The Observer 08-17-2023

Sweepstakes — Scan This >> Shinhwa Expansion — A4

'We’ll Meet Again' Goes On Tour

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

The Opelika performance sensation — “We’ll Meet Again” — is going on tour. The show is a production on the life of Henry Stern — the man who as a child escaped from German occupation with his family into Opelika.

“In 1937, then 5-yearold Heinz Stern and his family escaped Westheim, Germany, under Nazi occupation,” said a synopsis in a press release

See TOUR, page A5

Alabama

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

The Auburn Bicycle Committee is hosting a new, biking-safety event, Ride & Seek, Aug. 26 at Chewacla State Park in Auburn.

“We hope it’s going to be one of our big, annual events,” said Auburn Bicycle Committee Chair Todd Deery. “It’s going to be a really fun day. They are going to learn a lot, and they are going to learn how to ride in groups and have a lot of fun.

The Auburn Bicycle Committee works with the city of Auburn to educate children and

citizens how to ride more safely and have fun on two wheels.

Deery has been serving on the committee since 2020, and has acted as chair for the past two years.

“I’ve been a mountain biker and road biker for about 18 years,” he said.

“I moved to Auburn four- and -a-half years ago, and immediately wanted to get immersed

community that was here. So, I learned about the committee and started volunteering, and of course one of my big

In her second year of competing, Kalaigh Sullins won the Ms. Full Figure Alabama pagent in July. Sullins is pictured standing on the left.

Advocating With A Crown

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — Kalaigh Sullins had never considered being in a pageant — but now

she is a pageant winner. Sullins competed for her second yard in the Ms. Full Figure Alabama Pageant and won. The pageant was

See ADVOCACY, page A6

See DISCOUNT page A2

Pictured above, a scene from "We'll Meet Again" during its August 2022 performance at the Opelika Center of Performing Arts. The show will be on tour in Alabama and Georgia starting later this month.

Fifteen People Exposed to Rabies at Local Vet Clinic

CONTRIBUTED BY THE ANIMAL

HEALTH CENTER

BY HOMER S. BUCES/LEE COUNTY RABIES OFFICER

LEE COUNTY —

A cat has exposed 11 staff members at an Opelika veterinary hospital and four family members to rabies.

The family exposed is from Hurtsboro in Russell County. The cat in question was a stray which was hanging around the property.

The cat attacked the owner’s dog, and the individual was exposed at that time. The cat was subsequently presented to the local veterinary hospital and placed in quarantine. One person in the clinic was bitten and 10 exposed indirectly. The cat died and tested positive for rabies on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

All 15 people who were exposed have been sent to East Alabama

Medical Center for Post Exposure Prophylactic treatment for rabies.

This included Rabies Immunoglobulin and a three-dose rabies vaccination regiment or a two-dose rabies booster vaccination regiment for those who had previously had preexposure rabies vaccinations.

All potential human exposures in this case have been addressed and treated as of Saturday evening.

Alabama Agriculture

Woven Through Quilts, Wreaths

CONTRIBUTED BY ALFA FARMERS BY MARLEE

JACKSON

LEE COUNTY —

A common thread ran through creative quilts, blankets, pillows and wreaths on display at the Mobile Convention Center Aug. 12 — Alabama’s agricultural diversity.

The Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Division sponsored the farm-inspired sewing and decorating contests, held during the annual Farm & Land Expo in Mobile.

“It always amazes me what our ladies can do,” said State Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Ann Whatley of Lee County. “They are so creative and talented in how they spotlight our different commodities.”

The contests included categories for handstitched and machinestitched quilts; adult and youth divisions for lap blankets; machinestitched pillow covers; and commodity-themed wreaths.

Dozens of conference guests viewed entries during the Farm & Land Expo, marveling at the time-intensive, colorful creations. Entries highlighted a range of commodities, from cotton, cattle and specialty crops to bees, trees and poultry.

Jackie Henderson of Lee County scored third place in the Adult Lap Blanket Contest during the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Expo Aug. 12 in Mobile. The annual contest is sponsored by the State Women’s Leadership Committee. For her watermelon-themed blanket, Henderson received a cash prize.

Those viewers included Twyla Smith of Crenshaw County, who soaked up fellow entrants’ inspiring designs. Smith won the hand-stitched quilt category with a variation on a log cabin pattern.

“Quilts are comforting,” Smith said. “I dabble in a lot of things. I paint, play piano, quilt, crochet.

The key here is that all of the owner’s pets had received a previous rabies vaccination. They all have received rabies booster vaccinations post exposure. Rabies vaccinations are so important in protecting your pets from rabies and thereby protecting humans from exposure through their pets.

Alabama law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated at 3 months of age and

annually thereafter unless they receive a three-year rabies vaccine. The first rabies vaccination is only good for one year regardless of which vaccine your pet receives. I ask everyone to please check their pet’s rabies vaccination status and to get them boosted immediately if they are not up to date. Lastly, stray animals hanging around your property can expose you, your children, your

pets and your livestock to rabies. Please contact your local animal control agency for assistance with stray animals on your property. As always please be ever vigilant and aware of wild animals hanging around and or acting out of place on your property. Contact your veterinarian if you can’t determine your pet’s vaccination status. Please call 334-745-0060 if you have questions.

Alabama Farmers Federation Honors Extension, AU Agriculturalists

CONTRIBUTED BY ALFA

FARMERS BY MAGGIE

EDWARDS

AUBURN —

The Alabama Farmers Federation rewarded Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) and Auburn University (AU) professionals for serving Alabama farmers during the organization’s Farm & Land Expo Aug. 10 in Mobile.

The Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research was presented to Dr. Steve Li. This recognizes Auburn faculty for creative research. Li is an associate professor and Extension specialist focused on weed science and received

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$20, beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

$10,000 from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF).

Regional ACES

Agent Gerry Thompson received the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension, plus $5,000 for programming costs, courtesy of AFAF. These are the fifth annual Duncan and Rittenour awards.

The Federation was honored to present the Rittenour and Duncan awards to these innovative and outstanding agriculturalists, said Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

“Our farmers need professionals like Dr. Li and Thompson on their side,” Parnell

Main Street’s Bill Roberts Facade Grant Program and its other various events and projects that it puts on throughout the year.

said. “They have implemented new technology, techniques and field days that have helped improve numerous farmers’ bottom lines.”

For more than a year, Federation meetings have had a near-constant agenda item: Spray Drone Demonstration by Li. His drone presentations and onfarm research have helped farmers across commodities harness innovative technology for crop protection.

“I appreciate it very much,” Li said. “I don’t help people for a return. I wasn’t expecting anything, but this is a pleasant surprise. And I think it’s great to know

See FEDERATION, page A4

want to be added to this card, please reach out to McCurdy at director@ opelikamainstreet.org.

ABOUT OPELIKA MAIN STREET:

But I love to quilt.”

Lee County's Jackie Henderson brought home a third-place ribbon for her entry in the lap blanket category.

The way the pass works is there is a QR code on the back of the card that links to the Opelika Main Street website discount page. That page will show customers all the participating businesses, and the discounts that they are giving. Discounts can change monthly. The proceeds of these passes will be to further fund Opelika

“This pass was created to give more local downtown businesses more exposure and get people into their doors that may have never been, and besides, who doesn’t love a discount,” said Opelika Main Street Executive Director Melissa MunfordMcCurdy.

In addition, if you are a downtown business and

Founded in 1987, Opelika Main Street has helped assist 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.

Cornerstone Chiropractic Hosting 12th Annual Back-2-School-Bash Aug. 19

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Cornerstone Family

Chiropractic (CFC) is hosting its 12th annual Back 2 School Bash

Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at 323 Airport Plaza in Auburn.

“Our practice is really focused on families and taking care of families,” said CFC Director of Marketing Rachel Wicks. “This is just a little bit of a different way that we do that.”

According to Wicks, this year’s event, which is essentially an outdoor,

parking-lot carnival, will feature food, fun and live music as CFC has lined up numerous vendors, food trucks and sponsors to participate.

The day is slated to feature inflatables, games, giveaways and more. And of course, the star of the local community, Auburn University’s Mascot “Aubie” is scheduled to make an appearance as well.

“We do have some vendors that will be selling things at the event,” Wicks said. “But a lot of the booths have interactive activities. So we will have miniature golf, bounce houses, face

Applications Open for Auburn Public Library's Teen Advisory Board

P H O T O C O N T R I B U T E D B Y C O R N E R S T O N E F A M L Y C H I R O P R A C T C

painting … a bunch of these vendors will do activities that are fun for kids but are also related to their business.”

This annual outdoor event supports the BigHouse Foundation and the families it serves, along with creating a place for local businesses and families to connect as the new school calendar officially begins.

“Dr. Rusty Herring, our founding doctor, has a heart for adoption,” said CFC Director of Operations Andrea Schmid. “When he started the office, he

Auburn University's official mascot, Aubie the Tiger, will make an appearance at CFC's 12th annual Back 2 School Bash Aug. 19. See BASH, page A4

Bikes of Auburn.

Ride & Seek is designed for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, and provides the opportunity for attendees and their parents to ride their bikes on mountain biking trails within Chewacla, and the paved trail that runs along Shell Toomer Parkway outside of park.

“They are going to meet us at Chewacla,” Deery said of the people who attend the event. “They are going to get their bikes inspected by the two local bike shops here in town, James Bros and Trek Bikes. They are going to get a whole safety discussion on how to ride mountain biking trails, as well as paved trails. Every kid that comes, and their parents, if they want to ride, are going to get a chance to do a mountain biking trail and paved trail.”

in Lee County about bicycling and how to ride safely. We also hold webinars in the spring, where we bring in guests from all over the country to talk about things like what is gravel riding or what are the rules of the road and what are your legal rights if you are in an accident as a bicyclist.

road as do drivers of motor vehicles.

2. Be considerate; share the road with motorists. Move to the right of the road to allow motorists to pass on the left.

3. Ride & Seek is NOT A RACE. Ride at a comfortable pace, enjoy the scenery and chat with your fellow riders.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

AUBURN —

The Auburn Public Library is recruiting students to serve on the Teen Advisory Board during the 2023-24 school year. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 31.

The board is open to all interested 7 through 12 graders.

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 Samantha Godsy or Tonya Brown at libraryvolunteers@ auburnalabama.org or (334) 501-3296 to request an application form.

“Every time I ride Chewacla, I meet someone from out of town who has come to Auburn specifically to ride the trails,” Deery said. “It’s a destination for people to hike and bike. It’s an amazing resource. It’s a great place for people to go and get away, and certainly to mountain bike. We should not take it for granted.”

At the inaugural Ride & Seek event, high school students in the Alabama Cycling Association (ACA) will be providing safe riding demonstrations and attendees will be eligible to receive a number of giveaways and raffles for bike equipment, including a new bike from Trek

The goal of this event is to teach children how to ride safely, while having fun, on two wheels.

Registration will remain open up to and through the day of the event. Early registration guarantees participants a free t-shirt. To register, visit the Ride & Seek: A Bike Safety Adventure Facebook event page, or visit auburnal.myrec.com. The registration fee is $10. Check-in for the event begins at 8:30 a.m.; mountain bike riding begins at 9 a.m.; and road riding begins at 9:30 a.m. Food trucks will be on site.

“Our goal is to do a few things,” Deery said. “We are trying to educate the citizens

“One of our major goals is to educate people. We also advocate for better biking infrastructure in the city of Auburn. So, we work with city leaders and make sure they understand the needs of cyclists and what they are looking for like more bike lanes, more bike parking and places to lock up your bike and stuff like that. And then we throw events for the community and try to build that awareness. When I say cycling, I mean that in the most general sense — commuters, people who ride for recreation and fitness and just as well as kids and parents who may be riding around their neighborhood.”

RULES AND EVENT INFORMATION

1. Bicyclists must obey all traffic signals, stop signs and police officers as required by law. Bicycle riders obey the same rules of the

4. Helmets, properly worn, are required on all participants while bicycling during Ride & Seek.

5. Riders age 12 or under must be accompanied while riding. A parent or guardian may accompany the child, or an Escort Permission Form must be on file, naming an adult to ride with the child in place of the parent/guardian.

6. Riders age 13 to 18 may ride unaccompanied if their parent or guardian grants permission on the registration form. Otherwise, a parent/ guardian or escort must accompany the rider as described above.

7. Any photos taken at Ride & Seek by the city of Auburn personnel or their agents will become property of the city of Auburn.

8. Door prize drawings will be held at 10:30 a.m. You must be present to participate.

passions is riding bikes, so it seemed like a natural fit for me.”

Youth serving on the Auburn Public Library Teen Advisory Board.

Auto Parts Maker Shinhwa Plans $114 Million Expansion

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

BY DAVID D. DORTON

AUBURN —

Gov. Kay Ivey announced earlier this week that Shinhwa Auto USA Corp. will invest $114 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Auburn to support the production of electric vehicle parts.

The growth project will create 50 jobs and add a new 170,000-squarefoot production building on Shinhwa’s campus in Auburn Technology Park West. The expansion will be the South Korean company’s third since selecting the Alabama city as the site of its first U.S. plant in 2019.

“Shinhwa’s constant growth in Auburn demonstrates Alabama, through high levels of innovation and technical

prowess, is preparing for an evolving future,” Ivey said. “It’s a testament to the Auburn area’s workforce that this world-class company has once again decided to launch growth plans in Lee County.”

Established in 1995, Shinhwa is a leader in the production of aluminum die-cast parts for automotive manufacturers.

After the Auburn facility opened in 2020 following a $42 million investment, it manufactured drive shafts for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery and the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia.

The company has since announced two expansion projects in Auburn, adding 90 jobs and an additional investment of $148 million to expand output of aluminum parts and meet future demands stemming from EV production.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our business yet again, building new state-of-the-art facilities in Auburn, Alabama, where Shinhwa has a successful business operation since 2019,” said Kwi Hyun Lee, chairman of Shinhwa Group.

“As one of the most innovative industrial manufacturers of aluminum

car components, we are confident that the momentum we have achieved will continue to meet customers’ growing demand for high-quality products,” he added.

With this new investment project, Shinhwa plans to increase capacity by expanding die casting operations and adding associated processes that

are required to make control arm, knuckle, carrier and motor housing covers in support of Hyundai, Kia and other automakers in the U.S.

The project will support a new contract for EV parts.

“Alabama’s auto sector is experiencing a major growth spurt as the industry accelerates the transition toward an electric future,”

said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We look forward to working with Shinhwa to advance its expansion plans and fully develop the growth potential of its Auburn manufacturing operation.”

Shinhwa is committed to creating 50 jobs over the next three years, with an average annual salary of around $48,000, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“Shinhwa’s story here in Auburn is evidence of the work generations of leaders have done to make our community not only welcoming to but also fertile ground for businesses,” Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said. “We’re grateful for Shinhwa’s investment in Auburn and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive.”

Parks and Rec Director Retires After Nearly 47 Years

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

BY DAVID D. DORTON

AUBURN —

After nearly 47 years, city of Auburn Parks and Recreation Director Becky Richardson will retire on Sept. 1, leaving a legacy of true public service.

Richardson began her career with the city of Auburn as a playground assistant, volleyball official and tennis instructor before joining the city full-time as an assistant women’s director. She was promoted to Parks and Recreation director in 1993 and has led one of the city’s largest departments for 30 years.

During Richardson’s

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people appreciate what we do.”

For Thompson, his expertise in animal science and forages has taken center stage for farmers pushing to advance cattle working facilities and expand their hay and alfalfa acreage.

Thompson serves farmers in Blount, Cullman, Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties.

“I am proud of this

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discovered the BigHouse Foundation. I guess he chose [it] because of his heart for helping build healthy families in our community.”

The BigHouse Foundation is a local nonprofit organization founded in 2009 as the dream of two college students to positively impact the world of foster care. BigHouse now focuses on serving families in two ways, by providing resources and building relationships.

According to its website,

BECKY RICHARDSON

tenure, the city’s parks and recreation offerings grew exponentially. She was instrumental in the city’s partnership with Auburn University to bring an exceptional tennis facility — the Yarbrough Tennis Center — to the Auburn

award because one of my best friends and clients (Jaffe Paysinger) nominated me for the honor,” Thompson said. “It is so meaningful to be in the same category as past animal science winners like Dr. Kent Stanford and Dr. Kim Mullenix.”

The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization with 350,000 members and is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

BigHouse’s mission is to connect the needs of foster families with the generosity of the community through the love of Jesus Christ.

