.) Just enough to get most of the mix wet.

Divide into the two pans and bake at 350 until the edges are set and the very center is still slightly jiggly. Take them out immediately.

Best tip ever – cut the brownies with a plastic knife. No gooey mess, no brownies sticking to the knife!

Add nuts, chocolate chips, or anything else that you like in your brownies if you want to make them even more over the top. You can’t mess them up with more good stuff!

SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE A favorite that has been in our family for years! Nothing tastes better than a fresh, warm, pound cake with whipped cream!

1 cup butter 3 cups sugar 6 eggs 8 oz. carton sour cream 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. vanilla ½ tsp. baking soda Bring all ingredients to room temperature for best results. Sift flour and baking soda together and set aside. In a large bowl, slowly cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in sour cream. Slowly add flour mixture ½ cup at a time.

Pour into a greased and floured Bundt pan, or

2 loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour.

Check to see if a toothpick comes out clean. If not, bake up to 30 minutes longer, checking every 5 to 10 minutes. Nothing is worse than a dry pound cake!

CHICKEN CURRY This recipe was given to us by friends who lived in Africa for a season. It is now our favorite Christmas meal, one that the entire family looks forward to.

3 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded Broth from chicken breasts 1 small white onion, chopped finely 1 can crushed tomatoes 1 clove garlic, minced or 1 tsp. minced garlic In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft, then add tomatoes. Simmer and add the following spices: 1 tsp. each: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, turmeric, salt, pepper 1 Tbsp. each: curry powder, brown sugar ¼ tsp. each: cayenne pepper, chili powder Stir together and let simmer. Add shredded chicken, and: 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup milk Now mix 3 heaping tablespoons of flour with some of the hot liquid until a paste forms and add that to the sauce. Stir very well.

Simmer at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours, stirring regularly so that it doesn’t burn.

Serve over rice, with all the following condiments to choose from. The more you add, the better it tastes, but everyone likes a different combination so just set the bowls of condiments out and let everyone personalize their plate!

Condiments: peanuts, raisins, chopped onion, chopped green bell peppers, pineapple tidbits (drained), coconut, sliced bananas, chopped tomatoes

A13 April 7, 2022

11th Annual Blue For Autism Event Fills Courthouse Square

PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER More than 500 people came out on April 1 to the 11th Annual Going Blue for Autism event held at Courthouse Square in Opelika. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller both spoke during the event.

Luanne and Jason Helms, and their son Jake, celebrated Autism Awareness Month at the state capitol earlier in the week. Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation designating Autism Awareness Month in the presence of families who live with autism - like the Helms.

A14 April 7, 2022

Reflecting on the Death of Jesus

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

W

hen we touch the cross, we put our finger on the pulse of the universe. We touch something that is warm, alive and vital. Yet it is also holy, arguably the holiest ground of all. With that in mind, I invite us to take off our sandals and approach the cross in reverence and humility.

In an effort to help us appreciate the suffering Jesus endured in redeeming us, people sometimes do what

the writers of the New Testament didn’t do — they go into extremely graphic detail about the flogging and crucifixion of Jesus. The New Testament writers didn’t need to do this because the people they wrote to understood this — it was part of their world. It’s done today because people generally aren’t familiar with these practices. In and of itself, that’s not a bad thing.

However, sometimes the purpose of elaborating on the flogging and crucifixion practices of the Romans in the first century is done to show that Jesus was beaten to the point of being near death, as in the movie, The Passion of the Christ. As I said, the intent in this is honorable, but the question we need to ask is, “Is this an accurate portrayal of what happened with Jesus?”

Ed Wharton addresses this in his book, Christianity: A Clear Case of History. Here are some of the lines of evidence he points us toward in answering this question: None of the NT writers go into explicit detail concerning the suffering of Jesus prior to His crucifixion. He was f logged, beaten and a crown of thorns was placed on His head. Certainly, this was extremely painful and while we know that sometimes people were almost beaten to death prior to crucifixion, there’s no evidence to support that this was the case with Jesus.

We do know that when Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, Pilate was surprised to hear He was dead so soon and called the centurion

in to confirm it (Mark 15:44). This is significant because if Pilate didn’t personally witness the flogging of Jesus, he at least saw Christ soon afterward (John 19:1-5). If Jesus was near death after His flogging, then Pilate wouldn’t have been surprised that His death happened so quickly.

Jesus died after just six hours on the cross (Mark 15:25, 33-37).

Death on a cross could take hours or days depending on the manner in which a person was crucified (i.e., how their body was positioned on the cross and whether they could breathe in that position), their general health and the severity of the flogging they received prior to crucifixion. Death was due to a combination of fatigue, exposure and asphyxiation, but rarely, if ever, loss of blood.

The two rebels who

were crucified with Jesus also provide us with some insight into the nature of His crucifixion. We have no reason to believe that Jesus was crucified in a different manner from them. Yet after approximately nine hours, they were still alive and their legs were broken to hasten their deaths so their bodies could be taken off the cross before the Sabbath began. A good question to ask is, “Why didn’t this have to be done with Jesus?”

In all of this, there is no attempt to minimize the sufferings of Jesus — but rather to redirect our thinking to what the N.T. writers point us toward in understanding the agony of the cross.

To be continued next week!

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-tasteof-grace-with-brucegreen.com

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website:www. a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com

Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. — Ephesians 1:7

CHURCH DIRECTORY APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc. 28 Sanford Ave., Opelika 334-745-0210 God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528

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

Got Questions?

Come Study With Us

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT CUNNINGHAM DRIVE

Auburn (334) 749-4184 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608

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

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

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church Of Christ

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

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

2660 CUNNINGHAM DR., OPELIKA SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. / 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 6:30 P.M.

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Email: editor@opelika observer.com Call: 334-749-8003

A15 April 7, 2022

Never Forget This

I

WALTER ALBRITTON

flew home from Africa smiling as I as I thought, “I will never forget Never!” Never was the name of my interpreter in Zambia.

A gracious Christian brother, he skillfully translated my Alabama English into the Zambezi language of my friends in that beautiful African

nation.

The word “never” found a way onto bumper stickers and billboards following the heinous terrorist attack that shocked America. We declared “We Will Never Forget 9-11.” Memories dim as time passes but that dastardly deed will be long remembered.

God, on the other hand, has always called his people to remember, not the evil deeds of our enemies, but His mercy. The Passover feast was begun to obey God’s command that the Israelites remember how He had delivered them from bondage in Egypt. In the spring, Jewish families brought a

lamb “without blemish” to be slaughtered in the Temple by the priests.

The lamb’s blood was spilled upon the altar.

The meat was returned to each family’s father so he could cook it for his family to enjoy, along with unleavened bread. This festive celebration had been observed for centuries before Jesus was born. With His coming, “in the fullness of time,” the Passover meal was changed forever as a new era began.

By dying on the cross, Jesus became the sacrificial lamb, His life unblemished by sin. I tremble when I read the words John uttered as he looked at Jesus, “Behold

the Lamb of God!” Jesus’ death upon that cruel cross fulfilled God’s plan for the salvation of the world.

And though the Romans scourged Jesus unmercifully and executed him upon a wooden cross, the greater truth is that Jesus willingly gave his life for our sins.

Before this mighty deed of God occurred, Jesus arranged to eat a Passover meal with His disciples. We call it the Last Supper. What happened at the meal was striking. He took bread, gave thanks, then broke it and gave it to his disciples. It is awesome to consider that because Jesus did that, for

centuries Christians have made it a habit before breaking bread at a meal to give thanks to God for His provision. We do it because He did it!

As He gave the bread to his disciples, Jesus said these remarkable words, “This is my body, given for you.” The breaking of the bread symbolized the breaking of His body on the cross.

Then, taking the cup of wine, Jesus said, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.”

That’s why today more than two billion Christians gather in

worship to partake of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, the Eucharist — because Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Why? To remember his sacrifice, to remember God’s mercy, to remember that He died for us. Remembering that can inspire us to cry as Charles Wesley did in one of his hymns, “for me, for me, He died!”

When next you partake of the bread and the cup, remember his words: “This is my body, broken for you; this is my blood, shed for you.” Never forget that. Never. Never. It will affect the way you live!

Massi Norcross (Jack), and Andrea Marie Massi Tagle (Kevin).

The family would like to extend thanks to her many caregivers, especially Kierstin Stull at Auburn Assisted Living.

Mrs. Snell chose to be cremated with no service to be held, and Frederick-Dean Funeral Home handling arrangements.

Edward Jones (Louise), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Visitation was held on March 30, in the parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home with the funeral service being held at 11 a.m.

Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

was held on April 1, at 2 p.m. at Town Creek Cemetery with Reverend Thad Endicott officiating.

–––––––

DARA H. HOLLEMAN

OBITUARIES STEPHEN EUGENE TODD Stephen Eugene Todd went to be with the Lord on March 27, 2022. He was born on Aug. 29, 1953, to David and Willene Todd in Opelika. He is survived by his daughter Paige (Kent) Braswell of Valley, AL; his best friends Joyce and Chuck Hoffman of Valley, AL; his other two girls he loved as his own Stephanie Prickett and Susan Hamilton; many others who he loved as his “kids”; his nieces and nephews; his great-nieces and great-nephews; several cousins; all who he loved so dearly.

He was employed with Amos Mobile Homes for 26 years and finished his working career at Mead WestVaco where he made many friendships that he cherished and talked about often. He was a beloved father and dedicated his life to his family.

