Thursday Aug. 11, 2022
Vol. 14, No. 44
Opelika, Alabama
FRED ERi CK-DEAN Covering Lee County, Alabama
An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.'
FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY Compassion • Integrity • Tradition
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OCS Institutes New Dress Code OPELIKA –– The Opelika City Schools Board of Education voted to ratify a revised student dress code for the 2022-23 school year. The prior student dress code was adopted in 2007, and newly appointed Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore was influential in deciding that it needed some updating. “After hearing feedback from students, parents, teachers and administrators, we began a process, really over a year ago, of having conversations with those different groups about what we can do to make our dress code a little more up-to-date and comfortable … that main-
PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
tains a good standard for learning in an educational environment, but also allow some freedom and provide some comfort to student,” Seymore said. According to Seymore, the newly revised dress code removed some prohibitive language and
gives students more freedom and flexibility when deciding what to wear to school. “In the old dress code, we had some references to specific brands and things like that which were outdated,” he said. “We wanted to free that up a
Opelika to Host 2022 Main Street Alabama LAB Conference
CONTRIBUTED BY MAIN STREET ALABAMA
OPELIKA — Opelika is set to host the 2022 Main Street Alabama LAB conference Aug. 17 through 19. This annual conference brings together dozens of representatives from across Alabama to learn more about topics and best practices regarding downtown and neighborhood revitalization. “Opelika Main Street is excited to welcome
the Main Street Alabama LAB conference to downtown Opelika,” said Opelika Main Street Executive Director Ken Ward. “This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our beautiful and thriving downtown to representatives from across the state and nation.” Some of the agenda topics that will be highlighted include fundraising, designing pedestrian-oriented infrastructure, public art and
placemaking. Speakers include developers, revitalization experts and representatives from various organizations including the National Main Street Center, AARP and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Additionally, the annual Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence banquet will also be hosted during the conference with Rep. Mike Rogers giving remarks. See MAIN STREET, page A3
bit, provide some language that would allow that flexibility.” The 2022-23 current dress code for Opelika City Schools reads as follows: The Opelika City Board See SCHOOL, page A2
United Way Kicks Off Campaign with Service BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY — Dozens of volunteers donated their time and energy at the Food Bank of East Alabama Aug. 3 to kick off the 2022-23 campaign year for United Way of Lee County. The volunteers were divided into teams, each working together in a hyped-up effort to package 30,000 meals for food-insecure individuals and families across the county. While the local United Way typically kicks off its annual campaign with
a breakfast, Executive Director Tipi Miller said the organization decided to lead a community-wide service project this year instead. “We just replaced the breakfast with this type event, which I think is even better because you’re really getting into a service project and really getting to work,” said Miller, who was named executive director of the local United Way earlier this year. “It’s neat to look at the signup sheet and see that it’s people from different companies from Auburn, Opelika, Lee County See CAMPAIGN, page A3
Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere Receives National Recognition CONTRIBUTED BY LEE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
LEE COUNTY — Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere received national recognition by the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation (AGACL) for outstanding work in capital litigation and complex homicide prosecution. Ventiere was nominated, in part, due to the no-body, cold case prosecution of Richard “Rick” Ennis for the murder of 24-year-old Lori Ann Slesinski, who vanished from her home in Auburn, Alabama, in 2006. Earlier this year, Ennis was convict-
VENTIERE ed by a Lee County jury of two counts of capital murder despite Lori’s body never being recovered.
Opelika Theatre Company is proud to present
y
NEWSIES
Disne
August 12th, 13th & 14th
at the Southside Center for the Arts 1103 Glenn Street, Opelika, AL, 36801
tickets available at - www.opelikatheatrecompany.com
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” See VENTIERE, page A2
CONTENTS
OPINION ..................... A4 ENTERTAINMENT ........... A7 RELIGION ................... A12 OBITUARIES ............... A13 COMICS ....................... A16 SPORTS ........................ B1 POLITICS ...................... B9 PUBLIC NOTICES ........... B12 CLASSIFIEDS ................ B14 PUZZLES ..................... B15
A2 Aug. 11, 2022
Youth for Christ Annual Golf Classic Set for October AUBURN — The Samford-Cannon Foundation will present East Alabama Youth for Christ’s 37th annual Golf Classic on Monday, Oct. 17, at Auburn University Club. Local businesses and community supporters are encouraged to participate by registering for a sponsorship package. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the ministry efforts of East Alabama Youth for Christ. This year, all new donations for the tournament will be matched. New sponsors will have
the opportunity to double their impact as an anonymous YFC supporter has offered to match up to $50,000. Registration for each participating golfer includes lunch, a goody bag and an entry for door prizes. Tournament features include Youth for Christ testimonies, a golf ball drop contest and a hole-in-one contest. Participants will also be among the first golfers to experience the newly renovated course at Auburn University Club. “As one of our two fundraisers each year, the Youth for Christ Golf
YFC Board Chairman Allen Blythe. “On behalf of our board of directors and our executive director, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank-you to all of our sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers for making this such a great event each year. Your contributions are crucial in YFC’s success of reaching young people everywhere throughout East Alabama with the hope of Christ.” For more information about sponsorship levels or to register, visit www. eastalabamayfc.org/golfclassic or email golf@ eastalabamayfc.org.
PHOTO BY BAILEY SMITH
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
From left to right: Allen Blythe, EAYFC board chairman; Race and Lucinda Cannon, presenting sponsors with the Samford-Cannon Foundation; Tabitha Vasilas, EAYFC's executive director.
Classic has proven to be a great program each
year for supporting the much-needed ministry of
East Alabama YFC,” said
Oliver Unveils Plaque at Caroline Dean Wildflower Trail PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
Friends, Lee County Master Gardeners and the city of Opelika honored Billie Oliver at a plaque unveiling Aug. 3 at the Caroline Dean Wildflower Trail. Oliver, who was the architect behind the trail, expressed her appreciation for the honor and her love for the native plants present along the trail. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Master Gardener Dennis Pinkard and Municipal Area Supervisor Matt Battles of Opelika Parks and Recreation shared remarks as well. The Caroline Dean Wildflower Trail is located at Municipal Park in Opelika.
FROM A1
of Education and administration recognize the effect that student dress and grooming have upon student behavior and commitment to learning. In order to maintain an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to learning, the following guidelines have been adopted. The goal of the dress code is to encourage students to dress in a manner that promotes habits that lead to success. Students must wear clothing that covers the area from the shoulders to mid-thigh. Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn at the waist and should fit properly.
VENTIERE >>
FROM A1
Ventiere said. “This was truly a team effort, and I share this award
PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
SCHOOL >>
Skirts, shorts and dresses must be mid-thigh or longer in front and back. Undergarments must be worn in an appropriate manner and should not be visible. Tops must have sleeves with a minimum width of two inches. Pajamas should not be worn to school. T-shirts or any other type clothing or personal item bearing a reference to firearms, weapons, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, drug-related slogans, sexual references, gang affiliation and/or any other wording, drawings, pictures, etc., which in any way can be interpreted as suggestive, obscene, offensive or relating to violence,
etc., are not permitted. No sunglasses, hats, hoods or other head coverings are to be worn during the regular school day. Students are required to wear appropriate shoes to school at all times — no bare feet. Students in violation of the dress code will be required to change immediately. If this requires checking out, the absence is unexcused. If any aspect of the Dress Code becomes a consistent problem, appropriate adjustments will be made by the administration to address the situation. The administration of Opelika City Schools maintains the absolute au-
thority in making subjective judgments concerning student dress and personal appearance. “If someone is clearly
out of line with the dress code, then we still have the flexibility to address that,” Seymore said. “We want the focus to be on teaching
and learning, and not dress code –– and we feel like this is a good way to that. We are looking forward to a great school year.”
with every member of the Lee County District Attorney’s Office, the Auburn Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama De-
partment of Forensic Sciences. We continue to pray that one day we’ll find Lori and lay her to rest properly." Ventiere, a career prosecutor, has served as
assistant district attorney and chief assistant district attorney before serving as Lee County's district attorney. "Jessica Ventiere is an incredible district attor-
ney who shows dedication to the work and community she serves,” said Barry Matson, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association. "...
We are very honored to have her as a part of our organization.”
PHONE: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com
PUBLISHER: Michelle Key
LIVE LEE EDITOR: Hannah Lester MARKETING: Woody Ross, Rená Smith PHOTOJOURNALIST: Robert Noles SPORTS EDITOR: Wil Crews SPORTS WRITERS: Rick Lanier, D. Mark Mitchell STAFF REPORTER: Kendyl Hollingsworth
www.opelikaobserver.com 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved. The Observer is published weekly by Key Media LLC, 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Observer, 223-A S. 8th St.,, Opelika, AL 36801
CORRECTIONS The Observer will correct any errors, omissions or inaccuracies deemed to be substantive. Corrections may be requested by contacting the editor at 334-749-8003.
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A3 Aug. 11, 2022
Volunteers 'Unite' to Fight Hunger
PHOTOS BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER
Dozens of volunteers from across Lee County came together Aug. 3 to pack 30,000 meals at the Food Bank of East Alabama. The energetic service project, led by Numana, kicked off the 2022-23 campaign year for United Way of Lee County. The meals, which consist of rice, beans and other dry staples, will be distributed to families and individuals in need across the county.
CAMPAIGN >>
FROM A1
… I think it’s neat to see everybody come together and help the community.” For the second time, United Way enlisted the help of Kansas-based nonprofit Numana to lead the event. Leaders Rachael and Chad Topper have a wealth of experience hosting similar events in other communities and kept the volunteers’ energy up by blasting music in the warehouse and celebrating each milestone achieved on the way to the 30,000-meal goal. Rachael emphasized the importance of local efforts to fight world hunger, noting that it “starts at home.” “We facilitate
MAIN STREET >>
FROM A1
“Main Street Alabama is excited to be in Opelika this year for our annual conference,” said Main Street Alabama President and State Coordinator
meal-packing events just like this on any scale, from one table up to a million meals in one single event in one single day, which is a ton of fun,” she said. “We are so excited and honored to be able to partner with people across the United States to service the globe.” According to Miller, the meals consist of rice, beans and other dry goods that can supplement a protein to make a filling, nutritious meal. The volunteers measured each ingredient to ensure that each package has the same amount of food. Eric Canada, United Way treasurer and leader of Group 1 at the event, said he was impressed with his team’s efforts. “It’s going great,” he
said. “These guys are packing machines.” About half an hour into the event, Rachael announced the volunteers had reached 5,000 meals packaged. To celebrate, she asked Auburn Mayor Ron Anders to ring a gong. Anders thanked the volunteers for sacrificing a morning to serve the community before giving the gong five rings. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, who was also in attendance, said he was glad to see Auburn and Opelika working together to support the entire county — a welcomed change from the days when each community had its own separate United Way. “It’s going to be a very successful campaign,” he added. Miller said the Food
Bank of East Alabama and its partners will be able to distribute the packaged meals as needed. With 200 partner agencies and 44,000 people served each month, food bank Executive Director Martha Henk said there will be “no difficulty in getting the food out.” “It’s a big operation,” she said. “It’s a great privilege to be a part of it. We have really experienced a great shortage of food. We’re hit in the same way everybody else is with the supply chain issues, and a lot of the food that we got from the federal government in the beginning as COVID relief — those programs have ended. “I had … a Zoom meeting with all the Alabama
food bank directors, and we’re all saying the same things. The racks are getting more and more empty, so things like this just take on more importance than ever.” According to Henk, one in six people living in Alabama are experiencing food insecurity, and that number translates to about 23,900 people in Lee County alone. “Our first priority … is going to be support of our senior Brown Bag programs, or box programs,” Henk explained. “We’ll be distributing the food out quickly that way. They got some of that product last year and really enjoyed it. We got a lot of great feedback on that. And then we have a mobile food pantry where we load up our trucks,
drive to an area — oftentimes quite remote — and then we direct distribution off the truck … so it’s going to have a pretty tremendous impact.” Miller said it’s also a crucial time for families to get the nourishment they need as children are returning to school. “I think that makes a huge difference, and … I think now it’s even more important because we do want our students to go to school well-fed and ready to learn and prepared in that way,” she said. Henk expressed gratitude for the volunteers’ time and said they will have a “really large impact” in fighting food insecurity in the area.
Mary Wirth. “Opelika Main Street and the city of Opelika have worked hard on a number of catalytic projects downtown that we are thrilled to showcase. To register for our conference go to mainstreetalabama.org
and click on the LAB tab.” The conference sessions will be held at the Bottling Plant Event Center, and the banquet will be hosted at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort Hotel & Spa at Grand
National. ABOUT OPELIKA MAIN STREET: Founded in 1987, Opelika Main Street assists in the growth of historic downtown Opelika through facade grants, beautification projects,
small business assistance efforts and various community events. Learn more about Opelika Main Street by going to opelikamainstreet.org. ABOUT MAIN STREET ALABAMA: Main Street Alabama
focuses on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of our efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
A4 Aug. 11, 2022
Good
L
SEAN DIETRICH
ate afternoon. The grocery store was busy. It was a big weekend, hurried customers played demolition derby with shopping carts. I saw two young men shopping together. Their basket was overflowing with bachelor food. Microwave dinners, hotdogs, potato chips, Mick Ultra, spray cheese. The youngest man was wearing cargo shorts. His right leg was disfigured. Below the knee, his leg was mostly shinbone without any visible muscle, covered in scars. I followed the men around the supermarket
because I am a writer, and writers are intrusive people. When they reached the self-checkout lane, I was a few customers behind them in line. An old man approached the men. They had a brief conversation. I tried to listen to their words but their voices were too quiet. The only thing I heard the elderly man say was: “Where were you stationed?” “Afghanistan,” the young man answered. Also, I heard the words, “ambush,” “explosion” and “physical therapy.” When the young men
finished scanning items, the old man removed his wallet and swiped his credit card. The young men tried to stop him, but they were too slow. The man replaced his wallet, then winked at them and said, “You snooze, you lose, fellas.” I can still see that old man when I close my eyes. Some things stick with you, I guess. Just like the time I saw an elderly woman in Franklin, Tennessee. Her car wouldn’t start. Three men from inside the gas station rushed to help her. They were large men with long beards, dirty clothes and work boots. They crawled over her car until they figured out the problem beneath the hood. “It’s her serpentine belt!” one man finally shouted. That was all it took. They leapt into their truck and left. After a few minutes, they returned with a new belt from the auto parts store. The woman tried to pay them, but they refused. I
heard one of the men say: “Hey, I know how you could repay me, you could let me take you to dinner, ma’am.” It was only a joke. This woman was old enough to remember when Colonel Sanders was still a private. But it made her laugh. Here’s another: A few weeks ago, someone wrote me about an old man in ratty clothes who was asking for money outside Walmart. He wasn’t there long when a man wearing a Navy-blue uniform came striding toward him. The old man got spooked. He darted away when he saw the uniform. But the man in uniform was not there to run the man off. He was a fire medic. He called after the elderly man, “Sir! Don’t leave! Please wait!” The old man stopped. The fireman handed him a white plastic bag full of Chinese take-out. He asked the old man how he was feeling, and if he had any health problems. The old man shook his head and said he was fine.