“They are our official office ministry,” Schmid said. “And we put this event on every year to support them.”

According to its website, CFC provides specific care and attention to children and adults through state-of-the-art technology, premier office amenities and attentive and involved staff members. The website says that, at Cornerstone Family Chiropractic,

community in 2007. Numerous other parks and recreation facilities opened and expanded under her leadership, including Town Creek Park, Sam Harris Park, Duck Samford Park, Hickory Dickory Park, the Auburn Soccer

Pictured right Dr. Steve Li received the Rittenour Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Research Aug. 10 during the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Expo in Mobile, while Gerry Thompson received the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Thompson and Li.

the team is there to help individuals and their families achieve better health and to equip the community with better health strategies. CFC invites the communities of Auburn and Opelika to visit its office this weekend to enjoy the free, family-friendly fun, and contribute to a worthy cause.

“I view this event as a win all around for the community because one, it supports the local charity, the BigHouse Foundation, and two, it gets local vendors out here and small businesses in the community an

Complex, the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center and the Auburn/Opelika Skatepark. The city’s cemeteries have also been significantly upgraded, including the addition of columbariums and improved entrances and landscaping.

As Auburn’s population grew, Richardson spearheaded efforts to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the city’s future recreation needs, resulting in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan that was adopted by the Auburn City Council in 2018. Several projects that came out of the plan are currently underway,

including the expansion of the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center and the Auburn Soccer Complex as well as the addition of Lake Wilmore Community Center.

Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree from Judson College and a Master of Education from Auburn University. She is a past director of the Achievement Center and Dixie Softball Incorporated. She served as president of the Alabama Tennis Association and the Auburn Beautification Council and has served on numerous committees for the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association as well as chairman of the

Community Development Committee for Southern Tennis Association. She has also served on the board of the Kreher Preserve including as chair. In 2014, Richardson was inducted into the Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame.

“Through our parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, programs and special events, Becky has impacted the lives of practically everyone who has called Auburn home over the last four decades,” said Auburn City Manager Megan McGowen Crouch. “She has always gone above and beyond the call of duty, and I will truly miss her counsel.”

opportunity to get in front of our community so they can share their product and learn … and then families that come out have a good time,” Schmid said. “It’s good, wholesome fun. There is a lot of free food; they don’t have to feel like they have to bring a ton of money to come out and have a good time with their family. We just love that it’s something that we have done for long enough now that people look for it these days. And we love to support BigHouse; we kind of have grown up in the community with them.”

Shinwha Auto USA Corp. is investing $114 million to expand manufacturing operations in Auburn.

about the show. “They were welcomed with open arms by the small town of Opelika, Alabama, where Stern’s family found love and acceptance. However, war left missing pieces for Henry Stern, as he became known, and for more than 60 years, he continued to search the United States for other family members who

survived the Holocaust.”

The show was performed in Opelika, and at the time there were no plans in place for a tour.

“The entire situation is overwhelming,” said Henry’s son, J Stern. “I remember back to the day that Jim Harris approached dad with this idea. At the time, we had no idea that it would progress into what it is becoming.”

Opelika native Kate Larkin attended one of those shows, bringing with her Auburn Men’s Basketball head coach Bruce Pearl. Bruce and his wife fell in love with the show and asked where else it would be on tour, Larkin said.

Upon learning that the show was a one-off, Bruce decided more people needed to see it and the tour was born.

“We want as many people to experience this production as possible, so that others can laugh and cry and be moved and inspired by the music, the story and the dancing – just like Brandy and I were,”

Bruce said.

Ginger Stern, Henry’s daughter, echoed those sentiments.

“Ever since the first table read back in 2017 at the Barter Theater we hoped more people would be able to see the story,” she said. “… I hope as many people can see the play. I know Dad would be tickled that in every city on this tour, school students will be able to see the show. Dad visited different schools in the area and shared his story.”

“We’ll Meet Again” will kick off its tour on Aug. 30 at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.

“Dad was a huge Auburn fan, we had season tickets to AU basketball for years,” Ginger said. “I know he would be pleased the musical is being performed at the Gouge.”

From there, it will travel around the state and into Georgia.

“Once Kate Larkin brought Coach Bruce and Brandy Pearl to the Opelika performance, I hoped something like this would happen” Ginger said.

“They met Jim Harris, the playwright, and Rick Rose, the director/producer, and the wheels were in motion.”

The show will perform in Opelika again too, before the tour.

It will be at the Opelika Center for Performing Arts on Aug. 28.

Ticket information can be found here for that show: www.eastalabamaarts.org/ tickets.

The show is meant to inspire hope, J said.

“It is my hope that people in Alabama (and beyond) understand the story, and all of the implications of it,” he said. “This is an important story for needs to be told.”

Ginger highlighted the history behind it.

“The holocaust was real, and we can never let happen again,” Ginger said. “Plus [I want people to know] how much Dad loved Opelika and this country.”

Tickets for the Gogue shows on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 can be found here: www.goguecenter.auburn. edu/we-ll-meet-again/.

Scenes from "We'll Meet Again" during its August 2022 performance in Opelika.

Human Remains Found in Lee County; Identified as Missing Columbus woman

CONTRIBUTED BY LCSO

LEE COUNTY —

On Aug. 13, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received information about a body being located in a wooded area just off Lee Road 170 near the Russell County line in the Salem community of Lee County. The remains were transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and were identified as Myshonique Shontrell Maddox, age 28, from Columbus, Georgia. Maddox was reported missing from Columbus on July 22, 2023. Lee County Sheriff’s investigators, Columbus Police Department detectives and Russell County Sheriff’s investigators are investigating the case. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).

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held in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 22. Last year, in Montgomery, Sullins was first runner up.

Ultimately, Sullins decided to try her hand at pageantry due to self-confidence issues, she said.

“I was like, let me start challenging myself and see if I can do this,” she said.

Sullins suffers from intense social anxiety.

“I decided, I was like, hey, this is a new journey, let me just see if I can do this,” she said. “And I was able to do this And I loved it.”

The social anxiety was difficult while competing, she said, especially when she had to give a speech.

Last year, never having competed

before, she said it was even more nervewracking than this year.

Everything was new, she said. For example, she didn’t know how to choose the right outfits.

This year, unlike last year, participants had a pageant coach.

“What they do is, pretty much like, ‘this is what you need to do, this is how you need to walk, teaching us the kind of things that we need to know.’” she said.

“Last year, we didn’t know anything, so we were just starting, just brand new, didn’t know anything and so this year, she just went head on.”

Sullins said the addition of a pageant coach contributed to her win.

Three of last year’s participants returned this year to compete

again.

“I loved it because of the fact that I was still with my pageant sisters that were able to do it last year,” she said. “And so, that was more rewarding.”

She described it as a, “lifelong friendship” and even traveled to Georgia to watch a pageant sister compete.

Sullins ran on a two-fold platform — mental health issues and school bullying.

“I want to help my community as far as mental health issues,” she said.

One way she wants to help spread awareness is through a nonprofit she has called Project Empowerment and events she’s hosted in the past called Empowerment Brunches.

“I really want to help other women in

the community, like empowering other women,” Sullins said. While she doesn’t plan on competing again, she does encourage other women to do so.

“If you’re doubting yourself or you’re lacking self esteem, it’s a way of just going ahead and doing something that is going to bring the best out of you, I would say, because it brung the best out of me,” Sullins said. “I would say just go for it, do it, don’t listen to anybody, what they got to say, just go ahead and do it.

“… Keep going after your dreams, if you want to do something, just keep doing it. And don’t try to change who you are based on what society wants you to feel like or wants you to look like.”

MONDAY, AUGUST 28 7:30 P.M.

OCT, Penguin Project Searching for Volunteers

CONTRIBUTED BY MARTY MOORE OPELIKA COMMUNITY THEATRE

LEE COUNTY —

What is the difference between an eagle and a penguin? Why, it’s very simple. Eagles fly but penguins soar. That may seem like a silly question and answer, but to those of us blessed to know a group of children engaged in The Penguin Project, we know first hand that penguins are the cutest, most beautiful, loyal creatures of inspiration. It is impossible not to fall in love with a penguin.

The Penguin Project was conceived in 2004 by Dr. Andrew Morgan to provide children with developmental disabilities an opportunity to participate in the performing arts, especially the experience of live theatre in a modified Broadway show.

Morgan, the founder and director of the Penguin Project, is former head of the Division of Child Development at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He was the primary medical doctor for treating children with disabilities for over 35 years. He retired from the university in 2012 but still has an active practice, and is a sought-after consultant throughout the country — especially with his Penguin Project Foundation, In his spare time, he has been actively involved in community theatre over

30 years as a director and performer. In 2004, he combined his professional career with his theatre passion and founded the Penguin Project.

The Penguin Project productions are unique — the production is a modified version of a Broadway show, and all roles are filled by young artists who have developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment and other neurological and physical disorders.

These young artists are joined on stage by a committed group of “peer mentors” (children the same age but without disabilities). These “peer mentors” work side by side with the “penguins” for typically four months of rehearsals and the final performance. The Penguin Project demonstrates that special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences.

The Penquin Project changes lives. It allows a supportive environment for children to explore their creative talents. It also demonstrates that theatre and the creative arts are therapeutic — enhancing social interaction skills, communication skills, promoting self-confidence and self-esteem.

The Penguin Project Foundation was officially

created in 2007 to help other communities develop their own Penguin Projects, and there are currently over 53 chapters in 22 states around the country including Alabama.

Opelika Community Theatre (OCT) was named the second Penguin Project Chapter in Alabama in November, 2022. Launching a chapter can’t be done overnight. It takes time and planning. We need committed volunteers of “all” ages to become involved with this project as it will take the village to make it happen. OCT is partnering with Opelika City Schools for our first Penguin Project production that will be “Annie, JR.” scheduled for March 8 through 10, 2024.

Morgan’s suggested age range is ages 10 to 23. However, there is room to adjust the age limits. We are looking for adult volunteers to help with this project. Are you interested in directing, teaching, stage managing, tech crew, costuming, publicity, set design, props or just volunteering your talents wherever needed? If you are — we need you. We also need cast and mentors.

Please check out OCT's website, www. opelikacommunitytheatre. com, or call/text 334-4009660 or 334-559-8597 for more information.

Meet David Hedges

AUBURNBANK PRESIDENT & CEO

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

Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com

S Food ociety & News

ociety & News vents, E

Serve Make-Ahead, Hearty Breakfasts On School Mornings

Ann

Cipperly

SHouthernospitality

Now that the students are back in school, there is no time for leisurely breakfasts they enjoyed during summer. Children need a hearty breakfast to fuel them for doing their best in school, and keep them full until lunch. It can only take a few minutes to prepare a more nutritious breakfast than cold cereal. While some chil-

dren will want stacks of pancakes or waffles, enhance the breakfast with a protein smoothie and plenty of fresh fruit. Planning ahead will help mornings go smoother. Set the breakfast table the night before and plan what you will serve. Many breakfast favorites can be prepared ahead. Egg casseroles are better prepared the night before. Place

the casserole in the oven first thing while everyone is getting dressed.

If your children want French toast for breakfast, there are two ways to make it ahead. One is the Overnight Baked French Toast that is assembled the night before, then simply baked and served. The other is Overnight French Toast that is also assembled the night before,

Uptown Columbus Announces Beer & Wine Festival This Fall

CONTRIBUTED BY UPTOWN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS, GA —

Uptown Columbus is excited to announce the return of the popular Uptown Beer & Wine Festival presented by Publix, on Sept. 9, 2023, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will offer guests the chance to taste over 100 different craft beers and wines, and new to the festival this year, spirit samples. The event will be held on the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge.

“Uptown Columbus prides itself on promoting a vibrant and diverse Uptown that is prosperous, inviting, livable and perpetually active,” said Tracey Green, director of communications and marketing for Uptown Columbus. “In addition to meeting these goals, this event also raises funds for

our nonprofit organization to continue its communitybuilding work.”

The Uptown Beer & Wine Festival has been an annual fundraiser for Uptown Columbus, Inc., for over 10 years. The event boasts music, food and, of course, a chance to sample beer, wine and spirits from across the world. The money raised by this ticketed event helps to underwrite many of Uptown’s free events throughout the year.

Tickets for the event are available now for early-bird

pricing. Early-bird tickets for the festival are $45 if purchased by Sept. 8, 2023. Day of tickets are $55 at the door for card purchase only. Tickets include unlimited samplings of beer, wine and spirits, and live music from Caleb Gamble and Big Saxy. Food is excluded from the ticket price but will be available for purchase.

Those that are designated drivers will have a $10 entry free and will be given a specific wristband upon entry. Those under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter the event unless they are a designated driver.

Tickets are on sale now at www.eventbrite.com/e/ beer-and-wine-festival-2023tickets-629398557027?.

Visit the Uptown Columbus website at www. AlwaysUptown.com for more information.

but then the slices are browned in a skillet. If your children’s like crispy French toast, they will prefer that recipe. For breakfast meats, look for lean sausages, such as turkey, and limit bacon, which contains high fat and nitrates.

On occasions when you cook bacon, the easiest way to cook it is by baking. Check the back of the package for directions, and line a cookie sheet with foil for quick cleanup.

Instead of buying sugar loaded yogurts, select

plain low fat Greek yogurt and serve with blueberries, blackberries, chopped strawberries or sliced bananas. A teaspoon or two of local honey will also add a touch of sweetness to plain yogurt. Be sure to

See CIPPERLY page A11

Summer in the Park Cooks 'Burgers for Bubba'

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

OPELIKA —

The city of Opelika is hosting the Summer in the Park for United

Way of Lee County on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Municipal Park. This year will look a little different than years passed.

The city of Opelika, the Opelika Police Department and Opelika Power Services have come

See BURGERS, page A15

Breakfast tray assembled early on a school morning offers granola, yogurt and fruit parfait with muffins for a hearty start to the day

This year's Summer in the Park event for United Way of Lee County is being rebranded as "Burgers for Bubba", in honor of Opelika Firefighter Media Zachary "Bubba"Sorenson, who passed away July 29, 2023.

There is a lot of talk in the writing community about how artificial intelligence chatbots are going to replace authors someday. The fear is that AI will take real writing jobs and we writers will eventually be forced to live in refrigerator cartons beneath an overpass.

This does not scare me because, as an English major, I know from experience that if you choose the right overpass, it’s not so bad.

To further investigate the matter of AI, I signed up for ChatGPT, which is a robot developed by OpenAI. This language-based bot can, without doing any legwork or actual

research, piece together fragments of quasi-true information gleaned from the internet and write incredibly crappy essays. Exactly like us writers.

What frightens us writers, however, is that you can ask ChatGPT to write in the style of ANY author, and the computer will mimic an author’s unique prose and voice.

I decided to test this. I logged in and asked the chatbot a few questions. First I asked the chatbot if it had feelings.

“No, I am not sentient.

I am a machine learning model called GPT-3.5, designed to generate human-like text based on the input I receive. I lack consciousness, self-awareness

and true understanding. My responses are generated based on patterns and information from data I was trained on.”

Next, I asked ChatGPT to write 50 words in the style of Sean Dietrich. Which is me. This is where things got scary.

Here is what the chatbot wrote:

“Let me tell y’all a little somethin’ ‘bout a Southern breeze on a lazy afternoon. It's like Grandma's sweet tea, cool and a’comfortin’. Makes you forget your worries and sets your soul a’dancin’. So sit for a spell, listen close and let that breeze a’carry you to simpler times.”

I had to laugh. Because, for starters, we did not call my grandmother “Grandma,” she was always “Granny.” And Granny’s sweet tea was not “cool and a’comfortin’,” it was laced with enough Domino sugar to rot your gums and cause type-II diabetes. Thirdly, I do not replace G’s on the ends of my words with apostrophes. That is a’stupid.

Then, I asked the computer when Sean Dietrich

Sundilla Presents Three On A String

was born.

“As of my last update,” said ChatGPT, “Sean Dietrich was born on April 5, 1977. You can calculate his age based on that information.”

False. I was not born on April 5, 1977. I was born Dec. 29, 1864.

So I asked the computer to write a country song in the style of Sean Dietrich. Here is what it produced:

“Well, gather ‘round, my friends, for story time,

“In the land of sweet tea, where the sun does shine,

“From Alabama to Georgia’s pines so tall, “I'll spin you a tale, and you'll laugh and fall.”

That hurt. I would never start a song with the words “Gather ‘round, my friends,” unless I was playing the role of Professor Harold Hill. Secondly: “You’ll laugh and fall”?

