Thursday May 5, 2022
Vol. 14, No. 30
Opelika, Alabama
Covering Lee County, Alabama
An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.'
PHOTOS BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER
Opelika Installs Electric Lee County’s Assistant Veterans Service Officer Honored Vehicle Chargers CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA OPELIKA — Opelika Power Servcies is proud to announce the installation of eight level two electric vehicle (EV) chargers throughout the city. The chargers are in
four different locations throughout Opelika. There are two chargers at each of the following locations: • 601 S. Railroad
Ave. – beneath Sixth Street bridge • 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail – The MarSee OPELIKA, page A6 PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Opelika Power Services has installed electric vehicle charges in Opelika. Pictured: Jessica Samuel, OPS; Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller; Terry Coxwell, OPS; Jessica Hodnett, OPS; Brent Poteet, OPS
Summer Concerts Are In Full Swing CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA PARKS AND REC OPELIKA — Every Tuesday evening, beginning May 3, 2022, the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department will host a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika. This 14-week concert series offers a wide variety of musical entertainment including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, big band swing, folk and community band music. The Opelika Band Boosters will pre-
Last week, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis presented the 2021 ADVA Distinguished Service Award to Lee County Assistant Veterans Service Officer Christopher Williams, who did not know he would be receiving it.
Williams has helped roughly 12,000 Lee County Veterans since he took the position.
Almost Anything Celebrating Free Comic Book Day on May 7 CONTRIBUTED BY ALMOST ANYTHING
pare hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family
picnic. South State Bank of Opelika will See SUMMER SWING, page A3
OPELIKA — Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is coming to Opelika on Saturday, May 7. Almost Anything, located next to the Lee County Courthouse, is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the largest annual event in the comic book industry. Each year, participating stores give away comic books to millions of fans to
introduce them to the wonders of comics. This year, FCBD is returning to its signature “First Saturday in May” date. “Free Comic Book Day is a great event for the whole community,” said Aaron
Re-Elect
RICHARD LaGRAND SR. Lee County Commissioner District 5 Vote on MAY 24 and Keep Progress Moving Lee County District 5 Paid for by Friends of Richard LaGrand Sr. ~ 2900 Watson Street, Opelika, AL, 36801
Bushey, owner of Almost Anything. “Bringing everyone together, finding books for everyone to enjoy and seeing people of all ages — children, teens and adults — See COMIC BOOK, page A2
CONTENTS
OPINION ..................... A4 ENTERTAINMENT ........... A7 OBITUARIES ............... A12 RELIGION ................... A14 COMICS ....................... A15 SPORTS ........................ B1 POLITICS ...................... B9 CLASSIFIEDS ................ B12 PUBLIC NOTICES ........... B13 PUZZLES ..................... B15
A2 May 5, 2022
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Raise Over $3,500 for Lee County Relay for Life LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office presented a check for $3,765 to Lee County Relay for Life on Friday, April 22. Sheriff’s Office deputies worked to raise money throughout November 2021 as part of No-Shave November. They were given the opportunity to choose which organization the money would benefit, and they chose Relay for Life. The Sheriff’s Office staff said they are particularly
COMIC BOOK >>
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sharing our passion for comics is incredible. Even if you’ve never picked up a comic book, we want to welcome everyone to Almost Anything on May 7, because there are so many amazing comics this year and we can’t wait to share them.” This is the fifth year Almost Anything will celebrate FCBD, offering the community a fun, family-oriented event where everyone can find a comic they’ll enjoy. O-Town Ice
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
CONTRIBUTED BY LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
moved by Relay for Life’s commitment to the fight against cancer. Both current and former staff members have been diagnosed with cancer in the past. Many staff members’ lives have also been touched by the diagnoses of their family and friends. It’s because of these personal connections that members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office staff said they continue to support Lee County Relay for Life year after year. The Lee County Relay for Life event was held this past Friday, April 29, at Courthouse Square in Opelika.
Cream will be in attendance and all in-store comic books will be 20% off. “We also have a new collection of vintage comics available, and we’re debuting our new ‘Mystery Boxes,’” Bushey said. “With popular titles like Spiderman, Avengers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Walking Dead, we’re sure there’s a comic book for everyone. Comics are a fun and enduring form of entertainment for readers of all ages to dive into as imagination comes to life. Whether it be popular comics, film, television
shows or video games, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.” Regular updates, information about comic books and a list of participating publishers and their free comics are all online at www. freecomicbookday.com. Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 10 a.m. CST and runs until 2 p.m. CST. Almost Anything is located at 221 S. 9th St. in downtown Opelika. For more information, call 334741-0808, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @AlmostAnythingOpelika. ABOUT FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
Free Comic Book Day is the comic book specialty market’s annual event where participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their comic shops. Free Comic Book Day is the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the many worlds of wonder available at local comic book shops. From super-heroes to slice-of-life to action/ adventure and beyond, Free Comic Book Day has a comic book for everyone.
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LCAR Announces 2022 Award Winners CONTRIBUTED BY LCAR AUBURN — The Lee County Association of Realtors (LCAR) is proud to announce its 2022 award winners among the organization’s membership. Ryan Roberts of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate was awarded Lee County Realtor of the Year for 2022. This award recognizes the realtor who has contributed the most to the real estate profession on a local level, to fellow realtors and to the community at large during his or her career. Points are awarded based on realtor professionalism, civic activities, local board activities and business
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provide complimentary lemonade during the concerts. The Rocky Brook Rocket, a vintage train with a long, rich history has been restored and will be back on the tracks for complimentary rides. Come out early. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the bank of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information, please call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@ opelika-al.gov. The event would not be possible without the many community partners: The Opelika Chamber of Commerce, The Observer, WKKR 97.7 and FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 AM.
2022 SUMMER SWING SCHEDULE MAY 10 Lee-Scott Academy Jazz Band Jazz, Swing Rock, Ballads and more. MAY 17 Bill J. Brooks – ELVIS LIVES Legends entertainer Bill J. Brooks brings Elvis and friends to life for Elvis fans all over the southeastern United States. Brooks is an award-winning tribute artist doing the wonderful music from the 5 50s, 60s and 70s featuring Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and of course, the “King of Rock n’ Roll” Elvis Presley. Elvis and friends is sure to please all music fans as it is entertaining, fun, moving and very family-friendly. MAY 24 East Alabama Community Band The East Alabama Community Band, now in its 10th year and
accomplishments. Emmy Sorrells of Three Sixty {Real Estate} was presented the Lee County Realtor Good Neighbor Award for 2022. This award is recognizes individual contributions as opposed to association or company-wide efforts. It is not necessarily an annual award, but is awarded as merit dictates to a recipient who has demonstrated outstanding service to the community. The award is modeled after the National Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Award, and as such Sorrells will be nominated for the national award. Kayla Martin with Acuff Weekley
led by Josh Wine, will be playing a variety of marches and show tunes. MAY 31 Conner Lorre – Neil Diamond & Friends Conner Lorre’s spectacular recreation of Neil Diamond’s voice has been receiving standing ovations nationwide, including his show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Lorre delivers stunningly accurate voice impressions of Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, John Denver, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, Alan Jackson, Lee Greenwood and many more. Lorre is one of Opelika’s favorite entertainers. This show is guaranteed to captivate Opelika again this year. Keep up with Lorre at www.ConnerLorre.com and www.facebook. com/TheVoxStar JUNE 7 Crossroads Crossroads is a sixpiece variety band that covers many country and classic rock hits. The band performs selections from artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, REM and The Eagles, as well as Carrie Underwood, Sugarland and Martina McBride. Crossroads produces smooth vocal harmonies and provides audiences with a unique, varied and entertaining experience. More info can be found at facebook.com/auburncrossroadsband. JUNE 14 Kidd Blue Formed right on Toomer’s Corner in 1985 and led and inspired by the late great Opelika native, Robert Orr, Kidd Blue continues to bring their "New Old Soul" to parties and events throughout the Southeast. For over 37 years, this horn-driven group of local professionals has been delivering its eclectic mix of soul, Americana, R&B, Motown and rock
ROBERTS
SORRELLS
Group-EXP Realty is the recipient of the Lee County Rookie of the Year Award. This is a local award based on achievements and contributions by a realtor who has been licensed two
years or fewer. Points are awarded based on realtor professionalism, local board activities, civic activities, AAR/NAR activities, education and training and production. The Lee County
Classics in the styles of Marvin Gaye, Sam & Dave, Al Green, Van Morrison and many others. Do not miss this rare opportunity to experience Kidd Blue in an outdoor public performance. Follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter — @KiddBlueBand.
from Auburn. You will not want to miss this group’s harmonious sounds beneath the beautiful summer night sky.
JUNE 21 Route 66 This energetic group plays it all … oldies, pop, rock and dance music. Audience participation in encouraged. Join the “Monkey Park dancers” on the grass around the stage as they dance, blow bubbles and have a great time. JUNE 28 Muse This will be Muse's 32nd year on the Summer Swing bandstand. Easy listening, vocal-oriented acoustic soft rock played as only Muse can. Together for 44 years, Muse will perform fan favorites by artists such as the Eagles, Beatles, CSN, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Little Big Town, Jason Isbell and more. JULY 5 Fedoras This acoustic duo plays folk, pop and bluegrass tunes the whole family will enjoy. JULY 12 James Brown Trio The James Brown Trio is a Southern Gospel group that will have your toes tapping and heart-stirring to songs from the past as well as current tunes that are soon to be classics. The namesake (James Brown) started the group 20 years ago with Charles Story and Adam Traylor but since the deaths of Brown and Story respectively, the trio has continued the tradition of good ol' Southern Gospel music with new members. Today the trio consists of Adam and Teel Traylor, as well as Kevin Webb
JULY 19 Murray Brown Band Richard Murray and Rusty Brown play country, rock and easy listening. Recently they have been working with songwriters out of Muscle Shoals and working on a new CD. You can catch them playing around Auburn/Opelika and Lake Martin area playing weddings, corporate events, private parties and festivals. Find them on Facebook. Music makes the world go round. JULY 26 Martha’s Trouble Jen and Rob Slocumb are living their musical dream. While building their family, they have continued to write and play music, producing about a dozen albums and touring around the country and the world. And their work has not gone unnoticed. Some of the most influential and well-respected music critics have paid tribute to the duo. They have been listed and featured in Billboard Magazine, USA Today, AOL Music, XM Satellite Radio and Performing Songwriter. Their songs have received multiple awards, including Best Americana Album of the Year by Just Plain Folks Awards, their Christmas Lights recording was selected as one of USA Today’s Top Holiday Albums, their cover of "Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now" was selected as one of Billboard Magazine’s Top 10 Cover Songs, and their recordings have been featured in several made-for-TV movies. AUGUST 2 Back to School Bash Enjoy a final concert as the community bids summer farewell.
Association of Realtors congratulates these outstanding realtors and commends their continued commitment and dedication to the community. For more information, please contact
MARTIN Jamie Sergen at 334321-0606, or email jsergen@leecorealtors. com. For more information about the Lee County Association of REALTORS, visit leecorealtors.org.
Realtor Scott Coulter Joins Growing Three Sixty Office in East Alabama CONTRIBUTED BY THREE SIXTY REAL ESTATE AUBURN — Three Sixty {Real Estate} is pleased to welcome realtor Scott Coulter to our office in East Alabama. Scott Coulter is always up for an adventure and a challenge. When helping a client discover the best location to grow their business, Coulter is diligent in researching land parcels and ownership, then building relationships to put a deal together. He’ll comb through listings searching for the perfect house for his clients to make their home. He’ll go the extra mile to learn his clients’ needs and wants, then work tirelessly to ensure they are satisfied. Coulter never meets a stranger, is often referred to as “the life of the party” and enjoys getting to know every person he meets! “I love to dig in and do the research, to find out my clients’ needs and wants, and figure out how I can put together the best deal that is just right for their individual situation," he said. Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Coulter grew up working summers at his family’s marina and restaurant. After 9/11 he felt the call to join the military, and it was while he was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base that he met his wife April. The rest, as they say, is history. April introduced him to Auburn on a football game day weekend, and he instantly fell in love with the small-town atmosphere and big city conveniences. The couple married and moved to the Auburn/ Opelika area soon
COULTER after. Coulter has a Business finance degree from Troy University and has been on active duty in the Air Force since 2001. He has served our country through three overseas deployments, as well as numerous domestic missions. Coulter also previously served and protected his community as a deputy for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for four years. Coulter enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and football. He and April have two sons, Patrick and Collin, and he enjoys watching the boys play in their sports and spending time with his family, especially at the beach. Coulter is an Eagle Scout and an elected board member of the family’s neighborhood HOA. “We are thrilled to add another Coulter to the best team ever,” said Elizabeth Rose, broker for Three Sixty. “Scott loves to help people, which makes real estate a perfect fit for him. We look forward to seeing how he grows in the profession.” ABOUT THREE SIXTY Three Sixty is in the business of home. We offer a family of services including real estate, property management, interior design and staging, vacation rentals and commercial real estate. While our disciplines are See COULTER, page A5
A4 May 5, 2022
Good
SEAN DIETRICH
H
e was tall, lean and young. When he approached me, he hugged me. Then, his mother hugged us both. A three-person club sandwich. He must’ve been a foot taller than I was. His voice squeaked with adolescence. His skin was freckled. He had a long neck. He recognized me. “I liked your books, sir,” he said, through a nervous stutter. Sir? No way. Such titles are reserved for men who wear penny loafers when fishing. “I read them all when I was in the hospital,”
the boy went on. “I kinda got to know you, and it was like we were friends.” His mother tells me his story. It’s a long one, and it’s not mine to repeat. But he has the determination of a saint, and he still has a long road ahead of him. He suffers more than other kids his age. And as things stand right now, he might not survive his struggle. Before he walked away, he told me something. Something that stuck with me. “You know what I do when I’m down?” he said. “I list ten things I love every day. I write’em on paper. My
dad told me to do that.” He tapped his finger against his head. “Gotta keep on thinking ‘bout things I love.” I was mute. I couldn’t seem to find words. I noticed a large moonshaped scar beneath his hairline. I tried to say something, anything, but I just smiled. He hugged me one more time. His mother took his arm, they walked away. The boy walked with a pronounced limp, holding his mother for balance. And I can’t quit thinking about him. On the off-chance that he is reading this, I’ve come up with a few things I love: 1. I love Mexican food. In fact, I have had a lifelong love affair with it. A Mexican man I used to work with used to make a dish called “chilaquiles verdes.” Before work, he would fry corn tortillas and scrambled eggs, then crumble enough cotija cheese on top to shortcircuit U.S. Congress. This heap of food would be served, covered in green sauce his wife
made. 2. I love sweat. I know that sounds bizarre, but if I go too many days without breaking a sweat, I feel like I am not quite human. Yes, this creates more laundry for my wife. Yes, my wife threatens to string me up by my tongue if I change my shirt one more time. But I like sweating. Once I was in Phoenix, Arizona, on business. A land where sweat evaporates before it accumulates. I didn’t have a good sweat for two weeks. Five minutes in the sun, your skin burns. Ten minutes; you turn into Lot’s wife. I didn’t have a very good time. 3. Stray dogs. Sometimes I go to animal shelters just to visit them. There is an extra special place in my heart for dogs who live in shelters. 4. I like old movies. I don’t go for new movies. I don’t like special effects, blood, realistic explosions or music that sounds like
two chainsaws having a cussing match. I enjoy Bogart, Hepburn, John Wayne, Shirley Temple, Randolph Scott, Don Knotts, etc. 5. Cheese. 6. Hank Williams. Don Williams. Willie Nelson. 7. Old books that smell like dust. I like to hold them in my hand. 8. Love stories. I got an email yesterday from an old friend of mine. He got married to his high-school sweetheart after thirty years of beating around the bush. It was the perfect love story. 9. Old folks. Last week, I met a woman who was 100 years old. I hugged her neck. She was sipping a glass of wine with dinner. I asked her what the secret to a long life was. She answered, “Just try not to quit breathing.” Then she had a coughing fit. 10. You. You might not know this, but I think about you a lot. I know we don’t know each other, but that’s inconsequential — and may I point out,
“inconsequential” is a five-syllable word. Still, we’re probably not that different. Maybe we’re even alike. Maybe sometimes you worry too much. Or sometimes you get so swallowed up with tiny things in life, you wonder if you’re going to make it. Sometimes you wish you had answers. Lord knows, I don’t have any. But here’s what I DO know: I know that a wise young man is likely reading this right now. A kid who told me he is grateful to be alive, no matter how brief his own life may be. A kid who told me that every so often, he makes a list on paper, like the one you just read. A list of good things. Simply to remind him of how much he loves breathing. I wrote this for him. If for no other reason, to tell him that his name is at the top of another very important list I have going.
