The Observer 06-29-2023

BY OBSERVER STAFF

OPELIKA —

The Observer and LIVE Lee Magazine brought home 33 awards in the annual Alabama Press Association Media Awards contest.

For the second year in a row, The Observer earned top honors by earning the Division D General Excellence award and the Most Improved award.

"I am just blown away by these awards," said Michelle Key, owner and publisher of The Observer. "The talent of the individuals that work here is just incredible. I am blessed to have the honor to work alongside them every day. God has blessed me with a great staff and I am thankful for them every day."

There are three components to the contest: editorial, advertising and magazine. The Observer and LIVE Lee brought home first-place awards in all three categories for a total of 14. Additionally, the two publications earned 19 second- and third-place awards. Magazine —

See AWARDS, page A3

BY 7 BREW

AUBURN —

7 Brew, the drivethru coffee concept revolutionizing the coffee industry, held a ribboncutting ceremony at 1625 E. University Drive Friday with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. With this opening, 7 Brew surpassed 100 locations nationwide. Striving to serve as a strong community advocate, 7 Brew Auburn donated $1,000 to the Auburn High School Marching Band.

“7 Brew’s mission is to cultivate kindness in our community,” said Hayden Holtgrewe, operations leader for 7 Brew Auburn. “We are excited to join the Auburn community, and even more excited to partner with the Auburn High School

Marching Band to present a check to celebrate our opening in Auburn.” Auburn High School Marching Band Director

Deanna Marshall attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to receive the donation from 7 Brew alongside the school’s pep band.

Summer of Fun — A5 |

“We are honored to receive this donation and excited to welcome 7 Brew to the Auburn

Your Photos

The newly opened 7 Brew coffee, located at 1625 E. University Drive, held its ribbon cutting on June 23, 2023. It also presented a check to the Auburn High School Marching Band for $1,000.

See 7 BREW, page A2

JOHN W. AND MARLENE E. MCCOLLUM

Lee County Names 2024 Distinguished Young Woman

were awarded among the 14 participants. Cate Herring of Auburn High School was named the 2024 winner and received the DYW winner’s medallion from

Opelika Main Street Names New Executive Director

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA MAIN STREET

OPELIKA —

Opelika Main Street is honored to announce the hiring of new Executive Director Melissa Munford-McCurdy.

Munford-McCurdy is a native of Camp Hill. She has worked for Allstate as a licensed sales manager for 17 years and was the previous Opelika Main Street board president for the last three and a half years.

“I am honored to continue to work with Opelika Main Street in this new role and look forward to [helping] with continuing the growth and evolution of our beautiful downtown,” Munford-McCurdy said. “Through new and existing partnerships and events, downtown can continue to be the place where people from all around can come to live, eat, shop and be entertained.”

Prior to becoming Opelika Main Street director, MunfordMcCurdy served as full-time sales manager for Allstate Insurance

Company along with several other hats that she wears in the community.

As a sales manager, Munford-McCurdy oversaw major increases in clients and growth in the company. Munford-McCurdy succeeds director Ken Ward.

ABOUT OPELIKA MAIN STREET Opelika Main Street helps Opelika thrive by promoting small businesses through

exciting events, projects and social media engagement. Founded in the 1980s, Main Street has helped assist in the revitalization of historic downtown Opelika through facade grants, beatification projects and various community events. Learn more about Opelika Main Street by going to www. opelikamainstreet.org.

Keely Rider, 2023 DYW of Lee County. Addison Wood of Auburn High School was awarded first runner-up, and Brantley Clegg of Auburn High School

was awarded second runner-up.

The Lee County DYW program awards two scholarships in each of the categories, including scholastics (25%),

interview (25%), talent (20%), fitness (15%) and self-expression (15%). The participants submit an essay on the

community,” Marshall said. “We appreciate 7 Brew's continued dedication to supporting local arts programs, especially as we gear up for our new halftime show next season.”

More than your standard coffee stand, 7 Brew offers over 20,000 unique drink combinations. From the

original Blondie, a caramel and vanilla breve, to 7 Energy, smoothies, shakes and teas, there is something for everyone at 7 Brew. The brand now boasts more than 100 stands across the country. The 7 Brew stand will add 50 jobs to the Auburn area. Those interested in joining the Brew Crew should apply at www.

southernbrew.7brewcareers. com.

ABOUT 7 BREW

7 Brew is a rapidly growing coffee brand that is revolutionizing how customers experience drive-thru coffee service and think about their morning energy boost. 7 Brew serves espresso-based coffee, chillers, teas, 7 Energy, sodas and more, all with an extra boost of kindness

from their team. The dream of 7 Brew came alive with the first “stand” in Rogers, Arkansas, and its seven original coffees. Now, 7 Brew boasts more than 100 stands across the country. For more information, visit www.7brew.com and follow 7 Brew on Instagram (@7brewcoffee), TikTok (@7brewcoffee), Facebook (facebook.com/7brewcoffee) and Twitter (@7BrewCoffee).

7 BREW >> from A1

The newly opened 7 Brew coffee awarded a check to the Auburn High School Marching Band. 7 Brew, located at 1625 E. University Drive, held its ribbon cutting on June 23, 2023.

Pictured left to right: Cate Herring, 2024 DYW of Lee County, and Keely Rider, 2023 DYW of Lee County

Pictured left to right: Cate Herring, 2024 DYW of Lee County; Addison Wood, first runner-up; and Brantley Clegg, second runner-up

MELISSA MUNFORD-MCCURDY

East Alabama Health News: Heroes for Health

CONTRIBUTED BY EAST ALABAMA HEALTH

OPELIKA —

East Alabama Health is making a difference. One employee is expanding healthcare in underserved regions. In another area of EAH, calcium scoring is saving lives.

LENDING A HAND, SERVING A PURPOSE: JOHNSON EARNS DAISY AWARD FOR HEALTH EQUITY

When Sutricia Johnson was in nursing school, she was told she would never graduate due to the color of her skin. Almost three decades since graduating on the dean’s list, her efforts to expand access to health care for the underserved in Opelika have earned her the DAISY Foundation Award for Health Equity.

The award came in May during a surprise ceremony at East Alabama Medical Center for Johnson, which was attended by her family, her pastor, members from her church and numerous nurses and hospital officials.

Since December 2022, Johnson has led the Neighborhood Mobile Wellness Clinic, a collaboration between East Alabama Health (EAH) and the city of Opelika to bring health care to those who do not have the means of reaching it. Under her leadership, the mobile

AWARDS >> from A1

which is only three years old — earned five awards, and the newly-launched podcast, The Lee County Listener, brought home one. Sam DiChiara, one of the podcast hosts, was in attendance at the ceremony representing both The Observer and LIVE Lee.

"Attending the APA awards ceremony was an honor, and a blast," DiChiara said. "I got to meet journalists from all over the state and soak in the excitement in the room.

Seeing the results of the competitions announced was fun, especially since The Observer won so many. It made me even more proud of all the people I work with to see the prestige our paper projects in Alabama."

Key Media's staff photographer, Robert Noles, had several photographs that were used in award-winning entries. He also won the Best News Photo for his photograph taken during the memorial event for the March 3, 2019, tornado victims.

"It is an honor to be recognized by my peers for my photography work," Noles said. "It is a greater honor to serve the people of Lee County, and thank you to everyone that allows me to photograph their events and the courtesy they give me and The Observer in recording and covering their stories."

John Hillsman, one of the photographers that often takes photographs

unit so far has provided over 250 health and wellness checks to more than 185 individuals.

“I said it when we launched the bus that Opelika means so much to me,” Johnson said.

“This role is not a charge for me; it is a calling. I think about what the Bible says: ‘When you’ve done it unto the least of these, you’ve done it unto me.’”

Johnson’s philosophy in regard to helping those around her comes from her faith. She said she believes that her calling to help others was predestined.

“God didn’t give us our gifts to hold them to ourselves,” she said. “He gave us those gifts so that we can be His hands and feet.”

For Johnson, the effort to expand awareness and access to health care isn’t confined to the walls and

for The Observer, said that he was shocked that his photos had won an award.

"To say that I was shocked when I received the telephone call from Michelle that my photos, taken during multiple performances of the East Alabama Community Ballet’s 2022 production of the Nutcracker that she assembled into a photo essay, had been awarded a first place honor from the Alabama Press Association for the second consecutive year is an understatement," Hillsman said. "I am most humbled to have my work receive this prestigious recognition. Most importantly, I am grateful for the opportunity to have my photos published in both [The] Observer and LIVE Lee Magazine. I am so pleased to have the opportunity to be a small part of the outstanding and enduring accomplishments being made by all facets of the Key Media team."

Staff writer Kendyl Hollingsworth had two magazine features that won first-place awards.

"I was so excited to learn that two of my magazine pieces earned firstplace awards,” Hollingsworth said. “I have had so much fun sharing these stories with our readers, and to receive statewide recognition for them was just the cherry on top.”

Key also said she recognizes that it is the people within the organization that make these awards possible.

"I feel like we are well-rounded in the awards that we won," Key

on the mobile wellness clinic, Johnson also serves as the director of Case Management at EAMC. In her role, she oversees a team of social workers and nurses dedicated to helping guide patients through their health care journey from hospital to home.

a calling,” Johnson said after receiving her award. “What would make me the happiest is for you all to use your resources to help care for those who cannot help themselves.”

CALCIUM SCORING SCAN

HELPS SAVE LOCAL BANKER'S

LIFE

wheels of the mobile wellness clinic.

During the days that the mobile wellness clinic is visiting neighborhoods in Opelika, she said she makes it a mission to walk through the neighborhood engaging and educating residents on the importance of health care, often befriending those she meets along the way.

“Even when people are skeptical about visiting the bus, she is able to convince them that they are important to us and that their health is a priority for us all,” said Shannon Jones, a social worker and mobile wellness clinic volunteer.

“There have been many people who turn the rest of us down, but by the time Sutricia finishes, they are smiling and laughing and know they are part of something.”

Along with her work

said. "We placed well in almost all aspects of the contest, winning awards for our editorial pieces, our photography, our advertising, the podcast, the use of social media, our website and our design and layout work. We compete against some really great newspapers in our division and it is truly a team effort, and without the people within our organization working hard and bringing their best to the table every day, these awards would not happen.

"It was unexpected but I was excited to win the Most Improved award again this year; it means that my staff is continuing to look for ways to make The Observer better year after year."

First-place awards:

Editorial

• General Excellence

• Most Improved

• Best Website

• Best Layout and Design

• Best Editorial for "Tenacious Wise Men" by Greg Markley

• Best Humorous Column for "Turkey is Dead, Santa is too Skinny" by Wendy Hodge

• Best Sports News Indepth Coverage for "Media Days" by Wil Crews, Harrison Tarr, Jake Gonzales and Justin Trausch

• Best Local Sports Column for "One Night in Pearlville" by Harrision Tarr

• Best News Photo for "We Remember" by Robert Noles

• Best Photo Essay for "Dancers Dazzle" by John Hillsman

During Johnson’s surprise award ceremony, she received a handcarved sculpture from Zimbabwe titled “A Healer’s Touch,” a DAISY Award certificate and a DAISY Award pin. Her coworkers also shared story after story through smiles and tears of what makes Johnson deserving of the award.

“Sutricia exemplifies the heart of what our EAMC mission is all about: reaching the underserved in our community with compassion and kindness,” said Dr. Steven Presley. “Throughout her work … she’s been a voice for the voiceless. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

While Johnson said she appreciates the award and recognition, she added that it would make her happiest if everyone would use their gifts to help those around them in need.

“When moments like this come, you don’t expect it because this profession is not a job; it’s

In Robert Williams’ line of work as the market president of Cadence Bank, a score of 849 is practically perfect for a credit score. But when the technician who performed Williams’ calcium scoring scan revealed the results, the longtime banker could hear concern in the

of the Opelika Rotary Club, stood up during their January meeting to tell everyone they should consider getting one.

“During our Rotary meeting, Merry stood up and said, ‘You all need to take a calcium test,’ and we all said, ‘What the heck is a calcium test?’” Williams recalled.

“She explained that her husband, Larry, who took the calcium test without having any symptoms, had to have quadruple bypass surgery.”

A calcium scoring scan is a noninvasive CT scan that measures calcium

• Best Use of Graphics or Illustration for "Election Undetermined" by Michelle Key

First-place awards: Magazine

• Best Personality Profile "Merry and Bright" by Kendyl Hollingsworth

• Best Travel Feature for "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Kendyl Hollingsworth

First-place awards: Advertising

• Best Classified Display Ad for "Hanwha's Hiring" by Michelle Key

Second-place awards: Editorial

• Best Lifestyle /Famly Pages

• Most Humorous Column for "Intervention" by Wendy Hodge

• Best Human Interest Column for "My Mother's Hands" by Wendy Hodge

• Best Editorial Column for "Heart Surgery and Lewis Grizzard" by Greg Markley

technician’s voice.

A few weeks earlier, Williams said he had never even heard of a calcium scoring scan. That changed when Merry Burt, a fellow member

buildup in the artery walls. The test effectively determines someone’s potential risk of having a sudden cardiac event, such as a heart attack.

See EAH, page A5

• Best Sports News

In-depth Coverage for "Spring Sports" by Wil

Crews and staff

• Best Use of Graphics or Illustrations for "Sno*Pelika" by Michelle Key and Robert Noles

• Best Creative Use of Multi-media for "Ali Rauch from Chamber of Commerce Sits Down with The Lee County Listener"

• Best Use of Social Media

Second-place awards: Magazine

• Best Advertising Campagin for "Glynn Smith

Chevrolet" by Michelle Key

Second-place awards: Advertising

• Best One-time Special Section for "OHS Awards" by Michelle Key

Third-place awards: Editorial

• Best Local Economic Coverage

• Best Use of Photo-

graphs and Editorial Content

• Best Spot News Photo for "March to Stop Child Abuse" by Robert Noles

• Best Photo Essay for "Auburn Keeps Rollin" by Michelle Key and Alex Newell

• Best Use of Graphics or Illustration for "OPD Spreads Love" by Michelle Key and Robert Noles

• Best Use of VideoLonger than two minutes for "OMS Threats Press Conference" by Kendyl Hollingsworth

• Best Production and Printing

Third-place awards: Magazine

• Best Single Feature Story "Crafting Something Good" by Hannah Goldfinger

• Best Cover Photo for "A Year to Remember" by John Pyles, Hannah Goldfinger and Michelle Key.

Sutricia Johnson (middle) received the DAISY Foundation Award for Health Equity at East Alabama Medical Center.

Robert Williams, pictured, learned through calcium scanning that he was at high risk for cardiac events.

This photo, taken by Robert Noles at a memorial service honoring the March 2019 tornado victims, won a first-place award for Best News Photo in this year's APA contest. Pictured in the center, lighting a candle, is one of the tornado survivors, Kayla Grimes.

6:30 P.M. - EVENT BEGINS

7:00 P.M. - MUSIC BY ROUTE 66

7:30 P.M. - SILVER WINGS

9:00 P.M. - FIREWORKS

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH OPELIKA PARKS & RECREATION. FIREWORKS, SILVER WINGS, HAMBURGERS, HOTDOGS, MUSIC BY ROUTE 66 AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

"Celebrate good times, come on!" It's time to celebrate our country’s founding with everyone’s favorite summer holiday — July 4.

All three of our local cities — Auburn, Opelika and Phenix City — all have ways to celebrate.

AUBURN

Fireworks come to The Plains on July 4 starts at 5 p.m., and everyone is welcome to join the city at Duck Samford Stadium at 1840 E. Glenn Ave. at the Duck Samford and Bo Cavin Baseball Fields.

EAH >>

FROM A3

Heeding Burt’s advice, Williams and a few other Rotary members scheduled calcium scoring scans at the Auburn Medical Pavilion. Since it was Heart Month (February), Williams and his friends took advantage of East Alabama Health’s (EAH) promotion offering calcium scans for $50, half the usual price.

“The machine went around for a couple of minutes taking photos of my heart, and then the tech had me look at the computer, which showed the calcium buildup in my heart,” Williams said.

“That’s when the tech said, ‘Oh my, it’s 849,’ and immediately got on the phone with my internal medicine doctor, Dr. (Michael) Gunter.”

Williams’ score of 849 was more than double the score indicating cause for concern. Thus, his score

Fourth of July All Weekend Long

There’s more than just fireworks, however.

“Celebrate Independence Day with the entire Auburn Community on Tuesday, July 4, 2023,” says the city of Auburn website. “Enjoy great food and treats for purchase while listening to amazing music from a live band and DJ, free inflatables and special guest Aubie.”

Parking is located at 333 Airport Road and the fireworks will be set off at 9 p.m. at the old water tower site on East University Drive next to Duck Samford Park.

“Fireworks can be viewed as far as the Auburn Mall parking lot and from homes in the

indicated he needed to act quickly.

“The best score on one of these tests is zero, and they get a little giddy when it gets to 400,” Williams said.