Then, the fireman handed the man a business card. “If you ever need any help, sir, come find me, I’ll hook you up.” They tell me the old man ate fried rice and sesame chicken with both hands until he was wearing most of it. Anyway, yesterday morning was a beautiful sunrise. I woke up early. I watched the colors over the highway. I drove to meet my cousin at a breakfast joint. The restaurant parking lot was full. Inside were truck drivers, young professionals, families and working-class men getting a caffeine fix. At the table behind my cousin were men in police uniforms. They were quiet, middle-aged men with plates full of bacon. The officers were interrupted by a small blond girl who approached their table and said, “‘Scuse me, are you guys policemen?” The men exchanged looks and smiles. “We certainly are,” one officer said. “I like policemen,” she said.
She was as cute as a duck in a hat. The officer said, “Do you wanna be our new deputy, miss?” She grinned big and nodded. One officer removed a plastic badge from his pocket. He stuck it on the girl’s shirt. Then, he told her to hold her right hand up. He swore her in, officially. The girl’s mother took a picture with a cellphone. The officer added, “If you ever need us, sweetie, we’re always here to help you.” When it was time to pay our bill, my cousin whispered to our waitress, “I wanna pay for those officers’ breakfasts, ma’am.” Our waitress only laughed at us. “There sure are a lotta good folks in this world,” she said. “You’re the third guy this morning who offered to do that. Sorry, but another customer beat you to it.” Well. You snooze, you lose.
Keeping Watch
WENDY HODGE
I
t’s a torturous thing we humans do, keeping watch over the dying. We gather around a bed, sometimes as a family and sometimes alone, and wait for someone we love to ease into death … like an antique clock winding down, ticking slower with
every hour that passes. By the time you read this, my mother will have died. She has not eaten solid food in five days and has had only a few cc’s of liquid in the last 48 hours. Her body is finishing its course. My dad died 11 months ago. They were married 70 years. That’s an astonishing thing ... seven decades spent together. Fifty of those years were spent in this house where I sit and watch her life ending. Much has changed since the summer I turned 4 and we moved our family into this home. The house itself has changed, and so have the people who lived
here together. Furnishings have been replaced and replaced again since the 70s. Walls have been painted. Trees have grown. Fences have been built. Neighbors have come and gone. For more years than I can count, my dad’s recliner sat at an angle to the couch, at the perfect position for television watching. I can close my eyes and see my dad from my favorite spot on the floor with his feet raised up, leaning all the way back. Sometimes he read the newspaper, often he watched TV, but always a nap was the end result. His snore was epic.
The small window next to the kitchen sink still has the same curtains my mother hung there when I was in high school. She never had a dishwasher, so she spent a lot of time gazing out that window at the willow tree in the backyard. I think a series of books could be written on what my mother thought about ... the family she missed, the World War her family lived through, the things she may have wanted for her own life but never had. The door to the bedroom that was mine still has a piece of tape stuck to it just above arm’s reach. A poster
once hung there, some teenage heartthrob I’m sure. The day I took the poster down I fully intended to stand in a chair and remove the stray tape, but I never got around to it. Over the years, it’s become a habit to glance up and make sure that square of tape is still where I left it. Over the kitchen table hangs a needlepoint picture my sister crafted when I was a toddler. It’s a picture of a basket of strawberries, and it must have taken her ages to complete. I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t hanging on that wall, in that same space.
In the living room, there is a display cabinet filled with things that may have no real value to anyone else but are precious to my mother. A music box shaped like a cottage that my sister brought back from Germany sits next to a wooden Christmas ornament shaped like a grandfather clock. I bought that ornament at a craft fair when I was 8 years old. I saved my allowance to buy that for my mother, and she treasured it as it if were made of gold. There’s a crystal bird my dad bought her, a candle from one of my See HODGE, page A6
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A5 Aug. 11, 2022
National Night Out Connects Auburn PHOTOS BY ED SIKORA / FOR THE OBSERVER
The city of Auburn participated in National Night Out on Aug. 2 at Ag Heritage Park on the corner of Samford Avenue and S. Donahue Drive. National Night Out (NNO) is a nationwide community-building event with the goal of increasing awareness of local public safety programs, crime prevention, health, education and youth programs. At the event, Auburn Public Safety hosted a K9 demonstration, Touch-A-Truck, fire safety demonstration, a designated space to "Meet Your School Resource Officer" and more. Local organizations set up with activities, giveaways and information about their community resources.
World Premier Production
WE’LL MEET AGAIN AUGUST 30, 2022
AN OPELIKA WELCOME
James R. Harris
Mark Hayes
As Julius Hagedorn, a Jewish merchant in Opelika, Alabama, began to see the storms of World War II gathering over Europe in the 1930’s, he set about helping the family of his young nephew, Henry Stern, escape the Holocaust just in time for a new life in America. We’ll Meet Again celebrates Henry’s growing up in a small Southern town, being overwhelmed at first by the welcoming crowd of thousands gathered to greet the family stepping off the train at the Opelika Depot; then journeying on through a life that held surprises at every turn. e
F O R T I C K E T I N F O R M A T I O N C A L L 3 3 4 . 7 4 9 . 8 1 0 5 O R V I S I T W W W. E A S T A L A B A M A A R T S . O R G
A6 Aug. 11, 2022
Summer Swings into the New School Year
PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER Summer Swing, Opelika Parks & Rec's summer concert series, concluded Aug. 2 with The Blackmon Brothers at Monkey Park. The free concert began at 7 p.m. and featured two different bands, concessions and rides on the Rocky Brook Rocket.
HODGE >>
FROM A4
nieces and a drawing my son made when he was in first grade. There are pictures of my nephews in their
Halloween Power Ranger costumes and one of my sister jumping on the trampoline in the backyard taken not long before she died. She was a grown woman, completely airborne, hands in the air and a smile that
breaks my heart every time I look at that picture. “Nothing turns out like we think it will, does it?” I asked Tim just last night when I walked back in my own front door. “No, it usually
doesn’t,” he answered. And then he just held onto me and let me feel what I was feeling. He didn’t try to fix anything. He just patted my back and told me he loved me. He comforts me like no one else ever has.
My mother will leave this earth soon. My little family will be gone. This house I grew up in will belong to someone else. All that will be left are the voices I hear in my memories. That’s not enough, but it’s what
we humans have left when all is said and done ... the thoughts and dreams and hurts and love that we gather along the way from birth to death. The clock is winding down, and we keep watch.
E vents, Food, & SocietyNews
UPCOMING EVENTS:
AUG. 12, 15: MARKET STREET PAINT SHOP WORKSHOP AUG. 12-14: UTSA ADULT TENNIS SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AUG. 14: AACT PRESENTS "HANDS ON HARDBODY"
Bake a Batch of Yummy Cookies for After School Snacks PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Ann Cipperly
Southern
Hospitality
A
s children head back to school, plan on having plenty of after school snacks on hand. While we prefer to serve healthy choices, sometimes freshly baked cookies and a tall glass of milk or a smoothie are the most popular. Fill the house with the sweet aroma of cookies fresh from the oven to welcome hungry children after school.
Like many parents getting their children back in school, Natalie and the Rev. Steve Bass of Opelika are busy preparing their two sons, Carson, 13, and James, 8, for classes. With Steve being the pastor of Student Ministries at Trinity Methodist Church and Natalie, a successful real estate agent with eXp Realty, they share getting their sons home from school. Carson will be in the
eighth grade at Opelika Middle School, while James will be a student at Northside Intermediate. Carson plays percussion in the band and was among those selected to be in the high school band this year. He will be marching and performing in competitions with the high school and has already been in band camp for the last three weeks. James’ favorite activity
As children start a new school year, plan to have a variety of after school snacks on hand. Welcome them home with freshly baked cookies and a tall glass of milk or a smoothie. The Rev. Steve Bass, pastor of Student Ministries at Trinity Methodist Church, and his wife, Natalie, a real estate agent with eXp Realty, are sharing a family-favorite recipe for Peanut Butter Blossoms. Pictured are Natalie with their two sons, Carson, center, and James. is KidStrong, which he does each week in Auburn. They have loved it for him as much as he enjoys going. The program teaches self-confidence, healthy
activity, peer support and leadership — all while getting a workout. Steve and Natalie met while he was youth pastor at Wesley Memorial
Church, and Natalie was working in the nursery while they were both attending Auburn University. See CIPPERLY, page A10
Auburn Alumna Shares Passion for Dance with New Generation Taylor’s Dance Company to Hold Grand Opening Party Aug. 13
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Itty Bitty Auburn Scavenger Hunt Returns This Month CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN AUBURN –– It’s time to break out the thinking caps and magnifying glasses for Itty Bitty Auburn Scavenger Hunt. Through August, participants can pick up a worksheet for the scavenger hunt at any city of Auburn Parks and
Recreation facility or find it online at auburnalabama.org/parks/programs/ itty-bitty-auburn-scavenger-hunt. The worksheet features 20 “itty-bitty” sites in various locations around Auburn. Participants will find a picture of these sites and a clue on the worksheet. A successful scavenger hunt will reveal a special phrase which
participants will need to add to the worksheet and enter to win. All participants must “register” by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Those who compile all 20 clues and discover the phrase will be entered into five drawings for Auburn-themed gift baskets. Winners will be announced and contacted on Friday, Sept. 9.
BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM AUBURN — For Taylor Rogers, dance
is about more than fitness or technique; it’s about passion, having fun and boosting self-confidence — values she said she hopes to instill in young dancers at her
own studio, Taylor’s Dance Company. “That’s something that I love,” she said. “I love seeing them be proud of See DANCE, page A9
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A8 Aug. 11, 2022
STACEY PATTON WALLACE
PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE / FOR THE OBSERVER
Making the Grade: The Yard Milkshake Bar
A
s I’ve stated many times, I love Sweet Home Alabama dearly. However, there is one aspect of my home state, which I do not love: the searing, sizzling summer heat. (Remember, I love alliteration.) After all, melting onto the concrete when I go to pick up our mail is not fun. Also, I’m really amazed that when I was in single digits, my family and I lived in an un-air-conditioned house in Alexander City (“Eleck” City to the locals); my parents had only a window fan. I guess I was young and just didn’t know any better. However, in the
summer of 1971, my much older brothers Jim and Mike (I was only 8) worked at Wind Creek State Park and paid to have central air conditioning installed in our house. Jim said that they made $1.70 an hour and that the air conditioning cost $500, which was
a lot of money in those days. In fact, it took my brothers a combined total of 294 hours to earn that much money. Believe me, that’s a gift that I really appreciated, and so did my parents. We did have to adjust to air conditioning, however. The man who installed the air conditioning set the thermostat to 72 degrees. Mama said, “That night, we all woke up because we were freezing.” Also, when I was a teenager, I was highly
amused watching Mama and Daddy perform the “Thermostat Hustle.” Mama, being too hot, would sneak in the hallway and crank the thermostat to a cooler setting. Later, Daddy, who was thinking with his wallet, would go and turn the thermostat
higher. This performance happened quite often in our household. In my humble opinion, air conditioning is one of the world’s greatest inventions. According to Google, “Willis Carrier invented the modern air conditioner in 1902.” In addition, “Frederick Jones invented the first portable air conditioning unit.” I truly am thankful for these two brilliant inventors. In fact, I’d be fine with the government setting aside two holidays to celebrate these two men and their inventions. Yes, they are that important to me.
