New art studio opens in downtown Opelika — page A4
• Wednesday, Aug. 14: Las Latinas Kitchen (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and VV’s Sweet Treats (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) will be at Parks and Recreation Campus
• Thursday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Tiger Dawgs Hot Dogs will be at Boykin Community Center
• Friday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: BamaQue will be at Public Safety/Development Services
• Monday, Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: BamaQue will be at Environmental Services/ Public Works
Way of Lee County to help support vital programs and services that benefit the community. The food truck schedule is as follows:
• Thursday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Butcher Paper BBQ will be at Boykin Community Center
• Monday, Aug. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Las Latinas Kitchen will be at Environmental Services/Public Works
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Butcher Paper BBQ will be at Auburn Public Library
• Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: P&B Rockin’ Teas will be at Auburn Public Library
• Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Chill Spot will be at Auburn Public Library
• Thursday, Aug. 22: Story’s Ice Cream (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and BamaQue (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will be at Parks and Recreation Campus
The city of Auburn encourages everyone to come out and enjoy delicious food while sup-porting a great cause.
Please be aware that only food trucks granted permission to participate in Food Trucks for United Way are authorized to park at these designated locations. Additionally, all food trucks must comply with City Ordinance 3053 outside of this event. For further details regarding the event and food truck locations, email Gabby Filgo at gfilgo@auburnalabama.org.
Lee County Schools started the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Opelika City Schools and Lee-Scott Academy started back on Wednesday, Aug. 7, and Auburn City Schools will begin on Thursday, Aug. 8. Members of the community submitted back-to-school photos to The Observer. For
Auburn Library expands accessibility
Auburn to host conference of beef cattle producers
AUBURN — Beef cattle producers across the state will gain valuable insight on how to overcome bottom-line sustainability challenges in the cattle business during the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences’ 2024 Beef Cattle Conference, set for Oct. 3-4. The conference begins Thursday evening at Lazenby Farms (11546 Society Hill Road, Auburn) and continues Friday at the Stanley Wilson Beef Teaching Unit (550 Shug Jordan Parkway Drive, Auburn).
With the theme of “sustaining our beef community future,” the conference will equip cattlemen and cattlewomen with the knowledge, insights and management tools to improve their operations in critical areas of production. The conference will feature a lineup of guest speakers, workshops and networking opportunities.
“Helping producers take advantage of innovations in animal agriculture are key parts of our departmental mission,” said Auburn Animal Sciences Department Head Kim Mullenix. “We look forward to bringing our producers to campus to engage with our faculty, staff and students to learn more about practical concepts that can be adopted on Alabama beef cattle operations. Sustaining our livestock and animal industries is crucial, as they contribute substantially to the state’s economy and
the well-being of Alabama citizens.”
Friday’s events begin with an address from keynote speaker Frank Mitloehner, an outspoken advocate for beef production systems and a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at University of California, Davis. Mitloehner is also the director of the CLEAR Center, which has two core missions: research and communications.
The CLEAR Center brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment, helping our global community understand livestock’s environmental and human health impacts, so citizens can make informed decisions about the foods they eat while reducing environmental impacts.
Mitloehner will address the conference on the misconception of beef cattle’s impact on greenhouse gases. The morning will also include updates and insights into issues and trends in the beef industry including a dynamic producer panel.
Animal sciences personnel will report results and updates on current beef cattle research supported by the College of Agriculture, the Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The afternoon includes choices among six educational workshops: Achieving Higher Reproductive Success, Marketing and Financial Planning for Sustainability, Better
Nutrition for Sustainability: What do I feed my cattle?, Advocacy Opportunities to Influence Sustainability, Local Processed Beef Options as Marketing Opportunities and Secrets of Optimal Herd Health.
“With constant pressures to raise beef more efficiently and incorporate climate-smart production practices to maintain trust among consumers and society, the 2024 conference is designed to provide members of the beef cattle community a unique opportunity to get an update on important industry issues and ways to make their businesses more sustainable,” said Don Mulvaney, animal sciences associate professor and beef cattle conference chair.
The conference registration cost is $50 before Sept. 1 and $65 before Sept. 20, and it includes conference presentation summaries, content for afternoon workshops, the dinner reception and lunch. If Alabama county cattlemen chapter presidents register at least three paid members for the conference, registration for the president (or their designee) will be waived.
Mulvaney encouraged producers to register early because space will be capped at 150 attendees.
Registrants will receive additional information and updates. For more information on the conference, registration, corporate partnerships or youth discounts, contact the Department of Animal Sciences at (334) 844-1521.
The
The Auburn Public Library is improving its accessibility two by adding new search kiosks and updating restrooms. Powered by a tablet and mounted on a stand, these freestanding kiosks make searching for the next great read more accessible for more patrons. Restroom renovations are expected to be completed mid-fall.
The Auburn Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting with Everything Sweet, locat
ed at 106 N. Ross St. in Auburn. Everything Sweet has cakes, cookies and gift boxes, as well as delivers party supplies to help create the perfect event. For more information visit www. everythingsweetauburn.com.
The Opelika Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated a ribbon cutting with The Hornet’s Nest, a new family restaurant located at 9415 Alabama Highway 51. The storefront is a sister business of The Chill Spot food truck and serves lunch and dinner. Dine-in or order carry out by calling (334) 917-2003.
The Opelika Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors who will work to shape the future of the organization. The new appointees are Gretchen Vanvalkenburg, John Sweatman, Tracey Strickland, Jim Keller and Christie Hill.
Hornet’s Nest ribbon cutting
Machen McChesney announces recent promotions
CONTRIBUTED BY MACHEN MCCHESNEY
AUBURN — Machen McChesney, a CPA and business advisory firm headquartered in Auburn, announced the following promotions.
TANNER ROBERTS, CPA
Roberts has been promoted to manager. He has been employed with Machen McChesney since 2018. His principal areas of practice include accounting, auditing and business tax. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Auburn University.
AUSTIN DURAN, CPA
Duran has been promoted to manager. He has been employed with Machen McChesney since 2018. His principal areas of practice include business tax, individual tax and tax planning. He received
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Auburn University.
ERIC PERRY, CPA
Perry has been promoted to supervisor. He has been employed with Machen McChesney since 2020. His principal areas of practice include individual tax, business tax and auditing. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in finance from Auburn University.
LANCE MEACHAM, CPA
Meacham has been promoted to supervisor. He has been employed with Machen McChesney since 2020. His principal areas of practice include individual tax, business tax and auditing. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in business engineering technology from Auburn University.
LARA CLAIRE BOLLING, CPA
Bolling was promoted to senior accountant. She has been employed with Machen McChesney since 2022. Her principal areas of practice include individual tax and business tax. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of South Alabama.
CODY BLAIR
Blair has been promoted to assistant director of small business services. He has been employed with Machen McChesney since 2022. His principal areas of practice include general bookkeeping, payroll tax returns, sales tax returns, accounts payable and bank reconciliations. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Auburn University.
Machen McChesney is a business advisory firm with a history of Returning Value to its individual and
Opelika Chamber welcomes new class of ‘20 Under 40’
CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CHAMBER
OPELIKA
— The Opelika Chamber of Commerce has announced the names of those selected for the 20 Under 40 program for 2024-2025.
The 20 Under 40 is made up of 20 outstanding people under the age of 40 “who live in Opelika, love Opelika and have a vested interest in shaping the direction of this city’s future,” according to a press release. The purpose of the program is to bring together young professionals from diverse professions and backgrounds on a regular basis to learn about the various aspects of the intricate workings of a city, school system, business, industry and public service to give them a better understanding of how all these separate entities come together to create a working, viable community.
This year’s class members are:
• Amanda Burgett, Opelika Police Department
• Atrina Thomas, Opelika Housing Authority
• Awbrey Mitchell, Auburn Opelika Tourism
• Barron Futral, Womack Machine Supply
• Chris Olen, Realtor, Porter Properties
• Christopher Rhodes, Southern Union State Community College
• Courtney Windham, East Alabama Health
• Dana Caypless, East Alabama Health
• Dean Jones, Opelika City Schools
• Doug Barfield, Hilyer & Associates, CPAs
• Emmaree Wilson
• Ferdous Finklea, Pharmavite
• Joy Melton
• Kalaigh Sullins, The Heart Center Cardiology
• Katie Butler, Katiebec’s
• Ryan Lemoine, The Barber’s Lounge
• Shenice Smith
• Shree Summerlin
• Vanessa Benitez, Regal Rexnord
• Vishal Shah, Niagara Bottling LLC
“20 Under 40 is the premier leadership program for emerging leaders in Opelika, and it was essential in my professional development and I’m grateful for the experience,” said Ali Rauch, president and CEO of the Opelika Chamber. “Last year’s class really went above and beyond supporting our community through their service project at Opelika Learning Center. I look forward to meeting this year’s class and helping them grow and develop this upcoming year.”
For more information about the 20 Under 40 Program contact Mackenzie Poole at mackenzie@opelikachamber.com or visit https://www.opelikachamber. com/leadership-development/20-under-40/.
ABOUT MACHEN MCCHESNEY
PERRY DURAN
ROBERTS
BLAIR
BOLLING
MEACHAM
The Fired Fox Art Studio opens in downtown Opelika
Monthly Art Walk will highlight local artists, charities
BY ELESE MCKINLEY FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — With its unique ambiance and ideal location, The Fired Fox Art Studio is set to become a central spot for creativity in the community.
The new art studio opened its doors in downtown Opelika on Oct. 1 and is set to provide a creative outlet for artists of all levels, offering a space for people to express themselves through art.
“I wanted our style to be whimsical and charming,” said owner Crysten Conner. “I looked for a location for years, and nothing felt right.
I’ve always loved downtown Opelika, so when I saw this location, along with the
breezeway, I fell in love.”
Conner said she wants to foster a sense of community and creativity, encouraging individuals to explore and develop their artistic talents.
The Fired Fox will have something for everyone, from beginners to experienced artists.
The Fired Fox will offer wood, resin, canvas and glass art, along with walkin pottery painting, where visitors can choose one of the pottery pieces on display and, after being painted, the piece will be coated with a clear resin and fired for about a week.
The studio will also host instruction-led classes and workshops as ticketed events, allowing individuals
to enhance their skills under professional guidance. Conner said she wants customers to explore their artistic freedom and connect with a community that supports creative expression.
The Fired Fox Art Studio will host a variety of events and can be booked for private functions. The studio provides a dedicated area that offers privacy for attendees while they indulge in their creations with their peers. The separation of spaces will allow for the studio to hold workshops, private art classes, birthday parties and community gatherings, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in their creative pursuits without distractions.
On the third Friday of each month, The Fired Fox Art Studio will host an Alley Art Walk in the breezeway connecting 8th Street and Court Square, giving local artists a place to showcase their creations. Artists pay a small fee to participate, and all proceeds will be donated to charity. Each month will feature a charity spotlight, with a designated nonprofit having a table at the event to inform visitors about community needs and ways to get involved.
The Fired Fox Art Studio will host a monthly Art Walk for local artists on the third Friday of each month.
MAX Credit Union Appoints Market President
ALABAMA — MAX
Credit Union, a local financial institution serving East and Central Alabama, has announced that Martee Moseley has been promoted to Market President in the Lee County and Tallassee area.
Moseley began her career with MAX in 2014 and has since become a vital member of credit union leadership. She is committed to excellence and fosters a strong member-first mindset while continuing to expand relationships within the community. She is dedicated to serving the Lee County market and during her tenure has
pushed initiatives leading to the growth of commercial lending within this area.
Moseley will continue serving commercial clientele while taking on a new challenge driving growth and expansion of the retail sector in the Lee County and Tallassee markets.
Moseley said, “This is an exciting time. Lee County and Tallassee are vibrant communities and I look forward to strengthening our presence through enhanced service to our existing and potential members.”
Mosley is currently an active member of the Industrial Development Board, Smile A Mile and the Auburn Downtown
Redevelopment Authority. She is also a Past President for FACES (Foundation for Auburn’s Continuing Enrichment in Schools), Auburn Rotary Club and Past Chair of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.
“MAX Credit Union remains committed to having leadership in place who will lead us into a strong, well-positioned future for our current and prospective members,” said MAX President and CEO Martin Head. “Martee possesses the expertise and determination to lead the Lee County and Tallassee Markets and I am proud to have her on the MAX team.”
ABOUT MAX CREDIT UNION
MAX Credit Union is a leading, locally owned financial institution in Alabama, with more than $2 billion in assets. Serving our communities for over 69 years, MAX provides a full array of consumer and business financial products including checking, savings, loans, wealth management, insurance, mortgages and online and mobile banking. MAX has 16 branch locations across its Alabama footprint, more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs, and myMAX Service Center to assist with any financial needs by phone. For more information, visit www.mymax.com
AU grad’s daughter makes important ADA contribution
BY JAMES PATTERSON
OPINION —
The recent July 26 anniver-
sary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important occasion for all Americans. When former President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law, he declared that the shameful wall of society’s exclusion of the disabled should come down.
My daughter Alexandra, “Alex,” was born with a cardiac disability. Shortly after her birth, nurses recognized that Alex had a circulatory problem. My family lived in the Washington, D.C., area. Alex was transferred to Georgetown University Hospital, where cardiac surgeons diagnosed transposition of the arteries in her small heart.
Alex required immediate cardiac surgery. Based on the enormity of the cardiac problem and the smallness of Alex, I did not believe she would survive the long and complicated surgery. The surgeons, who trained at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, worked overnight and into the next day.
Alex survived her heart surgery that early March morning in 1989, the year before the ADA was signed into law. She survived several other surgeries but required a long recovery period.
I was in the U.S. Foreign Service, which by outdated law required only “able bodied” diplomats with “able bodied” family members.
Senior diplomats said that Alex would be an “insurance burden” to the government if she traveled abroad with me. They meant that Alex would be a management burden to them.
Senior diplomats removed me from the Foreign Service to a lesser job in the Civil Service. I was demoted due to my daughter’s disability. I filed a disability discrimination complaint, identified as 921203, with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Several U.S. Senators, including former Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), moved to make the State Department comply with all the provisions of the ADA. My attorneys argued that my federal job demotion was unlawful under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which specifically barred discrimination in federal employment based on a person’s association with a disabled person. The ADA has a similar provision.
Congress intended for federal agencies to comply with all federal disability laws. The arrogant senior diplomats refused to comply with these laws. Their sole reason, stated in writing, for defying the disability laws was that Alex would be an
insurance burden to them. Imagine senior U.S. diplomats telling a fellow diplomat that his daughter was a burden to the government!
I fought my demotion from the Foreign Service. I felt that Alex would grow to be an adult with a disability. She might face less discrimination, I thought, when I won my case for her.
Since childhood my family taught me to respect the disabled. My mom was named Helen in honor of Alabamian Helen Keller, who was born deaf and blind. My parents and grandparents taught me that all people had challenges to overcome in their lives.
I also learned to respect the disabled from my Alabama Sunday School lessons. In the Old Testament, when the Jews left Egypt for the Holy Land, they proudly took the aged and disabled. All people had value in the Holy Land. As an adult, I recalled that Sunday School lesson and determined that, regardless of what senior diplomats at the State Department said, my disabled daughter had value in America. My fight with the State Department lasted from 1992 to 1995. Senior diplomats changed their “final,” “non-appealable” and “irreversible” decision about my job and my disabled daughter on Monday,
Jan. 23, 1995. Why did they reverse their “irreversible” decision?
On Sunday, Jan. 22, the New York Times ran a 950-word article about the “irreversible” decision by the arrogant State Department diplomats who called my daughter an “insurance burden.” The next day, I immediately went from being a pariah in the workplace to being a U.S. diplomat.