Following the scan, he set up an appointment with Gunter, who, after reviewing his results, referred him to a cardiologist for a stress test.

Unfortunately, the stress test results revealed that Williams would need to have a heart catheterization procedure to place stents in his heart. At least, that was the plan until Dr. John Mitchell told him that while performing the procedure, he found Williams would not be able to have stents due to the severity of the blockage.

The only option left on the table was quadruple bypass surgery, and that led him to Dr. Barry Crowe, a cardiothoracic surgeon with Heart and Lung Surgeons of East

surrounding area,” the city’s website says. “The best fireworks display in

Alabama who operates at East Alabama Medical Center.

“The blockage was a ‘widow maker,’ which is a bad place to be,” Williams said. “Dr. Crowe said I was a candidate to drop dead at any point because of the widow maker blockage.”

Williams, who grew up in Opelika and is an active member of the community, couldn’t fathom the thought of going elsewhere for his procedure and postop care.

“I had friends ask, ‘Are you going to have it in Birmingham or Atlanta?’ and I said, ‘Why would I go somewhere else when we have great care here at EAMC?’” Williams said. “I have the comfort of knowing that I live, breathe, work, play and eat with all the people here, and they have a vested interest in seeing me get better.”

Everything went smoothly throughout the entire process, but Williams did have one

the entire area.” If it rains, fireworks will be displayed on

concern.

“The nurses and doctors in pre-surgery did such a great job of educating my wife and me on the process, so that eased a lot of anxiety,” he said. “Quite frankly, I’d had four of my five shoulder surgeries in this hospital, and more than anything, I was worried about the anesthesia drug and what I might say or do.”

A few weeks after the procedure, Williams began cardiac rehab at EAMC. The 12-week program is an outpatient exercise and secondary prevention program that helps patients strengthen their heart after an event or procedure. It also helps educate patients on lifestyle choices that build and maintain a healthy heart.

Three mornings a week, Williams spends an hour exercising with cardiac rehab. He said the rehab program isn’t all work and can actually be fun.

“The cardiac rehab team is full of rock stars,”

July 5 instead. OPELIKA Opelika will host its

he said. “I actually feel a lot better at the end of each workout. They know that once you finish [the program], you are going to be better, and you’re going to do the things that you want to do.”

With the help of the cardiac rehab team, Williams is already starting to get back to doing the things he wants to do.

“One of the goals I had going in was to hit a golf ball again,” he said. “Well, this past Sunday, which was week nine, I hit a golf ball.”

For Williams, he recommends everyone get a calcium scoring scan regardless of if they have symptoms, as it could be the difference between life and death.

“The calcium test basically saved my life,” Williams said. “The calcium test saved my life, and the doctors and nurses are the ones who put my heart back together and made it so that I can stand

LET' S HAVE A SUMMER OF FUN

• Drink lemona d e at Toomer's Corner

• Play at Town Creek Park

• Eat a hot dog from Mrs. Story's

• Enjoy a sweet treat from OTown

• Hike to the waterfalls at Chewacla

• Go to a farmer's market

• Play pinball at Rock ‘n Roll Pinball.

• Play laser tag at Cyberzone

• Go bowling at AMF or Good Times

• Watch a movie during the summer series at The Gogue

• Ride the train at Monkey Park

• Listen to a Summer Swing concert

• Watch a Fireworks show

• Visit Jule Collins Art Museum

• Do a nature scavenger hunt at Kreher Preserve

• Go fishing at Lee County Lake

• G o to Courthouse Square and read The Observer and / or Live Lee Magazine

• Play miniature golf at Tiger Town Sports

• Volunteer at the Lee County Humane Society

• Play golf at TeeTime Golf

• Visit the Museum of East Alabama

• Jump around at Surge Trampoline Park

• Skate around the at The Skating Rink in Valley

• Feed the Cows at Blue Ribbon Dairy

• Check out the animals at Choctafaula

• Go for a swim

• Go to the library

• Go for a walk at the Sportsplex

• Visit the Historic Jones Store Museum in Smiths Station

• Eat dinner at Food Truck Friday

• Throw axes at Axe Marks the Spot

• Shop locally owned retail stores

• Go on a picnic

• Go to a play RULES No purchase from The Observer is required in order

to participate. All persons posting photos and tagging The Observer will be entered into a random drawing each week. Photos must not contain profanity or

be vulgar in nature. Only one prize per family can be won during the duration of the giveaway. Winners must be over 18 and be residents of Lee County, Alabama.

70th Freedom Celebration this year on July 3, 2023.

The city is partnering with The Orthopaedic Clinic and the Kiwanis Club of Opelika to put on this year’s events, which include a performance by the Silver Wings Parachute Team, a fireworks show, food and entertainment.

Events will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Opelika High School, with the Silver Wings performance at 7:15 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. PHENIX CITY

If you’re willing to travel a bit, on July 4 at 6:30 p.m. ET, Phenix

See FREEDOM, page A6

upright and walk another day.”

ABOUT EAST ALABAMA HEALTH

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMCLanier in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital with a 26-bed Skilled Nursing Facility, while EAMC-Lanier provides inpatient services as well as a nursing home, an acute rehab unit and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,500 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth. org.

Prizes must be picked up at The Observer office, located at 223 S. 8th St. in downtown Opelika. Photos submitted may be used in The Observer and on its website.

commitment to community

We are thrilled to support the Opelika Community Theatre!

At Three Sixty, it’s not just about selling real estate. We believe our community is a great place to live and work and raise a family, and we want to do everything we can to help members of our community have a better life. We started our company with a foundation of service and as we’ve grown, we are proud to say that our team represents people of all different walks of life who are involved in all different aspects of our community.

A member of the Silver Wings Parachute Team carries the flag during the 2022 Freedom Festival.

United Way of Lee County Announces New Community Initiatives Specialist

CONTRIBUTED BY UNITED WAY OF LEE COUNTY

OPELIKA — Gabrielle “Gabby”

Thabes has joined the United Way of Lee County as its community initiatives specialist. She will lead the initiatives and social service programs for Lee County by serving as the liaison between the United Way and its funded partner agencies.

“We welcome Gabby with her passion for the nonprofit sector and Lee County,” said Tipi Miller, executive director of the United Way of Lee County.

“We are excited to see what new ideas Gabby

brings to this position and watch her faithfully serve the people in this community.”

Thabes is a spring 2023 graduate of Auburn University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in philanthropy and nonprofit studies. She has previously interned with other nonprofit organizations in the area, including Baby Steps and Nourish, AL. During her time interning at these two organizations, she gained experience in grant writing, organizing fundraising events and communicating with donors and volunteers.

“When I applied for this job, I was most

GABBY THABES

excited about the prospect of becoming more active in the implementation of nonprofit programs that are positively impacting Lee County,” Thabes said. “I further found it appealing that the United Way works with numerous causes across several focus areas,

rather than concentrating on one issue, so I would have the opportunity to help improve our community’s quality of life in multiple aspects.”

Thabes will be tasked with administering all in-house, direct assistance including but not limited to the Student Health Fund, which provides funding for dental or medical bills for uninsured students; the United Way Community Fund, which provides assistance with necessary expenses (utilities, rent, car payment, etc.) during times of hardships; and the Covid Fund, which assists families that

have lost income due to COVID-19.

“I plan to take a relational approach to this job,” Thabes said. “I would like to use this position to deepen United Way’s connections with its partner agencies and their leaders by increasing communication, volunteerism, and involvement with agency programs. I value community input, so I plan to regularly communicate with agencies to receive and incorporate their feedback to ensure that United Way is constantly adapting to effectively meet both

their needs and the needs of Lee County.”

The United Way of Lee County is a nonprofit organization in Opelika whose mission is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another by generating and applying the necessary resources to meet the needs of the community. United Way looks to improve and strengthen the community by focusing on and funding organizations and programs working in four key impact areas — the building blocks for a good life: education, health, crisis and families and communities.

City is hosting a free fireworks show at the amphitheater on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River in Russell County/ Phenix City, Alabama.

See more here: www. alabama.travel/upcoming-events/july-4-concert-and-fireworks

GEORGIA

Near Lee County, in Georgia, there are a lot of events the weekend of the fourth.

The first, taking place all weekend, is at Callaway Gardens. The July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party will be held from July 1 to July 4.

“Callaway Gardens is celebrating the 4th of July all weekend long,” says the Visit Columbus website. “On Friday night they’ll have the Callaway Gardens

DYW >> from A2

“Be Your Best Self” tenants, and one winner is given a cash scholarship, though this is not part of the overall scoring. The participants selected a member of this year’s class as the “DYW” spirit winner. All participants were awarded a $112,000 scholarship to Hood College for their participation in the program.

Farmers Market, an FSU Flying High Circus performance, a BBQ dinner at an additional cost and live music by Smith & Lewis. The fun continues on Saturday with two more circus performances, beach volleyball and sandcastle building and live music by Ricky Gunn. Then, on Sunday, there will be beach games, more circus antics and even more live music by Running Down Romance. And finally, on Monday, the fun starts early with a Red, White and Blue pancake breakfast at an additional cost, two more circus performances, a Swingin’ Medallions concert and of course a big fireworks display.”

Admission runs anywhere from $12.50 to $25.

The next event in Columbus is the Independence Day Celebration at

Category winners were:

Scholastics: Cate

Herring and McKenzie

Steury

Interview: Cate

Herring and JaNiah

Hoskins

Talent: Cate Herring and Addison Wood

Fitness: Addie

Shoemaker and Addison Wood

Self-Expression: Cate

Herring and Addison Wood

Be Your Best Self

Essay: Myla Ragan

Historic Westville from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Wildwood Bluegrass Band will be performing from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“But if you’re ready for action there will be watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, three-legged, sack, and hoop races, bobbing for apples, a dunking booth, tomahawk throwing, horseshoes and much much more,” the site says. “You can even try your luck at the greased pole to win the cash prize at the top. And since no 4th of July celebration is complete without loud noise, Westville will blow the anvil every hour.”

Admission ranges from $8 to $10.

The Fort Benning Independence Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 2, at 4 p.m at York Field at Fort Moore,

DYW Spirit Winner: JaNiah Hoskins Herring, 2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Lee County, will compete in January for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama. The Distinguished Young Woman Program, originally called America’s Junior Miss, was founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, to provide higher education scholarships for young women.

formerly known as Fort Benning.

“Another patriotic event that people look forward to every year is the Independence Celebration on Fort Benning,” the visit Columbus website says. “It’s an afternoon filled with live music including Peggy Jenkins, Chris Collins and a Jimmy Buffet Tribute band.”

While the event is free and typically a visit to

Fort Benning requires an access pass, it will not on July 2. Anyone over 16 will need to show an ID

The final event is the Thunder on the Hooch, which will be on July 4 at 5 p.m. on the Chattahoochee River Walk.

“This is a free family event that continues to grow and get bigger and better every year,” says the visit Columbus website. “There will be all sorts of entertainment

and activities from live music, to fun activities like face painting, water balloon and egg toss, pony rides, games, firing of the National Infantry Museum cannon and much more. And of course, no Independence Day celebration would be complete without a huge fireworks display. Everything starts at 5 p.m. and the fireworks will light up the sky at 9 p.m. Don’t miss it.”

E

S ociety & News

lax, travel and recharge our batteries for the next school year. Also, back then, I must admit that I gently tortured family and friends who weren’t educators. On the Fourth of July, I’d moan and say, “Mike and I only have 28 vacation days left.” “Shut up, Stacey,” my loved ones would reply. Envy is an ugly thing.

a clue about the curveballs that life is going to throw at them.” And that’s a good thing. But I digress.

Recently, Mike and I traveled to downtown Auburn for lunch, so Mike inserted money into that blasted kiosk. Unbelievably, parking was free that day. For whatever reason, thank you, Lord!

According to Google, the first day of summer was June 21. However, my husband Mike and I beg to differ. We, like a lot of other Americans, believe that Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer.

When we were teachers, Mike and I dearly loved our long, eightweek summer break. We used that time to re -

However, when you’re retired, every day is summer break. And during the summer, Mike and I enjoy visiting downtown Auburn since traffic is much lighter.

When we drive by Auburn students, who are wearing ripped up jeans or a sweatshirt with shorts (No, Mike and I don’t get it either, but the kids are precious.), we smile and say, “Bless their hearts. They don’t have

Then, we proceeded to the Auburn Draft House at 161 E. Magnolia Ave. When we entered the restaurant, I really liked the casual setting. Also, I especially admired the sign that said, “Draft House always extends a 10% discount to our service men and women and veterans as a thank you for your service.” The Auburn Draft House gets bonus points for that. Also, I noticed that the restaurant pro -

vides children with coloring sheets and crayons — double bonus points.

The restaurant was established in 2015 and is locally owned by David Esposito, who also owns Esposito’s Italian Bistro and Halftime Sports Bar & Grill in

downtown Auburn.

Our servers, Alexa and Merri, were absolute delights, being so welcoming, helpful and patient. Alexa, who was very sweet, is a new member of my Auburn family, having recently graduated. Merri was also quite kind. She

told me, “I like your socks.” When you wear compression hose as I do, you really appreciate a compliment and hope you don’t look like a complete dork. Maybe the stripes were a good choice after all. For an appetizer, See WALLACE page A9

Grammy Award-Winning Blues Traveler Reveals Fall 2023 Tour Dates

sign their children up for a slot last month. Any child could register, with or without a business license. The event was approved by the city and welcome to children from all areas.

CONTRIBUTED BY DMK PUBLICITY

LAGRANGE, GA —

While Grammy Award-winning Blues Traveler’s highly

anticipated summer tour with Big Head Todd and the Monsters may still be weeks away, the six-time platinum-selling rockers are already

gearing up for autumn as they reveal details for their fall 2023 U.S. run.

The band will embark

See BLUES, page A9

Food Columnist Stacey Wallace visited Auburn Draft House in downtown Auburn.

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

SEAN DIETRICH

It’s a quiet night in Avondale. The sun is low in the western sky. The air is lit with lightning bugs. There are a few neighborhood kids, playing in front yards, trying to catch them with Tupperware. And the memories are getting so thick you have to swat them away like gnats.

I remember the first time I ever heard a lightning bug called a “firefly.” I was 11 years old. A kid from California had recently moved into our neighborhood. He got excited when the front yards were alight with summer lightning bugs. He said, “Look, fire -

flies!”

All us kids looked at the new boy as though his cheese had slid off his cracker. Fireflies?

“They’re not fireflies,” said Margaret Ann. “They’re LIGHTNING BUGS.”

Truer words have seldom been spoken.

“No they’re not,” he answered. “They’re FIREFLIES.”

“What the [expletive] is a firefly?” said my cousin, Ed Lee.

“They’re bugs that light up.”

We howled with delight. My cousin Ed Lee almost peed himself. “Californians!” my cousin remarked.

Then the Californian went on to tell us he’d

Lightning Bugs

never seen lightning bugs before. He said they didn’t have them in the Golden State. We were aghast. No lightning bugs? That was like not knowing Jesus. Or Dale Earnhardt.

“You’ve never seen lightning bugs?” we said in disbelief.

The Californian shook his head stating that, no, he’d never seen anything like these bugs with the iridescent hind parts.

Which gave us great pride. Because you see, ever since this Californian had come to our school, he immediately became the hippest kid in our hillbilly class.

Namely because he had wavy blond hair, a skateboard and he knew what tofu was. And one time, for Show and Tell, the kid declared that he had gone surfing. The girls in the class went crazy for him and indicated that they would be interested in bearing his offspring someday.

But he’d never seen lightning bugs. And this made us very

Community Worth Cultivating

friendship and a deep sense of communion with other human beings is no life at all.

We’re not wired evolutionarily to survive under the present conditions. Is it any wonder the incidences of depression and anxiety continue to rise at shocking rates each year?

proud.

“Wanna catch lightning bugs?” suggested my cousin.

Replied the Californian, “You mean you can CATCH fireflies?”

“No,” answered Cousin Ed Lee. “But you can catch lightning bugs.”

So, we raided my mother’s kitchen cabinets. We emerged from the house with Ball mason jars — something else the Californian had never seen before.

“These are funny-looking jars,” he said. “And they have funny lids.”

“These are moonshine jars,” said Margaret.

“What’s moonshine?” said the Californian.

You have to worry about America’s youth.

The next thing we knew, we were all outside, using mason jars the way the Good Lord intended — to catch lightning bugs (fireflies). Which as it happens are neither bugs nor flies. They are beetles.

To catch a lightning

bug, you had to have good technique:

You must (1) take the jar in your right hand; then you must (2) hold the lid in your left hand; then (3) you fling the jar through the air haphazardly like one who hath consumed too much moonshine; whereupon you (4) slam the lid over the jar and shout, “I got one!” even if this is a lie.

It was OK to lie about catching lightning bugs because nobody paid any attention to you inasmuch as they were all busy trying to catch their own. We were all chasing the nanoscopic glowing dots.

Once we had jars full of lightning bugs, the Californian asked, “Now what do we do with’em?”