Health Care Workers Not Immune to Growing Mental Health Crisis, But Help is Available BY ARUNA ARORA, M.D., M.P.H. OPINION — Our country faces an unprecedented mental health crisis. Two out of five adults report suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression. More than half of those age 18-24 report these same symptoms and roughly one out of five say they have suicidal thoughts. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression and suicide in the U.S. were rising. The tension we’ve all lived under for such a prolonged time has exacerbated this trend. Medical professionals are not immune to the grief, trauma and isolation of the last two years. In fact, we have been right in the middle of it, sometimes likened to soldiers on a battlefield. Among medical professionals,
frontline health care workers were hit the hardest as they worked long hours taking care of sicker and sicker patients. Outpatient physicians exhausted themselves keeping their patients out of hospitals, while trying to keep their medical practices open at a time of extraordinary demand. The toll has been severe and will continue to be for some time. A year into the pandemic, 62 % of frontline health care workers said that worry and stress negatively affected their mental health. Almost 50 % said their physical health was negatively impacted. Three-quarters of frontline health care workers report burnout. We will likely see increased rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, even suicide among health care workers. This isn’t a theoretical concern. Many Alabama
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physicians recently participated in an anonymous wellness survey. The findings reveal some feel they are at the tipping point of despair and contemplating suicide. Nationally, physicians and nurses die by suicide at twice the rate of the general population. Many others suffer in silence, afraid to get help because they fear the stigma will end the career they have spent a lifetime working for. One such physician was Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency room physician in New York City. She was worried she would lose her medical license or be ostracized by her colleagues because she was suffering due to her work on the front lines of the COVID crisis. She was not alone in this fear. An American College of Emergency Physicians survey found that 73 % said there is a stigma in the workplace when it comes to getting
help. Breen sadly died by suicide in April 2020. In her honor, the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation was born. The Foundation’s mission is to reduce burnout of health care professionals and to eliminate the stigma of seeking mental health services. I recently invited Breen’s brother-in-law, Corey Feist, to speak at the annual meeting of the Medical Association of the state of Alabama about the Foundation’s work to promote the mental well-being of our frontline health workers. He also discussed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which was signed into law in March. This new law provides training for health care providers on suicide prevention and behavioral health, as well as an awareness campaign to address stigmatization and promote help-seeking
Protect with 3! ✔ Tdap ✔ HPV ✔ MCV4 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
among this workforce. As an Alabamian, I am proud that every member of our state’s congressional delegation supported passage of this law. It is gratifying to see a political system that is so often divided come together to make progress on this issue. This bipartisan support is a recognition that the consequences of physician burnout and depression are drastic, ultimately resulting in higher costs, greater turnover, poorer overall quality of care and decreased patient satisfaction. It is also gratifying to have seen expressions of appreciation from the public for our health care workers during this time of crisis. Believe me, that support means so much to physicians, nurses and others as we serve our patients and seek to improve the well-being of our communities.
Even after COVID, the heightened challenges and stresses of caring for others will continue. No one is immune to the growing mental health care tragedy in our nation. Fortunately, help is available. If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health problem, resources and information about help are available at www. mentalhealth.gov. The 24-7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Alabama, you can reach out to the state’s Department of Mental Health through www. mh.alabama.gov. Dr. Aruna Arora is board-certified in Neuromuscular Medicine and is medical codirector of the ALS Clinic in North Alabama/ Huntsville. She is the Immediate Past president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS CLAIMS If you began working in a Textile Mill, Tire Plant, Paper Mill, Steel Mill or any other industrial setting before 1980: You may have a claim against the asbestos manufacturers.
Call now for your free evaluation. 1-(888)432-6020 Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law ARPC 7.2.(e) “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
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Children Feel Encouraged at Camp Good Grief 2022 OPELIKA — There is a proverb we hear from time to time: “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” On Saturday, April 23, the community went far in the healing outreach to children who have experienced close family loss of love ones. Camp Good Grief was held at the Sportsplex in Opelika. The baseballthemed event was named “Knocking Grief Out of the Park” and the day’s events and activities were a home run in helping children learn to cope with grief. Upon registration to the event, each child was assigned to a baseball team. They were given a T-shirt that identified their team. Fun activities that ensued included the Starburst game, parade of teams and more coping activities such as journaling. The Auburn University cheerleaders, Aubie,
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
BY BETH PINYERD FOR THE OBSERVER
Auburn University’s mascot and Chick-fil-A's cow mascot delighted the children, volunteers, staff and others in attendance. A delicious meal was served to the children and volunteers by Chick-fil-A of Auburn. Tyler Stovall, former Auburn football player, was a speaker of
encouragement for the children. The Opelika, Auburn and Lee County community would like to thank Nicole Barkley, Compassus Bereavement Counselor and Compassus staff, for working hard over many months to plan
OPELIKA — Calling all grillers. The annual cheeseburger-cooking competition, “Burger Wars,” is set for June 4 and applications are now open to the public. Hosted by Opelika Rotary and sponsored by Auburn-Opelika Tourism, the eighth annual Burger Wars is the premiere grilling competition in the area. Burger Wars welcomes competitors in three divisions: Tailgaters, Corporate and Pros. Pro Grillers include restaurants, Corporate grillers are local business and Tailgaters are your typical backyard masters. Registration for Tailgaters is $25, Corporate registration is $100 and Pro registration is $150. Grillers will be scored on three categories: appearance, originality
Flowers and Gifts, Sign World — Auburn and Compassus.
East Alabama Museum Adds Mural
PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
Foundation in affiliation with Compassus Living Foundation, Harris Funeral Home, Auburn
PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
Burger Wars Set for June 4, Accepting Applications
and provide Camp Good Grief to the children and their families. Thank you to the local sponsors: FrederickDean Funeral Home& Crematory, Chick-fil-A of Auburn, Tip Top Tree Service LLC, Whistle Stop Bottle and Brew, Hospice Angels
and taste; four judges will be randomly assigned to each category. The topthree winners of each category will receive a monetary prize and trophy. Plus, for the first time ever this year, each category will have a crowd favorite voted on by everyone in attendance. Funds generated by Burger Wars support the Opelika Rotary Charitable Foundation. The primary beneficiary is the Food Bank of East Alabama Backpack Program for food-insecure children.
For all details, visit Opelika Rotary’s website: www. opelikarotaryclub.com. For griller sign-ups: www.docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLS d12FARlc4m78DrisA RV629yVPZVdhPoV vnDAID1EmvKKmQ dQ/viewform, or visit the Facebook page @ burgerwarsopelika. Tickets for tasting will go on sale the day of the event for $2 each. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and continue as long as burgers last.
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varied, our entire team operates from the same
Museum of East Alabama Dedication of Murals and Old Nancy Tractor and Pavilion Reception with Hearty Appetizers and Desserts
Thursday, May 12 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The Community Is Invited The Museum of East Alabama is located at 121 South 9th Street in downtown Opelika. set of core values, making Three Sixty the sought-after firm to work with in Auburn, Birmingham, and Lake Martin, Alabama. Uti-
lizing forward-thinking and creative processes, Three Sixty strives to make every experience unique and as smooth as possible by providing a consistent partner to maintain the integrity of projects as a whole. As a respected and profitable
company, we strive to make a positive impact on the communities that we serve. To learn more about Three Sixty visit us online at www.concepttoclosing.com or call 334.887.3601.
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A6 May 5, 2022
Lee County Rallies for Relay for Life PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
On Friday, April 29, Relay For Life of Lee County made its in-person return after a two-year haitus to the theme of "Roaring Back in 2022." At Courthouse Square in Opelika, community members gathered to to walk, remember and fellowship in solidarity with those who are struggling and/or have lost battles with Cancer. The event also celebrated those winning their battles with The Survivor Reception.
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riott Grand National • 1032 S. Railroad Ave. – Train Depot • 205 S. Ninth St. – Courthouse Square. “I would like to thank AMEA for providing a grant to help make this project possible,” said Brent Poteet, director of OPS. “With more accessible chargers, the community will be able to comfortably purchase plug-in electric vehicles without worry-
PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA >>
ing about a lack of charging stations.” Each charging staion is equipped with excellent lighting, so no matter the time of day, anyone can access a station safely. The charging stations are accessible by a Chargepoint card or through the Chargepoint app. The city of Opelika has also applied for several additional grants to have direct current (DC) fast charging stations installed in the future. For more information, contact Jessica Hodnett at jessica. hodnett@opelikapower.com.
Beulah Family Day Brings Community Together PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY EARL LANGLEY JR.
The annual Beulah Family Day was held last weekend at the same time as the Beulah Family Day Car Show. The event brought together members of the community, along with local organizations and law enforcement.
E vents, Food, & SocietyNews
UPCOMING EVENTS: MAY 7: 14TH ANNUAL STORYBOOK FARM KENTUCKY DERBY DAY MAY 7: GARDEN IN THE PARK MAY 8: MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH AT ARRICIA CUCINA MAY 8: RISING GARDENS COMMUNITY MARKET
Micah Melnick Shares Thoughts On Motherhood for All Moms PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER
Ann Cipperly
Southern
Hospitality
A
s Mother’s Day approaches, Micah Melnick, founder and executive director of BigHouse, gives her thoughts on motherhood, whether someone is a birth or foster mom or one of the “mothers” in a child’s life, such as a grandmother or Sunday school teacher. Micah and her husband Blake have three children of their own, and her vison of BigHouse, the first one of its kind, has served over 20,000 children in Alabama’s foster care system. When Micah was
growing up in Opelika, her parents, Angie and Michael Brown, always had lots of kids at their home and around the dinner table. With four children, her Mom cooked a lot of meals. “My Mom taught us that we have to be inclusive and include people,” Micah said. “That really spoke to me. My Mom showed me in her deeds and inviting more people to the table.” Micah met her husband Blake, who also grew up in Opelika, in high school, and they started dating. They both attended the Uni-
versity of Alabama and got married while they were college students. They returned to Opelika in the summer of 2009 when she graduated with a degree in human development and Blake graduated with a master’s degree. He received a position at Auburn University for his PH.D. in airspace engineering and started teaching at Auburn in a lecturer position. They moved into her grandparents’ house that is next door to her parents. “We love it and have updated it,” Micah said. “We have com-
New Membership Options at Opelika Sportsplex
OPELIKA — The Opelika SportsPlex is providing a way for residents to beat the heat this summer with membership to its
summer pool and splash park. The membership costs $40 per person and is valid from June 1 through July 31, 2022 Those interested may sign up for a membership in person at the SportsPlex front desk or online (at web1.myvs-
pleted fun projects and made it our own. I have many memories of my grandmother cooking and making cornbread every night. She would serve beans or meat with the cornbread, and sometimes my grand-
father would just eat it with buttermilk.” While Micah was in college, her parents took five siblings into their home in the foster care program. Blake’s parents, Ellen and Michael Melnick, were foster
parents and adopted a child before he was born. “Their experience in foster care and later adoption,” said Micah, “opened my eyes to the often-overlooked experiences of children caught See CIPPERLY, page A10
Who Dishes Up The Best Tomato Dish in Alabama? PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
Micah Melnick, right, is pictured with her mother, Angie Brown, left, and her daughter, Maggie. Micah is sharing thoughts on motherhood for Mother’s Day and her favorite recipes for preparing quick and easy meals.
cloud.com/wbwsc/alopelikawt.wsc/splash.html). The Opelika SportsPlex is located at 1001 SportsPlex Parkway in Opelika. It is open Monday to Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
CONTRIBUTED BY SWEET GROWN ALABAMA
ALABAMA — Whether they’re fried green, baked in a pie or blended into a smooth, savory soup, tomatoes star in countless tasty dishes. But the question remains — where can you find the best tomato dish served in the state of Alabama? Sweet Grown Alabama is officially launching the search for Bama’s Best Tomato Dish along with the Alabama Farmers Federation and its television show, "Simply Southern TV." Nominations will be
accepted May 2 through 18 through the groups’ Facebook pages. To
make a nomination: See DISHES, page A9
“Our Mission is Your Health”
BEAUREGARD DRUGS
WE DELIVER! Piedmont Fertilizer Co. Inc. 201 2nd Ave. • Opelika, AL SINCE 1910
Nothing better for your lawn exists
• Drive Thru Only • Regular Operating Hours • Please Call Ahead on Refills to Avoid Wait
334-364-9993 | 334-364-9997 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Suite A, Opelika www.beauregarddrugs.com Mon-Fri 8am–6pm | Sat 9am–12pm | Sunday Closed
A8 May 5, 2022
Making the Grade: Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE
STACEY PATTON WALLACE
A
few weeks ago, Mike and I spent a wonderful afternoon at Opelika High School. It was a real treat for veteran teachers like us; we haven’t been in a school in almost a year, and we haven’t taught in one since March 2020 when Covid-19 shut down everything. We were at OHS that day on an assignment from Michelle Key, owner and publisher of The Observer and Live Lee. I wrote a feature story on OHS’s culinary arts program, and Mike took photographs for Live Lee’s graduation issue. When we entered the school’s office, Mike and I were instantly impressed. Ms. Brittney Marzette, the school secretary, was amazing to watch. She handled phone calls, parents checking out children, someone delivering flowers, us and countless other situations expertly, courteously and swiftly. I don’t multitask well, so I would have cracked up under the pressure. Outstanding school secretaries such as Marzette are priceless. We were escorted to
our destination, not by a student or teacher, but by Mr. Russ Hardwick, an assistant principal at OHS. Hardwick was so courteous and friendly. Mike and I couldn’t believe that our escort was an administrator. Also, Chef Judy Eldred, who teaches the culinary arts program, was obviously an outstanding teacher (veteran teachers can tell this quickly.), and her students were very impressive as well. Eldred and her students were a delight to interview and photograph. Her culinary arts classes are a great asset to OHS. When we were walking down the hall, Mike and I saw that the students were polite and well behaved. We also admired OHS’s terrific facilities. The citizens of Opelika should be proud to have such a terrific high school; it is blessed with amazing students, teachers and staff. This retired English teacher gives OHS and its people an A+.
Soon after we visited OHS, Mike and I dined at Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar at 2496 Enterprise Dr. in TigerTown. We ate at the Hibachi grill with two young ladies who were alumni of Opelika High School. Therefore, I bragged on their alma mater, and they were very pleased. Our server Daniel was kind, helpful and patient. Mike and I loved the soup and salad we ate at the beginning of our meal. I should have bought a bottle of that delicious salad dressing. Also, Chef Mike put on a great show. He was very funny and kept us laughing as he expertly prepared our meal in front of us. Mike and I both ordered the Hibachi combination Angus steak and shrimp. It was really delicious. We love the yum yum sauce that comes with our food. Believe me, it is well named. In addition, the vegetables were really fresh
and tasty. I was proud of myself for not scarfing down all my amazing fried rice; I would have 70 pounds ago. Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse is a DEFINITE doover. As I’ve mentioned before, Japanese food is Mike’s favorite, and Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse is a mere 4.8 miles from our house. That’s a win-win situation. At the restaurant, diners may choose from a large selection of appetizers, some of which include: Japanese cheese wontons, tempura, sushi, calamari, and soft shell crab. Kabuki also has soups, salads and countless varieties of rolls. In addition, the restaurant offers an extensive selection of entrees, Hibachi dinners and specialties. Besides our Hibachi combination of Angus steak and shrimp, Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse also serves Angus steak and chicken, chicken and shrimp, shrimp and scallops, Angus filet mignon
or lobster tail, among others. Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is open on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; on Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30-10 p.m.; on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30- 10:45 p.m.; on Saturday from noon to 10:45 p.m. Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 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
Smiths Station Community Day Pumps Up the Fun
PHOTOS BY MADISON LAKE - STUDENT AT BEAUREGARD HIGH SCHOOL
A Community Fun Day was held last month in Smiths Station. Families were able to enjoy refreshments, bounce house inflatables and a movie on the lawn.
A9 May 5, 2022
Auburn's CityFest Goes Back In Time PHOTOS BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER
Auburn's 80s themed CityFest was held in Kiesel Park last weekend, welcoming dozens of vendors and residents across the city and county. Businesses sold wares, there was an area for children and a live band played.
Beauregard Volunteer Fire Department Annual Meeting
Camp Hill Marketplace
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Come out and buy your fresh produce, honey, jams and hand-crafted items at the Camp Hill Marketplace, a state certified farmers market.