After our case was settled, the State Department could not reject a qualified candidate with a disability, or a disabled dependent, for the Foreign Service regardless of the severity of the disability. The State Department’s senior diplomats learned that disability had nothing to do with ability.
Alex lived to be 17. She was a brave and beautiful young woman. She was never a burden to her parents or her country — it is the wrong-minded senior U.S. diplomats who are burdens to America and American foreign policy. Time and chance make people. The Americans with Disabilities Act and Alex Patterson were born about the same time. Both made important contributions to disability rights.
James Patterson, a life member of the Auburn University Alumni Association, is a writer and speaker in the Washington, D.C. area.
MARTEE MOSLEY
East Alabama Mental Health Center changes name to Integrea
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — East Alabama Mental Health Center will now be known as Integrea Community Men-tal Health System, while continuing to provide comprehensive mental health services across surrounding counties in our area. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the name change is scheduled
for Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. at 2506 Lambert Drive in Opelika.
As East Alabama’s only comprehensive community mental health system, Integrea serves multiple sites and areas across Lee, Russell, Chambers and Tallapoosa counties, providing comprehensive mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities services. The
leadership team views the name change as a significant milestone, symbolizing the integrated mental health care offered to the citizens of East Alabama.
“Through our efforts in filling the gaps in mental healthcare in our community and addressing access to care issues, it became clear to us that one of our focuses needed to be on doing a better job of com -
Artificial Intelligence can predict colorectal cancer
CONTRIBUTED BY
LAURA SCHMITT, AU NEWS
AUBURN — Dr. Pankush Kalgotra, assistant professor in Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business has collaborated with researchers from Oklahoma State University and the Swedish Medical Center to develop a novel data-based method of predicting the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients under 50 without a family history of the disease.
Their network-based model is timely, given that the incidence of CRC is rising in the United States among younger individuals while health care costs are rapidly increasing.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), rates of CRC have been rising in younger individuals for nearly 40 years. ACS estimates that nearly 20,000 individuals under 50 will be diagnosed with CRC this year and 3,750 of them will die from the disease.
As a result, ACS now recommends that adults begin screening for CRC at age 45, either with a stool-based test or colonoscopy.
“Affordability of health care is a major concern of the U.S. population,” said Kalgotra. “Our method could help identify the [people] that really need the screening rather than screening everyone. Our model helps efficiently manage those resources to help reduce health care costs.”
Identifying young people with a high risk of CRC can help them change their lifestyle, as the majority of all CRC cases and deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and excess body weight.
Kalgotra’s research collaborators are Dr. Ramesh Sharda, professor of management science and information sys-
tems from Oklahoma State University, and Dr. Sravanthi Parasa, a gastroenterologist from the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
The novelty of their method lies in creating a model based on patient medical records rather than biological samples like tissue biopsy or blood tests.
“Novel analytics/AI approaches such as this project have the potential to make a significant impact in health care as well as other areas,” said Sharda. “The ability to use a large corpus of data in an innovative manner to predict early onset of a disease is a big motivator for Pankush and myself.”
In addition, their approach quantifies how multiple underlying diseases interact with one another and contribute to a CRC diagnosis. Earlier attempts to develop CRC predictive models have not considered the interaction of diseases.
“We used network analysis to come up with the new variables and then used those variables [to train] our machine learning models,” Kalgotra said.
To build the model, they examined the electronic medical records of 7,500 CRC patients and nearly 38,000 non-CRC patients to quantify how patients’ other diseases — diabetes, anemia and hypertension, for example — interact. From this, they were able to calculate CRC risk-score variables, which they compared to patients who received a CRC diagnosis and those who did not.
They then validated the model’s performance on an independent group of patients to see if its prediction was correct.
According to Kalgotra, their model performed very well, accurately predicting a CRC diagnosis 73% of the time. Even more importantly, he said, the model achieved an area under curve (AUC)
municating who we are, what we do and why we’re here,” said Jimmie Dickey, executive director. “Our first step in more clearly and effectively communicating just how expansive and comprehensive our services are is to unify our 50+ existing programs and more than 25 facilities across the region under one new name — Integrea.
“Moving away from
having ‘East Alabama’ in our name was the most difficult part of this process,” he said. “Fortunately, we found a way to maintain that reference through including the ‘EA’ suffix. Integrated mental healthcare for East Alabama.
This is who we are, and this is what we do.”
Integrea Community Mental Health System will remain 100% non -
profit and governed by the same Board of Directors appointed by local city councils and county commissions. Dickey and his team serve nearly 10,000 individuals in the community every year, strengthening many more through service and support to their loved ones. For more information, visit integreahealth.org.
Improving mental health through ‘interoception’
of .81. AUC is a measurement tool that describes how well a machine learning model is performing — a score of 1 is excellent, while a 0 score is poor. “Our AUC of .81 is considered very good in the medical field,” he said.
They describe their model and results in the paper, “Quantifying disease-interactions through cooccurrence matrices to predict early-onset colorectal cancer,” published in the journal Decision Support Systems.
The team is continuing this research to create an interpretable machine-learning model.
“Amidst the rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), interpretable machine learning models empower clinicians at the point of care to provide actionable guidance to patients based on complex algorithms,” said Parasa. “This becomes increasingly critical as we endeavor to translate these machine learning models and shed light on the potential risk reduction tied to addressing modifiable factors such as obesity, which empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health.”
They will release a new research paper specifically geared to the medical community, informing physicians about the promise of their model.
“Medicine is adopting machine learning and AI tools in medical practices, so our project has a lot of potential in the real world, helping physicians make decisions,” said Kalgotra. “The implementation of our model is simple and does not require any special training. The model generates the risk score for each patient based on their medical history, which is already there in the [patient’s] Electronic Medical Record (EMR).”
According to Kalgotra, their model could be used to predict other health outcomes, such as length of hospital stay or readmission rate.
BY CHARLOTTE TUGGLE, AU COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
AUBURN — Interoception is how people feel and understand internal sensations like hunger, pain or heart rate. Auburn University Associate Professor April Smith is developing a new tool that targets interoception as an avenue to improve mental health. Her online intervention, Reconnecting to Internal Sensations and Experiences (RISE), already has shown success in active-duty service members and clinical patients and is currently being tested in college students and veterinarians.
Listen to the full conversation on the “Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know” podcast. Here are highlights:
What is interoception? How does it relate to mental health?
According to Smith, “Interoception is the ability to be aware of internal sensations in your body, so things like your heart rate, your respiration, whether you’re hungry or full, if you’re feeling pain, your ability to sense temperature and, critically, your ability to feel emotion sensations.
“Research is showing a strong link between interoception and mental health. You can either be too in touch with internal sensations, or you could be too out of touch with internal sensations, and that could be problematic. If you’re overly focused on your heart rate, you might start to think you notice heart palpitations, and then maybe you get really anxious, and then maybe that leads to a full-blown panic attack. Conversely, the inability to recognize when you’re hungry or full, or pain sensations, could facilitate things like restrictive eating, binge-eating or self-injurious behaviors and put someone at risk for those mental health conditions.”
What is the RISE intervention?
Smith: “The RISE intervention stands for Reconnecting to Internal Sensations and Experiences. For a number of years, we were seeing time after time that people who had engaged in suicidal behavior had worse interoception than people who hadn’t. So, we started to think if interoception is a risk factor for suicidality, we might be able to improve it and thereby reduce suicide outcomes.
“At the time, some studies started to come out showing you could actually improve people’s ability to attend to things like their heart rate or breathing through relatively simple procedures. And we thought, okay, let’s try to build out an intervention that is really aimed at improving interoception, interoceptive awareness, and see if that might in turn impact downstream suicidality.
“With the goal in mind of getting people connected to their bodies, increasing the care of their bodies, we have a number of exercises and some psychoeducation we provide people about interoception and mental health. We also have them do some self-guided reading and interactive writing prompts. There are some audio clips they can listen to and even some athome worksheets where they can practice the skills that they’re learning.
“From the outset, it was really important to us to design an intervention that could exist online and be self-guided. For every mental health clinician, there are literally tens of thousands of people suffering. There’s just no world in which we’re able to get all those people connected to in-person clinicians. So, our lab really wanted to think about accessible interventions.”
How does RISE work?
Smith: “In the first part of the intervention, after they
learn about interoception, we teach them about all the muscle groups in the body. We then work with them on body functionality, which asks them to think about how their bodies perform and function and what their bodies can do, rather than thinking about their bodies just in appearance-based terms. We’re all really good about thinking about how our bodies are “too” this or “too” that, but we have kind of gotten away from thinking about what our bodies can do for us: how they help us hug a loved one or send a work email or play the piano.
“In our second session, we have them do a lot of work around emotion recognition and management of emotions that may be associated with ineffective behaviors. We provide education on a variety of emotions, from good ones to maybe less desirable ones, and really get participants to think about how they feel those emotions in their body, where they feel them, how they maybe distinguish between anxiety versus anger and then how they might shift from an angry state to a calmer state, and we give them skills to practice that.
“In our third session, we move to some more body functionality work where we have people think about how they can use their body in terms of communication, but also how they can use their bodies to engage in self-care, healing, resting, digesting, things like that. Then, we end with a module on being more aware of hunger and fullness sensations. We have participants learn about intuitive eating principles as well as engage in a mindful eating exercise.”
Who benefits from the RISE intervention?
Smith: “Interoception and being in touch with our bodies is a great skill to
See RESEARCH, page A6
Eagle flight over stadium inspires engineering study
BY DUSTIN DUNCAN, AU NEWS
AUBURN — Vrishank
Raghav was enjoying his first experience at Jordan-Hare Stadium on a fall afternoon in 2018 when Nova — also known as War Eagle VII — took his traditional pregame flight to the delight of more than 80,000 fans.
Raghav, who had just joined the Department of Aerospace Engineering as an assistant professor, was intrigued by Nova’s performance and how controlled it seemed while soaring through the air. After the game, he researched where Nova spent time when not rallying the Auburn Tigers to victory and learned of the Auburn University Raptor Center.
The Auburn University Raptor Center, a division of the College of Veterinary Medicine, is a rehabilitation and education facility providing critical education and conservation efforts for raptors.
Raghav and the Raptor Center soon formed a partnership. In 2018, he received funds from Auburn University’s Intramural Grants Program (IGP)
teach to anyone. I’ve benefited from it. Unfortunately, in our society and culture right now, there are a lot of forces pushing us to disconnect from our bodies, whether that be because we’re dieting to try to look a certain way, or we’re trying to push down or manage our emotions, or we are on social media and sort of taking this observer stance of our body. All of that could worsen intero
to study a red-tailed hawk named Petey. The goal was to learn how birds can quickly adapt to adverse aerodynamic environments due to changing weather conditions — where traditional aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles seem to struggle.
“You look around on a bad weather day, and most flights are grounded, and there are delays all around the country,” Raghav said. “But birds are still flying, and it appears that the bad weather doesn’t affect them. The big question for us researchers and engineers is how they have adapted to achieve smooth flight in adverse conditions.”
Wade Stevens, director of the Raptor Center, said studying nature’s reactions to turbulence or wind gusts is an interesting concept that makes a lot of sense.
“Birds are naturally adept at dealing with different factors they encounter in nature, especially when flying through harsh storms that ground most aircraft or cause delays,” Stevens said. “I think it’s a natural progression to say, ‘let’s figure out how they do
ception and then drive or potentially facilitate people being able to hurt their bodies, whether that be through eating disorder behaviors or substance use behaviors or self-injurious behaviors.
“I would just encourage people, to the extent that they can, to think about things that they can do to get back in touch with their bodies or take an attitude of more care or regard toward their bodies, because it really does seem like that can lead to better mental health outcomes.
this,’ and look for ways we can recreate all, or portions, of that.”
Raghav and his team set up a row of upward-facing fans to generate wind gusts for Petey to fly through to track how he adjusts his flight pattern to compensate for the perturbation. However, before clearing Petey for takeoff, he sent a flapping-wing drone through the upward-facing fans, which crashed as soon as it encountered them.
Petey sailed through the wind gusts without seemingly any movement at all. Or did he?
Raghav set up four high-speed cameras near the flight zone, tracking multiple points on Petey’s body for each test flight. When looking at it with the naked eye, it appears that the perturbations didn’t impact the bird, but when the cameras were slowed down, Raghav learned that Petey was performing several adjustments. One hypothesis is that Petey reduces his wing pitch angle to reduce the force the gust will induce on it.
“It’s all instinctive for the bird,” Raghav said.
About the expert:
April Smith is an associate professor of psychological sciences at the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University. She directs the Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality (REDS) Lab and co-directs the Auburn Eating Disorders Clinic. Smith has received more than $6.5 million in funding from the Department of Defense and National Institute of Mental Health to support her work improving mental health outcomes.
Gaddis to discuss new book at Museum of East Alabama event
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — Dr. Elijah Gaddis, the Hollifield Professor of Southern History at Auburn University, will present a program on his recent book, Gruesome Looking Objects: A New History of Lynching and Everyday, on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Museum of East Alabama in downtown Opelika. Refreshments will be provided, and the book talk is free to attend.
The 1898 lynching of Tom Johnson and Joe Kizer is retold in this ground-breaking book. Unlike other histories of lynching that rely on conventional historical records, this study focuses on the objects associated with the lynching, including newspaper
articles, fragments of the victims’ clothing, photographs and souvenirs such as sticks from the hanging tree. This material culture approach uncovers how people tried to integrate the meaning of the lynching into their everyday lives through objects. These seemingly ordinary items are repositories for the comprehension, interpretation and commemoration of racial violence and white supremacy. Gaddis showcases an approach to objects as materials of history and memory, insisting that we live in a world suffused with the material traces of racial violence, past and present.
The Museum of East Alabama is located at 121 N. 9th Street in downtown Opelika.
1910
L labama Politics ee County & A
Inside the State House
Election 2024: turnout is key
BY STEVE FLOWERS
OPINION —
The decision by the Joe Biden inner circle to allow the poor fellow to get out of the Presidential race was a godsend for the Democratic Party. It gives new life to the Democrats’ chances to keep the White House. The ascension of Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the ticket breathes new life into a dead campaign. Biden’s demise, mentally and physically, assured a Democratic presidential defeat on Nov. 5, but also guaranteed the Democrats’ loss of the U.S. Senate, as well as their hopes to rest the majority of the House from the Republicans. The top of the ticket in a presidential year usually affects the results of down ballot congressional races. The national electorate is divided evenly right down the middle with 45% Democratic locked in voters and a guaranteed 45% Republican voters. Therefore, the race between Democrat Harris and Republican Donald Trump is all about turnout. It’s turnout, turnout, turnout. It does not matter how popular or what landslide numbers Trump gets in Alabama or how much Harris trounces Trump in California, it is all going to boil down to which candidate’s stalwart supporters turn out to vote in Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin and Michigan. Trump and the Republicans came out of their successful
GOP Convention two weeks ago with a bump and a fivepoint lead. My guess is that when the Democrats end their convention in two weeks, Harris and Trump will be knotted at a dead even 45/45 in the six battleground states. The horse race numbers will remain the same for the final two months leading up to the Nov. 5 election.
It will all depend on the enthusiasm and determination of the base of each team. Does the Trump Conservative Team vote enthusiastically as expected or does the Harris Liberal Team get its disciples to the polls? It will all boil down to turnout in six states. My guess is that it comes down to Wisconsin and Michigan.
Harris is the best candidate that the Democrats could field. She perfectly reflects the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, which are African American women. She will energize this base vote. It will be close in November.
Biden was in a diminished capacity when the Democrats ran him in 2020. They were able to hide him and not let people see him during that campaign year and simply ran a campaign that was focused on voting against Trump.
However, when he became President, he had to actually be seen and watched. It was apparent that he was not vital, cognitively. Over the past two years it has gotten progressively worse. This year, he has been on dramatic decline. In recent months, there have been some very comical scenes. It would make for a reality comedy show. You will probably see a reel in future years entitled “Old Joe runs for President.”