I went a little deeper and asked the chatbot to write about fireflies in my style. Mainly, because I recently wrote a column about fireflies and I wanted to compare the two examples to see how closely AI captured my voice.

The computer wrote: “As I recline on my

porch, imbibing sweet tea and observing fireflies weave their esoteric spell in the miasma of night, I am reminded that life’s most prepossessing moments are often the unexacting ones, akin to the trifling creatures that paint the darkness with incessant light.”

Here’s what I actually wrote about fireflies in a recent column: “I like lightning bugs. They have little butts that glow.”

Eventually, I began noticing a trend. The computer was under the impression that all Sean Dietrich does is sit on porches and sip sweet tea. Which is totally untrue. Sometimes I sit beneath overpasses.

So I asked the computer to write something about sweet tea in the style of Sean Dietrich.

“Sweet tea has memories woven into every drop. It’s laughter at family picnics, whispered confessions on a first date and the comforting presence of Grandma’s rocking chair as she passed her afternoons drinking the elixir that quenches thirst and nurtures the soul.”

Not bad. But false. For starters, my granny did not use a “rocking chair.” She had a rusted steel patio glider that was covered in tetanus. Secondly: Granny did not go to the porch to drink “elixir that quenches the thirst and nurtures the soul.” She went to the porch to dip Copenhagen and read her Bible.

I asked ChatGPT to list the titles of my most recent books.

“Here are some recent titles from author Sean Dietrich:

—‘American Conversations’

—‘A Lizard Named Percy’

—‘PawPaw Eats A Quilt’

—‘Moby Dick’”

PawPaw does what? None of these are true except the last one.

Finally, I asked the computer to write something about highway overpasses in the style of Sean Dietrich. This is what it actually wrote:

“A highway overpass is a snapshot of all the lives passing beneath it. As you drive beneath an overpass,

CONTRIBUTED BY SUNDILLA

AUBURN —

You don’t last for more than 50 years in the entertainment business if you aren’t very good at entertaining. And “Three On a String” is better than “very good.” They are fantastic, incredible, hilarious and legendary, and they’ll be bringing all of that and more to Sundilla on Friday, Aug. 25. The festivities will take place at the AUUF, 450 E. Thach Ave., in Auburn. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and advance tickets are $20. You can get those at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at www.sundillamusic.com; admission at the door will be $25. Free coffee, tea and water will be available, and the audience is invited to bring their own favorite food or beverage.

Describing themselves and their shows as “Mirth and Merriment,” member Jerry Ryan said “I hate it when I have more fun than the audi-

ence.”

Ryan and Bobby Horton were the original duo, as they teamed up for one performance at Horse Pens 40 in 1971. Someone suggested they add a bass and thus “Three on a String” was born. Some personnel changes and lots of one-nighters eventually evolved into performances with symphony orchestras in several states, including a nine city tour with the Alabama Symphony, opening for Bill Cosby, Red Skelton, Barbara Mandrel, Jeff Foxworthy, George Lindsey, Ray Stevens and many more top stars.

Though their aim is to get you laughing and smiling and then to keep you there, don’t be fooled into thinking that they only have comedy to offer. All four members of the group are excellent musicians. Horton is proficient on more than 20 instruments; you have heard his work in at least 10 documentaries from Ken Burns,

including those about the Civil War, baseball, the National Parks and Mark Twain. Andy Meginnis was an integral part of the band for more than a decade who left to work on his own projects for a while, then re-joined the group in 2013 and now said he is “having more fun than ever.” And Brad Ryan has grown up in the group, since taking over bass 30 years ago. It all culminated earlier this year with their long-awaited and much-deserved induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands (maybe more) of people who have enjoyed “Three On A String” in the past, you’ve already stopped reading and have hurried to secure your tickets. The rest of you don’t know what a treat you are in for. Most people have a reaction similar to this “thank you” from a venue: “Your program had the perfect

See SUNDILLA, page A15

SEAN DIETRICH

"Three On a String", the band performing at Sundilla in Auburn Aug. 25, was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2023.

wash the berries well to remove any pesticides.

A yogurt parfait with layers of Greek yogurt, fruit and granola is a yummy treat that can be assembled the night before or quickly the next morning.

There are two granola recipes to check out. Bake a big batch on weekends and store in air-tight canisters for a quick breakfast. Try making granola bars for a grab and go treat.

Keep hearty, nutritious breads and muffins on hand to serve with a smoothie. Instead of putting butter on toasted breads, spread almond butter or natural peanut butter. Be sure to check labels, look for ones that are ground roasted nuts, and avoid any with sugar, palm oil and other added ingredients.

Almond or peanut butter also adds flavor to oatmeal. It is just as easy to prepare regular oatmeal in the microwave as it to make the

DIETRICH>>

FROM A10

take a moment to listen — you might hear the echoes of stories left behind, the stories of journeys taken and the endless hum of life as it quickly changes.

sweetened packages, and it is much healthier. If sweetness is desired, add fruit.

For a change, add mashed avocado to a slice of toast. It is flavorful plain or topped with tomatoes and feta, sliced boiled or lightly fried egg. When preparing eggs for children, be sure they are completely cooked. Undercooked eggs increase the risk of food-borne illnesses.

Pancakes can be prepared ahead and frozen. Single servings can be reheated in the microwave. Instead of syrup, top a sweet stack with blueberries or strawberries.

School mornings can be hectic times getting children dressed and to classes on time, but planning ahead will help in getting a hearty, nutritious breakfast together. Nutritionists say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and research has shown children do better in school after a good breakfast.

So the next time you are beneath an overpass, tip your hat to the poor souls you see underneath the bridge, for they are relics, silent witnesses to the beautiful mess of human existence.”

We’re all a’screwed.

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

SMOOTHIES

Jamie Bell

1 container all natural vanilla yogurt

Handful of frozen strawberries

1 brownish banana

Handful of clean spinach leaves

½ cup crushed ice

½ cup water or pineapple juice

*Optional ¼ cup milled flaxseed, honey

Puree ingredients in blender until desired consistency.

FRUIT SMOOTHIE

Heather Cummings

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 cup frozen strawberries

1 banana, frozen

¼ cup orange juice

Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

FRUIT YOGURT SMOOTHIE

8 oz. container low fat vanilla yogurt

2 cups fat free milk

½ cup frozen pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 banana, chopped

Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Makes about

5 cups.

GRANOLA, YOGURT AND FRUIT PARFAIT

Can prepare night before and store in refrigerator.

Granola

Greek yogurt, any flavor

Fresh fruit of your choice

In a clear glass or bowl, layer ingredients.

OUR

We make a new batch of this each week to store in the pantry. We eat it as cold cereal with milk, on yogurt, or just as a snack.

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup each of assorted chopped nuts, total 3 cups (Our favorites are macadamia, pecans and sliced almonds.)

1 cup shredded coconut

½ cup packed brown sugar

⅓ cup maple syrup

⅓ cup melted coconut oil

2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice

1 cup raisins (optional)

Combine all dry ingredients except raisins into a large bowl. Stir in maple syrup and oil. Stir well to combine.

Spread mixture onto 2 to 3 sheet pans and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking. Once cool, add raisins, if desired. Let cool completely and then store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

OVERNIGHT SKILLET FRENCH TOAST

Sherry Freeman

The next morning, brown slices in a skillet until crisp and golden.

4 to 6 slices white bread (3/4 inch thick)

3 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

Arrange bread in pan close together so no space is unfilled.

Mix eggs, milk, sugar and salt. Slowly pour about 1/2 mixture over bread. Turn each slice and pour remaining mixture over that. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, lift each slice with spatula and place in hot skillet with pat of margarine and cook until crisp and golden.

Serve immediately with syrup or preserves.

GRANOLA MIX WITH DRIED FRUIT

Heather Cummings

Good added to yogurt for a quick breakfast.

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup chopped mixed nuts

Salt Cinnamon

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

3 Tbsp. honey

2 cups mixed dried fruit (Sometimes I just add raisins.)

Toss oats, nuts and a pinch of salt and cinnamon with vegetable oil and honey. Spread on a baking sheet and bake 25 minutes at 325 degrees, tossing to ensure even baking. Cool; stir in dried fruit.

OVERNIGHT CINNAMON BUNS

Heather Cummings

Frozen Rich’s dough balls (1 pkg.)

Cinnamon Chopped pecans

1 stick butter

½ cup brown sugar

1 box regular (not instant) vanilla pudding

Grease 9x13-inch baking dish. Put frozen dough balls into a Ziploc bag. Coat dough balls with cinnamon and toss in bag. Put chopped nuts in bottom of dish. Place frozen balls on top.

See CIPPERLY RECIPES, page A12

Melt butter, brown sugar and pudding in a pan. Pour over balls. Cover with plastic wrap and leave out overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Invert on a plate, cookie sheet, or other flat surface and enjoy.

GRANOLA BARS

2 cups low fat granola cereal

¼ cup brown sugar

1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries, cherries or blueberries

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients. Spray or grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Press ingredients into pan. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly brown.

MINI BREAKFAST QUICHES

Beth Campbell

Can be made ahead and reheated.

½ lb. hamburger or sausage

1/3 cup chopped onions

1 tsp. butter

½ cup mayonnaise

1 tsp. cornstarch

½ cup milk

8 oz. shredded cheese

2 eggs, beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can of biscuits

Brown the hamburger or sausage. Sauté onions in butter.

In a mixing bowl, add the hamburger or sausage, onions and other ingredients together (except biscuits). Grease a mini or regular muffin pan. Cover the bottom of each with a pinch of biscuit dough. Use just enough to cover or the quiche will be too doughy.

Next, pour the egg mixture to the top of each cup.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or longer for regular muffin size until egg mixture is firm.

APPLE PUFF PANCAKE

Hattie Lett

Hattie will often make two and reheat the second one the next day in the microwave.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Once the oven is preheated, place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven to heat.

3 eggs, beaten ¾ cup plain flour

½ tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

¾ cup milk

1 apple, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix sugar and cinnamon together in quart Zip-Lock bag; add sliced apples. Sift flour and salt; add beaten eggs. Whisk and slowly add milk. Remove skillet from oven. Add butter. When melted, add apple slices in a swirl pattern. Pour flour mixture over apple slices.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with hot syrup (can use sugar-free or lite syrup).

AVOCADO TOASTS WITH TOPPINGS

Set out assorted toppings, and let everyone make their own. Double or triple recipe for more servings.

1 avocado, cut in half and pit removed

Fresh lemon juice

Salt to taste

2 slices toasted whole wheat or sourdough breaded or bread of choice

Toppings: Sliced boiled egg, bacon, softcooked egg or sliced cherry tomatoes and feta

Remove avocado from shell and place in a small bowl.

Squeeze lemon juice over avocado and mash. Season with salt. Spread over toasted break. Serve as is or select a topping.

MAKE-AHEAD EGG

AND SAUSAGE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Dinah Motley

1 lb. bulk sausage

6 slices white bread, crusts removed

Butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 cups shredded Longhorn cheese

6 eggs

2 cups half-and-half

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

Brown sausage, stirring to crumble. Drain and set aside.

Butter each slice of bread and cut into cubes; place in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle sausage over bread and top with cheese. Combine eggs, half-and-half, salt and mustard; beat well and pour over casserole. Chill at least 8 hours. Bake at 350 degrees 40 to 50 minutes.

GERMAN PANCAKES IN MUFFIN TINS WITH STRAWBERRY

SYRUP

Jamie Bell

1 cup milk

6 eggs

1 cup flour

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. orange zest

¼ cup melted butter

Toppings:

Butter and brown sugar or Strawberry

Syrup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease two muffin tins. Blend the first six ingredients, and then add melted butter a little at a time. Bake for 15 minutes until they look puffy and golden. As they cool, they will indent making the pancake look like a cup. Fill with butter and brown sugar or berry syrup.

Strawberry Syrup

Puree 2 pints of strawberries, blueberries or blackberries (or all three) and put in a pot. Add 1 or 2 Tbsp. white sugar, couple of squirts of lemon or lime juice and 1 tsp. cornstarch. Bring to a gentle boil, and stir until it thickens just a little bit.

BUNDT BREAKFAST PIZZA

Michelle Hodges

2 containers canned biscuits

Chopped ham

Shredded Swiss cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Open one can of biscuits. Tear biscuits into pieces and cover bottom and small portion sides of Bundt pan. Add ham and Swiss cheese on top of biscuits. Tear off second canned biscuits and add to top of ham and cheese.

Repeat with more ham and cheese. (Remember to add biscuits to side of Bundt pan, so ham and cheese won't burn) Final layer will be biscuits on top.

Let it sit for 7 minutes, then place Bundt on cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until top becomes golden brown. Take out of oven and cool for 5 minutes.

With a spatula, go around Bundt to pull biscuits off sides of pan. Place a plate on top and turn over and shake. Cut into pieces like a cake and serve.

OVERNIGHT BAKED FRENCH TOAST

Simply bake and serve.

1 loaf French bread

8 eggs

2 cups milk

1 cup half and half

1 ½ Tbsp. sugar

¾ tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. vanilla

Cinnamon

2 Tbsp. butter, softened Confectioner’s sugar, optional

Slice French bread and place in a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Mix eggs, milk, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla and two dashes of cinnamon. Pour over bread; cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, spread softened butter over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with syrup or fruit topping.

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

½ cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 egg

½ cup milk

1½ cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. soda

1 ½ cup blueberries, coated with 3 Tbsp. flour

Combine sugar and butter. In separate small bowl, beat egg; add milk.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and soda. Add flour mixture alternately with milk and egg mixture to sugar and butter. Fold in floured blueberries.

Pour into greased muffin tins.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

Can use frozen blueberries that have been thawed.

MAKE-AHEAD ORANGE FRENCH TOAST WITH ORANGE SYRUP

Linda Deyo

16 oz. loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch slices

3 cups milk

6 eggs, beaten

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

Grated rind of 1 orange

Butter or margarine

Orange Syrup (recipe follows)

Place bread slices in a large baking dish. Combine milk, eggs, sugar and orange rind; beat well, and pour evenly over bread slices. Place in refrigerator overnight.

Melt about 1 Tbsp. butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add a few slices of bread at a time and cook until golden brown on both sides; add more butter as needed. Serve hot with orange syrup.

Makes about 8 servings

Orange Syrup:

6 oz. can frozen orange juice

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan; bring to

a boil, and cook 10 minutes. Serve hot over French toast, pancakes or waffles. Makes about 2 ½ cups.

OATMEAL PANCAKES

(Can freeze ahead)

2 cups pancake and waffle mix

1 ½ cups water

½ cup oatmeal (uncooked)

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

¾ tsp. cinnamon

Heat griddle to 350 degrees. Grease lightly. Combine all ingredients; mix just until large lumps of pancake mix disappear. For each pancake, pour ¼ cup batter onto griddle. Turn when pancakes begin to rise and edges looked cooked.

To freeze: Wrap pancakes in foil or place in freezer bag. Store in freezer up to three months. To reheat, stack three pancakes on plate; microwave for 1 ½ minutes.

LEMON-HONEY

YOGURT MUFFINS

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

¼ cup sugar

2 Tbsp. honey

2 eggs, room temperature

1¼ cups plain or lemon yogurt

¼ cup melted butter, cooled

1 Tbsp. lemon zest

Syrup Glaze

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup granulated sugar

3 Tbsp. water

Combine dry ingredients; set aside. In a large bowl, mix remaining muffin ingredients. Stir in dry ingredients until just moistened. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake at 375 degrees about 15 minutes.

While muffins bake, combine syrup glaze in small saucepan. Boil 1 minute. When muffins are done, pierce top of muffins two or three times with a fork. Drizzle 2 to 3 tsp. glaze over the muffin. Cool 3 minutes; remove from tins.

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

Glory! I reckon I say it 40 times a day. It is more than a wonderful habit; it expresses who I am. It’s my way of paying tribute to the power and presence of God in my daily life.

It’s not a Sunday word. Like many of my generation,

Forty Times A Day

I grew up with Sunday clothes and Sunday shoes. But shouting “Glory” is an everyday thing for me. Every day there are occasions that stimulate a spontaneous expression of joy or gratitude for what God is doing in my life and in the lives of others. What do I mean? One example is a phone call from a friend who says, “I just wanted to hear the sound of your voice!” That is a “Glory Moment” for me. A lovely card, one of those “five dollar” cards, arrives in the mail with a simple message — “I love you and I am praying for you!” I am saying “Glory” as quickly as a friend might say “Bless you” after I sneeze. Sometimes there are

“Double Glory” moments, like the phone call I received the other day from Paul Law in Indiana. I had not heard from or talked to Paul in more than 50 years. He was home on furlough from his lifelong service as a missionary in Congo, Africa. Now 76 years old, Paul said, “I just wanted to thank you for your influence in my life.” He explained that the occasion was a weekend when, as a young man, he heard me speaking in a conference at Blue Lake Camp.