7 p.m. Central time Providence Baptist Church West Campus
Every Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m., June 2 through Oct. 20, rain or shine, at Mount Lovely Baptist Church at 21900 Senator
All Beauregard Community invited
Claude Pepper Dr., Camp Hill, (AL Hwy 50). Potential vendors
to attend.
contact Sharon at 256-749-5100 to apply to join.
DISHES
>>
FROM A7
Find the Bama’s Best Tomato Dish post at: Facebook.com/AlfaFarmers Facebook.com/ SweetGrownAlabama Facebook.com/SimplySouthernTV ·Leave a comment on the post. For a nomination to count, the comment must include the business name, city and dish. After May 18, the competition gets saucy. The eight businesses with the most nominations will be deemed the Edible Eight. From May
23 through 26, daily head-to-head matchups will be posted on Sweet Grown Alabama’s Facebook page and Instagram stories. Businesses that win their matchup will make it to the next round — the Flavorful Four. In June, a panel of judges will visit each of the Flavorful Four to taste-test nominated dishes and select a winner. Along with all-important bragging rights, the overall winner will receive a plaque, cash prize and feature in Neighbors magazine and on Simply Southern TV. Bama’s Best Tomato Dish is sponsored by Sweet Grown Ala-
bama — whose members grow the freshest, best-tasting tomatoes, among numerous other products. Note: Bama’s Best Tomato Dish seeks to promote Alabama-based restaurants, food trucks and professional cooks. National chains will not be eligible. However, a specific location of an Alabama-based chain will be eligible to compete. CONTEST SCHEDULE May 2 - Nomination period opened. Make nominations on the Bama’s Best Tomato Dish post at Facebook.com/AlfaFarmers, Facebook. com/SweetGrownAl-
abama or Facebook. com/SimplySouthernTV May 18 at 12 p.m. Nominations close May 23 through 26 - Daily head-to-head matchups for the Edible Eight at Facebook.com/SweetGrownAlabama June - Judges visit the Flavorful Four to determine and announce a winner Sweet Grown Alabama is a non-profit foundation that enhances marketing opportunities for Alabama farmers by connecting retailers and consumers to Alabama-grown foods and other agricultural products. Learn more at
SweetGrownAlabama. org. The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization with more than 340,000 member families. For more information, visit AlfaFarmers.org. Simply Southern TV is a production of the Alabama Farmers Federation with major support from Alabama Farmers Cooperative. For more information, visit SimplySouthernTV.net. STATISTICS ON TOMATOES Fruit or vegetable? Scientifically, tomatoes are a fruit. However, nutritionists categorize tomatoes as a vegetable. Tomatoes are Ameri-
cans’ second favorite vegetable behind potatoes. Per capita, Americans consume 20.3 pounds of fresh tomatoes and 73.3 pounds of processed tomatoes annually. California ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for tomato production, followed by Florida, Indiana and Michigan. Tomatoes are native to South America. They spread to other parts of the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants.
A10 May 5, 2022
CIPPERLY >>
FROM A7
in this system. “We saw when my parents got their five sibling group that it was evident to people that they should help them,” she said. “We saw their Sunday school class and neighbors getting involved to help when they saw the needs, they wanted to do something.” As a result, in February 2009, when Micah was 22 years old, she founded BigHouse, the first of its kind, to create an organization that shares the needs of foster families with anyone in the community. “We could get a community wide effort instead of just people who might know a foster care family.” While working at BigHouse, Micah had their first child, Anderson, in March 2010. He is now 12 years old and has always been part of BigHouse. The Melnick’s other two children are Maggie, 7 and Myers, 3. As executive director, Micah has continued to balance her growing vision of BigHouse with being a mother of three. “One of the things
CIPPERLY RECIPES >> NANA’S CORNBREAD 2 cups White Lily Self-Rising Buttermilk Cornmeal Mix 1 egg 1 tsp. Crisco or vegetable oil 1 ¼ cups buttermilk ¼ cup vegetable oil Heat oven to 425 degrees. Coat an 8 inch iron skillet with 1 tsp. of Crisco or other vegetable oil. Place in oven for about 5 minutes to heat up. Combine cornmeal mix, buttermilk, egg and oil until batter is moist but lumpy. Carefully take skillet out of oven and tilt to cover the skillet with melted shortening. Pour batter into skillet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Makes 8 servings. BUTTERMILK BISCUITS 2 cups self-rising flour ¼ cup Crisco ¾ cup buttermilk (may need more for desired consistency) Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine self-rising flour and Crisco by blending Crisco into flour in a bowl with your hands. Once combined, add buttermilk to bowl and blend with hands until a kneadable dough forms. Form dough into 2 ½
that I learned from my Mom was that when you have a big family and a full life with the kids playing sports, you have to make dishes that are family friendly and quick. My Mom can make complicated dishes, but she taught me how to make dishes that I love to make in my kitchen. These are dishes I can remember with few ingredients.” Her grandmother’s cornbread is still a family favorite. Last year, Micah’s Mom made an Instagram video of her showing how to make the cornbread recipe. “I had several friends who wanted to make cornbread and know how to make it good,” she said. “It was neat since we did it in my Nana’s kitchen where I remember making cornbread as a kid.” Micah remembers when she was growing up that she would make breakfast in bed for her Mom on Mother’s Day. Looking back, she wonders if she made a mess for her Mom. “My Dad always did a good job making sure we had planned something fun to do or something that we helped with,” she said. “My Dad’s birth-
inch circles and place in iron skillet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brown on top.
MEXICAN RICE 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained 1 large pkg. yellow saffron rice, cooked 1 can Rotel 1 block of Velveeta cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 bag nacho cheese flavored Doritos 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine browned beef, cooked rice, Rotel, Velveeta and cream of chicken soup into one bowl and pour into a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Take out of oven and cover with crushed Doritos and shredded cheese to create crust. Finish baking 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling. CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE 1 ½ cups cooked rice 1 ½ cups cooked chicken, shredded 1 cup mayonnaise ½ cup diced celery 1 small onion 1 can cream of mushroom soup ¼ stick of butter, melted Crushed Ritz crackers Heat oven 350
day is May 12, which is around the same time, so at times it has been a celebration of parents.” For Mother’s Day weekend this year, they are going to an Atlanta Braves game on Saturday night. Blake generally helps the kids make breakfast on Sunday. Micah and Blake will spend time on Mother’s Day with each of their mothers. On Mother’s Day and every day, Blake shares in the raising of the children, the caring of their home and their work. He does all the laundry. “The main reason I can do BigHouse and be a working mom is that we balance things together,” said Micah. “I have friends my age, and our husbands step in and help. We can’t do it all. We also coach Maggie’s softball team and do other activities with the children together.” In honor of mothers, Micah is sharing her thoughts on all the mothers in a child’s life. “On Mother’s Day, whether you are actually a birth mom to a child, a foster mom or you are mothering children, we can all have an impact on a child’s life in a positive way. We have the capac-
ity to love children that are not birthed to us but very much ours. “Any moms who feel like they are not living up to whatever unrealistic expectations that society has for moms, give yourselves grace that you are what your kids need. However they came to us that was God’s design for them to be loved by us. “I want mothers to know that they are doing a good job,” Micah added, “and give them grace to enjoy their kids and not be worried about the house and yard and all the pressures we have. Lately, I have been feeling like our kids are like sand, you just can’t keep the young; they grow up so fast.” Micah and Blake recently put a pool in at their house. Micah is finding it is nice not to have her phone at the pool. “I leave my phone inside and go out to the pool for a couple of hours and play with my kids and just be present with them. It is allowing myself not to be worried about who is emailing me or if I need to wash dishes, and just being present with our kids. I encourage moms to find a way to connect with their children. For us, it
was having this pool. “I feel like this pool has been a gift because I cannot have my phone in it. It is so hard to make yourself do that. I don’t want my kids to grow up and say my mom was on her phone all the time. I am trying to be mindful of that.” As Micah is spending quality time with her family, she is excited about the BigHouse Retreat that is being built. After looking for over two years for land, a lot was found on Grand National Parkway and ground was broken in March this year. While the goal has been to be finished by the end of year, it will probably be around February next year. The retreat property includes almost 9,000 square feet with the porches. The boutique will be in back and arranged as a store with donations where foster parents can select clothes and items for their children without charge. When BigHouse first started, there were about 40 foster families. Currently, it serves between 150 and 200 foster families in East Alabama. Their biggest event is at Christmas, when they
have about 500 kids to shop for their needs and gifts. “It is pretty big,” Micah said. “BigHouse offers a buffet, and foster parents can take part in what is beneficial to their families. “It has grown organically. It started with thinking about what does my family need and how could we support another family like mine with things they need. Every program has started from talking with our families asking what they need and what would be beneficial to them.” The BigHouse Retreat will be the first of its kind. It will be a space where families can play on the playground and sit on the porch in rocking chairs and swings. The big family room has space for events. “We want it to a place where foster children can have good memories.” Micah said. “When they look back on their life, they can say they were at BigHouse, and it was really fun.” For all the mothers, may Mother’s Day be an enjoyable day, and a time to realize their love has had a positive impact on their children that will have a lasting effect.
degrees. Combine all ingredient except melted butter and crackers; pour into a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Cover with crushed Ritz mixed with melted butter. Bake for 45 minutes.
cheese and garlic powder. Turn heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes or until thick and creamy. Add thawed shrimp and allow them to heat. Serve over noodles.
rim. Then spread out the bacon and bake it for 20 minutes or until crispy. While the bacon is cooking, open and drain the green beans, then spread them out in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce and minced garlic. Pour mixture over the green beans. After the bacon is crispy, remove it from the oven, drain and chop. Spread it over the green beans. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees, then bake the beans for 40 minutes.
2 tubes cinnamon rolls with icing, in refrigerated case at grocery 6 eggs ½ cup milk 2 tsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. vanilla 4 Tbsp. butter, melted 1 cup maple syrup Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each cinnamon roll into 8 pieces. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Set aside. Pour the butter on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Spread the cinnamon roll pieces evenly over the butter. Then pour the egg mixture over the cinnamon rolls. Pour the maple syrup over the egg mixture. Bake for 25 minutes. Top with the icing from the cinnamon rolls.
TACO SOUP WITH BLACK BEANS 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes 1 can black beans, not rained 1 can kidney beans, not drained 1 can corn, not drained 1 packet dry ranch mix 1 packet dry taco seasoning Combine all ingredients, cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours in a crock pot. SHRIMP ALFREDO 1 pkg. fully cooked shrimp (based on family size) 1 box of fettuccine noodles ¼ cup butter 1 pint heavy cream 4 oz. pkg. (half of 8 oz. pkg.) chive and onion cream cheese 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese ½ tsp. garlic powder Boil noodles per package directions. In a large nonstick skillet, add butter, heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir and simmer until butter and cream cheese are melted. Stir in Parmesan
CRESCENT CHICKEN 2 cans chicken 2 cans crescent rolls 2 cups shredded cheese. divided 1 can cream of chicken soup Take a spoonful of shredded chicken and cheese and fill each crescent roll and roll up. Space filled crescent rolls out evenly in a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Blend can of cream of chicken and small amount of water in a bowl until creamy and easy to pour, then pour over crescent rolls. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake according to crescent roll instructions. POTLUCK PERFECT GREEN BEANS 5 (15 oz.) cans green beans 10-12 slices of bacon (or bag of real bacon bits) ⅔ cup brown sugar ¼ cup butter, melted ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tsp. minced garlic Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line foil on a baking sheet with a
SAVORY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE 2 packs Italian herb croutons 1 lb. breakfast sausage, browned and drained 2 cups shredded cheese 12 eggs 1 cup milk Layer croutons in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Then cover with layer of sausage and cheese. Whisk 12 eggs and cup of milk together and pour over mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. *Better if prepped the night before and stored in refrigerator. CINNAMON ROLL BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP 1 can chicken 1 cup sour cream 1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 2 cups shredded cheese, divided 1 packet dry ranch mix Franks Hot Sauce to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain chicken and shred with a fork, add sour cream, cream cheese, ranch mix, 1 cup of cheese and hot sauce to taste. Spread in a 9 x 9 inch casserole dish and cover with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.
A11 May 5, 2022
Sound Wall Announces Line-up for Songwriters Festival CONTRIBUTED BY THE SOUND WALL
OPELIKA — Over the past four years, the Opelika Songwriters Festival has attracted die-hard live music fans from around the Southeast to hear original songwriters spanning many genres of music perform their songs. Restaurants, bars, a distillery and an Inn in historic downtown Opelika become music listening rooms for two nights and a third day for dozens of solo, band and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend of Oct. 14 through 16, 2022. Tickets are on sale now at www.freshtix.com/ events/opelika-songwriters-festival-2022. Opelika Songwriters Festival will celebrate its third year with performances on the main stage at 1st Avenue in downtown Opelika on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15, with headline performances by renowned artists Indigo Girls and Rickie Lee Jones. Shawn Mullins and John Paul White perform two evening shows during the festival weekend. Other artists performing
include Leigh Nash, Jeff Black, Dan Navarro, Kim Richey, Peter Bradley Adams, Paul McDonald, Adam Hood, Larry Mitchell, Abe Partridge, Meaghan Farrell, Katie Martin, Bradley Cole Smith, Martha's Trouble and Haraway Brothers. Along with the music, Opelika Songwriters Festival is the perfect event for people who like to combine music, sports and relaxation at a world-class spa. The official Festival hotel is the Opelika Auburn Marriott Resort and Spa at Grand Na-
tional featuring three 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Golf golf courses, with scenic views, driving ranges, putting greens and golf lessons. Additionally, there are elaborate resort-style pools with bar service, as well as eight tennis courts and an award-winning spa. "Amy and I look forward to getting back to the Opelika/Auburn area where we have played many fun shows through the years,” said Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls. “We are especially excited to share the stage with Rickie Lee Jones whom we admire
so much as a singer and songwriter.” Shawn Mullins, a veteran of the 30A Songwriters Festival, performed at the first two Opelika Songwriters Festivals and says the historic town offers something special for music fans. "Downtown Opelika stands out for its authenticity," he said. "There are brewpubs, a distillery, boutiques and a pinball emporium inhabiting these beautifully restored, original cotton warehouses and retail buildings from the early 1920s Pepperill Mill era that drove the economy
many years ago. Having these locations — all within walking distance — utilized as listening rooms for the Festival make this a fun, intimate gathering." Indigo Girls' debut album sold over two million units under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” in 1989 and turned Indigo Girls into one of the most successful folk duos in history. Over a 35-year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the Grammy-winning duo has recorded 16 studio albums (seven gold, four platinum, one
double platinum), sold over 15 million records and built a dedicated, enduring following. Their latest critically acclaimed record, Look Long is a stirring and eclectic collection of songs that finds the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers reunited in the studio with their strongest backing band to date as they chronicle their personal upbringings with more specificity and focus than they have on any previous song-cycle. Rickie Lee Jones will make her Opelika Songwriters festival debut fresh off the release of her memoir, Last Chance Texaco, released in the spring of 2021. Her chronicles are “as rich and colorful as Jones’s best lyrics,” writes The New York Times. The twotime Grammy winner, known for her haunting voice that ranges from deep yearning to late-night sultry, first appeared on the Los Angeles scene in the mid-1970s penning instant classics like “Chuck E.'s In Love,” “Danny’s All-Star Joint,” and the pivotal breakup album "Pirates."
Celebrating 1 year in Downtown Opelika
THANK YOU!