There are three scenes that stick out to me and would be his greatest hits. The first occurred at a D-Day event in France. You could tell that the European leaders were concerned and amused at Biden’s diminished capacity and demeanor. They were lining up to take a picture
with the other European leaders when, all of a sudden, ole Joe starts wandering off toward a cliff and the Italian Prime Minister had to run grab him by the arm and bring him back.
Later that month, they took Joe to a fundraiser in Hollywood with Liberal Elite, left-wing movie stars. He was on stage with Barak Obama. When the program came to an end, he stood there on the stage with Obama in one of his memorable stares into space. He stood there with mouth open and that blank look in his eyes that clearly said, “Where am I? Where have they taken me?” After four full minutes of Joe frozen, staring into space, Obama took him by the arm and led him off the stage. The movie stars were probably thinking to themselves, “I came here to give money to a presidential race and instead I’m contributing to a geriatric care fund.” Indeed, Jill Biden has turned the White House into nothing more than the nation’s most expensive nursing home.
The coup de gras was the late June debate debacle. If everyone in the country did not know that Joe was out to lunch before, the 27 million people who watched that comedy show knew afterwards. His incoherent ramblings and slurred incomprehensible mumblings were bad and revealed that he probably did not know where he was. The saddest thing was that as his wife, Jill Biden, helped him off the stage, she told him he did a good job.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers’ weekly column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. steve@ steveflowers.us.
Opelika Council recognizes YouthBuild Program graduate
BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
Opelika’s Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council recognized Montravious Turpin as Opelika Housing Authority’s First “YouthBuild” Program Graduate during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Turpin enrolled in the program approximately eight months ago.
The program is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for youth, ages 18-24, who have not completed their High School Diploma.
Turpin said that he plans to become a fireman and has accepted an apprenticeship with the Opelika Fire Department.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
Fuller appointed Sutricia Johnson to the Opelika Housing Authority to fill an existing term that expires Oct. 18, 2025.
The council held public hearings on the following
agenda items:
• The demolition of property located at 108 Plum Ave. and then later voted to approve the demolition. The property owner spoke and informed the council that she plans to have the structure demolished herself.
• A weed abatement assessment for 1600 Bruce Ave. The council later approved the assessment.
• A weed abatement assessment for property located at 607 Dogwood Ave. The council later approved the assessment.
• A weed abatement assessment for property located at 2102 S. Long St. The council later approved the assessment.
• An ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone property located at 704 1st Ave., 104 N. 7th St. and a lot on North 7th Street, from C-2 to C-1. The council later introduced the proposed ordinance for its first reading.
• An ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone property located ta 711 Pleasant Drive, R-5M to C-2. The council later intro-
duced the proposed ordinance for its first reading.
- The council approved a bid from Whatley Construction for the W. Carver Hall Roofing Project in the amount of $204,000.
- The council approved a bid from Gridco Inc. for new 115kV Transmission Line for Opelika Power Services for an amount of a little more than $607,500.
- The council approved expense reports from various departments.
- The council approved a resolution to designate city personal property surplus and authorize its disposal.
- The council approved a resolution to accept the dedication of the right-of-way of Granberry Drive.
- The council approved a resolution to amend the CDBG PY2022 Action Plan.
- The council approved a resolution to approve the CDBG PY2024 Budget and Annual Action Plan.
- The council approved the amending of the OrganizationSee OPELIKA, page B9
Auburn Council marks city employee service anniversaries
BY ANITA STIEFEL EDITOR@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN — The Auburn City Council met in regular session on Aug. 6, with Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Beth Whitten moderating in the absence of Mayor Ron Anders, who was reportedly ill. The meeting began with recognition of a number of employees with service anniversaries.
Among the longer-term honorees were Chris Lockhart of Environmental Services, Greg Nelson of Information Technology and Richard Phillips of Inspection Services, each of whom have 20 years of services. Matthew Coffey from the Auburn Police Department, who was recognized for 25 years of service, and Freddie Baker with Environmental Services, who was recognized for 35 years of service.
- The council congratulated retirees David Ponder from Engineering Services, who was honored for 34 years of service, and Renata Sanford‐Turk from the Parks and Recreation Department, who was honored for 25 years of service.
- The council also recognized Erika Sprouse of the city’s Finance Department as employee of the month.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
- The council approved the minutes from the July 16, 2024, meeting.
- The council approved a special events retail ABC license requested by Aramark Educational Services LLC, doing business as Beer Garden Pop‐up at Auburn University, located at 351 S. Donahue Drive. The business is seeking to host pop-up events during Auburn University football games. - The council approved a special events retail ABC license requested by Premium Pours LLC, doing business as Premium Pours located at 625 Main St. - The council voted to adopt the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation Plan. - The council voted to purchase one Sulzer Model No. XFP155J‐CB2.371.4‐PE1250/4, 168 horsepower submersible pump to replace Transfer Pump 3 at the Northside Water Pollution Control Facility from Hydra Service Inc. for an amount of $53,180.
- The council voted to purchase two F-550 Utility Bodies from Knapheide Truck Equipment Center for the Public Works Construction and Maintenance Division for an amount just over $31,170.
See AUBURN, page B9
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
IN THE MATIER OF THE ADOPTION
PETITION OF JAMES FRANKLIN CLEMENS and LINDA NEWBILL CLEMENS
CASE NO.: 2024-072
PUBLICATION NOTICE
TO: Emily Beth Clemens, address unknown.
Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by James Franklin Clemens and Linda Newbill Clemens on February l, 2024, for the adoption of C.A.P. born on January 19, 2017 in Montgomery, Alabama to Emily Beth Clemens and Thomas Lewis Pouncey.
A hearing has been set in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Saylee McDonald, I 00 South Bolton Avenue, Sylacauga, AL 35150 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30} days from the last day this notice is published. Dated on this the 25th day of June, 2024.
HON. BILL ENGLISH
JUDGE OF PROBATE
LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Legal run 07/18/24, 07/25/24, 08/01/24 & 08/08/24
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
In the Matter of the Estate of Barbara R. Mora, Deceased Case No. 2024-169
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTRIX AND NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters Testamentary on the Estate of Barbara R. Mora, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 9th day of July, 2024, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred. /s/ Ottilia May Mora Temm Ottilia May Mora Temm, Executrix Legal Run 07/25/24, 08/01/24 & 08/08/24
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA
IN RE: The Estate of DAVID E. STEELE, Deceased CASE Number 2024-428 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to JUSTINE. STEELE as Executor of the Estate of DAVIDE. STEELE, deceased, on the 15th day of July, 2024, by the Honorable BILL ENGLISH. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
Bradley R. Coppedge, Attorney for the Estate of David E. Steele Legal Run 07/25/24, 08/01/24 & 08/08/24
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
OWNER:
City of Smiths Station
2336 Panther Parkway Smiths Station, Alabama
PROJECT LOCATION: 2336 Panther Parkway Smiths Station, Alabama Sealed BIDS for the SMITHS STATION COMMUNITY
TORNADO SAFE ROOM Building will be received by the City of Smiths Station at City Hall at 2336 Panther Parkway, Smiths Station, AL until 1:00 P.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 1:30 P.M Eastern Time, the bids will then be publicly opened and read aloud. Items of work are as follows: CONTRACT SCOPE OF WORK - SMITHS STATION TORNADO COMMUNITY SAFE ROOM: Construct approximately 4,350 SF ICC 5002020 / FEMA 361-2021 Community Safe Room. Scope includes but is not limited to the following: concrete slab on grade, CMU block, bar-joist, metal deck, membrane roofing, interior & exterior paint, EIFS, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, interior finishes, concrete, parking and concrete sidewalks in accordance with the Contract Drawings and Specifications.
Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. Eastern Time in the Council Chambers of the Smiths Station Government Center, located at 2336 Panther Parkway, Smiths Station, AL 36877. The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, consisting of the Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders, Bid Bonds, Agreement, General Conditions, Payment Bond, Performance Bond, Plans, Specifications and Addenda, may be examined at Stacy Norman Architects, 126 Tichenor Avenue, Auburn, AL between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Contract Documents will be provided in digital format only. All plan holders are to contact and register with Stacy Norman Architects, Auburn, at the following email address, snorman@ snarchitect.com, to receive electronic copies of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, addenda, and Bid Communications. Any Requests for Information should be forwarded to snorman@snarchitect.com in writing. All Bidders must comply with the requirements of the Contractor’s Licensing Law of the State of Alabama, the Alabama Bid Law, the Alabama State Business Privilege License, and the City Business License must be certified for the type of work on which a proposal is submitted. Proposals must be accompanied by a Bid Bond or Certified Check for not less than 5% of the amount of the Proposal but not greater than $10,000. A Performance Bond and Payment Bond in an amount equal to the Contract price will be required of each successful Bidder. The Contract Insurance requirements are strict, and compliance is required. Bidders must comply with Executive Order No. 11246, as amended, including specific provisions of the Equal Opportunity Clause set forth in the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS. Davis-Bacon Act Said work falls under the Davis-Bacon Act. The contractor shall supply the City of Smiths Station with certified payroll documentation. The DavisBacon and Related Acts apply to contractors and subcontractors performing construction, alteration, or repair with federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000. DavisBacon Act and Related
PUBLIC NOTICES
Act contractors and subcontractors must pay their laborers and mechanics employed under the contract no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area. The Davis-Bacon Act directs the Department of Labor to determine such locally prevailing wage rates.
The Owner reserves the right to waive any informalities or to reject any or all Proposals or Bids.
No Bidder may withdraw his Bid within sixty (60) days after the actual date of the opening thereof.
Each Bidder must comply with the Conditions set forth in the Information for Bidders and otherwise required by the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.
Legal Run 07/25/24, 08/01/24, 08/08/24
INVITATION TO BID
24029
Sealed bids for the construction of the N. 7th St. Storm Drainage Updates 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 August 27th, 2024, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.
Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number, and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule, or regulation for the performance of the work.
Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450.
Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box. Additionally, bid documents are available on the City of Opelika’s website at www.opelika-al.gov/ bids.aspx. The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted. A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the
Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: N. 7th St. Storm Drainage Updates LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASINGREVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 08/1/24, 08/8/24 & 08/15/24
ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that JLD Enterprises, LLC, Contractor, has completed the Contract for (Improvement) of New 6th Grade School Roadway Improvements Project Fox Run Parkway Opelika AL at for the State of Alabama and the (County) (City) of Lee, Opelika. 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 TURNERBATSON Architects, P.C.1950 Stonegate Drive Suite 200 Birmingham, Alabama 35242
NOTE: This notice must be run for a minimum of three weeks for projects of $100,000.00 or more. For acceptable methods of advertisement, see General Conditions of the Contract, Article 34. Proof of publication of the notice shall be made by the contractor to the authority by whom the contract was made by affidavit of the publisher or website owner and a printed copy of the notice published. A final settlement shall not be made upon the contract until the expiration of 30 days after the completion of the notice.
Legal Run 07/25/2024, 08/01/24, 08/08/24 & 08/15/24
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM ROBERTS DEAN, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Case No: 2024-413
Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 12th day of July, 2024, 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.
LINDA HENRY DEAN, Administrator
Robert H. Pettey
Samford & Denson, LLP
P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504
Legal Run 07/25//24, 08/01/24, 08/08/24
INVITATION TO BID
24030
Sealed bids for the construction of Removal of Dead, Dying, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps with Tree Pruning 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 August 19, 2024, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.
A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at Opelika City Hall (204 S. 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama) at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, to review the project and answer Bidder’s questions. Attendance at the Pre-Bid Conference is mandatory for all Bidders intending to submit a Proposal. Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty in “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 §348-8(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. Bids must be submitted using proposal forms furnished by the City of Opelika. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and waive irregularities.
A certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00 must accompany the bidder’s sealed proposal - refer also to Instructions to Bidders.
Performance and statutory labor and material bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder at the signing of the Contract. In addition, a payment bond to the awarding authority letting the contract shall be executed in an amount not less than 50 percent (50%) of the contract price, with the obligation that the contractor or contractors shall promptly make payments to all persons supplying labor, materials, or supplies for or in the prosecution of the work provided in the contract and for the payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by successful claimants or plaintiffs in civil actions on the bond. Bid documents may be obtained from the city’s website at https://www. opelika-al.gov/Bids.aspx or from the Purchasing Department at 204 S.7th St, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at no charge. The bidder’s proposal must be submitted using 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.
Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and
delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Removal of Dead, Dying, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps with Tree Pruning LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 07/25/24, 08/01/24 & 08/08/24 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA RUSSELL OWENS MITCHELL and LINDA BRADFORD, Plaintiffs, CIVIL ACTION NO. CV 2023-900377.00 A TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND IN LEE AND RUSSELL COUNTIES, ALABAMA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: The Northeast quarter of Section 3, Township 16, Range 26, containing in the aggregate 320.0 acres, more or less, a portion of which is situated in Lee County, Alabama, and the remaining portion of which is situated in Russell County, Alabama; less and except therefrom Tract 1, Russell R. Toney Subdivision as shown on that certain plat of record in Plat Book 34, Page 183, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, and also less and except therefrom Tract 1, Russell R. Toney Subdivision as shown by that certain plat filed for record in Miscellaneous Book 25, Page 121, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Russell County, Alabama and vs. BENJAMIN DANIEL INGRAM, Defendants. Take notice that I, Robert H. Pettey, as Commissioner, having been appointed pursuant to Decree of Sale entered June 27, 2024 by the Circuit Judge of Lee County, Alabama, will offer for sale for division, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described real property on the 22nd day of August, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. CST in front of the Lee County Courthouse at 215 S. 9th Street, Opelika AL 36801, said property described as follows:
The Northeast quarter of Section 3, Township 16, Range 26, containing in the aggregate 320.0 acres, more or less, a portion of which is situated in Lee County, Alabama, and the remaining portion of which is situated in Russell County, Alabama, less and except Tract 1, Russell R. Toney Subdivision as shown on that certain plat of record in Plat Book 34, Page 183, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, and also less and except Tract 1, Russell R. Toney Subdivision as shown by that certain plat filed for record in Miscellaneous Book 25, Page 121, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Russell County, Alabama. The purpose of said sale is for distribution of the proceeds among the joint owners of said property. This the 23rd day of July, 2024.
ROBERT H. PETTEY
Robert H. Pettey
SAMFORD & DENSON, LLP Attorneys at Law
P.O. Box 2345
Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504
Legal Run
07/25/24, 08/01/24 & 08/08/24
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Rep. Mike Rogers named ‘Hero of Main Street’
CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF
CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS
LEE COUNTY — U.S.
Rep. Mike Rogers (AL03), has been recognized as a 2024 “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation for his work at the federal level to maintain a flourishing retail industry.
Award eligibility is determined by voting record, bill sponsorship, and advocacy on behalf of the industry. In Alabama,
- The council approved a contract with J. Manifold Construction LLC to build a concrete masonry unit (CMU) block wall for the Auburn Police Department Firing Range improvements for an amount of $33,921.96.
- The council approved the purchase of 624 garbage cars from Toter LLC for the Solid Waste Division for an amount of $34,828.
- The council agreed to accept a temporary construction easement agreement with Auburn University Real Estate Foundation for property location along Shelton Mill Road for the Ann Pearson Park Project.
- The council agreed to accept an easement for the widening of public drainage and utility from 5 feet to 10 feet for Property located at the southeastern corner of the intersection at Bragg Avenue and North Donahue Drive for the third revision of Heritage Park Subdivision. The request was made by Eagle Ventures Group LLC.