Truly a double glory moment. Only a loving God could have arranged for a 76-year-old missionary to call a 91-year-old preacher to share such encouraging

MARY MILLIGAN WOODHAM

Mary Milligan Woodham was born and welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 7:25 p.m.

Mary Milligan is the daughter of Cowan and Elizabeth Woodham of Enterprise. She is survived by her parents; her big brother, Walker; her big sister, Charleston; her paternal grandparents, Warwick and Lori Woodham of Montgomery; her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Jeri Earnest of Auburn; her greatgrandparents, Don and Leta Muraski of Enterprise; and many loving uncles, aunts and cousins.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her greatgrandparents, John and Anne Woodham, Marilyn Muraski, Milligan and Margaret Earnest and Ward and Peggy Allen.

While sweet Mary Milligan’s time on this earth was short, the impact she had on everyone who knew her and loved her is eternal. We expectantly await the day when we will see her precious face once more and embrace her in our arms again.

Visitation began at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, at Searcy Funeral Home in Enterprise, Alabama. A celebration of her life followed at 11 a.m. Mary

Milligan’s parents are requesting that all who attend wear light or bright colors to honor the light this sweet girl was to all who knew and loved her, and as a reminder that Jesus is our light and our salvation. It is through Him that we have the hope and promise of seeing Mary Milligan again one day.

You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at Searcy Funeral Home’s website: www. searcyfuneralhome.com.

JAMES CHANCE

Mr. James Chance, of Opelika, Alabama, passed away on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at his home.

James who was born to his parents, Elbert and Hopi Lee Chance, on June 24, 1943, spent most of his life in Opelika, working many years at Uniroyal and then eventually Opelika High School and later Sun Self Storage. A little over 30 years ago, he married his loving wife, Linda Stebbins Chance.

James is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Rayford Edward Chance.

He is survived by his wife Linda Stebbins Chance; children Lesa Allen (Franklin), Tosha Rourks (Chris), James Durwood Chance (Lorraine), William Harrison (Denise), Johnny

words! What a magnificent moment for me! I assumed Paul had retired from his work in Africa. Wrong! He said, “My wife and I are going back to continue the wonderful ministry God has given us there.” I was still trembling with joy when the call ended. And my “Glory” was louder than ever, though heard only by my dog Buddy – and the good Lord! Glory is not a new word. It’s scattered throughout the Bible, 285 times in fact. It appears 160 times in the Old Testament and in every book of the New Testament. King David loved it so it may be found in the Psalms 44 times. One of the most familiar of those verses is Psalm 19:1 — "The heavens

OBITUARIES

Harrison and Terry Harrison; siblings Donald Chance (Ann), Patrick Chance (Patricia) and Rita Chance (Andy). A memorial service will be held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in the Chapel on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, beginning at 2 p.m..

VICKI MILLER PIERCE

Vicki Miller Pierce, 67, of Opelika, passed into her eternal home unexpectedly on Aug. 8 ,2023, at East Alabama Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Walter Lamar Pierce; mother Bobbie Miller; father Raymond Miller; sister Deborah Townley; and sister-in-law Janet Miller.

She is survived by her son Adam (Kathi) Pierce of Opelika, Jessica (Jason) Ward of Waverly; grandchildren Hannah Pierce, Maddie (Mason) Bass and Zach Pierce (Stefy Valencia) all of Opelika; great-granddaughter Lennyn Bass; brothers Dennis (Kathy) and Mark Miller. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, along with children and grandchildren she has adopted as her own over the years.

Vicki worked 26 years with East Alabama Medical Center in insurance

declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Most often David uses glory as a noun, but he also uses it as a verb, an adverb and an adjective. Here are examples:

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” — Psalm 34:3

“Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” — Psalm 66:2

“Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.”

— Psalm 72:19

As I write this, yet another storm is raging outside with heavy rain, loud thunder and lightning while I am reading Psalm 29. David is inviting us to “worship the Lord of glory

and strength.” He tells us “the voice of the Lord is powerful; the God of glory thunders over the waters.” I love verse nine: “The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’”

David concludes that Psalm with these words: “The Lord blesses his people with peace.”

That reminds me that life is a mixture of both joy and sorrow. The storms do descend. But in the midst of all that is, the finest response we can make to our heavenly Father is simply this: No matter what, Lord, I will continue shouting “Glory” to express my gratitude for your love, your power and your presence! Glory!

verification and patient registration. She was a faithful member of Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard. She served faithfully as a volunteer at the hospital after her retirement alongside her husband for a number of years. She thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the lives of her grandchildren and spent many hours at band performances, show choir competitions and baseball games. There are countless kids from these events who also called her “Gran.”

She was looking forward to a trip with other senior adults of Providence, to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky next month. She truly loved her Sunday School class and enjoyed being a part of their excursions and study time. Vicki had a heart for everyone, and will be deeply missed by those that knew her.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, with family receiving friends at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church West Campus. Rusty Sowell will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made in her honor to Providence Baptist Church or the Spencer Cancer Center where she volunteered.

Greta Ruth Taylor Raines, 82, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away on Aug. 10, 2023, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Lee Taylor and Mary Clyde Perry Taylor; her husband, James Robert Raines; her son James Robert Raines II; her brother Thomas Roy Taylor and sister-in-law Joan Carole Barrett Taylor.

She is survived by her two daughters,Jon Rochelle Raines Marlowe (John) and Denise Leigh Raines McCullars (Terry); one son Daniel Willis Raines (Mary); one sister Evelyn Lee Taylor Harrison (James); six grandchildren, Taylor Rochelle Thomas Trice (Nolan), Jonathan James Thomas (Ally), Sara Carole Raines Hopper (Trey), James Joseph Raines, Rebekah Danielle Raines and Bailey MacKenzie Thomas.

Greta was born on Sept. 24, 1940, in Pocahontas, Virginia. She graduated from Pocahontas High School and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Radford University. She furthered her education with a master’s degree from Virginia Tech. She taught English for 32 years in Prince William County, Virginia. She loved her students dearly and loved being in the classroom. She retired in 1998, but

always missed being in the classroom.

She loved being in church and was a faithful member of Berry Freewill Baptist Church in Berry, Alabama. She was a faithful wife, mother and Meem to her family. She was the absolute sweetest person who lovingly dedicated her life to sacrificing and doing for others.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, Aug. 13, at Berry Freewill Baptist Church in Berry, Alabama.

SANDRA ELIZABETH HUBER

Sandra Elizabeth Huber, 62, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023.

Sandi was born on June 25, 1961, to parents Carolyn and Richard in Chicago, Illinois. After Sandi graduated from Largo High School in Florida, Sandi went on to study education at the University of South Florida. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, she started her first job as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines (TWA). Working for TWA, she met her first husband, William Klingler. Sandi and Bill retired from TWA and went on to have two daughters, McLaurine and Mary Ashton. Bill worked as an Alabama

See OBITUARIES, page A14

GRETA RUTH TAYLOR RAINES

RELIGION —

Here’s a quick look at some context for the letter of James that I think will be helpful for framing its words and applying its teaching in our lives.

James is writing

The Way Out is Always Up

to dispersed Jewish people experiencing trials. The history of dispersion began for Israel in the middle of the eighth century BC with the Assyrians and later continued with Babylonians. In New Testament times we see it when the church at Jerusalem was scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). You can’t talk about Jewish history without talking about dispersion.

Here’s what that means to us: many of us know what it’s like to move somewhere new and start from the ground up. You don’t know anyone, no one knows you.

For people of faith there is the challenge of trying to make new spiritual connections. In other words, you have to deal with a lot of new circumstances and situations with no established support network. Dispersion brings with it its own challenges that can easily morph into trials. Poverty was one of the trials the people James was writing to faced. Again, it you’re a new person in a new place without any connections, you have to start at the bottom. You don’t have the luxury of having an “in” with someone or going to work for family or someone who already

knows you. Instead, you’re the person standing with others when the truck comes by, and you hope you’ll be picked. Otherwise, it could be a long day.

There’s an additional element in play with the people James is writing to. They were being oppressed by certain wealthy people. In James 5:4, we find out they had withheld wages from their workers. In 2:6-7 we learn they were exploiting the poor, taking them to court and “blaspheming the noble name of Him to whom you belong.” They were weighing down people who were already living uphill.

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

Failure to trust God is worse than any trial. That’s what James tells them. With these words he’s not minimizing their struggles or hardships — he’s providing them with the hope and help they need. He’s giving them something to hang on to. Faith in God meant they could be more than victims.

There’s a real need for this. We live in a culture where victimhood is embraced in unhealthy ways. It is used to get attention, make money, avoid responsbility, etc. There’s a right and a wrong way to respond

CHURCH DIRECTORY

METHODIST

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church

301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

BAPTIST

Beulah Baptist Church

5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

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

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Road

OBITUARIES

FROM A13

>>

cattleman and pecan farmer, and Sandi was a stay-athome mother.

Sandi enjoyed cooking, and her skills with unique recipes won an enormous number of awards, including dozens of ribbons; her recipes are in many cookbooks, and her submissions on many cookbook covers. One of her most famous wins was on The Food Network for “My Big Fat Bumpy Life Cake," Whirlpool’s Second Annual Unique Cake Contest, whose viewing success was repeated annually on The Food Network for nearly a decade during the holidays.

In 2011 Sandi met her second husband, Marc, a world-traveled retiree. They married at St. Michael

Valley 334-710-2117

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

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

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

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

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST

the Archangel Church in Auburn, Alabama, in 2012.

Sandi and Marc traveled extensively during their marriage and shared a love of cooking and animals.

The care and devotion of Sandi’s life on earth will find a lasting reward in heaven.

Sandi was predeceased by her husband Bill and father Richard. She is survived by her husband Marc; mother Carolyn; daughters McLaurine and Mary Ashton, son-in-law Robert and grandson Bobby.

Services were held at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Auburn, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, starting at 1 p.m. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to Catholic Charities, a charity Sandi was passionate about.

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

Church Of Christ

2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721

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

CHURCH OF GOD Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

EPISCOPAL- AME

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

EPISCOPAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRUCE GREEN

Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. — Proverbs 11:25

See GREEN, page A15

Auburn, Opelika MOPS say “YES” to a New Exciting Year

CONTRIBUTED BY BETH PINYERD

AUBURN-OPELIKA —

MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, children from birth through kindergarten. MOPS is a grassroots movement that believes moms influence the world. Better moms make a better world. The MOPS International theme for 2023-24 is “Say Yes”

to friendships, teaching, leadership development, creative activities and Moppets childcare, where young children are taught, engage in activities, have fun and make friends while their mothers are learning relevant teaching in their MOPS meetings.

Auburn/Opelika MOPS meets at its host church Pepperell Baptist Church,

What's Happening in Lee County

FARMER'S MARKETS

2702 Second Ave. in Opelika.

Thursday, Aug. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m., MOPS is having an Open House at Pepperell Baptist Church for mothers and children to come and meet MOPS mothers to find out what is planned for this coming year.

On Thursday, Aug. 31, at 9 a.m., MOPS is planning a playdate on the playground at Pepperell Baptist Church.

On Thursday, Sept. 7, MOPS resumes at Pepperell Baptist Church. Contact Rachel Elrod at 706-2445620 or Kaela Sexton at 719-351-8093 for further information about MOPS.

GREEN >>

FROM A14

to the bad happenings of life and James wants us to make sure that we choose the right way by meeting our trials with

BURGERS >> FROM A9

together to rebrand the event this year as “Burgers for Bubba”, in honor of Opelika Firefighter Media

Zachary "Bubba" Sorenson, who passed away July 29, 2023.

“The Burgers and Badges Grill-Off" was something Bubba looked forward to each year,” said Opelika Fire Department Chief Shane Boyd. “He was the voice and cheerleader for the fire department and truly loved this event.

“We appreciate the

SUNDILLA >>

FROM A10

balance of musical entertainment and humor.

It has been well over five weeks and I am still getting compliments on how much our people enjoyed you! One man said, 'I haven't laughed that hard in a very

faith. Without that, we are “like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (v. 6). He goes on to say, “That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord? (v. 7).

committee making this change. We can’t think of a better way to show our love and respect for Bubba other than having this event in his honor.”

Opelika Police Department and Opelika Power Services will come together to cook this year and will be offering two different types of burgers, each named in honor of Sorenson; The Unicorn Burger and The Strongman Burger. It will cost $5 to receive a burger, chips and a drink, and all proceeds will be donated to The United Way of Lee County in

long time.' Another lady said, 'I laughed so much, my cheeks hurt!

Thanks for presenting a good, clean, entertaining and completely hilarious program. Our people have demanded that you come back!'"

You do not want to miss this one, but if you don’t hurry to

Nothing has changed over the centuries — the way out is always up.

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

Sorenson's name.

“In years past we have enjoyed a friendly competition between the Opelika Police Department and Opelika Fire Department, but this year we felt the best way to proceed was to come together and show our support for our brothers and sisters at the fire department as they mourn the loss of Bubba,” said Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey.

There will also be train rides and face painting for $2 each, lemonade for $1 and other fun games and activities.

get your tickets, you just might. There are a limited number of $20 advance tickets available at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at sundillamusic. com; admission at the door is $25.

For more information, go to sundillamusic. com.

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

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

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

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

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

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

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

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

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

SPICER'S MUSIC 10TH ANNUAL FALL KICKOFF

Celebrate music, education, and community with Spicer's Music 10th annual fall Kickoff event. The Spicer's Music fall Kickoff event is free to attend and open to the public. Families, students and music enthusiasts are all invited on Aug. 19 for a celebration of music, with great food, raffles for retail shoppers, community connection and a chance to learn more about music from industry leaders Taylor Guitars and Mythos pedals.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Sept. 20, 2023, at 7 p.m. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn.

Schools & S

ports

ON THE MARK

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Preparing for Thompson

OPINION —

We are one week away from Opelika playing Thompson in the 2023 AHSAA Kickoff Classic hosted by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA).

Selma and Beauregard will officially open the 2023 Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) high school football season

Thursday night, Aug. 24, at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl. Opelika (5-5 in 2022) and Thompson (11-3 in 2022) will play Friday night, Aug. 25, in the second game of the kickoff classic. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m. and will be televised over the AHSAA TV Network and live streamed over the NFHS Network. AHSAA TV partner, WOTM TV of Sylacauga, will produce the game for the NFHS Network.

The two head coaches said they are proud to be playing in the kKickoff Classic. Thompson's Mark Freeman, who starts his ninth season at Thompson and his 25th

AU Fishing Duo Claims Wire-to-Wire Victory

CONTRIBUTED BY B.A.S.S

AUBURN —

Thanks to an afternoon rally that produced several largemouth over 3 1/2 pounds, Auburn University’s Tucker Smith and Hayden Marbut caught 18 pounds on Saturday to win the Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship at Pickwick Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops with a threeday total of 53 pounds, 12 ounces.

season as a head coach, is 71-8 in the last six seasons and has won the last four class 7A Championships. Freeman talked about the Kickoff Classic during an interview on my radio show, "On the Mark" on FOX Sports the Game.

"We are excited to be returning to the AHSAA Kickoff Classic event in Montgomery where we had a great experience in 2018 against James Clemens when the Classic was called the ‘Champions Challenge,’” Freeman said. “And we look forward to a great experience versus Opelika. Coach Speakman does a tremendous job, and Opelika has a great program. We appreciate the AHSAA for extending an invitation, and we are blessed to have an opportunity to compete against a great Opelika program within the state of Alabama."

Opelika's Erik Speakman also discussed the Kickoff Classic during an interview with "On the Mark" on FOX Sports the Game.

“We are excited about See ON THE MARK, page B3

Due to construction, the Opelika SportsPlex & Aquatics Center will be CLOSED Tuesday, Aug. 22 and Aug. 23. Normal hours will resume Aug. 24, 2023.

Smith and Marbut never trailed in the event, claiming the lead on Day 1 with a 20-8 bag before landing 15-4 on the second day.

Together, it is the duo’s second victory in a Bassmaster Championship event. Their first win was also in wire-to-wire fashion at the 2020 Bassmaster High

School National Championship at Kentucky Lake.