From all of us at Market Street Paint Shop, Just the Right Touch Decorating and Boonie Hat Coffee Company
116 S 8th Street Suite 101 Opelika, AL 334-363-0390 www.booniehatcoffee.com Mon - Fri 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Closed
A12 May 5, 2022
OBITUARIES BARBARA ANN THOMPSON ASKEW Our mother, Barbara Ann Thompson Askew, 86, passed away peacefully at the Bethany House on April 25, 2022. Barbara was born on Nov. 6, 1935, to Aubrey Herbert Thompson and Martha Lillian Bryant Thompson in the Beauregard community. She attended Opelika City schools, and went on to obtain a degree in Dental Hygiene at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She married Jim Askew in 1957, and they were married for 59 years until his death in 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, James E. (Jim) Askew. She is survived by her children, Sabrina (Ben), Shane (Monica), Joanna (Dave), Scott (Wendy) and Michael (Renee). Barbara also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Christopher (Nancy), Marissa, George (Erin), Larkin, James, Fowler, Aubrey, Sierra (Tim), Calen (Thomas) and Dylan. Her greatgrandchildren are Auden, Aubrey, Freya and Wilder. Mama worked in the dental hygiene field for a number of years. She later began to work in the Opelika school system as a teacher's aide in order to be home with her five children after school. After we were older, she also worked in our father's business, Jim's Pharmacy, for about 8 years. She was a faithful and active member of Trinity United Methodist Church for 55 years, teaching Sunday School classes, going on mission trips and working on various committees. Mama was a totally committed wife, mother and Christian lady. She was incredibly strong, as was demonstrated in her remarkable recovery from being badly burned in December of 1953 when she was in high school. She was always curious and wanting to learn, especially about history and other cultures; she loved to read and was dedicated to studying the Bible. She was creative, always thinking up crafts and projects for us to do, and she was a very good artist. And she and Daddy were so much fun! One of our many great memories is of a two-week camping trip that took us to the Rocky Mountains in a Pontiac sedan. A family of seven grows very close after two weeks in a sedan and one tent, and we had a wonderful time! But every day was special with her. She was humble, generous, loving, kind, and accepting of anyone. She took pleasure in hosting not only our friends and family, but foreign exchange students and many Korean ladies who were new to Opelika.
And she took the time to ask questions and learn all she could from everybody. She was simply a wonderful mother and friend and will be missed by so many. A visitation was held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Friday, April 29 and the funeral service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to: Trinity United Methodist Church Missions Fund 800 2nd Ave. Opelika, Alabama, 36801; to Wounded Warriors, or the East Alabama Food Bank. JOHNNY MACK PRINCE Johnny Mack Prince was born in Tallapoosa County. A graduate of Opelika High School in 1966. Also a graduate of Opelika Technical school with a degree in electronics. Four years of military service in the Air Force. Following his military service he started his 36-year career with South Central Bell, Bellsouth and later AT&T. He was a network manager at the time of his retirement. Johnny Mack (as he’s known) is preceded in death by his father Howard Prince, mother Minnie Prince, stepmother Maud E Prince. He is survived by one Brother Curtis Prince (Cindy), Son Thomas Prince (Melissa) 4 Grandchildren Tyson, Tyler, Drew, and Lexi. Close family Jimmy Powell (Mona) and several cousins, friends, and coworkers. Johnny Mack loved the outdoors, gardening and small engine repair. He loved to take something someone threw away and make it run again. You could find him every evening on his patio enjoying the shade staring at his garden and all the cars passing by. He loved to socialize and talk about days of old. He was a lifetime member of the Elks lodge and American Legion 29. You could find him there most evenings from 2 to 4 socializing with friends. He made a huge impact on his family and friends and will surely be missed!! As his son he was my whole world and leaves a lasting legacy!! Johnny Mack Prince gained his wings peacefully at 4:17 on April 25, 2022, surrounded by family and loved ones. A visitation was held Thursday, April 28, 2022, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. DAISY BELLE WILLIAMS A funeral service was held for Mrs. Daisy Belle Williams Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 11 a.m. CST at The Tabernacle in front
of Williams Chapel in Little Texas, Alabama. Family and friends are welcome to visit beforehand beginning at 10 a.m. CST. Interment followed at 3 p.m. EST in Park Hill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia. Brother Robert Spratlin officiated. Paul Bearers were David Williams, Jake Williams, Allen Bednar, A. J. Bednar, Henry Foxx, Chris Roberts, Lamar Ledbetter and Cliff Buford. Daisy was born to the late Pearl Caudle and Mantus Hughes on July 6, 1937, from Benson, North Carolina and passed on April 23, 2022. She was married to her husband, David L. Williams Sergeant Major, for 68 wonderful years. David and Daisy, longtime residents of Little Texas, had two boys whom she raised while her husband served in the Vietnam and Korean War. She is survived by her husband, David L. Williams Sergeant Major. Two sons, Davey H. Williams (Luwanda) of Cataula, Georgia and Danny R. Williams of Little Texas. Grandchildren: David C. Williams (Melanie) of Cataula, Georgia, Kathryn E. Bednar (Allen) of Dallas, Georgia, and C.
Williams (Michelle) of Macon, Georgia. Great Grandchildren: Jake and Tucker Williams, Dylan, Elijah, Jeremiah, Little Dil, soon to be Rose Williams, and A.J. Bednar. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed. The family requested that in lieu of flowers to please donate to an animal shelter in her name.
JOAN ANDERSON BOOTH Joan Anderson Booth passed away suddenly on April 26 at the age of 84. She is survived by her loving husband
and life-long companion of 59 years, James Edward Booth. He is also survived by her son Jeb (Lisa) Booth, two grandchildren (whom she guided, laughed, adored, and made amazing
appetizers with) Cole and Rylee Booth; and many extended family and friends in North Carolina, Colorado, Florida and Alabama; and her loving Tonkinese cat Rama. A native of Williamstown, Massachusetts, Joan attended Vassar College, Williams College and graduated from Chatham University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1994, Joan and Jim ultimately settled into their beautiful home in Alexandria, Virginia. The benefits of Joan’s education were bestowed upon The National Jewish Research Center and Hospital in Denver, where she was an incredible fundraiser for nearly 30 years. Her gift for conversation, curiosity, and connection served her so well that they coerced her to come out of retirement to work for an extra couple of years. Joan loved to read, travel the world, and entertain. Her travels took her and Jamie on safari in Africa, across the waters in the QEII, to Russia, all of Europe, South America, and so much more. She and Jim traveled to more places than most people dream about. Oh, and the museums! Joan did love her museums!
Joan’s social gatherings were just as fun as her travels and filled with delicious Hors-d’oeuvres, fascinating conversations, exciting guests, and much late-night laughter. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The View at Alexandria House in Alexandria, Virginia. A memorial event will be held on Martha’s Vineyard for family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to The American Heart Foundation. Please note that your donation is in memory of Joan. Joan Booth Heart Association at www2.heart.org/ site/TR/FunRaiser/ General?px=24016286& pg=personal&fr_id=3930 ––––––– JOHN MERVILLE PATTERSON John Merville Patterson was born to the late Pauline Weitz Patterson and Charles Patterson in Bedford, Ohio, on June 24, 1936. He passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2022 at the age of 85. John will be remembered by his See OBITUARIES, page A15
A13 May 5, 2022
Without an Empty Tomb, the Wheels Come Off Our Faith
WALTER ALBRITTON
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RELIGION — hirty-five years ago I bought a Ford 8N Tractor and a bush hog. My sons and I used it to cut grass on our 10-acre plantation. Actually. the primary
tractor driver was my wife, Dean. She dearly loved using that little farm tractor. Years later, after selling eight of our ten acres, one acre at a time, we sold the tractor and bush hog because it was no longer needed. To connect the bush hog to the tractor, we used a linchpin. A linchpin may be used as a locking pin that can be inserted in the end of a shaft, such as an axle, to hold a wheel in place. Linchpins are not a recent invention. Centuries ago, the Celts used an iron and bronze linchpin to secure
the wheel of a chariot to the fixed axle. The word has taken on new meaning in today’s language and is frequently used to mean “a central cohesive element.” Christians, for example, may assert that the resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of Christianity. Without the foundational belief that Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God, the wheels come off the Christian faith. Christianity without an empty tomb is a fraudulent religion. Without an empty tomb, the New Testament makes no sense.
Our faith in Jesus Christ hinges on this central reality — Jesus was raised from the dead. Had there been no resurrection of Jesus, there would have been no New Testament. There would have been no church born at Pentecost. There would have been no great witnesses, like Peter and Paul, whose primary message was that Jesus was the Messiah whom God had raised from the dead. The resurrection was the cohesive truth of their passionate preaching. Without a doubt, the disciples believed it. They
had seen Jesus crucified. They knew his dead body had been entombed. Unbelieving at first, their skepticism vanished when the risen Christ appeared to them, ate with them and invited them to touch his wounds. Not one of them spoke of having seen a ghost. Convinced that He was alive, they saddled up to “go make disciples.” All of us grapple with the fact that we shall die. I know I will die and at my age, I know my death will be soon and not late. Though the joy of living is precious
to me, I settled the matter of my death some years ago. I settled it and found peace the day I decided for myself that the tomb was empty. My life has never been the same since the day I believed that “because He lives, I too shall live.” His gift of eternal life has already begun. God’s reward for my decision is a living hope in his unfailing love, a hope that is held securely in my mind and heart by the linchpin of Christianity — the resurrection of Jesus. He is alive. Hallelujah!
Village Christian Church To Celebrate World Labyrinth Day PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER AUBURN — Village Christian Church will host a local celebration of World Labyrinth Day on Saturday, May 7. Built by dozens of volunteers in 2006, the large outdoor labyrinth at Village is a scale model of the labyrinth inside the cathedral at Chartres, France. It was laid out to scale by professors
from Troy University. Open to the community every day, the labyrinth is in the church meditation garden at 700 E. University Dr. in Auburn. On May 7, all are invited to bring a picnic lunch and eat in the prayer garden. EVENTS: • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Yin Yoga in the pavilion with Elizabeth Hill, YRT, CMT, instructor at the Yoga
Room. Limited number of mats and props available on first-come, first-served basis. Donations welcome and will be donated to the East Alabama Food Bank •12:30 to 2 p.m.: Chapel, Resource Table and Guides available • 1 p.m.: Walk as One with World Labyrinth Day World Labyrinth Day is an international annual event founded by
The Labyrinth Society in 2009. Every year on the first Saturday in May, thousands of people around the globe participate in World Labyrinth Day as a moving meditation for world peace and celebration of the labyrinth experience. For more information, visit www.worldlabyrinthday.org and www. villagechristianchurch. weebly.com/.
CONTRIBUTED BY WATOOLA UMC LEE COUNTY — It’s almost here — the 46th annual Barbeque at Watoola United Methodist Church in Opelika. This year's event will be held on Saturday, May 14. Food will be served between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Plate cost $10 with proceeds going towards church improvements. Your plate will be filled with homemade Brunswick stew and coleslaw, bread, dill pickles and some of the cooked onsite, slow-roasted and pulled chicken or pork barbeque. Baked goods
will also be for sale on the day of the event. You may eat in the fellowship hall or take your plate with you. The whole church family works together preparing for this yearly event. Each family uses Gertrude’s Brunswick Stew recipe and Billy’s Barbeque sauce recipe which have been favorites for generations. Hardy Watooleans work the barbeque pit through the night with more than 650 pounds of fresh whole hams and 350 halves of fresh chicken. Everyone comes together to make homemade coleslaw and bring in their favor-
ite desserts for the bake sale. Everyone is welcome to come and see the new sanctuary that was rebuilt after the tornado that swept through Beauregard. Back in 1838, Watoola United Methodist Church was established on Watoola Creek. In 1905, a church was built on the present site. That church building was destroyed on March 3, 2019, when an EF4 tornado went through
the area. The fellowship hall was not damaged, and the church was able to continue having services there until they were able to rebuild and open the present sanctuary in November of 2020. The rebuilding was done with the help of the church family, the local community and donations from as far away as Illinois and Maryland. Watoola UMC will be forever grateful for the generous outpouring of love and support that helped the church rebuild. Rev. Keith Badowski is the present minister. Watoola United Methodist Church is located at 1370 Lee Road
38, Opelika. Travel about 13 miles south on Alabama Highway 51 and look for a sign directing you to Lee Road 38. Turn left onto
OBITUARIES>> From A13
Pre-Need Services Available Call 334-749-8700 for an appointment. Your Full-Service Funeral Home
wonderful outgoing personality, kind-hearted service to others and legacy of making and giving away wooden crosses. He never met a stranger and loved spending time with friends and family, particularly around huge bonfires by the lake. Next to spending time with his family, his favorite thing to do was making crosses which he passed out to anyone that wanted one– sending many with loved ones to college, new cities and friends, as well as hundreds more on mission trips around the world. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church for many years until poor health prevented his involvement. His other love was Compassionate Friends, an organization that meant so much to him after the death of his daughter. John and his wife Carolyn enjoyed 37 years together, traveling with friends and family, having many adventures camping with grandchildren who knew and
PHOTOS CONTIRBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Watoola United Methodist Church's Annual Barbeque
Lee Road 38 and follow this road to the church. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the great barbecue and fellowship time.
loved him as “Poe” or “Grandpa.” He was preceded in death by his children Carolyn Yvonne Patterson and Alan Scott Hill, his sister Martha Patterson Longfellow and niece Kathy Longfellow Byers. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Gamble Patterson; children, Dale Patterson, Paul Patterson (Lisa), Elizabeth Hill Slay (Mark); grandchildren, Joe Patterson, Christine Patterson Theil, Rachel Slay Brown (George), Emily Slay Walters (Clayton), Erin Slay-Wilson (Andrew) and Jack Slay (Katherine); greatgrandchildren, Yvonee and Elisha Theil, Chip, Huey and Bo Brown; brothers ,Paul Patterson (Mary) and Gordon Patterson (Alice); nephews, Paul Longfellow (Cheryl) and John Longfellow, and niece Lisa Longfellow Tucker. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika with a visitation at 10 a.m. and a service to follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make any desired gift to Trinity United Methodist Church, Christian Care Ministries or the charity of your choice.
A14 May 5, 2022
Celebrating the Blessing of Mothers
BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
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ne of the greatest blessings God ever gives us is our parents (I recognize there are parents who aren’t blessings, but I’m not speaking of them other than to say it’s sad that they often get the lion’s share of attention). We come into
this world completely vulnerable, totally dependent and aren’t able to make it completely on our own until (usually) sometime in our third decade of life. Who is it that feeds, clothes, supports and takes care of us? Well, you know the answer to that. So much of what we are is due to our parents and their unwavering presence and support in our lives. As I look back on my years at home, I can see countless ways in which God blessed me through my parents: they taught me responsibility, disciplined me when I needed it, lived out their values,
encouraged me in the ministry — the list goes on and on. And like many kids, there was a rough patch of rebellious years as I went from dependence to independence that pains me to think about even now. Fortunately, I didn’t stop there and eventually, I reached the stage of interdependence (none too soon for Dad and Mom, I’m sure). I was blessed in that I had plenty of opportunities to tell my parents how much I loved and appreciated them, and I did my best to take advantage of them. As a parent, I’ve also been on the other end, and know
that when one of our children tell me something along these lines … well, there’s not much in this life that means more. Mother’s Day is this Sunday. You need to make sure your mother knows it. It’s good for you. It’s good for her. It’s good for all of us. And husbands, giving your mother the attention she so richly deserves does not exempt you from honoring the woman who is the mother of your children. This should have been covered in Husband 101, but I’m constantly amazed at the number of men who say, “I didn’t do anything for my wife for Mother’s Day
— she’s not my mother.” If you really want to teach your children to honor their mother, then start by showing them how it’s done. Years ago, Bear Bryant did a commercial for the phone company where he talked about how the coaching staff encouraged the players to keep in touch with their families. At the end, he asked, “Have you called your mama today?” Then Bryant added these words on his own: “I sure wish I could call mine.” I hear you Coach, I hear you. You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.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 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:12
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, Auburn (334) 749-4184
Got Questions? Come Study With Us
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT CUNNINGHAM DRIVE 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.
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
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 500 N. 10th St.,
METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika
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
“EXALT THE LORD WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US” Colossians 2:6-7 71st NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Thursday, May 5, 2022 12 noon Lee County Courthouse Square Rain site- 1st Baptist Church 3:16 Center- Ave. C Broadcast live on Halleluiah 1520 AM & Praise 88.7 FM NON DENOMINATIONAL PRAYER & PRAISE GATHERING ALL INVITED
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Email: editor@opelika observer.com Call: 334-749-8003
A15 May 5, 2022
COMICS
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
A16 May 5, 2022
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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: MAY 10 AT 6 P.M. AUBURN: MAY 10 AT 6 P.M. OPELIKA: MAY 17 AT 4:30 P.M.