Recently, Mike and I found another way to fight the merciless summer heat. Last week, we visited The Yard Milkshake Bar at 147 N. College St. in Auburn. When we entered the establishment, both Chelsea and Jean, who waited on us, were so friendly, helpful and patient. I loved the old ice cream parlor atmosphere and the Auburn decor. This place will be really popular when the students return to campus later this month. Mike ordered the Strawberry and Cream Cheesecake bowl, which had strawberry cheesecake ice cream
topped with whipped cream, strawberry topping, crushed graham crackers and a slice of New York cheesecake. I chose the Old School Banana Split bowl, which had strawberry and banana pudding ice cream topped with whipped cream, strawberry topping, peanuts, chocolate drizzle, a cherry and a banana. Oh, my three times. Our desserts were cold, delicious, towering works of art and a great way to beat the heat. Believe it or not, I didn’t eat ALL of my dessert. I really didn’t want Mike to have to call an ambulance because I had gone into a diabetic coma. No, instead, Mike had my back and finished it for me. Besides our amazing choices, The Yard Milkshake Bar offers diners a great selection of beat-the-heat treats. For instance, The Yard serves specialty milkshakes and sundaes in pint-sized souvenir jars and specialty bowls. Some of these include Birthday Cake, Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss, Salted Caramel Cheese-
cake, the Cereal Killer and Doughnut Touch my Coffees and Cream. The Yard offers 30 ice cream flavors and 30-plus toppings from which to choose. Diners may enjoy milkshakes, floats and scooped ice cream or cookie dough. In addition, The Yard offers gluten-free, vegan-friendly and lactose-friendly choices. Trust me, run and do not walk to The Yard. The Yard Milkshake Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. The Yard Milkshake Bar makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy! Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com
NEW HOURS AT AXE MARKS THE SPOT 5 TO 9 P.M. EVERY DAY EXCEPT WEDNESDAY NO RESERVATION NEEDED ADDITIONAL HOURS AVAILABLE BY RESERVATION
Come Throw With Us! 223 S. 8th St., Opelika Call 912-322-1699 For Reservations
A9 Aug. 11, 2022
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
St. Dun's Buns Makes Donations
St. Dun's Buns from St. Dunstan's Epicopal Church in Auburn continutes to do work in the community through donation. For August, St. Dun's Buns donated to the Eagles Progam through the Department of Education at Auburn University (pictured top left); Village Friends (pictured top right); and Woof Avenue (pictured bottom left). Pictured bottom right are all the donation recipients for the first year of St. Dun's Buns baking for donations.
DANCE >>
FROM A7
AUGUST 20, 2022 • 10 A.M. - 1 P.M. MUNICIPAL PARK FOOD, FUN & GAMES MAKE SURE YOU COME HUNGRY! WE WILL HAVE THE BURGERS AND BADGES GRILL OFF BETWEEN OUR OPELIKA FIRST RESPONDERS!
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO UNITED WAY OF LEE COUNTY TRAIN RIDES: 10 A.M. - NOON DUCK RACES BEGIN AT NOON FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT @CITYOFOPELIKA ON FACEBOOK
themselves and confident … and yes, I want to teach technique to children, but I mainly want to build their confidence, build their self-esteem — just give them a positive, fun environment to be themselves.” A dancer since age 2, Rogers has a wealth of experience in a variety of dance styles, from ballet to jazz to tap to hip-hop and contemporary. As a native of Huntsville, Alabama, she grew up dancing at the Heidi Knight School of Dance in Madison, and began teaching young dancers while she was still in high school. Rogers said she anticipated taking a break when she started college, but that didn’t last long. While she counts ballet and jazz as some of her favorite styles, Rogers said she also enjoyed practicing more hip-hop as part of the Tiger Rhythm Dance Team at Auburn University. Rogers graduated from Auburn in 2016. Now 28, she said she is enjoying teaching at her own dance studio and watching dance enrich her students’ lives the way it has enriched hers. The journey to opening her own dance company began in October 2021. With a goal to be up and running by August 2022, Rogers said timing was important when it came to finding a home for her new studio. The winning location, however, was closer than she thought — in the same shopping center as
Orange Theory on Opelika Road, where she had previously worked. “It was always kind of something I was going back to in my head, and just as other doors were closing, it was like, ‘OK, I think this is definitely where I’m meant to be,’” Rogers said. Taylor’s Dance Company began hosting summer classes in June. Regular classes will start on Aug. 15, but registration will remain open through early October. There will also be a competition team. Classes are available for dancers ages 2 to 18. “I’ve taught every age group over the years, and … honestly, they all have their specialness about them,” Rogers said. In fact, one of Rogers’ first students recently became the first to join her staff as a teacher. Brianna Butler grew up at the same dance studio as Rogers and will teach dance classes a couple nights a week at Taylor’s Dance Company while also participating in Auburn University’s dance line. “I taught her when she was 5 or 6 years old … so I’ve watched her kind of grow up dancing and everything, so I was super excited when she reached out to me wanting to teach and stuff,” Rogers said. “It’s really cool. She’s one of the first people I taught, now teaching at my studio. I love that.” Current and interested dancers and families will have an opportunity to join in celebrating the opening of Taylor’s Dance Company
with a party on Aug. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the studio, located at 1345 Opelika Road Ste. 10 in Auburn. “Even if you came for a camp, there’s still going to be little, new stuff to see at the studio,” Rogers said. “It’s kind of like your opportunity to take a big studio tour. I’m opening it up to everyone, so friends, family — anyone can come see the studio.” Rogers said attendees will also be able to enjoy snacks, games, a balloon arch photo wall and the opportunity to learn more about the studio. All registered dancers will receive a goodie bag with a T-shirt. Rogers said she appreciates growing up in a strong dance community in North Alabama and hopes to help build up the dance community in the Auburn-Opelika area. As she continues to grow her studio and staff, Rogers said she wants to maintain a culture of positivity and inclusion. “The culture that I want with my studio is just a very positive atmosphere,” she explained. “I want every girl to walk in and feel like they’re at their second home. It’s their family. That’s definitely what I grew up with, and so that’s what I want to portray here: This is your second home. This is your dance family.” For more information, visit www.taylorsdancecompany.com/ or follow on Facebook @ TaylorsDanceCompany. Auburn and Instagram @ taylors.dance.company.
A10 Aug. 11, 2022
CIPPERLY >>
FROM A7
After they were engaged to be married, Steve began sending resumes to churches in search of a full-time ministry position and received a call from Trinity. He has served there since 2004. Steve also leads the annual barbecue/bake sale and strawberry sale with proceeds benefiting the youth and children ministries. He also currently preaches the weekly chapel service. “We are excited to push our kids to be their best and to look for others that need a friend,” Natalie said. “That’s really important to us. We’re working on manners and independence especially right now. The boys are involved in a
CIPPERLY RECIPES >> PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS Natalie and the Rev. Steve Bass family 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 1 stick butter, room temperature ½ cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup light brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 Tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla 11 oz pkg. Hersey’s Kisses Extra granulated sugar Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Cream butter and peanut butter; add brown sugar and granulated sugar, blending well. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture. Roll dough mixture into balls no larger than a golf ball. Roll in extra sugar to coat exterior. Place on parchment paper in cookie sheet for baking. Bake 7 to 9 minutes until barely brown. Unwrap the Hershey Kisses while cooking so you are ready to use. When the cookies are baked, immediately place kisses in the center of cookies, pressing firmly. ENERGY BITES Maggie Cooper 1 cup dry oatmeal 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup ground flaxseed 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/3 cup honey 1 Tbsp. chia seeds 1 tsp. vanilla extract Mix all ingredients together and place in refrigerator for about half an hour. Roll into small balls about 1-inch in size. Store in air tight container in refrigerator. OATMEAL BRICKLE COOKIES Payton Tatum 1 cup shortening 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. milk 1½ tsp. vanilla 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda
number of activities that they each enjoy. As they get older, we will focus on their main interests as the time commitments increase and as they select their niche, such as with Carson and band.” Natalie keeps a “daily task chart” for the boys in hopes of teaching responsibility, daily order and simply chipping in with household duties. The boys are both in charge of helping with their two dogs, laundry, dishes and more. Steve takes the boys to school, and they share the responsibility of picking them up. Steve also does the majority of the cooking; their favorite family meal together is on Saturdays for “Bass Family Breakfast.” Steve learned a great deal about cooking while working at restaurants when he ½ tsp. salt 4 cups quick oats 1⅓ cups (8 oz.) Bit ‘O Brickle or English Toffee Bits *Optional - May add 1 cup of chocolate chips Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, blend shortening with sugars, adding sugar gradually. Add eggs, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, salt and baking soda; beat well. Stir in oats and brickle. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Place cookies on a wire rack to finish cooling. Makes about 42 cookies. OATMEAL TOLL HOUSE COOKIES Tamar Lisenby 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. salt 2 cups butter or margarine, room temperature 1 ½ cups sugar 1 ½ cups brown sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips 4 cups uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal 1 cup pecans, chopped Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, soda and salt. Blend butter, sugars and vanilla. Add eggs alternately with flour mixture. Mix well. Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips and pecans.. Cookies can be baked now or the dough refrigerated overnight and drop by scant teaspoons on unbaked cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. This is a double recipe and makes approximately 13 to 14 dozen cookies. CHOCK FULL OF GOOD STUFF COOKIES 2 sticks butter, softened ¾ cup brown sugar ¾ cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla
was attending Auburn University. While Natalie is a busy working mom, she works to keep the family organized, the house clean and is a wonderful mother. Natalie
and Steve make a great team. They are sharing a recipe for Peanut Butter Blossoms. “The recipe is a combination of online recipes that my niece Emily Gibson
1 ½ cups self-rising flour 1 ½ cups oatmeal 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries 1 pkg. (8 oz.) toffee chips Cream butter and sugars; add egg and vanilla, mixing well. Blend in flour and oatmeal. Fold in remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined. Spread 2/3 of the dough into prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife. Spread jam evenly over the dough. Drop small globs of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. All of jam doesn’t have to be covered. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top. Bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.
TOFFEE CHIP COOKIES 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened ½ cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed lightbrown sugar 1 large egg ½ tsp. vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 1 ½ cups toffee chips 1 cup chopped pecans, optional Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter and sugars; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. In a medium bowl, mix flours, baking soda and salt until combined. Stir in toffee chips and nuts. Drop cookies onto greased cookie sheets. Bake until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM BARS 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 3 large eggs, room temperature 2 cups (18 ounces) creamy peanut butter 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 1/2 cups (18 oz.) raspberry jam or jam of choice 2/3 cups salted peanuts, coarsely chopped Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.. Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line with parchment paper, then grease and flour pan. In bowl of electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light yellow, about 2 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and mix until all ingredients are combined.
GRAHAM CRACKER COOKIES Kathy Hughes 1 box graham crackers 1 stick oleo 1 stick butter ½ cup sugar 1 cup chopped pecans Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet and line with whole graham crackers, filling the cookie sheet. Set aside. Melt oleo, butter and sugar and let boil approximately 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Immediately pour over graham crackers and sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. After the pan cools a bit, cut crackers into size squares desired. Warning, one batch is NEVER enough. OATMEAL COOKIES Starta Haynes 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or shortening 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. water Sift together: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. soda, ¾ tsp. salt Add:1½ cups nuts and/ or 1½ cups raisins 2 cups rolled oats Drop on ungreased (spray with Pam) cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Wipe spatula off after getting each cookie. LU’S FAVORITE CHOCOLATE CHIP
put together,” Natalie said. “It has become a family favorite since she has been living with us for the last year and a half and is now about to head off to Auburn University.” The Peanut Butter Blossoms are easy to prepare with the mixture shaped into balls and rolled in sugar before baking. They make a yummy treat for after school and are good served with fresh fruit. If children help you make the Peanut Butter Blossoms or one of the other cookie recipes, remember some simple rules. Be sure they wash their hands first, and if they crack eggs, they need to wash their hands again. Don’t let children eat raw cookie dough with raw eggs, as it could make them sick. When measuring flour, COOKIES AnnaLee Gardner 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. hot water 1/2 tsp. salt (I prefer sea salt) 2 cups milk chocolate chips 1 cup chopped nuts, optional Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water and add to batter along with salt. Add flour 1 cup at a time but do not over mix. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop onto cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. These are better if pulled before they are completely brown. They tend to have a crispy outside and a gooey inside. "SCOTCHEROOS" Jean Lenard Base: 6 cups Rice Krispies 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup Karo syrup Topping: 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips Base: Use "big" pot. Combine sugar and Karo syrup; heat until boiling. Remove from stove and mix in peanut butter. After melted, stir in Rice Krispies. Put in 9 by13 inch greased pan and press down. Topping: Melt chips together in microwave or pan. Spread on top of Rice Krispies mixture. Cut in 1-inch squares. EASY PECAN BARS Janet Bartlett 1 box of yellow cake mix 1 egg 1 stick of butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine and press into the bottom of a 9 by13 inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Filling: 4 eggs 1 cup brown sugar
stir it in the canister first, then use a large spoon to fill the measuring cup. Use a table knife and scrape with the straight end to level. When baking cookies, line cookie sheets with parchment paper. The cookies are easily removed without sticking, and it makes cleanup quicker. If you are a busy mom like Natalie and don’t have much time for baking, try bar cookies or brownies. The batter will go together quickly, and they bake in a fairly short time. When the kids come home from school this coming week, have plenty of cold milk on hand and a fresh batch of cookies waiting. Look over favorite cookie recipes from moms and grandmothers for offering delicious after school treats this coming week. 1 cup light corn syrup 1 stick butter 1 tsp. vanilla 2 ½ cups chopped pecans Make filling by beating 4 eggs in a bowl. Put sugar, syrup and butter in a saucepan and heat until bubbly hot. Reduce heat and cook until the mixture lightens in color. Remove from heat. Slowly add 1/3 of the hot mixture to the eggs stirring constantly. After egg mixture is well blended add to the saucepan. Stir in vanilla and add pecans. Pour over crust and bake for additional 30 to 35 minutes. Watch carefully. Bars are done when the top is set. SEVEN LAYER BARS Karen Herring (This is a great one for young children to get to “mostly” do.) 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 3 or 4 oz. can flake coconut 6 oz. pkg. chocolate morsels 6 oz. pkg. butterscotch morsels 15 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup chopped pecans (or nuts that you have) Melt butter and pour in 9 by 13 inch pan. Add ingredients in layers in the order given. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let cool then cut. Makes 15 to 20 bars. CRANBERRY-WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIES Melisa Love ½ cup butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar 1 large egg, slightly beaten ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 1/3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup dried cranberries ½ cup white chocolate chips In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and egg until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together cinnamon, flour, oatmeal and baking soda. Gradually add dry mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the cranberries and chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto a cookie sheet (use non-stick spray first). Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
A11 Aug. 11, 2022
'Extra, Extra, Read All About It!'
PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
Stop the presses! "Newsies", a production by Opelika Theatre Company, took place last weekend at the Southside Center for the Arts. Shows are still happening this weekend, Aug. 12 through 14. For tickets: www.opelikatheatrecompany.com.
funcarts.opelika com
Our New Home Is Built on a Solid Foundation... Just Like Our Bank. 115 years ago AuburnBank was founded on the principles of sound money management and putting the customer first. As we’ve opened our new home in downtown Auburn, those principles still drive everything we do. Come by and help us celebrate our most recent success, and let’s talk about helping you achieve yours.
A12 Aug. 11, 2022
What's Happening in Lee County HAVE A COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT?
Email The Observer at Editor@OpelikaOberver.com to get your community announcement on this page. UPCOMING EVENTS: Summer In The Park will be held Aug. 20 at Opelika's Municipal Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be the annual duck race in the creek, train rides and food. Bitty and Beau’s will host a grand opening on Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. in downtown Auburn (100 N Gay St).
Camp Hill Marketplace
Come out and buy your fresh produce, honey, jams and hand-crafted items at the Camp Hill Marketplace, a state-certified farmers market Every Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m., June 2 through Oct. 20, rain or shine, at Mount Lovely Baptist Church at 21900 Senator Claude Pepper Dr., Camp Hill, (AL Hwy 50). Potential vendors contact Sharon at 256-749-5100 to apply to join.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404
VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray's Collision off of S. College St., 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. THE MARKET AT AG HERITAGE PARK Every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. at AG Heritage Park located at 620-A S. Donahue Dr. in Auburn O GROWS FARMERS MARKET Every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. outside the Southside Center for the Arts located at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.
Opelika is excited to be the host city for the 2022 Main Street Alabama LAB conference in August! Registration is now open for this great event. LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP will meet 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 Dr. in Opelika. Every month there will be different topics discussed to make life more manageable living with low vision. “Alone we can do so little: together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller Contact: Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab Therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, Melody Wilson, Case manager for the blind at (256)-368-3258
NAMI MEETING
NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet on Aug. 23, 2022. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn. MUNICIPAL ELECTION - AUG. 23
Located in beautiful downtown Opelika
223 S. 8th St. | 334-749-8003 www.opelikaobserver.com
Auburn’s Municipal Election will be held Aug. 23. Voting locations can be found here: www.auburnalabama.org/elections/voting-locations/. The only seats up for election include Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 5, Ward 6 and Ward 7. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Ward 3 City Council Member Beth Witten, Ward 4 Council Member Tyler Adams and Ward 8 Council Member Tommy Dawson are all uncontested. Candidates for the other wards are available here: www.news.auburnalabama.org/article/City%20 News/4720. Absentee ballot applications are due Aug. 16 by mail and Aug. 18 in person and the ballots are due Aug. 22. For more information: www.auburnalabama.org/ elections/voter-resources/#absentee. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters will need a valid photo ID.
AUBURN AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS
SUBSCRIBE TODAY $34 FOR LEE COUNTY www.opelikaobserver. com/subscribe-today/
AUGUST 5-14, 2022 6 SAT AUG
JAN DEMPSEY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER TICKETS $15/$12 STUDENTS & SENIORS (334) 246-1084 OR AUBURNACT.ORG
HANDS ON A HARDBODY IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS. WWW.CONCORDTHEATRICALS.COM
A13 Aug. 11, 2022
The Disciple and Freed Speech: Part 1
BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
I
RELIGION –– remember a man, a World War II veteran, who liked to say that free speech wasn’t free — it came at the cost of the lives of the people who fought to preserve it. It was a needed reminder of the difference between an entitlement and a legacy. It is not helpful or healthy to think of freedom
of speech as an entitlement we are free to use and abuse in any way we so choose because we “have the right to.” Having the right to do something doesn’t make whatever you do right, as many in our culture seem to think. It is better to think of freedom of speech as a legacy, and we honor it by choosing our words carefully. If everyone would practice that, it would go a long way toward elevating our speech — and our speech could use some elevating. For the disciple of Christ, there should be another layer. Jesus didn’t die on the cross to give us right to free speech but rather the responsibility
of “freed speech” — speech that has been freed from “anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language” (Colossians 3:8). Speech that has been liberated from lying (v. 9). With the advent of the internet and later social media, the volume of speech and information available exploded, and it now has the capability of going viral. Isn’t it interesting and more than a bit revealing that we use a word associated with the spread of disease to describe this phenomenon? I think you could make a good case that this is exactly the right term when you consider that:
Never before has so much been said about so little, (Does the world really need to know what we had for breakfast, lunch and dinner?) Never before has so much been said so badly, (Language police alert — but seriously, there is a reason language is standardized — it’s so everyone can understand it!) Never before has so much been said without thinking. (Is what I have said true, helpful and needed, or is it false, harmful and unnecessary?) All of this simply means that as disciples of Jesus we need to do
some serious thinking about our speech. But, as always, we’re not alone — God is present in our lives through His Spirit and through His word. And through the word, the Spirit gives us wonderful guidance in regard to our speech. You can find this guidance scattered throughout the Biblical witness, but there is definitely a strong concentration of instruction to be found in the book of Proverbs. Next week, in part two, we’ll look at what God has said about our speech in Proverbs. You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-tasteof-grace-with-brucegreen.com
ABOUT BRUCE GREEN You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website:www. a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com
Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706
BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. — Psalm 149:4
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Catch ‘On the Mark’ with D. Mark Mitchell and Jeff Sasser weekday mornings from 7-9 a.m.
APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672
334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117
334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika
BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528
Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487
10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181
Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538
Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184
AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn
Got Questions?
Come Study With Us
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT CUNNINGHAM DRIVE 2660 CUNNINGHAM DR., OPELIKA SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. / 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 6:30 P.M.
High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750
Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015
Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika
Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608
EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054
Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika
METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St.,
Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151
Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!
603 Pleasant Pleasant Drive 603 Drive Opelika, Opelika, ALAL 36801 749-1333 Mon- Sat7am 7am-8pm Mon-Sat - 8pm Sun12pm 12pm-6pm Sun - 6pm
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8:30 AM
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9:30 AM
Sunday School Gathering
10:30 AM
Contemporary Service
10:30 AM
Chapel Service tumcopelika.org
(334) 745-2632
800 2nd Ave Opelika, Alabama 36801
A14 Aug. 11, 2022
The Smorgasbord Bible
WALTER ALBRITTON
O
RELIGION — nce there was only the King James version. Now there are dozens of different translations of the Bible. Many Christians vigorously defend their favorite translation, but each of us is free to choose the version we like best. We are not free, how-
ever, to view the Bible as a smorgasbord, like a buffet offering a variety of ideas from which we can select only the ones we prefer. Some people do that. They like the biblical teaching that God is love, but dislike the teaching of Jesus that some people are not going to heaven. The irony of this is that John, who wrote so eloquently about God’s love, is the same man who insisted that God’s gift of eternal life is “in his Son,” and that “no one” can come to the Father except through Jesus. We may read the Bible for many reasons —
to find comfort, encouragement, hope, spiritual guidance and to deepen our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We study it to ascertain eternal truth that can become the bedrock of our beliefs. We should be foolish to read the Bible looking for what, in our view, is “right” or “wrong.” To believe in universal salvation, one must discount a principal teaching of Jesus that some people will be saved and some lost, eternally. Yet some insist that since God is love, and all powerful, that he will at last save everyone. That
is a sentimental notion, not biblical truth. To accept the idea of universal salvation, I must assume that Jesus was a liar, or a lunatic or mistaken. But neither is an option for me. I choose to believe Jesus spoke eternal truth because he was Truth itself. It makes no sense to think that I can revise the Bible to support some belief that I wish was true. I rejoice that John taught us that God is love. And I celebrate what else he taught. He revealed that Jesus is the Christ and that everyone who believes that he is has been born
of God. He taught us that eternal life is in the Son, and those who “have the Son” have this life. He insisted that those who believe may “know” they have eternal life, thus having the assurance of salvation. This assurance enables us to sing joyously with Fanny Crosby, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.” There is hardly anything more wonderful than to know that, saved by grace, you
are a child of God. No wonder we sing together, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart to stay.” And yes, it is “bubbling” in our souls. Thank God for the Bible, whatever the translation. It tells us the good news about a God who loves us so much that when we welcome the Son as Lord, He fills us with joy unspeakable, sends us out into the world with a glorious sense of mission, and gives us the strength to serve him until he welcomes us home to share the eternal joy of heaven. Glory!
Providence Baptist Church to Hold Homecoming Concert PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Fettke. The Providence Singers will perform "Count Your Blessings" arranged by Tom Fettke and "Total Praise" arranged by Keith Christopher. In addition, Pam Morris (Trumpet) and Suzanne Harris (Piano) will play a beautiful setting of "This is My Father’s World" combined with "He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands." Providence Baptist Church is a growing rural church in the Beauregard community of Lee County. Pastor of the church is Dr. Rusty Sowell. The Homecoming Concert is free and the entire community is invited to attend.. Contact Smith at 7454608 (Church), 334-7870928 (Cell), smith73@ auburn.edu (E-mail) for more information.
golf excursions with daddy. Mama wore many different hats during her lifetime. In addition to the ones connected with her family, she was also an administrative assistant in school, church and medical facilities, a Girl Scout troop leader, and always, a dear friend. Sometimes she acquired special names — Princess Fairy, Ji Lo and most recently and important - Mema to her grand- and great-grandchildren. The common threads running through each of these attributes were these — love and a seemingly never-ending ‘joie de vivre’. Mama loved babies, animals, beautiful music, laughter, dancing, game playing, reading, seeing new places, learning new things and her friends. One of her favorite responses to looming issues was
“I’ll worry about that tomorrow.” For these and the many other great lessons of life she passed on to us, we are indebted. Mama is survived by her three daughters, Laura Edwards Byrd, Jamie Edwards Condon (Mike), and Jo Ellen Edwards James. She was greatly blessed with ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Martha Anne Byrd (Omar Shalaby), Peter Edwards, Charles Fouad, and John Byrd Shalaby; Bennett Edwards Byrd and Emma Laura Byrd; Benjamin Michael Condon (Allie), Zachary Michael and Chase Austin Condon, Catherine Clark Condon and James William Hughes Condon and his fiance, Madeline Belt; Mary Margaret James Favrot (Parker), William Cooper James, Jr., Sigmon Lunceford James and
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER BEAUREGARD –– On Sunday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m., the Church Choir and Providence Singers of Providence Baptist Church will present their annual Homecoming Concert at the East Campus Sanctuary of Providence Baptist Church. Under the direction of Dr. Thomas R. Smith, music minister at Providence for 48 years, the Church Choir and Providence Singers will present a variety of sacred music from anthems to spirituals included in the recent tour of Georgia and Alabama. Pianist is Suzanne Harris. Included in the Church Choir’s repertoire will be "Hosanna, Hosan-
na, We Sing!" by Stan Pethel, "There Is Room in My Father’s House" by Joseph M. Martin, "Christ Is the Rock" by
Lloyd Larson, "Written in Red" arranged by Camp Kirkland, "Celebrate the Day" by Pepper Choplin, "Let Every-
thing That Hath Breath" by Joel Raney, "Raise Your Hands" by Heather Sorenson, "Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit" arranged
by Moses Hogan, "No More Night" arranged by Camp Kirkland, and "Lord, Be Glorified" arranged by Tom
OBITUARIES BRUCE MATHENY Bruce Matheny, age 73, of Opelika passed away on Aug. 5, 2022, at EAMC. He retired from Michelin in 2010 after 40 years of service. Bruce is survived by his wife: Jill Matheny, son Stephen Matheny, granddaughters Payton Matheny, Addie Matheny, Sister Teri Spradlen (Eddie), nieces and nephews, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael Drain (Carolyn). Bruce was preceded in death by his parents: Boyd and Inez Matheny, Mother and father-in-law Dewey and Beryl Drain. He was a loving husband, father, and Papa, who focused his life on his family. In lieu of flowers upon the families request, please send donations to the Animal Health Center in
Opelika to provide for the medical needs of stray animals from Lee County and Animal Control intakes.
ARCHIE NEWALL Archie Newall was born Aug. 22, 1953, and passed away Aug. 1, 2022, at home. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer of Colorado; sisters: Shirley of Florida, and Annette of Opelika; nephew, Avery of Cusseta, Alabama, along with several other nephews and nieces in Florida. Archie worked at Hudmon Welding in Beulah for many years. He is also survived by his loving fur baby Patches. In lieu of flowers family suggests donations be made to Lee County Humane Society.