After winning that tournament, Smith and Marbut had conversations about what it would be like to win

the College Championship when they teamed back up at Auburn. They made that hope a reality in their first season reunited as partners.

“The last couple of

years we have joked about winning both National Championships,” Marbut said. “For it to actually happen and our dreams to See FISHING, page B5

Fox Run School Hosting Ribbon Cutting, Community Open House

CONTRIBUTED BY OCS

OPELIKA —

The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly constructed Fox Run School, 1100 Fox Run Parkway, will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at 4:15 p.m., prior to the monthly Opelika City Schools (OCS) Board of Education meeting. Due to the limited time between the ribbon cutting and the board meeting at 5 p.m., OCS invites members of the community to tour the new school on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. during the Community Open House. The event is open to the public.

Fox Run School construction began in April 2022 and was completed in July 2023 at a cost of $25

million. The newly constructed sixth grade school is 62,000 square feet and contains 28 classrooms, two administrative suites, media center, activity room and a cafeteria.

Noted features include

the monumental learning staircase located near the center of the building, a large compass located in the greenspace at the back of the school, and an ICC 500-2014 storm shelter within the building to

house students and staff in case of inclement weather. The construction manager for the project was Bailey-Harris Construction Company and the architectural firm was TURNERBATSON.

Hayden Marbut and Tucker Smith of Auburn University have won the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship at Pickwick Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops with a three-day total of 53 pounds, 12 ounces.

The new Fox Run School will be open for a community tour Sunday, Aug. 27.

Breaking Limits in Life, Sports, Leadership

New Gymnastics Gym ‘Limitbreakers’ Opens Aug. 19

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — Limitbreakers, a new, local gym offering gymnastics, cheerleading and leadership classes, is holding its grand opening this Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Located at 3766 Pepperell Pkwy., in the old Xtreme Athletics building, Limitbreakers’ grand opening is sponsored by Kali Chadick with State Farm, and will feature a bounce house, face painting, a DJ, an obstacle course, snow cones, sponsor booths and the Rollin Rackz Bar B Que food truck. The event is free and open to all of the public.

“The goal of our grand re-opening is we just really want to open our doors to the community to give them an opportunity to come inside, see the

changes we have made in the building, meet some of our staff,” Sexton said. “Our goal is to be a place where athletes can grow and learn more than just about sports … just to let it be a fun event for the community and one that everyone in the family can enjoy.”

Limitbreakers is the passion project of owners Miranda Sexton, Max Allen and Andy Barnes.

Sexton and Allen have been coaching gymnastics together for over 10 years now, and decided to take over Xtreme Athletics in February of this year. The new business kept its doors closed for remodeling the first few months, but opened this summer for some classes and clinics.

“Ever since [February] we have been rebranding into Limitbreakers,” Sexton said. “[Max and I] worked in two different gyms together and its

always kind of been a goal of ours to become a gym owner. When we started coaching together we quickly realized our values and discipline aligned.”

This weekend, Limitbreakers is welcoming the community to all its offering with its grand opening.

“We wanted to wait until this fall when more people are back in town consistently to do the grand

Auburn Cross Country Announces 2023 Schedule

ATHLETICS

CONTRIBUTED BY AU

AUBURN —

The Auburn cross country program’s 2023 schedule will feature five regular season meets, including three in the state of Alabama and a trip to Massachusetts, under the leadership of third-year distance coach Aaron Kindt.

“I’m excited to get the season started with this group,” Kindt said. “We return a lot of experience on the men’s side and we have a young, talented group incoming on the women’s side. I believe we have our most competitive teams yet and we’ve put together a schedule [that] reflects that.”

The Auburn men return nine letter-winners from a year ago including senior Ryan Kinnane, who qualified for the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships.

On the women’s side, the Tigers return seven letter-winners including Auburn native Samantha

Rogers, who was the team’s top finisher in three of six meets.

For the third consecutive year, the Tigers will open the season at the Foothills Invitational in Oxford, Alabama, on Sept. 1. The meet, which the Auburn women won a year ago, will be held at Choccolocco Park with action starting at 5:45 p.m. CT with the women’s race.

“This fall will provide us opportunities to see where we stack up early against the best in our region, while providing our teams a taste of national competition later in the fall at Boston,” Kindt said. “Our schedule provides a blend of great competition and new, exciting experiences that should have us prepared for SEC and regional championships at the end of the year.”

Two weeks later, Auburn will trek to Huntsville on Sept. 15 for the Southern Showcase at John Hunt XC Park.

Rounding out the month

will be the Tigers’ first-ever trip to the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 29.

Auburn’s last tune-up prior to the Southeastern Conference Championships will be on Oct. 13 at the Crimson Classic at the Harry Pritchett Running Course in Tuscaloosa.

South Carolina will host the SEC Championships for the first time in 13 years when the meet comes to Columbia on Friday, Oct. 27, at Charwood Golf Course.

NCAA postseason action will kick off the Tigers month of November with the NCAA South Regional in Gainesville, Florida. Should any Auburn team or individual qualify during the South Regional, they will advance to the NCAA Championships on Nov. 18 in Charlottesville,

See SCHEDULE, page B5

re-opening,” Sexton said.

Limitbreakers is housed in a renovated, 25,000-square-foot building which allows for it to carry out its mission, and instill its values and character rules in young athletes.

According to its website, Limitbreakers’ mission is to provide a culture that develops an athlete’s char-

acter, leadership ability and instills discipline and focus in and outside of the gym. Furthermore, Limitbreakers has four core values — instilling discipline, providing excellent customer service, fostering character growth and teaching athletic integrity.

“Our mission it to instill discipline and character growth that athletes can use in the gym for gymnastics and cheerleading, but also characteristics they can apply to life once they hand that leotard or cheer uniform up.”

According to its website, the foundation of Limitbreakers was built on three rules which drive the staff’s coaching and leadership philosophy. Those rules are:

1. Act older than you are

2. Keep an open mind and open heart

3. And sit in humility and rise in responsibility.

“[Act older than you

are] means to seek wisdom,” Sexton said. “Keep an open mind and open heart] means be slow to speak and quick to listen.

“Sit in humility and rise in opportunity] means you’re not the best version of yourself yet and there is always opportunity for growth, even when you think you have reached the top of that mountain, there is another step past that.”

Overall, Limitbreakers offers gymnastics, tumbling and cheer classes ranging from ages 2 to 13, and for all experience levels. Additionally, Limitbreakers offers independent classes, field trips, the ability to host birthday parties, and has summer camps for 2024 in the works.

For more information on Limitbreakers, visit thelimitbreakers.net, call 334-737-6666 or email limitbreakers2023@ gmail.com.

Auburn to play UNC Asheville in the Rocket City Classic

AUBURN — Auburn will play reigning Big South Conference champion UNC Asheville in the Rocket City Classic presented by Akima on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

For the first time in 20 years, the Tigers return to the VBC and Huntsville. It will mark the third time in program history to play a neutral-site game in the Rocket City next to Grambling in 2003 and Tennessee Tech in 1989.

Auburn is coming off a season that saw the Tigers advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, compiling a 21-13 record under head coach Bruce Pearl.

“I am excited to bring our team to participate in the Rocket City Classic and engage with the Auburn family throughout north Alabama, where we have some of the most loyal and passionate Auburn fans in the country,”

Pearl said. “To partner with our friends at Nations of Coaches to make this event happen will enable them to invest more in young men through their character-building and faith-based programs.

“UNC Asheville has been one of the top mid-major programs in this part of the country, so it will be a good test for us. I am also excited to bring Denver Jones home as well as Chaney Johnson, who started his collegiate career at UAH.”

Akima, a leader in the defense industry, has increased its presence in Huntsville with a recent acquisition of Pinnacle Solutions. Their increased presence aligns with the growth of Huntsville and continues Akima’s commitment to delivering superior outcomes for their customers.

“Akima is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Rocket City Classic and being part of the fabric of Huntsville,” said Bill Monet, president and

CEO of Akima. “We are committed to supporting the communities where our employees live and work, and we look forward to two great games this fall that will showcase the best of the Rocket City.”

The Rocket City Classic came together through a partnership with Nations of Coaches, the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Huntsville Sports Commission and KnightEady. Nations of Coaches is a non-profit supporting college basketball coaches and student-athletes with character building programs that focus on them as a person who plays basketball, not just a basketball player.

“We are always looking for opportunities to elevate our mission and increase support for the student-athletes and thanks to our friends in Huntsville we are able to make this dream a reality,”

See CLASSIC, page B5

Auburn University Leading SEC Consortium to Advance Innovation in AI eaching, Learning

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

AUBURN —

A new Auburn University-designed course to assist faculty in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) into the classroom has been adopted by the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for use at its 14 institutions.

A member of the SEC Artificial Intelligence Consortium since 2022,

Auburn’s contributions to the conference’s effort include expanding the availability of its course “Teaching with AI @ Auburn” to faculty at its member institutions.

As the first athletic conference to pledge a collective response to the growing role of AI in higher education, Auburn is among several universities delivering pragmatic solutions to critical questions on how faculty can effectively

integrate AI in their instruction and scholarship.

“Auburn’s use of and experimentation with AI through normative and novel pedagogical approaches add to the wealth of knowledge that the SEC academic consortium continues to generate,” said Vini Nathan, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs.

“While each institution plays a crucial role in

developing and using such technologies, I am proud that Auburn is able to strategically lead this effort through our faculty’s expertise, curiosity and institutional infrastructure.”

With the recent surge in AI technologies such as ChatGPT, faculty, students and universities are grappling with the potential impact on academic assignments, scholarly work and empirical research both now and in

the future. Faculty and researchers at Auburn continue to address these and other considerations through the university’s AI@AU initiative and programs offered by the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, or Biggio Center. In leveraging these efforts, the center developed the immersive course to support Auburn faculty looking to strategically incorporate generative

AI into course assignments and activities.

Now open to all SEC institutions, “Teaching with AI in the SEC” blends research advancements with constructive input from faculty and students. Covering key topics that include everything from AI basics to complex constructs and tools, the course’s eight virtual, in-depth modules support pedagogical practices and offer

See AI, page B8

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

Limitbreakers offer gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading courses.

Auburn to Open Legends Classic with Notre Dame in First-Time Meeting

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

AUBURN — Auburn will open the 2023 Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper with Notre Dame in a first-time meeting between the two programs on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The Tigers will face either Oklahoma State (OSU) or St. Bonaventure in the championship or third-place game on

Friday, Nov. 17. Auburn is tied 2-2 in the all-time series with OSU and 0-1 against the Bonnies.

This is Auburn’s second all-time Legends Classic appearance after beating New Mexico and Richmond enroute to hoisting the championship trophy in 2019.

Television and game times will be announced at a later date. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster. com.

ABOUT THE LEGENDS

New Additions to Auburn Radio Affiliates, Broadcast Team for 2023

CLASSIC PRESENTED BY OLD TRAPPER

First played in 2007, the Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper has become one of college basketball’s premier early-season tournaments. Featuring four teams from across the nation, the Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper annually attracts the top programs in the sport with an opportunity to win a championship in downtown Brooklyn.

Southern Union Holds Adult Education Graduation

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

AUBURN — The 2023 Auburn football season will introduce several new affiliates, as well as the addition of two familiar faces in new roles with the Auburn Sports Network broadcasting team. Highlighting the new affiliates this season is the addition of WINGS 94.3 as Auburn-Opelika’s official flagship station.

A total of 52 stations in five states in the Southeast will carry Auburn Tigers football, including the Atlanta market for the first time in over a decade. The affiliates list also includes the renewal of stations in major markets of Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile and Columbus, Georgia.

Fans can also hear Auburn Football broadcasts nationwide and globally via the Auburn Tigers gameday app, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and online at www. AuburnTigers.com. The popular and entertaining “In the Booth” camera on Auburn Tigers YouTube channel provides a unique and inside look at the broadcast each Saturday. Auburn Sports Network game day coverage begins three hours prior to kickoff.

as Stan White stepped aside after 22 years in the booth. Will Herring, also a member of Auburn’s undefeated season and SEC Champion team in 2004, will share sideline reporter duties with Ronnie Brown. Paul Ellen returns to anchor the tailgate show, halftime report and post-game show, while Brad Law continues in his role as pre-game and post-game locker room host.

The Auburn Sports Network is a division of Playfly Sports Properties, the exclusive multimedia rightsholder and marketer for Auburn University

Athletics. Auburn Sports Properties connects brands with the Auburn Family through broadcasts, in-venue visibility, event sponsorships, digital platforms, promotional rights and experiential opportunities.

2023 AUBURN FOOTBALL

RADIO AFFILIATES

Town | Affiliate | Frequency

Abbeville

WESZ — 98.7 FM

Albany, GA

WVRK — 102.9 FM

Alexander City

WKGA — 97.5 FM

Andalusia

WAAO — 93.7 FM

CONTRIBUTED BY SUSCC

OPELIKA — Southern Union (SU) State Community College hosted its 2023 Adult Education Graduation Ceremony for students who earned their general equivalency diploma. The ceremony was held July 28 on Southern Union’s Opelika campus.

“The adult education graduation is one of my favorite things to attend,” said SU President Todd Shackett. “By earning their GED, these students have

changed the trajectory of their lives and the lives of generations to come.”

The ceremony included a commencement address by Jason Flowers, director of the Fatherhood Initiative, Childcare Resource Center.

Participants in the graduation ceremony included: Seth Atkinson, Amber Blackmon, Amiracle Carter, Jermesha Farrow, Lily Grace, Lee Marie Ann King, Ashton Langdon, Se Eun Lee, Matthew Long, Alison Mills, Catherine Newell, Trin Salzman, Elizabeth Schenck, She-

Nominate Your Favorite Athletes of the Month

nika Smithson and Zavier Taylor.

Thirty-nine completed the GED program this year. All graduates received a three hour credit scholarship to SUSCC, and Schenck was the recipient of a one-year scholarship to the college for earning the highest GED score among ceremony participants. For more information about the GED program, as well as other programs and services offered through Adult Education, contact the adult education department at (334) 749-8480.

ON THE MARK >>

FROM B1

the opportunity to compete against Thompson in the Kickoff Classic,” he said. “When I was asked by the AHSADCA if we would accept the invitation, I had to think about it and ask our coaching staff but it did not take long for all to agree. We have always taken pride in playing a tough schedule and this game with the four-time defending 7A state champions proves that. Coach Mark Freeman and his staff have done an incredible job of building the Thompson program into a national power, and we look forward to competing against them in the season opener.”

Thank you to all our sponsors: State Rep. Debbie Wood, Kelley Legacy Law, Chickfil-A Tiger Town, Christie Hill State Farm and USA Cajun Station.

Fans can purchase tickets online at gofan.co, or pay cash at the Cramton Bowl ticket office. The Alabama legislature passed a law saying the general

Tiger Talk, Auburn’s popular weekly radio show, returns on Thursday nights at 6 p.m. CT starting on Aug. 24. The show will be held live in person at Baumhower’s Victory Grille in Auburn for all shows during home football game weeks.

Jason Campbell, the 2004 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, will assume analyst duties alongside the Voice of the Tigers Andy Burcham this season

public can purchase tickets with cash at all high school athletic events in the AHSAA. The past several years fans had to purchase tickets in advance online at gofan.co which is the best way to secure a ticket in advance.

Opelika fans can listen to all OHS football games beginning with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. on WKKR 97.7 KICKER FM, online at kickerfm. com and on the free iHeartRadio app.

OHS TIDBITS

Speakman has made a major change with his team's schedule. In the past, all football players took "athletics" during the last block of the day, fourth block. Players started fourth black around 1:50 p.m. every afternoon, allowing the players to start on football. This year, Speakman chose to follow the lead of some other coaches and moved

"athletics" for the varsity football players to first block. Players arrive by 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and a workout until second black starts around 9:40 a.m. Players take regular classes during fourth block and start football practice at 4 p.m. every day. Another positive with the change: players have off every Wednesday afternoon when the season starts.

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Lee-Scott Acedemy

Head of School, Dr. Stan Cox, confirmed to me last week that Lee-Scott has applied to join the Alabama High School Athletic Association for the 2025-26 school year. Lee-Scott acedemy is coming off an undefeated football season and won the AISA class 3A State Championship. The move is not a surprise to me because of the number of teams that have left the

AISA and those that plan to leave. I reported last week that up to four AISA high schools have applied for membership to the AHSAA.