OHS Track & Field Heads to State PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL
OHS Amidst Postseason Pushes
T
16.47 - Niya Walton - 4th 300 METER HURDLES 51.53 - Makiah Paschal 11th 55.09 - Dasja Kier 17th 56.91 - Violett Alcorn 18th HIGH JUMP 5-0 - Kyndall Brundidge - 2nd 4-10 - Haley Sanders - 5th 4-8 - De’leah Huntly - 9th LONG JUMP 15-4.75 - Kyndall Brundidge - 8th 15-4.5 - Niya Walton - 9th 15-1 - Morgan Watts 11th TRIPLE JUMP 35-1.5 - Morgan Watts - 3rd 35-1.5 - Niya Walton - 3rd 33-10 - Kyndall Brundidge - 8th POLE VAULT 8-0 - Sabrina Jeri Hansen DISCUS 84-3 SB - Kasman Mos - 4th 70-3 - Trinity Rooks 10th JAVELIN 87-1 - Emma McSpadden - 7th 85-8 - Kasman Moss - 8th 77-2 - Lizavia Edwards - 10th SHOT PUT 32-0 - Ashanti Thomas - 2nd See SPORTS, page B2
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS @OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Opelika boys and girls outdoor track & field teams
are heading to Gulf Shores this Thursday through Saturday to compete in
the AHSAA 4A-7A State Championship. See DAWGS, page B3
Beulah Softball Secures Area Championship, Eyes Deep Playoff Run PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — he Opelika High School girls’ and boys’ soccer teams, softball team and girls’ and boys’ track and field teams are the only spring sport teams still participating. Opelika’s track and field teams participated in the AHSAA Sectional Meet last weekend at Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham. The Lady Bulldogs finished second as a team and qualified for the state meet in Gulf Shores, Thursday through Friday. The following are results for the OHS girls team: 200 METER DASH 26.58 - Haley Sanders - 6th 400 METER DASH 59.82 - Indiana Holloway - 7th 1:03.18 - Makiah Paschal 17th 1:04.06 - Kaylee McIntyre - 19th 800 METER RUN 2:31.96 - Breckin Gould - 11th 2:38.53 - Paola Torres 15th 2:41.34 - Margaret Bice 16th 1600 METER RUN 5:39.67 - Breckin Gould - 8th 5:51.78 - Margaret Bice 10th 5:55.92 - Paola Torres 11th 3200 METER RUN 11:47.49 - Breckin Gould - 6th 100 METER HURDLES
BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER
BEULAH — At the beginning of every season, high school softball
teams from all parts of Alabama share a common dream: winning a state
championship and bringing See BEULAH, page B3
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B2 May 5, 2022
OHS Golfer Inks Scholarship
Westridge Park Gets New Turf PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
New field turf has been laid on one of the softball fields at Westridge Park in Opelika. Westridge Park, located at 1600 Covington Ave. in Opelika, houses Opelika's recreational baseball, softball and miracle league fields, along with two playground areas and an outdoor walking track with fitness stations.
Opelika High School senior Blake Culver signed a golf scholarship to Point University on Thursday, April 28.
New OCS Superintendent Seymore Meets Community PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
Current principal of Opelika High School and new Opelika City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Farrell Seymore, gathered with city leaders and residents at Opelika Library on Thursday for a meet and greet with the community. Seymore is taking over for Dr. Mark Neighbors, who served in the superintendent role for the last 15 years and announced his retirement earlier this year.
SPORTS >>
FROM B1
31-8 - Cherdi Daniels - 3rd 27-6 - Kasman Moss - 8th The OHS boys finished first for the eighth consecutive season and qualified for the State Meet in Gulf Shores, Thursday through Saturday. The summary of the boys are listed below. BOYS ATHLETE PLACE SECTION RESULTS 400 METER DASH 50.98 - JaClarence Perry - 4th 52.05 - Kaden Cooper 11th 53.27 - Brennan ReeseWilliams - 17th 800 METER RUN 2:04.88 - Kyrian Moss - 9th 2:05.91 - Michael Hart 10th 2:10.86 - Sam Washburn 12th 1600 METER RUN 4:30.41 SB - Charles
Brewer - 5th 4:54.64 SB - Bryce Turnham - 15th 110 METER HURDLES 15.52 - Tykell Thomas - 1st 15.78 - JaClarence Perry - 3rd 16.03 - Theo Hubbard - 4th 16.08 - Theo Hubbard - 6th 300 METER HURDLES 40.66 - JaClarence Perry - 1st 42.76 - Theo Hubbard - 5th 43.59 - Tykell Thomas - 9th HIGH JUMP 5-8 - Davian Jones - 2nd LONG JUMP 21-5.25 - Davian Jones - 4th 18-8.5 - Kaden Cooper 18th 18-5.75 - Charles Hodge 20th TRIPLE JUMP 45-5.5 SB - Davian Jones - 1st
42-11.25 - Kaden Cooper - 2nd 41-1.25 - Anthony Edwards - 8th POLE VAULT 10-6 - Benjamin Royal - 3rd 10-6 - Dontarius Alvis - 4th DISCUS 143-2 - Ajaden Parham - 2nd 136-7.5 - Mikeil Heard - 4th 124-3.5 - Marquavian Johnson - 5th JAVELIN 142-3 - Anthony Edwards - 7th 139-1 - Marquavian Johnson - 8th 113-7.5 - William Garner 17th SHOT PUT 47-9 - Mikeil Heard - 1st 44-6 - Marquavian Johnson - 3rd 40-9 - Anthony Edwards 8th. SOCCER Opelika’s girls’ and boys’
soccer teams advanced to the second round of the AHSAA soccer playoffs last week. The Lady Bulldogs (14-4) received a bye to the second round, while the boys beat Park Crossing (7-0) to advance. The Bulldog boys shut out the Thunderbirds at the W James Samford Soccer Complex last week. Said Rujuana led the offense, scoring two goals. Jake Campbell, Dexter Graham, Moe Forbes, Charlie McCullough and Nathan Faison scored one goal apiece. Assists were recorded by Rujana (two), Luke Roberts, Jacob Gamble, Graham and Campbell. Both teams played Tuesday night at the W James Samford Soccer Complex at the Sportsplex. The Bulldogs boys team has been playing without starter George Meyers since she suffered a concussion against Smiths Station three weeks ago. Meyers played Tuesday
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against McGill-Toolen in a 7-0 loss. The girls' also lost to McGill-Toolen, 3-2, resulting in the end of Opelika's season. OHS SOFTBALL The Lady Bulldog softball team hosted the Area Tournament this week at West Ridge Park in Opelika. The girls won the Area regular season title, therefore earning the right to host the double-elimination tournament. The final two teams advance to the Sub-Regional playoffs. OHS SPRING FOOTBALL Opelika head football coach Erik Speakman started spring practice this week. The Bulldogs have 15 weekdays to practice, 10 days including the scrimmage. The Bulldogs will play a Red vs. Black scrimmage game to complete spring. This is the fifth spring practice for Speakman as head coach. He is 3614 in four years as the
Bulldog head football coach. WEST RIDGE SOFTBALL COMPLEX The city of Opelika, with support from Mayor Gary Fuller, approved $750,000 to turf the two girls softball fields at West Ridge. Crews are working seven days a week trying to complete one field and begin on the second field. If you have not seen the progress, the field looks incredible. When both fields are completed, OHS and the city of Opelika will have two state-of-the-art softball fields. D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Youth Boys State Director.
B3 May 5, 2022
McCreary Selected No. 35 to Tennessee Titans AUBURN — Former Auburn defensive back Roger McCreary was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas Friday, hearing his name called by the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 35. The only Auburn player drafted in all seven rounds of last weekend’s draft, McCreary heads to Tennessee after a first-team All American campaign in which he helped anchor the Tiger secondary. The 6-foot-0-inch defensive back started 12 games for Auburn in 2021, tallying 49 tackles, one interception and 16 passes defended. Those marks were enough to earn McCreary a semifinalist nomination for the Bednarik Award (which goes to the country’s top college defensive player).
For his career at Auburn, McCreary totaled 135 tackles, six interceptions and 32 pass breakups. McCreary entered this year’s draft as one of the top secondary prospects, with the only question marks deriving from his slender frame and short arms. However, McCreary said on a conference call after his selection that the competition he played against in the SEC will help him be prepared for the next level. One of the receivers he matched up against last season, Traylon Burks of Arkansas, was
also selected by the Titans at pick No. 18. “The SEC, I feel like that is the best conference underneath the NFL, and it prepares you for the next level,” McCreary said. “Going against the great receivers week in and week out, that’s why I feel like I was one of the best corners in the draft, because I have played against the best, from Henry Ruggs (of Alabama) to Ja’Marr Chase (of LSU) to DeVonta Smith (of Alabama) and to Treylon Burks — that’s a lot of guys. I feel like having that
PHOTOS CONTIRBUTED BY TODD VAN EMST / AU ATHLETICS
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
under my belt and playing in the SEC — that is why my confidence is so high going to the next level.” Despite playing most of his college career on the outside, some have suggested that McCreary’s best fit in the NFL, due to his smaller size, would be as a slot cornerback (someone who covers the inside receivers). McCreary said he doesn’t know what the
Titans have planned for him yet, but he’s confident his physicality and versatility will be an asset to the organization. “I feel like I can come in and do great with my skill set,” McCreary said. “I am a corner who can play man, I can play zone, too, and I know I can play nickel, too, and I can go out to the corner. Going into the system, (if) they
want me to play at both positions I look forward to playing both positions. “(The Titans) haven’t told me my exact role, they are just happy they chose me because of the player I am — the corner that I am — a physical guy who can adjust to the system. They love everything about me, and they know that I am going to come in and do great.”
Top Transfer Broome Officially An Auburn Tiger CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS AUBURN — One of the Top 10 transfers in the country, Johni Broome (pronounced JOEnye, like dye), has officially signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Auburn men’s basketball program for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The 6-foot-10-inch, 235-pound forward is a transfer from Morehead
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The boys qualified by winning their sectional meet in Mountain Brook last weekend; the girls finished second but did enough for several athletes to qualify for state. Although the boys’ team had won all but one of its current classification sectional meets in years prior, Head Coach Jimmy Johnson refrained from pushing high expectations on his student-athletes and instead opted for a more lighted approach. “I really don’t try to set many expectations,” Johnson said. “I’m looking for all the kids to hit new personal best. That was my goal for them. I always tell them, it’s not how
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glory to their school; for most groups, securing a title is just that, a dream. The reality of the matter is that some groups are talented, others are destined and a select few walk the line between those two categories. For the Beulah softball program, 2022 has been a season of both talent and destiny; following the conclusion of this week’s area championship tournament, the Bobcats are area champions and have a clear road to the big dance placed at their feet. According to Head Coach
State, where he played and started in all 34 games of the season as a freshman. Broome led the Eagles in scoring (16.8 ppg), rebounding (10.5 rpg) and blocks (3.9 bpg). His 131 blocked shots were a MSU single-season record and the third most among NCAA Division I leaders in the category behind Auburn’s Walker Kessler (155) and Western Kentucky’s Jamarion Sharp (148). He also shot a team-best
55.5% from the field and finished in the top five nationally with 23 double-doubles — the second-most in school history. Broome recorded a career-high 32 points in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship game and brought down a career-best 18 rebounds versus Belmont on Jan. 20. “Johni fits the profile,” said Auburn Head Coach Bruce Pearl. “He is a great kid and comes from a great family. Extremely hard
worker. He has a strong back-to-the-basket game that we will take full advantage of. What’s also exciting is that he has the ability to face up and guard all five positions on the floor. He moves well for his size. Assistant Coach Steven Pearl did an outstanding job building trust and a relationship with Johni. It played a key factor in Johni’s decision.” Broome received numerous postseason accolades including Ohio Valley
Conference Defensive Player of the Year, All-OVC First Team and OVC AllTournament Team honors. He was only the second player in program history to earn conference DPOTY honors. The Lou Henson All-American Team selection was also named a finalist for the Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Lou Henson Mid-Major National Player of the Year Award. A native of Plant City,
Florida, Broome played his first two seasons of high school basketball at Plant City High School before transferring to Tampa Catholic High School. There, the firstteam all-state player led the Crusaders to the 5A state semifinals twice and was tabbed 2019-20 Hillsborough County (Fla.) Player of the Year. He comes to Auburn with three years of eligibility remaining.
we start, it’s how we finish … and sectionals and state are how we finish.” OHS is sending about 32 athletes to state, according to Johnson, with the numbers split near evenly between the girls and the boys. While Johnson and the rest of his staff of course wish every athlete could make the trip, the leader of the Bulldogs remains proud of how each individual represented Opelika at sectionals. “Even the ones who didn’t qualify for state hit a personal best,” Johnson said. “It wasn’t a guy or girl that we looked at and said, ‘if you would have done what you did in the regular season you would have been fine.’ They went to sectionals and did more than what we expected
of them.” With a short turnaround before the state meet begins on Thursday, Johnson said the team is focusing on recovery this week. “Preparation from this week is trying to recover from last week,” he said. “Sectionals was a big undertaking for a lot of those kids. A bunch of them had two, three maybe even four events. Doing that in the course of two days is a lot on them. This week is just trying to get their legs back under them. By the time we get to gulf shores we will have about an hour or hour and a half to practice on the track and get familiar with that … that will be a little more of a demanding practice.”
Leading into the season finale, Johnson remains firm on his stance of subsiding expectations. He emphasized the priority is still to have fun, but added that, despite the alluring location on the Gulf’s beaches, it will take focus to reach the team’s ultimate goals. “Winning is fun, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But it’s a business trip. If those kids go out there and are able to do stuff that they really didn’t think was possible, we are going to focus on doing what we got to do at state and try to get as many state champions out of as many individual event that we can and hopefully be able to bring one home for the team.” Having worked with
many of the athletes over the course of their high school careers and throughout this season’s indoor and outdoor track & field schedule, Johnson is looking forward to watching the student-athletes bare the fruit of their labor. “Some of them are going to state for the first time,” Johnson said. “I have seniors and juniors going for the first time … and they stuck with it, stuck with the process, stuck with everything I have been trying to teach them. I had some kids that were on the edge, and I was like, ‘if this kid ever gets it together, they might be special.’ So just watching them get it together and start turning into the student athlete we know they could be
is the biggest thing for me.” Regardless of how the results of the weekend turn out, Johnson, the girls’ team head coach Jonathan Fischer and the rest of the coaching staff have enjoyed watching the student-athletes grow and hope to continue making memories that will last a lifetime. “Being a coach, you are able to watch the [student-athletes] grow and develop into young men and women,” Johnson said. “High school sports and high school is great when you are doing stuff like this. Those memories are stuff you will never forget. Its’ something you can tell your kids about. You made it, now let’s have fun — winning.”
Stan Pepper, the black and gold still have plenty of work to accomplish before they’re ready to compete on the highest stage. “We’re trying to get better every day,” Pepper said. “We’re still not where we want to be, but I don’t want to be where we want to be right now. We’ve got two more weeks to practice and to play games.” The Bobcats’ skipper noted that his group still has time to correct their minor mistakes before navigating the toughest portion of the schedule. “We’re looking to peak in two weeks,” Pepper said. “If you go to bed at night and you feel 100 percent
comfortable, that’s really not a good thing. You’ve always got something you can work on.” Beulah’s road to getting better begins with the basics: conditioning for and adapting to the rapidly changing Alabama weather. “We’ve got to get in better shape,” Pepper said. “This weather is turning hot and I can tell it affects some of our girls. We’ve got to do a better job of getting into shape and taking care of our bodies.” Apart from a certain uptick in cardio and the continued work in the weight room, Pepper will also be helping his squad in adapting their approaches at the plate, given that hits are about to become
even more scarce. “Hitting is always an issue this time of year,” Pepper said. “We’ve just got to go back and hone in on our bats; we’re doing some things technically that we can correct, we’ve just got to go back and concentrate on them.” Pepper’s critical attention to the Beulah bats is likely an effort to provide continual run support to the highly-touted duo of Katie Morris and Brandy Phillips, who have manned the circle throughout the spring. “We’ve got a pretty good pitching staff,” Pepper said. “With (Morris) and (Phillips), I’m hoping that’s the trend for the remainder of the year. With both of them pitching
as well as they are, we should have a chance in games that we’re going to have to play here in the future.” When given the opportunity to speak on his group’s game plan going forward, Pepper referred back to what has been the Bobcat’s mantra throughout 2022: one pitch at a time. “Literally pitch by pitch,” Pepper said. “These games that are coming up, the little things are going to be the difference between winning and losing. It’s literally pitch by pitch, hit by hit and run by run. I know that’s coach speak, but coaches speak the truth sometimes.” The leader of the black and gold is keenly aware of the
challenge that lies ahead of his group; there is no wavering in confidence. “There’s some good teams out there,” Pepper said. “There’s some teams that — if we make it where we want to make it — are going to make it a very challenging time for us, but we’ve faced challenges in the past. When we’ve done what we’re able to do, we’ve been very successful.” With the area championship behind them, crunch time has officially arrived for the Bobcats of Beulah high school; the Observer will continue to keep up with the group as they navigate the waters of the ASHAA playoffs.