He is preceded in death by both his parents, his brother Jimmy Todd and his special cousin Aurelia Boyce.

Services for Mr Stephen Todd will be as follows: Visitation on Thursday, March 31, 2022 from 6-8pm

CST. Funeral on Friday, April 1, 2022 starting at 3pm CST. All services will be held at Beulah Baptist Church in Valley, AL (Beulah) with Brian Todd officiating.

Jeffcoat Trant will be handling the arrangements.

––––––– JANICE COOPER THOMPSON Janice Cooper Thompson, born on June 21, 1951 in Lee County, Alabama to Margarett and Warren Cooper. Mrs. Thompson passed away at the age of 70 on Sunday, March 27, 2022. A graveside service for Mrs. Thompson will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the Garden Hills Cemetery.

Mrs. Thompson was proceeded in death by her husband, Billy James Thompson, and her son, Billy James Thompson, Jr..

She is survived by children; Chris (Lindsay) Thompson, Doug (Shauna) Watkins, Grace (Rusty) Banks, Karen (Allen) Flournoy, and Carla (Clint) Davis.

Grandchildren: Lacey Thompson, Emma Cox, Kalen Thompson,

Haley Dixon, Jasmine Wade, Teddi-Ann Irish, Brittany Cabrera, Kallen Grigsby, Chase Davis, and Chandler Davis. Two sisters: Barbara (Harold) Bracknell and Theresa (Allen) Lott. Two brothers; David (Celia) Cooper and Peter Cooper. Stepmother, Dianne Cooper; Aunt, Martha Bentley; along with a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

––––––– ELLEN MASSI SNELL Ellen Massi Snell passed away on March 27, 2022, at the age of 97.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pasquale and Giovannina Massi; husband, Norman Montgomery Snell; three sisters and one brother.

Ellen is survived by one son, Gary Montgomery Snell (Sheila); granddaughter, Julia Blair Snell Gilliland; grandson, Blake Montgomery Snell; three great grandchildren, Ava Grace Gilliland, Charlotte Mae (Charlee) Gilliland, Grant Walker Gilliland; nieces, Victoria Katherine

SARA ELMIRA CHAPPELL Sara Elmira Chappell of Opelika was born in Cottonwood, Alabama, on Jan. 25, 1929, and passed away at her home on March 27, 2022. She was 93 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bammer and Joe Jones; husband, Benjamin Franklin Chappell, Sr., as well as several brothers and sisters.

Sara is survived by her children, Joseph Chappell (Brenda), David Chappell (Lisa), Sara Harmon (David), Benjamin Franklin Chappell, Jr. (Betty Sue) and James Oliver Chappell, Sr. (Cheryl); 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-greatgrandchildren, brother,

–––––––

Dara H. Holleman of Auburn, Alabama passed away on March 27, 2022, at the age of 88.

Dara was preceded in death by her father, Roy Hancock (Sara); mother, Sarah Jones; husband, Ralph M. Holleman, Jr. and daughter, Lisa Holleman.

She is survived by her children, Janet Marmaduke (Corey), Karen Holleman and Ralph M. Holleman, III; grandchildren, Paige Loveday (Glen), and Ryan, Mitch, Bella and Zach Holleman (Shay); great-grandchildren, Raylee, Riggs, Izick and Chase; and sister, Pansy Newman.

Visitation was held on March 31, 2022, in the Parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home and a graveside service

St. Stephens Episcopal Church ECW 1st annual Crawfish Boil!

Fresh Crawfish from Louisiana cooked by our own Cajun, Don Sorjonen

Pick- up April 23rd 2022 From 11am – 1pm eastern time To order call Bonnie @706-442-4723 Please pre-order!!

Pick up at St Stephens Episcopal Church 45 Lee Rd 567 Smiths Station, AL 36877 (one-half mile north of Loves Truck stop on Hwy. 431) Crawfish (1lb) plus Potatoes, Corn, Sausage - $12 Family size: Gumbo -$16 QT - Red Beans & Rice - $12 QT

Pre-Need Services Available Call 334-749-8700 for an appointment.

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––––––– HUEL “WAYNE” RODGERS Huel “Wayne” Rodgers 62 of Opelika, passed away on April 1, 2022, from natural causes. He is survived by his wife Bj Rodgers, children: David Rodgers(Lakeland, Florida), John Rodgers(Opelika), Chelsea and George Lee(Lake Wales, Florida), Ashley Cooper(Lakeland), Faith Rodgers(Opelika,); grandchildren: Cody Hunt Jr(Lakeland,),Harper Lee (Lake Wales,) Bentley Charett(Lakeland,); siblings: Belinda Azzarelli ( Lakeland,), Randall Rodgers( Lakeland,), Debra Rice( McClure, Ohio).

He loved his Alabama football, bowling, and family.

HE WILL BE ROLLING INTO THE TIDE. Visitation was held Tuesday, April 5, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home at 6 p.m. A graveside will be held in Lakeland at a later date.

A16 April 7, 2022

COMICS

“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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INSIDE B1 - B8:

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• AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS • AUBURN UNIVERSITY • COMMUNITY SPORTS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS • SUSSC

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS LEE COUNTY: APRIL 12 AT 6 P.M. AUBURN: APRIL 12 AT 6 P.M. OPELIKA: APRIL 19 AT 4:30 P.M.

‘You Can’t Spell Progress Without O.G.R.E.’ Opelika Robotics Team Advancing to Worlds PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY O.G.R.E.

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Postseason Pushes

O

The girls then shutout area foe Eufaula, 9-0, at the Sportsplex.

Phatsadavong and Brown scored two goals; Maelee Story, Hilyer, Garcia, Watts and Arizela Ambrocio scored one goal apiece.

The Lady Bulldogs are 9-2 overall.

Opelika hosts rival Auburn Friday night at the W. James Samford Soccer Complex. Varsity girls start at 5 p.m., followed by varsity boys at 7 p.m.

TRACK AND FIELD

11.79 - Bailey Williams - 13th 11.79 - Qualik Harry 14th 200 METER DASH 24.17 - Brennan Reese-Williams - 15th 24.23 - Bailey Williams - 17th 24.24 - Kaden Cooper - 18th 24.29 - Davian Jones 21st 400 METER DASH 53.19 - Sam Washburn - 5th - Finals See SPORTS, page B2

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Opelika’s Greatest Robotics Engineers (O.G.R.E.) competed and won the 2022 FIRST Robotics

Orlando Regional on March 12, securing a place in the FIRST World Championship competition in

Houston, Texas, on April 20 through 23.

FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and See O.G.R.E., page B4

OHS Celebrates Seniors Amidst Late Season Push

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — When the Opelika Baseball program took the field on Tuesday, March 29, against Russell County, the red and black were given the opportunity to recognize 10 individuals for their hard work, commitment and dedication to bettering Bulldog baseball.

Head coach Zachary Blatt and the teammates of Harrison Long, Brantley Davis, Kydylan Ligon, Luke Murray, Jacob Smith, Paul Goodman, Brooks Bryan, JT McArdle, Jonathan Daniel Chase and Landon Lee ensured that they walked away victorious on their senior night.

“It was a good opportunity,” Blatt said.

“It’s one of the biggest senior classes we’ve had

and we’re playing some pretty good baseball so just keep it rolling as area

leadership role,” Blatt said. “Brooks Bryan and Luke Murray are kind

impacted their teammates, but have also played an instrumental

play wraps up.”

The head coach of the Dawgs mentioned that the presence of the large senior class has been impactful due to the group’s collective ability to lead one another in different capacities.

“We have a few guys especially that have kind of taken on that

of the two that stick out the most. All the other guys — for the most part — have been in the program. So they’ve kind of figured out what we’re trying to do, the type of baseball that we want to play.”

Blatt noted that seniors such as Bryan and Murray have not only

role in the development of younger members within the program.

“When you have guys that have done it for so long it does make it a lot easier when it comes to teaching younger kids,” Blatt said. “When we go through our drill series and different things at

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — pelika High spring sports are finishing the regular season with hopes of making the AHSAA state playoffs. The next three weeks will determine which teams advance.

SOCCER Opelika’s girls’ and boys’ soccer teams swept Russell County and Eufaula this week at W. James Samford Soccer Complex.

The OHS boys’ varsity team (6-4-1) beat Russell County, 2-1, at its home field. George Meyers scored both goals for the Bulldogs with assists from Said Rujuana and Luke Roberts.

The Dogs then beat Eufaula, 9-2, improving their area record to 5-0. Nathan Faison (three goals) and Meyers (two goals) and Dexter Graham (two goals) led Opelika offensively. Jaden Gamble and Ethan Neman added one goal apiece. Meyers led Opelika with three assists; Rujuana, Jake Campbell, Graham and Neman added one assist apiece.

The OHS Lady Bulldogs beat Russell County 4-2. Amiya Brown and Morgan Watts scored two goals apiece to lead the girls.

Assists were from Karly Phatsadavong, Ashley Hilyer, Brown and Scarlet Olivia.

See OHS, page B4

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

B2 April 07, 2022

Beulah Softball ‘Taking it One Pitch at a Time’

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER BEULAH — Diamond sports are an entity unlike any other. Sometimes, teams can’t seem to buy a run or catch a routine fly ball for the life of them.

Other times, groups find themselves on a hot streak of games where they can do no wrong; sometimes, a team knows just how good they are from the first time they step on the field together and begin to morph into a nearly untouchable squad.