Margaret replied, “You just look at ‘em.”

“Then you let them go,” added Cousin Ed Lee.

“LET THEM GO?” answered the Californian. “But why go to the trouble of catching so many if you’re just going to set them free?”

“Because,” said Sandra. “They only live 30 days.”

We were mesmerized by the bright dots in our mason jars, lit up like miracles, meandering to and fro. Their little butts glowing greenish-yellow.

“I’m going to keep my fireflies,” said the Californian.

“You can’t,” said Margaret. “Lightning bugs have to go free so they can make babies.”

“They have to make babies,” said Sandra, “or else we’ll never have lightning bugs again.”

So we kept them for a few minutes. We observed them closely. Then, immediately after our mothers called us inside for supper, we wandered down to the creek and let them all go. We watched the insects fill the night with millions of tiny lights.

“They’re so beautiful,” said the Californian. “I wish beautiful things lived longer lives.”

Truer words have seldom been spoken.

OPINION —

Having hosted our local community podcast here at The Observer, The Lee County Listener, over the last eight months, I’ve had many fascinating conversations with people doing amazing things in our county. I had the pleasure of sitting down a couple weeks ago with Sean Forbes and Jessi Riel of O Grows, an organization committed to localizing and improving the food systems of Opelika to better meet the particular needs of the community.

We got to talking about an unsettling but undeniable fact: Contemporary America is the loneliest culture to ever exist.

Consider the data: Surveys conducted in 2019 showed that 58% of Americans often felt like no one in their life knew them well.

In 2021, 49% reported having fewer than three close friends, nearly double the number reporting the same in 1990 (27%). In 1990, 33% reported having 10 or more close friends, compared to just 13% today. A tragic 12% reported having zero friends in 2021, four times as many as 30 years ago.

If these numbers alarm you, good. It’s time we all feel the gravity of the crisis so we can step up and seize responsibility for the wellbeing of our neighbors, our communities, our friends, our families and ourselves.

People have been sustained for thousands of years by communities profoundly more connected than ours.

It’s true that it takes a village to raise a child, but it too often goes unsaid that it also takes a village to sustain an adult. A life devoid of

No. It really isn’t. And that’s the problem. Our nation and our world are descending deeper by the minute into a historically unprecedented state of isolation and loneliness. And some doctors have likened the negative health effects of chronic loneliness to smoking about 15 cigarettes a day.

Yet we continue to treat this pandemic of unhappiness with the medicinal methods proven for decades by the best scientific evidence to fail miserably. While it’s true that some cases of depression and anxiety can be related to underlying chemical factors, many are not and most have far more to do with social, environmental and emotional causes.

That’s why Dr. Dainius Pural, one of the United Nations’ leading doctors, said in a 2017 statement that we need to start talking less about chemical imbalances and more about imbalances in the way we live. In how we address the depression

See DICHIARA page A15

SAM DICHIARA

WALLACE >>

Mike and I chose the jalapeño poppers, which consisted of “five housemade poppers stuffed, breaded and fried with avocado ranch on the side.” They were really good and had a definite kick.

Mike ordered the Draft House cheesesteak, which was made of “thinly sliced beef sirloin on a toasted hoagie with sautéed green bell pep-

pers, caramelized onions and Lagunitas IPA beer cheese.” It came with French fries. I chose the Draft House classic American cheeseburger, which consisted of “8 ounces of fresh, hand pattied beef.” I chose to add American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mustard and ketchup.

(The Draft House will make ‘em like you like ‘em.)

Everything was wonderful. Mike’s sandwich had so much tender beef

and melted cheese that he had to eat it with a fork; it was too big to lift. Also, my cheeseburger was fabulous, being amazingly juicy and flavorful; it also came with fries. And those fries? They were TOO good. In fact, I had to show some restraint by telling myself, “Stop eating the fries.”

Besides our delicious jalapeño peppers, The Auburn Draft House offers diners a large selection of appetizers, some

of which include housemade chips and salsa, pretzel bites, four cheese bacon fries, roasted red pepper hummus and spiced sweet potato fries.

Besides tasty burgers and sandwiches, the restaurant also serves a great variety of salads, wings and pizza. Mike and I want to try the pizza next time, and there will DEFINITELY be a next time, the Good Lord willing.

The Auburn Draft House offers lunch spe-

cials Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their smash burger or chicken wrap, which includes fries and a drink, costs only $9.99. That’s a really great deal, especially in these inflationary times. Also, the restaurant has a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Auburn Draft House is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Auburn Draft House makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

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

on a cross-country routing that kicks off in Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Oct. 19 and will hit such East Coast cities as Port Chester, New York, and Tom’s River, New Jersey, before culminating in the South in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 21.

Tickets for the “Blues Traveler Fall 2023 Tour” went on sale Friday, June 9, and can be purchased at bluestraveler.com/ tour/.

During the fall 2023 tour, fans will hear a smattering of smash singles spanning more than three decades, including such Billboardtopping hits as “Hook” and “But Anyway,” as well as new, jam-infused

renditions of some of their favorite classic blues songs, originally recorded by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Freddie King, Big Mama Thornton and Little Willie John, featured on Blues Traveler’s latest Grammy-nominated album “Travelers Blue’s.”

Joining Blues Traveler as a special guest is Americana singersongwriter and producer Jono Manson.

New “Blues Traveler 2023 Tour” official dates are as follows, subject to change:

• Oct 19: Rocktoberfest

at MCAS Cherry Point — Cherry Point, North Carolina

• Oct 20: Sweetland Amphitheatre — LaGrange, Georgia

• Oct 21: Deep Roots

Festival — Milledgeville, Georgia

• Oct 23: West Virginia University-Creative Arts Center — Morgantown, West Virginia

• Oct 25: Santander

Performing Arts Center

— Reading, Pennsylvania

• Oct 26: The Capitol Theatre — Port Chester, New York

• Oct 27: Grunin Center For The Arts — Toms River, New Jersey

• Nov 3: Crystal Grand Music Theatre

— Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

• Nov 9: Manchester Music Hall — Lexington, Kentucky

• Nov 11: Brown County Event Center — Nashville, Indiana

• Nov 12: SKYPAC

— Bowling Green, Kentucky

• Nov 14: Tannahill’s

Tavern & Music Hall — Fort Worth, Texas

• Nov 16: Downstream Casino Resort — Quapaw, Oklahoma

• Nov 17: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort — Hot Springs, Arkansas

• Nov 18: IP Casino Resort & Spa — Biloxi, Mississippi

• Nov 20: Montgomery Performing Arts Center — Montgomery, Aalabama

• Nov 21: Ryman Auditorium — Nashville, Tennessee

For more information, visit www.bluestraveler. com

ABOUT BLUES TRAVELER

Thirty-six years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler — John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill and the late Bobby Sheehan

MARKET

— gathered in their drummer’s parents’ basement in Princeton, New Jersey, to jam.

From these high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release a total of 14 studio albums, four of which have gone gold, three platinum and one six-time platinum — selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide.

Over an illustrious career, Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “RunAround,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned it a Grammy for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.” The latest

made by a child. Adult spaces are available, but only for advertising.

The event is sponsored by Isaac’s Lemonade, a local business established two years ago when Isaac Jones, then 7 years old, started selling his homemade lemonade. Isaac wanted a dirt bike, so his mother, Lexie Symone, encouraged him to save up for it that summer.

But the two never could have foreseen how much Isaac’s freshly squeezed lemonade would take the community by storm. People who had seen their advertisement on social media began showing up in the dozens, eager to taste different fruity flavors.

Now, Isaac has his own business, and he and his mother are looking to help other kids start their own, too. They created the Kids Community Market to help creative children gain business experience and develop their financial skills to find success like Isaac has.

“Isaac received so much support from the community. They’ve helped him build his brand from the ground up,” Symone said. “I know there are so many children like Isaac that have parents like me who want their child to be their best self

album “Travelers Blues” (Round Hill Records) was released in 2021 and features reimagined and recharged classics from the American blues songbook and a few surprises. The group’s first official blues album, it was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Traditional Blues Album” in 2022.

The band’s movie credits include “Blues Brothers” 2000, “Kingpin,” “Wildflowers” and others. A television favorite, the band has been featured on “Saturday Night Live,” “Austin City Limits,” “VH1's Behind the Music,” and it holds the record for the most appearances of any artist on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

but sometimes may need a little extra help in doing so. It means so much to us to try to bring as much exposure to their business as possible.”

“I feel like it is important for us adults to help support the children because the children are our future,” she said.

“We have to learn to pass the torch. Kids are so creative and intelligent. All they need is [an] opportunity.”

But learning how to run a business isn’t everything Symone and Isaac have in mind. Additionally, they want the kids market to serve as a place for children to connect and support each other.

“We would love for them to learn [how to] create great business relationships, interacting, customer service skills, [and] most importantly, love and kindness,” Symone said. Though so young, Isaac has made an incredible impact on the Auburn-Opelika community, but he has no desire to stand alone in the spotlight.

“Thank you to everyone who helped me,” he said. “I am grateful and will pass along everything I’ve learned to help someone else. Be nice and love on everyone. If you can help them out, help them from your heart.”

Be sure to stop by the Kids Community Market on July 1.

The restaurant offers traditional American food including hamburgers, fries, jalapeno poppers and more. Draft House is located at 161 E. Magnolia Ave. in Auburn.

Cruising Right Along

The Great Race traveled through Auburn and made a stop at Toomer's Corner on Sunday, June 25. The Great Race is a unique opportunity to view antique cars as they travel cross-country in a "race" that involves precision and points. Auburn Tiger Aubie and the War Eagle made an appearance.

JAMES (JIM) FRANKLIN CARPENTER

James (Jim) Franklin Carpenter, age 89, of Auburn, passed away on June 20, 2023. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Leila Carpenter. He is survived by his wife Ovilla M. Carpenter; his son, Bruce Carpenter, granddaughter Alana; daughter Amy Watson (David); granddaughter Addie; son Bennett Carpenter, grandchildren Amanda Sanders and Brian Carter; brother, Dean Carpenter (Janice) and their family. The family extends a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers that have provided care for Jim during his illness.

Funeral services were held at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home, 1500 Frederick Road, Opelika. The family received visitors at the funeral home followed by a funeral service in the Jeffcoat-Trant chapel. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to: Compassus Bethany House 1171 Gatewood Drive Building 100 Auburn, AL 36830.

MARIA FERNANDA COSTEIRA

Marie Fernanda Costeira, of Auburn, passed away quietly on Tuesday, June 20,

OBITUARIES

2023, just three days before her 88th birthday, after battling pancreatic cancer. Marie was born on June 23, 1935, in Ílhavo, Portugal. She immigrated to the United States at the age of two, along with her mother, Adeline Airosa Grilo, to join her father, Fernando Francisco Grilo, in New York City. Marie’s beloved younger sister, Adeline (Lina) Reverendo, was born three years later.

As a teenager, Marie excelled in school and enjoyed time with friends and family, visiting the shore and going to dances at Portuguese clubs. Especially industrious, organized and attentive, Marie was gifted her first typewriter while she was still in highschool, and her first job was as a secretary and stenographer for Western Electric.

On June 4, 1955, Marie and John Costeira celebrated the sacrament of Holy Matrimony in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Both Marie and John became United States citizens in 1956, but always embraced and celebrated their Portuguese heritage. Together, John and Marie raised two beloved children, their late son, Airforce Capt. David Costeira and their daughter, Diane Costeira Savrda. Marie was a devoted and loving

mother, and tirelessly supported her children in all of their endeavors.

After living and working in New Jersey for several decades, Marie and John retired and moved to Alabama to live closer to their daughter Diane, sonin-law Charles (Chuck) Savrda, and their four granddaughters Amanda Marie Savrda, CeeCee Savrda Cunningham, Allison Savrda Marshall and Cassandra Savrda Hughes.

Marie spent her final days in the prayerful and attentive care of her family. Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her son, David; her husband, John; and her sister, Lina. Marie is survived by her daughter Diane and son-in-law Chuck; her granddaughters and sons-in-law, Amanda Savrda and Daniel Schnittka, CeeCee and Chad Michael Cunningham, Allison and Michael Marshall, and Cassie and Tonie Hughes; her nieces and nephews; and her six great-grandchildren.

Marie’s family most fondly remembers her independent, persistent and spirited nature, generosity of time and treasure and penchant for honoring her heritage, especially in the most delicious Portuguese meals that always brought her family together.

TERRANCE T. JACKSON

Terrance T. Jackson passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on June 20, 2023. He was 43 years old.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Francesca Jackson and step-father, Walter Lee Allen Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Angela Jackson; daughter, Isabella "Belle" Jackson; mother, Patricia Allen; father, Horace Thomas; sister, Latosha Jackson; grandmother, Annie Kate Jackson; mother-

in-law, Alicia Gomez. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and other family members; best friends; Eddie Cason Jr., and Keon McIntosh.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.

FRANKIE DARLENE VERNON

Frankie Darlene Vernon was born Nov. 12, 1951, in Saginaw, Alabama.

Ms. Vernon loved her family and being a member of Society Hill Baptist Church. She loved the beach and loved growing beautiful roses.

Ms. Vernon is preceded in death by her mother, Catherine Lorese Hollingsworth; father, Benjamin Franklin Vernon; step-father, Claude B. Hollinsworth; siblings; Jimmy Vernon, Julius Crim and granddaughter, Zoie Elizabeth Vernon.

She is survived by her five loving children Joseph Vernon (Jenifer) of Beauregard, Richard Vernon (Nita) of Beauregard, Matthew Vernon (Tara) of Beauregard, Catherine Crawford (Brian) of Beauregard and Christina Thrower (Scott) of Beauregard; Goddaughter Tammy Flores (Josue) of Beauregard; siblings Clara Tibbs, Linda Phillips, Adam Hollingsworth, Lucy Upchurch (Kevin) and Claudie Marie Ingersoll (Jack); grandchildren Dalton Thrower (Aimee), Tyler Crawford, Ian Vernon (Megan), Allie Thrower (Justin), Morgan Vernon, Tori Malone, Sean Brown (Julie), Kyle Kenney, Colten Kenney, Brandon Sinniger and Gabe Case; great-grandchildren

Addison Thrower, McKenna Vernon, Sawyer Vernon, Dawson Thrower, Brycen Nixon, Bryleigh Nixon and Brooklynn Nixon; and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Society Hill Baptist Church at 2 p.m. CST on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Brother Mark Carlock will be officiating.

A cookout in her honor will be held directly after the memorial at the church fellowship hall.

She is the love of my life but passed from this life early Saturday morning, June 24, 2023. She is comfortable and at peace, she is healthy and whole in the arms of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.

Dot was a selfless and kind person who put others needs above her own. She was always there to help her sisters, brother and whom ever needed a hand, she loved her family and would do anything for them.

Dot and her husband Charles, began their life together as high school sweethearts in early 1966 at Opelika High School.

Dot and Charles married in December 1968 and Dot supported Charles in his desire to earn his business degree from Auburn University.

Upon graduation from Auburn, Dot and Charles relocated numerous times to many towns and states. Dot sacrificed her career aspirations to support Charles.

In 1998, Dot and Charles settled into Shelby County, Alabama. Now it was Dot’s opportunity to continue her career in banking. She worked for Regions Bank for 21 years and retired in December 2014.

Retirement for both was supposed to be a time to enjoy each other

without the distractions of jobs; maybe travel, etc. but an enjoyable retirement was not in their future.

In early 2018 Dot became seriously ill. She required several emergencies and spent the equivalent of seven months in various hospitals that year.

Her health experienced many ups and downs and appeared to be on an up cycle when on June 17, 2023, she was again hospitalized.

She rarely showed her pain, she maintained a cheery outlook regardless.

Funeral services were Wednesday, June 28, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Burial followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.

Dot is survived by her husband Charles Rice; sisters Pat Mayfield, Deborah Thornton (Bruce) and stepmother, Nelda Smith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Douglas N. Smith Sr. and June Diane Keith Smith; and brother Douglas N. Smith Jr.

Sweetheart I miss you already — you are and have been the one and only love of my life.

Mary “May

Catherine Vallely Badskey, 68, of Montgomery, was surrounded by the love of her family as she peacefully passed into our Savior’s loving arms on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Mary is survived by

DOROTHY "DOT" ANN RICE

MARY "MAY MAY" CATHERINE BADSKEY

May”

RELIGION —

ovenant” is a word that doesn’t seem to be used very often in speaking about our relationship with the Lord. That is unfortunate because there can be no relationship with the Lord apart from the new covenant Jesus inaugurated.

Covenant spells out the framework of our relationship with God through Jesus in the way

Knowing The Lord

marriage vows — based on and coupled with biblical teaching — spell out the relationship between husband and wife. Or to say it in a way that everyone understands, covenant spells out our relationship to the Lord in the way our phone carrier contract spells out our relationship with them. And as we all know, if you have no contract, you will have no phone service. It’s as simple as that.

“CThe Hebrews writer speaks of those who “know the Lord” (8:11). People who “know the Lord” are those who have entered a covenant relationship with God.