- The council agreed to accept public drainage and utility easement for the Robert N. Talmage Subdivision, First Addition, and a Redivision of Parcel 1 for Property located at 2042 Bonny Glen Road. The request was made by Gregory R. Stich & Sharon T. Stich.
- The council agreed to accept public right‐of‐way and various public easements requested by Hayley
retail directly supports nearly $60B in annual gross domestic product and 760K in total jobs.
REP. MIKE ROGERS
“I am incredibly proud to be named a ‘Hero of Main Street’ for 2024,” said Rep. Rogers. “Supporting local retail is a huge priority of mine at the federal level. Our local retailers are an incredibly important part of our economy and our communities. Alabama’s third district would not be the same without retailers, and I am very thankful for the support of the National Retail Federation.”
Freeman Contracting for the Tuscany Hills Subdivision Section 5B. This property is located at the northern terminus of Sophia Court and Cantera Court.
- The council agreed to accept a public sanitary sewer easement requested by Tiger Crossing for property located on Logan Court at Downs Way for Longleaf Crossing Phase 5C.
- The council announced an appointment to the Greenspace Advisory Board for a term that begins Aug. 8 and ends Aug. 7, 2028.
- The council voted to set a public hearing for a conditional use approval for the One Auburn Multi‐Unit Development; Performance residential development (multiple‐unit development). This property is located at 1415 Sarah Lane in the Development District Housing (DDH) zoning district.
- The council voted to set a public hearing for an Outdoor Café Permit requested by Tacorita LLC.
- The council approved a motion to execute Task Order SWR 05‐2024: Professional Consulting Engineering Services for the city of Auburn for the Northwest Auburn Sewer System Force Main and Lift Station Project from Barge Design Solutions for an amount of $267,030.
- The council approved a contract with Beasley Construction Services Inc. for the Ann Pearson Park Project in north Auburn for an amount of just over $1.85 million. Construction will include
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al Charts of Various Departments to be effective Aug. 6, 2024.
- The council approved the amending the Organizational Charts of Various Departments to be effective Oct. 1, 2024.
- The council approved a resolution for a contract for services with the USA Team Handball Wheelchair National Team for an amount of $10,000 to help raise awareness around adapted athletics and benefits of inclusive sports in the city of Opelika as well as other events.
- The council approved a one year contract extension with SDAC Inc. for the city-wide ADA Roadway Improvements Project for an amount of $1 million.
picnic space, a pavilion with restrooms, hiking trails and a playground, as well as a turn lane off Shelton Mill Road.
The council approved a contract with Emergency Equipment Professionals Inc. for the purchase one 2024 Demers MXP 150 ambulance‐body rescue truck for the Fire Department for the amount of $320,730.
- The council approved a contract with Environmental Products Group Inc. for the purchase of one 2025 Peterbilt 520 Chassis with Wittke Superduty 40‐yard front loader and dual cart tipper garbage truck in the amount of a little over $411,880.
- The Auburn City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the council chamber at 141 N. Ross St. The meetings are live-streamed at www.auburnalabama.org/ agenda.
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- The council approved a right-of-way encroachment license agreement with MM Development LLC for the Southern Pines Entrance Sign.
- The council approved a signal agreement with ALDOT for new signals at Exit 60 ramps and Marvyn Parkway.
- The council approved a request for a retail wine and beer off premise alcohol license from Shri Babaji DM LLC doing business as Opelika Mart.
- The council approved a request for a retail wine and beer off premise alcohol license from Tiger 1 Management Inc. doing business as On Point.
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- The council approved a request for a special event retail alcohol license for Aug. 16, from Texas Roadhouse Holdings LLC doing business as Texas Roadhouse.
- The council approved a request for a special event retail alcohol license for Sept. 20, from Texas Roadhouse Holdings LLC doing business as Texas Roadhouse.
- The council approved a request for a special event retail alcohol license for Oct. 12, fromBrewzle LLC. doing business as Brewzle Bourbon Festival.
- The council approved a street closure request from Opelika Main Street for the annual On the Tracks event to be held Sept. 27. The council set the date of a public hearing on petition to revoke certain business licenses for BRP Hospitality LLC, doing business as Springwood Hotel, located at 1002 Columbus Parkway.
- The council voted to approved an ordinance to authorize the conversion to electronic records, use of electronic signatures, and adoption of an Electronic Records Management Policy.
The council voted to approved an ordinance to authorize the conveyance of real property, where Opelika Middle School is located, to the Opelika City Schools Board of Education.
The council introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 14
of the City Code of Ordinances: Exempting City Sales and Use Tax on the Sale of Hearing Instruments for its first reading. The council introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 26 of the City Code of Ordinances: Relating to Encampment in Public Places for its first reading.
The council introduced an ordinance to for an annexation petition by Prestige Worldwide Rentals LLC, pertaining to 109.9 acres of land lcoated at Lee Rd 171 [Wigdon Road] for its first reading.
The council introduced an ordinance to authorize the conveyance of real property, where Carver Primary School is located, to the Opelika City Schools Board of Education for its first reading.
- The council approved the appointment of Mike Buckalew to the Historic Preservation Commission for a new term that will expire Aug. 19, 2027.
- The council approved the reappointment of Debbie Purves and Elaine Burton to the Historic Preservation Commission for new terms that will expire Aug. 19, 2027.
- The council approved the reappointment of Harvey Floyd to the Opelika Redevelopment Authority for a new term that will expire Aug. 7, 2030.
- The council approved the reappointment of Richard Patton to the Opelika Redevelopment Authority for a new term that will expire Aug. 7, 2030.
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IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE B. ADAMSON JUSTICE, DECEASED.
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Case No: 2024-418
Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 12th day of July, 2024, 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.
BEVERLY ADAMSON HUNTER KING
Personal Representative
Robert H. Pettey
Samford & Denson, LLP
P.O. Box 2345
Opelika, AL 36803-2345
Legal Run 07/25/24, 08/01/24 & 08/8/24
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF ALICIA HANKS, DECEASED PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2024-419
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of ALICIA HANKS, are hereby granted to Freida L. Luster Barregarye on the 12th day of July, 2024, 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.
Freida L.
Luster-Barregarye
Legal Run 08/01/24, 08/08/24 & 08/15/24
Access Accommodations to Floral Park
The City of Opelika RE: Form of Advertisement for Completion Legal Notice for Bid# 23026 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 Construction of Access Accommodations to Floral Park Fields Opelika, 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 08/01/24, 08/08/24, 08/15/24 & 08/22/2024
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF KENNETH COGGIN GODWIN, DECEASED.
Case No. 2024-366
TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Nancy Adena Phillips Godwin, as Executrix of the Estate of Kenneth Coggin Godwin, deceased, on the 15th day of July, 2024, by the Honorable Bill English. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the Estate are hereby required
to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred. Nancy Adena Phillips Godwin, Executrix Of the Estate of Kenneth Coggin Godwin, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803
334-745-7033
Legal Run 08/1/24, 08/8/24 & 08/15/24
IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF ANDREW LANIER LANGLEY IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2024-191 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Ryan David Roberson or any other potential unknown or undisclosed fathers
Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Andrew Lanier Langley on March 27, 2024, for the adoption of E.L.W. born on November 21, 2013, in Opelika, Alabama to Rebecca Anne Walters. A hearing has been set in the Lee County Probate Court, Opelika, Alabama. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Gary Abell, P.O. Box 2682, Columbus, GA 31902 and with the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, P.O. Box 2266, Opelika, AL 36803 as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published. Dated on this the 25th day of July, 2024.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain Mortgage executed by Barbara A. Cummings, an unmarried woman, to First Horizon Home Loan Corporation, on May 25, 2006, in the original amount of $77,000.00, said Mortgage being recorded on June 13, 2006 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Book 3336 Page 471; FIRST HORIZON BANK, a Tennessee Banking Corporation, successor by conversion to First Tennessee Bank National Association, a National Banking Association, successor by merger to First Horizon Home Loan Corporation, a Kansas Corporation, as holder, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said Mortgage, the following described property will be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Lee County Courthouse, 215 S 9th Street, Opelike, Alabama on September 10, 2024, during the legal hours of sale the following described real estate, situated in Lee County, Alabama, to-wit: ALL THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE COUNTY OF LEE, STATE OF ALABAMA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT: LOT(S) 305, CAMDEN RIDGE 8TH ADDITION SECTION 10, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT
THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 24, PAGE 194/195 IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY ALABAMA.
Property Known As: 1848 Shadow Bend Lane, Auburn, AL 36830 (address for informational purposes only)
Said property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions contained in said Mortgage and those contained in the records of the Office of the Judge of Probate where the above-described property is situated. Said property will be sold without warranty or recourses expressed or implied as to title, use and\or enjoyment, and will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled hereto. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments or easements, liens, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and any security deeds, mortgages or deeds of trust and any other matters of record superior to the Mortgage first set out above.
The sale will be conducted subject (1) to confirmation that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) to final confirmation and audit of the status of the loan with the holder of the security deed.
Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure, including attorney’s fees.
The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation.
FIRST HORIZON BANK, a Tennessee Banking Corporation, successor by conversion to First Tennessee Bank National Association, a National Banking Association, successor by merger to First Horizon Home Loan Corporation, a Kansas Corporation
The law firm is acting as a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
Legal Run 8/1/24, 8/8/24, 8/15/24
IN THE PROBATE
COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
IN RE: The Estate of JOHN EDWIN LOHMEYER, Deceased
CASE NO: 2024-330
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to LINDA MAE LOHMEYER, as Personal
Representatives of the Estate of JOHN EDWIN LOHMEYER, deceased, on the 19th day of July, 2024, by Bill English, Lee County Probate Judge. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
LINDA MAE
LOHMEYER
Personal Representative of the Estate of JOHN EDWIN LOHMEYER
Legal Run 08/01/24, 08/08/24, 08/15/24
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF ERIKA HAUSCHILD, DECEASED
PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY
CASE NO. 2024-455
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of ERIKA HAUSCHILD, are hereby granted to Claudia Ziglar on the 30th day of July, 2024, 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.
Claudia Ziglar Legal Run 08/08/24, 08/15/24 & 08/22/24
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. PURPOSE
The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (HIDDEN LAKES NORTH-LOWE PROPERTY PUD) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct:
(a) Carole Lowe Raymer (“Raymer”) is the owner of record of that certain property consisting of 68.4 acres located on the north side of Sportsplex Parkway.
(b)Raymer, by and through her authorized representative, Barrett-Simspons, Inc., heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) consisting of approximately 68.4 acres, designated as “Hidden Lakes NorthLowe Property Planned Unit Development”.
(c) The proposed development is a residential development consisting of approximately 132 single-family home lots. The development plan shows planned open space areas, amenity areas, and on-site detention. The development plan shows two (2) entry points into the development from Sportsplex Parkway and one entry point from Andrews Road. The development plan also shows cross-access to the adjoining Hidden Lakes North development. The proposed density is less than 2 units per acre.
(d) On July 23, 2024, the Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing of the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development.
(e) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the proposed property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a residential planned unit development.
Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18(N) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.
Section 3. DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-1 District (Low-Density Residential District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City.
A tract or parcel of land containing 68 acres more or less being all that part of the the N1/2 of the SW1/4 of Section 33, Township 20 North, Range 27 East, Lee County, Alabama lying east of Andrews Road and north of Sportsplex Parkway.
The above-described property, containing approximately 68.4 acres, is located on the north side of Sportsplex Parkway.
Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.
Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.
Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.
Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.
END
All interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and be heard.
Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at City Hall, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the Public Hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and Public Hearing.
Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334705-5134 at least two (2)
working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. WITNESS my hand this the 8th day of August, 2024. /s/ Russell A. Jones, MMC CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA 08/08/2024
IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF HUGH LAMAR SPEAR, DECEASED Case No. 2024-424 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary have been granted to Coleman R. Allen as Executor for the Estate of Hugh Lamar Spear, deceased, on July 29, 2024, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
Done this the 29th day of July 2024.
/s/ Bill English Bill English, Probate Judge Lee County, Alabama Jacob J. (Jake) Key, Esq. Attorney for Executor Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 6441171
Legal Run 08/08/24, 08/15/24 & 08/22/24
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In RE: The Estate of Margie Ann Tomblin, deceased CASE NO. 2024-299 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY have been granted to Diana Wade as the personal representative of the Estate of Margie Ann Tomblin, deceased on the 23rd day of July, 2024, 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.
Done this the 23rd day of July, 2024. Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 08/08/24, 08/15/24 & 08/22/24
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of The Estate of ALICE MILNER, deceased CASE NO. 2024-454 NOTICE TO CREDITORS LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased have been granted to Brently C. Milner and Thomas D. Milner, Jr., Personal Representatives on the 30th day of July, 2024, by the Honorable 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.
Brently C. Milner and Thomas D. Milner, Jr., Legal Run 08/08/24, 08/15/24 & 08/22/24
Smiths Station firefighters provide relief from summer heat
Opelika police and firefighters to go head-to-head at Burgers & Badges Grill Off, scheduled for Aug. 17
CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA — The Burgers & Badges Grill Off (formerly known as Summer in the Park) will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Opelika Municipal Park.
The city of Opelika Police and Fire departments will go head-tohead for the most money raised and best tasting burger.
There will be food and games as well as train rides from 10 a.m. until noon for $2 a ride.
All proceeds will go to the United Way of Lee County.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest
Custodian accused of showing sexual photos to students
CONTRIBUTED BY LCSO
LEE COUNTY — On Nov. 7, 2023, Lee County Sheriff’s School Resource Officers received two reports involving a custodian at Sanford Middle School in the Beauregard community of Lee County, making sexual comments and showing inappropriate sexual photos to students.
The suspect was identified as Joseph L. Walker Jr., 32, of Opelika.
Lee County Investigators were notified and were able to confirm the allegations.
School officials immediately placed Walker on administrative leave, and he resigned a short time later, before the school board could meet to discuss the allegations further.
The case was presented to a Lee County Grand Jury in July. Walker was
Opelika Police arrest suspect accused of committing May 28 sexual assault
CONTRIBUTED BY OPD
OPELIKA — On May 28, the Opelika Police Department began investigating a report of first degree sexual abuse which occurred on Steel Street in Opelika. The victim identified 40-year-old Marlon Lanear Staples as the suspect in this case. During the investigation, detectives were able to locate additional evidence linking Staples to the crime,
and an arrest warrant was obtained. On Aug. 5, Staples was arrested by the Opelika Police Department.
If you have any information on this incident, please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 7458665. Tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. You may wish to remain anonymous.
Teddy bears help officers soothe children in crisis
Barran’s Bears is sending 200 stuffed teddy bears to the City of Auburn Police Department to help assist officers bring smiles to children they encounter. From car accidents to crime scenes, teddy bears can help bring a much-needed smile to a child in distress. To learn more, or if you would like to sponsor bears for a local law enforcement agency, email barransbears@gmail.com.
indicted on two counts of School Employee Distributing Obscene Material to a Student, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
Last week, on Aug. 2, Walker was arrested at his residence in the 7000 block Hurst Street in Opelika and transported to the Lee County Jail. He has since made a $600 bond and is awaiting court proceedings. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (334) 749-5651.
All persons arrested are considered innocent until convicted in a court of law.
Pictured above left, Smiths Station Fire & Rescue provided the SSHS Marching Band with some wet relief from the blistering sun at band practice. Pictured right, firefighters also visited preschoolers at Philadelphia Baptist Church who have been learning about fire safety. What better way to cool off on a hot day than with a water party with a firetruck?
JOSEPH L. WALKER JR.
Firefighters cool off at lemonade stand
Auburn Fire Station 1 personnel supported a lemonade stand across the street after returning from a fire alarm call. It was the perfect refreshment after working in the July heat. The kiddos were raising money for CARE Humane Society.