Beulah High School’s softball program may just be experiencing one

of those phenomena.

The Bobcats are 29-4, unbeaten in their area and showing no signs of slowing down.

According to their skipper, the Bobcat’s dominance throughout 2022 has can be accredited — in large — to the lethal pitching duo of senior Katie Morris and junior Brandy Phillips.

“We’ve got two really good pitchers who get in that circle for us,” Pepper said. “They do an outstanding job for us.”

Although certainly a force to be reckoned with, the Beulah pitching staff has been backed up by what Pepper describes as a solid

defensive effort.

“We’re playing pretty good defense most of the time,” Pepper said. “And we’re generating just enough runs to survive.”

While the longtime head coach of the Bobcats sang praise for his defense in its entirety, he could not help by mention the remarkable impact of junior center fielder Savannah Clements “To be honest with you, they’re all playing well,” Pepper said.

“We’re getting really good play from everybody on our team; but Savannah Clements has made some ESPN-type plays in center field.”

Pepper said that the standout junior actually had one catch earlier in the season that the coaching staff actually considered sending in to the ESPN top-10.

“She’s just been unbelievable, hawking balls down left and right,” Pepper said. “I don’t know if there’s a better center fielder in the state than her. She had one catch that we actually thought about trying to send to ESPN, it was that miraculous of a catch.”

Despite highlighting both his pitchers and star center fielder, Pepper made a point to commend junior catcher

Abrianna Green for her standout work behind the dish and ability to be a leader on the black and gold defense.

“Abrianna Green has been doing an outstanding job,” Pepper said. “If (our opponents) get on base, they don’t seem to make it to second with her behind the plate.

She’s got a really strong arm; she’s doing a really great job of protecting the plate and being the leader.”

While praising his defensive standouts, the skipper was sure to commend his group of athletes for staying bought into the culture which has been created before

them.

“They’ve been playing most of their life,” Pepper said. “We just preach one play at a time, one out at a time, one inning at a time and they’ve bought into that the last couple of years. They don’t get too emotionally low or high, they just play the game.”

With just five regular season contests remaining and the ASHAA playoffs growing nearer, the Bobcats look to stay the course when they travel to New Site to take on the Generals of Horseshoe Bend on Thursday night. First pitch of the contest is set for 4:30 p.m. CST.

Beauregard Elementary Receives State, National Recognition PHOTO BY ALLIE FOX / FOR THE OBSERVER

expectations and “well above” expectations in reading and math, respectively.

Despite the school serving a student population that includes a 59% portion of economically disadvantaged students, the exceeding of expectations can be partially attributed to Beauregard Elementary’s 16:1

teacher-to-student ratio, which is better than the average of the district, according to US News and World Report.

According to the Alabama.com article, Beauregard Elementary was selected as one of 43 schools awarded the “High Flyer” designation. Geographic location, student population

and other knows facts about the school were considered in the selection process. After canvassing the state, Alabama.com determined that high flyer schools in Alabama have: Teachers who have high expectations for students and are invested in their students’ academic success.

Teachers who take control of the things they can control.

Plentiful support to help teachers get better at both what they know and how to teach it.

Constant assessment of where students stand and what they need help with.

Leverage of strong community support.

A school earns its

“High Flyer” designation based on these parameters: School wide student poverty level of 48% or higher (756 schools), and Spending less than $2,000 per student in local tax money during the 2018-19 school year (589 schools), and Proficiency on spring 2021 math and English language arts tests at 120% of the statewide proficiency level for all grade levels tested in the school and all students: 120% of statewide math proficiency: 26.4% 120% of statewide ELA proficiency: 54.5% For more on the “Best” schools designation: www.usnews.com/education/k12/alabama/ beauregard-elementary-school-226234 For more on the High Flyer designation: www. al.com/news/2021/12/ yes-there-are-high-poverty-public-schools-thatoperate-at-a-high-levelin-alabama-heres-howhigh-flyers-succeed.html

42.83 - Tykell Thomas - 2nd 44.73 - Theo Hubbard - 5th 51.47 - JaClarence Perry - 15th 4X100 METER RELAY 45.48 - Relay Team - 4th 4X400 METER RELAY 3:41.60 - Relay Team - 4th 4X800 METER RELAY 9:39.54 - Relay Team - 5th LONG JUMP 19-9 - Davian Jones - 3rd 18-6.5 - Kaden Cooper - 8th 18-5 - Charles Hodge - 9th TRIPLE JUMP 40-10 - Davian Jones - 1st 40-3 - Kaden Cooper - 2nd 38-3 - Kylin Fears - 7th POLE VAULT 12-0 - Benjamin Royal - 1st 10-0 - Dontarius Alvis - 2nd 10-0 - Kylin Fears - 4th DISCUS 133-5 - Mikeil Heard

- 2nd 112-8 - Ajaden Parham 4th 111-1 - Marquavian Johnson - 5th JAVELIN 138-9 - Anthony Edwards - 1st 137-3 - Marquavian Johnson - 4th 114-4 - Jaxon Freeman 11th SHOT PUT 42-0 - Marquavian Johnson - 2nd 39-11 - Mikeil Heard - 4th 37-3.5 - Anthony Edwards - 7th SOFTBALL The Lady Bulldog Softball team (8-12-1) lost two games last week, falling to Auburn (3-4) and Smiths Station (2-8).

AHS beat rival OHS, 4-3, in Auburn. This was the second one-run win for Auburn over rival Opelika. Auburn won game one, 1-0, at West Ridge Park earlier this year. This time, Auburn scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win. McKay Yountz

pitched six complete Innings for Opelika, allowing three hits, one earned run and striking out 11 of 18 batters faced.

Offensively, Thomas, Lee, Yountz and Jones recorded hits for Opelika.

Smiths Station took advantage of 10 OHS errors to win 8-2. Youtz, pitching in her second game of the week, pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs off five hits. Sania Stringer led Opelika at the plate with three hits, while teammates Thomas and Jones added singles.

BASEBALL OHS swept a two game series against Russell County in Seale this week, winning 4-3 and 9-0.

On Senior Night, Opelika needed a RBI walk-off double by Harrison Long to beat area foe RCHS at Bulldog Park. The Dawgs (14-7) received a good pitching outing from JT McArdle, who threw five innings, allowed four hits and one earned run. Luke Murray earned the win, pitching

the last two innings, allowing no runs on one hit.

KaDylion Ligon led offensively with two hits, while Harris and JD Chase added hits.

The Bulldogs jumped on the Warriors in the second game of the series in Seale, scoring six runs in the fifth inning on their way to a 9-0 win. Brooks Bryan crushed two home runs; Speakman led with three hits, followed by hits from Harris, Long, Goodman, Fields and Jake Smith.

DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL REGISTRATION AGES 13-14-15 Anyone ages 13, 14 and 15 years old interested in playing summer baseball needs to register for Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball at the Sportsplex.

Registration fee is $45 if you live in Opelika city limits or $50 if you live outside the city of Opelika. Everyone will be placed on a team and will receive a jersey and game cap. Registration ends April 15. For more info, call D. Mark Mitchell

334-787-1514 or email at foxonthemark@yahoo.com JAMIE WILLIAMS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, MY THOUGHTS I was glad to hear coach Jamie Williams was named athletics director for Opelika City Schools.

Williams bring a wealth of knowledge in athletics, serving as head football coach and AD in prior jobs. Add that to the fact Williams lives in Opelika and spent a year under Coach Caleb Ross’s staff in Opelika, which allows him to know about the Opelika system.

As Opelika School System continues to grow, having a full-time athletic director is necessary if you want athletics to grow and be important.

Congrats Jamie Williams.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeart Media, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports 9101310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Youth Baseball state director.

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM BEAUREGARD — Beauregard Elementary School was recently recognized as one of Alabama’s “High Flyer” schools in the state by Alabama.com, and as a “Best School” on a national level by US News and World Report.

The faculty and staff gathered Thursday afternoon for a surprise “emergency” staff meeting where they were acknowledged for their plaudits throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beauregard Elementary Principal, Dr. Lisa Harris, presented the faculty and staff with new school shirts, Crumbl Cookies and sprite in champagne flutes.

According to US News and World Report, Beauregard Elementary ranks as the No. 1 elementary school in Lee County, testing “somewhat above”

SPORTS >> FROM B1 53.70 - Brennan ReeseWilliams - 9th 55.25 - JaClarence Perry - 15th 800 METER RUN 2:08.84 - SB Charles Brewer - 1st 1600 METER RUN 4:44.35 - Charles Brewer - 1st 5:25.24 - Zane Sexton 10th 5:29.16 - SB Zalen Shaw - 13th 3200 METER RUN 11:55.35 - Peyton Weston - 3rd 12:02.71 - Zane Sexton - 5th 12:44.42 - Patrick Seymore - 8th 12:50.53 - Alexander Burgess - 10th 110 METER HURDLES 15.56 - Tykell Thomas - 1st 16.32 - JaClarence Perry - 2nd 17.18 - Theo Hubbard - 4th 300 METER HURDLES

B3 April 07, 2022

Senior Night Sendoff PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

BRANTLEY DAVIS, PITCHER/INFIELDER

LANDON LEE, UTILITY

KYDYLAN LIGON, PITCHER/OUTFIELDER

LUKE MURRAY, PITCHER

BROOKS BRYAN, CATCHER

HARRISON LONG, INFIELDER/PITCHER

PAUL GOODMAN, FIRST BASE

JONATHAN DANIEL CHASE, INFIELDER

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

For more information on the OHS varsity baseball team, turn to B1.