LILA JO KENT
EDWARDS It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Lila Jo Kent Edwards. While we mourn her death, we take comfort in her reunion with Edgar, our father and her husband of 60 years, and her beloved parents, Georgia Clark and William Odes Kent, as well as the legacy she left us — a life filled with abundant love, laughter and the blessings of friendship. Mama was born on Aug. 8, 1936, in Enterprise, Alabama. She spent an idyllic youth and young adulthood running the streets of Shawmut (now known as Valley, Alabama) where she made lifelong friends and experienced some of her fondest memories including living life on “the circle” from the softball pitcher’s
mound to dancing in the hall above “the stores.” Road trips to Elba, Shady Grove and other family origins in the south Alabama environs were another special reminiscence, especially visits to her maternal aunt’s office in the Coffee County Court House. During her high school years when she was honored as Miss Valley High and on to Auburn University where she enjoyed sisterhood in Alpha Omicron Pi, mama was loved and admired by classmates of both sexes and made friendships that lasted her lifetime. Athletic throughout her life, mama was an enthusiastic recreational tennis player and later took up golf which provided a whole new group of friends as well as an abundance of happy memories at Stillwaters, Saugahatchee, Moore’s Mill and on
See OBITUARIES, page A15
A15 Aug. 11, 2022
OBITUARIES >> From A14 Angus Edwards James. In addition, her brother William Clark “Sonny” Kent, his wife Barbara, who mama loved like a sister, and their family including Kelly, Stacy and Jimbo, their spouses, children and grandchildren, one of whom shares her name, and numerous extended relations. We are eternally grateful to Tonya Heard and her fine sons who showered mama with the greatest love and care imaginable and who mama loved as a second family. Heartfelt gratitude is also extended to mama’s innumerable friends and neighbors who filled her life with love, games, activity and companionship. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, in the Fellowship Hall at the First United Methodist Church of Opelika with visitation following. In lieu of flowers, we might suggest “Immeasurably More” at FUMC, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Wounded Warriors but please feel free to choose your own cause, organization or method of remembrance.
GRACE BRANHAM MCLEOUD Grace Branham McLeoud, 73 of Auburn, passed away July 29, 2022, at her residence. Ms. McLeoud is survived by her partner Bama Watson; children: Diane Marquart and her husband Vern, Connie Stetz and her husband Larry; grandchildren: Heather Stetz, Joseph Stetz, Allen Tice, Robert Tice, Maddison Stetz, Peyton Sanchez, Ryleigh Sanchez, Anthony Tice, and Logan Sanchez. Ms. McLeoud worked as a para-mutual teller and as a clerk at the La-Z-Bee Con-
venience Store and the Hornet Quickstop. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at Lazenby Farms in Opelika, Alabama.
PATSY FAULK VINCENT Patsy Faulk Vincent of Opelika, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Aug. 1, 2022. She was born in Birmingham, on Sept. 26, 1934. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church; and an avid member of Alpha Omega Pi at Auburn University and served 30 years as their chapter advisor. She is survived by her son Craig Vincent (Sheryl) and daughter Donna Heaton; six grandchildren: Kelly Vincent, Kaitlyn Juncal (Nick), Joshua Vincent, Nathan Vincent, Lindsay Rogillio, and Laura Rogillio; and four great-grandchildren: Nolan, Owen, Lucas and James. A graveside service was held at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, on Aug. 4, 2022.
KATHLEEN ANNE MCCLELLAND Kathleen Anne McClelland, 70, of Opelika, Alabama, passed away on Aug. 1, 2022, at Bethany House Hospice in Auburn. Kathy was born on March 29, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas. Her parents were William F. McClelland and Peggy Davis McClelland, both originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and later from Alex City/Lake Martin. Kathy graduated from Jefferson Davis High School and Huntingdon College. She earned a Doctor of Education degree from New York University and began her career in the field of English Education. She taught at the University of California-Santa
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Barbara and at Auburn University where she helped administer the Composition Program. Kathy took pride at Auburn in helping graduate students become acclimated to teaching composition and later in helping Auburn University faculty integrate technology into their course work. She also took pride in being an “Air Force Brat,” living in Lawrence, Kansas; Houston, Texas; Waco, Texas; Tampa Florida; Kenston, North Carolina; Lubbock, Texas; Sacramento, California; and Yokota AFB in Japan — and that’s all by the age of seven. Her father Bill McClelland was an Air Force officer and Viet Nam veteran, and her mother Peggy was an elementary school teacher, most recently at Maxwell Air Force Base. Finally, Kathy took special pride in her Scottish roots as an active member of Clan MacLellan. Her family history has her first word being “kitty” which is entirely appropriate considering how devoted she has always been to her beloved cats: Butter Brickle, Delilah Pearl, Cleo Catra, Simone Simon, Nastassia Kinski, and Graciela Rodo (a.k.a. Gracie, who still happily resides on Beverly Drive in Opelika). Her husband, John Hagerty, will miss all the enormously thoughtful things she has done for him: e.g. switching from a standard to an automatic transmission so he could drive her car; using her online expertise to keep him informed about his nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews — all of whom are from his side of the family; refusing to lord over him the fact that she was an oenophile while he drank wine from a box; and most importantly pretending to celebrate the successes of his beloved Chicago professional sports teams (the
Bulls in the 90s and the Blackhawks in the 10s) and pretending to commiserate with their failures (the White Sox except in ’05 and the Bears with no exceptions). He will also miss watching thoroughbred horse racing with her on TV and trying (and failing) to pick more winners than she did, binge watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 and laughing out loud, and watching HGTV with her as she generated new ideas to improve her dream home in Sanders Creek. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Peggy McClelland, and she is survived by the aforementioned husband as well as a younger brother, Michael McClelland of Mobile. Visitation was held on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, 1801 Frederick Road in Opelika. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Lee County Humane Society or the Food Bank of East Alabama. Lee County Humane Society 1140 Ware Dr. Auburn, Alabama 36832 334-821-3222 or Food Bank of East Alabama 355 Industry Dr. Auburn, Alabama 36832 334-821-4697.
BETTY COXWELL HODGE Betty Coxwell Hodge was born April 8, 1931, in Oneonta (Blount County), Alabama, to Eulys Langster Coxwell and Gussie Brad-
berry Coxwell. Betty passed peacefully from this world at her home on Aug. 7, 2022. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Harold, and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Betty was one of the founding members of Tenth Street Church on Opelika, Alabama. She taught children’s bible classes, enjoyed the worship services and the encouragement of her brothers and sisters in Christ for many years. Betty loved children and especially babies. Many people remember her sitting by young couples with young children so she could hold or cuddle a baby or young child. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Eulys and Gussie Coxwell; husband of 70 years, Harold Thomas Hodge, Sr.; brother, Junior Coxwell; sister, Anne Motley and daughter, Carol Hodge Kelly. Betty is survived by her children: Harold Thomas (Pam) Hodge, Jr, Wendy Lynne Hodge and son-inlaw, Mark E Kelly; six grandchildren: Anna (Gary) Sanders of Houston, Texas; Amy (LTC Rob) Stigers of Houston, Texas, Daniel (Leah) Kelly of Northport, Alabama, Adam Kelly of Nashville, Tennessee, Thomas Burns of Opelika and Abbey Burns of Auburn; seven great-grandchildren: Jake Sanders, Beau Sanders, Katie Stigers, Eili Stigers, Drannan Kelly, Lecy Kelly and Carter Kelly as well as many other beloved family members and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus Hospice for their profession-
al care and kindness shown to both Betty and Harold in the last months of their lives. A special thank you to Tina Haynes for her loving kindness and care for both Betty and Harold. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tenth Street Church of Christ Building Fund: 500 N. 10th St. Opelika, Alabama 36801. There will be a graveside service for Betty at the Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is directing.
RODNEY DALE STATON Rodney Dale Staton 78 of Opelika, passed away on Feb. 11, 2021 at Bethany House. He was born April 21, 1942 to the late Otis and Fannie Staton from Nixon's Chapel, Alabama. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ginnie Bright Staton, sons Tony Staton (April) and Chris Staton (Adria) and grandchildren, Courtney and Silas Staton, brother Lelton Staton. Rodney was a 1960 graduate of Albertville High School in Marshall County, Alabama. He and Ginnie moved to Opelika in 1970 and he retired from Uniroyal after more than 30 years of service. Rodney loved God and spending time with family and friends. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Fredrick Dean Funeral Home in the Chapel.
A16 Aug. 11, 2022
COMICS
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
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INSIDE B1 - B8:
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• AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS • AUBURN UNIVERSITY • COMMUNITY SPORTS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS • SUSCC
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS OPELIKA: AUG. 23 AT 4:30 P.M. LEE COUNTY: SEPT. 13 AT 6:30 P.M. AUBURN: SEPT. 13 AT 6:30 P.M.
AISA In Good Hands Under Beck BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL
OHS School & Sports Begins
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my 23 years at Opelika. From an overall standpoint, attitude and athletic ability, this will be a fun group to watch. We have three new varsity coaches. Tucker Brown (former AU player from Central Florida) will coach tight ends, S-backs and help with special teams. Tory Strong was hired as girls’ track coach and has a wealth of football knowledge. Strong comes from Tuscaloosa County, where he was an assistant on Adam Winegarden’s staff. William Kahil (from Tallassee) was moved from Opelika Middle School to varsity after one season to coach the corners. We had some changes on our staff, which is unusual, but it is good to have these guys. We moved to 7A, which was no surprise because our 10th grade class is large. This puts us back in the same region when we had six classifications. Most of these kids do not remember us playing the same region because it was in 2017. These are familiar faces and will be a good challenge. The season opener is Aug. 19 at Callaway. Coach Pete Wiggins has been there 18 years and does an excellent See SPORTS, page B3
BECK world. AISA Athletic Director Roddie Beck spoke about the current state of the AISA at July’s East Alabama High School Media Days, giving in-
sight into the status of the organization and how some recent changes may affect area teams. The biggest change that 2022 brings to the AISA is the integration
See AISA, page B2
Stone Martin Builders Provides Breakfast for OCS Teachers, Staff PHOTOS BY BECKY BROWN/CONTRIBUTED BY 10 TO 1 PUBLIC RELATIONS
OPELIKA — tudents attending Opelika City Schools started the 2022-23 school year year this week. Students in the first through 12th grades,reported Monday for the first day of class. Student-athletes participating in fall sports like football, girls’ flag football, volleyball and cross country have been preparing for their first game, match or meet for several weeks. The Bulldog varsity football team started “fall” practice Aug. 1, which is considered summer by all. Needless to say, fall sports will start in the summer and end in the fall. Opelika football head coach Erik Speakman begins his fifth season as the head coach of the varsity Bulldogs. OHS has 94 players on the team after almost two weeks of practice, which includes 29 seniors. Speakman talked about the upcoming season and team as a guest on “On the Mark”, my daily radio show on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310. “The seniors have done well all the way through, from seventh grade to now,” he said. “A lot of great kids in this class, probably one of the better classes that has come through in
OPELIKA –– The calendar has turned to August, and with it, attention turns to football season. Just as the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has worked through the pandemic, re-classification and other challenges in the past few years, the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) and its athletic association has navigated the same difficult circumstances. Just as East Alabama serves as a premier location for upper-echelon public high school football, its schools within the AISA hold similar prominence in the sports
of 8-man football. In total, six schools with teams are registered, but Beck said the need was so apparent that the AISA would have started the 8-man league with even fewer. “This is something we have discussed the past few years,” he said. “If we would have started with four, we would have played a championship. We believe in servicing all our athletes. This is a need.” Beck further explained that the decision to expand to facilitate 8-man football was made because of the draw that football brings. Beck cited certain cases where the breakdown of a football program has resulted in the closing of schools entirely.
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Opelika City Schools last week hosted a Welcome Back Breakfast, sponsored by Stone Martin Builders and The Brown Agency. Stone Martin Builders, one of the largest home builders across Alabama, helped provide breakfast to over 600 teachers and staff as a gesture of appreciation. “Teachers take on many roles as mentors, leaders and motivators for all their students,” said Frank Plan, CEO of Stone Martin Builders. “The Opelika community is lucky to have a talented group of educators who show up for our children to support their learning. We see the positive difference the Opelika City Schools staff has outside of
Pictured L-R: OCS Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore and Dr. John Draper, a national consultant for expanding support for public schools, who gave a presentation to Opelika High School staff.
the classroom every day in our Stone Martin Builders neighborhoods. Our company appreciates everything that teachers and staff do for
the students.” The Welcome Back Breakfast honored teachers and staff for their hard work and celebrated of
the new school year. “The Welcome Back Breakfast kicked off the school year for our staff, and we appreciate Stone Martin Builders and The Brown Agency sponsoring the event," said Dr. Farrell Seymore, Opelika City Schools superintendent. “We know our teachers make a difference in the lives of our students, and we are looking forward to another successful year of continuing to educate every child, every day.” Opelika City Schools serves over 4,500 students across eight schools. Students returned to school for the upcoming school year on Aug. 8. ABOUT STONE MARTIN BUILDERS Based in Auburn-Opelika metro area, Stone Martin Builders is dedicated to See MARTIN, page B2
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334-749-8303 1-800-327-6519
B2 Aug. 11, 2022
Harsin Previews Fall Camp AUBURN — Auburn University head football coach Bryan Harsin spoke to the media Thursday, Aug. 4, ahead of the team’s first session of fall practice. The second-year skipper enters 2022 with low expectations from the public and high levels of internal pressure. Beginning his second training camp on The Plains, Harsin talked about his team as they begin preparation for the opening game against Mercer on Sept. 3 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. “It’s training camp for a reason,” Harsin said. “Everything that we’re doing over the course of the next month is all to get prepared for the season. We’re putting everything in. We’re talking about the rules. We’re talking about the situations. We’re going through just about everything that will come up, at least we hope we’re hitting most of those things, and that’s what we’re going to be focused on.” Harsin said that the early days of fall camp will be focused on instilling the team’s DNA. “I think the first two to three days is kind of your DNA that you’re getting in,” he said. “You want to make sure that you’re very clear on the expectations, all right, what we need to get done and the questions get answered.”