MARION LANEAR STAPLES
Lee County NAACP kicks off Annual Freedom Fund
NAACP Lee County Branch 5038 hosted its Annual Freedom Fund banquet Aug. 3 at Southern Union State Community College. Keynote speaker for the event was Evan Mulligan, who was named representative plaintiff in Allen v. Milligan. He spoke on “Footprints of change: Leaving a lasting legacy.”
A Taste of Grace
BY
OPINION —
Most of us have heard of the John Godfrey Saxe poem, The Blind Men and the Elephant. It is based on a traditional
BY WALTER ALBRITTON
OPINION —
Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure. He washed the feet of his disciples as an example of the love they should have for each other. He had endured the pain of
Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024
Staying humble and hungry
Indian parable and tells of six blind men from Indostan who came across an elephant. As each touched a different part, they came to different conclusions about what the elephant was. The man who grabbed the tusk thought the elephant was like a spear, while the one who had a leg was convinced it was like a tree, while still another who had the tail was sure it was like a rope. They were all right in their specific observations, but wrong in their overall conclusion. The point of the poem is to keep us humble by showing us how a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing when we act as if it is all
knowledge. In a similar way, the disciples at Corinth were immature concerning how they handled the truths Paul had taught them (I Corinthians 3:1-4). They took the truth of Christ crucified and used it to promote division rather than unity. Their immaturity wasn’t due to their age or the amount of time they had been disciples, it was simply a failure on their part to develop. They were immature about their immaturity. It’s the same sort of thing the Hebrew writer brings up with the community he’s writing (see 5:11-14 of that letter). One of the sad consequences of their
stunted growth was that they were unable to receive or process further spiritual truth (see John 16:12). Like a petulant child who puts his hands over his ears, their arrogance had shut them off to all the wonderful things God wanted them to know (4:6, 10, 18). Like the blind men, they confused the little truth they thought they had with the whole truth. The same thing still happens in the kingdom of God today. You see people who haven’t learned anything in years. Why does this happen?
1. It happens to some because they know more than the people around them and they are satisfied
to stay there. They are big fish in a little pond, and we only enable such individuals when we tell them “how much” they know. Listen, to make a person an expert because they know more than we do is often nothing more than a backhanded compliment to ourselves rather than a true reflection of someone else’s depth. (They are obviously of great intelligence since they know more than I do!).
2. It happens because people understand things at a certain level and are satisfied with that—they have no wish to probe deeper. In fact, they aren’t comfortable being challenged and learning
new things.
3. It happens because people believe that the Scripture is flat rather than an amazing book rich with contours, depths, and nuance. To state the obvious, no one knows it all or anything close to it. We’re all blind men in the sense that we’re working with some of the truth, not all of it. The Scripture is like an archaeological site, the deeper we dig, the more we find. May we always have the humility to stay hungry for more!
Find more of Bruce Green’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com.
The most tragic word in society
observing Judas leave the table to carry out his plan to betray his Master with a kiss.
Then, turning to the other disciples, he spoke these unforgettable words to them:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
That same night Jesus called the disciples his friends. I can only imagine how good that felt to the disciples, to have their Master call them “my
CHURCH DIRECTORY
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
Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. Opelika, AL 36801 334-745-2482
Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538
AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
128 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
friends.” Long before I became a nonagenarian, I had begun to think of my friends as God’s gracious gift to me. I can turn the pages of every decade of my life and exclaim with great joy “Thank you Jesus!” for the names of the precious friends God gave me. Among the many caps I have collected over the years is one with the letters FOJC on it. It was a gift from Klaus Guenzel, my dear friend from Germany. Aware that I saw my identity in the letters SJC (servant of Jesus Christ), Klaus reminded me with that cap
3089 Judge Brown Road Valley 334-710-2117
Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487
Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184
Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608
Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Parkway, Opelika 334-750-5338
Shady Grove Baptist Church 2194 Lee Road 177, Opelika 334-476-1531
Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461
CHURCH OF CHRIST
that I was a friend of Jesus as well as a servant. O Yes! Thank you Klaus! Second only to Jesus, my wife Dean was my best friend. What a great privilege it was to serve Jesus alongside that devout servant of Jesus for more than 68 years! Somewhere, in a collection of “Letters to God written by Children,” I found this letter from a little boy: “Dear God, the people in the next apartment fight all the time. You should only let good friends marry.” Thank-fully, Jesus helped Dean and me to become the dearest of friends! Why do you suppose
10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181
The Opelika Church 2660 Cunninghan Drive Opelika
University Church of Christ 449 N. Gay St., Auburn www.auchurch.com
Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015
CHURCH OF GOD
Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 510 Groce St. Opelika, AL 36830 706-610-0547
EPISCOPAL- AME
Saint Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St., Opelika 334-749-1690
EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Jesus said “Love one another” to his disciples? The answer is obvious. God is Love. He created us by love and for love. While there are more than 600 commandments, Jesus said the most important two are these: Love God and Love One Another. Jesus made it this simple for us: We obey him with we love each other. Love is as necessary as the air we breathe; without love there is no real life, there is only existence. Love produces life.
Elizabeth Barrett, the poet, was an invalid. Robert Browning visited her. His first visit gave her so
800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054
UNITED METHODIST
Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800
Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270 Valley 334-745-4755
Grace United Methodist Church 915 E. Glenn Avenue Auburn, AL 36831 334-887-7003
GLOBAL METHODIST
Christ Methodist Church of Auburn 434 E. Magnolia, Auburn Worship at Lee-Scott Academy 334-209-0074
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552
Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148
Connect Church
Add your church to the directory for only $100 a year, or consider a display ad like the one at right
Email michelle@opelikaobserver.com
much life she lifted her head. On his second visit, Elizabeth sat up in bed. On his third visit, they eloped and were married! Karl Menninger, the American psychiatrist, said the most tragic word in society is “unloved.” Why? Menninger explained: “Love cures people; both the ones that give it and the ones who receive it.” He was right. And that’s why Jesus said back then, and to us now, “Love one another.” As Johnny Cash once said in song “Time’s a Wasting,” good friends. Let’s get busy obeying Jesus!
2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949
Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika
Southern Plains Cowboy Church 13099 U.S. Hwy. 280, Waverly 334-401-1014
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
Altar call
Upcoming Services
JOHN DARRELL RADAVSKY
Celebration of Life | Thursday, Aug. 8, 2 p.m. First Methodist Church of Opelika
DOROTHY JEAN HUDMON BARNETT
Celebration of Life | Saturday, Aug. 10, 2 p.m. ET Clubhouse of Rock Island Ridges, Riverchase Apts.
AUDIS BURTON “SPEEDY” SPEED Visitation 2 p.m., Memorial Service 4 pm. Sunday, Aug. 11, | Frederick-Dean Funeral Home
ALFRED “JIM” SCULLY Memorial service | Friday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Opelika
JOHN DARRELL RADAVSKY
Mr. John Darrell Radavsky, 67, of Opelika was called home on Aug. 1, 2024. He was born Aug. 8, 1956, to Carol and John J. Radavsky in Baltimore, Maryland.
John never left you without a smile or laugh. He was a talented musician who loved to sing and play guitar for everyone. He loved sharing his musical passion, as he taught countless youths to play guitar and loved to play music for his Sunday School Class. In addition to music, he was an avid sports fan, cheering on Penn State, Auburn and Navy Football every Saturday.
After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served for 7 years. He spent most of those years on the USS America, USS Independence and USS Nimitz aircraft carriers at sea. He attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville where he received a bachelor’s degree in marketing. John retired from the Mapping and Appraisal Department at the Jackson County Courthouse in Scottsboro, Alabama. Following his retirement in 2021, he moved to Opelika to be with his daughters and grandchildren. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Opelika.
John is survived by his wife, Ann Bramlett
Radavsky; daughters Whitney (Hendrix) Storey and Blair (Jordan) Harris; grandchildren, Hendrix, Amelia, Wyatt and Eoin; sisters ,Cindy (William) Huckaby and Wendy Hubbert; and niece, Ashley Guffey. He was preceded in death by his parents.
His celebration of life will be on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Opelika. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the First Methodist Church of Opelika or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
PHILLIP WAYNE KELLEY
Phillip Wayne Kelley was born in West Point, Georgia, on Aug. 8, 1944, and passed away on July 31, 2024, at home with Hospice Care. Wayne’s family moved to Alexander City when he was in sixth grade. In high school (Benjamin Russell High) he was on the wrestling team. He loved the sport and was quite good at it. His family moved to Montgomery his senior year of high school, which he was not happy about. Wayne graduated from R.E. Lee High School in 1962. He went to Troy State for a year then to Auburn University. He never graduated but apparently liked college... he went for years! He loved to swim and
OBITUARIES
became a lifeguard and worked at Prather’s Lake, Chewacla State Park and Panama City Beach. Wayne lived a full life and lived it his way. He loved nature, flowers, sunsets, full moons, animals, music and playing the guitar. His passion was sailing on his beloved boat “Miss Susie” at Lake Martin.
Wayne worked as a surveyor, upholsterer and caregiver for his mother-inlaw and father-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Florence and Phillip Kelley; sister, June White; motherin-law and father-in-law, Con Leo and Dorothy Keeney; and his beloved German Shepherd, Boo Kelley.
He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Domitia Keeney Kelley; his beautiful cat, Angel; sister, Duane Best (Tom); brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Brian and Patie Keeney and Sal and Amy Keeney; eight nieces and nephews; and best friend, Marty Bains.
A special appreciation to his caregivers, Lou Wilborn and Evelyn Philpot, Compassus Hospice, Dory Trinka, Beth Shirley and Jill Davis.
Wayne served in the Army (1966-1970) and was a Vietnam Veteran. He passed away from Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Dementia Disease and its complications. Private services will be held at a later date.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. If you can, please donate to your local Humane Society or to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research 1-800-708-7644 or email: donations@ michaeljfox.org
AUDIS BURTON “SPEEDY” SPEED
Audis Burton “Speedy” Speed, 73, passed away on Aug. 4, 2024, in LaFayette, Alabama. Born on June 4, 1951, in Mobile, Speedy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and
friend known for his jovial nature and love for life.
Speedy attended Opelika High School and was known for his hardworking ethics, which he dedicated to providing for his family. He shared a deep bond with his family, often seen picking his sons up from school to enjoy afternoons fishing, a hobby that brought him immense joy throughout his life. Speedy’s love for animals was equally evident, with a particular fondness for cats and dogs, which filled his home with warmth and companionship.
He is survived by his wife, Nina Denise Speed; sons, Robert Harold Speed (Kristin) and Andrew Lee Speed (Dana); grandchildren, Robert Harold Speed II, Chloe Gabrielle Speed, Wyatt Kirby Speed, Ethan Cole Speed and Emerson Carol Speed; and greatgranddaughter, Lily Grace Speed. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Randy and Debra Sheppard, and sisterin-law, Robbie Teachworth.
Speedy was preceded in death by his mother, Zannie Myra Napp Wilson; stepfather, Bruce Wilson; and grandparents, Mildred L. Napp and Austin L. Napp.
The family invites friends and loved ones to gather in remembrance at FrederickDean Funeral Home in Opelika on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 2 to 3:45 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m.
DOROTHY JEAN HUDMON BARNETT
Dorothy Jean Hudmon Barnett was born to Lewis and Frances Hudmon on March 1, 1954, in Fort Benning, Georgia. She passed away quietly on July 30, 2024, surrounded by her devoted family.
Dottie was a beacon of strength and a source of abundant love to her family and friends. Even through tragic events in her life, Dottie held her family up and together.
She loved to travel, especially beach trips. She enjoyed gardening and spending as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren.
She called everyone “Baby” and made certain you knew just how much you were loved.
Dottie was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, James Hudmon and Albert Ducasse; her daughter, Dorothy Gayle Hill; and her husband, Osa Lee Barnett Jr.
She is survived by her children, Jeanna (Gerald) Ward of Phenix City, Scott (Gracie) Barnett and Troy Barnett, all of Iron Station, N.C., and Osa (Elaina) Hill of Fort Mitchell; grandchildren Joe and Justin Barnett, Tori Alvarato and her three daughters, Micaela Marie Contreras, Emily Elaine Contreras and Abigail Contreras; two greatgranddaughters, Penelope Grace Miller and Phoebe Gayle Hill; and two sisters, Patty Corley and Terri McLain, both of Opelika, along with many loving nieces and nephews.
Dottie will be missed by those whose hearts she held so dear and whose lives were made better by her presence.
Her Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Clubhouse of Rock Island Ridges at Riverchase Apartments at 2 p.m. ET.
GARY RAY OLDS
Gary Ray Olds passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 2 at the age of 72. He was a much-loved husband, father, pawpaw and great papaw. He will remain forever in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew and loved him.
Gary was born May 1, 1952, in Columbus, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Barbara Olds, and a grandson, Jacob Dwight Dailey.
Gary married Marjorie Nell Jacobs on May 22, 1980, in Phenix City. He loved being an
ironworker for more than 44 years and crane operator for 30 of those years. Being up high in the sky was his favorite place to be. After retirement, Gary moved on to his next love of family, cooking, woodworking, fishing and anything that included time with his wife. In addition to his loving wife of 44 years, Gary is survived by a sister, Gail Goodman; son and daughters, Jimmy Dailey (Norma), Kristie Stanfield (Keith) and Katey Olds (Alan); six grandchildren, Jonathan, Jacob, P.J., William, Amber and Sammy; 10 greatgrandchildren, Ashtyn, Kaidence, Avery, Ashlynn, Josie, Jayden, Abel, Layton, Tresyn and Jr. A memorial service was held Aug. 6 at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home.
WILLIAM ALLEN BROWN JR. William Allen Brown Jr. was born Aug. 7, 1961, to William Allen Brown Sr. and Bobbie Brown. He departed this life to his heavenly home on July 29, 2024. In addition to his parents, Allen is survived by his wife, April Brown; three sons, Kenneth Brown (Amanda), Kelton Brown and Kyle Brown; two stepdaughters, Brooke Huskey and Kaci Clay; the mother of his children and friend Karen Brown; brother, Darren Brown (Stephanie); sister, Kim Bledsoe; six grandchildren, Ethan, Selena, Britney, Chloe, Rayleigh and Emerlee, and several nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Opelika High School and Southern Union State Community College, where he received a certificate in Industrial Electricity. For much of his life he worked at Brown’s Tool and Mold and then later at the WalMart Distribution Center, where he was a supervisor. Allen enjoyed spending time with his
First Baptist Church Opelika to host combined concert
Aug. 8 event
OPELIKA
CONTRIBUTED BY FBC
includes performances by Alabama Singing Men and Sons of Jubal
OPELIKA — First Baptist Church Opelika will host the Alabama Singing Men and the Sons of Jubal of Georgia for the first combined concert on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m., with an instrumental prelude beginning at 5:30 p.m.
This marks the final concert for Tom Smith, who has served for 25 years as the conductor of Alabama Singing Men. The evening will include a special recognition of Smith for his tenure with the group. Smith is the former chair of the Choral Department at Auburn University and is currently the minister of music at Providence Baptist Church, Opelika.
Jon Duncan has served for more than 20 years as conductor of the Sons of Jubal.
An offering will be taken to support the missions work of these two nonprofit music ministries. Jeff Meyers is pastor.
family and friends and also enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Allen was most proud of his walk with our Lord and Savior.
A service was held Aug. 2 at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating.
EUNICE D. MCDANIEL
Eunice Kathleen McDaniel was born December 5, 1938 and passed away July 29, 2024. Eunice joined her husband, Julian McDaniel, her mother and father, Ruth and Sidney Dennis, her brothers, Dewey (Gertrude) Dennis and Charles Dennis, her sister and brother-in-law, Flo (Jim) Burroughs, and her son-inlaw, Donny Marshall, in Heaven on July 29, 2024.