What is involved in such a relationship?

Education is an element. In speaking of the new covenant to be made with the people of Israel and Judah (see Acts 2) and subsequently with the Gentiles

(Romans 1:16), God says, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10). God doesn’t do this in some magical, mystical way — He does it through education. Christ said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God’” (John 6:44-45). And while it’s true people can be self-taught, it is the exception rather than the rule (Acts 8:30-31). The overwhelming majority of people who come to Christ do so because someone taught them about the Lord. This is part of God’s plan in how we help each other to heaven.

A submissive heart is also involved. Becoming a disciple, though, is not an intellectual exercise. It

is allowing your life to be shaped and transformed by truth to the glory of God. To submit your heart to God means that there is a change of management. We no longer call the shots; God does. We don’t decide what is right or wrong, good or bad, true or false; those things have already been determined by God, and our business is getting educated in His will and carrying it out in our lives. That’s why those who assure us that God is OK with something He has clearly spoken against in His word are simply not in touch with reality.

It is something gloriously new. The new covenant is just that — new. Now, there’s nothing new chronologically about the new covenant. It has been in existence for over two millennia. In fact, it is older than the

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

old covenant was when it became obsolete. The Greek word for new in Hebrews 8:8,13 is kainos. Its emphasis is not on newness in terms of quantity or time, but rather newness in terms of quality.

This is why when someone enters the covenant by faith at baptism, they become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Unlike cars, houses and clothes, this newness doesn’t deteriorate or depreciate. Time has no effect on it. The newness disciples experience has nothing to do with chronology and everything to do with our relationship with Jesus (i.e., being “in Christ”). Life has changed radically, and as long as we remain in Him, we remain gloriously new.

You can find more of Green’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com

CHURCH DIRECTORY

334-745-4755

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church

3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika

334-749-9672

BAPTIST

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

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

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

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

OBITUARIES

FROM A12

>>

her husband The Rev.

Steve Badskey and by her children Bethany (Judd) Davis of Pike Road; Kristy (Drew) Martin of Prattville; Matthew Jordan of Nashville; AnnMarie (Nicolos) Fletcher of Wetumpka; Amber Badskey of Pike Road; daughter-in-law Ashley Bell of Montgomery and numerous other

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHURCH OF GOD Lakeside Church of God

family members. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Friday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church located at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery, with visitation beginning at noon.

A full obituary can be found at www. magnoliacremation. com/obituary/MaryBadskey

3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

EPISCOPAL- AME

Saint Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St., Opelika 334-749-1690

EPISCOPAL

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

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

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley

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

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

Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika

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

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

PRESBYTERIAN Providence Presbyterian Church 1103 Glenn St., Opelika 256-405-8697

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

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

BRUCE GREEN

Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

Aphone call at night woke me.

“Would you like for me to drive you over to Seth’s home?” It was Amy, my son Steve’s

A Compliment I Did Not Deserve

wife, calling. “Why?” I asked. “Your brother is dead,” she said. I could not believe what I was hearing. But it was true. Quite unexpectedly, my only brother, 11 years younger, had died of a heart attack. Amy and I joined other family members already at his home, to share the shock that had engulfed Seth’s grieving wife Pearl and their children.

Two years have come and gone since that night. Seth’s passing added to the grief I

was enduring over the death of my wife six months earlier. Seth had become so dear to me since I retired. Until then we had not been close. We had not been estranged. Age difference had separated us. By the time Seth started school, I was in college. Seth lived his entire life in Elmore County while I was living in other places, sometimes other states.

When I retired and came back home, he

and I began building the relationship we had neglected for half a century. We discovered we liked each other. In his kindness God united our hearts in a bond of love that was precious to me. I became fond of saying that Seth and I were as close as the bark on a tree.

When I began serving as a pastor in Saint James Church in Montgomery, Seth and Pearl joined us there and became faithful members. Seth joined the choir and was soon

taking a turn offering prayer in worship.

I was surprised and delighted; my brother could sing and pray.

Even more important I learned, after his death, that he had been quietly serving God in ways I knew nothing about. Corine Free, the gifted pianist for our choir, shared with me my brother’s love and kindness for children in the Montgomery Public School where she taught.

Seth sang in the choir for 16 years and Corine

said, “Every year, I mean every year, Seth gave me money to purchase classroom supplies. I never asked him for assistance. After his first gift, I did not expect him to do it again. But he did, and he kept doing it. He was a blessing each time, my classroom angel for many years.”

Then Corine paid me a compliment I did not deserve. She said, “Thank you, Walter, for bringing your brother

See ALBRITTON, page A15

Central Baptist to Host Game-Filled VBS

OPELIKA — Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up and play to win. "Twists & Turns" is a fantastical celebration of games of all kinds. From classic tabletop games to strategy games to video games and more, children will play

their way through Vacation Bible School (VBS) in fun locations such as the Bible Study Game Room, Wild card Crafts, Multi-player Missions and Skip Ahead Snacks. But more importantly, they'll see Jesus through the eyes of one of His closest friends and discover that trusting Jesus as Savior and following Him changes the

game entirely. It's VBS time at Central Baptist Church. Children ages three years through sixth grade are admitted from July 16 through 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. nightly. Call 205-4101950 or email centralbaptist@ charter.net for more information. Register online at www.myvbs.org/ cbcopelika.

CONTRIBUTED BY CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH

and anxiety currently spreading like wildfire through our population, we have all but abandoned the Biopsychosocial model of mental health.

First conceptualized by George Engel in 1977, the Biopsychosocial model suggests that biological factors alone are insufficient for understanding a person’s mental health, and that psychological and social factors also play a major role. This should be obvious to us, yet depression is routinely understood — and therefore treated — from an almost exclusively chemical perspective.

If you or someone you love struggles with depression or anxiety, medicine might help. Or it might not. But let’s get one thing straight: Humanity’s known the most effective treatments for what the modern world calls depression for centuries.

What are these not-so-secret cures?

Exercise, healthy eating, sleep, sunshine, fresh air, fun, laughter, meaningful work, a sense of belonging, the chance to contribute to the lives of others and loving, supportive relationships with the people around us.

Journalist Johann Hari said, “Depression is not a malfunction.

It’s a signal. ... It’s telling you something.” The message?

It’s time for a change. It’s time we rethink our values and priorities as a society in a way that might lay the groundwork for happier, healthier lives.

And remember that the relationships that

ALBRITTON >> FROM A14

into my life.” I know what she meant and I was grateful for her kind words. But I realized immediately that I could not accept any praise for bringing Seth into her life. God did that. God put Seth in her life just as He put Seth in my life. That’s what God does. He loves us so much that He puts special people in our lives to bless us. And He put Corine in my life, and in Seth’s life, to bless both of us. As I reminisce and praise God for the gift of my brother’s love, I am also thanking God for all the other wonderful people He has put in my life. Their names and faces are so precious to me. His Son, Jesus, the greatest of them all. How marvelous is Our Father’s love for His children.

sustain us have as much to do with quality as quantity. As Carl Jung put it, “Loneliness does not come from having no people around you, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you.”

So consider this column a call to action: Get out there and get involved — our community needs you. Follow the example that O Grows sets every day. Or better yet, get involved with the work it and the other amazing local organizations around here are doing.

Visit the O Grows Farmer’s Market this Tuesday afternoon and be among people, soak in some sunlight and pick up some food that isn’t so processed it would survive a nuclear apocalypse, but was instead grown right here in your hometown by a real person who worked hard on it to provide for all of us and for their family.

And get plugged in with the community garden. As Jessi Riel told us on the Listener, “It’s an empowering thing to eat food you grew yourself.” And it’s a nourishing thing to join a group of people building something together, getting to know each other and having fun while they’re at it.

O Grows got started because Sean Forbes wanted to spend time with his child. It began as a school com -

munity garden/great excuse for Forbes to hang out with his son and teach children about sustainability.

That’s the key to all of this: If you want to make Lee County a better place, get selfish in the best way possible and seek out the social bonds we all need. Start creating those spaces for yourself, those you love and those you haven’t met yet, so we can all discover together through real, lived experience that happiness and wellbeing can be cultivated too.

Sam DiChiara is the operations manager at MAK Media Team and a host of The Lee County Listener. He has a master’s degree in English creative writing from Auburn University. He writes about philosophy, politics, ethics and technology. You can reach him at sdichiara13@gmail.com.

To tune in to The Lee County Listener, visit www. open.spotify.com/ show/4RlE6LEhHOEOKCndYHrZd8.

PUBLISHER'S

NOTE:

This column is not intended to be medical advice. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, seek medical attention from a trusted medical provider.

Call 988 if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide.

What's Happening in Lee County

FARMER'S MARKETS

Tuesdays 3 to 6 p.m., O Grows Farmer’s Market, 1103 Glenn St., Opelika

Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m., Auburn University Ag Heritage Park Market, Auburn

Saturdays 8-11 a.m., Camp Hill, Mt. Lovely Baptist Church, 21900 Sen Claude Pepper Dr., Camp Hill (Hwy 50) through Sept. 30

Saturdays 8-11 a.m., Auburn City Market, Town Creek Park, Auburn through Aug. 26)

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

The group meets every month on the third Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the AIDB-Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Opelika Regional Center on 355 Dunlop Drive in Opelika. Every month different topics are discussed to make life more manageable living with low vision.

Contact Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, or Melody Wilson, case manager for the blind, at 256-368-3258.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray's Collision off of South College Street, will be open on Wednesdays, 8 to 11 a.m. with coffee, donuts, cake and conversation about service and benefits for all veterans and spouses to stop by.

STANDING ROCK COMMUNITY HOLDS FUNDRAISER

ROANOKE, AL —

The Standing Rock Community Center Committee will have a Draw Down and Steak Dinner fundraiser on July 15, 2023, at 6 p.m. CT at Johnson Farms (1745 Louina St. in Roanoke, Alabama). Tickets are $100 and consist of a steak dinner for two and a chance to win cash prizes. For tickets, call 706-333-8559 or 706-586-0252. A limited number of tickets are being sold, and participants don’t have to be present to win. Proceeds benefit the Standing Rock, Alabama, Community Center Building Project.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet July 18, 2023, at 7 p.m.

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

S S

Thursday, June 29, 2023

A Fight Worth Fighting Deese’s Expertise Earns Her AISA Coach of the Year Award

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

In her 35th year of coaching softball and fourth year at LeeScott Academy, JV and Varsity head coach Tina Deese was named the 2023 AISA Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) after taking the Warriors to the state championship game.

crew.

“When things aren’t going great, these kids don’t stop working,” Deese said. “They don’t stop getting in the cage, they don’t stop preparing, so that makes it a whole lot easier. They don’t give up because they know that anybody can get hot at any given time and have a shot at it.”

OPINION —

Afew months ago, I saw on the news where a biological male MMA fighter began identifying as a woman and started fighting competitively against biological females. In back-to-back fights, the biological male fighter beat his female opponents to a pulp, causing severe injury to one, least of which was a broken jaw.

In 2017, biologically male swimmer Lia Thomas began swimming competitively for the University of Pennsylvania until 2020 where his results were mediocre at best. In 2021, he began identifying as a female and joined the women’s swim team at the same university, where Thomas began dominating all the swim-

ming events.

These are just two examples of a phenomenon that seemS to be infiltrating society, thus challenging long-held norms and beliefs regarding equity and fair play.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a father of three boys and have never been blessed with a daughter. However, if I had a daughter, I would be incensed and would be ready to jump in the ring with that MMA fighter to protect her from the physical beating and injustice that would be inflicted upon her.

My question is simply this: “Have we lost our minds?” I see the stories on Twitter, the headlines in newspapers, and hear the discussions on numer-

See FIGHT, page B3

OCS BOARD MEETING NOTES - B5

It was a bumpy road to Lee-Scott’s first title game appearance under Deese, but it was nothing she hadn’t seen before after head coaching stints at Huntingdon College, Auburn University, Beauregard High School, Opelika High School and now LeeScott.

There’s not much that throws Deese off guard. When the sailor doesn’t fret, neither does the

After a slow start to this year’s regular season, the Warriors shifted into high gear down the stretch, upsetting two area rivals — eventual state champion Macon East and putting up seven runs in the seventh inning to knock off Glenwood, who have a duo of Simone Gillespie and Anna Grace Griggs that Deese said she’d put up against anyone in the state, regardless of classification.

Lee-Scott got hot at the right time, but that’s

not to say it was a fluke.

According to Deese, the team consists of a lot of multi-sport athletes who “put the softball down May 5 and don’t

pick it up again until Jan. 6.” So the first half of the season is spent getting into softball form, often leading to

See DEESE, page B3

Opelika City Schools Receives $5,000 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant

CONTRIBUTED BY OCS

OPELIKA —

Forty high schools — one of which is Opelika High School — from 24 states will receive $5,000 grants from the Rachael Ray Foundation to build up their National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart culinary arts and restaurant management programs. Since creating these awards, the Rachael Ray Foundation has provided 113 high school grants, totaling $950,000.

The grants from the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant Program will help educators build the tools to teach their students career-building skills using the ProStart curriculum. The schools can use their Grow Grant funds to make classroom upgrades or purchase new equipment and resources. The NRAEF said it expects that the grants will benefit more than 3,500 students and 53 educators in the 2023-2024

See GRANT, page B4

TINA DEESE

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY

Opelika High School was awarded a $5,000 grant through the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant Program. The grants will give educators tools and resources to help their students learn career-building skills in the restaurant, hospitality and food service industry through the ProStart Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Program.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

LARRY DICHIARA

Dixie Youth Teams Battle for the Wins

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

Photos from Dixie Youth baseball games held earlier this summer.

2023 OHS Graduate Named VP of National Organization

AJGA Junior All-Star Event Coming to Opelika July 3-6

CONTRIBUTED BY AO TOURISM

OPELIKA —

The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will return to Opelika for the 2023 Moon Golf Junior All-Star next week, July 3 through 6. Held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, the AJGA Junior All-Star event will be played on the Lake Course.

confident that the players, families and fans are going to enjoy the best course on the RTJ Trail, as well as the welcoming atmosphere and authentic spirit of hospitality of our community.”

be held on July 3.

ABOUT AUBURN-OPELIKA TOURISM

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Opelika High School

2023 graduate Emily Grace Rezek achieved something this month she has been working toward for years.

Following numerous written tests and 11 taxing interviews, Rezek was chosen as the FFA vice president for the 2023-24 state officer term. Previously, Rezek served as the Alabama Central District FFA president during the 2022-23 term.

No one is more proud of Rezek and her accomplishments than her family.

“She has been saying since her 10th grade year that she wanted to be a state officer.

“I just wanted to cry,” said Jennifer Rezek, Emily Grace’s mother, about the moment she found out her daughter was chosen as the state VP. “It’s something that has taken her four years to get to. They say your job interview will never be as tough as what she had to go through. Her reaction was priceless because she has worked so hard to get there.”

According to its website, FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America, although the

DEESE

slow starts.

They have also notched better finishes each year with Deese. Besides a year that had no postseason due to the COVID outbreak in 2020, Deese has led her team to the state tournament each year she’s been with the Warriors. They earned a fourth place finish in 2021 and third place in 2022 before becoming runners-up to Macon East this season in a one-run loss in the title game.

Deese said she anticipates more success next season, but that doesn’t

organization’s name was updated to the National FFA Organization in 1988 to reflect the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture, the website said.

Rezek began her FFA journey in junior high when she and her family resided in Florida.

Rezek’s sister was in FFA, and earned an honorary degree from FFA that only 1% of the members achieve, inspiring Rezek to further pursue her own journey with the organization.

“Emily Grace saw her sister be successful and got introduced to it,” Jennifer said. “So when we moved here, Emily Grace, when she got in high school, she jumped right in.”

Since that point, Rezek has been a model member of FFA on the local, state and now national level. In her role as vice president of the Alabama Central District, it was common for Rezek to travel to area schools to promote FFA and agriculture.

“She has done a lot in kind of getting people in the Opelika school ystem more aware of FFA,” Jennifer said. “She has put a lot of personality to our chapter.”

An honor student with many extracurricular interests under her belt, Rezek has remained steadfast in her passion for agriculture since her days showing cattle at the Alabama State Fair and other county shows.

Rezek’s commitment to agriculture may be

guarantee a championship in a highly competitive league. Another thing she’s learned in her time at Lee-Scott is that AISA competition is no joke.

“I’d put the AISA up against anybody,” Deese explained. “If people bothered to come out and watch a Lee-Scott versus Hooper, a Glenwood versus Macon East, a Bessemer versus Southern — Southern had an incredible pitcher this year — I think they’d walk away impressed. People seem to think our ball isn’t very good, but they’d see that we’re playing really good, very

no better exemplified than the time she was showing cattle at a fair, finished and then changed into a dress in the bathroom to head straight to her junior prom.

Efforts like that led Rezek to earn numerous scholarships, which will help her begin the pursuit of an agriculture communications degree from Auburn University this fall.