JT MCARDLE, PITCHER

JACKSON HARRIS, PITCHER/OUTFIELDER

B4 April 07, 2022 PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY O.G.R.E.

Supporters of O.G.R.E watched on as the team competed in regionals.

O.G.R.E. >> FROM B1 Recognition of Science and Technology”, and Opelika’s O.G.R.E. has been competing in FIRST competitions since 2018. Under the leadership of Opelika High School staff Brenda Howell and Mandi Edwards, this year’s O.G.R.E. team has been working for months to achieve the dream of making it to Worlds. With hard work and financial support from the community and business sponsors, O.G.R.E turned a dream into reality.

“Considering how hard we worked on this, I expected us to get pretty far,” said team captain and senior Kyler Mitchell.

For Mitchell, the team’s participation in regionals signified all the best elements of robotics and reminded him of why he fell in love with club in the

OHS >> FROM B1 practice, they’re there to help correct and help coach the younger ones up.”

Between the groundwork laid on the field and the continued assistance in bettering the younger members of the program, the 2022 Bulldog senior class finds itself in control

O.G.R.E's robot: The Dragon

Team captain Kyler Mitchell

first place.

“At first I was like, yeah, Robotics is kind of cool, but I didn’t think too much about it,” Mitchell said as he reflected on his freshman season with O.G.R.E. “But then, we went to our first competition, going from just working on a robot in this workshop to seeing the wide scale, and how many people and how serious this is and how extravagant the robots are … I was hooked.”

After tournaments were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and held virtually in 2021 for the same reasons, the participation in the Orlando Regional provided a new, unique opportunity to many of the 17-member OHS team.

“I wanted to let all of our new recruits, our team members, experience what it is like to go to a competition,” Mitchell said. “Most

of our team is very freshman and sophomore heavy, so they don’t know what it is like to go to a competition. Just to experience what it is to do FIRST robotics, it was just amazing.”

At regionals, the students who worked and built since January showcased their skills with their 98-pound robot named “The Dragon”, beating out nearly 60 other teams for the title of champion. According to the format of the competition, O.G.R.E worked in an “alliance” with two other randomly chosen teams to operate the robots and complete a game that involved picking up and shooting over-sized tennis balls at designated targets.

Partnered with an advantageously-skilled alliance, Opelika’s team focused on defending their competitors as Mitchell steered The

Dragon as his alliance worked on hitting their targets.

“Kyler did it very, very well,” Howell said. “If you go back and look at the matches you consistently head the announces talking about O.G.R.E playing some tough defense.”

When the final game was over, the jubilant feelings that flooded the team were almost indescribable, Mitchell said.

“Honestly, it was everything,” he said. “To be just waiting there and to see that banner go up, it just all came out. I didn’t know how to feel. I was excited; I was jumping up and down; to see that go up on the screen, it felt like all our hard work paid off.”

Moving on to worlds, O.G.R.E will have a new alliance and compete against 400 teams from across the world.

With just a few team members possessing

tournament experience prior to this year’s regionals, Mitchell and company have welcomed the help of mentors from teams past, many of whom still live locally, either working or attending higher learning intuitions.

“All of them are alumni of FIRST robotics,” Mitchell said.

“It’s a pretty great resource.”

The progress this year’s O.G.R.E. has been exciting for Howell, who playeddown her involvement in the whole process and praised her student’s determination and hard work.

Mandi is amazing,” Howell said. “I couldn’t do it without her; she needs to be recognized too. But I want the attention on the kids.

Yes, I monitor, but I am not a programmer and I’ll be the first to tell you that. One of the things I’m most proud of our team for is, when

you go to competition and you see the pits, most of them have adults in there. You will not find adults in our pit. The kids have to figure it, out and they do. And they impress me.”

Now, the team will diligently work to perfect the kinks in their Robot and attempt to refine its approach to the game before Worlds arrive in two weeks. Regardless of O.G.R.E’s performance in the competition, the season has been rewarding for all involved and undoubtedly set up O.G.R.E, and its members, for more future success.

“It’s my privilege to work with the kids,” Howell said. “It’s my pleasure to watch them from ninth graders all the way through their senior years. How they change, learn and grow … watching them experience success is fun to see.”

of its own destiny.

“We obviously control our own destiny, being undefeated right now,” Blatt said. “We’ve been playing pretty good. The bats have come live and the pitching continues to be decent.”

Although acknowledging his team’s positive positioning as the season draws to a close, Blatt added that there are still

unknowns within his squad, most notably on the mound.

“We’re still trying to figure some things out,” Blatt said. “We’ve had to throw some younger guys due to injuries and other issues. But they’re coming in, competing and giving us a chance.”

Despite having to throw a handful of younger arms, Blatt has been

encouraged by his team’s defensive efforts as of late.

“Lately, I mean (against Eufaula) we played an error-free game,” Blatt said.

“I’d say pitchers throwing strikes, that’s the biggest thing. Eliminating those free bases, whether it be walks or errors, and forcing teams to put the ball in play.”

Between the group’s

continued upward trend and the return of health to the roster, the skipper believes that his group is more than capable of making a deep run in the AHSAA playoffs come may.

“We played a tough schedule early in the year and we competed,” Blatt said. “If we play baseball the way we’re capable of playing the game — if

our pitchers go in and pound the strike zone and give us a chance — I think our offense is always going to give a chance if we can keep it close.”

The area-unbeaten Dawgs are back in action on Thursday, April 7, when the group plays host to Eufaula for a double header beginning at 4:30 p.m. CST.

Located in Historic Downtown Opelika

334-745-4618

334-744-7509 Dustin Farley-Nelms/Owner 207 N. 3rd Street, Opelika

Member of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce

B5 April 07, 2022

OHS Tennis Rolling PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The Opelika varsity tennis team is making final preperations before the AHSAA Sectional Playoffs on April 12-16.

Nerfs of Steel

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Dads, sons and daughters gathered at Spring Villa Park in Opelika on Saturday to battle it out in a group nerf gun battle. Hosted by Opelika Parks and Recreation, the free event provided battles for children from 9 a.m. to noon, and attendees enjoyed complementary snacks and drinks.

B6 April 07, 2022

B7 April 07, 2022

Local Youth Excel in Livestock Competitions PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Intermediate Showmanship winners in the Junior Swine Expo March 19 in Montgomery were Emma Ramsey of Calhoun County, grand champion; Tucker Ross of Jefferson County, reserve champion; Madelyne Tallent of Calhoun County, third; Alyx Johnson of Randolph County, fourth; and Philip Belcher of Lee County, fifth. They are pictured with Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell, left. The Showmanship Contest was sponsored by Zeigler. The Junior Swine Expo was held in conjunction with the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

Senior Showmanship winners in the Junior Swine Expo March 19 in Montgomery were Liz MacAloney of Dale County, grand champion; Caroline Belcher of Lee County, reserve champion; Brooke Ginn of Calhoun County, third; Cody Castleberry of St. Clair County, fourth; and Cortlin Ledlow of St. Clair County, fifth. They are pictured with Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell, left.

Mary Hannah Gullatt of Lee County exhibited the reserve champion Red Angus Heifer during the Jr. Beef Expo Heifer Show.

Jewel Thompson of Lee County exhibited the champion AOB British Steer during the Jr. Beef Expo Market Show.

Jewel Thompson of Lee County exhibited the champion Shorthorn Heifer during the Jr. Beef Expo Heifer Show.

She is pictured with Jessi Maples and Victoria Thompson.

Mary Hannah Gullatt of Lee County exhibited the 3rd Overall Bred & Owned Heifer during the Jr. Beef Expo Heifer Show. It was also the Champion Bred & Owned Hereford Heifer. The 3rd Overall Bred & Owned Heifer prize is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff. Gullatt is pictured with Federation President Jimmy Parnell and judge Jon DeClerck of College Station, Texas.

Victoria Thompson of Lee County exhibited the champion Performance Documented Heifer during the Jr. Beef Expo Market Show. The show, coordinated by the Alabama Farmers Federation, was March 18 in Montgomery and was held in conjunction with the Southeastern Livestock Exposition. Thompson is pictured with her sister, Jewel.

Jewel Thompson of Lee County exhibited the champion Market Heifer during the Jr. Beef Expo Market Show.

Thompson is pictured with her sister, Victoria.

Livestock Expos Expand, Showcase Exhibitors’ Work Ethic

BY MARLEE MOORE

taken to it, so we’re still here.”

Stone’s children joined over 50 fellow showmen who exhibited 100-plus hogs at JSE. Additionally, around 180 exhibitors showed over 300 head of cattle during JBE. Parnell said the Federation hopes to add more livestock species to the weekend event.

During JBE and JSE, youth competed in showmanship contests, where they were judged on their ability to lead, control and present animals while bringing out the hog or calf’s best characteristics.

In market and breeding shows, the students’ animals were judged on strength, structure and soundness.

Ross exhibited the grand champion Market Hog, while Alyx Johnson of Randolph County showed the grand

champion Breeding Gilt. In the JBE, Walker Johnson of Cullman County and LouLou Thompson of Pike County showed the winning Market Steer and Breeding Heifer, respectively.