AISA >> FROM B1 “Football is the bell cow; there is no way around it,” Beck said. “We have had some schools that have closed because of losing a football program. We feel like this is a good opportunity for us.” With just six teams registered to play, Beck and the AISA are allowing the schools to schedule teams outside the association. “Whether it be the Christian league or the panhandle league –– that gives them the opportunity to have a full schedule,” he said. “It’s a work in progress.” Beck said the long-term plan with 8-man football teams would be to eventually build back up
MARTIN >> FROM B1 developing aspirational communities throughout the state, including Columbus, Athens, Huntsville, Prattville, Montgomery and Dothan. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has quickly grown and in 2022 was ranked as one of the 100 largest home builders in the U.S. by Builder Online. More info at httpstonemartinbuilders.com
From there, Harsin will look to integrate the January arrivals into the team. “Once we’re all together, it’s on at that point,” he said. “So it gives us a chance to do that.” In terms of the roster as a whole, Harsin spoke on the unproven wide receiver group and quarterback room, the competition of the offensive line and the linebackers. A team that features many questions at significant positions, Harsin said he will look to both lines to lead the way for the team. “As our own o-line and d-line prepare through the fall camp — through this training camp — I mean,
PHOTOS BY TODD VAN EMST / AU ATHLETICS
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
that’s really going to be how this team goes, is upfront with those two groups,” he said. “I think we’ve got some good d-linemen. I think we improved in those areas, so that will help
ference-maker. He does understand what we’re doing out there. I think he brings guys with him.” Although Harsin mentioned other linebackers like Cam Riley and
North Carolina transfer Eugene Asante, who steps up beside Pappoe in the middle of the defense is still a looming question. In the secondary, however, sophomore safety Donovan Kaufman was singled out as a potential difference-maker for a group that lost its No. 1 defensive back and safety from 2021 to the NFL. “Get to this level and everybody’s good, now what separates you?” Harsin said. “What you know. How you prepare. The things you do going into each and every week of practice. [Kaufman is] starting to take that pro approach as a player and he needs to do that, and I think more guys are following in that lead, and I think that’ll help us.” Regarding the position group which lost the most production from 2021 –– wide receivers –– Harsin said he is simply looking for consistency from his guys. “The wide receiver room, we’re going to ask those guys to do more,” Harsin said. “That’s why we have the group that we have now. That’s why we
the school’s enrollment number and reintegrate the teams into the 11-man classifications. Until then, the 8-man league will be treated with the same importance as the three classifications of 11-man football. “We feel like it’s a good opportunity for all of our athletes," Beck said. “We want them all to have a positive experience. We are going to treat this championship game like all of our 1A, 2A and 3A championship games.” In addition to the integration of 8-man football, Beck expressed his excitement at the continuation of the AISA’s partnership with Southeaster Commission of Independent Schools’ (SECIS) Association in putting on the fifth annual Kickoff Classic.
The SECIS is composed of the AISA, the Georgia Independent School Association, the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools and the South Carolina Independent School Association. The organization held its first sports event in the spring of 2016 with a golf tournament. While the football kickoff classic has typically been held at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, the city’s disinterest in the event resulted in a move away from that venue. This year, the event will be held at West Georgia College. Chambers Academy and Escambia Academy will represent the AISA for football. Macon East and Glenwood will represent for volleyball.
“It’s just great for our student athletes to be able to experience something like that,” Beck said. “We enjoy that, and hopefully it will grow to other sports as well.” Beck also talked about the AISA’s relationship with AHSAA, and the possibility of blending the two organizations more for potential benefits like regional rivalries or the reduction of travel costs. “AHSAA and AISA have a great relationship,” Beck said. “We are looking at rivalries that could be made at local areas. That’s basically what we were trying to accomplish. We have met with [AHSAA Executive Director] Briggs and his staff within the past year and discussed some of those things maybe happening.
our o-line improve as well.” With the linebackers, Harsin said having a healthy Owen Pappoe –– who is on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker –– will make a difference. “No question he makes an impact,” Harsin said. “He’s a dif-
No. 98 Marcus Bragg at Auburn football fall practice on Sunday, Aug. 7.
brought in certain players. We’ve got to be consistent.” The addition of former NFL receiver and coach Ike Hilliard can hopefully help guys like Shedrick Jackson and Tar’Varish Dawson stand out for the Tigers. “Coach Hilliard brings that experience of what
nity to shine. The plethora of questions facing the Tigers will only become answerable with time. For now, Harsin and company will rely on competition and togetherness to prove the Tigers are most dangerous when everyone is doubting them.
No. 25 Colby Wooden at Auburn fall football practice, Sunday, Aug. 7.
we want to do offensively to that room and how we want to do it, how it should look, how guys that are hard-nosed at the wide receiver position play,” Harsin said. Harsin spoke briefly on freshman quarterback Holden Geriner, encouraging the young player, but failed to shine any light on who has the edge for the starting job in his mind. Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada appears to be in pole position, but T.J. Finley received game time last year, and Oregon transfer Robby Ashford and Geriner will have their opportu-
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, a lot of things to prove,” Harsin said. “Most spots are open for competition; our guys know that, and they’re going to go out there and compete, but they’re also going to help each other out. They’re going to bring value to whatever their role is. They’re going to bring value to their teammates and their coaches, and then we’ll go out there and make the decision of who the starters are going to be, but everybody on this team is going to help us win.”
We have not come to an agreement. "We're not thinking that Lee-Scott or Glenwood are going to go out and play Auburn and Opelika in football. But, it would help junior high programs, too, with travel and so forth.” Lastly, Beck piggybacked off the idea of working with the AHSAA more to discuss the potential of removing some classification guidelines within the AISA itself. AISA soccer, golf and track are already declassified (meaning all teams play for one state championship instead of playing within a region); but the varying competition levels due to enrollment make declassification more difficult with sports like football, basketball, baseball,
volleyball and softball. “This is our first year of another two-year classification,” Beck said. “We presented four scenarios or routes that we could go down the road [of declassification]. But, what hurts us is the number of participants from bottom to top. In some cases, it just probably wouldn’t be competitive.” In total, the AISA services 81 schools and over 25,000 students. Half of those participate in athletics. Now that fall sport practice has officially begun, Beck is looking forward to another year of great things from the student-athletes in the AISA. “We are here to serve our students and want them to have a positive experience,” he said.
B3 Aug. 11, 2022
PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
Opelika Schools Welcome Back Students
Students attending Carver Elementary and Opelika High School are pictured on their first day back from summer break on Monday, Aug. 8.
SPORTS >> FROM B1 job of coaching. They have a bunch of big boys that are athletic. We’ve battled them for several years and I look for the same this year. Theodore is the other non-region game on our schedule. They dropped to 6A and needed a game. We will play at home this year and at
Theodore next season. This is a tough schedule, but we look forward to the challenge and I think our kids will be ready.” Speakman said the defense will be solid and have several returning players, many of them seniors. The offense will be different due to the departure of offensive coordinator Jonathan Chandler,
who left for Wetumpka. Chandler handled the offensive side, but this year's offense will be by committee. Quarterback Roman Gagliano started at quarterback the second half of last year’s season and participated in the “Manning Passing Academy” this summer. Speakman “thanked” (1982 OHS graduate) J Stern for helping secure Gagliano
a spot in the camp. Opelika opens the season next Friday, Aug. 19, against Callaway in Hogansville, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. central time. Callaway is 2-1 against Opelika, including a 30-21 win last year. OHS FOOTBALL TIDBITS OHS is the 28th largest school in Alabama and will play in class 7A for the first time in
history. The Bulldogs are 24369 in the last 25 years, winning 77% of their games, which ranks 11th in the AHSAA. Based off of last year’s records, 76-39, this year's strength of schedule is third in 7A. Teams and last year’s record: Auburn (10-2), Central (13-1), Dothan (4-6), Enterprise (8-4), Jeff Davis (4-6), Lee (8-3),
Prattville (7-4), Smiths Station (2-8), Theodore (10-2) and Callaway (10-3). D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartRadio, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 9101310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.
B4 Aug. 11, 2022
Dawg Pound Hosts Showdown in O-Town
The Opelika Dawg Pound's annual Showdown in O-Town football tournament took place in Opelika this past weekend, Aug. 6 and 7, at Moore Stadium. Over 300 youth athletes participated in the event through teams from Alabama and Georgia. The Montgomery Raiders won the 6U championship; the Huffman Hurricanes won the 8U; the Montgomery Cardinals won the 10U; and Opelika's own Opelika Dawg Pound won the 12U.
B5 Aug. 11, 2022
Three Times the Effort
PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER Opelika Parks and Recreation hosted its Kids Triathlon last Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center. Youth athletes ages 6 to 15 competed in swimming, running and biking. The 6- to 8-year-olds swam 50 yards, biked one and a half miles and ran 500 yards; the 9- to 11-year-olds swam 100 yards, biked three miles and ran one mile; the 12- to 15-year-olds swam 150 yards, biked six miles and ran two miles. Awards were given to the top three finishers of each age group, male and female, and each participant received a T-shirt and medal.
B6 Aug. 11, 2022
Tigers Prepare for September
PHOTOS CONTRIBTUED BY AU ATHLETICS / TODD VAN EMST
The Auburn University football team began fall practice Friday, Aug. 5. The Tigers are preparing for their first game against Mercer on Sept. 3.
Wednesday, September 14
B7 Aug. 11, 2022
Beauregard Brings Education PHOTOS BY JOHN HILLSMAN / FOR THE OBSERVER
Beauregard High School welcomed back students to its campus Monday, Aug. 8.
College Promise Launches Program Connecting Students with Funding CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Imagine if college was as universal, free and accessible as a high school education — for anyone, at any age. To make this a reality, College Promise recently released MyPromise (MyPromiseTool.org), the first student-centric, comprehensive, searchable database of Promise programs nationwide. We believe data needs to be placed directly in the hands of students, families, counselors and community organizations that are advising learners and influencing their decisions about pursuing their education beyond high school. “Students across the country benefit each and every day from Promise programs that not only lower the financial cost of postsecondary education but also provide wraparound supports such as childcare, transportation and/or mentors that enable them to thrive in college,” said Martha Kanter, CEO
of College Promise. “MyPromise offers every student the opportunity to learn about their options and choose the Promise program that best meets their needs. This project builds on our steadfast commitment to increasing equitable access to a high-quality postsecondary education for every American.” MyPromise includes detailed information about the 350-plus local and statewide Promise programs across the country. Designed to increase equity, many Promise programs have focused their efforts to support underrepresented populations, including DREAMers, parents, Veterans, first-generation students and adults with little or no postsecondary education or training. College Promise programs span the nation, with programs available in 48 states and Washington, D.C. Through an interactive map and robust search features, users can learn about all the College Promise programs available to
them, bringing together for the first time a wealth of resources to connect students with funding and critical supports needed for success in our nation’s colleges, universities and career-technical programs. This database includes key aspects of College Promise programs, including funding levels, eligibility requirements and wrap-around supports. Users can search by program name, school or city for specific or
localized programs. A comparison tool allows students to select multiple programs side by side to ensure they find the best option for them. Additional capabilities will be deployed throughout 2022 and 2023. “MyPromise brings the College Promise movement a step closer to college affordability, equity and inclusion for all in every corner of the United States,” said Rosye Blancas Cloud, senior leader of College Promise. “In
order to increase postsecondary education access and attainment, we need targeted solutions that reduce student debt and support 21st century learners in selecting the education and training most relevant to their desired career. This tool is an investment in our nation’s talent pipeline by connecting them to Promise programs designed for their success.” The College Promise movement has experienced
exponential growth over the last six years, through its focus on opportunity, equity and supports to drive the economic, social and civic prosperity of our nation. For more information, visit MyPromiseTool.org. About College Promise College Promise is a national, non-partisan, non-profit initiative that builds broad public support for funding the first two or more years of postsecondary education for hard-working students and ensuring those students have access to quality educational opportunities and supports for their success. Promise programs are programs that improve affordability, equity and inclusion for postsecondary education while striving to reduce student debt in order to build a sustainable talent pipeline of Americans for the future. Learn more about the College Promise movement at www. CollegePromise.org
Auburn Public Library Looking for Teens to Serve on Advisory Board AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library is recruiting students to serve on the Teen Advisory Board during the 2022-23 school year. Applications will be accepted Aug. 1 through 31. The board is open to all interested seventh through 12th graders. The mission of the Teen Advisory Board is to serve the library and its needs and to represent
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN
CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN
teens in the community. Teen Advisory Board members will volunteer their time assisting with library events, shelving and shelf-reading the collection, attending occasional meetings and advising library staff on teen needs and interests. Interested teens should contact Valerie Temple or Tonya Brown at libraryvolunteers@auburnalabama.org or 334-5013296 to request an application form.
B8 Aug. 11, 2022
Time with Children Is a Need
H
BETH PINYERD
appy new 20222023 school year to our children, families and teachers. As teachers all over the county are welcoming in their classroom of children, teachers know this first week is a time where we go over classroom rules, schedules and procedures and introduce subjects, but the most important classroom goal is to spend time getting to know our students. Whether you are a first-year teacher, seasoned teacher with many years of teaching or even a retired teacher who still desires to share and help children in the classroom, we all realize the importance of getting to know our students and how they learn to have a successful year.