Although Rezek is described by her parents as someone who likes to do things her own way, they also said the 18-year-old is highly teachable. And although she has earned many of her plaudits through her own hard work, like most us, she had help along the way.

Teacher Shawna Ferguson, who helped early on in getting Rezek involved in FFA; Granite Knoll Farm, which sponsored Rezek for many cattle shows; and Opelika City Schools

Superintendent Farrell Seymore and Opelika High School Principal Kelli Fischer all played a role in helping Rezek get to where she is today.

This summer, Rezek has already been busy, travelling for multiple leadership conferences to help her fulfill the duties of a state officer. Her job as VP will see Rezek being an ambassador for agriculture and FFA at the state and local levels, meeting with politicians and lobbying for legislative changes.

“We are just so proud of her,” Jennifer said.

competitive ball.

“For example, Central (Phenix City) is a great team, but I’d put Glenwood or Macon East up against them and expect a good game if nothing else. Not to take anything away from Central — they’ve got speed, power, they’re well-trained, they’re great. But I’d put our kids up against them. Having seen them and played against them, I don’t think there’s a huge drop off between our 7A and AISA, at least among the elite teams.”

In addition to seeing high-level play from her team, she’s also been able to establish a team

The 78-player field hosts top juniors from around the world. The Ninja Junior All-Star series is a collection of events specifically designed for boys and girls ages 12 to 15. The competition provides an opportunity for younger members to develop their skills and build Performance Based Entry status to earn entry into Open tournaments.

“We are delighted to host the AJGA Moon Golf Junior All-Star in Opelika,” said Robyn Bridges, president and CEO of Auburn-Opelika Tourism. “We are

Auburn-Opelika Tourism improves the quality of life in the community through tourism and travel. This sponsorship with Auburn-Opelika Tourism contributes to the support of the AJGA’s mission and its dedication to the overall growth and development of young men and women through providing competitive junior golf opportunities.

“The AJGA is thrilled to be returning to the Auburn-Opelika area for the 2023 season,” said Southeast Regional Manager Matt Emmi. “We are looking forward to this event and for the opportunities it will allow us to bring into the community.”

The 54-hole stroke play event is set to run July 3 through 6, 2023, with the addition of a qualifier to

Auburn-Opelika Tourism is a nonprofit service organization that positively impacts the local economy and improves the quality of life in the community through tourism and travel. AO Tourism is a one-stop shop for information on lodging, restaurants, attractions, retailers and more. For more information about all things Auburn-Opelika, visit www.aotourism. com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership of more than

ous podcasts. I wonder how we got here, and what we need to do to fix this. Are we here because our society has become too woke? Have we just decided to accept every new idea, fad or notion just to avoid being labeled a racist, homophobe, misogynist, transphobe and so on? If so, have we considered the damage it is doing to our institutions, our sense of fair play and to our little girls?

There are very rational physiological reasons why biological males do not compete in women’s softball, women’s basketball, women’s power lifting. There are physiological reasons why females do not compete against male boxers, male collegiate wrestlers, participate in male home run derbies and so on. It should all come down to fairness. Nobody is trying to prevent a trans male from competing in sports. They simply

culture that fights — one that isn’t out of it when they have a losing record midway through the season and has no quit in them when they enter the seventh inning down by six.

This was the Warriors’ first title game appearance under Deese, but the tastes of playing in the big game — which the freshmen class of seven got from winning the JV state championship in the same year as playing in a title game with varsity — is going to help motivate the young team to make their way back.

“What made it so fun this year is my JV team

need to do so against their biological equivalents. Another solution might be to create a third category and let them compete against each other. Why would that not be fair?

Recently, the Alabama Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law forbidding biological males from competing against biological females in sports at the high school and collegiate level. Alabama is following numerous states across the country that have done the same. Bravo. But there are still numerous states who have not passed any legislation protecting our girls. Instead, many have done the opposite, passing legislation contrary to Title IX, allowing biological males in our daughters’ locker rooms and to compete on the same floor or venue as our girls.

It is my humble opinion that this will not stop until women take a stand. It will stop when women refuse to compete against a

won the state championship, too,” Deese said. “My freshmen — they were put in some pretty big moments and they rose to the occasion, and that was really, really good to see. The experience this year can’t do anything but help them in years to come.”

While Lee-Scott will miss the leadership from its two seniors, FirstTeam All-State selection Lindsey Joiner and catcher Janie Reeves, a freshman class that Deese said is “loaded” has three bright years ahead of them and will transition to full-time varsity players next season. Deese

biological male. Let Lia Thomas swim alone in the pool. Refuse to fight in an MMA match against a biological male. Boycott the track and field event where the sexes are mixed. Once the high school athletic associations, the NCAA, the MMA and other sanctioning bodies realize that they will cease to exist if this continues, they will act andrectify this issue. It is a sacrifice women must make. It is a fight worth fighting. It is the least I can do for the daughter that I never had.

Larry DiChiara holds a bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree from Auburn University. He spent time as the head basketball coach and principal at Loachapoka High School, was superintendent of Phenix City Schools from 2004 to 2013 and was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. He is currently the president of SOY Education Associates Inc.

also mentioned shortstop Madison Davis, the team’s “offensive sparkplug,” and Mary Kathryn Harris as key returners to the squad.

Players come and go, but as long as Deese is around, the Warriors will continue to battle.

“There’s going to be some big shoes to fill, but we’ll fight again,” Deese said with confidence. “We’re going to miss Lindsey in the circle. We’re going to miss Janie behind the plate. We’re losing a lot in maturity and talent, but I’ve got a good crop returning that have been with it and know how to fight.”

>> FROM B1

See ALL-STARS, page B6

FIGHT >> FROM B1

From left to right: Jennifer Rezek, associate pastor at Woodland Methodist Church in Montgomery; Emily Grace Rezek; the Rev. Sean Rezek, senior pastor at Trinity Church in Opelika.

Move to D1 Fuels Rivalries for AU Hockey Club

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Auburn Hockey

is moving up to the Amateur Athletics Union Division 1 level for the 2023-24 season, and it is prolonging its fiercest rivalries in the process.

Auburn will join Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and the University of Tampa in making the jump to D1 in the same year, and they will form the South division. While being

a D1 program will help put Auburn hockey on a bigger stage, it will allow it to keep up with opponents that it has faced since the program was formed in the 201213 season. It played Alabama and Georgia that season and has played them every year since.

“Some of the teams we battle against and we hang with decided to make the jump as well, so with our club growing as fast as it is, we wanted to make sure we’re

doing everything we can to compete with those other clubs down here,” said AU Hockey Club President Cam Denk. “If everyone was deciding to make the jump to D1, I think we were more than ready to do it as well.”

As with all Auburn sports, the club’s deepest rivalry might be with the Crimson Tide. Auburn is 6-6-1 against Alabama’s D2 team dating back to 2019. This past season, Auburn split a pair of one-score games in Tuscaloosa in November,

split a pair of contests with them in Auburn in January and tied in a neutral-site match in Huntsville in the middle.

“We split with them last year and then we [were] next-door neighbors with our locker rooms at Nationals, so they never really go away and they’re always kind of a pain in the side, but playing against them is always so much fun because it’s so competitive,” Denk said. “It’s something that we’re looking forward to

Auburn Wheelchair Basketball Coach Leads Team USA to Gold Medal

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Auburn University and Team USA

wheelchair basketball

coach Robb Taylor has been coaching for over 20 years, and he has won a lot of gold medals in that time. Last week, he brought home his first ever physical gold medal.

He became head coach of the U.S. Paralympic basketball team in January 2022, and he led it to its first gold medal since 2002 at the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championships in Dubai on June 20. Taylor redeemed the four silver medals in past world championships with a gold one, which is the first visible thing when you walk in his office in Beard-Eaves Coliseum.

After two and a half weeks in Dubai and several weeks at training camp in Turkey a few weeks prior, Taylor brought the gold home to his wife and children.

“I’ve been an assistant coach for a long time, and we’ve won a lot of gold medals: three Paralympic gold medals, three Parapan gold medals, but had never won gold at world championships,” Taylor said. “Paralympic coaches don’t get medals — athletes only. So I’ve come home from world championships with nothing but silver medals. I’ll be honest, they don’t ever come out of the closet. But this one, it’ll hang out [in my

office] with the trophy.”

This win instilled a sense of pride not only for Taylor but for the entire USA team — ending a 21-year “curse” of no championships for the red, white and blue. No one on the current team had previously won gold at world championships, and this one took some extra blood, sweat and tears.

They stared into the face of defeat multiple times in the tournament, but the defense put the hammer down and led the team to two comeback wins over familiar foes.

After beating Argentina to start tournament crossover play, the USA faced Australia in the quarterfinals, who beat the American team a few weeks prior in a training camp in Turkey. It looked like history was

going to repeat itself, but the USA rallied in a big way.

“Australia was dominating us most of the first half. Then our defense kicked in and locked them down,” Taylor recalled. “I think they had four points in the third quarter and five or six in the fourth. But with 1:47 left, I look over at Australia’s bench and their coach was starting to pack up his bag.”

Next, the USA defeated the Netherlands in the semifinal to set up a rematch with reigning world champion Great Britain for the gold.

Great Britain defeated the USA in the 2018 championship game, and they came out on top once again earlier in Dubai in pool play. This time, the American team was able to maximize their lineup and rally to take down Great Britain.

this year for sure.”

In addition to staying competitive with its rivals, Auburn hopes to grow in D1 due to the exposure northern teams will have playing against Auburn and playing hockey in the South.

Rather than teams being clumped in the North, there is now a reason for those teams to travel and help grow the game elsewhere.

“With us moving to D1, there’s still going to be a regional — or South — tournament,

GRANT>> FROM B1

school year.

and that looks like it will potentially be in Pelham. Then there will be a national tournament, but instead of it being in Philadelphia, it will be hosted down South,” Denk said. “There’s no location set for that yet, but that was a big appeal for us moving to D1 as well as bringing some northern teams down here to compete against them.”

Denk said he and the team are looking

See HOCKEY, page B5

“We came in with our second lineup, and things started to click defensively,” Taylor said. “We called it the Tokyo lineup because five guys who played with us in Tokyo were in that lineup. It was a lineup we knew wasn’t going to get rattled.”

It was that lineup that sealed the championship game after Great Britain had the ball down by one with 11 seconds on the clock. After the USA’s Jorge Sanchez missed two free throws while up by one, Great Britain pushed the ball down the floor but ended up turning it over without getting a shot off, resulting in a USA victory.

“It was 67-66, I’ll never forget it as long as I live,” Taylor said while shaking his head. “I’m a pretty mellow coach; I don’t show a lot of emotion, but that’s the one time I did — double fists and started screaming. I right away looked at the bench and found my assistant coach, who had played for us through Tokyo, and just being able to give him a hug — It was everything we had worked for.”

There’s only one thing left on the to-do list for Taylor.

“Now, it’s like I’ve achieved everything: I’ve won gold in every major competition, which is just an amazing achievement for me and this team,” Taylor said. “Now, the challenge is can I win a national championship with the Auburn team?”

“The daily investment that ProStart educators make in their classroom as they teach and mentor the next generation of culinary and restaurant management leaders is extraordinary,” Ray said. “We are optimistic that these grants will give teachers some fresh opportunities to capture the imagination of their students and teach them why our industry is a place where they can build a career.”

This is the fourth round of ProStart Grow Grants awarded by the Rachael Ray Foundation. Past grant recipients have used their funds to purchase needed supplies and new curriculum components, upgrade their class kitchens and provide students with hands-on educational experiences.

“Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants make a huge difference to so many of our ProStart classrooms — funding equipment, supplies and unique experiences to teach students the fundamentals of culinary arts and restaurant management,” said Rob Gifford, president of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

“We are grateful for the partnership of the Rachael Ray Foundation in helping ProStart educators provide the best classroom possible for each of their students.”

Nearly 165,000 high school students at 1,850 schools are currently part of ProStart, which features hands-on and traditional instruction providing students real-life food service experience and skills. The ProStart curriculum combines culinary arts and business education with special industry speakers, class mentors, tours of local culinary facilities and student competitions to help students learn fundamental skills in the restaurant and hospitality industry. ProStart students emerge with training and certifications to join the restaurant and food service workforce.

According to Chef Judy Eldred, culinary instructor at Opelika High School, the grant funds will be used for projects that connect the OHS culinary program to the community.

"An important aspect of food service is hospitality," Eldred said. "We plan to use these funds for projects that will help develop the interpersonal skills of our students and guide them to be entrepreneurs."

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (NRAEF):

As the supporting philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF’s charitable mission includes enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and food service workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart — a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready/ HOPES — partnering with community-based organizations to provide people with skills training and job opportunities; Military — helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and food service careers; scholarships — financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, food service and hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) — accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.

ABOUT THE RACHAEL RAY FOUNDATION:

The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF) is a private foundation that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray Nutrish. RRF was launched by Ray in 2016 to better support the causes she cares for most such as helping animals in need. Additionally, RRF works with organizations that support the mission of Yum-o!, Rachael’s 501(c) (3), in order to bolster and amplify its efforts through additional funding. Yum-o! empowers children and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. It also teaches families to cook, feeds hungry children and funds cooking education, among other initiatives.

Taylor said his three silver medals never leave his closet, but this trophy is the first thing you see in his office in Beard-Eaves Coliseum.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ROBB TAYLOR

OCS Approves StateMandated Pay Raise and New Athletic Handbook

Lee County Teaches Students All Things Law Enforcement

BY ETHAN STAMPER FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

The Opelika City Sc hools (OCS)

Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, June 27, and approved a 2% pay raise as passed by the Alabama Legislature to be effective at the beginning of each employee’s payroll contract term.

The Legislature has passed similar raises in previous years, in hopes of fostering more teacher appreciation as well as create a drive for younger people to pursue a career in education.

Another item on the agenda was the passing of a new OCS Athletic Handbook. The handbook in its current form is outdated, and the new version was created by Jamie Williams, OCS Athletic Director, in hopes of streamlining

rules and guidelines by making everything clearer to students, parents and teachers.

“I like that it is a handbook for athletes, parents and coaches.”

Dr. J. Kevin Royal, OCS chairman, said. “In other words, it sets that expectation for everybody, not just the kids.”

The previous handbook was 5 years old, and Williams gathered the athletic conduct books of nine different schools in order to research how other systems were approaching the subject. Using that research and the existing handbook, he was able to put something together that was far more cohesive and modern.

“There are so many new people that don't know the Opelika way,” WIlliams said. “

So, this was just an attempt to put it all on paper so we all can be on the same page.”

OTHER BUSINESS

– The board approved the minutes from previous the May 23 meeting.

– The board approved personnel recommendations.

– The board approved an out of state field trip request.

– The board approved authorization for the superintendent to invest funds up to $15 million.

– The board approved a certificate of affirmation for the reappointment of board member Patsy Boyd Parker, in accordance with the local school board governance rule.

– The board heard the monthly financial report for May 2023.

– The board heard the monthly child nutrition report for May 2023.

The next Opelika City Schools Board of Education meeting will be July 25, at 4:30 p.m. at 300 Simmons St. in Opelika.

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY — Lee County’s annual summer camp — the Junior Deputy Academy — is a chance for young children through high school students to come and learn about everything that makes the Sheriff’s Office run.

“We are proud to conduct the Junior Deputy Academy for the youth of Lee County,” said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones. “The focus of the JDA is to provide a glimpse into the duties and training of deputy sheriffs. The emphasis is on the importance of character, integrity, accountability and teamwork along the obligation of citizenship. We want our young people to be successful in life.

“Our School Resource Division deputies are assisted by previous JDA graduates in the form of class leaders, along with adult volunteers. All give maximum effort in interacting with the JDA

attendees to provide them with the principles of success and making sure everyone has fun along the way.”

There are four key areas of focus for the program: Physical Fitness, Lee County Sheriff's Office Demonstrations, Character Building and Law Enforcement Practical Exercises.

For example, one day of the camp, the students saw a K9 demonstration and took a tour of the office, including the jail.

They learned about processing, inmates, routines and more.

One of the children, Cole Catrett, who is 8 years old, actually participated in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office program, Sheriff For A Day, too.

“I got to be with my friends, I got to do some fun stuff, too,” Cole said.

“I liked the K9 demo.”

Cole said he wants to be a “SWAT Sheriff” when he grows up. Cole attended the program dressed in his own “SWAT gear.” He was known as “SWAT” by both leaders and

attendees of the program.

“I think protecting the cities, and towns and Opelika state is nice,” Cole said, adding that the job is hard. “… Because you got to fight crime … I’m most looking forward to learning about training and being a good officer and protecting the city always.”

Madison Dean has been attending the program for eight years and now serves as a class leader and photographer. She is going into 11th grade but started in the fourth grade.

“I’m going to go into the Air Force after I graduate, and then once I retire out of the Air Force, I plan on coming [to Lee County] and being a school resource officer,” Dean said.

Dean said the program has expanded over the years to offer more.