The show concludes months of work for youth and their families. After selecting animals and preparing barns and pens, daily feeding, washing, walking and watering follows. The time and effort pays off, Stone said.

“I have found that kids who do farm work have to get up when the weather is bad, when they don’t feel good,” she said. “They still have to work. I think in today’s workforce, that’s what employers need. I’d like to thank Alfa for sponsoring our kids and investing in them.

Farm kids are our future.”

LOACHAPOKA — Pioneer Park will host its Second Saturday events on April 9, starting at 10 a.m.

The events are free family fun. The public is invited to come out and watch the blacksmiths as they create items, participate in the pine straw weaving class, walk the gardens and eat lunch on the grounds.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — Excitement coursed through the Garrett Coliseum grounds from March 17 to 19 as hundreds of youth exhibited livestock in the annual Jr. Beef Expo (JBE) and inaugural Jr. Swine Expo (JSE).

Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance sponsor the events in Montgomery, held in conjunction with the Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) as Alabama’s livestock show season grand finale.

“If you walk up to the ring, you hear us talking about cattle and hogs,” said Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell.

“What we’re really doing is raising young people and teaching them how

to take care for things.

That applies to most areas of people’s lives. We are investing time and money and effort in these young people, and I think we’ll see benefits down the road from this event.”

Growing up, Sammie Stone of Jefferson County showed cattle at JBE. This year, her children, Tucker Ross and Charlee Stone, exhibited award-winning hogs at JSE and were recognized with other top showmen during Saturday night’s SLE Rodeo.

“To have our kids included in the rodeo is incredible,” Stone said. “We got into hogs as a starter animal to show livestock.

The kids were little, and the animals were smaller.

I planned on rolling into the cattle side, but the kids just love hogs. We’ve traveled all over the country and made friends. They’ve

Pioneer Park to Host Second Saturday Events

B8 April 07, 2022

Friends Forever — Our Pets

E

BETH PINYERD

arly Childhood teachers love to sing the preschool nursery rhyme “Bingo” a farmer’s dog. This cute little jingle song is enjoyed by infants, toddlers and preschoolers in learning some of the letters of the alphabet in Language Arts.

The composers are unknown but this childrens’ song has been passed down through the generations with singing and clapping.

We remember Patti Page’s song, “How Much Is That Doggie in The Window?”

“How much is that doggie in the window?

The one with the waggly tail. How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that

O

CS Board Members, I hope all is well with you. I have a question regarding the new appointment of Dr. Farrell Seymore.

In late January, Dr. Neighbors announced his retirement and within two months we have a new superintendent. Was there a public forum for parents and OCS stakeholders to voice

doggie’s for sale.” This song sings the heart desires of the young and old.

April is “Dog Appreciation Month.”

And oh how I deeply appreciate and love my little therapy dog, Cookie Pinyerd. She helps me to meet other people by both of us taking walks during the day. Cookie is my alarm clock in the morning as she paws my back to awaken me for her morning run and needs. Too, when I want to make the walk short, she will gently nudge me by pulling me to continue to walk and exercise around our home. She shares my emotions. When I am laughing and joyous she shares playfully in my joy too. When I am sad, she sits in

my lap and shares my tears. Cookie is a good weather forecaster.

She starts running around and panting when a storm is on the way. When Cookie is asleep, though she’s such a little dog, she snores loudly. But this shows me that she has had an active good day and is just plain old tired. I truly love my “furever” little friend.

Pets make people smile. April 11 is “National Pet Day”.

We all like to pet a dog, stroke a cat or take time with a cute little puppy or kitten.

Let me mention that April 6 is National Siamese Cat Day. From cute, furry little animals to looking at an aquarium with fish gracefully swimming around, pets are just fun. I served as a volunteer in a retirement village in Spanish Fort, Alabama. I would love to hear the residents whom I served on a daily basis talk to the parrots that sat in birdcage homes in our hallways. Pets provide great health benefits to the elderly. I have taken the time to observe and talk to the residents on how pets made them feel, but I have also talked to medical staff, as well as professional staff on the benefits of senior adults having pets. The benefits can also apply

to young children, too.

Pets truly are loved by the young and old.

PETS HELP US INTERACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE Walking or carrying a pet is a natural conversation starter.

Whether it be a dog, cat, rabbit or other soft, cute animals, pets provide a conversation starter. During an evening event with Senior adults, the director of residents shared her cute, little hedgehogs with the residents to hold, pet and to learn more about the lives of the hedgehogs. Sharing her pets was a conversation and interaction starter among the residents in getting to know each other.

PETS PROVIDE COMPANIONSHIP AND COMPANY Man was not meant or made to live alone.

Companionship prevents sickness, while isolation can cause loneliness which leads to depression in many cases. Taking care of a living animal whether it be dogs, cats or fish encourages one to emotionally feel needed and wanted. It gives one a purpose. Senior adults, as well as children, can benefit so much from taking care of a pet.

TAKING CARE OF A PET ADDS SCHEDULE, ROUTINE AND STRUCTURE TO A DAY

Pets do require regular feedings. Health requirements of pets need to be met too.

Dogs require a consistent schedule of exercise. Having a consistent routine of exercise, not only keeps your dog calm and balanced but it keeps us calm, balanced and less anxious. This is important for us as we age.

HAVING A PET DECREASES ANXIETY, PROVIDES SENSORY, STRESS RELIEF. Touch and movement are natural ways to manage stress. In early childhood education, we teachers learn that young children need movement, hugs and pats on the back for encouragement in order to feel secure and stay calm. The same is true as we age. Stroking a dog, cat or other pets helps us to feel calmer and less stressed.

Being less stressed lowers blood pressure.

TAKING CARE OF PETS BOOST ENERGY AND VITALITY I love to watch my senior friends engage in playfulness, exercise and happiness with their pets. This increases energy for the elderly person even if they are sitting down or in a wheelchair. The simple acts of petting, cleaning, brushing and feeding pets provide mild activity, which

leads to more energy and a better mood.

If a senior adult is mobile, walking a dog provides immeasurable benefits of cardiovascular exercise.

HAVING A PET CAN INCREASE CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM The elderly years can be a lonely time of life.

The unconditional love of a dog, cat, parrot or other pets can stimulate us mentally and renew an interest in living life to the fullest in our elderly years.

April 8 is Zoo Lovers Day. A couple of weeks ago, this elderly preschool teacher had the most fun with her church children and families at the Montgomery Zoo. The zoo staff share so many facts about the different animals.

We were thrilled to feed the giraffes, see the baby hippo, watch monkeys climbing and swinging, be entertained afar by elephants, observe snakes in the reptile house, enjoy the birdhouse and see different kinds of sea life. Families, this zoo is so close to our area and it provides for a wonderful day field trip. The zoo has places too that the families can picnic as well as play on a playground.

Beth Pinyerd Classroom Observer

Letter to the Editor and OCS any concerns or address any questions with the candidates?

Were any other candidates interviewed?

What is the normal policy for these types of positions? From my research, when hiring Dr. Neighbors, these types of meetings mentioned took place and parents’ opinions were considered, or at least it appeared that

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way. Why were OCS parents and stakeholders not given a voice in this very important matter. For a position that impacts the education and trajectory of 1,000s of students and families, it would have been nice to have been involved in the process.

Please understand that I am not questioning the choice

of Dr. Seymore, I have met him once and I appreciated his kindness and passion for his students. I am simply curious about this process.

Per your bylaws: www.opelikaschools. org/common/pages/ DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=23924270 ARTICLE VI – PERSONNEL SECTION 1: Positions

The Opelika City Board of Education, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, shall classify and authorize the positions for personnel which are necessary for the operation of the Opelika City Schools. The Board of Education will also, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, ap-

prove a salary schedule for all teaching and administrative positions during each fiscal year.

Was Dr. Seymore recommended by Dr. Neighbors and therefore a formal process was not taken?

I look forward to your reply.

Thank you, Katie Kingston Opelika

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L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Inside the Statehouse

Opelika Council Sends District Fob James Story, 1978 Governor’s Race Use Ordinance Amendments Back to Planning

STEVE FLOWERS

T

OPINION — he crowded field for governor striving to oust incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey includes Tim James. He has run before. In fact, this is his third try for the brass ring. His last race was in 2010 when he barely missed the runoff by a few votes. He was edged out by Robert Bentley, who went on to win.

Tim's primary calling card has always been that he is the son of former Gov. Fob James. Fob was an ultra-successful businessman, who was first elected governor in 1978 as a Democrat and then elected to a second term as governor as a Republican in 1994.

Fob’s first election as Governor in 1978 is one for the record books. The 1978 Governor’s Race is one of the classics in Alabama political lore. That governor’s race, which began with three heavyweights — former Gov. Albert Brewer, Attorney General Bill Baxley and Lt. Gov. Jere Beasley — was expected to be titanic. The Republicans were relegated to insignificance on the gubernatorial stage. Therefore, the winner of the Democratic Primary would be governor.

Meanwhile, over in east Alabama, a little-known former Auburn halfback named Fob James strolled into the governor’s race. Fob’s entry evoked very little interest, only curiosity as to why he would want to enter the fray against three well-known major players.

Fob was exposed as a card-carrying Republican but even a political novice like Fob knew he could not win as a Republican, so he qualified to run as a Democrat along with the three B’s.

Fob had become very wealthy by starting a successful manufacturing company in Opelika. When he signed up to run for governor the press wrote him off as a rich gadfly who simply chose politics rather than golf as his pastime.