Eunice was born in Friendship, Alabama and was a strong follower of God. She led a beautiful loving life filled with many important and interesting stories. Eunice worked at Auburn High School feeding the youth until she retired. She was the strongest person you’d know until the very end. No matter the situation Eunice was there to support her many loved ones by holding their hand, offering prayer, smiles, love and playful spankings for every occasion. Eunice through every battle she faced was always so reassuring and grateful for the love she had. She brought so many smiles to people through different walks of life and wouldn’t wish ill intentions to anyone, even
the people she disagreed with. She had an extensive list of friends and family, far too big to comprehend. Although her family and friends have much grief regarding the passing of such an amazing sweet soul, Heaven is definitely rejoicing as she returns home.
She is survived by her two beautiful daughters Diana Marshall and Janice (Chuck) Price who could talk for days about the pure loving mother she was till the very end. She also had 8 grandchildren that came over, had sleepovers, playful memories, and wonderful dinners. These grandchildren are Shanon, Anita, Sherri, and Donald Marshall from Diana. From Janice she is survived by Carly (Drew) Langley, Charlene Wynette, Kathleen Price, and Jamie (Alison) Price. She’s also survived by 18 great grandchildren, one greatgreat granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews . She helped this family grow and blossom into the wonderful group they are, and for that we are all grateful. We pray that her journey home is filled with love, kisses and blessings unimaginable as she joins the Lord again. A funeral service was held Aug. 6 at FrederickDean Funeral Home, with Internment at Garden Hills Cemetery.
FRED ADAIR STEARNS
Fred Adair “Señior” Stearns, 84, passed away July 30 surrounded by his friends and family. He was a much-beloved husband, educator, parent and grandfather whose memory will remain eternal in the
hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him.
Fred was born April 24, 1940, in Montgomery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Regina Stearns, and six brothers, George Berry, Cecil Ray, Thomas Harold, James Howard, Sam Britton and Carl Foster Stearns.
Fred married Janeth Parker Meadows on Feb. 6, 1976. They loved to travel and spend time with their friends, but they are most fondly remembered for their excellent hospitality. As hosts, they were always warm and inviting and would always make their hearth and home available for innumerable family gatherings. Fred loved to spend as much time as possible with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his loving wife of 48 years, he is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Todd Stearns (Sharon) and Bradford Lee Stearns; stepdaughter, Catherine Harris (Sammy); and stepsons James Carl Meadows and Robert McCloud Meadows (Celie). He was known affectionately as “Papa Fred” to his eight grandchildren, Spencer, J.T., Rachel, Francie, James, Liz, Carly and Courtney, and eight greatgrandchildren.
Fred attended Howard College/Samford University, and earned a Master’s of Education from Auburn University. Fred also served in the Alabama Air National Guard as an enlisted intelligence analyst. He was a regularly attending member of Emmanuel Episcopal
Church.
Fred devoted his career to education. As a teacher of the Spanish language, Fred taught at Andalusia High School and Opelika High School for over 30 years. After retiring from Opelika, he taught at Lee Scott Academy. Over his long and storied career, his students knew him as their beloved “Señior Stearns.”
Fred was an avid golfer who loved his time on the green. For Fred, it wasn’t just about the game, it was about the time spent with his friends. He was a fan of the University of Alabama football team and a collector of Spanish cultural items and Case knives. He took great pride in his immaculately kept yard and garden. Fred was a well-read and studied intellectual. He had a vast wealth of knowledge in various subjects and was an excellent conversationalist. He would always refer to his beloved wife, Janeth, as his angel. He was always grateful and friendly toward his devoted caregivers and family.
A memorial service was held in the chapel at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Aug. 3. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Emmanuel Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.
ALFRED “JIM” SCULLY
Alfred “Jim” Scully was born on June 24, 1947, and passed away on Aug. 2, 2024, at the age of 77.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Opelika.
Auburn District Missionary Baptist Women’s Dept. to host banquet and one-day convention
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER LEE COUNTY — The Auburn District Missionary Baptist Women’s Department will host a banquet on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m. at the district center, located at 305 Palmer Ave. in Opelika. The guest speaker for this event will be Rev. Woodrow Johnson Jr., pastor of Greater St. Mark Baptist Church of
Rev. Anthony Shealey will serve as moderator. Sister Annie Jean Madden will be honored with a celebration of her 15 years as president of the Auburn District Missionary Baptist Women’s Department. The group will also host a one-day convention on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Sister Jean Madden at (334) 745-2742.
SISTER ANNIE JEAN MADDEN, PRESIDENT
Tuskeegee.
Alabama Singing Men and the Sons of Jubal will perform in a combined
concert at FBC Opelika on Thursday, Aug. 8.
On the Mark Recreation
Local sports roundup
BY D. MARK MITCHELL
OPELIKA — The Opelika football team started fall practice Monday, preparing for the 2024 season. Head coach Bryan Moore has a new schedule for the next two seasons.
OHS plays five road games and five home games. Here is a summary of the opponents on the schedule.
• Aug. 23 vs Benjamin Russell (6A) Charles Bailey Sports Plex in Alex City: Head coach Smitty Grider (overall 18-6, Region 9-3, playoffs 2-2) BRHS leads the series between OHS with 37 wins, 34 loses and 3 ties. Since 1982, the Dogs have won 27 games while losing 8 games. The two teams have not played since 2019.
• Aug. 30 vs Calloway @ Bulldog Stadium: The Cavaliers (Class 2A in Georgia) finished 9-3 overall, 6-0 in region and 2-1 in playoffs. This is the only team on the schedule from outside the state, making this a tough opponent to compare with teams in Alabama.
• Sept. 6 vs Auburn @ Duck Samford Stadium: Future Hall of Famer, Keith Etheredge is entering his fourth season as Auburn High’s head football coach. Etheredge is 31-8 overall, 18-4 in Region, 6-3 in the 7A playoffs, playing for the state title in 2022 and is a perfect 3-0 against rival Opelika.
(*History lesson - no Opelika head football coach has beaten Auburn in their first season. Hopefully Moore can stop the streak in
2024.)
• Sept. 13 vs JAG High School out of Montgomery, formerly Jeff Davis. The two teams have 14 wins apiece after 28 games. Jeff Davis’s last win over OHS was in 2004.
• Sept. 20 vs Smiths Station (Homecoming) at Bulldog Stadium: The Panthers are led by coach Bryant Garrison in his second season. Opelika has dominated the series with 23 wins and only 2 losses.
*Sept. 27 at Pike Road; This will be the first meeting between 6A Pike Road and 7A OHS. Granger Shook enters his first season at PHS, and hired former OHS offensive coordinator Jonathan Chandler.
• Oct. 4 vs Dothan at Rip Hewes Stadium: The Dogs are 0-2 against the new Dothan High School under coach Jeb Kennedey. This is a very important game for the Bulldogs in order to make the playoffs.
• Oct. 11 vs Enterprise at Bulldog Stadium: Wildcat head coach Ben Blackmon brings his team to Bulldog Stadium with a 2-game winning streak over OHS. The Dogs lead the series 15-8 but have struggled lately. This is another key region game to win if OHS plans to make the playoffs.
• Oct. 18 vs Central at Bulldog Stadium: The Red Devils have won nine out of the past 10, Region championship and has won eight out of the last 10 games
See ON THE MARK, page B2
Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024
Auburn Family fanfest is set for Saturday
AUBURN ATHLETICS
CONTRIBUTED BY
AUBURN — The Auburn Family is invited to a preseason kickoff fanfest event on Saturday, Aug. 10, in the indoor complex located behind the Athletics Complex.
The Auburn Family Football Preseason Kickoff, presented by Golden Flake and carried out in partnership with On to Victory, will feature an autograph session and family fun zone, allowing fans to meet the 2024 Auburn Tigers, led by head coach Hugh Freeze.
Doors will open at 3 p.m. and fans are encouraged to enter the event via the practice field on the east side of the complex. Admission to the hour-long event is FREE.
To help improve line efficiency and ensure as many fans as possible have the chance to meet meet and greet the Tigers, Coach Freeze will provide photo opportunities with fans along with an autographed photo, while student-athletes may only sign provided posters.
The event will also feature a pep rally and appearances by the Auburn cheerleaders, Tiger Paws and Aubie, as well as an opportunity to get autographs from members of the Auburn volleyball and soccer teams. Football, soccer and volleyball posters and schedule cards will be available for free to fans upon entry.
Free parking will be available in the
Neville Arena, Campus Safety and Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum lots.
New this year, members of Aubie’s Kids Club will receive exclusive early admission prior to the general public.
To sign up for Aubie’s Kids Club, visit AubiesKidsClub.com.
On to Victory will host a private event and autograph session exclusively for its members, prior to the fanfest beginning at 2 p.m. Doors for that event will open at 1:45 p.m. More information about
that private event, including how to register, may be found at OnToVictory.com. Fans attending fan fest may learn more about On to Victory by visiting tables near the entrance to the indoor facility. Auburn football will open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 6:30 p.m. against Alabama A&M in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Single-game tickets for the home opener are available for $25 and may be purchased by visiting AubTix.com.
Aubie, the NCA National Champion of college mascots, will meet fans at the event.
Small Fry Tri introduces tots to triathlon sports
between Opelika.
• Oct. 25 vs Carver at Crampton Bowl in Montgomery: Lanier High consolidated with Carver over the summer to make one school, Carver Montgomery High School.
coaches on his staff and have several transfers that will help the football team.
Opelika has week 11 off, to prepare for the playoffs if they finish in the top four in the Region.
The schedule has seven regional games and three non-regional games against Calloway 2A in Georgia and two 5A schools: BRHS and Pike Road.
D Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director. ON THE MARK >> from B1
by going online to gofan.co. For home games, get tickets by stopping by Bubba’s Medicine Shop or Victory Design starting Fridays at noon.
The Wolverines hired Bobby Carr to lead the football program after winning nine state titles in the AISA. Carr hired two former head
Fans can purchase tickets to all Opelika athletic events
Children ages 2-5 participated in the Small Fry Tri, a triathlon for younger children held at the Opelika SportsPlex on Aug. 3. Participants biked (training wheels and tricycles allowed), ran and navigated the Splash Park, and all received medals.
Game On! event brings community together
The Opelika Police Department hosted the 2024 Game On community event on Aug. 1, where officers and members of the community had fun getting
better over a friendly basketball competition. The Auburn University women’s basketball team participated in the event.
The Dream Day Foundation sponsored the second
Lee County students head back to school
The residents of Holiday Monarch Estates have developed a unique friendship with Auburn High School, which is located around the corner from the independent retirement community. Pictured above, the AHS varsity volleyball team delighted the reitrees by challenging them to a friendly game, proving you’re never too old to have fun.
Auburn Classical Academy and Lee County Schools resumed classes on
LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY FOR FREE & REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
Lee County Board of Education has announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. For School Year 2024-2025, Lee County Board of Education will continue participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). No further action is required of you. This USDA provision allows your child(ren) to participate in the school meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.
CEP is a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, which allows schools and school districts in low-income areas to eliminate school meal applications and serve breakfast and lunch at no charge to all enrolled students. CEP gives food service professionals more time to focus on preparing nutritious meals that their students will enjoy and gives students more time to eat those meals by cutting down on time spent in the lunch line. More importantly, by offering all students a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost, CEP helps ensure more students come to class well-nourished and ready to learn.
Children need healthy meals to learn. Lee County Board of Education offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast and lunch meals will follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals, so please encourage students to participate. “In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability.”
Parents or guardians who need further information may contact Krystal Patterson, Child Nutrition Program Director at 334-705-4142 or Patterson.krystal@ lee.k12.al.us.
USDA NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the ba-sis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), dis-ability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 7202600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/ default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Lee County Schools Institute inspires teachers for the upcoming school year
CONTRIBUTED BY LEE
COUNTY SCHOOLS
LEE COUNTY — Superintendent Dr. Mike Howard, along with the Lee County Board of Education members and the Central Office team, proudly welcomed 1,300 employees back to school in an inspiring event hosted by the First Baptist Church of Opelika.
During the event, Howard shared his vision for the “Drive for Five” initiative, which
fosters success and excellence throughout the Lee County Schools PreK-12 school system. This initiative stresses the commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for all students in the district.
Attendees were entertained by the humor and motivation of guest speaker, comedian Jody Fuller, who encouraged attendees to push through barriers and embrace the challenges ahead with resilience and positivity.
The Beauregard High
School Choir and the Loachapoka High School Band performed; the Smiths Station ROTC Honor Guard presented the colors; and students from Beulah High School served as ushers.
Several local businesses proudly partnered with Lee County to welcome back our staff members. We deeply appreciate Chick-Fil-A Tiger Town, PNC Bank, AEA, Sign World, Railroad Investment Group, Four Seasons Credit Union and The Potting Shed.
Their contributions made the event possible while also strengthening school and community partnerships.
As Lee County Schools prepares to embark on another school year, the focus remains on collaboration, growth and achieving the highest standards of education, according to a press release, which stated that “the dedication of the faculty and staff is important to fulfilling our mission and ensuring every student reaches their potential.”
ALEA’s Roadway to Success Drive Responsibly, Arrive Safely this School Year
MONTGOMERY – In just a short time, schools across the state will be back in session, meaning heavier traffic and busier morning commutes. This school year, ALEA is urging parents, teen drivers and citizens of all ages to join the Agency’s “Roadway to Success” campaign and drive responsibly and arrive safely.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “We encourage everyone to take action by talking to your children about safety and set an example by practicing safe driving habits. Plan for plenty of extra time to arrive at your workplace or destination. Even if you are not a parent dropping off your child at school, keep in mind that there is potential for more traffic on roadways with young drivers and congestion will grow around school zones. Be extra cautious for school buses, pedestrians and children walking or biking to school.” Director of ALEA’s
Department of Public Safety, Colonel Jonathan Archer agreed and said, “The safety of our students and young drivers is a paramount concern this time of year. With a lot of first-time drivers on the road heading to school, we urge all drivers to exercise patience and understanding. Please remember these new drivers are gaining experience and may make mistakes. To ensure safety for all, please remain alert, put away cell phones, and always wear your seatbelt.”
According to crash data for the State of Alabama in 2022, more than 56 percent of all traffic fatalities documented were not restrained. In contrast, more than percent of individuals involved in traffic crashes but unharmed were reported to have been using seat belts.
“One of the easiest and safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up,” Colonel Archer continued. “We are losing
way too many Alabamians of all ages in traffic crashes. We strongly encourage everyone to understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and learn what you can do to make sure you and your family are properly buckled up every time. Parents, please make time to talk with your teens before they get behind the wheel and make sure they understand that buckling up could save their lives.”
With a focus on newly licensed 16- and 17-year-old drivers, ALEA stresses the importance of responsible driving habits. These young drivers, as well as all motorists, should remember the following:
1. Seat Belt Usage: Seat belts save lives. Always use your seat belt and ensure that all passengers in your vehicle do the same.
2. Distraction-Free Driving: Avoid such distractions as texting, eating or playing loud music while driving.
Your full attention should be on the road.
3. Obey Traffic Laws: Adhere to speed limits, traffic signs and signals. Respect other drivers on the road and be patient and courteous. Additionally, never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.
4. Alabama’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law: Remember Alabama’s GDL restricts 16-year-old drivers from having more than one nonfamily member in the vehicle when driving.
4. No Alcohol or Drugs: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impaired driving is not only illegal, but it is extremely dangerous.
**School Zone Safety** ALEA urges all motorists to exercise caution and patience when driving through or near school zones and when sharing the road with See SAFETY, page B10
Your hometown newspaper created 'for local people, by local people.'
Superintendent Dr. Mike Howard addresses teachers and administrators at the Lee County Schools Institute.