“I like how they teach the kids more than more; every year they evolve on their program and give them more to see, so they can do SWAT demos, and bite dog demos and all these demos so they learn what it’s all about,” she said.

to improve the fan experience going forward, and one way they hope to do that is to move their home rink to the Auburn area. They currently call the Civic Center in Columbus, Georgia, home, but a 45-minute drive multiple times a week to practices and games is neither ideal for fans or team members.

To help the fans be able to watch games without traveling, Auburn Hockey Club recently signed a streaming deal with

Black Dog Hockey, where it will stream all home games and most of its away games, according to Denk. It’s $5 to watch a single game, or you can get a monthly subscription.

“We’ve been talking to President [Chris] Roberts and the rec at Auburn and doing what we can to [bring a rink to Auburn],” Denk explained. “We’ve proposed the idea of bringing a rink into [Beard-Eaves] Coliseum; it’s just something that we need to iron out. With the smart group of guys we’ve got, it’s becoming more and more of a

possibility for sure.”

But the growth of the club means more than just hockey. Going forward, the Auburn Hockey Club hopes to provide a new way to engage the community and bring something new to The Plains.

“We’re also working to increase the fan experience this year,” he said. “We’re going to make sure we have some sort of event or Aubie or a public figure coming out to our games. It’s more than just hockey, we’re working on making this an enjoyable experience for everyone.”

HOCKEY >>

FROM B4

Children from ages 7-15 can join the Lee County Sheriffs Office for a week of learning all about law enforcement, from CERT demonstrations (see above) to K-9 units.

Students in the Lee County Junior Deputy Academy program got the chance to tour the jail and see the process for taking in inmates.

PHOTOS BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER / THE OBSERVER

The Opelika City Schools board discusses the agenda during a meeting earlier this year. Board members include J. Kevin Royal, M.D., Chairman Antione T. Harvis Vice-Chairman, Patsy Boyd Parker, Charles D. Beams Jr. and Tipi Miller.

PHOTO BY WIL CREWS /THE OBSERVER

families.

July 4th Comes Rolling In

remembered as treasured traditions.

It is so hard to believe that June, with its many summer activities, is coming to a close. But soon we will dive into July fun!

I do want to mention before closing out this month that June 28 was Paul Bunyan Day. It is so much fun for children to learn about the giant of a lumberjack with his trusted friend and companion, the Blue Ox named Babe. Legend has it that they created the Grand Canyon, the

Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Of course, we know this is not true, but children love to tune into American folklore.

This week, as I read books about July 4 to preschool classes, their little eyes light up as we talk about the celebration. July 4 in our community is always eagerly anticipated. Holidays are so much fun for children, and next Tuesday, July 4 will roll in with its many fun learning activities for children and their

“Lest you forget” on July 4, we are celebrating the anniversary of the day the United States gained its independence — its “birthday,” so to speak. There is plenty we can do to celebrate right here in our communities and backyards. A diverse group of people came together to form the United States, and this is a wonderful fact to celebrate. Since we declared our independence on July 4, we salute the colors of our flag: red, white and blue. Red represents bravery, blue signifies perseverance and white represents purity. These are the foundational principles upon which our country was built.

As an early childhood teacher, I have the privilege of celebrating July 4 in several simple, special ways. As I review my resources, I’d like to share with you a few ideas of ways to celebrate with your family — some of which I have gleaned from families over the years, and others I have

1. Make red and blue Jell-o jigglers that can be cut into simple shapes. Young children love the colors, flavors and bouncy texture.

2. Children also love the different colors of popsicles. For July 4, try to find the red and blue popsicle colors. There are inexpensive Freezies, or you can freeze red and blue Kool-Aid in ice trays or pans for a delicious treat on a hot day.

3. Bake simple sugar cookies, spread on some white icing, and add red and blue sprinkles. You can also try mixing some fresh Lee County fruits with vanilla ice cream to make a delicious July 4 treat.

4. Talk about July 4 with your children and share with them the reasons we celebrate. This builds excitement!

5. Celebrate on a shoestring budget by having a simple picnic. Have your children decorate napkins or color white Styrofoam cups with red

and blue. White paper plates also provide a great canvas for a child’s handmade, patriotic wreath. Children will enjoy using their creativity and then hanging it on your door to show your family’s patriotism. Talk with your children about the different foods you plan to prepare, whether it be sandwiches, watermelon, vegetables, chips, snacks, desserts, etc.

6. A safety reminder for July 4 celebrations is to protect your little ones with sunscreen, hats and keeping them in the shade. Be sure that your family stays well hydrated during these hot summers. Remember to use bug spray as well.

7. For toddlers and children, playpens are so easy to tote. You can also spread out a blanket or quilt for toddlers to climb around and play on during the family’s festivities.

8. In many towns on July 4, there are hometown parades. Families can have their own parades as well by dec-

orating bikes, tricycles, wagons or just marching around the house and yard with red, white and blue streamers.

9. There are many firework displays in our community. Check in the newspaper or on social media for times and locations of these events.

Keep in mind that young children are often very sensitive to loud sounds. You might want to keep your infants, toddlers and young children at a distance where they can just see the beautiful displays of colors and not be so afraid of the big booms.

10. As citizens and families, pray for those who serve in the armed forces to protect our freedom.

I hope these child-friendly July 4 suggestions help your family to celebrate Independence Day together. Our community is so rich in fun activities on this day.

Classroom Observer

Beth Pinyerd

Good Guys [and Gals] Watch "Bad Guys"at Float-In

ALL-STARS >>

FROM B3

8,000 members (boys and girls, ages 12 to 19) from 50 states and 51 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.

TaylorMade and Adidas are the AJGA’s National Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years.

TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016.

Adidas has been the

Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.

BETH PINYERD

Plenty of children took a splash into the Opelika Sportsplex pool to watch "Bad Guys" on June 16. The event was part of the Sportsplex's regular float-in movies.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Friends and Neighbors Politics

sons, which they did.

DA Requesting Funds

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

Last week I discussed young State Auditor Andrew Sorrell.

Recently, when I had him on my Montgomery television show, we discussed his successful race for state auditor. He understands the golden rule of politics, “money is the mother’s milk of politics.” In his 2022 race, he raised an amazing, recordbreaking $714,000, and was able to outspend his opponents seven-to-one.

More impressively, he spent the seven-toone advantage prudently and wisely. He designed and produced his own television ads, which cut out a 20% distribution and production charge. The most impressive revelation was that he wisely used his personal campaign time in locales where he took advantage of friends and neighbors politics.

His opponent, Rusty Glover, had a very strong base of support in Mobile where he had been a state representative, state senator and taught school for years. Stan Cooke, his other opponent, was a well-known preacher in Jefferson County. Therefore, he acknowledged that these two urban enclaves would vote for their native

Sorrell realized that this left him as the only North Alabama candidate. He was from the Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Florence area and he worked the Tennessee Valley area as their boy. He carried the vote-rich North Alabama. He also worked and cultivated the Wiregrass, where there was no hometown candidate. He did well there, also, with the help of television.

In the runoff with Glover out, Sorrell swooped down to Mobile and Baldwin counties and garnered Glover’s votes and trounced Cooke in the runoff. What surprised me was that in 2022, the old “friends and neighbors” premise still prevailed, and even more surprising, it existed in a low-profile down ballot race.

I have been preaching and telling you about the pervasive friends and neighbors politics in Alabama for the last 20 years in my columns. When folks come to visit with me in anticipation of running a statewide race, I make them aware that it still exists, especially in the governor’s races. Those of us who are students of southern and Alabama politics attribute the highlighting of friends and neighbors theory to the brilliant southern political scientist Dr. V. O. Key Jr.

In Key’s textbook, “Southern Politics in State and Nation,” written in 1948, he points out that friends and neighbors politics has existed in the south for decades. I am here to tell you that it

still exists today. What is friends and neighbors? It is simply a trend whereby folks will vote for someone from their neck of the woods. Alabamians will vote overwhelmingly for a candidate from their county and adjacent counties. When I taught southern politics to college classes, I would tell the students this habit of voting for the hometown boy in Alabama politics was so pervasive that if a candidate from their county or neck of the woods was running statewide and was a well-known drunk or crook, they would still vote for him. They might say, “I know ole Joe is a drunk or crook, but he’s my drunk or crook.”

You can look at every governor’s race the last 80 years and see our local friends and neighbors voting for the hometown candidate when you dive into the numbers. It is unmistakable.

Key illustrates it well, first in the 1946 races for governor, Congress and U.S. Senate. There was an open U.S. Senate when Roosevelt appointed our liberal senator, Hugo Black, to the Supreme Court. The congressman from the Tennessee Valley, John Sparkman, won the Senate seat riding a 75% hometown vote from Madison and Morgan counties. That Tennessee Valley congressional seat was won by Scottsboro lawyer Bob Jones because he got an unheard-of 97.8% of the vote in Jackson

See FLOWERS, page B9

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Commission heard a DA Funding Proposal from District Attorney Jessica Ventiere during its Monday night meeting.

“I think that most people believe that we are fully funded by the state of Alabama and that’s not the case,” Ventiere said.

The DA’s office receives an allocation from the state. Last year it was a bit over $511,000.

“Our allocation from the state general fund didn’t even pay for all of our employee benefits,” she said.

Funding comes from several different places, including collection of court costs.

The DA’s office is in need

of funds for employee costs, updating IT, digitizing case files and more, Ventiere said.

“First of all, I’d like to point out that we have some of the best prosecutors in the state of Alabama,” she said.

“Combined, we have about 96 years of legal experience in that one office.”

However, Lee County pays the second lowest in the state.

Last year the office operated in a deficit of $125,000.

Additionally, cost of living has gone up and the county was approved for another circuit judge. The DA’s office will have to staff that courtroom.

The commission made no comments, there was one question and no decisions were made.

OTHER BUSINESS

- The commission heard an update from Probate

Judge Bill English on the new post office box, which will be number 2412.

- The commission introduced the new human resources director, Lisa Ruffin.

- The commission heard the second readings of the Lee County Planning Commission and East Alabama Health Care Authority appointments and approved them.

- The commission approved the Phase 1 Goat Rock Ridge Subdivision.

- The commission approved a tax abatement application from TSP Technologies Inc.

- The commission approved the bridge investment grant application.

- The commission approved an adopt-a-mile application.

- The commission approved the ARPA Storm Water Grant application.

Street Flooding is Drowning Local Businesses

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Opelika has a pervasive problem.

Flooding on 1st Avenue has been a consistent thorn in the side of business owners ever since the streetscape project was completed there about three years ago.

“Flooding has always been an issue in Opelika for sure,” said Sarah Gill, who co-owns Mama Mochas, however the flooding has been nothing like it has since the streetscape, she said. “… They ripped up all the roads and put totally new sewer system, water inlets, drain pipes, I mean everything was new. And we had a couple of floods in 2020 when they were trying to fix the road, but it was because the inlets were really small at the time and there was a piece

of plywood that had gotten over a drain. And so it flooded and they were like, ‘This would never happen when the new thing gets in; don’t worry about it.’”

Gill said that as soon as the streetscape was done, however, it only worked for regular rain.

“When there’s any

kind of significant rain, like heavy rainfall in a short amount of time, we flood,” she said. “And it rushes all in our building because we’re the lowest part on 1st Avenue. And we’ve had 10 floods in two years, like where there’s hundreds of gallons in the back of the

See FLOODING, page B9

Flooding as seen along 1st Avenue during recent rains.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Assessing Juneteenth: Just Another Day Off Work?

He continued: “I don’t expect that people will spend the day reading about Emancipation (I wish they would.) but I do think people will gather with family and friends, go to churches or parades or cookouts, and generally be in community with one another. That to me seems like a good reflection of freedom.”

called by slaves in Texas freed that day.”

state began to celebrate him each May.

the people.”

OPINION —

Ienjoyed being in Atlanta in January 1986 covering the first official MLK Day parade. I was afraid the new holiday would become just an excuse for people to relax and have fun all day. I didn’t want Dr. King to have died at age 39 only to have most Americans not even spend a half hour thinking about him. My fears have come true, based on my observations of the King holiday for 37 years. We just celebrated Juneteenth as a national holiday for only the third year. Honoring this holiday denoting the end to

slavery in the U.S. shows signs of drifting away. At least in 1986, people did not have computers and other electronic devices of today to divert them. Luckily, an associate professor of history at Auburn University is more optimistic than I am.

“Historians aren’t great at predicting the future, but I actually think there’s enough precedent here to suggest that this will continue to be a day that celebrates both the end of enslavement and the arrival of freedom,” said Elijah Gaddis, a scholar in African American history.

Kenneth Davis is a popular writer in U.S. history, known for books “Don't Know Much About History” and “Don’t Know Much about the Civil War.” Davis notes that the demise of slavery was perhaps the most significant event in American history after the nation’s independence itself.

“For centuries, slavery was the dark stain on America’s soul, the deep contradiction to the nation’s founding ideals of ‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ and ‘All men are created equal,’” explained Davis. “When Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Jan. 1, 1863, he took a huge step toward erasing that stain. But his proclamation would not be realized until June 19, 1865 — Juneteenth, as

Not only the national holiday Juneteenth, but at least two state holidays have their opponents. Cesar Chavez was a leading civil rights activist in California. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which was a forerunner of the United Farm Workers. This grew into a powerful union in the 1950s through 1970s.

Chavez's birthday, March 31, is a holiday in California and Texas. Citizens who disliked Chavez’s leftist politics were not happy he had a holiday granted in his name. Despite it not being a federal holiday, March 31 was proclaimed “Cesar Chavez Day” in the U.S. by President Barack Obama. Yet foes of Chavez and agricultural unions didn’t participate.

Harvey Milk was a leading figure in promoting gay rights in 1970s San Francisco. He eventually became a city supervisor, and the first openly gay person elected to public office in California. After he was assassinated in the city hall by an ex-city supervisor in 1978, the

Apocalypse Averted

global sea levels would rise 20 feet in the near future.

In 2009 he said the polar ice caps would melt off shortly. Why do they keep giving him a microphone?

We survived the global cooling despair of the '70s and '80s. We survived acid rain cataclysms of the '90s. We pushed through global warming of the 2000s. Let’s face it. We are survivors. But the bell keeps tolling as it has for decades with one failed prediction after another.

in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born. By… [1975] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world hunger and starvation into famines of unbelievable proportions.” I remember the late '70s pretty well and yeah, that didn’t happen.

California established Harvey Milk Day as a Day of Special Significance in which public schools must teach how to stop discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. Having such a day as a tribute to Milk brought antagonists as it was being debated. Yet it was approved, as the holiday for Juneteenth was. But why so long for Juneteenth to become a national holiday?

“There are several reasons for the delay in getting Juneteenth as a holiday,” Gaddis said. “The most simple reason is that Juneteenth has not been universally celebrated until quite recently. For many years, places had their own individual Emancipation Day celebrations that represented the time when most enslaved people learned about their official freedom.

“More broadly, I would say it’s about resistance to change. That’s not a negative thing: Traditions take time to get established and become first widely recognized, and then official. Governments tend to come late in the game and following the will of

In 1977, I was an intern at the Rhode Island State House and noticed an interesting exchange. Several House members, all Irish, said to the speaker, “Don’t forget that the House will not meet on March 17, for that is St. Patrick’s Day.” He responded: “Of course, we already made the change on the daily schedule.”

Some legislators, mostly Italians, reminded the Speaker: “We should cancel House plans on St. Joseph’s Day, too; it’s that same week.” (St. Joseph is a patron saint of workers and is associated with feast days.) I remember this 1970s discussion because it shows people valued holidays then — for all the right reasons.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s degree in education from AUM and a master’s degree in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to The Observer since 2011. gm.markley@ charter.net

by an unobstructed view of waves crashing on a white sandy beach. We should be good stewards and care for the land and do what we can to preserve it. If there is a cleaner way to mine coal then show me. If we can save a species from extinction, I’m all for it.

stewarding opportunity for you to choose to adopt into your personal plan for good, clean living. They are requirements. You are told to kneel and if you refuse to kneel that horrors will beset us and we will all surely die.

OPINION —

Do the climate doomsayers ever get it right?

It seems there is yet another apocalypse ever on the horizon. I was reminded recently that the perpetual oracle of doom Greta Thunberg had made the bold and ill-informed statement exactly five years ago that “A top climate scientist is warning that climate change will wipe out all of humanity unless we stop using fossil fuels over the next five years.”

Congratulations, we have all survived the Gretapocalypse.

Who exactly was the “top climate scientist” who let Thunburg in on the secret date of the end of the world? I would hope that one is no longer working in the field of apocalypse predictions, because he is just not getting it.

But this is nothing new. Every few years we have the next great round of endof-times handwringing.