Little did they know that the fact he was rich and had a lot of time on his hands could spell trouble for the average political opponent, who had to worry about fundraising and feeding their family

while running a full-time campaign.

Fob realized he was no political professional like the three B’s who had spent their entire political adulthood in public office, so Fob sought out professional advice. He had the money to think big and wanted to know who the best political consultant in the South was.

It was an easy answer: Deloss Walker was a political public relations genius who lived in Memphis. His track record for electing governors of southern states was 5-0. Walker was the most renowned and expensive political guru in the country in 1977.

Fob quietly sought out Walker, who at first refused to take Fob’s race.

Walker’s first impression was that even he could not mold Fob into a winner against three well-financed, experienced thoroughbreds.

Nobody was aware Fob had garnered the genius Walker and had already been to political school when he signed up to run for governor in the spring of 1978.

Brewer, Baxley and Beasley ignored Fob. Baxley even praised him saying, “Fob would be a good governor. Too bad he’s not a serious candidate.” Those words would come back to haunt Baxley.

Fob traveled the state in a yellow school bus and let the three B’s tear each other up. Baxley, Beasley and Brewer spent all their time and money attacking each other with negative ads, all the while Fob ran positive ads. Folks were of the opinion that the three B’s had all probably shot their mothers in a bar fight but they liked old Fob James, even if they thought his name was “Bob” James.

It was too late for the three B’s when they saw a poll about a week before the election showing Fob ahead of all three of them. Baxley refused to believe it and kept hammering at Beasley and Brewer, ignoring Fob. When the votes were counted, Fob was in first place, Baxley second, Brewer was third and Beasley finished fifth behind State Senator Sid McDonald.

Fob easily beat Baxley in the runoff. After all, what could Baxley say?

He had run all over the state for three months saying Fob would make a good governor. Fob had pulled off one of the most amazing upset victories in the history of Alabama politics. The Fob James story of the 1978 Governor’s Race is truly one for the record books.

See you next week.

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

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER

OPELIKA — The attendance for the Opelika City Council meeting on Tuesday night was near standing room only again, in part due to interest in the rezoning of land located at S. 10th St. and Ave. C and the amending of zoning ordinance section 7.3 — District Regulations And Use Categories, as well as Section 7.7 — Downtown Residential Living.

The ordinance, which was introduced last month and garnered heavy public comments and a petition against it, was on the agenda for second reading and vote. The ordinance on rezoning the property from M-1, GC-S and C-2 to C-1 and GC-S was passed with a 3 to 2 vote. The property under consideration is the proposed location for a multi-family apartment complex called The

Taylor.

The ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance Sections 7.3 and 7.7 was removed from the agenda following a motion by Ward 1 Council Member George Allen. The vote to remove the ordinance passed unanimously.

Ward 5 Council Member Todd Rauch spoke about the numerous phone calls and emails he received on the issues.

"With this going back to the planning commission, I would stress to the Marshes and also their investment team to look at this development and try to make a way for it to be more, for it to look more downtown Opelika," Rauch said.

"I understand that there are priorities that have to be made and there is money and investments in this project, but, it is important to the people, therefore, it is important to us."

In addition to asking

the Marshes to consider making the project look more like downtown Opelika, Rauch discussed the anticipated need to widen 10th Street and the need to ensure that the water and sewer infrastructure can meet the needs of a multi-unit development.

Ward 2 Council Member Erica BakerNorris thanked the Marshes for attending a meeting held in Ward 2 to discuss the project with her constituents.

"The Marshes participated in that discussion and they did not have to," Norris said. "They were gracious enough to come and sit and answer some very difficult questions, sometimes in front of a hostile crowd.

So I do want to go on the record and thank them for participating in that."

Nelson Marsh issued the following statement to The Observer following the council See OPELIKA, page B11

Multi-Unit Development Approved for Dean Road

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN — The Auburn City Council approved a conditional use approval for a multi-unit development on N. Dean Road.

The project, by Apt Investors-Archco Auburn Owner Llc, was approved by the council in 2020, however, had trouble pulling its building permits. They requested an

NOW OPEN

extension, which was approved, however that extension is up in June 2022.

So Brett Basquin, on behalf of the developer, submitted a new conditional use request to the planning commission, which was recommended for approval, and the council.

The property will be located in the Comprehensive Development District at 1397 N. Dean Road.

The development would include 250 unites, 376 beds on roughly 27.4 acres. This is an increase of two beds since the 2020 application.

OTHER BUSINESS: - The council approved an alcohol beverage license for The Hotel at Auburn University for special events retail.

- The council gave a commendation to the Auburn High School Track Team, Charlie See AUBURN, page B10

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 April 07, 2022

Ginni Thomas Lacks Patriotism; Martha Mitchell Surely Did Not

GREG MARKLEY

M

OPINION —

ost people who lived through Watergate have a vague recall of Martha Mitchell. She was a bit character in the corrupt dealings that led to President Nixon’s resignation. Martha was the wife of John Mitchell, U.S. attorney general.

She became an occasional news item with her bold and insightful descriptions at the corrupt Nixon White House.

The Pine Bluff, Arkansas, native

became a regular guest on TV talk shows and variety shows such as Laugh In. By 1970, a Gallup poll had her recognizable to 76% of Americans. She spoke from the heart, in praising Republican initiatives or revealing actions that the president did not want publicized. She was called “The Mouth of the South” for good reason.

“Martha Mitchell brought to the Nixon Administration a welcome touch of zaniness and genuine good humor,” wrote National Review in 1976.

“Seizing on a rare good thing, the press tended to exploit her.”

In 2022, Ginni Thomas is the wife of Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas. She is being investigated for encouraging Trump’s last chief of staff to help overthrow the 2020 presidential election. The ideas shared by Mark Meadows and Thomas are right out of the QAnon far-right book of lies.

Jack Shafer, Politico media writer, wrote a piece titled, ‘Why historians should be grateful Ginni Thomas texts like a teenager.’ “While we can dun Thomas and Meadows for their stupidity, we should thank them for their hubris and encourage them to continue their careless ways,” Shafer wrote.

Ginni Thomas said she was “disappointed and frustrated that there was violence following a peaceful gathering of Trump supporters on the Ellipse on January 6.” What? She has been an ultra-conservative activist for decades. If she missed the Proud Boys, wearing black and yellow polo shirts and

A U.S. Supreme Court justice can be recused only if he or she allows it. A good alternative is to get questions from the justice and have others on the court ask them for him or her. Clarence Thomas should not be forced to withdraw from a specific case. A fallout should highlight his wife and former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

It’s Ginni’s problem, let her stew in it. She is a lawyer and knows stealing an election is both unconstitutional and unconscionable.

As for Martha Mitchell, she could take pride in showing the corruption in the Nixon administration. In April 1974, she landed a job as guest host of the program Panorama on WTTG-Washington, DC. It lasted one week. Son Jay was a big help, but she declined fast.

She was described by her lawyer as: “… desperately ill, without funds and without friends.” She died at age 57 in New York City, of multiple myeloma, according to The Washington Post. Her son, ex-husband and her daughter attended the funeral in Pine Bluff,

Arkansas.

Will Ginni Thomas the lawyer wise up and support the Constitution?

Can Justice Thomas put his wife’s views in the background when addressing cases? Will the liberal press finally respect Thomas for his durability at the court?

Will conservative media acknowledge that the Ginni and Mark Meadows emails and text messages were outrageous? Who knows?

At her funeral, Martha Mitchell’s family sent a floral arrangement of white chrysanthemums that spelled “Martha was right.” From here on, Ginni Thomas must be careful about who she hangs around with, and how she obeys election laws and has integrity.

With that, her tombstone may say: “Ginni was honest!”

Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has Masters’ in education and history.

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 for 12 years. gm.markley@charter. net

Auburn Chamber Welcomes New Members PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Ed Packard Visits Opelika Kiwanis Club

tactical vests, storming the Capitol, then she was asleep.

Justice Thomas was voted onto the court by a Senate tally of 52-48.

His small margin was due to a controversial testimony by a female professor who used to work with Clarence Thomas.

In 2010, Mrs. Thomas sent a letter to Anita Hill saying, “I would like you to consider an apology sometime and full explanation of why you did what you did with my husband … Pray about this and hope one day you will help us understand why you did what you did.” This letter was sent almost 20 years after Hill nearly upended Clarence Thomas’ nomination with sexual harassment claims.

In January, the Supreme Court blocked Trump’s bid to keep administration records from being handed to the Jan. 6 committee.

It was an 8-1 decision, with Clarence Thomas the lone dissenter. His wife’s political activism is a big challenge, as Jan. 6 investigators are likely to look into her plans of an overthrow of the 2020 election.

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Packard, who is running for Alabama Secretary of State, spoke to the Opeika Kiwanis Club last week. Next week's speaker will be Tim Jame who is running for governor of Alabama.

AUBURN >> FROM B9 Sexton on the state championship.

- The council gave a commendation to the Auburn High School Wrestling Team, Erin Clarkson on the state championship.

- The council provided a tax abatement to the Lotte Chemical Alabama Corporation in the Auburn Technology Park North.

- The council approved the Community Development Block Grant 2022 Annual Action Plan.

- The council approved a contract with the Affordable Comfort Cooling Systems and Plumbing for an

emergency water line repair at Boykin Community Center for over $18,500.