As teachers, we are delighted at the uniqueness of each young child we teach. They have different expressions of who they are and what they do. They go through the same stages of development at different rates. But because all young children are different, they approach learning in one or more of the following approaches: visual, reflective, logical, physical, relational, musical, natural and verbal. This new school year is a good time for you to assess how your child learns. As teachers, we step back, observe and share with parents what we assess by spending time with their child. Visual learners have to see and visualize what
they are learning. They love to draw, color and paint. With this kind of learner, a teacher or parent has to plan lessons with a lot of visuals, pictures and demonstrations. A reflective learner usually is an observer and likes to work alone as he thinks through concepts. He or she likes to have their own defined space. As a teacher or parent, you will notice this child entertains himself by reading a book, working on an activity for a long time or pondering ideas on the computer. A logical learner is a child who learns by seeing patterns and systems, and reasoning comes very easy for them. They have a sense of closure when they fit things together in proper order or complete a puzzle. If your child is a physical learner, they use their minds and whole body as they learn reading and math. A relational learner is a child who interacts and relates well with other children. The relational learner has many friends and usually organizes his friends into games and activities at recess, in school or playing in the neighborhood. These kinds of learners are very good listeners and know how to respond to your questions. When I hear a student humming, whistling or
singing their favorite songs to themselves, I know they are a musical learner. Their love of music expands into their expression in language, reading and more. A natural learner is one who loves the world outside. This kind of learner loves to look for bugs, lizards, frogs, plants and more. If your child is a verbal learner, he or she loves making up words, telling stories and telling jokes. This kind of learner loves to write stories and read them to the class. Now, let’s go back to the importance of teachers and parents spending time with our children and students. It is a goal that we have to consciously focus on teaching children and having a learning relationship with them as we respect just how unique each child is. As we embark on a new school year, I would like to share some of the benefits of spending time with your children as parents, grandparents and caregivers. Spending one-onone time with children strengthens a trusted bond between you and them for a lifetime. Time spent with a young child or children is something they will always remember. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or plan so many activities in their lives to keep them happy. Walking, talking and listening to
young children, singing with young children and taking a simple nature hunt with them builds bonds of happiness. A simple hug from Mom or Dad can also crown your young child with joy, happiness and security. If you have more than one child, set a day each week for you and that child to spend quality time together. Some ideas include just you and that child sharing a lunch together, a dessert together, a walk together, a story together, etc. The same can be done with your older children with activities appropriate for their age. Spending time with your child says to them that they are so important to you as their parent or grandparent. This builds their self-esteem and affirms that they are special and unique. Parents and grandparents can embrance how God made their children unique. Psalm 139:14 states, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Spending time with your children offers up an opportunity to get to know how they feel. We remember the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “The King and I”. It is so important for children to be able to express themselves emotionally to their
parents. This takes spending time with children of all ages. Listen to them, and let them share from their hearts and offer their perspective. We have to keep in mind as parents that our children may view the world and other people in a different way. Time spent with them offers life opportunities to talk and even roleplay difficult situations between parents and children. Also, they can share positive situations that make them happy and bring them joy. Spending time with your children can set goals and guidelines for getting chores done, doing projects and spending family time. xplain to your children what they need to do, such as cleaning up their rooms, tap into listening skills, cognitive skills (such as when putting toys back where they belong) and following through with parental instructions. Other ways that time can be spent with our children is in doing homework together, reading favorite books together, cooking favorite family dishes together, enjoying outside family activities together and more. I hope this advice helps you and your child as they begin a brand new school year. It is going to be a good year. Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
L ee County & A labama Politics
B9
Nov. 24, 2021
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022
Inside the Statehouse Jim Oakley
STEVE FLOWERS
A
OPINION — legend in Alabama newspaper, educational and political lore, Jim Oakley Jr. of Centreville turned 87 last month. Oakley is known statewide as the legendary owner, publisher and editor of the Centreville Press newspaper. However, he has also been intertwined with Alabama politics for over six decades. If you only counted Oakley’s service to his city, Centreville, and his county, Bibb, he would be an icon. In addition, when you add his 33 years as an assistant dean and head of placement services at the University of Alabama, it qualifies him in my book — and a good many Alabamians’ minds — as one of our state’s institutional legends. Oakley grew up in the newspaper business. Around 1915, his grandfather bought two local papers and combined them into the Centreville Press. His father, Jim Oakley Sr., eventually took over the paper, having been groomed for the job. Oakley always planned to follow his father. He went to the University of Alabama and, of course, majored in journalism. He met and married his wife, Shirley Ann Naramore of Prattville, at the university, and after graduation he came back home to Centreville to run the family newspaper. Gov. George Wallace appointed Oakley to the Alabama Commission of Higher Education (ACHE) where he served as chairman for 14 years. He was serving in this role when Kay Ivey was hired as executive director of ACHE. The person Ivey looked to for help in her first campaign for state treasurer was Oakley. He has been her go-to person for Bibb County for all her campaigns for treasurer, lieutenant governor and governor, including this last race this year. Oakley sold the Centreville Press
in 1985 but continued to write his marvelous column. Less than two months later Joab Thomas, president of the University of Alabama and a longtime friend, called to ask him what he was planning on doing. Oakley replied, “I thought I would take up fishing.” Thomas told him he had been thinking that if he could find someone who had worked in the real world and really knew the newspaper business to come and teach students, it would be an asset to the journalism department. That began a career at the University of Alabama that would last 33 years. He started off teaching journalism, then became the director of freshman orientation of all University of Alabama students and culminated with being head of placement services for the College of Communications. He helped hundreds of Alabama graduates find their first jobs in communications, TV, radio, digital and print media. Many are famous, and most point to Oakley as their mentor. The post where he had the most impact was as director of freshman orientation. He greeted and made to feel at home thousands of freshman students. He welcomed each and every one of them as though he was their grandfather. He amazingly remembered them all by name, where they were from and their parents’ names. I will never forget the day I first met Oakley. I knew who he was. He was legendary. He knew me from the legislature. I was taking my younger daughter to register and move into the famous Tutwiler dormitory. There was Oakley waiting in the parking lot, greeting every student. He gave me a warm handshake and hugged Allyson and made her feel at home. He looked after her like a grandfather for the next four years. Another young lady from Enterprise named Katie Boyd arrived that same day to move into Tutwiler. Oakley took her under his wing the same way; she has just been elected as our next U.S. senator. The first person she sought in Bibb County when she began her race was Oakley. There are a thousand more stories like those of Britt and Allyson. Oakley loved and cared for each of them like they were his own. He has three children of his own: Mike, Bill and Melanie Kay. His oldest son,
Commission Hears Girls’ STEPS Report BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Commission heard an update from Girls’ STEPS Inc. Monday night after a $12,000 contribution to the project. Tiffany Gibson-Pitts, Girls’ STEPS Inc. CEO and founder, presented information to the commission on what the organization has accomplished lately and its upcoming goals. Although school is just starting back, Pitts shared about different after-school and inschool programs that were held last year. “We offered an after-school tutorial program [Project Hope] for boys and girls in a range in the community, as well as we started a weekend backpack
program where students could come and get food on Fridays to have over the weekend, and then we also created hygiene packs because we noticed some girls needed some personal items, as well as some boys,” she said. “Hygiene is very important for kids because we know if they don't smell right, they can get picked on. So we’re trying to alleviate all of that.” Additionally, outside of the school programs were events for girls in third through 12th grades that encouraged time with family. There was a mother-daughter dinner and a father-daughter brunch. “We know that research shows that girls who have a strong relationship with their mothers are less likely to participate in deviant behavior, so any opportunity we have to
incorporate parents into what we are doing, we try to do it,” Pitts said. “Also, we know that we have a lot of unfortunately absent fathers. So that was a really, really great event for dads to come and be a part of their daughters’ progress in our program. If a father wasn’t there, we had grandfathers and uncles, but girls were able to identify a male figure in their lives, and we know that’s very important when we’re talking about self-esteem or for them making choices.” Another event the program held was the Dare to Dream Brunch for the community as a whole. Girls in the community “who were doing great things” received awards in different categories. “We also offered a camp for middle school See COMMISSION, page B11
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B10 Aug. 11, 2022
Amid ‘Dog Days of Summer,’ a Salute to Our Canine Friends
GREG MARKLEY
T
OPINION — he Statue of Liberty poem, “The New Colossus”, under the slogan “Liberty Enlightening the World”, is now a global icon dealing with immigrants and their opportunities for success in the U.S. The poem ends like this: “…Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Words written in 1883 by Emma Lazarus still resonate for legal immigrants today. They can also be cited for people who adopt rescued or abandoned animals and make
them beloved pets. I wrote a column “On Pets, Not Politics” for The Observer’s July 15, 2021, issue. Go to https://opelikaobserver.com/ greg-markley to find it. In that column, I discussed seven cats adopted at various times, who brought me joy. In 2022, I salute four dogs that my wife and I adopted from Dr. Buddy Bruce, veterinarian. The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) descends from the wolf, and the wolf of today is dog’s nearest living relative, wrote Adam Freeman and Robert Wayne in a 2017 journal article, “Deciphering the Origins of Dogs: From Fossils to Genomes”. The dog was the first species to be domesticated, 15,000 years ago, before even agriculture began. Dogs are known as capable
guides and protectors, full of loyalty, faithfulness, affection and love. I became a dog “father” in June 2001 by marriage. Dog-daddy was a new role for me. The female was named Belle, as in “Southern Belle.” A Border Collie, she was energetic and loved the outdoors. She hunted chipmunks and squirrels. My wife was her “mama” for 18 years, beginning when Belle was just a pup. They were wonderful times for both. Belle died peacefully, and my wife told her brother that “Belle was the best gift you ever gave me.” The second dog was a rescue, and when he got out of our car after being cooped-up, he ran with abandon through the grass, front and back. We named him Beau in keeping with the “Belle” theme, this time with a male dog. We had Beau for four years, but early one morning I found him dead, and we didn’t know why because there were no indications of a problem. We didn’t know if he had been poisoned, bitten by a deadly snake, shot or what. So, I brought the body to the AU Necropsy (animal autopsy) lab. It took a few weeks, but that’s understandable for a busy research center. Finally, we were told Beau had an undetected heart problem. At least we found out the cause, and it’s likely he died quickly with a heart failure.
We left a big stone with his leash at the spot where he died, as a reminder of him. For two years, Beau had enjoyed the company of another male dog. That happened after we heard a big dog near Columbus, Georgia, needed new owners. The dog, a Giant LongHaired German Shepherd,
a good-sized outside play area. Children walking by our home would see big Bear, and they thought he was really a bear. He was a gentle giant, and our lives were enriched by having him with us for five years. After Beau died suddenly, and a year later Bear left us (big dogs normally
President Ford with his golden retriever, Liberty. appropriately called Bear, was at home all day, and in a carrier because those owners wanted him at home while they were working. The owners were delighted we had enough acreage and pet experience to give Bear a nice home life and
don’t live past age 11 or 13 — Bear died at age 10), we missed them but took a break from other dogs to mourn Beau and Bear. Some weeks later, we picked out a rescue dog at the vets’ that was taken from owners who mistreated her. We named her Emma in honor of a neighbor our
FLOWERS >> FROM B9 Mike, is the mayor of Centreville, as was his grandfather, Jim Oakley Sr. For over 60 years now, all candidates for major statewide offices have come to Bibb County to kiss the ring of Oakley and cultivate his friendship and support. Oakley has been friends and confidantes to every governor, including Wallace and Ivey. He has been close friends with many of our U.S. senators, especially Jim Allen and Richard Shelby. He has mentored
YOUR STATUS YOUR HEALTH YOUR BEST LIFE For more information on HIV/AIDS such as testing, treatment, and services, visit alabamapublichealth.gov/hiv/testing.html. For information on PrEP, visit alabamapublichealth.gov/hiv/prep.html. Integrated HIV Programs for Health Departments to Support Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States 6 NU62PS924613-01-0 • CFDA-93.940 Notice of Funding Opportunity - PS20 2010
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family had. She is a German Shepherd with Labrador Retriever aspects. At first, Emma was ill-at-ease around humans and too quiet. Yet, she turned out to be one of the most loving and enjoyable dogs we rescued. She is also an accomplished small animal hunter and a very good gate guard. I use a nickname for Emma, as “Emma Lazarus,” to remind myself of the legal immigrants who came here and read the great poem at the Statue of Liberty. Like immigrants, Emma and our other dogs were afraid when they joined us. So were our rescued cats acquired over many years. Animals are not often welcomed to America at the Statue of Liberty, as millions of people were and many more are now. Yet, many thousands of potentially wonderful pets call out for freedom from a pound or the streets. Please, please say at an animal shelter: “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I will save and treasure them.” Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has master’s degrees in education and history. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer since 2011. He is a member of the national Education Writers Association (focus-Higher Education). gm.markley@ charter.net.
and helped almost every state representative and state senator who have represented Bibb County over the years. His current Bibb County senator, April Weaver, is one of his favorites. Oakley has a lot of friends in Alabama. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
B11 Aug. 11, 2022
Intimidating Driving is a Crime
A
ccording to many U.S. law dictionaries, the word “intimidation” is defined as the act of frightening or threatening someone in order to force them into doing something. As in frightening drivers already established on an interstate (or other highway) when you are in the process of merging into that same lane with the intention of forcing them to make room for you. Furthermore,
it is a criminal offence to act in a manner that causes another person to be frightened for his own safety, his property or that of another person. It seems that many of us have forgotten the Alabama Driver Manual’s [www. alea.gov/sites/default/ files/inline-files/ ABCDEF_0.pdf] (February, 2021 Edition, pp. 76-77) regulation which states: “Drivers on the freeway should allow room for those entering, but you must yield
to them if they do not [italics added]. DO NOT come to a full stop in the acceleration lane unless absolutely necessary. When a YIELD sign is in place at an entrance ramp with no acceleration lane, entering traffic must obey the YIELD sign and stop if necessary rather than force their way into the traffic stream.” Broken the law lately? Please drive courteously as well as legally. J. David Vedder Auburn, Alabama
Auburn University's Brendt Bledsoe Speaks to Opelika Kiwanis Club
Inflation Reduction Act Will Make Alabama a Healthier State More work remains to make health coverage, child care more affordable for Alabamians CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA ARISE
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPINION — Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden released the following statement Monday in response to the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act on Sunday: “The Inflation Reduction Act will help build a healthier future for people across Alabama. This plan will make health coverage more affordable for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians and millions of Americans. It will improve air quality by investing in clean energy and reducing emissions that fuel climate change. And it will pay for these investments by closing tax loopholes that subsidize profitable corporations and wealthy households. “This plan will save
COMISSION >> FROM B9
The speaker for the Aug. 4 Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting was Brendt Bedsole. He is the Auburn University football director of high school relations and pro liaison. He came and spoke on his path back to Auburn and a look into this years' Auburn Tigers.