B4 May 5, 2022
Dawgs Soccer Seasons Ends PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
The Area Champion varsity girls' and boys' Opelika soccer teams were in action Tuesday night in the second round of the AHSAA 6A Playoffs. The boys won their first-round matchup last Thursday night against Parks Crossing of Montgomery, 7-0. The girls received a bye as the No. 1 seed. On Tuesday, the girls were eliminated by McGill-Toolin, 3-2. The boys were also eliminated with a 7-0 loss to McGill-Toolin. The quarterfinal third round of the AHSAA 6A Playoffs take place Friday and Saturday.
Beulah Bashes Area Competition
PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER
The AHSAA Class 3A Area softball tournament concluded this week with the Beulah Bobcats emerging as champions. The Bobcats finished with a 36-6 record and now head to the regionals beginning on Tuesday, May 10
B5 May 5, 2022
Auburn Soccer Shines in First Round of Playoffs BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER
I thought we did a really nice job. Their only goal we kind of created. It’s a moment we can learn from and move on.” When the blue and
celebrate in the moment. “To come in and to win, and to win convincingly and to play to our strengths, it’s great,” Ferguson said. “Just the
Unlike the girl’s group, Ferguson’s guys were faced with a defense which proved a much more recognizable barrier than Dothan provided
going to get plays and get there.” Although content with the job his team was able to do in terms of getting themselves out front on the scoreboard, the manager noted his pleasure in the Tigers’ defensive approach when it came to keeping their opponents at bay and on their toes. “We’re really strong across the back,” Ferguson said. “We’ve got great leadership, senior captains, goalkeeper and center back.
white returned to the field following the halftime intermission, it became clear that Ferguson’s group had no desire of slowing down; Auburn jumped back on the board within two minutes of returning to play and tallied its final goal just a handful of possessions later. According to the leader of the program, the commanding victory provides a much-appreciated block to build upon as well as something to
positive energy, seeing their smiles, that’s what it’s all about. Just to put in the work and see it actualize on the pitch is awesome.” A win for the ladies in blue and white was merely the beginning of what proved to be a night executed to perfection for Ferguson and the rest of the Auburn soccer program; the men’s team picked right up where their counterparts left off, defeating Enterprise by a tally of 3-0.
in the program’s first game, limiting the Tigers to just a pair of goals in the first half, despite remaining on the defending end of the field for the majority of the first 40 minutes. “That’s certainly the challenge,” Ferguson said. “When you go in at half 2-0 up and you want to make sure that you come out and keep your foot on the throttle, continue to do the things that work, sometimes when you score and do
PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — The AHSAA playoff soccer season is officially underway in Auburn, and the hometown Tigers of Auburn High School are seemingly poised to keep their hometown fans interested throughout the postseason; both the men’s and women’s squads delivered impressive victories over their respective opponents in Monday night’s opening round home contests. Auburn’s evening was off to a strong start from the moment the ball was kicked off; the lady Tigers notched a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes of play and placed a trio of balls in the back of their opponent’s net in the first half alone, eventually handing the visiting Tigers of Dothan a 5-1 defeat. Head coach Bill Ferguson was pleased with his group’s offensive approach throughout the contest. “I thought we did a good job of putting
(Dothan) under pressure,” Ferguson said. “We were putting dangerous balls in dangerous positions and believing that our playmakers are
so quickly, the challenge is not going so direct.” According to the Auburn manager, the Tigers remained committed to one another despite making offensive adjustments on the fly. “Once we settled down and were able to pass and find balls through the middle instead of skipping them midfield, that provided a lot of the clear chances,” Ferguson said. “That helped us out a lot. It was a great adjustment (the team) made.” In the latter portion of the first-round contest, the blue and white found a way to bury yet another goal on the Wildcat defense; the three-goal lead proved necessary when junior Jeremiah McDade was issued a red card for contact with an Enterprise attacker, leaving the hometown Tigers to play the final 23 minutes with just 10 players on the field. “Any playoff game is an emotional game,” Ferguson said. “Sometimes, in this sport, you get an See SOCCER, page B7
Glenwood Going to State Semifinals PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER
The varsity Glenwood Gator baseball team (38-5) advanced to the AISA Class 3A State Semifinals on Friday with two wins over Tuscaloosa Academy. In the first game, the Gators emerged victorious with a 10-3 win. Brandon McCraine was the winning pitcher; Aaron Burton, Ty Smith and Jaxon Milam led the way on offense. In the second game, Glenwood continued to keep the bats hot and, despite allowing six runs, emerged with a 13-6 victory. Jacob Page earned the win on the mound and McCraine, Milam, Burton and Lukas Holman led the way offensively. The Gators took on Morgan Academy Wednesday in the state semifinals, but results were not available come press time.
B6 May 5, 2022
Miracle League Knocks Final Game Out of the Park
PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
The miracle league of East Alabama, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for persons with cognitive or physical disabilities to play baseball, wrapped up its 2022 season with a final game and team party/trophy day on April 30. Each member of the two teams, the Braves and the Angels, received a trophy for their participation this season.
AHS Soccer Secures Second Round Berth
PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER
Both the boys' and girls' Auburn High School varsity soccer teams advanced to the second round of the AHSAA Class 7A state playoff on Monday night. The boys dispatched Enterprie, 3-0, and the girls handled Dothan, 5-1. For more information on Auburn soccer, turn to B5.
B7 May 5, 2022
Auburn’s Art Museum Exhibiting Guitars by Alumni, Faculty, Students AUBURN — “FretHaus,” a guitar exhibition combining art, design and function, is on view at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University through July 31. For the first time, the museum is partnering with the School of Industrial and Graphic Design in Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction on the exhibition content, design and programming. Students in the 2022 senior thesis design studio conceptualize, prototype and ultimately produce fully functional guitars with a rock-n-roll edge. The exhibition also features work from Professors Rich Britnell and Keith Medley — a professor of practice, master luthier and product development manager for Gibson Guitars — and creations from previous years’ studios. The title combines the word fret, a common guitar component, with the
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interpretation of a very quick even that ends up going against you; sometimes, it can feel very unfair. When it is (unfair), it’s tough to control your emotions.” Although certainly a turning point in the contest’s dynamic, McDade’s penalty was merely the tip of the iceberg when it came to flaring tempers throughout the second half. Freshman Coan Park was issued his team’s second red card just 14 minutes later,
German word "haus" to echo the term Bauhaus, an influential art school founded in 1919 in Weimar, Germany. Auburn’s nationally ranked Industrial Design program is rooted in the subsequent modern movement. Students taught by original Bauhaus faculty members established the Auburn program in 1945, making it one of the oldest in the country. “Guitars are built on tradition,” said Britnell, who directs the studio in the School of Industrial Design. “FretHaus is here to break that. Tradition often lacks innovation. As industrial designers, our purpose is to innovate.” Whether a musical instrument, a product or a service, all industrial designers conceptualize before exploring materials. They revise and problem-solve for optimal appearance, functionality and manufacturability. “The program also fosters collaboration,” Britnell said. “Students gain real-life experience by working with Professor Medley and other repre-
sentatives from companies such as Gibson Guitars and EMG Inc.” Cindi Malinick, the museum’s executive director, said university collaborations that support instruction, research and outreach are top priorities leading into the museum’s 20th anniversary in 2023. “With this exhibition, we invite the industrial designers as co-learners alongside the museum team,” Malinick said. “As the cultural heart of a public research university, we seek to work alongside all colleges, no matter the discipline, to experiment and support the fluid exchange
leaving the Tigers outmanned 11-9. Auburn’s defensive group stepped up in the biggest way possible: completing the shutout. “I was proud that — even going a man down — we didn’t concede one in the second,” Ferguson said. “That was big.” Given the intense nature of playoff soccer — and considering the heightened tension between the two teams — Ferguson said he was pleased by his group’s ability to persevere and complete the win. “To recognize the
moment, to know that’s beyond our control now, we have to control everything in front of us [and] I thought they did a great job,” Ferguson said. “I thought our captains led well. It’s all about these guys.” With a pair of firstround wins behind them, the Tigers will all go back to work tomorrow — both in the film room and on the pitch — as the girls prepare to take on Fairhope High School and the boys' squad gears up for Davidson High School on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
PHOTO BY MASON WILLIAMS / USED WITH PERMISSION
CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY/CHARLOTTE HENDRIX
Celebrating 31 Years
of ideas.” Adam Kennedy of Charlotte, North Carolina, developed his concept from observing musicians on stage and noting a solution. “The concept was to create a modular guitar that would eliminate the need for multiple guitars on stage by allowing for interchangeable pickups,” Kennedy said. “This idea came to me watching live shows and seeing two- to three-minute intervals to change guitars and settings when the time could be reduced to almost 30 seconds.” Kennedy’s guitar finish
is a collage of posters by Wes Wilson, who designed iconic artwork for the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. “Museum visitors will see insightful, playful, technical and futuristic creations and the artist’s words and inspirations,” Malinick said. “We are sure the exhibition will prompt broad thoughts and conversations, including which guitars are surprising and what materials reveal about the artist and our culture.” Located on Auburn University’s campus at 901 S. College St., the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is open free of charge from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Tuesdays through Sundays, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Auburn University’s art collection includes mid-20th century American modernism, Mexican modernism, contemporary prints and photographs, works on paper depicting the South, ceramics and Southern visionary art. Donations to the museum are made through
the Auburn University Foundation. For more information, visit www. jcsm.auburn.edu or call 334-844-1484. Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.
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B8 May 5, 2022
Take Me Out To the Ball Game
I
BETH PINYERD
love the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Take me out to the crowd, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, I don’t care if I never get back. It was written by Jack Norworth in 1908 and has had fans singing the lyrics ever since. As spring approaches in Opelika, Auburn and Lee County, I hear the echoes of our citizens cheering their teams on in the early evening hours. April 27, 2022, is recognized as “National Babe Ruth Day!” Babe Ruth Jr., an American household name in baseball, had a famous
and lengthy career that spread over 22 seasons in Major League Baseball. He played for three teams and became one of the greatest hitters after starting out as a pitcher. One of the best ways we can honor Ruth on this special day is to go out in the back yard or park, take our children and families … and play ball. Opelika has some of the most beautiful trees. In fact, in 2018, Opelika was named 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to urban forest management. The very first Arbor Day was celebrated in 1594
in Mondonedo, a village in Spain. This holiday came to America 300 years later by J. Sterling Morton, a journalist and editor of a Nebraskan newspaper. A good family activity to do on this day is to plant a tree in your yard or neighborhood. This is a good time for your children to learn all about trees. Teaching young children to properly plant and care for trees is a good time to learn facts and information about trees. There will be close to 50 countries celebrating Arbor Day. We want to be good stewards of this world that God has given us. The more trees we have, the better the environment and our planet will be. Saturday, April 30, is National Honesty Day. This holiday gently encourages citizens to be honest in their personal, individual and professional lives. As parents, it is so important to model honesty in front of our children. Young children understand this at different stages of cognitive development. Don’t punish a young child to tell the truth if he/she doesn’t understand the truth. In early childhood, the habit of not telling the truth can start as early
as toddlerhood or preschool. This is why it is so important as parents and teachers for us to take the time to sit down and teach young children the importance of being honest. This, of course, depends on their age in being able to understand what telling the truth is. Why do children not tell the truth? This is the time we need to sit down and spend oneon-one time in getting to the root and bottom of why our children may lie. Let’s examine our expectations of a child as a parent and teacher. Children want to please their parents and teachers. Are our expectations too high for our children? Do they fear getting into trouble if they have done something wrong? As a teacher, I much prefer to have an honest C, D or F on a young student’s test rather than a dishonest A because they may have cheated or lied. Being themselves helps us as parents and teachers to help them right where they honestly are. These are things for us to consider in helping to teach and mold our children to do what is right. Also, is the child just wanting their way and they lie? This is where we as parents and
teachers can engage the child in the truth of the matter and encourage them to think of helping others. Don’t embarrass a child in front of other children or family if you have caught them in a lie. Have a spot in your home where you and your child can face each other and come to the truth about a circumstance or situation. Hug them and hold them as you prompt them to tell the truth. Too, role playing with your children to tell the truth is a very good way for them to understand that even little white lies can hurt other people and themselves. This coming Sunday is is May Day. I remember it like it was yesterday. As a young student in Opelika, at Northside Elementary, we celebrated May Day by dancing around the May Pole with different colored ribbons. As an early childhood teacher, I have taken the May Day celebrations into my early childhood classroom from dancing around May Poles, to making May Day hats and baskets out of simple paper plates. May Day fun can be adopted at home and the neighborhood too.
NOW OPEN
While celebrating May Day, let’s don’t forget that Sunday, May 1, is National Lemonade Day. A cold, frosty glass of lemonade is so very easy to make and enjoy. How many of us remember the good old lemonades and tables we would set up in our yards and in our neighborhoods to sell as a child’s summer business. I remember people stopping to buy lemonade for a dime or quarter from my hand-made concession stand. We fellowship and celebrate around a good glass of Lemonade. Mother Goose Day is on May 1, too. Mother Goose is an imaginary author of a collection of both French fairy tales and a collection of English nursery rhymes. We all love to recite these nursery rhymes by heart. “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”, “Mary Had A Little Lamb”, “Wee Willy Winkle”, etc., are all time favorites through the years. Nursery Rhymes aid in language development as children learn to recite each poem. I hope these few suggestions help you to celebrate and enjoy each day. Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd
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L ee County & A labama Politics
B9
Nov. 24, 2021
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Inside the Statehouse Richard Shelby – Alabama’s Greatest U.S. Senator
STEVE FLOWERS
O
OPINION — ur iconic senior United States Sen., Richard Shelby, turns 88 this week. Shelby is in the waning months of his monumental career in the Senate. He will end his tenure at the end of this year after 36 years in the U.S. Senate. Shelby is one of the most influential senators in Washington. His prowess at bringing federal dollars to our state from Washington is unparalleled in the annals of Alabama history. Indeed, Shelby may go down in American history as one of the greatest procurers of federal dollars funded to their state from the U.S. Treasury. He may only be surpassed by the late Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia. There is not a city or county in Alabama that has not benefitted from Shelby’s seniority and power. Every major university has received additional federal dollars for development and new buildings. He has literally transformed the University of Alabama. An entire section of the massive campus has a cadre of buildings, mostly science, technology and engineering that are or should be named for him because he brought the money from Washington to pay for them. UAB is one of the premier research and medical institutions in America because of Shelby. Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing and most prosperous high-technology cities in America due to the influence of Shelby. The largest FBI facility in America has been moved from Washington D.C. to Huntsville, Alabama, under
the direction of Shelby. In his last hurrah, Shelby essentially has brought immense federal funding to completely rebuild and deepen Alabama’s port in Mobile. His last years have been spent chairing the United States Senate Appropriations Committee. However, during his illustrious career, he has also been chairman of the Banking Committee, the Intelligence Committee and the Rules Committee. There has never been, nor will there probably ever be, an Alabama U.S. Senator to reach the pinnacle of power of Shelby. It should be noted that Shelby served with distinction and effectiveness in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight years prior to being first elected to the Senate in 1986. In my 2015 book "Of Goats and Governors, Six Decades of Colorful Alabama Political Stories," I have a chapter entitled “Alabama’s Three Greatest Senators.” The chapter includes Lister Hill, John Sparkman and Shelby. If I were writing that book today, Shelby would be alone as the greatest. Folks, that is saying a lot. Hill and Sparkman were giants in Washington and tremendous ambassadors for Alabama. Both Sparkman and Hill served for 32 and 30 years, respectively, in the Senate with austere distinction. They served in tandem for more than 20 years and were respected giants on Capitol Hill. Our HillSparkman team was unsurpassed in power and prestige from 1946 to 1970. They were admired not only in Alabama but throughout the nation. Hill was considered one of the greatest U.S. Senators. He was a statesman and the ultimate southern gentleman. He was chairman of the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee, as well as a ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. He was known as the father of most of America’s rural hospitals through his authorship and stewardship of the Hill-Burton Act. See FLOWERS, page B12
Planning Commission Recommends Zoning Changes BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Opelika Planning Commission voted to send recommendations on the zoning ordinances to the Opelika City Council during its meeting last week. The changes included Section 7.3.A District Regulations and Section 7.7 Downtown Residential Living. Previously, there were 16 units per acre allowed in the density dwelling units per acre in the C1 zone. The planning commission previously proposed 36, however, the Opelika City Council asked the planning commission to reevaluate that. The planning commission voted recommending 28 units per acre during the meeting.