- The council approved a contract with Aquatic Consulting and Equipment, Inc. for pool chemicals for Samford Pool for over $80,500.

- The council approved a contract with Emergency Lighting by Haynes for vehicle equipment for 13 marked and unmarked police vehicles for over $106,400.

- The council approved a contract with HHB Engineers, P.C. for air conditioning for the Frank Brown Recreation Center and Boykin Community Center for over $55,300.

- The council approved a contract with HydroEngineering Services for

the Gay Stree and Marion Circle Drainage Study for $30,000.

- The council approved a contract with Kellis Vegetation Management for agricultural spraying for athletic fields for over $53,000 and for cemeteries, parks and facilities for over $72,900.

- The council approved public sewer and sidewalk easements for Drake Landings.

- The council approved board appointments to the Downtown Design Review Committee, the Historic Preservation Committee and the Planning Commission.

- The council approved vacations for property on Rutland Road and on Hillandale Drive.

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B11 April 07, 2022

Gov. Ivey Announces Funds Transferred to ADEM for Statewide Water, Sewer Projects CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. KAY IVEY ALABAMA — Gov. Kay Ivey announced last week that the Alabama Department of Finance has signed an agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) that officially provides $225 million in COVID-19 relief funds to ADEM for grants to provide or improve water and sewer services to residents across the state.

The money is from Alabama’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds passed by Congress in 2021. The Alabama Legislature appropriated the $225

million for highneeds water and sewer projects during a special session called

by Ivey in January.

In its appropriation, the Legislature directed the funds to the Department of Finance and designated ADEM to oversee the program.

The memorandum of agreement signed by the Department of Finance and ADEM will provide the funds to ADEM to be distributed as grants to “qualifying public water and sewer systems for the purpose of improving access to clean water and sewer infrastructure projects and the economic impact thereof,” according to the agreement.

ADEM will implement

the “Water and Sewer Infrastructure COVID-19 Recovery Fund Program” using criteria that weigh the water and sewer systems’ infrastructure needs and their financial needs.

“Every Alabamian should have access to clean drinking water and safe, sanitary disposal of wastewater,” Ivey said. “We are extremely pleased that through this program we are able to make that a reality for many of our citizens who have lacked such basic services. Not only will these projects improve access to clean drinking water and sanitary sewers, they will also generate economic activity and create jobs by pumping millions

of dollars into communities, many of which are rural and far from large industries and big employers. This is truly a win-win for the people of Alabama.”

Of the $225 million, the Legislature appropriated $120 million for grants to public water or sewer systems with previously identified emergency or high-need projects and do not require a local match; $100 million for grants to public water and sewer systems that may require local matching funds based on their ability to pay; and $5 million for grants to demonstration projects in the Black Belt to address sewage disposal problems

FROM B9 meeting: "We agree with and fully support the council's decision to follow through with rezoning the property to C1, in accordance with the recommendations of planning. While we are disappointed that this did not come with the proposed text amendment, which we believe to be imperative to the continued growth of our downtown in the historic pattern of development that already exist, we understand and respect the council's decision to wait for more information on this issue, and plan to provide any and all support we can to assist the council in making the most informed decision on amending the text of our zoning.

In choosing to vote with an eye toward zoning as a whole, instead of succumbing to specific project pressures and politics, we believe the council has shown the integrity that makes Opelika a great city for business."

PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the council issued a proclamation to Christoph Johnson, recognizing his work on the mural located on the Avenue A side of the Museum of East Alabama.

Fuller and the council also issued a

PHOTO BY MICHELLE KEY / THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA >>

Fuller presented Christoph Johnson with a proclamation expressing the city's gratitude for his work in preserving Opelika's history through his art and creating a pictorial legacy. proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and also recognized the 20 Under 20 Student Exploratory Program graduates.

OTHER BUSINESS - The council approved a request from El Taco Veloz and Mexican Grill LLC, for a restaurant retail liquor and on-premise beer license.

- The council approved a request from ACS for the Relay for Life event at Courthouse Square on April 29.

- The council approved a request for a food truck at Whistle Stop Bottle and Brew on May 5.

- The council approved a request from Keep Opelika Beautiful for Garden in the Park on May 7.

- The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street,

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on behalf of First United Methodist Church of Opelika, for a Block Party and Fish Fry on June 16.

- The council held a public hearing and subsequently voted to approve the demolition of 2013 Waverly Parkway.

- The council approved all expense reports from various departments.

- The council approved the designation of city personal property as surplus & authorize disposal.

- The council approved a resolution for an emergency expenditure to rent a fire truck rental due to repairs to fire truck No. 316.

- The council approved the purchase of a Marathon RJ-250 self-contained 34 cubic yard compactor for Environmental Services.

- The council approved the purchase

of Meraki Security Cameras and Maintenance for the police department.

- The council approved the purchase of Rubrik software and support for the IT department.

- The council approved the purchase of 70 Bolawrap devices with holsters and cassettes for the police department.

- The council approved a request for a refund of occupational license fees from Sawyer Stephens.

- The council approved a resolution to accept a proposal from Sain Associates, Inc. for retiming existing traffic signals.

- The council approved a resolution to accept an updated federal highway classifications map.

- The council approved a resolution for the agreement with

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prevalent in rural, low-population-density areas where poor soil conditions prevent wastewater from septic systems from being absorbed into the ground.

ADEM already manages two State Revolving Fund loan programs — one for drinking water systems, the other for sewer systems.

It announced Tuesday that 398 of the state’s 1,061 public water and sewer systems — 37% — already had applied for grants under the COVID-19 Recovery Fund Program.

“This is an indication of the tremendous needs that exist among water and sewer systems,” said ADEM

Director Lance LeFleur. “It is also indicative of the vast water and sewer infrastructure needs across the country due to aging systems, increased demand because of population growth and the need to provide services to people who are currently unserved or underserved. Many of these systems haven’t upgraded their infrastructure in 40 to 50 years.”

For more information about the water and sewer projects, go to www.alabamawaterprojects.com. The site also provides regular updates on grant applications, links to water and sewer grant application forms and ADEM contact information.

John Randall Wilson, Architect, for Opelika Fire Station No. 5 Project.

- The council approved Change Order No. 2 for the contract with Robinson Paving Co. for Northpark Drive improvements.

- The council approved Change Order No. 3 to the Service Agreement with TTL, Inc. for Industrial Blvd. and Northpark Drive improvements.

- The council approved a license agreement with the Opelika City Schools Board of Education for the annual fireworks exhibition and display.

- The council approved a right-of-way encroachment license agreement with Edgar Hughston Builder, Inc. for the Drakes Landing entrance sign.

- The council approved a revised grant application with ADECA for the Recreational Trails Program with Creekline Trails of Opelika.

- The council approved a grant application with ALDOT for an Industrial Access Road grant.

- The council approved requests for special use permits for the following: • AT&T at 1315 Madison Ave.

• AT&T at 2000 Steel St. • AT&T at 2605 Tower St. • Dish Wireless at 1015 West Point Pkwy.

• Dish Wireless at 3460 US Hwy 280 East.

• Dish Wireless at 4499 North Park Dr. • T-Mobile at 2605 Tower St. • T-Mobile at 3460 US Hwy 280 East.

- The council approved a special appropriation to the American Cancer Society for the 2022 Relay for Life event.

- The council approved a special appropriation to Keep Opelika Beautiful for 2022 Garden in the Park.

- The council approved a special appropriation to Lee County Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $50,000 to aid in the renovation of its new operations center and administrative offices.

- The council approved a special appropriation to Opelika Main Street, Inc. in the amount of $100,000 for the renovation of its new office spaces on 8th St. - The council approved an ordinance for the leasing of the property located at 200 S. 6th St. to the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.

B12 April 07, 2022

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contact.html. To apply visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/employment/ opportunities.html, apply for Licensed Practical Nurse-Hourly – 40122 or Nurse-Hourly – 40251.

The Alabama Department of Public Health complies with the State and Federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender

identity, genetic information, national origin, citizenship, age, or physical or mental disability. The Alabama Department of Public Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

B13 April 07, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF CASSANDRA DOWELL ALLEN IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2021-689 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Any potential unknown father of K.S. D. Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Cassandra Dowell Allen on January 24, 2022, for the adoption of C.D.A., born on December 31, 2014, in Opelika, Alabama to Nykeria Lynn Dowell.

A hearing has been set in the Lee County Probate Court, Opelika, Alabama. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Kimberly M. Dean, P.O. Box 23 I, Opelika, AL 36803 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published.

Dated on this the 16th day of March 2022.

HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEECOUNTY,ALABAMA Legal Run 3/24/22, 3/31/22, 4/7/22 & 4/14/22 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF CLAIRE OSWALT GRIGG, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of March, 2022, 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 14th day of March, 2022.

CLAIRE GRIGG PLOTT CLAUDIA GRIGG ELLIS CATHERINE GRIGG GOLDEN Legal Run 3/24/22, 3/31/22 & 4/7/22 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF WILLIAM WAYNE DANIEL, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 16th day of March, 2022, 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 16th day of March, 2022.