Earlier this year noted

sensationalist and former Vice President Al Gore made headlines with some superb climate-based hyperbole. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Gore claimed that mankind is “… boiling the oceans, creating these atmospheric rivers, and the rain bombs, and sucking the moisture out of the land, and creating the droughts, and melting the ice and raising the sea level and causing

In 1970 the green movement created “Earth Day” as a part of a global push for awareness. But mere awareness wasn’t enough. They needed some good old-fashioned panic. 1970 had a bumper crop of failed disaster predictions. If you think Gore and Thunburg are tiresome you should go back and review some of the tripe the early '70s.

In January 1970, Life Magazine reported, “In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution… by 1985 air pollution will have reduced the amount

Ecologist Kenneth Watt warned about a pending Ice Age in a 1970 speech. “The world has been chilling sharply for about 20 years. If present trends continue, the world will be … 11 degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an Ice Age.” Nope. Wrong again.

Then there was Sen. Gaylord Nelson, (D-Wisconsin) the founder of Earth Day, who wrote in Look Magazine, that “… in 25 years, somewhere between 75 and 80% of all the species of living animals will be extinct.” And yes, he was a U.S. senator.

I will pause here and make note that I am a firm believer in being

But being a steward denotes possession. You cannot steward something if it possesses you. But yet, the cult of green demands that the earth is in charge.

Alarmism in the environmental movements is always coupled with demands. In 1970 we were told to stop driving V-8’s and we went from the Boss Mustang to the Pinto in a few short years. Fast forward to today and it’s no different.

You will give up your silly fossil fuel burning vehicle, get over your range anxiety and drive an EV and you will like it.

You will not have a gas stove in your house, nor a clothes washer, or dish washer, that gets things clean the first time through the cycle.

They’ve been saying it for generations, and they are wrong every single time.

Congratulations once again. Apocalypse averted.

Phil Williams is a former state senator, retired army colonel and combat veteran, and a practicing attorney. He previously served with the leadership of the Alabama Policy Institute in Birmingham.

Williams currently hosts the conservative news/ talkshow Rightside Radio Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. on multiple channels throughout north Alabama. (WVNN 92.5FM/770AM-Huntsville/ Athens; WXJC 101.FM and WYDE 850AM – Birmingham/Cullman.)

His column appears weekly throughout Alabama. The views and opin

GREG MARKLEY

PHIL WILLIAMS

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt Honored for Term Limits Support

Smiths Station City Council Takes Steps Toward Road Improvement

CONTRIBUTED

ALABAMA —

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama was honored for her steadfast commitment to place term limits on Congress. U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the nation’s largest pro-term limits group, honored Britt for taking a strong stand on this important election reform.

Les and Shanna Chamblee presented Britt with a glass plaque inscribed with her signed term limits pledge. Britt vowed that she would cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits Amendment of three house terms and two senate terms and no longer limit.

True to her word, Britt cosponsored House Joint Resolution 11 (HJR11) in

FLOODING >>

FROM B9

building.”

A company has to suck out the water, then dehumidifiers have to be set up for about a week.

“And it’s like deafening sound … we can’t even talk to each other because it’s so loud,” she said.

While the city offers to pay for the cleanup, it essentially forces the business to close for a week.

Gill said the city’s first attempt at fixing the problem was to put more holes in the inlets, however, that didn’t work.

Then, they installed new drain inlets, bigger ones.

the 118th Congress that began this January. More than 100 members of Congress have cosponsored the joint bills in both chambers. HJR 11 is sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2) is sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

"U.S. Term Limits is proud to acknowledge Sen. Britt as a champion of term limits," Shanna said. "It is a recognition that the seniority system just isn't working and Congress as an institution needs to be reformed."

According to the latest nationwide poll on term limits conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, term limits enjoy wide bipartisan support. McLaughlin's analysis states, “Support for term

However, this didn’t fix the problem either.

“We still flooded,” she said. “… All we’ve really heard via the emails from the Engineering Department is that there’s not an issue. That the drain system is functioning correctly. And the mayor has been super cool, like ‘We’re going to get this fixed, you’ve been through too much suffering, we’re going to get this fixed for y’all, this is crazy.’ But then when we have the roundtables with the engineers there’s a lot of pushback about ‘why [it's] this way,’ and ‘This [has] always been this way’, and that’s just historically not true.”

The city has said it will

limits is broad and strong across all political, geographic and demographic groups. An overwhelming 82% of voters approve of a constitutional amendment that will place term limits on members of Congress.”

Once the amendment is proposed by Congress, it must be ratified by 38 states in order to become an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

ABOUT U.S. TERM LIMITS

U.S. Term Limits is the largest grassroots term limits advocacy group in the country. We connect term limits supporters with their legislators and work to pass term limits on all elected officials, particularly on the U.S. Congress. Find out more at termlimits.org.

hire an outside Hydro Engineering company, Gill said, but that the business owners haven’t heard anything more on this.

Another solution the city proposed was a trench drain in front of the doors, but this hasn’t happened yet.

Gill also said she feels communication has been poor on the end of the city, other than Mayor Gary Fuller.

“I do feel like Gary wants this fixed, but Gary’s not an engineer,” she said. “I feel like he understands this is a problem but nobody’s really sure what to do about it at this point. Because they can’t very well rip up this award-winning street that

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

SMITHS STATION —

The Smiths Station City Council had a quiet month of meetings. The mayor and council made one new appointment to the Historical Commission and had first and second readings for two items of business related to public works and road improvements.

At its June 13 meeting, the Smiths Station City Council appointed Jilmeka Ashford to fill a space on the Historical

cost so much money and grant money to get it right. And now we’re like, ‘Bro, did we even do a study on this? Did you do a rain study?’ Because it’s not just the rain that goes to us, it’s going from 7th Street down, it’s going from 8th Street down, it’s going from 2nd Avenue down. We’re getting hit from all sides with the drainage.”

Fuller said that the city is committed to find a solution to the problem.

We’ve engaged another engineering firm and materials have been ordered to install a different drainage system on the South side of this block on 1st Avenue," Fuller said via email. "This

Commission. The space was previously held by Susan Lansdon, who has vacated her term.

Following Ashford’s appointment, the council held a first reading to purchase a four-ton dump truck for the city’s Public Works Department. The dump truck would come from the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) Surplus Listing Bureau.

The council also held a first reading to enter into a contract with Phenix Paving and Maintenance LLC for the Donna Place (Lee Road 853) Improvements Project.

issue has gone on too long but we are committed to getting it fixed."

There are other affected businesses, like 10,000 Hz.

Russell Baggett, owner, said that while his business is not affected as bad as Gill’s, it is still a problem.

They have to move stock and records into spaces where they know they won’t get ruined.

“We’re just doing what we can to kind of mitigate it,” he said. “… It’s been difficult for us to predict when it's going to happen exactly, like when the rain is going to be just bad enough, and so it does create this anxiety.”

Some of the business owners have to consider long-term plans.

Gill said that while she doesn’t want to move, it is an option because she doesn’t know if the business can sustain the problem.

“I really want to stay on 1st Avenue because that’s like my home, and I love

FLOWERS >>

FROM B7

County.

In that same year, Big Jim Folsom won the 1946 governor’s race because he had two hometowns. Folsom was born and raised near Elba in Coffee County but spent his adult life in Cullman in North Alabama. In that 1946 race, Folsom garnered 72% in Cullman and 77% in Coffee in the first primary where his statewide average was 28% in the crowded field.

The Donna Place project is one of several on the city’s radar intended to improve road conditions, having recently completed improvements to Cummings Road and Susan Place.

The next day, the city of Smiths Station recognized Flag Day.

“The City of Smiths Station commemorates the 138th anniversary of Flag Day, a day celebrating the rich history and legacy of our nation’s flag which was created in 1777,” the city posted on social media.

the people and what we’re building there, but if they can’t do something about this flooding really this summer or this fall, we’re going to be forced out,” she said.

Baggett said his business has discussed the option of moving.

“None of us want to move, you know what I mean? We chose these spaces, we chose Opelika for reasons, chose these spaces in particular, for a reason,” he said.

Gill said moving wouldn’t fix the problem for someone else, though.

“Whatever business that goes into that building is going to be dealing with this,” she said. “It’s not going to stop flooding, even if we leave. So essentially, the streetscape has rendered my building specifically uninhabitable by any kind of successful business.”

Right now there seems to be no immediate solution for the problem.

You can point to countless examples in all governor’s races since 1946. There are clearcut examples of localism and regionalism voting for the candidate from your neck of the woods. Friends and neighbors politics is still alive and well.

See you next week.

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

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt with Les and Shanna Chamblee of U.S. Term Limits.

The city of Smiths Station recently completed improvements projects for Cummings Road and Susan Place.

Local Clubs Updates

The Rotary Club of Auburn recently donated toys, books, crayons and more to the Child Life Specialists Team of the East Alabama Medical Center, in order to meet the needs of children admitted to the hospital or waiting in the emergency rooms. Pictured far left is Susan Cowart, director of the EAMC Foundation; second from right is President-elect Griffin McNeill; and far right is club President Judd Langham. Several members of the Child Life Specialists Team were also present. "Our club is grateful for such a wonderful facility in our community and a hospital staff who cares greatly for those they serve," the club said.

Shinhwa Auto USA Presents Check to R.A.D. Programs

Pictured left to right: Lt. Jessica Daley, LCSO; Cpl. Greg Sumner, LCSO; Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones; Director Bongho Lee, Shinhwa Auto USA; Candy Miles, Shinhwa Auto USA; Chambers County Sheriff Jeff Nelson; Macy Whorton, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.

Lee presented Jones and Nelson with a check for $5,000 to go toward the R.A.D. programs in both counties last week. This donation will make a huge impact for the R.A.D. program, helping to continue growing and improving the program to help more women in the area feel safe and empowered.

The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. R.A.D. is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. It is open to any woman age 13 or older. Visit www.leecountysheriff.org/rad for more information about R.A.D. and our upcoming R.A.D. classes.

Meet David Hedges

AUBURNBANK PRESIDENT & CEO

Leadership succession in any business is essential to its sustainability, especially one that has been strong and viable for 116 years. Since our founding in 1907, AuburnBank has had eight presidents—and now David Hedges succeeds Bob Dumas as our ninth. Joining the bank in 2006, David has demonstrated his commitment to AuburnBank and its shareholders. He and his wife, Jill, are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika, and they enjoy raising their three children who attend Auburn City Schools. David is excited to lead AuburnBank into the future, while upholding a tradition of service to our customers and our communities.

Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com

This week's speaker for at the Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting was Jack Galassini, the Kiwanis district lieutenant governor. He came and spoke on the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling and its impact in the Lee County area.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Lee County Residents Selected For Prestigious A.L.F.A Leaders Program

Community Announcement: Lee County Democrats to Hold Training Session July 15

CONTRIBUTED BY THE LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

LEE COUNTY —

Laura Beth Gamache, pictured left, and Daniel Mullenix, pictured right, of Lee County were selected as two of 18 participants for the two-year Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A.) Program. Sponsored by Alabama Farmers Federation, A.L.F.A. Leaders includes six leadership development classes as well as two trips. The class will graduate in August 2025. Gamache is a territory sales manager with Brandt Consolidated Inc. and Mullenix is a cattle farmer and director of ag technologies with GreenPoint Ag Holdings LLC.

The program begins in September and will conclude with a capstone project presentation and graduation at the 2025 Farm & Land Expo. Participants will train in agricultural policy, industry leadership, productive communication and organizational involvement at six seminars in Alabama, Washington, D.C., and a to-be-determined international location.

“We’re proud to offer a program that strengthens the abilities of young agricultural leaders in our state,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell, a graduate of the Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Development Program, a forerunner to A.L.F.A. Leaders. “We want to continue developing leaders who not only serve in important federation roles but in positions to help our state and nation, as well.”

Participants were chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of former class members, Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Development Program graduates and stakeholders with a vested interest in agriculture leadership development. Selection is based on criteria related to community involvement and personal ability and characteristics. The program is designed for participants ages 25 to 45 who demonstrate leadership qualities and potential, in addition to strong character, reputation and a sound personal life.

The Lee County Democratic Executive Committee will hold a meeting on Saturday, July 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Opelika Public Library, located at 1100 Glenn St., in Opelika.

All interested Democrats are welcome. Those that plan to attend should send their name and email address to Patsy Parker at pat1bill2@aol.com, no later than July 10, or contact Ben

Harris, vice chair for County Affairs for the Alabama Democratic Party, by calling 251610-6081 or by emailing chair@ mobiledemocrats.org.

The Lee County Democratic Executive Committee is the official Lee County Democratic Party. This meeting will be a training session to acquaint all persons interested in joining the Lee County Democratic Party.

A formal organizational meeting will follow on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at a time and location to be announced.

OPD Seeks Community's Help in Identifying Suspects

CONTRIBUTED BY OPD

OPELIKA —

On June 18, 2023, the Opelika Police Department (OPD) began investigating a report of a criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree, which occurred at Circle K, located at 511 2nd Ave.

The individual, a black male with a bald head and facial hair,

SMITHS STATION >>

FROM B9

The city also closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

“We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Juneteenth and acknowledge the importance of this day for our citizens and community,” the city wrote on its Facebook page a few

attempted to use a counterfeit $50 bill to pay.

The individual is seen wearing a dark-colored Disney Villains graphic T-shirt, blue jeans and brown boots. If you have any information on this incident or the identity of the individual, please contact the OPD Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665.

days ahead of the holiday. At its June 27 meeting, the council held second readings for the two items of business from the June 13 meeting — for the dump truck from ALDOT and the contract with Phenix Paving and Maintenance LLC. The council also heard an update on its General Fund Budget statement for May

Tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. You may wish to remain anonymous.

Tips can also be forwarded through Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215STOP(7867), toll-free at 1-833-AL1-STOP or via the Facebook page www. Facebook.com/215stop or its website: www.215STOP.com.

2023.

The Smiths Station City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. Eastern Time at the city’s government center, located at 2336 Panther Parkway (Lee Road 430). A work session is held 30 minutes prior in the same location. Meetings are open to the public.

Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University

June 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE

DIVISION

A.S. a minor child (DOB:

09/20/2022), Case No. JU

2022-429.02

NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO: Floriselda

Salez, mother of A.S. Legal and physical custody of A.S. was vested with the Lee County Department of Human Resources in September, 2022. Floriselda Salez must answer the Petition to Terminate her Parental Rights filed with the Family Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 or thereafter, a final judgment may be rendered in case JU-2022-429.02, terminating her parental rights and placing the child for adoption.

MARY ROBERSON CIRCUIT CLERK

Hon. Harold S. Patrick (PAT031) Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 741-0809 Legal Run 6/8/23, 6/15/23, 6/22/23 & 6/29/23

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE

DIVISION

A.S. a minor child (DOB: 09/20/2022), Case No. JU 2022-429.02

NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO: Any alleged, unknown father of A.S. born to Floriselda Salez. Legal and physical custody of A.S. was vested with the Lee County Department of Human Resources in September, 2022. Any alleged or unknown father must answer the Petition to Terminate his Parental Rights filed with the Family Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 or thereafter, a final judgment may be rendered in in case JU-2022-429.02, terminating hisparental rights and placing the child for adoption.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT

CLERK

Hon. Harold S. Patrick

(PAT031) Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801

(334) 741-0809

Legal Run 6/8/23, 6/15/23, 6/22/23 & 6/29/23

FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR

LEGAL

COMPLETION

NOTICE – FOR BID #22026

In accordance with Chapter I, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Robinson Paving Company, Inc., Contractor, has completed the Contract for The South Long Street Drainage and Sidewalk Upgrades, AL for the City of Opelika, 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 Jeffrey Robinson, 5425 Schatulga Rd., Columbus, GA 31907, in writing.

Legal Run 06/8/23, 6/15/23, 6/22/23 & 6/29/23

TO: OMAR BROOKS Per O.C.G.A. § 19-8-10, you are hereby notified that a Petition for Step Parent Adoption has been filed in the Superior Court of Troup County, Georgia, Case No. 83-CA-1422 on March 2, 2023. Petitioners seek to adopt Z.D.M., born in 2005, O.P.M and A.M.M, both born in 2008, minor children. You are not required to file your answer to the Complaint with the Clerk of Superior Court of Troup County. This matter is set for a final hearing on Tuesday, August, 15, 2023, at the Troup County Courthouse before the Honorable Judge John Simpson. You are further notified that you are subject to lose all rights to the children at such hearing.