Dwelling units per acre is often higher in downtown than other areas because you don’t have to deal with as much parking or smaller building footprints, said Planning Commission Chairman Lewis Cherry. “We feel like 16 units, which is what’s allowed in most other zones in the downtown, does not meet the density residential requirements for our downtown area, so we’re recommending this be moved up to 28 units per acre,” Cherry said. The other change includes how the bottom floor of a business can be used, meaning residential or business. While Cherry said that they would still like to see the majority of bottom floors used for businesses, rather than residential, some changes needed to be made.
“In many cases in our downtown, especially on the first floor we have either alley access, we have corner access, it doesn’t necessarily make so much sense to be so limiting on how those units are occupied on the first floor, provided that the frontage is still non-residential,” Cherry said. “… As we continue to grow and expand downtown, we would prefer, from a city standpoint, to push our commercial spaces in the heart of downtown, based on these recommendations. “And so we still see that there is still a fairly good bit of usable space in the current downtown that we feel should be prioritized for first-floor commercial, rather than other spaces.” The planning commission also voted to recommend changes to uses in See COMMISSION, page B12
Opelika City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Ordinance Changes BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER
OPELIKA — The Opelika City Council accepted a proposed ordinance for advertising for a public hearing. The proposed change to the city's ordinace would amend section 7.3a “area requirements” to provide that the maximum number of dwelling units per acre in the C-1 District is 28; to amend subsections D and D of Section 7.7 to provide revised development and design standards for buildings and structures located in the C-1 district. (See the Planning Commission article above
for more details on these ordinance changes.) PROCLAMATIONS Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council presented Lela Lofton, the widow of former council member Robert Lofton a proclamation declaring May 2022 as ALS Awareness month in memory of Robert. The council also presented Dr. Mark Neighbors, current superintendent of Opelika City Schools, with a proclamation recognizing him for his service to the school system. Neighbors will be retiring at the end of the current school year. The council also issued a proclamation to the
Opelika Bicycle Advisory Committee declaring May 2022 as "Bike Month". OTHER BUSINESS - The council tabled an updated request from Opelika Main Street for the "Grillin on the Tracks" event to be held Aug. 27. until further information can be collected. - The council approved a bid for the city-wide striping project No. 22015. - The council approved a bid for the general roadway improvements project No. 22014. - The council approved a bid for the city-wide asphalt See OPELIKA, page B16
ROBERT HAM is running for
Lee County Commission District 4
Ham has lived in Lee County since 1973, as a servant for the people of District 4. When the 2019 Beauregard Tornados devastated the county, he took seven months off work to help his community. Ham’s list of accomplishments and service in the community include: Co-Founder and current Board Member of Mercy Medical Co-Founder and current Board Member of Northridge Shelter for Women Current Board Member of Talladega Hall of Fame Museum Co-founder of Friends of the Community Past President and Treasurer of Lee County Kawana’s Board Member of Alabama County Commission Association Conservative Christian
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“I am very pleased to have served as your county commissioner for the past 12 years and would enjoy serving you for four more years. If you have any problem that I can help you with, please call me at 334-319-0691.” — Robert Ham.
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B10 May 5, 2022
Do You Win or Lose? Surprises Loom Large Over Elections – Part 1
GREG MARKLEY
A
OPINION — s a political writer or as a student of politics, I have observed political candidates in the last few weeks of a campaign, and especially on election days. The excitement and self-doubt is best explained by a quote of Yogi Berra, former catcher and manager for the New York Yankees. Yogi once said: “Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.”
polls, etc. In part one of a two-part series, I show where elections were impacted by surprises such as the sudden death of a family member, an “under the radar” write-in campaign, a terrorist attack and a funeral that was more partisan pep rally than a solemn occasion. In 1968 in Rhode Island, Republican Gov. John Chafee was in a tough battle for reelection but was expected to win a fourth two-year term. In October, his 14-yearold daughter Tribbie died in a horse riding accident. Chafee, as anyone would, halted his campaign for two or three weeks, to mourn. His opponent took a week off
In a prelude to Election Days 2022, politicians should try to be optimistic. Pay attention to the physical side: diligently checking your “ground game,” arranging cars and drivers to the
from campaigning but spent the last week or 10-days on the hustings. Chafee’s halting his campaign for a few weeks contributed to his narrow loss of the governorship. Another cause was that after having an anti-(state) income tax platform, he admitted that Rhode Island’s finances were so awry that this tax was truly needed. But the popular moderate Chafee resurrected his career in 1976, winning a U.S. Senate seat that he would keep until he died 23 years later. Steve Flowers, Alabama’s preeminent political columnist, recalls a “hidden” writein campaign for state Sen. Lowell Barron in 1983 that was indeed a “November surprise” to almost everyone. It is included in the 2018 book, “Of Goats and Governors: Six Decades of Colorful Alabama Political Stories.” A federal court ruled that a reapportionment was necessary because the current one discriminated against black voters. The State Democratic Executive Committee skipped primaries and appointed its own candidates for the General Election. Barron’s
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name was not listed as a Democratic nominee. He was furious, soon focusing like a laser on winning reelection by write-ins. “A fire started in voters,” Barron explains. “It was one of those uprisings by people who thought their votes had been taken away from them and our job was to remind them their vote had been snatched away by an undemocratic Democratic Party. At meetings, I would look dejected: The election couldn’t be about me … it had to be about them having their votes stolen.” To prevent Democratic leaders from learning about Barron’s plans and thus reacting, the write-in effort was announced just three weeks before the General Election. Television spots promoting it began eight days before the election. Emphasis was put on voters’ learning how to spell “Lowell Barron” as write-ins correctly. Barron won approximately 7,500 votes to 5,100 and this amazing victory remains part of Alabama’s political lore. Natural and manmade disasters are crises that lead to postponed elections.
On Sept. 11, 2001, six hours after the first airplane crashed into a tower at the World Trade Center, NewJersey.com reported that “New York City’s primary election was called off today after the terrorist attack at the Twin Towers.” A judge charged with overseeing the election called it off because of the “massive confusion” it caused. Primaries for mayor and city council were held on September 24. In November, billionaire Michael Bloomberg was elected mayor. He was behind Democrat Mark Green in the polls on 9/11, but a strong endorsement from Rudy Giuliani pulled him to victory. Giuliani’s admirable leadership of the city during 9/11 likely helped elect Bloomberg. In 2002, less than two weeks before the U.S. Senate election, incumbent Democrat Paul Wellstone, 58, was among eight people killed in a plane crash in northeastern Minnesota. Wellstone had a small lead in polls when he died. Former Vice President Walter Mondale replaced Wellstone on the Democratic ticket, and was ahead by 6% in polls days before the
election. Norm Coleman, the former mayor of Saint Paul, was the Republican candidate. He took a surprise victory, by 2.2%. It was widely believed that Mondale lost at the last juncture because Democratic leaders who spoke at Wellstone’s funeral presented purely “political” speeches and direct advocacy of issues that was better off withheld. In part two, I look at how the Chicago Blizzard of 1978 got underdog Jane Byrne elected as mayor. Also, how George Wallace engineered his wife Lurleen’s gubernatorial victory in 1966. Plus, how Confederate flag zeal defeated Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes in 2002. Yogi Berra, the famous baseball manager, had another quote which fits well here: “It’s not over until it’s over.” 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 13 years. gm.markley@charter. net
B11 May 5, 2022
B12 May 5, 2022
COMISSION >>
FROM B9
downtown to include/exclude some businesses. Warehousing space, for instance, is not optimal in the downtown area, Cherry said. “I know this is all tied back to a development that y’all saw and granted conditional use approval on,” Cherry said. “I will say that we have had some further discussions with the developer there. They are continuing to look and review what they’ve submitted to y’all
and see how they can best work with the city to make changes based on feedback from city council and citizens.” The items were opened to the floor for a public hearing and one resident, Ashley Smith, asked if there would be conditions allowed for units per acre to go higher than 28. She said that at the current standard of 16, there are conditions to allow for 20. She said that changing the first floor to residential also allows for more units. “Having commercial
property is there for a reason,” she said. A second citizen, Joyce Newland, requested that information regarding zoning be made available in a way that the average citizen can understand. Additionally, she said that the lingo used during meetings isn’t understandable to citizens listening. The vote passed, with two commission members voting against the recommendations. The recommendations will appear before the city council for final vote.
FLOWERS >>
FROM B9
He also was the father of our crown jewel, UAB Medical Center. Sparkman was a U.S. Senator from Alabama for 32 years. He, like Hill, served a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives prior to his Senate career. Sparkman was chairman of the Banking Committee, which also oversaw housing. He was the author of all housing legislation,
including creating HUD. Sparkman is also the father of the space and rocket development in Huntsville. In fact, Huntsville would probably be more appropriately named “Sparkmanville”. Sparkman was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 1952. Shelby has continued Sparkman’s and Hill’s legacy by sustaining our crown jewels of Huntsville Space and
Rocket Center and the UAB Medical Complex in Birmingham. Shelby has left an indelible mark on our state that will be felt by Alabamians for generations. 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. Flowers may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
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LifeSouth Discuss Blood Donation with Kiwanis Club
The speakers during last week's Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting were Maggie Blaedow and Malinda Hinds from Lifesouth Community Blood Center. They spoke on the importance of donating blood. Next week (May 12), the speaker will be Larkin Jones from the Alabama Small Business Development Center.
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B13 May 5, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL May 17, 2022, 7:00 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with §23-4-2, Code of Alabama, 1975, that the City Council of the City of Opelika will conduct a Public Hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to receive the benefit of public input concerning a proposal to vacate a portion of the right-of-way of South 10th Street. All persons interested in the proposed vacation are invited to appear at the public hearing and express their views. Written statements or objections may be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the time of the hearing. The portion of South 10th Street proposed to be vacated is more particularly described as follows: A portion of Lot 11, Block 48, of Totten’s Official Real Estate Map of Opelika, Alabama, as recorded in Plat Book 2, Page 9, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, described as follows: Commencing at a ¾” square rod at the northeast corner of Lot 10, Block 48 of Totten’s Map, in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, said point being on the southwesterly right of way line of Geneva Street; thence S15°30'31"E, along said right of way line, 83.72 feet to a pair of ½” pipes side-by-side, bent; thence S37°03’01”W, 2.41 feet to a broken 6” square concrete monument and the True Point of Beginning of the Parcel of Land herein described; thence, continuing southwesterly along said right of way line, being a curve concave northwesterly, and having a radius of 25.00 feet, an arc length of 12.35 feet, a chord bearing of S23°16’03”W, and a chord length of 12.23 feet to a ½” rebar set with a cap marked LS18677; thence continuing southwesterly along said right of way line, being a curve concave southeasterly, and having a radius of 50.00 feet, an arc length of 52.03 feet, a chord bearing of S7°36’44”W, and a chord length of 49.71 feet to a ½” rebar set with a cap marked LS18677; thence, leaving said right of way line, S67°48’13”W, 66.99 feet to a ½” rebar set with a cap marked LS18677 on the northeasterly right of way line of 10th Street; thence, along said right of way line, N42°08’52”W, 72.59 feet to a ½” rebar set with a cap marked LS18677; thence, leaving said right of way line, N75°19’24”E, 126.27 feet to the True Point of Beginning. Being further described according to and as shown on that certain survey or drawing prepared by Mark L. Miller, Registered Surveyor, attached hereto and marked Exhibit “A”. A copy of the Petition to Vacate and the proposed resolution approving the vacation will be available upon request at the office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor of City Hall, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. DATED this the 14th day of April, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC RUSSELL A. JONES, CITY CLERK Legal Run 4/14/22, 4/21/22, 4/28/22 & 5/5/22 ------------NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE WHEREAS, default has been made in the terms of the mortgage executed on the 8th day of March, 2021, by Minnie Elaine Martin, as mortgagor in favor of Linda Bolt, as mortgagee, as recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Mortgage Book No. 4699, at Pages 738 742, and said default continuing, the mortgagee, under power of sale contained in said mortgage will sell at auction for cash to the highest bidder on the steps of the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, Alabama on Tuesday, the 17th day of May, 2022, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate embraced in said mortgage, situated in Lee County, Alabama, to-wit: A tract or parcel of land designated as Lot 2-B2 containing 1.99 acres of land with all improvements thereon as shown on that survey dated 10-08-2020 of the Property Subdivision for James Bolt Redivision of Lot 2 Redivision of Lot 2-B, Section 16, Township 20N, Range 29 East Lee County, Alabama and being of record in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in Book 44 at Page 67. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN "AS IS,
WHERE IS" BASIS, SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVEDESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Said sale is made for the purpose of foreclosing of said mortgage, paying the mortgage debt, the costs and expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney's fee. Mortgagee reserves the right to bid on the subject property. Said mortgage is a first mortgage and is not junior to another mortgage of record. Said sale is also subject to unpaid taxes or assessments whether of record or not. _/s/ Linda Bolt______ Linda Bolt, Mortgagee Charles M. Ingrum, Jr. Attorney for Mortgagee 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, AL 36801 Legal Run 4/14/22, 4/21/22, 4/28/22 & 5/5/2022 ------------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 The Beulah Athletic Park Concession and Restroom building located at 11099 Lee Road 379, Valley, AL 36854 and The Beauregard Athletic Park Concession and Restroom building located at 480 Lee Road 431, Opelika, AL 36804 for the Lee County Commission, owner, 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: Foresite Group, LLC 2128 Moores Mill Rd., Suite C, Auburn, AL 36830 WHATLEY CONSTRUCTION, LLC / CONTRACTOR P.O. BOX 137, OPELIKA, AL 36802 Legal Run 4/14/22, 4/21/22, 4/28/22 & 5/5/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHARLOTTE REED WARD, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2022- 200 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Emma Ward Morris, on the 11th day of April, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Emma Ward Morris, Personal Representative Legal Run 04/21/22, 04/28/2022 & 05/05/2022 ------------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, May 13, 2022 at 1:00PM CST Jakacia Smith - Unit 1222 3300 Boromville Rd Hurtsboro, AL 36860 couches, beds, bed frames, dressers, misc furniture 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 04/28/2022 & 05/05/2022 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY SUE
CRAIG, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2022-225 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 21st day of April, 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. ROBERT C. CRAIG Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 4/28/22, 5/5/22 & 5/12/22 ------------In the Matter of the Estate of Arowneter Grant, Deceased Case No 2021-734 NOTICE OF APPOINTMETN OF ADMINISTRATOR AND NOITCE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters of Adminstration of the Estate of Arowneter Grant, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned, Everna Moss, on the 19th day of April, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. /s/ Enverna Moss Enverna Moss, Administrator Legal Run 4/28/22, 5/5/22 & 5/12/22 ------------Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. BEST 4 LESS will be auctioning off The below mentioned vehicles on MAY 25, 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 334705-0000. 3A8FY48B08T125474 – 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Legal Run 04/28/22 & 05/05/22 ---------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT CLYDE WELDON, deceased CASE NO.: 2022-241 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Jennifer Coker, Personal Representative on the 28th day of April, 2022, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Jennifer Coker Legal Run 05/05/2022 ---------------ORDINANCE NO. 011-22 ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN PROPERTY INTO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (Property located on the west side of Lafayette Parkway) WHEREAS, William B. Lowe, Jr., and Mary Susan Haines (hereinafter referred to as the “Petitioners”) being the owners of the property hereinafter described, heretofore filed a Petition for Annexation (the “Petition”) with the City of Opelika, Alabama, a municipal corporation, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, requesting the annexation of certain property owned by the Petitioners as more particularly described below; and WHEREAS, the Petitioners are the owners of all of the lands described in their Petition; and WHEREAS, the territory to be annexed is contiguous to the existing corporate limits of the City of Opelika (substantially surrounded by the City limits) and does not embrace any territory within the corporate limits of another municipality, and when annexed into the City of Opelika will form a homogenous part of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Opelika did find and determine that it is in the best interest of the public that said property be annexed into the City of Opelika and it did further determine that all legal requirements for annexing said real property have been met pursuant to Sections 11-42-20 through 11-4224, Code of Alabama (1975). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama as follows: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Opelika, finds and declares, as the legislative body of the City of Opelika, that it is in the best
interest of the citizens of the City of Opelika, to bring the territory described in Section 2 of this Ordinance into the corporate limits of the City of Opelika. Section 2. The following described property be, and the same is hereby annexed into the corporate limits of the City of Opelika, Alabama, and the boundary lines and corporate limits of the City of Opelika, Alabama shall be extended, altered and rearranged to include within the corporate limits of the City of Opelika, in addition to the territory now included therein, all the following territory, to wit: Beginning at the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of Section 19, Township 20 North, Range 27 East in Lee County, Alabama; thence N88°26’09”E, 2125.60 feet to the southwesterly right of way line of Lafayette Parkway (U. S. Highway No. 431); thence S34°51’32”E, along said right of way line, 260.73 feet, more or less; thence, leaving said right of way line, S69°50’11”W, 2378.50 feet, more or less, to the ½-section line of the said Section 19; thence N2°24’43”W, along said ½-section line, 976.66 feet, more or less, to the True Point of Beginning. Said Parcel of Land lying in Section 19, Township 20 North, Range 27 East in Lee County, Alabama, and containing 31 Acres, more or less. The above-described property contains 31 acres, more or less, and is located on the west side of Lafayette Parkway near Cusseta Road and Lee Road 168. Section 3. A map or plat of a survey describing the territory annexed and showing its relation to the corporate limits of the City of Opelika shall be attached to this ordinance, marked Exhibit “B” and made a part hereof. Section 4. The Clerk of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed to file with the Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, a certified copy of this ordinance, together with a certified copy of the petition of the property owners and the Clerk is further directed to take all necessary and proper steps to perfect the annexation of said territory herein described. Section 5. This ordinance shall be published as provided by law in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Alabama. Section 6. The territory described in this ordinance shall become a part of the corporate limits of the City of Opelika upon publication of this ordinance as set forth in Section 5 above. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 3rd day of May, 2022. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 4th day of May, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 4th day of May, 2022. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK LEGAL RUN 05/05/2022 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 010-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-161 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA BY CHANGING THE TIME OF THE REGULAR MEETINGS AND WORK SESSIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendment. That Section 2-161 of the Code of Ordinances (the “Code”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama, is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 2-161 Meetings (a)Regular meetings. Regular meetings of the city council shall be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. In the event any regular meeting shall fall on an official city holiday, such meeting shall be held on the following Tuesday. All meetings shall convene at 6:00 p.m. in the courtroom of the Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. All meetings, regular and special, shall be open to the public. (b)Work sessions. Work session meetings shall be held immediately prior to regular City Council meetings at 5:30 p.m. Additional work sessions may be established by majority vote of the City Council. (c)Special meetings. Special meetings shall be called as provided in Code of Ala. 1975, § 11-43-50 and according to the following provisions: (1) The president of the city
council may call for a special meeting. (2) The mayor may request the president of the council to call a special meeting. Such request shall be in writing and shall state the purpose and time of the special meeting. Such request shall be signed by the mayor. (3) Two members of the city council may request the president of the council to call a special meeting. Such request shall be in writing and shall state the purpose and time of the special meeting. Such request shall be signed by the councilmembers making the request. (4) If the president of the council refuses to call a special meeting at the request of the mayor or two councilmembers, the president of the council shall notify the mayor or the two councilmembers of the denial of the request. After such notification, or if the president fails to notify the mayor or the two councilmembers within 24 hours of the request, the mayor or the two councilmembers making the request may then call for a special meeting. (5) No special meeting or emergency meeting shall be called unless the appropriate notification can be provided to the public in accordance with the Code of Ala. 1975, § 36-25A-3. (d)Change of meeting date. In the event it becomes necessary to change the date of any regularly scheduled meeting or work session, the Council shall provide public notice in accordance with Code of Ala. 1975 §36-25A-3.