WILLIAM E. BLACKMON Legal Run 3/24/22, 3/31/22 & 4/7/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF WILLIE G. BARNETT, DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Peggy Jean Barnett, as Executrix of the Estate of Willie G. Barnett, deceased, on the 17th day of March, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

Peggy Jean Barnett, Executrix Of the Estate of Willie G. Barnett, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 03/24/22, 3/31/22 & 4/7/22 ------------Opelika Self Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location and time indicated: 710 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika AL 36801 Friday, April 15, 2022 at 1:00PM CST Lewis Gray - Unit 1146 16711 Jupiter Hvn Unit 1 Selma, TX 78154 household items, furniture, boxes Brittney Nord - Unit 1027 9181 Lee Rd 72 Waverly, AL 36879 television, luggage, misc The auction will be listed and advertised on www.lockerfox. com. Purchases must be made with credit card only and paid at

the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction.

Opelika Self Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 03/31/2022 & 04/07/2022 ------------NOTICE Oscar Able Vilada Ramirez, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer Oscar De Jesus Villada’s Complaint and Summons. Said Answer must be filed on or before May 21, 2022 or thereafter a judgment of default may be entered against him in Case No: CV2021-900053.00 in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Done this 13th day of March, 2022.

Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama OF COUNSEL: Ben C. Hand 114 North 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 334-741-4077 Legal Run 3/31/22, 4/7/22, 4/14/22 & 4/21/22 ------------Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. BEST 4 LESS will be auctioning off The below mentioned vehicles on APRIL 11, 2022. This Auction will be held at 2509 LAFAYETTE PARKWAY, OPELIKA, ALABAMA, 36801 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-705-0000.

ZGTEC19T9X1540347 – 1999 GMC SIERRA 1FBJS31Y1THA66393 – 1996 FORD 350 1GBDX23E23D211508 – 2003 VENTURE Legal Run 03/31/2022 & 04/07/2022 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JULIA MAE FANNING, DECEASED CASE NO. 2022-159 NOTICE OF DAY SET OR HEARING NOTICE: On the 17th day of March, 2022, a petition to Appoint an Administrator of the Estate of JULIA MAE FANNING, was filed in my office by Benjamin H. Parr and the 3rd day of May, 2022 at 1 o’clock p.m. central time was appointed by the Court for hearing thereof at which time you can appear and contest the same, if you see proper.

Given under my hand, the 28th day of March, 2022.

Bill English Judge of Probate Legal Run 03/31/22, 04/07/22 & 04/14/22 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF PATRICIA P. DAVIS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been grantedto the undersigned on the 23rd day of March, 2022, 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, 2022.

VALERIE ANN HILL Legal Run 3/31/22, 4/7/22 & 4/14/22 ------------INVITATION TO BID #22015 Sealed bids for the construction of the City-Wide Striping Project 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 Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 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. No bid will be accepted from anyone except a qualified Contractor licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors.

Principal items of work include but are not limited to: placement of thermoplastic striping, thermoplastic markings, thermoplastic legends, and pavement markers. The Opelika Engineering Department will make every effort to have work located, prioritized, schedule, and grouped in order to optimize the mobilization of the contractor.

Work shall begin within 10 days of each “Notice to Proceed”. The total contract length shall not exceed 360 calendar days.

Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama. Phone number: 334-705-5450 Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika.

All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390.

Attn: City-Wide Striping Project LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (368030390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 03/31/22 & 04/07/22 ------------IINVITATION TO BID BID# 22013 Sealed bids for the construction of the City-Wide Asphalt Paving Project 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 Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 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: 334-7055450. Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika.

All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390.

Attn: City-Wide Asphalt Paving Project 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 03/31/22 & 04/07/22 ------------INVITATION TO BID BID# 22014 Sealed bids for the construction of the General Roadway Improvements 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 Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 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: 334-7055450. 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: General Roadway Improvements LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (368030390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 03/31/22 & 04/07/22 ------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. 2021-724 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of WILLIAM L. HALL, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Regina Ophelia Hall on December 22, 2021, 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 Legal Run 03/24/2022, 03/31/22 & 04/07/22 ------------NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION In accordance with the applicable provisions of Title 10A of the Code of Alabama, notice is hereby given that HEARTH SHOPPE, L.L.C., an Alabama limited liability company (the “Company”), has filed Articles of

Dissolution effective March 25, 2022. The Company’s registered office was last located in Lee County, Alabama. Any person with a claim against the Company should present the claim in accordance with this Notice. A claim must include the following information: (a) name of claimant; (b) street address of claimant; (c) mailing address of claimant; (d) name of person to contact regarding claim; (e) telephone number of person to contact regarding claim; (f) amount of claim; (g) date of claim; (h) nature and brief description of claim; and (i) copy of the most recent invoice regarding the claim or other written evidence of the claim, if any. A claim should be sent to the following address: Denise Simmons, P.O. Box 528, Opelika, Alabama 36803-528. A claim against the Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within two years after the publication of this Notice, if not sooner barred.

Legal Run 04/07/2022 ------------STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF AIKEN IN THE FAMILY COURT SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Case no. 22-DR-02-54 South Carolina Department of Social Services, Plaintiff vs.

Keith Bishop, defendants.

SUMMONS, NOTICE AND PETITION FOR CENTRAL REGISTRY ENTRY TO: Crystal D Chavis YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Summons, Notice an Petition for Central Registry in this action, the original of which has been filed in the Aiken County Office of the Clerk of Court at 109 Park Ave., Aiken, SC 29801, on January 14,2022, a copy of which will be delivered to you upon request; and to serve a copy of your answer to the complaint upon the attorney, Susanna M. Ringler, for the Plaintiff at Post Office Drawer 1268 , Aiken,SC 29801, within thirty (30) days following the date of service upon you, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to answer the complaint within the time stated, the Plaintiff will apply for judgment by default against the Defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you have the right to be present and represented by an attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. It is your responsibility to contact the Aiken County Clerk of Court's Office, 109 Park Ave., Aiken, SC 29801, to apply for appointment of an attorney to represent you if you cannot afford an attorney (take all of these papers with you if you apply). YOU MUST APPLY FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU DO NOT APPLY FOR AN ATTORNEY WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT, AN ATTORNEY WILL NOT BE APPOINTED FOR YOU. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Permanency Planning Hearing will be held in this matter on June 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.. at the Aiken County Courthouse located at 109 Park Ave., Aiken, SC 29801. You should attend this hearing. If you do not attend, the relief sought may be granted in your absence.

Legal Run 04/07/2022, 04/14/2022 & 04/21/2022 ------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT The City of Opelika invites public comment on actions to be taken with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding. Your ideas and suggestions for projects are welcome. This meeting is an opportunity for staff, citizens, and non-profit organizations to express community needs prior to setting the PY2022 budget.

A public hearing will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022 @ 4:00 p.m. in the Municipal Meeting

Room, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard. Public comment and questions are invited either in writing or in person and will be accepted until May 12, 2022.

Comments may be sent to: Lisa Thrift CDBG Administrator P.O. Box 390 Opelika, AL 36803 or lthrift@opelika-al.gov The Community Development department is now accepting applications for PY2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to subrecipients. Applications for funding are available at the Community Development office of the Public Works Facility or online. Deadline for submission of proposals is Monday, May 2, 2022, 4:00 p.m.

If special accommodations are needed to participate at the hearing by persons with disabilities please call the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-7052083 at least forty-eight hours in advance.

Legal Run 04/07/2022 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL RAYMOND BARBER, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2022-092 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 25th day of February, 2022, 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.

BETTY DUNN Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP Post Office Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 334-745-3504 Legal Run 4/7/22, 4/14/22 & 4/21/22 ------------FORM OF ADVERTISMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given, that WHATLEY CONSTRUCTION, LLC has completed the contract for Improvement of AU 20-090 AU Jordan-Hare Stadium-West-Side Elevators 5 & 6, Modernization & Upgrades at Auburn University Jordan-Hare Football Stadium for Lee County, Auburn, State of Alabama, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify: Stacy Norman Architects, LLC 126 Tichenor Ave., Auburn, AL 36830 WHATLEY CONSTRUCTION, LLC / CONTRACTOR P.O. BOX 137, OPELIKA, AL 36802 Legal Run 4/7/22, 4/14/22, 4/21/22 & 4/28/23 ------------FORM OF ADVERTISMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given, that WHATLEY CONSTRUCTION, LLC has completed the contract for Improvement of AU 20-090 AU Jordan-Hare Stadium-West-Side Elevators 5 & 6, Modernization & Upgrades at Auburn University Jordan-Hare Football Stadium for Lee County, Auburn, State of Alabama, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify: Stacy Norman Architects, LLC 126 Tichenor Ave., Auburn, AL 36830 WHATLEY CONSTRUCTION, LLC / CONTRACTOR P.O. BOX 137, OPELIKA, AL 36802 Legal Run 4/7/22, 4/14/22, 4/21/22 & 4/28/23

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Production Engineer (Brake) (Opelika, AL) to assist in developing yearly manning, capacity and cycle time plans for brake production department.

Resumes: HR, Mando America Corporation, 4200 Northpark Dr, Opelika, AL 36801.

B14 April 07, 2022

B15 April 07, 2022

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B16 April 07, 2022

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� Circle of Excellence 2008-2011

MilhonA1r 2010 & 2011 & 2012 --------(between Sam:� Club and Tiger Town)

MNOZIL BRASS Opelika Center for the Performing Arts March 30, 2022, 7:30 pm For Tickets call: 334.749.8105 or visit www.eastalabamaarts.org

THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE ANSWERS:

Opelika Center for the Performing Arts April 27, 2022, 7:30 pm For Tickets call: 334.749.8105 or visit www.eastalabamaarts.org