Legal Run 6/15/23,6/22/23, 6/29/23 and 7/6/23

OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL

July 11, 2023 6:00 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, July 11, 2023, beginning at 6:00 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 Country Club Road. 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 Country Club Road proposed to be vacated is more particularly described as follows:

Commencing at a 1 inch diameter pipe with a crimped top found marking the southeast corner of Section 21, Township 19 North, Range 26 East Lee County, Alabama; thence along the east boundary of said Section 21 North 1 Degrees 00 Minutes 18 Seconds West a distance of 1522.60 feet to a 1 inch diameter pipe with a crimped top found; thence North 0 Degrees 55 Minutes

09 Seconds West a distance of 408.20 feet to a #5 rebar with a cap stamped “GARVER LLC CA-445-LS” (typical) set on the north right-of-way of Country Club Road; thence leaving said Section line and right-of-way North 75 Degrees

28 Minutes 24 Seconds East a distance of 164.13 feet to a

1 inch diameter pipe found on the south right-of-way of Country Club Road; thence along said right-of-way North

56 Degrees 06 Minutes 24

Seconds East a distance of 168.04 feet to a #4 rebar found; thence North 56 Degrees 43 Minutes 58 Seconds East a distance of 345.52 feet to a #5 rebar set, said point being the Point of Beginning of the herein described tract, having established grid coordinates of N-771673.66, E-778082.41 of zone east of the Alabama State Plane Coordinate System (NAD83); Thence leaving said right-of-way North 0 Degrees

49 Minutes 30 Seconds East a distance of 72.45 feet to a #5 rebar set on the north right-ofway of Country Club Road; thence along said right-of-way North 56 Degrees 44 Minutes 09 Seconds East a distance of 1002.21 feet to a #5 rebar set; thence leaving said rightof-way South 0 Degrees 49 Minutes 30 Seconds West a distance of 72.42 feet to a #5 rebar set on the south right-ofway of Country Club Road; thence along said right-of-way South 56 Degrees 45 Minutes 53 Seconds West a distance of 56.77 feet to a #5 rebar set; thence South 56 Degrees 43 Minutes 58 Seconds West a distance of 945.46 feet thence to the POINT OF BEGINNING. Being further described according to and as shown on that certain survey or drawing prepared by Loyd W. Carpenter, Registered Surveyor. 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 15th day of June, 2023.

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC RUSSELL A. JONES, CITY CLERK Legal Run 06/15/2023,

& 07/06/2023 IN

COUNTY ALABAMA, THENCE SOUTH ALONG WEST MARGIN OF JESSIE BROWN LOT 420 FT. THEN N. 50 DEGREES WEST 105 FT., THENCE NORTH 420 FT., THENCE S. 50 DEGREES EAST ALONG SOUTH MARGIN LEE COUNTY HIGHWAY #4 105FT. TO POINT OF BEGINNING. UNKNOWN HEIRS OF STEVINS JONES and/or MARGARET JONES , and WILLIAM J. WADE, Solely as trustee of MID-STATE TRUST II, a Delaware Trust, or Its unknown successors and assigns, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION

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

You are hereby notified that on the 19th day of January 2023 a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: Commencing at the Southwest Comer of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 25, Township 18 North, Range 27 East, Lee County, Alabama. Run thence North 87°00' East 730 feet, more or less, thence run North 03°00'West 269.6 feet, more or less, to the Point of Beginning, thence continue North 03°00' West 420 feet to the Southerly Right of Way of Lee County Highway No. 4, thence run along said Highway North 54°45' West 105 feet, thence run South 03°00' East 420 feet, thence run South 54°45' East 105 feet to the point of beginning. Located in Section 25, Township 18 North, Range 27 East, Lee County, Alabama Being that tract described in Deed book 1035 page 365, Deed Records of Lee County, Alabama Less and except any road right of ways of record. Said parcel also being described as: Begin at the Northwest comer of the Jessie Brown 1 acre tract as described in Deed Book 628, Page 453 at Probate Office in Lee County, Alabama, thence South along West margin of Jessie Brown lot 420 ft. then N. 50 degrees West 105 ft., thence North 420 ft., thence S. 50 degrees East along South margin Lee County Highway #4 105 ft. to point of beginning. All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint. Done this the 6th day of June, 2023.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court

Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999

Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com

Legal Run 06/15/2023, 06/22/2023, 06/29/2023 & 07/06/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS M. DICKINSON SR., DECEASED ESTATE NO. 2023-270 PETITION TO PROBATE WILL NOTICE

Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of THOMAS M. DICKINSON, SR., deceased, having been granted to LINDA FERRELL, on the 18th day of May 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. Attorney for LINDA FERRELL Executor of the Estate of THOMAS M. DICKINSON, SR. Attorney for Personal

Representative: Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER

145 E. Magnolia Avenue, suite 110 Auburn, AL 36830 Telephone: (334) 991-3143

FAX Number: (877) 730-3354

e-mail address: Ray@ RayJackson.Law Legal Run 06/15/2023, 06/22/2023 & 06/29/2023.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES LEROY SUMMERS, DECEASED ESTATE NO. 2023-291 PETITION TO PROBATE WILL NOTICE

Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of CHARLES LEROY SUMMERS, deceased, having been granted to GREGORY SCOTT SUMMERS, on the 25th day of May, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. Attorney for GREGORY SCOTT SUMMERS Executor of the Estate of CHARLES LEROY SUMMERS Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER 145 E. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 110 Auburn, AL 36830

Telephone: (334) 991-3143

FAX Number: (877) 730-3354

e-mail address: Ray@ RayJackson.Law Legal Run 06/15/2023, 06/22/2023 & 06/29/2023.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY OPELIKA, ALABAMA PROBATE COURT NO: 2023-244 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PHEBE DIONNE FOY AKA PHEBE FOY, DECEASED. NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY PERSONAL LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the estate of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 1st day of June2023, 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.

LARRY FOY, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF PHEBE DIONNE FOY AKA PHEBE FOY, DECEASED LINDA D. BENSON, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative P.O. Box 780818 Tallassee, AL 36078 334-283-5800 Legal Run 6/15/23, 6/22/23 & 6/29/23

INVITATION TO BID

23033

Sealed bids for the construction of the Columbus Parkway North Access Road shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on July 10, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §348-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code

§34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Drawings and Specifications

may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450. Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box. The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing/Revenue & Codes Director, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Columbus Parkway North Access Road LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING/REVENUE & CODES DIRECTOR CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 06/22/2023, 06/29/2023 & 07/06/2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF SHAWN CORNELL MONTGOMERY, Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2023-282

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Cindy RichardsonMontgomery on the 23rd day of May 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby re-quired to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Cindy Richardson-Montgomery Legal Run 06/22/2023, 06/29/2023 & 07/06/2023

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING OF THE OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the first regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama, in July 2023 will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, commencing at 6:00 pm in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, per Ordinance 007-23 that was adopted and approved on February 21, 2023, rescheduling the first regular meeting of the city council in July 2023, from July 4, 2023 to July 11, 2023 in order to accommodate the observance of the Independence Day Holiday. Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5132 prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 29th day of June, 2023.

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 06/29/2023

ORDINANCE NO. 019-23

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 4-78

OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA RELATING TO LARGE ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE

WHEREAS, Section 4-78 of the Code of Ordinances prohibits large animals running at large within the corporate limits of the City; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Act No. 2023-42, the Alabama Legislature recently amended §3-5-2, Code of Alabama, relating to livestock, to update the existing code language; and

WHEREAS, §3-5-2(e), Code of Alabama, as amended, provides that no municipal governing body may adopt or continue in effect any ordinance, rule, resolution or other directive that is inconsistent with said §3-5-2; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend the language in Section 4-78 of the Code of Ordinances so that it is consistent with §3-5-2, Code of Alabama, as amended.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendment of Section 4-78. That Section 4-78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Opelika, Alabama, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 4-78 Large animals running at large.

(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any livestock, as defined in §3-5-1, Code of Alabama, or large animal to knowingly, voluntarily, negligently or willfully permit any such livestock or large animal to run at large within the corporate limits of the City or upon the public lands, highways, roads or streets within the City.

(b) Nothing in this section or elsewhere in this chapter shall be construed to make it unlawful for livestock or other animals to run at large on the premises of another when the owner or person in charge of the premises has consented in writing to allow livestock or other animals to run at large on the premises.

(c)Any person or persons owning or having the possession, custody or control of any livestock or large animal who unlawfully and knowingly permit the same to run or be at large, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than double the damages sustained by the injured party or parties, but in no case more than fifty dollars ($50.00), one-half of such fine to go to the injured party or parties, and may also be imprisoned or sentenced to hard labor for the City for a term not exceeding six (6) months at the discretion of the court trying the case.

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 to the extent of such inconsistency.

Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

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 20th day of June, 2023.

/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 26th day of June, 2023.

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR

APPROVED this the 26th day of June, 2023.

s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK Legal Run 06/29/2023

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

Book Release and Signing for “Yoga & Me”

BY ETHAN STAMPER FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

The Curtis House and The Opelika Library are jointly hosting a book launch and signing event for “Yoga & Me,” a new children's self-help book by Alabama State Rep. Jeremy Gray, on July 3, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Opelika Public Library.

“Yoga & Me'' offers a kid-friendly look into the world of yoga. It combines personal stories with easy tips, aiming to inspire young readers to engage with yoga. The book also highlights Gray’s successful effort to lift the ban on yoga that was put into place in 1993 in Alabama’s K through 12 public schools.

“I wasn’t looking for a challenge,” Gray said. “I was just looking to be a solution to a problem, but it was a tough challenge because I had to talk to so many people and had to change so many minds.”

In 2021, Gray’s nearly

three years of effort finally led to the bill being overturned and yoga being allowed to be practiced in schools again. The original ban was deep-rooted in conservative skepticism of the practice and how it could affect children.

“Yoga is about the union of oneself,” Gray said. “Being centered, knowing yourself, being aware; It embodies the concept of self.”

Gray first found yoga through his background as a multi-sport athlete. He first learned about the physical benefits of yoga, but it wasn’t until much later in his life that he would discover the mental benefits as well.

“Once I became a practitioner, I used to teach yoga at the SportsPlex,

SERVICES SELLING a RV, Tractor or Golf Cart? ADVERTISE

STATEWIDE or by region in over 100 Newspapers, reaching over 1 million readers each week! Run your ad in our Classified Network for just $210 per week! Make one call to this newspaper (participating AlaSCAN newspaper) or call 1-800264-7043 to find out how easy it is to advertise statewide!

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 833449-1307.

BECOME A PUBLISHED

AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the

PUBLIC NOTICES >>

FROM B12

NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING , IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution

In the Estate of RAVEN KEUNNA JACKSON, deceased

Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Yakita Albretton Jackson on June 20, 2023, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order Directing

Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH – PROBATE

JUDGE

Legal Run 06/29/2023

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids will be received by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Mobile, Alabama (“Board”), at the Wesley A. James Operations Center, 4725 Moffett Road, Suite A, Mobile, AL 36618-0249 until 12:00 p.m., Local Time, August 7, 2027, and then publicly opened and read aloud at 1:00 p.m., for furnishing all labor, materials, and performing all work for the following project: Contract No.: D3424000, Project Name:

that's how I really got in tune with yoga,” Gray said. “I started understanding the other benefits of it, that it was more than just the physical. Because the most important thing about yoga is breathing, and what this book does is show you the power of breathing.”

“Yoga & Me” aims to allow children to process their emotions in a way that encourages them to think and breathe before reacting to their feelings.

The event at the Opelika Public Library is free and open to the public. It presents a chance for yoga enthusiasts and beginners alike to connect and delve into the practice. The library is located at 1100 Glenn St. in Opelika.

work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 888-283-4780

LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America's Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 844-925-3534

EDUCATION

ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).

HEALTH/BEAUTY ATTENTION OXYGEN

THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8

NORTONS LANE SWAT AND LIFT STATION.

The project is funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program. The selected bidder shall comply with all conditions and requirements of the program as they pertain to this Project.

Plans and Specifications may be inspected at the Board’s offices at 4725 Moffett Road, Suite A, Mobile, AL, or at the offices of Jacobs, Consulting Engineers, 25 W. Cedar Street, Suite 350, Pensacola FL. 32502 (by appointment)., Telephone: (850) 396-4938.

A complete set of electronic contract documents including Drawings, Specifications, referenced documents and a model bid package may be obtained from Kara St. Myer of Jacobs via e-mail from Kara St. Myer at Kara.StMyer@ jacobs.com. No Contract Documents will be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to bid submission time. Questions regarding the Contract Documents must be submitted in writing or electronically to Jacobs no later than July 28, 2023 in order for responses to be provided via addendum prior to the bid date. A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference will be held at Wesley A. James Operations Center, 4725 Moffett Road, Board Room, Mobile, AL 36618-0249 on July 18, 2023 at 10:30 a.m., Local Time, to discuss bidding and project requirements. Prospective bidders must attend. Subcontractors should attend. Bids must be submitted on the

pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-322-9935.

ATTENTION: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 866505-0828.

FOR SALE

DirecTV Satellite TV Service

Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-594-7108

NEED NEW Flooring? Call Empire Today to schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting and Flooring. Call Today! 1-888381-0916.

UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades.

standard forms included with the Contract Documents in the tabbed and color‐coded format as indicated. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed and delivered to the Director, Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Mobile, Alabama, 4725A Moffett Road, Mobile, Alabama 36618-0249: “Bid for constructing Project # D3424000 - NORTONS LANE SWAT AND LIFT STATION, to be opened at 1:00 p.m., Local Time, August 7, 2027”. The Bidder's Alabama State Contractor's License Number and discipline shall be on the envelope. Hand-delivered bid packages shall be delivered to the receptionist at the main entrance of the MAWSS office complex, 4725A Moffett Road, Mobile AL 36618.

Bid guarantee in the form of certified check, bid bond, or Irrevocable Letter of Credit acceptable to the Board will be required for at least 5 percent of the bid amount, not to exceed $10,000. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received.

THIS INVITATION FOR BIDS IS CONDENSED FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ REQUIREMENTS FOR BIDDERS CAN BE FOUND IN THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS. THE BOARD OF WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA

FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-8099165. Ask about our specials!

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior &

AUTO INSURANCE from $29 month Free 2-minute Quote! We Compare all Insurance providers offers for you! Lowest Rates! Call Now 866-450-0943

VEHICLE TITLE Problems?

We have a solution! Call Jason Steward Enterprises, We’re Alabama’s #1 Vehicle Title Problem Experts! Free telephone consultation. North AL 1-256850-0527, Central AL 1-205267-5735, South AL 1-251-3428538.

Legal Run 06/29/23, 07/06/23 & 07/13/23

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 10:00AM

Unit 218 Unit 319

Unit 506

The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 06/29/2023

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, Contractor, has completed the Contract for the Alterations to Building #500 & Building #6000 at Drake Middle School at 655 North Donahue Drive, Auburn, Alabama 36832 for Auburn City Schools, Auburn, State of Alabama, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials,

or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify:

Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated, 624 South McDonough Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 WHATLEY CONSTRUCTION, LLC / CONTRACTOR

P.O. BOX 137 OPELIKA, AL 36802

Legal Run 06/29/2023, 07/6/23, 07/13/23 & 07/20/23

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF HARRY G. VOGLER, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2023-304

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of HARRY G. VOGLER are hereby granted to Vincent S. Vogler on the 9th day of June, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Vincent S. Vogler Legal Run 06/29/2023, 07/06/2023, 07/13/2023

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF MARILYN J. ROGERS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY

LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 22nd day of June, 2023,, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 22nd day of June 2023.

WENDY ANN HARDEE

KRISTINA JANE ROGERS (BUTLER) Legal Run 06/29/2023, 07/06/2023 & 07/13/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LORA J. HILL, DECEASED.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY

ALABAMA

Case No: 2023-334

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 23rd day of June, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

LISA HARMON and ELAINE LATHAM

Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 6/29/2023, 07/06/2023 & 07/13/2023

“... I was just looking to be a solution to a problem ...”

~ State Rep. Jeremy Gray

Independence Day

The 4th of July is known for fireworks, large family cookouts, trips to the lake and parades but what is it really about? Another name for the 4th of July is Independence Day. This is the day that the leaders of the original 13 Colonies got together and declared that the colonies were tired of the British rules. The people in the colonies wanted to be independent. To form their own government and a new country. The leaders met and formed the Continental Congress and on July 4, 1776 they approved the Declaration of Independence. This is the beginning of the United States of America.

Fireworks displays around the United States on the 4th of July can be amazing. China invented fireworks more than 2000 years ago. European explorers liked them so much when they visited China they brought them back to Europe. Early settlers brought them from Europe to the new world. The first 4th of July fireworks show was in 1777. That is 244 years ago. In our capital, Washington D.C., there is a big concert and after the concert a beautiful fireworks show. Other places like New York city, New Orleans, Orlando, and Long Beach are famous for their large and colorful displays. Many people plan their vacations just so they can be at one of these celebrations.

Extra Stuff!

Many towns and cities across the United States hold 4th of July parades. In New York City, the parade happens on the water. No, not with floats, marching bands and horses but a parade of boats. You can go to Bristol, Rhode Island to watch their parade. Bristol was the first town to hold a parade in the United States. That was in 1785. Washington D.C. has had a parade for many years but it has been canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid 19. Does your town have a parade?

Who Knew?

1. Over $1 billion dollars will be spent on fireworks in the USA this year

2. Americans will eat more than 1 million hot dogs on the 4th of July

3. President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th

4. Three former presidents have died on July 4th - two of them on July 4, 1826

5. More than half the people in the United States will go to a barbecue

6. The most famous hot dog eating contest happens on this day. You can watch it on ESPN.