Section 2. Severability Clause. If any section, sentence or phrase of this ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, said holding shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section 3. Repealer Clause. All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with this ordinance are repealed. Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on June 1, 2022. Section 5. Publication. The City Clerk of the City of Opelika, Alabama is hereby authorized and directed to cause this Ordinance to be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 3rd day of May, 2022. /s/Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 4th day of May, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 4th day of May, 2022. /s/Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK LEGAL RUN 05/05/2022
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USES” TO PROVIDE THAT A DUPLEX IS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE R-4 AND R-4M DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USES” TO PROVIDE THAT MAUSOLEUMS, COLUMBARIUMS AND CREMATORIUMS ARE CONDITIONAL USES IN THE GC-P AND THE GC-S OVERLAY DISTRICTS PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendment of Section 7.3C of the Zoning Ordinance. That Section 7.3C (“Uses”) of the Zoning Ordinance is amended as follows: (a) That the use categories of “Duplex”, “Mausoleum”, “Columbarium” and “Crematorium” in the pertinent portion of the matrix table be and the same are hereby amended to read as follows:
(b) That footnotes 7, 8 and 9 are added at the end of the matrix table to read as follows: 7 On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary designation, a mausoleum shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a cemetery. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P as a primary use or accessory to another use. 8 On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary or Secondary designation, a columbarium shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a cemetery or church. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P or GC-S as a primary use or accessory to another use. 9 On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary designation, a crematory shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a funeral home. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P as a primary use or accessory to another use. Section 2. Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, said holding shall not effect any other section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance which is not in or of itself invalid or unconstitutional. Section 3. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law. Section 5. Publication. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. Section 6. Codification. Codification of this Ordinance in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the __day of ___, 2022 END All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing. Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability. WITNESS my hand this the 5th day of May, 2022. /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA LEGAL RUN 05/05/2022
B14 May 5, 2022
Auburn Approves Downtown Target BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN — Target is coming to downtown Auburn. 129 North College Fund, LLC, is taking a portion of north college street and redeveloping it into a target and 32 housing units, market-rate apartments. “The city of Auburn, in exchange for development in a key economic corridor and for adding new jobs and a new component to the tax base of the city, will remit to 129 North College Fund, LLC, for a period not to exceed 15 years, portions of certain sales and use tax to be levied and collected by the city,” said documents from the city. The city cannot
PUBLIC NOTICES >>
FROM B14
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 12491 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3A “AREA REQUIREMENTS” TO PROVIDE THAT THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE IN THE C-1
reimburse more than $2.5 million. $150,000 for the first 10 years and $200,000 for the remaining five. The Target will be roughly 19,200 square feet. The retail space will be where Quixotes and the University Inn Hotel used to operate. “The rebate will be used to offset costs incurred by the owner for the development of the 19200 sf retail space,” the documents said. Planning Commission documents said that the Target, and housing units, will be in line with the Downtown Master Plan. A lighted pathway will connect Wright Street Parking Deck and North College Street and more parking will be added. “The Master Plan of the City contains, among DISTRICT IS 28; TO AMEND SUBSECTIONS C AND D OF SECTION 7.7 TO PROVIDE REVISED DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES LOCATED IN THE C-1 DISTRICT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendment of Section 7.3A of the Zoning Ordinance. That Section 7.3A (“Area Requirements”) of Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, as further amended (hereinafter referred to as “the Zoning Ordinance”) is hereby amended so that the pertinent portion of the matrix table for “Dwelling Units Per Acre” shall read as follows: SEE TABLE ABOVE Section 2. Amendment of Section 7.7 of the Zoning Ordinance. That subsections 7.7C and 7.7D of the Zoning Ordinance are amended to read as follows: C. Development Standards. Dwelling units may be of the efficiency, studio, and one (1) bedroom, two (2) bedroom or three (3) bedroom
other things, the promotion of essential services for citizens living within the Auburn downtown core, one of which is convenient quality grocery store and related services, and the city believes the products to be offered by Target through its grocery store operations at the Development helps satisfy that need, while also providing additional commercial options to those and other citizens of the City,” documents said. “I’m just excited that we’re going to have a Target and we can now shop in Auburn if we want to shop at Target,” said Ward 3 Council Member Beth Witten. “And I commend the developers for your due diligence and your steadfastness in making sure that that parcel is developed in a
types. Each dwelling unit shall have its own independent kitchen, bathroom(s), and bedroom(s). In cases where the Planning Commission deems it necessary, it shall determine which rooms are designated as bedroom(s), kitchen, entrance ways, etc. Buildings within the C-1 zoning district shall be non-residential on the first floor unless otherwise permitted within this section through conditional use approval. Buildings located in the C-1 zoning district within the area from 1st Avenue to Avenue B and from South 7th Street to South 10th Street shall meet the following requirements: Minimum floor area requirements for commercial uses on the first floor (street level): A minimum floor area of forty percent (40%) of buildings on the first floor shall be reserved for commercial uses. The minimum forty percent (40%) floor area shall be located in the front portion of a building facing the primary street and front entrance into the building.
manner that is keeping with the growth in our community and bringing something that is needed to the downtown area, so thank you for that.” OTHER BUSINESS: - The Auburn City Council approved an alcohol beverage license for Tavern On The Trax. - The council provided a commendation for Auburn University SGA Director of City Relations
The rear portion of the first floor may be used as a residence. The resident occupying the rear portion of the building shall be limited to the property owner or the business owner of the said forty percent (40%) of the front portion of the building unless the residential and non-residential uses have separate entrances. A maximum width of six (6) feet of the front façade may be used as a private entryway to access the rear portion of the building used for residential uses. Conditional use approval is required. A floor plan drawn to scale shall be submitted designating at least forty percent (40%) of the front portion of the building as reserved for commercial uses. Buildings that have no direct frontage on a right-of-way are not required to have nonresidential uses on the 1st floor. Buildings located outside of the area from 1st Avenue to Avenue B and from South 7th Street to South 10th Street may be a single purpose residential or contain first floor residential subject to conditional use approval. Minimum requirements for commercial or residential uses on the second floor or higher in the C-1 zoning district: Residential dwelling units may occupy the second floor or higher of nonresidential buildings. The second floor or higher areas shall be designated nonresidential or residential by floor. No mixed uses are allowed on the second floor or higher floors of nonresidential buildings in C-1 zoning districts. Minimum floor area per residential dwelling on the second floor shall be four hundred (400) square feet. D. Design Guidelines. 1. Design plans for the structure shall be prepared and sealed by a registered architect or professional engineer and shall comply with all zoning requirements, the building code, and other applicable codes and regulations. 2. Prior to issuance of the conditional use permit, the applicant shall file copies of the design plans with the Building Official and the Fire Protection Official. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until the premises in question have been inspected and found by the Building Official and Fire Protection Officer to comply with the requirements of the zoning ordinance. 3. Properties located within a designated historic district shall follow the applicable design guidelines for that district. 4. Buildings shall be oriented with the primary entrance facing right-of-way adjoining the front property line. 5. Parking shall not be allowed between the front façade of the building and the right-of-way. Where parking does adjoin a right-of-way, landscaping or a short screen wall shall be installed. 6. All mechanical units, storage tanks, meters, grease traps, refuse bins, or service connections shall be screened so they are not visible from the right-of-way in front of the building. For buildings located on the corner, mechanical units, storage tanks, meters, grease traps and refuse
Anna Coker. - The council voted to authorize the 2021 Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report and submit it to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the H.C. Morgan Water Pollution Control Facility and the Northside Water Pollution Control Facility. - The council voted to approve a contract with
bins shall be screened to the greatest extent possible. Section 3. Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, said holding shall not effect any other section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance which is not in or of itself invalid or unconstitutional. Section 4. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law. Section 6. Publication. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. Section 7. Codification. Codification of this Ordinance in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the _____day of ____, 2022 END All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing. Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability. WITNESS my hand this the 5th day of May, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE; The Matter of Carmin Stephens NOTICE OF HEARING TO: Any relatives or interested parties Notice is hereby given that Lee County DHR has filed a Petition for Appointment of a Legal Guardian for Carmin Stephens. A hearing ahs been set for the 23rd day May,2022 at 10:00 a.m. central time, electronically via “ZOOM”. Please contact Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the hearing of the Petition for Appointment of a Legal Guardian for Carmin Stephens. BILL ENGLISH, Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 4/21/22, 4/28/22 & 5/5/22 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
the Alabama Department of Transportation for landscaping at Exit 57, the Lighting and Landscape Project. - The council voted to approve a contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation for maintenance agreements for warning devices and sidewalk improvements on South College Street for over $39,000. - The council voted to approve, in conjunction with the Auburn University Regional Airport and the city of Opelika, to support a letter of intent from the airport to the Federal Aviation Administration for the Airport Improvement Program for the runway safety area project. - The council voted to See AUBURN, page B16 ESTATE OF IDELLA C. RICHARDSON, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 13th day of April, 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 my hand and seal this the 13th day of April 2022. Ja’Tisha Sharmain Anderson Legal Run 4/21/22, 4/28/22 & 05/05/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF MARY SUE MCDOUGALD WATSON, DECEASED Case no.: 2022-216 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Eric M. Watson on the 15th day of April, 2022 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. ERJC M. WATSON Legal Run 4/21/22, 4/28/22 & 5/5/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of the Estate of Dorothy Draughn Elam, Deceased Case No. 2022-184 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters Testamentary on the Estate of Dorothy Draughn Elam, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 29th day of April, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred. David Lynn Elam, Jr., Executor Legal Run 5/5/22, 5/12/22 & 5/19/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of JAMES E. MYERS, Deceased Case No: 2022-243 Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by June G. Myers on April 27, 2022 pursuant to Sections 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 the Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent. BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 05/05/2022
B15 May 5, 2022
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B16 May 5, 2022
OPELIKA >>
FROM B9 paving project No. 22013. - The council approved expense reports from various departments. - The council approved a resolution to designate city property surplus and authorize its disposal. - The council approved emergency repairs on the interstate lighting poles and fixtures on the ramps of I-85 at exits 62 and 66 due to damage caused by accidents. - The council approved the purchase of 624 Toter 96 Gallon EVR II Universal/Nestable Carts for Environmental Services. - The council approved the annual authorization to levy tax on property within Opelika. - The council approved the annual municipal water pollution prevention (MWPP) reports for the East
and West sewer treatment plants. - The council approved the first amendment to the project agreement between city of Opelika, OIDA and Hanwha Cimmaron, LLC. - The council approved certain tax abatements and exemptions for Cumberland Plastic Systems, LLC. - The council approved certain tax abatements and exemptions for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC/Cumberland. - The council approved certain tax abatements and exemptions for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC/Daewon. - The council approved certain tax abatements and exemptions for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC/Hanwha. - The council approved an extension of tax abatement of sales and use tax for Yongsan Automotive U.S.A., Inc.
- The council approved a revised railroad agreement for crossing improvements on Anderson Road. - The council approved a resolution to authorize non-participant services contract with Electric Cities of Georgia, Inc. - The council approved a contract with Casey Chambley dba Chambley's Display Fireworks for the annual Opelika Freedom Celebration event. - The council approved a resolution authorizing the submission of five ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division) grant applications. - The council approved a request for approval of a special use permit with AT&T at 1981 Airport Road. - The council approved a request for approval of a special use permit with
AT&T at 1051 Douglas St. - The council approved an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances by changing the time of the regular meetings and work sessions of the city council. Starting with the June 7, 2022 meeting, the council will meet at 6 p.m. with work sessions being held prior to the council meetings. - The council approved an ordinance for the annexation of 31 acres located on Lafayette Parkway. The petition was submitted by William B. Lowe, Jr. and Mary Susan Haines. - The council introduced an ordinance for the first reading pertaining to the adopting a plan for the redistricting the council districts of the city of Opelika - The council voted to reappoint Eric Canada to the Opelika Utilities Board for a new term ending May 4, 2028.
AUBURN >>
FROM B14
approve a contract with Chambley’s Display Fireworks for July 4th for more than $20,000. - The council voted to approve a contract with D&J Enterprises, Inc. for a connector road, the Will Buechner Parkway for more than $6.6 million. - The council voted to approve a contract with Otto Environmental Systems (AZ), LLC for garbage collection fans for more than $69,500. - The council voted to approve a contract with Tiger Tree Experts, Inc. d/b/a Halls Tree Service for tree removal for $22,500. - The council approved a reciprocal easement agreement for various easements
for 129 North College Fund, LLC. - The council approved a temporary construction easement for Cornerstone United Methodist Church and Jerome and Cheryl M. Milner for the Hamilton Road Improvements Project. - The council approved a board appointment for the Greenspace Advisory Board. - The council approved an ordinance to update speeds on traffic control signs and devices for St. Michael Catholic School. - The council approved a drainage and utility easement vacation for Selby Enterprises, LLC. - The council approved a commercial development agreement for 129 North College Fund, LLC.
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