Our students enter the classroom this week to begin the 2024-2025 school year. As teachers, when we see hope in a child we work to ignite it.
Deuteronomy 28:6 — You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
I know we can all remember those special teachers who made a real difference in our lives for the better. Their classrooms were a home of academic, social and emotional learning. Their
classrooms were a place where students learned, discovered, created, questioned and grew. These teachers always remembered our names and they took time with us. And that is the way our wonderful teaching staffs are in our community today.
Whether early childhood, elementary, middle school or high school, teachers have a mission of believing the best, hoping for the best and encouraging their students. In order to do this, teachers have the goal of being knowledgeable and up-todate on the subjects they
Classroom Observer
Teachers greet students with hope
are teaching. We are so blessed to have wonderful teachers in our city and county schools. I have shared this teacher acrostic in earlier articles, but each year it is worth repeating. It is from an anonymous author that I have used to encourage myself and fellow teachers.
T — Time. Teaching does take time in planning and application.
E — Energy. Teaching takes energy in reaching our students.
A — Attention is paid to our children and students.
C — Children: teaching them is our top priority.
H — Helping our students to learn.
E — Encouraging children and students to learn.
R — Reaching out to all students.
S — Special is a label for all students. Each child is so unique.
This week as teachers call each name on their roll on the first day of school, we connect a name to a student and we quickly acknowledge that
we will need understanding as we instruct our students. The same is true with parents as they listen and spend time with their children to learn what is the best way to teach their children and encourage them to work toward their potential. As teachers and parents, we want our children and students to know that we respect and value them. What a blessing it is for teachers and parents to share knowledge and light the lives of our students with the love of learning.
Patience is truly a quality of an educator who loves to teach. Students have different ways of learning, whether it be visual, auditory, physical or reflective. The pace of learning also has to be assessed, because each student is different.
Happiness and a good personality are important to make learning attractive to students. Teachers are called to do more than just teach academics — they are called to make a genuine impact on the lives of their students as
they grow in character, wisdom and persistence.
Flexibility is a necessary ingredient in teaching. As educators, we prompt and require students to learn. Students will ask different questions which teachers must address. Because classrooms are made up of many different personalities, a variety of situations may arise. Because different learning needs of students arise, creativity and spontaneity of presentation are incorporated by the teacher.
Passion for teaching requires multi-tasking and energy more than any profession I know. Each day teachers have a captive audience in our classrooms who are ready to learn. A teacher is meeting the ongoing learning needs of people.
Teachers have so much to do in a day in covering lessons, curriculum and students’ needs. The organization of teaching aids, materials and forms is a focused quality teachers must have in meeting the learning needs of chil -
dren.
On this first week of school, classroom policies and rules have to be set in place for learning to be an ongoing process. In the business of the classroom, a teacher has to be a good listener and communicator. This is truly an “art” which requires patience and flexibility.
Teaching is truly a challenge! But the lives a teacher touches with the love, hugs, tears and joy of students and their families make teaching so well worth it!
Students and families, the greatest gift you can give your teachers and staff this year are PRAYERS for their strength, patience and love for their students. I see the school buses on the road, and the school bells are a’ringing… We are off to a good school year!
Beth Pinyerd has taught in the early childhood classroom for many years. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education.
Lee County receives funding for ‘sensory paths’
BY BETH REEVES, ACES
AUBURN UNIVERSITY — Lee County is among 19 communities across Alabama receiving mini grants to install new areas to encourage children to engage in daily movement in a fun and engaging way.
In these areas, children use their entire bodies to walk a brightly painted sensory path. On this path, they can leap like a frog, walk a tightrope, crawl like a crab, march like ants or take a moment to relax like a tree.
Erin Reznicek, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) specialist, said sensory paths add a vibrant and attractive touch to walking paths, school playgrounds and community spaces.
“Sensory path stencils are used to create playful markings on the ground, which guide interested parties through fun and challenging movements,” Reznicek said. “These markings encourage physical activity and guided play, helping participants improve their strength, endurance and balance.”
The sensory path stencils are the result of partnerships between Alabama Extension SNAP-Ed and local schools, recreation departments and community centers. SNAP-Ed community partners applied for a mini grant to receive sensory stencils and paint to create the paths. A committee then evaluated and awarded certain counties these stencils based on a few parameters. These included the county’s previous level of SNAPEd partnerships, quality of nutrition education and physical activity and
commitment to maintaining the sensory paths and stencils.
SNAP-Ed staff and their partners received reusable stencils and high-quality paint to create the paths. The thick, commercial-grade plastic stencils can be used repeatedly for touch-ups. The paint, specially designed for pavement, includes an anti-skid agent to ensure safety. Fit and Fun Playscape LLC (FFP) supplied the stencils with funds allocated through SNAP-Ed for initiatives that enhance nutrition and physical activity education in partnering locations. Pamela Gunter, founder of FFP, said she learned early about the important role physical activity plays in a child’s development as a mother.
“I volunteered to help paint outside recess games at my children’s school. The colorful drawings and the reaction of the kids as they interacted with the games were wonderful,” Gunter said. “This experience made me think about themed games that can be painted by anyone, anywhere, to help children improve physical health and overall well-be -
ing.”
Gunter then decided to launch a company that creates quality products that truly impacted the lives of children.
Timothy Davis, an associate professor in physical education at State University of New York at Cortland and a consultant for FFP, said sensory health is directly connected to physical literacy. Physical literacy involves developing fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, skipping and hopping — which the sensory paths teach to children. It also includes understanding and appreciating physical activities and their benefits. A physically literate person is competent in various activities and understands the importance of an active lifestyle for overall health.
The sensory paths being built throughout the state will contribute to children’s motor skill development, healthy lifestyle adoption, cognitive development, social skills, emotional well-being and long-term health.
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — Children ages 4-11 are invited to explore the garden in Sprouts, a hands-on educational opportunity presented by O Grows Farmers Market.
Sprouts will meet Saturdays beginning Aug. 17 through Sept. 7 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.
Each week will follow a different theme in the growing cycle, from soil to harvest. Participants will build crafts, will learn words in English and Spanish to speak about the garden and will engage in a hands-on activities. A small snack and water will be provided. To register or for more information, call (678) 427-1009 or e-mail ogrows@auburn.edu.
BETH PINYERD
Food &E ntertainment Community Calendar —
Way back in 19831985, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, I was a Juco transfer at Auburn University. During this time, Auburn certainly didn’t have the number of restaurants that exist today.
In my junior and senior years at the Loveliest Village on the Plains, I dined at Po’ Folks, Country’s BBQ and Shoney’s the most; unfortunately, only Country’s is still in business today (actually, the restaurant is temporarily closed and will reopen on Aug. 12 in a new building, and Mike and I are excited).
When I was a senior, my roommate was a sweet girl named Angie. She was a junior. Angie and I lived at an apartment house which originally had been condemned dorms until a local realty company bought and restored the building. Our furnished apartment was tiny, being only 625 square feet. My cousins’ gigantic walk-in closet in Columbus was almost that big. But I digress.
Once a week, Angie and I would visit Po’ Folks, where I always ordered fried chicken on the bone (surprise, surprise), and she chose the fried chicken livers. Although I love the girl, I can’t bring myself to eat a chicken’s organ.
After I graduated from Auburn in 1985 and Angie finished in 1986, Po’ Folks sadly closed. Apparently, we had been keeping the restaurant financially afloat.
Now, in 2024, the city of Auburn and Auburn University look a lot different than they did 39 years ago. For instance, Mike and I had heard about the Hey Day Market Food Hall and Gathering Place, which opened on Aug. 16, 2022, at 211 South College Street. Therefore, we decided to dine there.
The Hey Day Market had music playing, and the interior was bright and cheerful. The building has nine restaurants
Making the Grade
and a bar: Cubanita, Khoodles, Little Darling Burger Co., Loud Roots, Maison Crepe, Pizzeria Ariccia, POKEMEN, Saint Bernardo, The Bar and WildChild.
Mike chose Little Darling Burger Co. and ordered buttermilk fried chicken fingers and French fries.
I picked Pizzeria Ariccia and ordered a pepperoni pizza.
Mike really enjoyed his chicken fingers and his large pile of fries. My pizza, which had imported red wine cured pepperoni, San Marzano sauce and mozzarella was delicious; it was SO cheesy, and you can NEVER have too much cheese.
Besides Mike’s great meal, Little Darling Burger Co. also serves a variety of hamburgers, a char-grilled Darling Dog, a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, hand-spun milkshakes with Artisan cream and floats.
Also, besides my tasty, cheesy pepperoni pizza, Pizzeria Ariccia also serves a Buratta e Basilico pizza, which has San Marzano sauce, burrata, basil and extra virgin olive oil; a porchetta, which has peperonata sauce, porchetta and mozzarella; the Bianca, which consists of garlic cream sauce, fennel sausage, mozzarella, cracked black pepper and parsley; the impegno, which consists of fennel sausage, pepperoni, roasted peppers, mozzarella and chile oil.
When we were leaving the Hey Day Market, we saw parents at an outside table chatting while their children were having a blast playing. Outside the Hey Day Market is a miniature golf course, cornhole boards, large Connect Four games and a giant television on the side of the building. If you have children or grandchildren, they will love it.
Hey Day Market is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hey Day Market Food Hall and Gathering Place makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!
Stcey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” appears every other week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com
Hey Day Market
BY STACEY PATTON WALLACE
Country’s Barbecue to open new site on Aug. 12
Auburn favorite relocates in new building next door
BY ELESE MCKINLEY FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Auburn’s beloved barbecue joint, Country’s Barbecue, is embarking on a new chapter after 46 years of serving the community.
As the restaurant prepares to relocate to a new building, owner Larry Wilson reflected on the legacy and memorable moments he has experienced. The new location, right next door to the original, is set to open its doors on Monday, Aug. 12.
Country’s Barbecue originally opened in 1978 and has been serving the Auburn community ever since. The original building, constructed in the 1950s, will be transformed into a parking lot to accommodate growth.
With the Auburn-Ope-
lika area rapidly expanding and the old building showing its age, Wilson felt it was time for upgrades. Faced with the choice of renovating the old building or building a new one, he chose to start fresh.
The new location will be more efficient for larger catering orders, with a spacious kitchen designed for smoother, more efficient operations. It will also feature a drive-thru for customers on the go, screened-in outside seating with fans and a stage for occasional live performances.
Country’s is known for its western-style ambiance, which has become a hallmark of the dining experience. Over the years, the menu has expanded to include fried chicken and hamburger steaks. The new location will continue to feature Country’s historic western elements, ensuring that the nostalgic charm and unique atmosphere remain intact for both loyal customers and newcomers.
a decade and shared his deep appreciation for the restaurant.
“I can go to Country’s seven days a week and order something different [each time],” Ballas said.
Jerry Ballas, a longtime regular, has been dining at Country’s Barbecue for
“My favorite thing to eat at Country’s is the fresh veggies. The service is great and very personable.
The waiters always serve me sweet tea before I even sit down.”
Wilson said, “I’ve spent over half my life in this building. Working and living in Auburn has been a great experience. For the past 34 years, I’ve never felt like I had a job. I’ve been very fortunate to work in an environment that never felt like work. I’ve made many good friends over the years, and building these friendships has been very rewarding for me,” Wilson said.
Lock in summer freshness by freezing garden vegetables
BY JUSTIN MILLER, ACES
LEE COUNTY — Those with an active green thumb may quickly find that their garden is producing more vegetables than they can handle. If you are running out of counter space, freezing your vegetable surplus is a great solution.
Bridgette Brannon, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System food safety and quality regional agent, said freezing is a quick and easy method of food preservation.
“When done correctly, freezing is a great way to ensure quality vegetable freshness for eight to 12
months,” Brannon said. “Freezing retains the natural color, flavor, texture and nutritive value of vegetables far better than other methods of preservation.”
Freezing versus Canning Canning is a popular method used to preserve foods. However, that process can be quite time consuming. While there are pros and cons to each method, Brannon said freezing is less time consuming and easier to do.
“The freezer is your equipment, and it does most of the work for you,” Brannon said. “All you have
to do is wash, blanch, pack the food in containers and freeze.”
For example, when storing green beans, gardeners can prepare and freeze dozens of pounds of them in just a few hours. Comparatively, when canning, one can only can 14 pounds of green beans (7 quarts) in the same time frame. Brannon said that doesn’t even include the time it would take to prepare the canning equipment and jars.
“When canning, you can’t just put the jars in the canner, seal it and then leave it there until you are ready to come back,” Brannon said. “You must stay with it the
whole time from start to finish.”
Vegetables You Can Freeze Gardeners can freeze almost any vegetable. However, there are some vegetables that are more ideal for freezing than others are.
These include corn, green beans, squash, peas, broccoli and greens such as spinach, kale and collards.
“There are a few vegetables that do not bode well in the freezer,” Brannon said. “These include cabbage, celery, cress, cucumbers, endive, lettuce, radishes and potatoes.”
When picking vegetables to
freeze, time is of the essence.
A good rule of thumb is to have the produce picked, prepped and packed in the freezer within two hours of picking them. In general, vegetables are better if they are picked early in the morning, right when the dew is off the vines. When picking vegetables, remember that the tender and just-matured ones are the best for freezing. Wash, Blanch, Pack and Freeze
The first step to prepping vegetables is a thorough wash. This
See FREEZE, page B14
Now is the time to prepare for next year’s blueberries
lory Kelley, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System home grounds, gardens and home pests regional agent, said maintenance now will
crop next year.
“The most important thing you can do any time of year for a blueberry bush is water and control weeds,” Kelley said. “Now that the plants are finished making berries, the plants will begin to put their energy toward making new shoots and branches.”
Kelley said this is exactly what a grower wants, as new growth will hold the biggest and best berries next year. To promote branch growth, plants will need water, mulch and fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing after mid-September to minimize new tissue’s susceptibility to frost damage.
Fertilizing and Pruning
“Generally, blueberries need fertilizing twice per year: once in early spring and again as berries fade away,” Kelley said.
Use a urea-based fertilizer labeled for azaleas and camellias. This fertilizer will help acidify the soil, as blueberries like a low pH of 4.5 to 5.2. Growers should also submit soil samples for testing if they have not tested the soil in the previous three years. This will confirm soil nutrient levels and determine soil pH.
Kelley said pruning blueberry bushes now will multiply berry production next year.
“As your plants start to grow long, straight shoots and canes, clip these a little
lower than where you would like to have the fruit next year,” she said. “This means if you want the fruit to be chest high, clip those canes about a foot lower.”
More clipping on long canes will mean more branching on the bush. More branches will mean more fruit on those branches next year. Take care to remove any dead or diseased branches while pruning.
Planting
The fall is a great time to plant more blueberries. Different varieties produce at different times throughout the summer. So, Kelley recommends planting different varieties of rabbiteye blueberries to prolong the growing season. Growers should plant blueberries in an area that receives full sun and has moist, well-aerated and well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. You can incorporate organic matter in the form of peat moss, compost or fine pine bark. Additional organic matter will help the soil retain water, as well as suppress weeds.
More Information For more information about growth and maintenance of blueberries, call the toll-free Master Gardener Helpline: 1-877-ALAGROW (252-4769).
BY KATIE NICHOLS, ACES
LEE COUNTY — As summer continues to sizzle, blueberry season is fizzling out in Alabama. Most blueberries in central Alabama hit peak production near
July 4, then berry production begins to decline. Mal-
Construction workers put the finishing touches on the new Country’s Barbecue building. The old building, which will be demolished for parking, can be seen to the right.
BY SEAN DIETRICH
OPINION — “WAHOO!
WELCOME TO THE WAHOOS STADIUM!” That’s what he’d always say.
Josh Parr’s wheelchair sat parked at the top of the stairs where he greeted all ticket holders with a high-five and a corny joke. He was the first person you saw when you entered Blue Wahoo ballpark.