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and public transportation more affordable and available across Alabama. And we’ll continue pushing for Medicaid expansion to help more than 340,000 Alabamians who are uninsured or struggling to afford health insurance. “These policy choices are essential to improve Alabamians’ quality of life and to boost our state’s economic prosperity. We’re determined to see each and every one of them across the finish line.” Alabama Arise is a statewide, member-led nonprofit organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Arise’s membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama.
there are still more needs, Pitts said. “We also need to purchase two vans, so that’s something that we’re working on some fundraising,” she said. She said she also submitted information to the commission to consider giving more money in the next budget cycle. “As I’ve mentioned before, I’m very familiar with Girls’ STEPS and I think you do an incredible job, and we really, truly appreciate what you do, and I think the commission made a great investment,” said District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand. OTHER BUSINESS: - The commission heard a solid waste update from Environmental Services Director John McDonald given the county has been working with Arrow Disposal for five months now. - The commission approved two members to the East Alabama Health Care Authority Board. - The commission approved two members to the Lee County
Communications Board. - The commission discussed, but did not vote on, an EMA Building Project Change Order. They agreed to discuss funding to finish the EMA building during the next budget cycle. - The commission approved the appointment of District 2 Commissioner Ross Morris to the Lee-Russell Council of Governments & Metropolitan Planning Organization. - The commission heard a report on the Rebuild Alabama Act and Lee County Transportation Plan from County Engineer Justin Hardee. - The commission approved a request to help Beauregard with the Beauregard Fire Department Storm Shelter Building Pad. - The commission approved a renewal of the disposal of solid waste contract for the transfer station in Opelika with Arrow Disposal. - The commission set the 2023 Budget Work Sessions for Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Sept. 13 and Sept. 15.
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girls this summer,” Pitts said. “And if you know anything about school, middle school is one place nobody really wants to be.” Things that the program teaches its participants through all these and more events include career prep, how to find yourself, college prep, etiquette, self-defense, healthy relationships, mental health awareness and more. Nineteen of the girls graduated from a firstaid course. The group participated in the Slam Dunk the Junk cleanup with Opelika, gave donations to the Opelika Senior Center and more, Pitts said. Girls’ STEPS Inc. is also trying to help the girls learn how to start their own businesses and make money. “Without your support, we would not have been able to do some of the things we have done,” Pitts said. “So I hope it continues.” The commission donated $12,000 to Girls’ STEPS Inc., however,
money for patients and the federal government by allowing Medicare to negotiate certain prescription drug prices. It will cap the cost of insulin and other out-of-pocket drug expenses for Medicare enrollees. And it will extend enhanced subsidies that make health coverage more affordable for many of the 219,000 Alabamians with marketplace plans through the Affordable Care Act. “We’re happy that the U.S. Senate passed this important legislation. And we look forward to the House approving it and sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law. “We also will continue advocating for state lawmakers to make other needed investments in families and communities. We’ll keep working for additional funding to make child care, housing
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AlabamaUnites.com.
B12 Aug. 11, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE - Elmer Hernandez, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer Dorcas Domingo's Complaint and Summons. Said Answer must be filed on or before 09/10/2022 or thereafter a judgment of default may be entered against him in Case No: DR-2022900123.00 in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama. Done this 13th day of July, 2022. Mary B. Roberson Clerk of Circuit Court Lee County, Alabama OF COUNSEL: Ben C. Hand 114 North 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 334-741-4077 JUL 1 3 2022 IN OFFICE MARY B. ROBERSON CIRCUIT CLERK Legal Run 07/21/2022, 07/28/22, 08/04/22 & 08/11/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:The estate of Willie Lois Tolbert, Deceased. Case No. 2022-430 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Willie Tolbert as Administrator of the Estate of Willie Lois Tolbert, deceased, on the 20th day of July , 2022. 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 be barred Willie Tolbert, Administrator of the Estate of Willie Lois Tolbert, Deceased Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022 & 08/11/2022 --------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF WILLIAM DAKOTA AKINS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2022-375 PUBLICATION NO11ICE TO: Jonathan Michael Adams or any other potential unknown father of B.M.R. Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by William Dakota Akins on June 29, 2022, for, the adoption of B.M.R., born on May 28, 2015, in Valley, Alabama to Chasity Nicole Redden. 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. Mark H. Carlton, 9 Lafayette Street North, Lafayette, AL 36862 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but not later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published. Dated on this the 21" day of July 2022. BILL ENGLISH, JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 & 08/18/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: CHARLES A. CUNDARI, Deceased CASE NO: 2022-414 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Robert T. Cundari, Personal
Representative on the 19th day of July, 2022, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Robert T. Cundari Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 -------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DEBRA THOMASINE FULLER-BAXTER, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2022-432 Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 21st day of July, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. ISAIAH ISHMAEL FULLER Administrator Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JEWEL FLOYD BENEFIELD, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2022-148 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been grant d to Sandra Price Benefield, Personal Representative on the 20th day of July, 2022, by Honorable Bi II English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Sandra Price Benefield Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF JULIA MAE FANNING, An Incapacitated Person Case No. 2021-508 NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that Benjamin H. Parr, Conservator of the Estate of JULIA MAE FANNING, deceased, has filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, his accounts, vouchers and statements for a Final Settlement of her Conservatorship. A hearing has been set for the 15th day of September, 2022, at 10 o'clock a.m., Central Time, in the Court Room of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Done this the 20th day of July, 2022. Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF ROY SANFORD CHASE, DECEASED, CASE NO.: 2022-413
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Patricia Diane Chase on the 19th day of July, 2022 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. PATRICIA DIANE CHASE Legal Run 07/28/2022, 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 --------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN T. INGRAM, JR., DCEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2022-431 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 21st day of July, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. DEE ANN INGRAM WILLIAMS and JOHN T. INGRAM, III Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 07/28/22, 08/4/22, 08/11/22 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JERRY ALBERT MEDDERS PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY, AL CASE NO.: 2022-303 NOTICE OF CREDITOR Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Angela Medders House on the 19th day of July, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Angela Medders House Legal Run 07/28/22, 08/04/22 & 08/11/22 --------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA ESSIE LEE TORBERT, Plaintiff, v. CV-2022-900081 A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama, Willie B. Thomas, J.J. Powledge, Arthur Ware, and Unknown Hein of Willie B. Thomas, J.J. Powledge and/or Arthur Ware, Defendants. NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence. You are hereby notified that on the 2nd day of March 2022, a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: Parcel One: Lot 5 in Block 6, as shown by Plat of a Survey of "Subdivision for Palmer Property" made by T.B. Chambers,
Located in Historic Downtown Opelika
334-745-4618
Surveyor, said Plat being recoded at Page 11 of Plat Book 2 in the Office of the Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama. Also known as Lee County Tax parcel 43-10-03-08-2-001- 101.000 Parcel Two: Lot E Block 7 of Totten's Map, as shown by that certain plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 2 at Page 9, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. Also known as Lee County Tu parcel 43-10-03-07- 1-001-063.000 Parcel Three: COM NW CORNE 4 SW 4 TH S 120'S E 1355'S TO ELY R/W UNNAMED RD SLY 315 ALG SD R/W ELY 420'8 to POB; S 210'8 E 65'S TO BRANCH NELY 240' ALG BRANCH W 1S7'S TO POB IN SEC 22 T18N R27E. Also known as Lee County Tax parcel 43-lS-05-22-0-000-064.000. All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint. Done this the 29th Day of July, 2022 Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999 Fax:334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal Run 08/04/22, 08/11/22, 08/18/22 & 08/25/22 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Virginia B. Nelms, Deceased Case No. 2022-300 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Angela Nelms-Griffin as Administratrix of the Estate of Virginia B. Nelms, deceased, on the 28th day of July, 2022.
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 be barred. Angela Nelms-Griffin, Administratrix of the Estate of Virginia B. Nelms, Deceased Legal Run 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 & 08/18/2022 --------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY SUSAN HOSEMANN, DECEASED PROBATE COURT, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2022-365 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to Julia Hosemann Kennedy, as Administrator, of the Estate of Mary Susan Hosemann, deceased, on the 7th day of July, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Probate Judge, Lee 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. Julia Hosemann Kennedy, Administrator Estate of Mary Susan Hosemann Lenae S. Simpson, Attorney for Administrator Murchison & Simpson. LLC 2106 Gateway Drive, Suite D Opelika. Alabama 36801 (334) 737-5665 Legal Run 08/04/2022, 08/11/2022 & 08/18/2022 --------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 10:00AM Unit 86 Unit 159 Unit 308 Unit 387 The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced
facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property Legal Run 08/11/2022 --------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, August 18 at 10:00AM Unit I110 Unit X398 Unit X400 The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal RRun08/11/22 --------------STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO. 2022-40 LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF CORINNE BEATRICE SFORZINI, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Corinne Beatrice Sforzini, deceased, having been granted to Suzanne Jean Simonelli this 3rd day of Augsut 2022, 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 the law or the same will be barred. Suzanne Jean Simonelli, Personal Representative Legal Run 08/11/2022, 08/18/2022 & 08/25/2022
See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14
B13 Aug. 11, 2022
B14 Aug. 11, 2022
7th Annual Nonviolence Peach March, Rally Held Last Weekend PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
The Samford community held the 7th Annual Nonviolence Peace March and Rally last weekend. Special guests included members from the Opelika-Auburn Moms Demand Action group. Opelika Housing Authority and Quint Sharing and Caring Uplift Outreach distributed school supplies.
PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B12 CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:45 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: I. Some items at this meeting will have a designated public hearing (noted below). Individuals are limited to one 5-minute comment
period per public hearing. II. Approval of Minutes III. Update on Previous Planning Commission Cases IV. New Business A. Plat (Preliminary only) – Public Hearing 1. A public hearing on a request by Foresite Group, authorized representative for Opelika Development Ventures, LLC. property owners, for preliminary plat approval of the Fenwick subdivision consisting of 111 lots accessed at 3001 Columbus Parkway. B. Final Plat 2. A public hearing on a request by Alan Lee, authorized representative for Opelika Water Works Board, property owner, for final plat approval of the National Village Phase 6B subdivision consisting of 1 lot accessed at Robert Trent Jones Trail. 3. A request by Tim Moore, property owner for final plat approval of Andrews Estate Phase 3 subdivision consisting of 25 lots accessed from Andrews Road. 4. A request by Doug Ransom, authorized representative for Opelika Gateway Properties, LLC, property owners, for final approval of Wyndham Gates Pod 3, Phase 1 subdivision consisting
of 10 lots accessed from Emory Lane. 5. A request by Blake Rice, Barrett-Simpson, Inc., authorized representative for SMB Land, LLC, property owners, for final approval of Cannon Gate Phase 3B subdivision consisting of 60 lots accessed from Cannon Gate Drive. 6. A request by Blake Rice, Barrett-Simpson, Inc., authorized representative for Fox Opelika, LLC, property owners, for final approval of Wildwood subdivision consisting of 77 lots accessed from McCoy Street and East Johnson Avenue. C. Conditional Use – Public Hearing 7. A public hearing on a request by Takella Graves, authorized representative for Starco Group, LLC, property owner, for conditional use approval for a childcare center in the C-2, GC-P zoning district at 2419 Frederick Road. 8. A public hearing on a request by David Shunnarch, Jr., authorized representative for G.A. Properties, LLC, property owner, to expand the outside display area of RV Roadway of Opelika (Recreational Vehicle sales lot) and future construction
of a 11,250 square foot service building in the C-3, GC-P zoning district at 1201 South Fox Run Parkway. 9. A public hearing on a request by Richard Hayley, authorized representative for W.C. Davis Charitable Remainder Trust, property owner, for a private school (Morae Classical School) on 8.4 acres in the M-1 zoning district accessed at the corner of Lake Condy Road and Andrews Road. D. Old Business Conditional Use – Public Hearing 10. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Brookhaven Property Group, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval to add 36 apartment units to Pinehurst Apartments in the R-4 zoning district accessed at 1500 Pinehurst Drive (700 block West Point Parkway). (This item was tabled at the February 22nd PC meeting at the applicant’s request.) 11. A public hearing on a request by Brandon Bolt, authorized representative for Edgar Hughston Builder, Inc., property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the Fox Path subdivision
consisting of 28 lots accessed from Highway 29 North. (This item was tabled at the July 26th PC meeting at the applicant’s request.) 12. A request by Jack Johnson to extend a conditional use approval for 12 months starting at the current expiration date of June 24, 2022. The said conditional use approval is for a climate-controlled self-storage building accessed at the 300 block of Samford Avenue approved at the August 2019 Planning Commission meeting. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/ public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/ public hearings. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council. Please contact the Planning department at 334-705-5156 at
least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 08/11/2022 --------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of CECIL STRICKLAND, deceased Case No. 2022-425 Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Carrie Strickland on July 20, 2022, pursuant to Section 43-3-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent. BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 08/11/2022
See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B16
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B15 Aug. 11, 2022
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B16 Aug. 11, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B14 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM MAX DAVIDSON, JR., DECEASED
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Frances Wall Davidson, as Personal Representative of the Estate of William Max Davidson, Jr., deceased, On the 2nd day of August,
2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred. FRANCES WALL DAVIDSON
Personal Representative PREPARED BY: Phillip E. Adams, Jr. 205 S. 9th Street, P. 0. Box 2069 Opelika, AL 36803-2069 334-745-6466 Legal Run 08/11/2022, 08/18/2022 & 08/25/2022 --------------NOTICE TO
CREDITORS ESTATE OF LIJUN XUAN, Deceased CASE NO.: 2022-303 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Joseph Majdalani on the 3rd day of August, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English,
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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. Joseph Majdalani Legal Run 08/11/22, 08/18/22 & 08/25/22