Fort Dale was the first AISA school to announce its plan to apply for membership to the AHSAA. I have learned Glenwood and Autauga Academy are the other two class 3A schools that are seeking to join the AHSAA. The AISA will be forced to look at redoing its current model of three classifications, because only four class 3A teams would remain if the four schools join the AHSAA.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

Adult Education Instructor Tera Farrow poses with members of her class.

Southern Union Ready for Inaugural Season

Southern Union's inagural soccer season kicks off in Ellisville, Mississippi, against Jones College on Aug. 19. Pictured is the Bison playing an Aug. 13 preseason friendly against Point University.

The Bison won 3-1. Southern Union's men's and women's soccer teams will play their home games at the Opelika Sportsplex.

For more information on Southern Union's inaugural season, visit: www. suscc.edu and visit the "Athletics" page.

PHOTOS BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER

CLASSIC >>

FROM B2

said Tommy Kyle, executive director of Nations of Coaches. “We look forward to this being just the start of something

FROM B2

Virginia.

- Sept. 1 (Fri): Foothills Invitational Oxford, Alabama (Choccolocco Park)

- Sept. 15 (Fri): Southern Showcase Huntsville, Alabama (John Hunt XC Park)

special that allows us to pour more resources into building the next generation of leaders.”

New hospitality suites and courtside tickets will be available for the game. Tickets for the Rocket

- Sept. 29 (Fri):

Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown Boston, Massachusetts (Franklin Park)

- Oct. 13 (Fri):

Crimson Classic Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Harry Pritchett Running Course)

- Oct. 27 (Fri): SEC Championships

City Classic will officially go on sale to the public on Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. (CT) on Ticketmaster and the Von Braun Center Box Office.

Columbia, South Carolina (Charwood Golf Course)

- Nov. 10 (Fri):

NCAA South Regional Gainesville, Florida (Mark Bostick Golf Course)

- Nov. 18 (Sat):

NCAA Championships Charlottesville, Virginia (Panorama Farms).

FISHING >> FROM B1

come true this week, it is unbelievable.”

This victory only adds to Smith’s already impressive resume. Along with his three High School Championship titles, he won the 2021 Bassmaster College Team of the Year title with partner Logan Parks, as well as the Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open on Table Rock Lake.

The College Series Championship was an event Smith and Parks said they struggled with in their two attempts together, but Smith said he felt like this year at Pickwick would be different.

“We fished hard and, in the previous years I fished with Logan, we fished hard too but we didn’t get close,” Smith said. “This one felt different. This one felt special.”

With the victory, the Auburn anglers earned a spot in the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s. Smith finished second to Tristan McCormick at the 2021 Bracket on the Alabama River by 3 ounces and he has been anxious to get back ever since, he said.

“The last time I was there, it really hurt my feelings,” Smith said. “It will be good to be back and get another chance at it.”

HISTORY PAYS OFF FOR AUBURN ON FINAL DAY

Entering Championship Saturday, Smith and Marbut said they had a feeling their best two spots were drying up. After catching around 12 pounds between the two areas before midday, they made the decision to scrap their game plan and move to a ledge that has historically produced for them.

“At 12 o’clock we had 12 pounds,” Marbut said. “For it to happen in the last hour and a half, it is crazy.”

In practice, they scanned this particular spot and found only a couple of bass occupying it, but when they needed it the most, the spot was loaded and Smith and Marbut were able to quickly upgrade their final total.

“We threw the trolling motor down and there were a ton of fish there,” Smith said, “It was magical. It was a place that got hit by the current really well. It was near the main channel and once the clouds came over, it seemed like the bass grouped up really well and started feeding.”

While the current was almost too strong on day two, Marbut and Smith noticed it slowed down on the final day, which helped the bite as well.

A SNEAKY, OFFSHORE GAME PLAN

Smith and Marbut stayed offshore all week, hoping to find less-obvious places other competitors would overlook. They had two areas that produced best, one deep and one shallow. Both were relatively close to takeoff at Pickwick Landing State Park.

“We had never fished those spots until this tournament,” Smith said.

The majority of their weight the first two days came from the deeper school of bass, which was located in about 20 feet of water with shells on the bottom.

“We caught almost all of our weight on the first day and a good bit of our weight the second day off of it,”

Marbut said. “It was kind of up on a flat, away from where most people would scan. I think only one other boat found it.”

Their secondary, shallow school was in about 12 feet of water.

“It was way off the river,” Marbut said. “And that’s what we looked for. We focused on looking for sneakier stuff that not everyone would find.”

To catch their fish, they used a rotation of baits which included an unnamed 5-inch swimbait, a 3/4-ounce Picasso tungsten football jig with a Yamamoto Yama Craw trailer, a 3/8-ounce drop shot with a morning dawn colored Roboworm FAT straight-tail worm and a Damiki rig.

MULLINS, CUMMINGS FISH

MAGIC DOCKS TO FINISH SECOND

With a three-day total of 50-13, Levi Mullins and Matthew Cummings from Bethel University finished second. It was the duo’s second straight Top 12 in the College Championship — and while they came up just a little short of the win, they earned a spot in the Classic Bracket.

“I’ve watched three of my teammates go and start their careers there,” Mullins said, “Now we are going to have that opportunity. It is crazy to think about that.”

“Losing the National Championship is a rough feeling, but knowing you are going to the Bracket makes that a little easier,” Cummings added.

As hard as they tried, Mullins and Cummings could not find a consistent offshore bite during practice. So, on the first day, the Bethel duo ran down to a set of magical docks they have fished in the past and milked the area for three days, catching 18-5, 14-14 and 17-10.

The final day was tough, they said, but they filled their limit two minutes before running back to weigh in.

Brush was a key piece of cover underneath several of the docks, and bream and shad were plentiful in the area. Mullins skipped a 3/8-ounce Missile Baits Ike's Mini Flip Out jig in Bamer craw with a Missile Baits Mini D Chunk trailer most of the week while Cummings threw a Texas-rigged Senko in green pumpkin with a 3/16-ounce weight.

On the final two days, a ChatterBait also produced important keeper bites.

“Those docks have saved our tails three times now in tournaments,” Cummings said.

ONE AREA CARRIES MONTEVALLO TO THIRD

With bags of 17-8, 15-4 and 16-7, Brody Robison and Jack Alexander from the University of Montevallo finished third with a total of 49-3. Robison and Alexander spent most of practice scanning offshore areas of Pickwick Lake and found one spot that produced the majority of their bag.

“It was a straight river ledge, but there was a hard spot that stuck out into the current,” Robison said. “It was a great place for shells to group up and it also made a good feeding area for white bass and bass. We hung out there and tried to get five bass and we did it somehow.”

A drop shot, Damiki rig

and Strike King 10XD were their three best baits.

BRACKET DETAILS

The top three teams punched their ticket to the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, details of which will be announced at a later date. Nick Dumke and Easton Fothergill from the University of Montevallo already claimed their spot by winning the Team of the Year title. Full coverage of the event will be available on Bassmaster.com.

The winner of the Bracket will compete in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and receive paid entry into the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens with the use of a fully loaded Nitro Boat and Toyota Tundra.

Tour Hardin County hosted the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.

2023 Bassmaster College

Series Title Sponsor: Strike

King

2023 Bassmaster College

Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2023 Bassmaster College

Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2023 Bassmaster College

Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha

2023 Bassmaster College

Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

2023 Bassmaster College

Series Youth Sponsors: 13 Fishing, Seaguar, Shimano Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

ABOUT B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.

Bulldogs Give It All Before Season Opener

The varsity Opelika High School Bulldog football team begins its season in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's (AHSAA) Kickoff Classic against fourtime defending state champion Thompson at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl Thursday, Aug. 24. Pictured, the Bulldogs during the second to last week of fall practice before the season begins.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Tigers Complete First Fall Scrimmage

As school has started back in our preschools, as well as different childcare situations, we might hear that when young children separate from their parents at the classroom door, they do so with tears and crying. As adults, we can all remember those days as we think back

Tears At the Classroom Door

someone else can just rip your heart apart. But we early childhood teachers see this stop within three to four minutes after a parent leaves.

as “separation anxiety.”

Here at the beginning of the school year I wanted to review some earlier suggestions that I had made a few months ago to help parents with young children come through the separation anxiety tunnel. At different ages and developmental stages, anxiety and fear

In teaching toddlers, which begins around seven to eight months and goes for 24 months, separation anxiety is normal. Young children express this fear because they sense the parents will leave and not return. When younger children wander by crawling or walking away, they may be scared or anxious by the space or distance they are away from their parents. So many times, a young child this age may be having a wonderful day in the preschool classroom, but upon seeing parents return, they are reminded of how they felt when their parents left. When this happens, as a teacher, I explain to the parents that their child

feeling that came when a parent leaves. Talk to your child’s teacher on how their day went and how you as a parent can work with the teacher as you help your child get through the separation anxiety stage.

Parents, there is true light at the end of the tunnel of unpredictable reactions from young children being separated from parents. We see the morning tears and crying decrease between the ages of 2 and 3. As an early childhood teacher, I love to see these separation challenges become easier and just disappear. It is so great to see a child wave goodbye to a parent with a smiling child eager to start their day of learning, activities and being with friends.

One suggestion I would like to make that makes it so much easier on the child, the class

are away from their parents. Too, if a child is attending a new daycare center, preschool or has a new childcare giver, this can contribute to separation anxiety.

One thing, as a teacher and parent, that connects a child to that feeling of closeness in going through separation anxiety is to allow a child to bring items from home such as a blanket, pacifier (depending on the age), toy or favorite stuffed animal that they are close to. I love that blankets and pacifiers may be brought out at the beginning of class in the preschool class that I teach at church. But it is so nice that as our toddlers, two’s and three’s get engaged in classroom activities, we can gently fold the blankets back up and put them in their backpacks. Be sensitive to the needs of the teacher and class

scary — like on the first weeks of school. As a teacher, when I have read this book to my early childhood classes, I truly see a peace come into little faces. Parents creating and setting up little family assurances, such as carrying your hugs and kisses into the classroom, can help your child physically, mentally and emotionally as they adjust to their new classroom situation.

I know that I have just touched on a few suggestions to help with early childhood separation anxiety.

I hope these few suggestions help here at the beginning of a new school year.

Wednesday, Aug. 16, is celebrated as “National Tell a Joke Day.” Young children love to tell “Knock, Knock Jokes.” Laughing is definitely a “spoonful of sugar” during these days where the heat of the summer has been challenging. It is contagious among the young and old and across culture lines. Too, among adventure seekers, Wednesday, Aug. 16, is also recognized as Roller Coaster Day, which was patented in 1898. Have a very good

Beth Pinyerd has taught young children in the early childhood classroom for many years. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. The column is provided to enrich the education of our children, youth and families in our community.

Classroom Observer welcomes educational news, school news, pictures and events by emailing donnapinyerd@ charter.net.

COMMUNI T Y OPEN HOUSE

faculty hands-on experiences in creating assignments, understanding data applications and fostering critical conversations with students.

Participants can earn an AUAI Explorer digital badge as part of the course’s learning outcomes. Since its launch this spring, nearly 500 Auburn faculty have enrolled in the course, developed under the leadership of Asim Ali, executive director of the Biggio Center.

“Through our conversations with faculty and students, we learned how important it is to take an inquiry-based approach to developing this content,” Ali said. “From the course, participants will expand their understanding of teaching with AI and experience high-quality course design that is the direct result of collaborations across Auburn’s instruction design and faculty development teams.”

A passionate advocate for the ethical use of AI in education, Ali focuses his research and develop-

ment of higher education faculty and professionals on the implications and possibilities that come with AI tools. Understanding the immediate need for content across the Auburn campus community and beyond, Ali spearheaded the online course geared toward educators.

Auburn joined the SEC consortium in 2022 as part of the university’s strategic commitment to increasing educational resources, promoting collaborations and developing industry partnerships to advance AI knowledge and best practices. Last year, the Provost’s Office and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering pledged a $2 million investment in AI@AU to create a university-wide, multidisciplinary team focused on AI research and education. As a consortium member, Auburn continues to work with scholars across the SEC to expand the breadth and applications of AI across all SEC institutions while sharing Auburn research and innovations.

For more information on Auburn’s research and application of AI, visit

the AU@AI website. Information on the online course “Teaching with AI @ Auburn” can be found at the Biggio Center website.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.

BETH PINYERD

AI >> FROM B2

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Big Jim’s Run for Congress

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

We will continue this week with the saga of Alabama’s most colorful governor, the legendary Big Jim Folsom.

Jim Folsom Jr. shared a story about his father’s early political life.

Big Jim always knew that he wanted to go into politics, so he jumped right in. His hometown of Elba in Coffee County was in the sprawling old third congressional district which encompassed the southeastern part of the state. It was referred to as the “Wiregrass” district.

The venerable and dignified Henry Steagall of Ozark had represented the Wiregrass district for 20 years when Big Jim decided to take him on. Steagall had become a powerful and wellknown congressman. He was chairman of the House Banking Committee and had authored the famous Glass-Steagall Act, which revised national banking laws during FDR’s New Deal.

As you can imagine, Steagall enjoyed the fruits of his labors. He

hobnobbed with New York bankers. The big banking lobbyists were wining and dining Steagall and taking him to Broadway shows. He was living the high life in Washington. When he came home to the Wiregrass, he wore Brooks Brothers suits even when he was quail hunting. You could say, and many did, that old Henry had lost touch with the folks in the Wiregrass.

The aloofness and “Washingtonitis” had created an opening for political challengers, and Big Jim was one of the four who challenged Stegall in 1936. All four of his opponents jumped on Steagall’s lifestyle. They accused him of living the grand life. They said he was not only eating pheasant under glass with New York bankers, but he was also cavorting with young girls in Washington.

In this era, Alabama politics was conducted mostly through campaign rallies in the courthouse square. Even in a small town, it was not unusual for 500 people, including many farmers in their overalls, to gather on the square during campaign season for a political rally. Every candidate for every office would show up to speak. The local candidates would talk and then the gubernatorial candidates, and then the Congressional candidates. They would draw straws to set the order in which they would speak. On this

particular day, all of the candidates for Steagall’s seat were there as well as the congressman.

Every one of the challengers jumped on Steagall’s personal life. They lambasted his fine dining and especially harped on the old man’s fooling around with young women. Except for Big Jim, who was 26, all the other candidates were middle-aged. When it finally was Big Jim’s time to speak, he made it short and sweet. He said, “Folks, I’ve been listening to all my opponents talk about Mr. Steagall’s lifestyle in Washington, especially his liking and running with young women. Sounds like to me if that’s the job of a congressman in Washington, you ought to bring Old Henry home and send a young man up there to take his place. I believe I could do a better job with fine dining and young women. Ya’ll vote for me.”

Big Jim ran second to Steagall that year, but he carried that town.

In that same campaign, Big Jim was politicking down a dirt road in rural Geneva County. He stopped by a farmhouse at the end of the dirt road. The farmer and his wife visited with the young candidate. They gave young Folsom several large glasses of buttermilk to drink while they sat on the porch and visited. Big Jim and the farmer

See FLOWERS, page B10

LEGAL NOTICES — PAGE B12

Opelika Approves $7.5 Million in Incentives to Broad Metro LLC

BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — Get your golf clubs ready; GolfSuites is coming to Opelika. The Opelika

City Council approved a resolution during Tuesday night’s city council meeting that allows for financial incentives to be paid to Broad Metro LLC.

The company recently purchased nearly 75 acres of

land located at Gateway Drive and Interstate 85 and has entered into a contract to sell approximately 10 acres of that land which will be developed as a

See OPELIKA, page B13

Auburn Adopts Transportation Plan

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

The city of Auburn approved its FY 2024 plan during its Tuesday night meeting.

“The city of Auburn FY 2024 Transportation Plan documents the transportation infrastructure projects approved by the City Council in the FY 2023-2024 Biennial Budget for which funding from the Rebuild Alabama Act may be used,” said info from the city’s epacket. “This plan was prepared, as required by the Rebuild Alabama Act, which provides funds to cities, counties and the state through a gas tax that began on Aug. 31, 2019.”

The Rebuild Alabama Act

in 2019 put the gas tax proceeds toward transportation infrastructure.

This years’ project is improvements to North College Street, Drake Avenue and Gay Street intersections.