“He was our front gate guy,” said his employer, Donna Kirby. “He was the guy who always shouted “WAHOO! WELCOME TO THE WAHOOS!”
“Josh was a people magnet,” said another friend. “He was made for this job.”
For the unbaptized, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos are a
Sean of the South
Minor League team. They’re a good ball club, consistently at the top of the Southern League.
This year, for example, the Wahoos outrank the Biloxi Shuckers, the Montgomery Biscuits, and the poor Mississippi Braves who are—God love them—sucking pond water.
Josh was an ardent Blue Wahoos fan. When he got a job at Blue Wahoos Stadium, it was like winning the lottery for him.
And he was good at his job.
“Not just anyone can be a greeter,” said Josh’s supervisor, Mike Fitzpatrick. “It takes real personality to do what he did. He was a master.”
“Everyone wanted their selfie with him,” said another coworker. “The fans all stood in line to talk to him.”
On game nights, there he’d be. Sitting at the gate. Rolling his chair to and fro. Dolling out belly laughs and
Josh the Greeter
hugs and corny jokes.
One coworker remembers: “The first time I heard him say, ‘WAHOO! WELCOME TO THE WAHOOS!’ I just smiled all over. Because he made this job really fun.”
Josh Aidan Parr. Twenty-one years young. He was born with cerebral palsy. His mother had addictions while he was in the womb, which interrupted his brain development and led to lifelong muscular difficulties.
His youth was not easy. Throughout boyhood, his mother was unstable. Times were hard. Money did not grow on trees. His mother died by suicide when he was a boy.
But somehow, Josh was the happiest kid anyone knew. People who have suffered less have crumbled. But somehow Josh Parr remained cheerful.
He had hundreds of friends. His faith was marrow deep. And whenever First Baptist of Cantonment
unlocked the doors, he was there. He was in the choir. He helped in Sunday school. He sang for services. Sometimes, he even sang for games.
“Whenever he sang at our game,” said one coworker, “the crowd went wild, because he had an incredible voice.”
And, oh yeah, Josh prayed for people.
“Every Tuesday,” remembers one of his friends, “Josh’s grandmother would help him organize a phone tree from the church directory, and he’d call every person in church.”
Every single person.
Josh would call hundreds of church members and ask whether they needed prayer.
And if anyone needed help, Josh would pray for them right there on the phone.
“I remember when he called us,” says one of Josh’s friends. “My husband answered the phone after we had just left the pediatrician, because my son had a soft-
Registration is now open for Chewacla ‘Ride and Seek’
CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN
AUBURN — Registration is now open for the second annual Ride and Seek: A Bike Safety Adventure.
ball sized lump on his neck.
“The pediatrician had just sent us to imaging for scans and blood tests, my husband and I were panicked, but Josh’s Tuesday prayer calmed us immediately. I will never forget when he prayed for us that day. He prayed for so many people when they needed it the most.”
Last Wednesday, Josh Parr was found in his bedroom. His grandmother found him lying on his bed, dressed in a Wahoos uniform. Ready for work. When his grandmother tried to wake him, Josh was unresponsive.
And the world lost a good man.
“I went to the top of the stairs that game,” said his supervisor, “and Josh wasn’t there. Our staff cried. I cried.
Everyone cried. Our family suffered a loss. This ballpark is not the same without him.”
But make no mistake.
Josh’s friends aren’t crying tears of sorrow. They are bittersweet tears of delectation.
Fall tour of
Because a few days ago, Josh Parr did not die. Instead, Josh woke up in a new place. A holy place. He was no longer in a wheelchair. He was using his legs. He was whole. He wore his Wahoos uniform. And a patented smile.
And as he walked through the cumulus sea, trodding on gilded sidewalks, he reached the top of the stairs, much like the ballpark where he once worked. There was someone there, waiting for him. Someone famous. A greeter of sorts.
“Wahoo,” said the greeter. “Welcome to Heaven.”
“Wahoo,” said Josh. Wahoo.
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored 15 books.
‘Some
Enchanted Evening’ to stop in Opelika Oct. 7
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA —
Some Enchanted Evening, a jazzsteeped sojourn exploring a bevy of The Great American Songbook’s most enduring hits from the Golden Age of Broadway to today, will be presented at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Emmy® nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III and internet sensation vocalist Stella Cole share top billing in the show. They will be joined by tap dance phenom Jabu Graybeal as well as a band made up of Miki Yamanaka (Piano), Russell Hall (Bass), Joe Peri (Drums) and Jarien Jamanila (Saxophone).
The concert program includes selections from many shows from Broadway and the Silver Screen, including The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Guys & Dolls, Hamilton, Oliver! and of course, South Pacific. For ticket information visit the website SomeEnchantedConcert.com.
The event, for children in grades K-8, will be held at Chewacla State Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 8 a.m., with bike rides beginning at 9 a.m. At Ride and Seek, riders and their parents will get safety tips from experts and test their skills on mountain bike and paved trails. There will be free prizes, a raffle for some great bike equipment and food and drink for purchase. Registration is $15 per person. Register by Sept. 18 to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
visit the City of Auburn website or check out the details on Facebook.
The worksheet features 20 itty-bitty sites located in various spots around Auburn. Participants will need to visit the sites and find a clue hidden at each location. Successfully finding all the clues will reveal a special phrase that participants will need to log their win.
Visit http://bit.ly/rideseek2024 to register. Please email registration@auburnalabama.org with any questions.
The whole family can participate in
To participate, all scavenger hunters must register before midnight on Aug. 31, at auburnal.myrec.com. Those who compile all 20 clues and discover the phrase will be entered into the grand prize drawing. Winners will be announced and
Auburn’s Itty Bitty Scavenger Hunt.
Chewacla State Park’s Ride and Seek: A Bike Safety Adventure will offer helpful tips for riders in grades K-12 on Oct. 5.
is the perfect time to look for and remove inferior or overly mature vegetables. After washing, the next step is blanching. This cooking method quickly cooks the vegetables in water to stop the enzyme action. “If you do not blanch the vegetables, the enzyme action can cause the vegetables to lose flavor, color and texture in the freezer,” Brannon said. After the vegetables are properly blanched, submerge them in water that is at least 60 degrees Fahren-
heit or below. This shocks the vegetables and stops the cooking process.
“After the vegetables cool, pack them as mealsize portions in moistureand vapor-proof freezer containers,” Brannon said. “Pack the vegetables tightly so you remove as much air as possible.”
To know when the vegetables were stored, label and date the containers before putting them in the freezer. Do not overload the freezer, because this will add to the freezing times.
More in-depth freezing instructions are available in the Alabama Extension publication “Freezing
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
THROUGH AUG. 24 — AUBURN ARTS SUMMER SHOW
The Auburn Arts Association’s 2024 Summer Show, titled “Black and White + One Color” is on display now through Aug. 24 at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The visual experience showcases the creativity and innovation of local artists.
AUG. 8 — BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Auburn Area Community Theatre presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast — the Broadway musical Aug. 8-18 at Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center in Auburn. For performance times and ticket information, visit www.auburnact.org.
AUG. 10 — ENCHANTED TEA PARTY
All princes and princesses are invited to Auburn Area Community Theatre’s Enchanted Tea Party on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center in Auburn. Ages 3 and up and adult es-corts are required to purchase a ticket, which costs $10 and includes crafts, story time and treats. A matinee per-formance of Beauty and the Beast will follow at 11 a.m. (tickets sold separately). For more information, visit www.auburnact.org.
AUG. 10 — AU FAMILY FOOTBALL KICKOFF
The Auburn Family Football Preseason Kickoff will be held Saturday, Aug.10, beginning at 3 p.m. in the indoor complex located behind the Athletics Complex on the campus of Auburn University. Fans are encouraged to enter the event via the practice field on the east side of the complex. The event will feature an autograph ses-sion and family fun zone from 3 to 4 p.m., allowing fans to meet their 2024 Auburn Tigers. To help improve line efficiency and ensure as many fans as possible have the chance to meet Coach Freeze and the studentathletes, Coach Freeze will provide photo opportunities with fans along with an autographed photo, while stu-dent-athletes may only sign provided posters. Football, soccer and volleyball posters and schedule cards will be available for free to fans upon entry. The event will also feature a pep rally and appearances by the Auburn cheerleaders, Tiger Paws and Aubie, Admission is FREE.
AUG. 10 — SECOND SATURDAY AT PIONEER PARK
On the second Saturday of every month, the Lee County Historical Society hosts a lively event at Pioneer Park. History re-enactors don period attire, showcasing their arts and crafts. Blacksmiths forge, spinners and weavers bring the textile room to life, and gardeners tend to the historical gardens. Crafts and seasonal activities are scheduled throughout the day. A meal is prepared in the fireplace or outdoors. The Whistle Stop Pickers gather at the Museum at 1 p.m. for live music. For more information, visit www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
AUG. 10 — AN EVENING WITH KYRAN DANIEL
Australian guitarist Kyran Daniel will perform at The Sound Wall in Opelika. Doors open at 7 p.m., showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.theswmi.org.
AUG. 17 — HORSESHOE BEND ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
The Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Annual Symposium will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St. in Auburn. This year’s theme will focus on the Cherokee connection to the Creek War and will feature talks by Dr. Susan Abram (Western Carolina Univer-sity), Dr. Steven Peach (Tarleton State University), and Dr. Stuart Marshall (Sewanee: The Univer-sity of the South). Admission is free.
AUG. 22 — ARTIST LECTURE & CLOSING RECEPTION
Artist Billy Renkl, whose exhibition of mixed media collages is on display at Auburn University’s Biggin Gallery (112 S. College St.), will speak at a closing reception on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition, artist lecture, and closing reception are free and open to the public. For more infor-mation, visit: https://cla.auburn.edu/art/galleries/exhibitions/2023-24-exhibitions/billyrenkl/.
AUG. 24 — 13TH ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Cornerstone Family Chiropractic in Auburn will host a free family event on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at 323 Airport Road. The event, which will feature inflatables, games, raffle prizes, food and sweet treets, supports the BigHouse Foundation.
AUG. 24 —HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The WeHelp Coalition, a group of 12 local churches, will present the second Gospel Sing fundraiser to benefit Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.m. at True Deliverance Holiness Church (963 N.
Summer’s Bounty of Vegetables,” available at www. aces.edu.
A Chance to Make a Difference In addition to freezing and storing your vegetables, you can also consider donating your extra produce through Alabama
Extension’s Grow More, Give More program. This program encourages gardeners to grow and donate fresh produce to neighbors, schools, community centers, places of worship and others who are helping fight food insecurity. Visit www. aces.edu/go/GrowMore to learn more.
Donahue Dr., Auburn). In addition to musical performances, there will baked goods for purchase. For more information, email Athera Y. Perry at apblessed@ hotmail.com or text (334) 663-0919; or email Barbara Mor-ris at Barbara. morris33@yahoo.com or text (334) 887-1440.
AUG. 29 — THIRD THURSDAY POETRY SERIES
Auburn University’s Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities will host the Third Thursday Poetry Series on Aug. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pebble Hill (101 S. Debardeleben St., Auburn) featuring local readers Ken Autrey, Ernest Gibson and Maria Kuznetzova. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free.
SEPT. 19 — BLUES ON THE PLAINS GALA
The Lee County Democratic Party will host its annual gala, Blues On The Plains, on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at Fig & Ivy, located at 2290 Moores Mill Road in Auburn. The Lee County Democratic Party is committed to foster-ing a healthier democracy and creating a future filled with hope and progress, and this cocktail event will feature keynote presentations from speakers, interactive networking and show-stopping live music. Tickets start at $65 and are available at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bluesontheplains.
SEPT. 19 — THIRD THURSDAY POETRY SERIES
Auburn University’s Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities will host the Third Thursday Poetry Series on Sept. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pebble Hill (101 S. Debardeleben St., Auburn) featuring profes-sors Catherine Carter and Brian Gastle of Western Carolina University. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free.
OCT. 17 — Book Talk by Kathryn Braund
Auburn University’s Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities will host a book talk on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St., Auburn. Dr. Kathryn H. Braund, Hollifield Professor of Southern History Emerita at AU, will discuss her new book, Mapping Conquest: The Battle Maps of Horseshoe Bend. Mapping Conquest provides a reveal-ing look at the many aspects of war and how battle maps shape our collective memory.
OCT. 19 — AUBURN OKTOBERFEST
Auburn’s Oktoberfest: The South’s Favorite Craft Beer Festival will return on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m.at Ag Heritage Park, located at 620 S. Donahue Drive. The event will feature live music from Kidd Blue and The War Damn Polka Band, tastings from more than 70 breweries, wineries and homebrewers, educational tents from Au-burn University’s AU BREW and a HOP presentation by Auburn’s Horticulture Department. Activities will include naming of Mr. & Mrs. Oktoberfest, stein hoisting contest, weiner dog races, barrel racing, a Chicken Dance compe-tition and more. There will be food trucks, along with several large TV’s highlighting the day’s football games. Tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite.com.
ONGOING — O GROWS FARMERS MARKET
The O Grows Summer Farmers Market is open every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Opelika’s Courthouse Square. O Grows accepts SNAP, EBT and SFMNP.
THROUGH AUG. 24 — AUBURN CITY MARKET
City Market, Auburn Parks and Recreation’s weekly farmer’s market, is open each Saturday morning through Aug. 24 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Town Creek Park. The entire family is invited to enjoy live music, fun activities for the kids and an array of fresh, local and handcrafted items to browse and purchase. Parking is available at Town Creek Park and in the gravel lot across the street from the park. City Market vendors will start selling their products at 8 a.m. sharp. For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/citymarket or email c itymarket@ auburnalabama.org.
THROUGH SEPT. 28 — CAMP HILL FARMERS MARKET
The Camp Hill Marketplace Farmers Market is held each Saturday through Sept. 28 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Mt. Lovely Church Grounds, 21900 Sen. Claude Pepper Drive. Senior benefit cards are welcome. Vendors contact market manager Joanne Finley at (334) 332-5970.
ONGOING — SECOND SATURDAYS AT PIONEER PARK
On the second Saturday of every month, the Lee County Historical Society hosts a lively event at Pioneer Park. History re-enactors don period attire, showcasing their arts and crafts. Blacksmiths forge, spinners and weavers bring the textile room to life, and gardeners tend to the historical gardens. Crafts and seasonal activities are scheduled throughout the day. A meal is prepared in the fireplace or outdoors. The Whistle Stop Pickers gather at the Museum at 1 p.m. for live music. For more information, visit www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Club News from around Lee County Kiwanis Club of Opelika
Kiwanis Club of Auburn
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.
AUBURN/OPELIKA MOPS IS NOW 'MomCO'
MOPS International changed its name from MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers to MomCo to include moms of children of all ages. Auburn Opelika MomCo meets at Pepperell Baptist Church, 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika. Contact Rachel Elrod at (706) 244-5620 or Pastor Zac Gardner at (334) 745-3108 for further information.
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 256-3683258.
NAMI MEETING SET FOR AUG. 20
NAMI East Alabama will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 East Glenn Ave.
Amanda Carpenter, MSW, Victim Services Program Coordinator for Rape Counselors of East Alabama, will be speaking on the services that the agency provides as well as about the sexual assault resource center (Bridges Haven) that is located in Auburn.
The public is invited. There will be time for sharing after the program.
Pictured above are Kiwanis Club of Auburn President Mike Martin, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Bob Harris. Anders was guest speaker and updated the members on activities in the city of Auburn.
The speaker at last week’s Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting was Beauregard High School football head coach
Justin Jones. He spoke on his 20 year history as a coach and gave a preview into the upcoming season. The speaker for Aug. 15 will be T.J. Wood with the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch.