“This project consists of improving the intersection of College Street and Drake Avenue by adding dedicated left turn lanes along Drake Avenue and College Street as well as a new decorative mast arm traffic control system,” the transportation plan said. “Also, the installation of a new traffic pattern (roundabout) at the intersection of Gay Street and Drake Avenue will be constructed. Work will include sidewalk and pedestrian lights along Gay Street up to Pitts Circle. The project will also include construction of sidewalk

and pedestrian lights along E Drake Avenue from N College Street to N Gay Street and from Ross Street to Perry Street.”

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The council approved a 140-special events retail ABC license for Greenawalt Hospitality LLC doing business as B and B AU Student Activities Center at 684 Biggio Drive.

- The council approved a 140-special events retail ABC license for Greenawalt Hospitality LLC doing business as B and B Brown‐Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center at 152 Wilmore Drive.

- The council approved a 140-special events retail ABC license for Greenawalt Hospitality, LLC doingbusiness as Tau Kappa Epsilon See AUBURN, page B11

Lee County Sends Delinquent Notices On Trash Contracts

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

Recently, Lee County sent out delinquent notices to many residents, letting them know that due to unpaid trash collection fees, they must appear in court.

“If you do not appear in court on that date, a warrant will be issued for your arrest,” the notice said.

The county trash collection system has been the cause of a lot of confusion for and backlash from, citizens.

Many are against the system — a contract with

private vendor Arrow Disposal — because they already had private vendors collecting their solid waste. These private vendors were told they could no longer operate and Arrow would have the sole contract.

While the county curbside plan officially took effect on March 1, 2022, it was implemented in full in December, 2022. “We weren’t — as citizens — able to vote on this Arrow,” said one citizen, Marie Maples, at a meeting in January. “I don’t want it.

I want the dumpster.”

One citizen, Susan Bolt, expressed concern about the county’s role in helping

Arrow collect its fees.

“I stand before you tonight to see if y’all will hire a couple of salespeople for me and maybe an accounts receivable clerk,” she said. “I understand that that’s something that y’all have approved for the private trash contract that y’all are assisting in paying for receivable clerks and I don’t understand why county money is going to that particular business.”

Another citizen, Lance Farrar, asked why there were criminal penalties on a civil case.

The commission discussed the item during its official meeting but only to

request the attorney general’s opinion on the matter.

A citizen requested the name and address of the delinquent garbage customers, said a notice from Probate Judge Bill English to the commissioners. He asked the ACCA’s opinion who directed him to the attorney general.

“This trash situation that y’all are going to be discussing again tonight is troubling for me as a citizen,” Bolt said. “I am asking you to stop digging the hole deeper. Come up with some solutions because what you got going right now is just going to get worse.”

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The commission voted to approve three appointments to the Lee County Communications District Board.

- The commission voted to uphold two noise ordinance violations against Margaret Brown’s client who appealed to the commission.

- The commission approved the appointment of District 2 Commissioner Ross Morris as the representative on the Mid-South RC&D Council.

- The commission heard an update on the IAC Loachapoka Water Projects.

- The commission

approved a transfer of a Lounge Liquor License for The Tavern at Lake Harding.

- The commission approved educational reimbursement requests for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

- The commission discussed the final subdivision plat for Zachary Howard Subdivision

- The commission held an executive session to purchase potential real property and voted to allow an undisclosed offer to be made for the property. More information will be released at the next meeting.

PHOTO FROM CITY OF OPELIKA AGENDA PACKET

An architectural rendering of the proposed development known as The Landing.

Carter Versus Guinea Disease; McConnell on Polio In Alabama

tates people for extended periods of time, making them unable to care for themselves, work, grow food for their families or attend school.”

Meanwhile on the guinea worm disease, it is extraordinary that when the center started its efforts combatting the disease in 1986, there were estimated to be 3.5 million cases in at least 21 countries in Africa and Asia. That number is now reduced more than 99.99%.

OPINION —

Last week, I focused on the infamous “Killer Rabbit” incident President Jimmy Carter endured in April 1979. He was criticized for lack of courage and became the butt of killer rabbit jokes. But in part two of the series, we see Carter has spearheaded a campaign that is close to destroying the dreaded guinea worm disease.

That Carter Center project was not known as well as his other postWhite House works, but it shows how far he has come from being

ridiculed because of a berserk rabbit. As he is at home on hospice in his beloved Plains, Georgia, we should be reminded of his trials as president and his triumphs as an ex-president.

“Considered a neglected tropical disease, Guinea worm disease is a parasitic infection caused by the roundworm parasite Dracunculus medinensis,” said the Carter Center. “It is contracted when people consume water from stagnant sources contaminated with Guinea worm larvae … It is a devastating disease that incapaci-

Provisional numbers for Jan. 1 through May 31, 2023, show the human case was one case. Reported human cases globally for guinea war disease are Zero in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan. Only Chad was listed with one human case. These figures mean people living there have had a terrific turnaround from facing death to planning to have long lives. Amazing.

Guinea worm infections were down in animals by 21%. In Chad, there were reports of infections in 605 animals; Mali had 41; Cameroon, 27: Angola, seven; Ethi-

opia, three; and South Sudan, one. The latter gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, making it the most recent sovereign state or country with wide recognition as of 2023. A Carter Center press release noted the manner in which this disease was eradicated, saying: “The Guinea Worm Eradication Program is wiping out this ancient disease mainly through community-based interventions to educate and change behavior, such as teaching people to filter all drinking water and preventing transmission by keeping anyone with an emerging worm from entering water resources.”

Another person who had a serious disease as a child is Sen. Mitch McConnell, born in Sheffield, Alabama, in 1942. He later moved to Athens, Alabama. As an adult, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, his home for decades. McConnell is known as “tight-lipped” but I found a CSPAN interview he undertook in 2016 after his autobiography “The Long Game: A Memoir”, was published.

“In 1944, you had polio

when you were two years old,” said interviewer Sen. Lamar Alexander, of Tennessee. “You moved and lived with your mom in Five Points, Alabama. Your dad was overseas fighting in World War II in the war. Imagine how terrifying those words about having polio must be to a parent then.”

McConnell said, “My mother took me to Warm Springs, Georgia, to the specialists there. They taught physical therapy and told my mom to administer it four times a day and to keep off my feet. She literally watched me like a hawk for two years. Every waking moment she tried to convey that the doctors did not want me to think I could not or should not walk. I was two years old, and she watched me every night. It prevented me from prematurely walking.”

The longtime senator explained that his first memory in life was when the doctors told his mother he would be okay and walk without a limp. (They were overjoyed.) They stopped at a shoe store in Lagrange, Georgia, on the way back to Alabama.

“They predicted the worst for me was a better brace on my left leg.,” McConnell said.

McConnell, now 81, knew the disease of polio was unpredictable. Still, he had “a perfectly normal life.” When he was a child, he did not go running long distances (because of the restrictions of polio). But he could play baseball as that doesn’t go back and forth as much as basketball does.

McConnell’s mother handled his medical plans with determination and compassion, based on the book. In a way that changed the lives of millions, Carter worked diligently to bury guinea worm disease. In his long life, Carter has not had occasion to meet that “Killer Rabbit” again. So, all is right with the world.

Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has masters 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 for 12 years. gm.markley@ charter.net

Permitting Reform Would Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness, Domestic Energy Production

CONTRIBUTED BY STATE SEN.

RANDY PRICE

OPINION —

The United States must ramp up infrastructure and domestic energy development in order to create jobs, spur economic growth, strengthen national security and help bring down the cost of energy. The best way to ensure we can actually do all of those things is by streamlining and simplifying our current, convoluted federal permitting process.

Unfortunately, the United States and our allies have become far too reliant on adversarial

nations like China to meet a range of needs, from energy to manufactured goods. This reliance poses a growing threat to our domestic manufacturing base, our ability to forge our own clean energy future, as well as to national security. At the same time, our energy is becoming increasingly expensive and, at times, unreliable.

Comprehensive reform of the federal permitting process can help address and mitigate these threats while making energy more reliable and affordable here in Alabama and across the

United States. Reforming our overly-complex federal permitting process will help move critical energy and infrastructure projects forward in a more efficient and timelier manner. This will, in turn, help the United States retain its global competitive advantage.

For far too long, the permitting process has been an onerous, inefficient nightmare. Sometimes, a single step in the process can take up to a decade or longer to complete. Not only does that delay the physical construction of new infrastructure and energy projects, it also increases

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9

bonded. The old farmer lamented that he wished somebody would pave his road so that he could get his produce to market no matter what the weather. Big Jim lost that race for Congress, but he never forgot that old farmer in Geneva County.

When Big Jim became governor a decade later, the first dirt road he paved in his famous Farm-to-Market road building program was that one in Geneva County. It is called the Buttermilk Road.

Big Jim got a lot of things said about him on the campaign trail while he was governor, but he had a unique way of disarming and diminishing the effect

costs, decreases overall investment and delays the economic, environmental and clean energy benefits that these projects provide.

Congress must work to unleash America’s economic and energy potential by passing commonsense permitting reform as soon as they can. Given her smart leadership in Washington, Sen. Katie Boyd Britt should help ensure federal permitting reform takes priority this legislative session.

Randy Price serves in the Alabama State Senate, representing Lee County.

of the mud being slung at him. He would rear back and tell his rural audiences, “My mama used to tell me that if someone threw mud at you and it landed on your new white starched shirt, you simply ignore it. Don’t try to wipe it off right away while it is still wet because if you do it will just smear all over your shirt. But if you ignore it and let it dry for a few days you can just thump it off.”

See you next week.

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

GREG MARKLEY

RANDY PRICE

Opelika Kiwanis, Lions Anticipates OHS Football

Gov. Kay Ivey Signs Exton's Law

at 554 W. Thach Ave.

- The council approved a 140-special events retail ABC license for The Hotel at Auburn University doing business as Ithaka Hospitality Partners Auburn Beverage LLC at 620 S. Donahue Drive.

- The council approved the Barge Design Solutions Task Order No. 36: professional consulting engineering services for the city of Auburn, for the sewer hydraulic model development — Southside Collection System Project for over $131,000.

- The council approved a contract with The Burdette Agency doing business as North Star Place Branding

+ Marketing for the city of Auburn Branding Project for $92,500.

- The council approved a contract with Machen McChesney for an independent audit for $101,000.

- The council approved additions to a contract with Kellis Vegetation Management for agricultural spraying of athletic fields for over $11,100.

- The council approved additions to a contract with Kellis Vegetation Management for agricultural spraying of parks and facilities for over $8,900.

- The council approved a contract with Sheppard Services LLC for repair of KSB Transfer Pump No. 2 at the Choctafaula Liftstation for over $24,500.

- The council accepted

a public right-of-way and easements with Cotswolds II LLC at the northern terminus of Cantera Court.

- The council accepted public rights‐of‐way and various easements for Edgar Hughston Builder Inc. for property located west of Lee‐Scott Academy, at the current terminus of Academy Drive for the Landings at Academy Drive, Phase 2.

- The council accepted various public easements for Waterview Properties LLC for property at 122 Toomer St.

- The council approved the annexation of approximately 1.79 acres for Matthew Cain at 365 Lee Road 0051 (Chadwick Lane).

- The council approved an annexation for Herring

Exton's Law, a bill to elimiate discrimination against individuals with disabilities when being reviewed for an organ transplant waiting list, was signed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recently. The bill was sponsored by Alabama District 38 State Rep. Debbie Wood. She said that the day it was signed was the best day she has had in Montgomery.

"We have worked on this legislation for more than four years," Wood said.

"I met this family while campaigning, and my appreciation for what parents experience as they love and care for their special or 'extra' special child has grown tremendously."

Exton Black is the 6-year-old son of Beulah residents, Alex and Savannah Black. Exton has Down syndrome, a genetic disorder.

Development LLC of approximately 85.79 acres for property located on Bridlewood Drive, east of Creekwood Trail.

- The council repealed and replaced Ordinance No. 3440 to annex approximately 4.05 acres for Trae Hamm and Marry Hamm for property located on the north side of Lee Road 145 (Moores Mill Road), west of Society Hill Road.

- The council approved the 1009‐1011 E. Glenn Ave. Rezoning for 0.53 acres of property located at the corner of Cherry Street and East Glenn Avenue to rezone from Neighborhood Conservation District (NC‐6) to Corridor Redevelopment District (CRD‐E).

- The council approved

the Cox and Corporate Rezoning for 3.1 acres of property located at the corner of Cox Road and Corporate Parkway from Comprehensive Development District (CDD) to Interstate Commercial District (ICD).

- The council approved the establishment of four 25 MPH Speed Limit signs on Tuscany Hills Drive — lowering the speed from 30 MPH.

- The council approved the conditional use approval for industrial use (manufacturing facility) for property located at 2575 Innovation Drive for IBS USA.

- The council approved a tax abatement for Shinhwa Auto USA Corp at 2535 West Tech Lane in the Auburn Technology Park

West Annex.

- The council approved a contract for Barge Design Solutions Task Order No. 37: Professional Consulting Engineering Services for the city of Auburn, Alabama for the Mall and Tacoma Drive Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey (SSES) project for over $272,000.

- The council approved a subrecipient agreement with the Industrial Development Board for the construction of the ACDI Business Center.

- The council approved the purchase of one heavy duty pumper truck for the fire department for over $873,700 from the Sutphen Corporation.

- The council approved the establishment of one speed hump Tivoli Village Drive.

Last week, the Opelika Kiwanis Club hosted Opelika High School varsity head football coach Erik Speakman. He talked about how the Bulldogs are preparing for their upcoming schedule. The guest speaker for the Aug. 24 Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting will be Sarah Stewart. She has put in a bid for Alabama chief justice.

Opelika High School head varsity football coach Erik Speakman was a recent guest of the Opelika Lions Club. He discussed the Bulldogs' practice schedule and upcoming regular season, beginning with Thompson in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl for the annual AHSAA Kickoff Classic. Speakman is entering his 24th year at Opelika and his sixth as head football coach. He was introduced by Lion James Morgan Jr. (right).

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PUBLIC NOTICES

08/10/2023 & 08/17/2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No.: CV-2023-900216

SPRAYBERRY REAL ESTATE PARTNERS, LTD., Plaintiff, v.

A Parcel of Real Property described as: Lot 1-A, Landmark Subdivision, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 11, at Page 29, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, And Landmark Partnership, Ltd., (Sarah) Lucy (Little) Hammond, and/or the unknown heirs of (Sarah) Lucy (Little) Hammond, John R. (Rudolph) Little, and/or the unknown heirs of John R. (Rudolph) Little, et al, 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 13th day of June, 2023, a complaint to quiet title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Sprayberry Real Estate Partners, Ltd., as Plaintiff; and, Landmark Partnership, Ltd., Charles Tyler Clark, Leigh Clark Marshall, Katherine Marshall Dyer, Molly Marshall Giddens, Mary Mackey DeArment, William Austin Wear, Robert Euguene Webb, Sue Doup Donaldson, Anne Doup, Michael L. Doup, Carol Chandler Doup, Gary L. Webb, and Gregory A. Webb, as Defendants; AND, (Sarah) Lucy (Little) Hammond, and/or the unknown heirs of (Sarah) Lucy (Little) Hammond; and, John R. (Rudolph) Little, and/or the unknown heirs of John R. (Rudolph) Little; and, James Felton Little, and/or the unknown heirs of James Felton Little; and, (Charlotte) Louise (Little) Hammond, and/or the unknown heirs of (Charlotte) Louise (Little) Hammond; and, Virginia (Blount) (Little) Watts, and/or the unknown heirs of Virginia (Blount) (Little) Watts; and, Charles Hubert Webb, and/ or the unknown heirs of Charles Hubert Webb; and, David (Lawrence) Webb, and/or the unknown heirs of David (Lawrence) Webb; and, Eleanor Webb Hayt, and/or the unknown heirs of Eleanor Webb Hayt; and, Leigh M. (Mallett) Clark, and/or the unknown heirs of Leigh M. (Mallett) Clark; and, Charlotte (Judson) Clark, and/or the unknown heirs of Charlotte (Judson) Clark; and, C. (Charles) Edward Clark, and/or the unknown heirs of C. (Charles) Edward Clark; and, James Lewis Clark, and/or the unknown heirs of James Lewis Clark; and, Julia Ann (Clark) Wear, and/ or the unknown heirs of Julia Ann (Clark) Wear; and, Mary Leigh (Clark) Schensnol, and/ or the unknown heirs of Mary

WANTED

Leigh (Clark) Schensnol, as additional Defendants, all of whose heirs, executors and/or administrators are unknown and cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows:

Lot 1-A, Landmark Subdivision, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 11, at Page 29, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. 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 21st day of July, 2023

/s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 724 North Dean Road, Suite 100 Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 07/27/2023, 08/03/2023, 08/10/2023 & 08/17/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of WILLIAM RUSSELL MOORE, DECEASED

Case No. 2023-14 NOTICE OF HEARING

TO: Mickey Loughman4856 Old Farm Court NE, Woodstock, GA 3Ql88 Marty Ashe, 640 Magnolia Lane, Acworth, GA 30102 Martha McQuffie - 600 54th Avenue East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 AND ANY OTHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN heirs of WILLIAM RUSSELL MOORE, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition to Probate the Last Will and Testament of the Estate of WILLIAM RUSSELL MOORE, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office. A hearing has been set for the 6th day of September, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. central time, electronically via ..ZOOM". Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the hearing of the Petition to Probate the Last Will and Testament of the Estate of WILLIAM RUSSELL MOORE, deceased. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

To:Bill J. Jones, Jr., and all other persons claiming any interest in the building or structure located at 3807 Heritage Place, Opelika, Alabama. The Building Official of the City of Opelika, Alabama, determined that the condition of the building or structure located 3807 Heritage Place, Opelika, Alabama, 36804, is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the life, health, property, morals, safety or general welfare of the public.

NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama, will meet in public session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, for the purpose of discussing the findings of the Building Official and to consider the adoption of a resolution ordering the demolition of the building located at the above-described property. All interested persons are invited to appear before the City Council to show cause why his or her objection to the demolition of the building or structure should be sustained. Upon the holding of the hearing, the City Council shall determine whether or not the building or structure is unsafe to the extent that it is a public nuisance. If it is determined by the City Council that the building or structure is unsafe to the extent that it is a public nuisance, the City Council shall order the demolition of the building or structure at the expense of the City and assess the expense of the demolition against the land on which the building or structure stands or to which it is attached. The property referred to is more particularly described as follows:

Lot Number Seventy-One (#71) of BENT CREEK SUBDIVISION, Heritage Section in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, according to and as shown by plat of survey thereof made by T. Richard Fuller, Licensed Land Surveyor, Registration No. 7384, recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Plat Book 9 at Page 83. Also being further described as Parcel Number 43-09-0726-0-000-071.035, according to records maintained in the Lee County Revenue Commissioner’s Office.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting and be heard. Written communications concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at City Hall, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama 36803, at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and public hearing. Any person aggrieved by the

decision of the City Council may, within ten (10) days hereafter, appeal to the Circuit Court upon filing with the Clerk of the Court notice of appeal and a bond for security of costs in the form and amount approved by the Circuit Clerk. Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability. Further information concerning this Notice may be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk during normal business hours.

DATED this the 3rd day of August, 2023.

/s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Legal Run 08/3/23, 08/10/23, 08/17/23 & 08/24/23

STATE OF ALABAMA, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, IN THE MATTER OF THE WILL OF ENID LOVELESS WEISSINGER, DECEASED.

NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of Enid Loveless Weissinger, deceased, having been granted to Charles Hill Weissinger on the12th day of July, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Legal Run 08/3/23, 8/10/23, 8/17/23

LEGAL NOTICE

– NOTICE OF COMPLETION

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Matthes Parker LLC Contractor, has completed the Contract for (Alteration) OF Auburn University Project: 22-348 SportsPles Baseball Field Markings at Auburn University SportsPlex. 811 Lem Morris Dr. for the State of Alabama and the COUNTY OF LEE, CITY OF AUBURN Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Barge Design Solutions. 2839 Paces Ferry Road Suite 850. Atlanta, GA 30339 (770) 628-7631 Matthes Parker LLC (Contractor) 2044 S College St. Auburn, AL 36832

NOTE: This notice must be run once a week for four successive weeks for projects exceeding $50,000.00. For projects of $50,000.00 or less, run one time only. A copy of the publisher's affidavit of

publication (including a copy of the advertisement) shall be submitted by the Contractor to the Design Professional for inclusion with DCM Form

B-13: Final Payment Checklist for state agencies, PSCAfunded and other bond-funded projects. Legal Run 08/10/2023, 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023 & 08/31/2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF LAVINIA

PARNELL, DECEASED PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY

CASE NO. 2021-673

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of LAVINIA

PARNELL are hereby granted to Thomas Mitchell Parnell of the 3rd day od December, 2021, 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.

Thomas Mitchell Parnell Legal Run 08/10/23, 08/17/23, & 08/24/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY

WALDROP, DECEASED

CASE NO 2021-558

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased are hereby granted to Patricia Hillyer of the 4th day of November, 2021, 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.

Patricia Hillyer Legal Run 08/10/23, 08/17/23, & 08/24/23

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF KELLY D.

KOON, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased are having been granted to the undersigned on the 4th day of August, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 4th day of August, 2023.

JONATHAN K. KOON Legal Run 08/10/23, 08/17/23, & 08/24/23

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF MARSHA D. RIDDLE, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased are having been granted to the undersigned on the 4th day of August, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Witness our hands, and dated this the 4th day of August, 2023.

JERRELL CLINT RIDDLE Legal Run 08/10/23, 08/17/23, & 08/24/23

STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2023-401 RE: ESTATE OF TERRY DON ANDREWS, DECEASED: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 2nd day of August 2023, by the 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 time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

/s/ Barbara S. Andrews Barbara S. Andrews, Executor Jacob J. Key, Esq. Attorney for Executor Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171 Legal Run 08/10/2023, 08/17/2023, & 08/24/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BEVERLY ANITA PEARSON, deceased CASE NO. 2023 -370

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE thatLetters

Testamentary have been granted to Latiler Carlnette Pearson, as personal representative of the Estate of Beverly Anita Pearson, deceased on July 24, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court,ofLee County, Alabama. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to presentthe same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Done this the 24th day of July, 2023.

Bill English Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 08/10/2023, 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

GolfSuites center, a golf entertainment venue. This project represents an approximate $7.4 million investment and is expected to create between 80 and 100 full- and part-time jobs in the area.

The agreement approved by the city council on Tuesday includes a revenue-sharing agreement with the developer. The revenue-sharing funds will be paid out of sales and lodging tax revenue generated by the development and paid out annually for a period of 15 years or when the incentive payments reach the cap of $7.5 million — whichever comes first.

The incentive will commence on or before Sept. 1, 2027, the date to be determined by when the venue (or one of a similar nature) is open at a substantially full capacity and has been granted Certificate of Occupancy by the city of Opelika. Other incentive conditions must also be met before or on Sept. 1, 2027, in

PUBLIC NOTICES >>

FROM B12

STATE OF ALABAMA

LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT CASE NO. 2023-421

ESTATE OF REBECCA

JOYCE RENFROE, DECEASED

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR

Letters of Administration of the Estate of Rebecca Joyce

Renfroe, deceased having been granted to Jeffery A. Hilyer this 14th day of August 2023, 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.

Jeffery A. Hilyer, Personal Representative

Jeffery A. Hilyer Attorney at Law

334-745-2564

P.O. Box 30 Opelika, AL 36803-0030 Legal Run 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023 & 08/31/2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHARLIE D. REESE, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

CASE NUMBER 2023-419

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of August, 2023 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of said county in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are required to present the same within the time allowed

order for the revenue-sharing to begin. Full details can be found in the city council agenda packet available on the city website.

The GolfSuites Center is expected to be a 371,467 square foot facility and will consist of a 250 foot (or greater) driving range, high-tech simulated greens, outdoor climate-controlled suites, restaurant and beverage areas.

CARTECH EXPANSION

The council also approved tax abatements and exemptions for Car Tech LLC during the meeting.

“Car Tech will be investing $26.9 million to build and expand its current Opelika facility,” according to a press release issued by the city of Opelika after the city council meeting adjourned.

Car Tech is located in the Fox Run Business Park and is a Tier 1 supplier for BMW Group. Its current facility consists of nearly 400,000 square feet available for its operations and the company announced plans to add almost 50,000 additional square feet.

by law or the same will be barred.

Glenda Jean Reese, Personal Representative of the Estate of Charlie D. Reese, Deceased Legal Run 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023 & 08/31/2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF DONNA LYNN EASLICK, DECEASED CASENO: 2023-393 PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITOR

Take Notice that LETTERS TESTMENTARY of Donna Lynn Easlick deceased having been granted to Daryl Anthony Easlick on the 27th day of July 2023, 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 time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Daryl Anthony Easlick James M. Ivins, Attorney for Daryl Anthony Easlick 1408 Broad Street Phenix City, AL 36867 Phone: 334-298-0607 Legal Run 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023 & 08/31/2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA EUN JUNG SONG, Plaintiffs, v. REGINALD WOODS; NATASHA BADGER; ON THE RUN TRUCKING LLC, et. al, Case No.: 43-CV-2021-900341 NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

TO: Reginald Bernard Woods; Natasha Badger and On the Run Trucking LLC

You are hereby notified that the above-styled action seeking monies due the Plaintiff for past lost wages and benefits; past and future medical expenses, past and (future physical pain and mental anguish. permanent physical disability. in ability to

“Our continued growth has come from both new customers and existing customers,” said Car Tech Plant Manager Shea Phillips in the press release. “Currently Car Tech employs 132 people, and this expansion will create 38 new team member positions which will fill warehousing, production and technical positions within the company.”

Opelika is fortunate to have Car Tech in the community said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.

“We are so fortunate to have Car Tech here,” Fuller said in the press release.

“Opelika is clearly focused on providing opportunities for our current businesses to grow and bring additional good paying jobs to our community.”

Lori Huguley, city of Opelika Economic Development director, also had good things to say about Car Tech in the statement.

“Car Tech is a great community partner,” Huguley said. “It is a great testament to our workforce and the business climate in Opelika

carry out and enjov the usual and normal activities of life; past medical bills: futuree medical bills; and Plaintiff 'has otherwise been injured or damaged the total amount. on March 27, 2021, for Negligence, Wantonness and Vicarious Liability, as a result of the following:

"On March 27, 2021 Eun Jung Song was attempting to make a left tum from Frederick Road onto Gateway Drive when Defendant Woods, who was working for On the Run Trucking, LLC, who was driving an 18Wheeler (2014 FRHT V.1.N. 3AKJGLDR6ESFU2501), which was owned by Defendant Steven Freeman, and or Defendant On the Run Trucking, LLC, negligently and/ or wantonly caused or allowed the vehicle that he was operating, that was owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by him and/or fictitious defendants(s) A through Z, to suddenly and improperly collide with the rear end of the Plaintiffs vehicle. As a proximate consequence of the Defendants negligence and/or wantonness the Plaintiff was injured" which was filed against you in the Court Lee County. Alabama, and that by reason of an order for service of summons by publication entered by the Court, you are hereby commanded and required to file with the clerk of the court and to serve upon Plaintiffs attorney, Attorney Muhammad Abdullah with the law firm Wettermark Keith, 100 Grandview Place, Suite 530 Birmingham, AL 35243, an answer to the Complaint, within thirty (30) days after the last publication, Sept. 7, 2023,. or default judgment will be entered against you.

Done this the 27th day of July, 2023

Mary Roberson

Clerk, Circuit Court LEE County, Alabama Wettermark Keith Attn: Muhammad Abdullah 100

that they continue to invest and grow here.”

OTHER BUSINESS

- The council approved a request downtown street closure for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon social event on Sept. 23.

- The council approved a request for a downtown street closure for the "Run For the Cause" 5K event on Oct. 14. .

- The council approved the purchase of a LUCAS 3 v3.1 chest compression system for the Opelika Fire Department.

- The council approved the purchase of one Marathon RJ-250 self-contained 34 cubic yard compactor using the Sourcewell Contract No. 040621-MEC.

- The council approved a resolution to adopt a transportation plan pursuant to the Rebuild Alabama Act.

- The council approved a resolution for the state of Alabama for State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program consent agreement.

- The council approved a contract extension of city-wide ADA Roadway

Grandview Place, Suite 530 Birmingham, AL 35243 Legal Run 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023, 08/31/2023 & 09/07/2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

SALE: GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on September 21, 2023, at 8:15 a.m. at Gateway Tire located at 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY, OPELIKA, AL 36801-5441, pursuant to subsection 32-133 of the Alabama Statutes. GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ or all bids.

VIN number

JNKCV61E19M013100 – 2009

INFINITI SEDAN GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY OPELIKA, AL 36801-5441 Legal Run 08/17/2023 & 08/24/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE MATTER OF THOMAS E. POLLARD CASE NO: 2014-B-16

NOTICE OF HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Partial Accounting of Conservator was filed by Guardian and Conservator, Birdie P. Peterson requesting approval of a partial accounting. A hearing has been set for the 4th day of October 2023 at I0:00 a.m. central time, electronically via "ZOOM". Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the said hearing.

Bill English, Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023 & 08/31/2023

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE

Improvements Project

- The council approved a proposal for a Compensation Study with Evergreen Solutions LLC.

- The council approved a quote of nearly $325, 000 from AdaptToSolve Inc. for cabling, physical access control and fire/security alarms at various city buildings.

- The council approved a resolution to waive all building and construction permit fees for Chattahoochee Fuller Center related to projects at properties located at 201 Dover St., 209 Raintree St. and 413 Jeter Ave.

- The council approved a resolution to authorize the annual excess loss insurance contract with Granular Insurance Company.

- The council approved a grant application for the 2023 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Opelika Police Department. The total of the grant application is $12,623.

- The council held public hearings for weed abatement assessments for properties located at 4 Ave. A and 308 Brannon Ave. The

FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) dated August 12, 2019, executed by Sherry L. Hadaway (the “Mortgagor”) in favor of Famers and Merchants Bank, said Mortgage being recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in Mortgage Book 4494, at Page 382; and WHEREAS, Farmers and Merchants Bank, as Mortgagee and holder of the Mortgage, by reason of such default having declared all of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage due and payable, and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in the Mortgage, holder will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Lee County Courthouse located at 215 South 9th Street, Alabama 36801 on Thursday, September 7th, 2023 between the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, the following described property, commonly known as 800 Lee Road 174, Opelika, Alabama 36801, situated in Lee County, Alabama, to wit: Lot 10 Somerset Subdivision, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 14 at Page 4 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. This conveyance is subject to easements and building setback lines as shown on recorded subdivision plat and to Declaration of Restrictive Covenants dated September 18, 1989 of record Deed Book 1463 at Page 159 all in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama as amended by Instrument recorded in Deed Book 2568 at Page 860 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. Also including a 1997 Palm Harbor Double Wide Home. This is a purchase money

abatements were approved.

- The council approved a special appropriation for the amount of $3,000 to the Opelika Parks and Recreation Sportsplex for the Annual Health Fair on Oct. 3.

- The council held a public hearing and introduced an ordinance for its first reading for the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and Map in order to rezone a 7,324 square feet lot located at 1625 1st Ave. from a M-1 district (industrial district) to a C-2 district (office/ retail district),

- The council held a public hearing and introduced an ordinance for its first reading for the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and Map in order to rezone 4.18 acres accessed from the 1700 Block Oak Bowery Road from R-1 district (rural district) to a R-2 district (low density residential district).

- The council voted to reappoint Linda Lanz and Rush Denson to the Historic Preservation Commission for a new terms that will expire Aug. 19, 2026.

mortgage. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “ASIS”, “WHERE IS” BASIS AND WITH ALL FAULTS. THIS PROPERTY WILL ALSO BE SOLD SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, LEASES, ENCUMBRANCES, RESERVATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND ALL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO.

Payment terms are cash or cashier’s check (United States Dollars in immediately available funds) made payable to Mortgagee on the date of the public sale. Mortgagee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the aforementioned property and to credit its bid against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage. The public sale is subject to postponement or cancellation; contact Benjamin H. Meade at (334) 749-6999 prior to attendance. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage as well as the expenses of collection and foreclosure.

FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK Mortgagee ATTORNEY FOR MORTGAGEE:

Benjamin H. Meade, Esq. Benjamin H. Parr, P.C. 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 (334) 749-6999 Legal Run 08/17/2023, 08/24/2023 & 08/31/2023

The Georgia Isles: Jekyll & St. Simons Islands

October 19 – 22, 2023

DELUXE CHARTER BUS TOUR

Explore the Isles’ Unique History & Natural Wonders!

•3 nights’ stay at Jekyll Hampton- Oceanside

•Private boat tour, marshlands, Maritime forest

•Fort Frederica and Battle of Bloody Marsh

•Gullah-Geechee culture, and much more!

$995/double $1395/single

Organizing top-quality historic tours since 2015

THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE ANSWERS: