The Observer 11-16-2023

OFD celebrates 150 years — A6 IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS NEWS A2 | SOCIETY A9 | OBITUARIES A13 | COMICS A15 SPORTS B1 | POLITICS B9 | PUBLIC NOTICES B12 | PUZZLES B15

2022 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2023 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 16, No. 06 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'

www.opelikaobserver.com

Auburn, Opelika hold Veterans Day ceremonies OPELIKA — The city of Opelika celebrated Veterans Day with veterans, their families, the city council and residents.

Veteran and Ward 3 Council Member Tim Aja was invited to speak during this year’s ceremony.

“Opelika has got around 1,900 veterans in it, which comprises just under 10% of our over18 population,” Aja said.

“And just for a little bit of relative numbers, the national average for veterans in any particular area is about 6.4%, so our area has got a greater percentage of veterans.”

Aja said he has loved serving the city on the council.

He focused a bit on the

history of Veterans Day, when it was still called Armistice Day. The day originally focused on recognizing the end of World War I and its heroes.

“We are here today to honor and thank [our] veterans,” Aja said. “It is well understood they put their lives on the line to fulfill the notes of the constitution for the country they love.

What is not always so well understood, or articulated, are the experiences and affects the military had on that individual. Today, I hope to cover some of those.

“It is my belief and hope that we’ll demonstrate that, although we have decades of veteran experience across this world and this room alone, there’s baseline commonalities that bind

all who serve and all who will serve.”

First, Aja described serving as a privilege, despite the challenges and the missed time with family. Second, he said there were many experiences only a veteran can have — exciting and rare ones. Third, he said the military grows discipline in veterans. The military also changes veterans in other ways, Aja said, from creating more sober individuals to emotional changes. He said many veterans firmly believe in God because of their military experiences.

“Veterans, don’t let your stories go untold — make sure your family knows your history,” he said. “Again, thank you for the opportunity See VETERANS DAY, page A4

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

BY ANITA STIEFEL AND HANNAH GOLDFINGER | EDITOR@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Opelika Council Member and Veteran Tim Aja spoke at the Opelika Veterans Day Ceremony last week, encouraging and inspiring those in the community who have served.

Kreher brings the farm to the table Nov. 19 PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER Cyndi Czerkawski displays her gardening expertise through her 'In the Garden with Cyndi' class.

BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Kreher Preserve and Nature Center will hold a gardening class with experienced gardener Cyndi Czerkawski on Nov. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Czerkawski has worked as a naturalist and educator at Kreher and has developed the gardens for Auburn City Schools for more than 12 years. She also administered plant materials at the Auburn Public Library.

This month, at Kreher, she will be

teaching her adult gardening class, ‘In the Garden with Cyndi.’

During her class, Czerkawski will share some gardening tips and tricks while teaching how to get your hands dirty successfully.

Participants will also get to try some farm-totable recipes over the campfire.

According to Kreher, Czerkawski believes that gardening is something to be enjoyed. So, her gardening class is taught through fun and exciting lessons that teach you everything you need to know to

maintain beautiful gardens.

“Every year, we do a farm-to-table and take all the fun stuff that we've learned throughout the year and apply it with Cyndi,” said Michael Buckman, the manager of Kreher.

“She basically shows you how to make an excellent meal that you can get straight from your garden. You will be able to eat at the workshop and get hands-on engagement with the farm-to-table process. It is a casual and relatable process, like what you would be able to do at your own

home if you wanted to go greener or grow your own food.”

Pre-registration for this event is recommended, but tickets will also be sold on-site. Tickets are $20 per person. Participants must be 16 years of age or older, and an adult must accompany anyone under the age of 19.

To purchase tickets, visit www. secure.touchnet.net/ C20021_ustores/ web/product_detail. jsp?PRODUCTID=4502.

For more information, visit Kreher’s website at www.kpnc.auburn.edu/.

O O

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A2 Nov. 16, 2023

Three Opelika companies named finalists for Alabama Small Business of the Year awards OPELIKA — Three Opelika companies have been selected as finalists in their respective categories for the Alabama Small Business of the Year Awards.

The awards, presented annually by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) and the business Council of Alabama (BCA), recognize the very best in Alabama small business. Forty-

on as finalists in the small business awards,” said Opelika Chamber President and CEO Ali Rauch. “What an honor to have amazing businesses like Botanic, The Heritage House and Bonnie Plants in our community.

“Last year, we were honored to have three finalists, and our very own Christie Hill State Farm won the best business in 1-10 employees category.

We hope to be just as lucky this year and award a few winners.”

Finalists will be

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

six businesses of merit were selected as finalists, based on a variety of civic endeavors, business success and community involvement.

Botanic is a finalist in the Emerging Business (in operation for less than five years) category.

The Heritage House is a finalist in the 1-10 employees category, while Bonnie Plants headquarters is a finalist in the 51-100 employees category.

“We could not be prouder of these three businesses for moving

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Stacy Brown and her husband King Braswell opened Botanic in 2022. Botanic features two restaurants, a garden shop and a live music venue.

honored at the BCA/ CCAA Partnership Annual Meeting on

Wednesday, Nov. 29, in Birmingham.

Three winners (gold,

silver and bronze) will be awarded in each category.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Leif Espelund and Dani Nelson own the Heritage House, a five-bedroom boutique inn. Ali Rauch, left, is the CEO of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.

Bonnie Plants moved its headquarters from Union Springs to Opelika in 2022. Gov. Kay Ivey cut the ribbon during its grand opening ceremony.

Opelika businesses celebrate with ribbon cuttings PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

The Fry Guy is a mobile food truck serving up fresh-cut fries with unique flavors & toppings.

Dink and Volley Pickleball is now open at 510 Geneva Street.

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A3 Nov. 16, 2023

The Laurel awarded AAA Five Diamond status CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Laurel Hotel & Spa has been awarded the Five Diamond designation by AAA Travels, recognizing it as offering world-class luxury, amenities and indulgence for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Laurel Hotel & Spa is operated by Auburnbased Ithaka Hospitality Partners in collaboration with the Auburn University College of Human Sciences.

“I am ecstatic that the Laurel Hotel & Spa has received this fantastic recognition in its very first year of operation,” said Hans van der Reijden, founder & CEO of Ithaka Hospitality Partners. “This is fantastic news for our owners, the hospitality management students and academic team and for our entire hotel team, led

by General Manager Josh Head. We are immensely proud to be the first hotel in the state of Alabama to receive a Five Diamond designation and are excited to share this accolade as part of our larger goal to establish Auburn as a world-class destination for both hospitality and education.”

Only 89 hotels across the United States carry this prestigious recognition.

“This is tremendous news and a wonderful testament to all of the very hard work invested

by faculty, students and industry partners in helping us further live out our vision and mission, which is focused on delivering a very differential form of hospitality education,” said Martin O’Neill, head of the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management.

“No doubt the first of many such accolades to come.

Honestly, I could not be prouder.”

ABOUT THE LAUREL

The Laurel Hotel & Spa is a one-of-a-kind teaching hotel adjacent to the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center (RCSC), home to Auburn University’s esteemed Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, which opened its doors in August 2022. The property sits atop culinary labs and classrooms as well as 1856 – Culinary Residence, the world’s first teaching restaurant to serve a tasting menu, currently helmed by Chef in Residence Ford Fry and Master Sommelier Thomas Price. The Laurel Hotel & Spa also features a rooftop lounge and infinity pool with cabanas.

A rooftop garden operated in partnership with Auburn University’s Horticulture Department provides produce used at 1856 – Culinary Residence and by students in culinary laboratories.

To learn more about The Laurel Hotel & Spa, visit

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY THE LAUREL HOTEL & SPA

First hotel in Alabama to earn prestigious designation

www.laurelhotelandspa. com/.

ABOUT THE RANE CULINARY SCIENCE CENTER

The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center (RCSC) is the home to Auburn University’s esteemed Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management in the College of Human Sciences. Opened in the summer of 2022, The Rane Center introduces a cutting-edge, world-class hospitality education facility to Auburn. The unique educational experience for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels blends hands-on learning with essential business and cross-functional coursework. The RCSC features numerous experiential learning spaces, including upscale teaching restaurant 1856 – Culinary Residence, The Laurel Hotel & Spa (Alabama’s first ultraluxury hotel), educational labs, a multi-concept food hall named Hey Day

Market, a rooftop terrace, Thr!ve Here @Auburn coffee roastery & café and the New Realm Brewing Company microbrewery operated by New Realm Brewing. The RCSC is the result of decades of visionary leadership and collaboration between Auburn University College of Human Sciences and industry leaders, beginning with Capella Hotel Group and continuing with Ithaka Hospitality Partners in 2018. Poised as a unique partnership between academia and commercial offerings, the RCSC prepares students with operational knowledge and a leadership approach devoted to superior guest service, creating a stronger and more competitive group of future hospitality leaders, while also offering unparalleled guest experiences.

ABOUT ITHAKA HOSPITALITY PARTNERS

Auburn-based Ithaka Hospitality Partners (IHP) was founded in 2018 by

Hans van der Reijden, an international hotelier with more than 35 years of experience in the industry.

The Ithaka Hospitality Partners management team has over 200 years of industry experience at some of the most prominent and respected global hospitality organizations.

IHP manages independent hotels, resorts, spas,

restaurants and food halls and is a proud partner in the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management at Auburn University. IHP manages all commercial aspects of the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center and is honored to play an active role in educating the next generation of hospitality and culinary professionals.

Walton Law Firm, P.C. Ranked by Best Law Firms

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Walton Law Firm, P.C. has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms, ranked by Best

Lawyers, regionally in 1 practice areas.

Firms included in the 2024 Best Law Firms list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Achieving a tiered

ranking in Best Law Firms on a national and/or metropolitan scale signals a unique credibility within the industry. The transparent, collaborative research process employs qualitative and quantitative data from peer and client reviews that is supported by proprietary algorithmic technology to produce a tiered system of industryled rankings of the top 4% of the industry.

Receiving a tier

designation represents an elite status, integrity and reputation that law firms earn among other leading firms and lawyers. The 2024 edition of Best Law Firms includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitanbased practice areas.

Additionally, one "Law Firm of the Year" was named in each nationally ranked practice area.

Walton Law Firm, P.C. received the following

rankings in the 2024 Best Law Firms: • Regional Tier 2 • Montgomery • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs ABOUT BEST LAW FIRMS Best Law Firms is the most credible rankings of exceptional law firms, rooted in a rigorous, peerto-peer, industry-driven evaluation. Achieving a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms signals a unique combination of quality

law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and metro-based scale. The reputation earned over the past 14 years and a futurefocused commitment to innovation provides legal professionals with an elevated stature, validation and confidence that comes from being part of, and working with, a Best Law Firms honored practice.

A4 Nov. 16, 2023

VETERANS DAY >> from A1 to speak today and veterans, thank you for your service.”

Following Aja’s speech, John Sweatman of the Opelika Economic Development recognized another local veteran, Robert Wilson, who was presented a proclamation and award.

through a hardship. It got me ready for walking through the mountains of Afghanistan with a hundred plus pounds of gear on my back.

“I think that there are a lot of emotions when it comes to Veterans Day, because it’s a lot of memories for me. It’s very personal to me. I gained a lot of friends along the way… and I lost a lot of friends along the way who are always going to stay with me whether I want them to or not. And I think that every veteran is that way.

“So, what’s Veterans Day for? It’s to recognize and honor veterans … but also to recognize that we as a community have a responsibility to make sure they’re still doing okay.”

Calling attention to the “crowd participation” part of the program, he asked the audience members to get out their cell phones.

“I want everybody to pull out their phones ... If there’s one thing you take away from Veterans Day I want it to be this point right here: Everybody knows a veteran, everybody has a veteran’s phone number, what I want you to is to text them right now ... let them know that ‘Hey, you know

what, I’m thinking about you.’ Let them know, send a message that says unequivocally that somebody cares about them.

“And this doesn’t just have to happen on Veterans Day, okay?

This doesn’t take very long, it only takes, like, 5 minutes. So, take that idea home with you and give it to somebody else. Have [them] text a veteran and say, ‘Hey I want to talk to you today, I want you to be here tomorrow.’”

Lufkin said in 2018, the ASVA started Operation Iron Ruck, in which the Iron Bowl game ball is marched 151 miles by foot each year from the visiting team’s campus to the

home team’s campus.

Ruck participants make the trek wearing backpacks full of personal items that will be donated to veterans, such as toiletry items and snacks.

“We started Iron Ruck to recognize and bring awareness to the epidemic that is veteran suicide,” Lufkin explained. “A lot of veterans are having a hard time. They get out and they miss that comraderie, they miss the structure that the military gives them, they miss their friends. It’s hard for us to be able to relate to other people sometimes.”

Anders thanked Lufkin for his comments and reiterated the point,

“Every day is a good day to thank a veteran.”

The East Samford School Choir closed the ceremony with a performance of "Land That We Love."

Bagpiper Dan Drummond, a U.S. Navy veteran, performed “Amazing Grace” as the crowd dispersed.

During a pause in the rain showers, former Assistant Police Chief and U.S. Army veteran Clarence Stewart, who now works as vice president for campus security at AU, joined Anders in placing a wreath at the Veterans Memorial site.

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception immediately following the event.

PHOTOS BY ANITA STIEFEL / THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — An overflow crowd turned out for the city of Auburn’s 2023 Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10.

Originally set to be held at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument, located at the northeast corner of Ross Street and Glenn Avenue, inclement weather moved the event down the block, inside the Auburn City Council chambers.

To open the ceremony, the Auburn High School JROTC color guard presented the flag, and the East Samford School Choir, under the direction of Chris Deason, sang the national anthem.

Pastor Jeff Damron from Union Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) delivered the invocation.

“Almighty God… we lift up thankful hearts this morning, and we honor this day before you our veterans, the worthy men and women who in the day of decision gave the best they had when they were called upon to serve and to protect our nation,” Damron said. “Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced and for the sacrifices they made and for their courage in confronting the forces of tyranny and oppression. We are proud of them, we respect them, we honor them and we thank them.”

Mayor Ron Anders officiated the ceremony.

“Originally known as Armistice Day, we celebrate Veterans Day ... in remembrance of the day fighting ceased during World War I,” Anders said. “While it was regarded at the time as ‘the war to end all wars,’ our nation has entered into many other conflicts since that day of peace in 1918.

“Since that day, so many Americans, including many of you that are here today, answered the call to defend and to protect this nation. So, today we join with communities across the United States to honor all of our nation’s veterans, who

put their country above themselves, responding to the call to serve.”

Anders said he was proud to introduce one of these individuals, this year’s featured speaker, U.S. Army veteran Drew Lufkin, president of the Auburn Student Veterans Association (ASVA).

Lufkin spent 15 years as an Army ranger, completing four combat deployments, including three in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. After military retirement, Lufkin found his way to Auburn and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2019. For the last four years, he has worked on developing an autonomous driving software package for 18-wheelers. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in finance.

“I graduated high school about three months before Sept. 11,” Lufkin told the crowd. “I remember being in high school and [thinking] we’re never going to have to go to war, all that stuff is over with.

“So, I originally joined the Army reserves to get money for college, I’ll be straight-up honest with you. And three months later, some guys flew some planes in our World Trade Center and ... it filled me with resolve and made me very, very angry. I said, ‘You know what, there are bad guys out there and they’re not going to canoe their own heads, so they need people to do that for them,’ and that’s what I had to do.

“God had a different plan for me, because the next year I ended up getting Leukaemia, and I spent two and a half years on chemo. That life event really got me ready for everything I was going to go through later.

I think that nothing tells you who you are and what you do like going

Auburn's ceremony included guest speaker Drew Lufkin, president of the Auburn Student Veterans Association, and performances by the East Sanford School Choir and bagpiper Dan Drummond. See photos from Opelia's event on A5.

A5 Nov. 16, 2023

VETERANS DAY >> from A4

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Both Auburn and Opelika celebrated Veterans Day last week with ceremonies. Auburn hosted its ceremony in the Auburn City Council Chambers, while Opelika's was in the Opelika Public Library.

A6 Nov. 16, 2023

OFD celebrates 150 years; Cuts ribbon for Station No. 5 PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The Opelika Fire Department celebrated its 150th birthday and the opening of new fire house No. 5 with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 9. The new training room inside the new fire house was dedicated in honor of retired Chief Albert Smith. Smith served the City of Opelika for 46 years.

E vents,Food & SocietyNews

UPCOMING EVENTS NOV. 17 | FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY NOV. 18 | HOLIDAY ART SALE NOV.18 | CHILI - GRILLED CHEESE COOKOFF NOV. 19 | COMMUNITY-WIDE THANKSGIVING SERVICE NOV. 28, 29 | MEAN GIRLS DEC. 1 | DONUTS WITH DEPUTIES DEC. 1 | SNOPELIKA PHOTO BY STACEY PATTON WALLACE

Making the Grade

On the road to Florence, Ala.

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

O

OPINION — ne of the greatest blessings that Mike and I have ever received from God would be our loving, Christian parents. If 30 years of teaching have taught us anything, it was that there is no substitute for great parents.

Sadly, we saw the results of kids who didn’t get the parents that every child deserves. This realization made Mike and me appreciate and love our parents even more.

Our parents gave us great advice. One of the best pieces of advice that Daddy gave Mike and me was: Travel as much as you can while you can. Those were

wise words indeed, and Mike and I are trying to do just that.

We love going on overnight trips to interesting places. That way, you are traveling and having fun, but very shortly, you’re back home in your own bed, La-Z-Boy recliner and bathroom, unlike the time we were held captive on that awful Alaskan cruise for seven LONG days. But I digress.

Recently, we took a one-night trip to northwest Alabama, where we visited the pretty, quaint cities of Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals and Florence.

First, we went to Tuscumbia to visit Helen Keller’s childhood home, Ivy Green. The tour was really great.

Keller’s home had most of the original furniture, pictures and other memorabilia.

Mike and I even had our picture taken at the water pump where Annie Sullivan, the amazing teacher, finger spelled “water” into Keller’s hand so that she could learn sign language. Keller went on to graduate from Radcliffe College and to

write many books and articles. Our tour guide said Keller’s IQ was 160. A person with an IQ of 120 is considered gifted.

Although I really admired Keller for overcoming being blind, deaf and mute. I didn’t realize that she also learned to speak by touching Sullivan’s throat and tongue so that she could feel the vibrations of spoken words. Mike and I watched a video that had Keller speaking to the Lion’s Club; her enunciation was remarkable. Helen Keller is definitely my favorite Alabamian.

The next day, we traveled to Florence to the Muscle Shoals Recording Studio where the Muscle Shoals Swampers played and were sung about by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Swampers backed up some of the most famous singers, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Aretha Franklin, Cher, Willie Nelson and countless others, when they recorded hit after hit at the small studio.

In fact, our tour guide said the only recording studio that produced

Momma Jean's in Florence, Alabama, is a meat-and-three restaurant. more number one hits than the Muscle Shoals Recording Studio was Motown.

I was personally thrilled to sit at the piano and touch the keys on which Bob Seger had played “Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll” and a band member of Lynyrd Skynyrd played “Free Bird.”

For supper in Florence, Mike and I drove to Momma Jean’s Restaurant at 3609 Cloverdale Road. Momma Jean’s is a meat and three, my favorite type of restaurant.

I loved the rustic atmosphere and all of the signs on the walls and booths. My favorite scripture, Phil. 4:13 was there: “I can do all

things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I also liked: “Put God first, and you will never be last,” and “Be the person you want your children to be.” There you go.

J.T. (John Thomas) Turner, our server, was so kind, helpful and patient. Also, Julie Morgan, who is a close family friend of Momma Jean, has worked off and on at the restaurant for 17 years. Her daughter Catelynn works there, too.

Julie said the restaurant was the third one that Momma Jean had opened about 10 years ago. “Momma Jean is a cancer survivor,” Julie said. “Little Girl and Little Boy were her

names for everyone.”

Mike ordered the country fried steak, slaw, pinto beans and sweet potato bites. I chose the boneless fried chicken breast, turnip greens, mac and cheese and fried okra.

Oh, my three times.

Everything was delicious. My fried okra was wonderfully homemade and was lightly breaded as fried okra SHOULD be. Also, my greens were really fresh; I, of course, added hot pepper sauce to them as any self-respecting Southerner would do.

Mike loved all of his meal, too. His favorite dish was the warm sweet potato bites.

“I love everything, See WALLACE, page A11

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Everyone is invited to the annual Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Greater Peace Baptist Church, located at 650 Jeter Ave. in Opelika.

Dr. Nolan Donald from the First Methodist Church of Opelika will be the speaker.

Mayors Ron Anders of Auburn and Gary

Fuller of Opelika will present Thanksgiving proclamations for both communities.

Special music will be provided by the Greater Peace Mass Choir, First Methodist Choir and the Auburn-Opelika Korean Choir. An offering will be taken in support of Christian Care Ministries, His Place, The Owen Center, One Voice Shelter Coalition and the Lee County Ministerial Alliance.

PHOTO BY AUDREY KENT / THE OBSERVER

Community-wide Thanksgiving AU student-led Sustenance service set for Sunday, Nov. 19 Project feeds city's children CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER AUBURN — On Nov. 16, Auburn University students participating in the Auburn Sustenance Project distributed 500 bags of food for the week of Thanksgiving to Auburn City School children who qualify for free/reduced meals.

In Fall 2021, students in AU’s Department of Human Development and Family Science explored the impacts of food insecurity on academic success, physical

development, social development, cognitive development, as well as the family stress caused by the lack of food consistency, and the desire to reduce food insecurity within the local community emerged.

The core of the Auburn Sustenance Project’s efforts is to provide Auburn’s K-5 students with breakfast, lunch and snack during the summer months, winter break, Thanksgiving break and spring break.

To donate, visit www.auburnsustenanceproject.com.

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A8 Nov. 16, 2023

Sean of the South

The checkout lane

H

SEAN DIETRICH

e was loading my grocery bags. I’ll call him Michael. He was early twenties, wearing an apron. He has Down syndrome.

“How are you today?” he said.

“Pretty good,” said I. “So am I!” he said.

“I’m doing pretty good, too!”

I smiled. “How about that.”

The cashier was dutifully scanning my groceries, sliding them into the bagging area.

Michael was loading my plastic bag slowly.

And I mean extremely slowly.

One. Item. At. A. Time.

He was an artist. He packed my first bag like it was going into the Smithsonian.

“I’m trying to load it just right,” Michael said. “I’m supposed to take my time bagging.

My manager said not to hurry. I used to rush it. But now I don’t rush it anymore. I go slow.

Really slow. Like this.”

He placed a box of Cheez-Its into a bag so gently he might as well have been handling a live grenade.

Eventually, we were standing around waiting on him to finish bagging. I had already paid, but Michael was still packing my first bag, moving at about the same pace as law school.

The bagging area was still brimming with groceries and there was a long line of customers

accumulating in the checkout lane behind us, wearing aggravated looks on their pinched and sour faces.

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who slow down when they see a yellow light, and those who speed up. These customers were the latter.

The cashier asked Michael if he wanted help bagging to speed things up.

“No, thank you,” he said, placing toothpaste into the bag carefully.

“I’m good.”

“But people are waiting,” the cashier said.

So Michael took a moment to smile and wave at everyone.

After what seemed like a long time he finished loading my first bag. He placed the bag into my cart.

“There!” he announced, dusting his hands.

One bag down. Fifty to go.

The cashier said, “Michael, there’s a long line waiting, we need to hurry.”

“I can’t hurry,” said Michael. “We’re NOT supposed to hurry. We

don’t rush. That’s what the manager told me.

Never rush it. ‘Don’t rush it, Michael,’ that’s what he told me. So I’m not rushing it. You go ask him, that’s what he’ll say to you. Don’t rush it.”

“Michael…”

“Last time I rushed it I got in trouble, and I’m not getting in trouble again, so I’m not gonna rush it, I’m gonna…”

“Okay, okay,” she said.

So she flipped on her aisle light, which began to blink. She told the shoppers to find another checkout lane.

This was going to take a while.

The disgruntled customers shot their disgusted glares in our direction.

And thus it was, we watched a master at work. My bags were the most meticulously, well-crafted, perfectly packed grocery bags in the state. He placed each bag into my cart one at a time.

When Michael finally finished he asked if I wanted help out to my car. At first, I was going to say no thank

you, but I figured, why not? It’s not every day you meet a craftsman who takes pride in his work.

“Sure,” I said.

Michael pushed my cart out to the parking lot and we talked. I learned a lot about him.

He told me that he loves this job because it is fun. He told me he has a cat who is crazy but also fun. He told me about how he is going to save up money to buy professional sound equipment so that he can be a wedding DJ someday because DJs are super fun. He likes rap music, which can be fun if they don’t cuss too much.

He likes chicken. He likes Jolly Ranchers.

He likes it when everyone sings together before baseball games, which is fun.

His favorite sport is baseball because it’s also fun. But, then, so is soccer. And come to think of it, pretty much all the other sports, too.

He also has a new phone, which he showed to me. The screen’s background was a picture of

himself posing with a woman who I assume is his mother. They were hugging each other and laughing in the photo.

“Is that your mom?”

I said.

“Oh, yes,” he said.

“What’s she like?”

He stared at the screen. “She is really pretty.”

Michael helped me load groceries into my truck and treated my bags with his trademarked tenderness. Before we left each other’s company we shook hands, I asked him to give me some parting words before I drove away.

He pointed a finger at me and said, “Don’t rush it.”

An artist, I tell you.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored 15 books, he is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast and he makes appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.

GOGUE NEWS

Nov. 16 — Straight No Chaser presents its holiday-themed Sleighin' It Tour

Home for the holidays

Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 —Mean Girls

For nearly 50 years, Annie and Henry lived in a mobile home on their property, with the intention to build their dream home there once they retired.

With an unwavering commitment to their goal and a little help from AuburnBank, they moved into their new home this year.

It was an honor for AuburnBank to assist Annie and Henry in fulfilling their dream.

Mortgage lender, Celeste Smith Norris stated, “They reminded me why I love this job.”

We’d love to talk with you about your plans for purchasing a home. Call us at 334-887-4608 to make an appointment.

Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com

w/Celeste at our new

home

Tickets can be purchased online at goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497) or in-person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street in Auburn, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Mean Girls is recommended for ages 12 and up.

• Mean Girls contains mature content and language.

• This performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and includes one 15-minute

intermission.

A9 Nov. 16, 2023

East Alabamians walk to end Alzheimer's

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE / FOR THE OBSERVER

With 439 participants, the 2023 East Alabama Walk to End Alzheimer's, held Oct. 29 at Kiesel Park in Auburn, surpassed its fundraising goal of $60,000.

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE / FOR THE OBSERVER

WALLACE >> from A7 and there won’t be anything left,” he said.

Not much was left for either of us. However, we each still ordered a piece of lemon ice box pie, because we didn’t want to share. When we finished our meal, Mike and I waddled to our car, as full as two ticks.

Besides our delectable dishes, Momma Jean’s also serves diners a great selection of appetizers, salads, platters, catfish, shrimp, sandwiches, clubs, burgers and hot dogs.

Trust me, visit the northern part of our beautiful state and dine at Momma Jean’s Restaurant. You’ll waddle to your car, too.

Momma Jean’s Restaurant serves break-

Stacey Patton Wallace gives Momma Jean's, a meat-and-three restaurant in Florence, Alabama, an A+. fast from 8 to 11 a.m. and dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Momma Jean’s Restaurant makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English

teacher.

Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who taught language arts for 30

years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” appears every other week in The Observer.

Wallace may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com.

Scenes from Opelika Main Street's Holiday Open House PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Santa Claus made his first appearance at Opelika Main Street's annual Holiday Open House Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023.

A10 Nov. 16, 2023

Holiday season underway, with ice skating and daily 'snowfall' ICE SKATING Grand opening of the ice-skating rink at Auburn’s Hey Day Market is set for Friday, Nov. 17, featuring a “Break the Ice” game played by the Auburn University hockey team at 5:30 p.m. Posters and autographs will be available. Located on the Hey Day Market greenspace, the ice-skating rink will be open daily from noon until 8:30 p.m. through Jan. 15, 2024. The cost, which includes skate rental and one hour of skate time, is $13 for children ages 12 & under and $20 for adults.

DAILY “SNOWFALL” Enjoy a touch of winter wonder every evening at 5 p.m., with “snowfall” at Auburn’s Hey Day Market, beginning Friday, Nov. 17.

17th ANNUAL HOLIDAY ART SALE The Auburn Arts Association, Auburn Parks & Recreation and Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center will host the 17th annual Holiday Art Sale on Saturday, Nov.18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Complex.

Local artists will be selling paintings, pottery, stained glass, photography, cards, jewelry, hats, scarves and much more.

Admission is free and open to the public.

LAFAYETTE ROCKINGFEST The 2023 RockingFest on the Square in downtown LaFayette, featuring the “world’s largest slide and snowman,” is set for Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MOORE’S MILL CLUB TURKEY TROT Runners, joggers and walkers are welcome to the annual Moore’s Mill Club Turkey Trot, an annual Thanksgiving morning tradition. The event will take place at 8 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 23, at the club pavilion, located at 1957 Fairway Dr. in Auburn, and will feature hot chocolate, coffee and breakfast snacks, as well as a cash or card Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar. Members and non-members will participate in one-mile and three-mile routes. Strollers and pets on leashes are welcome. Cost is $35 per participant, with all proceeds benefitting the Food Bank of East Alabama. Last year, the event raised more than $20,000. For more information and to pre-register, go to the website mooresmillclub.com/turkeytrot.

THANKSGIVING AT MARIOTT GRAND NATIONAL The Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National will host its annual Thanksgiving Buffet in Southern Oak on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23. Enjoy a raw bar, carving station, action stations, children's buffet, sweet treats and complimentary champagne. Seating times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For reservations, call (334) 737-2117. The cost is $74 for adults, $35 for children ages 7-12 and free for children ages 6 and under.

THANKSGIVING AT 1856 — CULINARY RESIDENCE Located inside AU’s Rane Culinary Science Center, 1856 – Culinary Residence will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. Chef-in-Residence Ford Fry and staff will create a unique 7-course tasting menu, with wine pairings curated by Master Sommelier Thomas Price. The cost is $125 per person. Prepaid reservations are being accepted for parties of one to eight.

HEY DAY MARKET CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING The tradition of the lighting of Auburn’s Hey Day Market tree continues this year. Watch the 24-foot-tall Christmas tree illuminate the night on Friday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m.

BLUE FRIDAY In Auburn, it is not Black Friday, but BLUE FRIDAY! Downtown merchants will be open extended hours on the busiest shopping day of the year, Friday, Nov. 24, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. offering doorbusters and special sales. The event is suitable for all ages and is free to attend.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS@ THE FARM AT ROCKY TOP The Farm at Rocky Top will host Country Christmas each weekend from Nov. 24 through Dec. 17. The farm, located at 2910 Lee Road 145 in Salem, will feature Santa Claus Corner, a reindeer food-making station, a snow castle, Christmas tree picking, train rides and more. Admission is $12 for ages two and up and $7 for ages 65 and up. Dates and times are: Friday & Saturday, Nov. 24 & 25, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, Dec. 1, 8 & 15, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Dec. 3, 10 & 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

AU HOLIDAY LIGHTING CEREMONY Auburn University’s annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony will be held on Sunday, Nov. 26, on Samford Lawn. Guests will enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree and Menorah to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The event will include family activities from 4 to 5 p.m. and there will be performances by local choirs and students from 5 to 6 p.m.

ICE CREAM WITH SANTA CLAUS Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit O Town Ice Cream in Opelika on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.

SNOPELIKA PARADE & TREE LIGHTING Snopelika is Opelika’s official kick-off event for the Christmas season. The annual community event will feature a parade along Railroad Avenue, artificial snowfall and a tree lighting ceremony at Courthouse Square on Friday, Dec. 1. The festivities, which will begin at 5 p.m., are free to attend.

DOWNTOWN AUBURN HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Downtown Auburn merchants will remain open for extended shopping hours and offer exclusive discounts and specials from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. There will also be children’s activities, Santa, live music, cocktails to go and more.

DONUTS WITH DEPUTIES Don't miss a festive and fun holiday drop-in with the Lee County Deputies at the Donuts with Deputies event on Friday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Twin City FOP Lodge No. 21 in Opelika. There will be sweet treats, coloring activities and more, including a special mailbox to send off letters to Santa.

JINGLE JOG 5K & SANTA STROLL FUN RUN Pull out your ugly Christmas sweaters and get ready for the Jingle Jog 5k and Santa Stroll Fun Run, set for Saturday, Dec. 2. The one-mile Santa Stroll Fun Run will begin at 6:30 a.m., and the Jingle Jog 5k will begin at 7 a.m., both at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn.

AUBURN DRIVE-THRU TOY DRIVE Help make the holidays bright for disadvantaged children in Auburn by bringing newly purchased, unwrapped toys to a drive-thru donation event at the Dean Road Recreation Center on Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MARKET For more than 50 years, the United Women of Faith at Auburn United Methodist Church have used all proceeds from its annual Christmas Market to support local area missions. Shop local arts, crafts, food, traditional baked goods and frozen soups and casseroles at this year’s Christmas Market at AUMC on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free to attend.

SANTA ON THE CORNER Santa Claus will be at Toomer's Corner in Downtown Auburn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, and from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 ANNUAL COOKIE WALK The 28th Annual WeHelp Cookie Walk will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon at True Deliverance Holiness Church, located at 936 N. Donahue Dr. in Auburn. The Cookie Walk is a fundraiser sponsored by the WeHelp Coalition of Churches, which proceeds benefitting the Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity. Choose from thousands of Christmas cookies and treats while listening to musical talent and visiting with Santa. Enter for a chance to take home one of three beautiful handmade quilts. Cookie donations may be dropped off at Grace United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m, and at the event before 9 a.m. For more information, email auburnopelikahabitat@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY ART MARKET @ OPELIKA ART HAUS The annual Holiday Art Market at the Opelika Art Haus is a one stop shop for local arts and crafts, as well as artisan foods, soaps, candles, pottery and many other beautiful items. The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

HO-HO-HO HIKE & HOLIDAY CELEBRATION On Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kreher Perserve & Nature Center in Auburn will transform into a winter wonderland filled with nature-themed crafts, performances, cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Mrs. Claus. The Ho-Ho-Ho Hike is a fun "Santa Hunt" where guests hike the Preserve looking for the elusive visitor in red, meeting many of nature's creatures along the way.

O.C.T. CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE The Opelika Community Theatre will present Christmas Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 2, featuring a festive performance, hot chocolate and cookies. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime is 6:30 p.m. at 1220 Fox Run Ave., Suite 216.

Tickets are $5 for children, $10 for adults and are available at www.opelikacommunitytheatre.com.

MERRY MARKET GLYNN SMITH CHEVY GMC Glynn Smith Chevrolet GMC’s inaugural Merry Market, featuring more than 80 vendors, food trucks, a bouncy house, live music and visits with Santa, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 600 Columbus Pkwy., Opelika.

A MARTHA’S TROUBLE CHRISTMAS Martha's Trouble will perform Christmas tunes twice in December at The Sound Wall, located at 605 Avenue B in Opelika. Performances will be on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Friday, Dec. 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $25. BYOB. AUBURN CHRISTMAS PARADE The city of Auburn’s annual Christmas parade will march through downtown on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.

CAROLING @ RANE CENTER Enjoy Christmas caroling prior to the Auburn Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University.

GINGERBREAD VILLAGE @ RANE CULINARY SCIENCE CENTER Following Auburn’s annual Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 3, the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center will unveil

the Gingerbread Village at 3 p.m. The display, East Alabama’s largest, will remain up until New Year’s Day. Santa will be onsite at the Gingerbread Village from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on three Saturdays throughout the holiday season, ready to listen to wish lists and pose for photos. The dates are Dec. 9, Dec. 16 and Dec. 23.

HOLIDAY TEA @ 1856 – CULINARY RESIDENCE On three Sundays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, celebrate the holidays with a Holiday Tea at 1856 – Culinary Residence from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will feature a mixture of assorted patisseries, a selection of specialty teas and wine and champagne selections, as well as a Teddy Bear Tea menu specially made for children.

Reservations required.

BIG BAND HOLIDAYS Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. With big band arrangements of songs both sacred and secular, Big Band Holidays is an uplifting tradition enjoyed by audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Special guest vocalist Ashley Pezzotti joins the band for imaginative new versions of classic holiday tunes. The performance is set for Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Gouge Performing Arts Center at Auburn University.

Ticket prices range from $35 to $90 and are available at the website goguecenter.auburn.edu.

CHRISTMAS IN A RAILROAD TOWN Christmas in a Railroad Town, set for Friday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Opelika, is a night full of activities for children and children at heart, including a mini train, pony rides, large and small animal petting zoos, wagon rides, trolley rides and late night shopping and dining.

VICTORIAN FRONT PORCH CHRISTMAS TOUR Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tours will be held in Opelika’s Historic District along 8th and 9th streets Dec. 8 through 12. This Christmas tradition has been voted one of the southeast's top-rated tourism events and was featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. Sixty Victorian and historic homes are transformed into colorful, nostalgic reminders of Christmases past.

AUBURN TOYS FOR TOTS RACES This year's Auburn Toys for Tots 10k, 5k and one-mile races will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School. All participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed to children in need. The onemile race will start at 8 a.m., followed by the 5k and 10k races at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $35 for the 10K, $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1-mile fun run, which includes a t-shirt, if pre-registered

by Nov. 19 through the website runsignup.com/Race/Info/AL/ Auburn/AuburnToysforTots10k5k1mileAORTA. Race Day registration fees are $55 for the 10k, $40 for the 5k and $25 for the one-mile race.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & RUDOLPH The Oaks Farm will host Breakfast with Santa and Rudolph on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be small crafts for the children to enjoy while they visit with Santa.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children and free for ages 2 and under. Price includes a breakfast buffet, beverages and a photo with Santa. Tickets will be available at the door and may be purchased by cash, check or credit card. RSVP at www. theoaksfarm.net/event-details/breakfast-with-santa-2/form.

The Oaks is located at 18221 Veterans Memorial Parkway in LaFayette.

BRUNCH WITH SANTA Enjoy brunch with Santa at the Auburn Marriott Opelika at Grand National on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will feature Christmas crafts, train rides on the North Pole Express and time with Santa and his elves.

THE NUTCRACKER The classic holiday ballet The Nutcracker will be presented Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, at Woltosz Theatre at the Gouge Performing Arts Center at Auburn University.

Performances are set for Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office and online at gougecenter.evenue.net.

SANTA CLAUS AT HEY DAY MARKET Santa will Join Hey Day Market in their holiday festivities with a visit from Santa Claus! Bring your cameras and Christmas cheer to meet the big man in red from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Can't make it this time? No worries!

Santa Claus will be back at the Hey Day Market from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 and again on Dec. 23.

ROCKY BROOK ROCKET REINDEER EXPRESS The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department will host the Rocky Brook Reindeer Express Dec. 14 through 16 in Monkey Park. Train rides will be $2 per person, cash only, and will take you through stunning Christmas scenes with thousands of lights sure to put you in the Holiday mood.

COLLINWOOD LUMINARIES Collinwood Luminaries is a neighborhood event off 10th Street in Opelika with live characters and animals and a live nativity. Drive through the neighborhood beginning on Friday,

See HOLIDAY CALENDAR, page A11

Want help spreading the word about your event? Send it to us! editor@opelikaobserver.com * Deadline is noon on Tuesdays

A11 Nov. 16, 2023

Sundilla Concert Series features return of Ellis Paul AUBURN — Ellis Paul is returning to the Sundilla Concert Series stage for a special post-Thanksgiving performance. He is bringing the renowned Radoslav Lorkovic with him.

As a special treat, Auburn's own Walter Lloyd, the recent winner of the Auburn Student Singer/Songwriter Competition, will open the show.

The performances are set for Sunday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF), located at 450 E. Thatch Ave. Advance tickets are $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at www. sundillamusic.com. Admission at the door will be $25. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the

audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food or beverage.

“Legendary” is not a word to be thrown around lightly, but in this case, it is entirely appropriate. Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitarcarrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit.

After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a seven-album contract with Rounder

Records and the 1994 album, Stories.

His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films and have been covered by Grammy-award winning artists. Through a steady succession of albums of his own — a remarkable 23 releases so far — and a constant touring presence around the world, Paul’s audience has grown into a loyal legion of fans. Along the way, he has picked up an impressive number of awards, including the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, 15 Boston Music Awards, an honorary doctorate from the University of Maine, the 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards Artist of the Year and, most recently his album, “The Storyteller’s Suitcase,” was named the 2019 NERFA Album of the Year. His most recent release, “55,” is garnering similar accolades.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

ELLIS PAUL

Southern Union to perform 'A Hometown Christmas' PHOTO BY KEVIN BROWN

HOLIDAY CALENDAR >>

from A10

Dec. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly.

SOUND WALL CHRISTMAS SUPPER CLUB The Sound Wall Christmas Supper Club is a reservationonly event featuring Chef Chris Wilton’s fan favorite Beef Wellington with an exquisite four-course chef’s menu.

On Sunday, Dec. 10, and on Monday, Dec. 11, guests will gather around the table to watch and interact with the Chef as dishes are being created. Expect next-level, delicious food.

This is a bring-your-own beverage event. Tickets are $75 and are available at theswmi.org. The venue is located at 605 Avenue B in Opelika. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and supper is at 7 p.m. each night. BYOB. FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES On Wednesday, Dec. 13, join The Hound and The Depot for their Sixth Annual Feast of the Seven Fishes, a traditional Italian celebration of Christmas Eve with fish and other seafood. A seven-course meal and five drink pairings will be planned and prepared by Chef Robbie Nicolaisen from The Hound and Chef Scott Simpson from The Depot. A limited number of tickets are available for $200, which includes tax

The Southern Union Music Department will present its annual concert, A Hometown Christmas, Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 in Brazeal Auditorium on Southern Union’s Wadley Campus. A tradition since 1972, the concert has grown into a premier holiday event in East Central Alabama. This year’s choir features around 40 singers and dancers from SUSCC’s fine arts department.

Past and current holiday favorites will be highlighted in the show that features fun and festive, as well as religious selections. Children of all ages will be delighted by an appearance by Santa himself. Tickets should be purchased in advance by visiting the Southern Union website at www.suscc.edu or by calling the Business Office at 256-395-2211, ext. 5113.

and gratuity. The event will be held at 124 Mitcham Ave. in Auburn. Cocktail Hour will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. This event will be community seating. Please advise if there are friends coming with which you would like to be seated by leaving their name(s) in the comment box when purchasing your tickets at https://www. allaboardauburn.com. Please note: Due to the nature of the event, changes to the dishes to accommodate allergies and/or dietary restrictions are not available.

MARRIAGE CHRISTMAS BALL Covenant Relationship Ministries will present the 11th annual Marriage Christmas Ball on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Southern Room at Southern Union Community College. This black-tie event was started and is hosted by marriage counselors Glenn and Anita Comer to provide an evening of fun for married couples and those who are seeking marriage relationships.

Tickets are on sale for $50 per person, which includes a plated dinner and entertainment by a live band featuring Demetriace Jordan and other performers. This event is supported with donations from local businesses and three area churches: New Life Christian Center, Pastor Auzzie Comer; True Deliverance Holiness Church, Bishop Nolan Torbert; and Christ Temple, Bishop Kenneth Carter.

Be a Santa to a Senior PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is teaming with Home Instead for the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program again this year. Through this program, Home Instead and its community partners deliver Christmas gifts to financially challenged seniors. Last year, more than two million gifts were delivered nationwide. Each of the ornaments on the tree in the Sheriff’s Office lobby represents the wish list for a local senior. “Be a Santa” participants may stop by and pick out a senior’s wish list, then drop off the unwrapped gifts and ornament by Friday, Dec. 8. The Sheriff’s Office will work with Home Instead to make sure the gifts are delivered to in time for Christmas.

A12 Nov. 16, 2023

Beulah Cleanup a success PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Volunteers from Lee County Environmental Services joined the Beulah Community Cleanup.

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BEULAH — Beulah held a community-wide city cleanup recently with the help from many local organizations.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 11 (Auburn); men from the Richard “Rick” L. Diles (Beta Sigma Chapter, ’81) Fall Pledge Class and Brothers of Delta Chapter; Alpha Phi Omega; the National Service Fraternity from Auburn University; personnel from Lee County, Alabama; Environmental Services; members of Beulah Friends of the Community; and neighbors from the Beulah Community all participated in the cleanup.

Boy Scout Troop 11 collected trash from more than one-and-a-half miles of roadway near Yarbrough’s Crossroad.

Amy Thomas and her son, Ricky, and Wendy Gray and her daughter, Anna, picked up trash on almost two miles of Lee

279 from Prince’s Bridge to the four-way stop.

In addition to the “Glitter Crew” (who tackled Lee 379 from Lee 158 to the Long Bridge), volunteer staff personnel from Lee County’s Environmental Services assisted in the cleanup of Lee Roads 270 from Beulah Baptist Church to Lee 379 and Lee Road 372 from McCulloh, meeting back at Beulah Baptist Church.

Beulah Friends of the Community originally asked the Environmental Services for a pickup of anything the group collected. However, Environmental Services Director John McDonald said that because the department wanted to be able to support the community group cleanup campaigns when possible, he would send three crews to assist.

Member Jim Bishop, along with two men from New Birth Ministries, prepared the beds at Yarbrough’s Crossroads for

adding new mulch.

Finally, a team that included Members Daniel Cushman and Richard Simpkins, with the assistance of the men from Alpha Phi Omega and two local candidates for office, picked up trash and spread five yards of mulch in the five triangles and at the beds at Yarbrough’s Crossroads.

Beulah Friends of the Community thanked Lee County Probate Judge candidate Jere Colley and Lee County District Court Judge candidate Clay Thomas for their help in picking up trash and spreading mulch. Thomas said it was a welcome break from campaigning.

Beulah Fire Captain Aldridge and volunteer Garald Terry provided traffic safety support.

Beulah Friends of the Community said it believes the cleanup effort picked up trash on between 12 and 13 miles of roadway in the Beulah Community.

Donate a shoe box gift CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER AUBURN — As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families are giving thanks for all their blessings and sharing them with children in need by packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, an annual project of Samaritan’s Purse.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for three decades. In 2023, the project hopes

to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.

Donors fill shoe boxes with toys, personal care items and school supplies. Operation Christmas Child provides a convenient guide to packing a shoe box with appropriate gifts for boys and girls in different age ranges. If you don’t have your own shoe box to fill, they even have pre-decorated cardboard and plastic options for purchase.

Shoe boxes may be dropped off now through Monday, Nov. 20, at

Parkway Baptist Church, located at 766 E. University Dr. in Auburn, at the following times: Thursday, Nov. 16, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, and Monday, Nov. 20, from 8 to 10 a.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.

What's Happening in Lee County FARMER'S MARKETS OGrows Fall Market, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.

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.

AUBURN/OPELIKA MOPS ANNOUNCE 2023-24 MEETING DATES Auburn/Opelika MOPS (Moth- Feb. 1, 15 ers of Preschoolers) and MOMS- March 7, 21 Next meet at Pepperell Baptist - April 4, 18 Church located at 2702 2nd Ave. in - May 2 Opelika.

The next meetings scheduled are: Contact Rachel Elrod at 706- Dec. 7 244-5620 or Kaela Sexton at 719- Jan. 18 351-8093 for further information.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Nov. 21, 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. There will be no meeting in December.

A13 Nov. 16, 2023

Altar Call

WALT ALBRITTON

A

OPINION — lmost three years have passed since my wife died.

Her death enrolled me in a school I had not wanted to attend – the School of Sorrow. Nonetheless, the lessons I am learning are helping me move forward with the rest of my life.

Some lessons I had anticipated, having witnessed others cope with grief. I knew I would struggle with sadness, guilt,

self-pity and apathy, and I have. What surprised me was the anguish of no longer being able to share with my wife both the joyful and the difficult experiences of my daily life. No one had warned me how frustrating that would be. It remains an exasperating struggle.

Those conversations usually occurred as we shared a meal together.

Now, for the first time in more than 88 years, I am learning how to eat alone.

I had never imagined how difficult that would be. Of course, my family and many friends have often brought a meal and have eaten with me, but more often than not, I am alone at the table. That

Learning to eat alone

in and of itself is not painful; it is a feeling that there is “something wrong about this.” Perhaps the words “strange” and “per-plexing” describe what I feel.

God answered my cry for help by motivating my friend Mike McElroy to give me a book titled Every Moment Holy, by Douglas McKelvey. It is a compilation of quaint liturgies including this one that is teaching me how to eat alone without complaining about it:

A LITURGY BEFORE A MEAL EATEN ALONE You created us for companionship, O God, for the sharing of burdens,

for the joining of celebrations, for the breaking of bread in fellowship, and so it is not unnatural that we should taste a particular sorrow when eating a meal alone.

Sit with me and linger at this solitary table, O Lord.

In the absence of human companions, may I know more fully your presence.

In this silence where there is no conversation, may I more clearly hear your voice.

Use my own momentary loneliness to work in me a more effectual sympathy for others who are often

alone, and who long for the companionship of their God and of his people.

Let me afterward be more intentional in the practice of hospitality.

Let me sometimes be the reason the loneliness of another is relieved.

Meet me now in my own loneliness, O Lord.

Meet me in this meal. I receive it a your provision for my life in this hour. Amen.

I welcomed this prayer as a message from Jesus, so I have invited Him to sit with me when I am eating a meal alone and “taste a particular

sorrow.” It means so much when He speaks to me.

One day I heard Him say, “Walter, I know it has not been easy for you to eat alone, but I am pleased that you are learning to use this time to think of ways you can relieve the loneliness of others. Do remember that you are not alone, for I am sitting at this table with you.

And I will continue walking with you as you learn the other lessons I am teaching you in the School of Sorrow.

Be patient with yourself; you are my man, and I will never leave you.”

His presence, and His affirmation, can turn a can of chicken soup and crackers into a wonderful mealtime!

disciplines of nursing, with likely her most favorite being the many years she spent in Athens, Georgia, growing the Athens Adult Day Care with the Athens Community Council on Aging. Always an advocate for the underserved, she recently said this was her most enduring cause.

For most of the past six years, Joan lived nearest to her daughter, Debbie, and was fortunate to have the support of her family for regular visits and outings. She had the technology support of her grandson, Matt MacKenzie (Anna), via frequent visits and phone calls to ensure that she was able to use her computer, iPad and/or iPhone to keep in touch and her TV remote to watch her favorite shows at volume level 39. She was not technologically gifted, and she was a challenging student to teach, but she greatly enjoyed the ability for family and friends to keep in touch. A few times each week, she spent time on the phone talking with Janet and Warren maintaining contact with what her “northern family.”

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Auburn. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home of Opelika is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the church’s Joan Duffett Fund c/o First Presbyterian Church, 143 E. Thach Ave., Auburn, AL 36830, as she wanted to help the church do more to enable mobility for its seniors.

1946, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Troy Beatty Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. She spent her childhood there, attending Snowden and St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls and graduating from Central High School in 1964. Following high school she studied elementary education at the William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, as well as Memphis State University, later receiving an executive secretary certificate from the Miller-Hawkins Business College in Memphis.

Anita had a lifelong interest in politics and was active in Young Republicans in the midto late-1960s. Her dream of working in Washington D.C. for a senator or congressman was realized when she secured a position working for Sen. Barry Goldwater on Capitol Hill under the Nixon administration. While in D.C., she married Robert Faris Price, with whom she had a son, Eric Cassell Price, in 1979.

Following a divorce in 1988, Auburn, Alabama, became Anita’s home so that she could be in closer proximity to her brother, Troy Beatty III. Anita was a steadfast Christian throughout her lifetime and was active at the Auburn United Methodist Church, as well as Union Christian Church in Tuskegee.

She always made it a point to donate to charitable causes and take up for those less fortunate.

She will be remembered for her generous smile and devotion to her family.

Anita was preceded in death by her brother in 2015 and sister, Tina McWhorter, in 2021. She is survived by her son, Eric Price (Kristen), and grandson, Rowan Price, of Kentfield, California.

OBITUARIES ANNA COWART SALTER ASBURY Anna Cowart Salter Asbury, 92, of Opelika passed away peacefully on November 12, 2023, at Compassus Bethany House in Auburn.

Born in Opelika on May 5, 1931, Anna was the daughter of Judson H. and Lucy H. Salter. While a student at Clift High School/Opelika High School, she was a cheerleader and a member of many school clubs. In her senior year, she was voted a Senior Beauty, Queen of the May, with her boyfriend (later husband), Harris, as her May King. Anna and Harris were also voted Most Popular. Following graduation from OHS in 1949, Anna attended the University of Montevallo, before transferring to the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in home economics in 1953. She was a member of Kappa Delta social sorority.

Anna asked Harris to marry her while he was on leave from the Air Force and was in town for the Georgia Tech vs. Auburn football game in October of 1954. Harris said yes and the couple wed seven weeks later on December 18.

The newlyweds began their married life at Antigo Air Force Station in Wisconsin. In 1955, they moved to Atlanta, where Anna designed window displays for the J.P. Allen Department Store. In 1960, along with their toddler son, the family moved back to Opelika. Anna made a major impact on her hometown as a member of many clubs and numerous community committees. She led her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop No. 102 from Brownies in 1966 to First Class Scouts in 1978. In 1976, she served as president of the committee that planned local celebrations for

America’s Bicentennial, and in 1987, she co-founded Opelika Main Street. Anna was a member of the charter board of directors that established the Museum of East Alabama, and in 1968, she became a founding member of the Phalo Study Club, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. She was a member of the Jonquil Garden Club, served a term as president of the Opelika Arts Association, was a successful Tupperware sales representative, and created window displays for Hollingsworth, Norman & Stern Department Store in Historic Downtown Opelika.

As a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Opelika, Anna co- taught kindergarten Sunday School for 25 years, taught arts and crafts at VBS, and served on many church committees.

She was an expert seamstress, a master Bridge player, an excellent cook, gardener and crafter and a competitive tennis player. When she moved to assisted living in 2017 and had to give up her favorite pastimes, she found new hobbies, including daily exercise classes, playing Amtrak (dominoes) and Bingo.

She also fell in love with reading, devouring more than 200 books.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Anna was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 62 years, Harris W. Asbury (2017). She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wake and Joan Asbury, and her daughter, Kate Asbury Larkin of Opelika; six grandchildren who affectionately called her Nanna: Tyler (Will) Grogan, Field (Holly) Asbury and her namesake, Anna Asbury Larkin (Ian) Carlson of Atlanta; Lucas (Meghan)

Asbury of Nashville; Bo (Catherine) Larkin of Auburn, and Duncan (Grace) Asbury of Birmingham; seven great-grandchildren: Stark, Bascom, Thompson, Helen, Olivia, Charlie and Virginia; one brother, Judson (Joan) of Opelika, three nieces and five nephews.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church of Opelika.

For those who would like to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests Village Friends (P.O. Box 314, Auburn, AL 36831), Bethany House (1171 Gatewood Dr. No. 100, Auburn, AL 36830), the Museum of East Alabama (121 S. 9th St., Opelika, AL 36801), First Methodist Church (702 Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801) or the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation (2000 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801).

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory handled arrangements.

JOAN KINNAMAN DUFFETT Joan Kinnaman Duffett, 89, died peacefully in her sleep after a short stay in hospice care in Auburn on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.

An avid Georgia Bulldog supporter for the men’s football and women’s basketball program, Joan — also known as Mom, Grandma, Gammie and Great Granny — will be missed by everyone except for Aubie, the Auburn University Tigers mascot, who regularly stopped by her senior community located in Auburn. Dressed in her normal red and black attire, Joan would always rise to the occasion to meet Aubie and get her picture taken, making sure to highlight the

“Bulldawg” paraphernalia that her wardrobe supported.

Along with her deceased husband, John R. Duffett, Joan raised three children, Bob Duffett of Gulf Shores, Warren Duffett (Janet) of Indianapolis and Deborah Duin (Evert) of Auburn. She was blessed with seven grandsons, Dan, Taylor, Matt, Brian, Bryce, Tom and Will as well as her favorite granddaughter, Kim. For the last five years, she greatly enjoyed the title of Great Granny to two, Georgia and Sadie. It was over the past month, as she knew that her health was failing, that she spent more time with her grand kids on the phone (or telling us around her bedside), praising their accomplishments, wishing them well for their futures and telling them how proud she and G-Pa were of all of them. Only in the last week of her life did she tell us that the most amazing part of her aging journey was that she was now spending time with those that she loved, catching up with family and friends that she had lost track of and telling all how much they meant to her life. “We should be doing this our entire lives,” she said.

Indeed, the last weekend of her life presented those with her and those with whom she spoke some very lasting and lucid memories.

Joan was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, on Oct. 5, 1934, to Jack Lewis and Margaret Frans Kinnaman.

Along with her sister, Lenore Hiney (Barry), Joan’s parents preceded her in passing. Her youngest sister, Peg Tamagny (Bob), resides in New Jersey.

Joan was a registered nurse by education and training from the Mountainside Hospital Nursing School in Montclair, New Jersey, and had utilized her nursing skills across many

ANITA MAYHEW BEATTY Anita Mayhew Beatty passed away peacefully the morning of Nov. 6, 2023, at the age of 77.

She was born on Jan. 30,

Pre-Need Services Available Call 334-749-8700 for an appointment Your Full-Service Funeral Home

See OBITUARIES, page A14

A14 Nov. 16, 2023

Leaving the consequences to God

BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

OPINION — In chapter 6 of Daniel, the Medo-Persians have taken over after defeating Belshazzar and the Babylonians. Daniel (who had to feel like this was déjà vu all over again), lands on his feet. Darius appoints him as one of three administrators over Babylon.

OBITUARIES >>

FOM A13

A graveside service was held at the family plot at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis on Nov. 15, with Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home of Opelika assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Anita’s name to Care Ministries at Auburn United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3135, Auburn, AL 368313135.

DR. IDA DAVID JACKSON

The funeral services for Dr. Ida David Jackson, 99, of Opelika, will be Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 650 Jeter Ave., with interment following in Evergreen Cemetery in Opelika. The Rev. Clifford E. Jones will officiate.

Dr. Jackson passed away at her home on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Dr. Jackson received her early training in the public school system of Lee County, Alabama. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State University

Daniel does so well in this position that Darius decides he wants to turn everything over to him (v. 3). He is “trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (v. 4).

This doesn’t sit well with the other administrators and satraps so they do a deep dive into Daniel in an effort to find something they can use against him. Crickets.

Pinning something on Daniel was like nailing jello to a tree — you just couldn’t do it.

They did learn that Daniel is a person of prayer, so they go to the king and get him to publish a decree saying that anyone who prays to any god or human being other than the king over the next 30 days will be thrown into the lions’ den. Darius

(who must have been more flattered than discerning), goes along with the request, the decree is issued and Daniel, from his co-workers’ perspective, is toast.

But it doesn’t work out that way.

Daniel does the same thing he’s always done — he goes home and prays by the window, giving thanks to God (v. 10). And make no mistake about it, this is where the victory is won.

The victory isn’t when Daniel is rescued from the lions — that’s the victory lap. The main course is Daniel’s choice to continue praying, escaping the lions is the dessert. But we don’t always get dessert, do we?

And now we’re back to chapter 3 where Daniel’s

friends told Nebuchadnezzar that whether they were saved from the fire or not, they weren’t going to bow down to the image.

What we need to see is that like Daniel’s friends, Daniel was leaving the consequences to God. When we were in Romania this summer, I taught English to a lady named Aurelia. In the second week of class, she shared with me that her 13-year-old daughter had an inoperable brain tumor. She had had leukemia when she was younger, and they had lived a year in Rome while that was being treated, but there was no treatment for her tumor. I fumbled for something to say. She didn’t.

She reassured me that her daughter was currently well,

enjoying her life, and they were leaving the rest up to God. And she didn’t blink an eye. Was she emotionally gutted over the situation?

I’m sure she was. But she had put things in God’s hands and was moving forward by faith.

If you want to move your spiritual life to a higher level, just start leaving the consequences to God and you’ll be amazed at the power and peace that will flow into your life. The psalmist reminds us that the righteous “Will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7).

Find more of Green’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-with-brucegreen.com.

and did further graduate study at Tuskegee University. A Doctoral Degree was conferred upon her in 1991 by Selma University, Selma, Alabama.

Dr. Jackson was a retired educator who taught in the Opelika City Schools system for 25 years.

Dr. Jackson was preceded in death by her parents, the late Rev. W. D. David and Mrs. Fannie Guice David and her late husband Mr. Hardin Jackson. She leaves to cherish her memories: a daughter, Mrs. Hardena Renee Todd of Opelika; three grandchildren, Timothy Perry of Opelika, Tomichael Todd of Opelika, and Frandisa (Derrick Sr.) Small of Jacksonville, Florida; two great-grandchildren, Derrick Small Jr. and McKenzie Small; special friends, Joyce Upshaw, Larry and Aniese Nunn, Betty Fielder, Bertha Allen, Christine Carson, Hon. Patricia “Patsy” Jones and Virginia Graham; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, from 2 to 6 p.m. Peterson and Williams Funeral Home is directing.

Chris Rodgers (Brittney); sisters, Gayle Lacy, Katrina Thrower (Freddie) and Mickey Pitzer (Ron); brother, James Cunningham; grandchildren, Dristin Johnson (Chase), C.J. Rodgers (Ashley), Chance Jones, Camden Rodgers, Jaylon Rodgers, Blaine Rodgers, Maddie Rodgers, Tanner Rodgers, Ashlee Jenkins and Chasen Rodgers (Brittany); and great grandchildren, Rowen, Tyden, Livy, Laker, Krew, Evey and Lainey.

A private graveside service was held Nov. 13 at Garden Hills, with Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home of Opelika assisting with arrangements.

Blanks.

Darlene, also known as Susan Dreyer and Nana D to her grandchildren, was a beloved mother, grandmother and sister. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her candid, unyieldingly independent but loving nature, and the joy she brought to those around her.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristy Pulsifer (Randy), sons, Billy Coker and Kenneth Coker (Wanda) and her cherished chihuahua, Angel(ina). Darlene's grandchildren include Breque Ward (Jeremy), Brooke Rubio (Cory), B.J. Coker, Joey Coker (Madison), Steffiny McConnell (Jason), Mark Coker (Elizabeth), Hunter Coker (Kristin), Tiffanie Coker, Lindsay Gregory (Logan), bonus grandchildren Kimberly Merfy (Mike), Danielle Sellers, Kayla Melton, Lizzy Pulsifer, A.P. Pulsifer (Sonja), Jessica Mills (Adam), Kellye Nelson, Rachelle Fawley, Lelia Pulsifer and a host of great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard (Yank) Dreyer, her brothers, Marcus Blanks Jr. (Mickey) and Samuel, a sister, Gayla, and her parents, Marcus and Luvelia Blanks. She is survived by her sister, Betty Faye Byrnes, and brothers, Joel Blanks (Janet) and James Blanks.

The family sends a special thank you to her dedicated and loved hospice team, Shanna and Heather.

A graveside memorial and service for Darlene's life was held Nov. 4, at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika, with

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika assisting with arrangements.

TONYIA MICHELLE CLARK Tonyia Michelle Clark, 48, of Auburn passed away on Nov. 3, 2023. She was born on Sept. 5, 1975, at Randolph County Hospital. She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister and grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Tonyia was preceded in death by her father, Donnie Clark, her nephew, Barry Allen McCard, and her aunt, Martha Ann Chatham. She is survived by her children, Kenneth Ray Thrift Jr. (Katelyn Hill) and Donnie James Thrift, her mother, Irma Lee Hill, her brother, Jamie Hill, her sisters, Patsy Overton, Carmen Cowart and Marissa Shipling (Roger), and her grandchildren, Kayden, Rosalie, Allison and James Thrift. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members who will cherish her memory.

Tonyia attended Randolph County Schools for her primary education and later graduated from Handley High School. She had a diverse career, being self-employed.

She had a passion for buying storage units and reselling their contents. In addition to her career, she was a dedicated homemaker. Outside of work, Tonyia found joy in the great outdoors. She loved swimming, fishing and spending quality time with her family. Her warm and caring nature made her a cherished friend to many.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika.

334-826-8800

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

PATRICE "PAT" TUMLIN Patrice C. “Pat” Tumlin, 68, of Opelika passed away peacefully Tuesday Nov. 7, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James O. Cunningham and Elizabeth Cunningham, and her sister, Anita Helms. She is survived by her husband, Harold Tumlin; sons, Jimmy Rodgers (Toshi), Michael Rodgers (Amanda) and

CHURCH DIRECTORY ANGLICAN The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

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

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

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

BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Road Valley 334-710-2117

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

BRENDA A. MANNING Brenda A. Manning passed away at home on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 64.

Brenda was known for her kind-hearted nature. She loved all kids like they were her own, and she was employed with Opelika City Schools for nearly 30 years. Her memory will forever be in the hearts of the many lives she touched.

She is survived by her daughters, Mari Wilkes (Scot) and Jennifer Manning, sisters, Barbara and Donna, sister-inlaw, Judy, and grandchildren, Auston, Aby and Alivia Wilkes.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

DARLENE DRYER Darlene Dreyer, 76, passed away on Nov. 2, 2023, in Opelika, surrounded by love.

She was born on May 20, 1947, in Alexander City to the late Marcus and Luvelia 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

CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

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

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn

ADD YOUR CHURCH Add your church to the directory for only $75 a year. Email editor@opelikaobserver. com or call (334) 749-8003.

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552

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

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

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

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

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

Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika

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

The Lions Club of Opelika meets every Monday at noon at Western Sizzlin' in Opelika.

Email gm.markley@ charter.net.

A15 Nov. 16, 2023

Tickets for 2023–24 season performances are available now.

A16 Nov. 16, 2023

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Schools & Sports

INSIDE SCHOOL & SPORTS • OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 5 AT 4:30 P.M. • AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 12 AT 6 P.M. • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS | BOARD MEETING DEC. 12 AT 6 P.M.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

Loachapoka Advances PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

On the Mark

OHS Cross Country travels to Oakville OPINION —

T

he Alabama High School Athletic Association hosted the 7A State Cross Country Meet at Oakville Indian Mounds Park.

AHSAA CROSS COUNTRY STATE MEET Opelika's top finishers in the 5,000-meter run were Caroline Couey, who finished 66th among girls with a time of 20:36:04, and Brantley Turnham, who finished 61st among boys with a time of 17:06:71.

The top three finishers in the girls’ race were Lady Tigers, giving Auburn High School its seventh state championship in the last eight years. Auburn’s Sarah Toles was the overall winner in the girl’s division, with a time of 17:54.95.

Also representing Opelika High School at the state meet was Violett Alcorn, who finished 140th among girls. Also in the boys’ 5,000-meter run were Amari

Bynum (145th), Aiden Stephens (156th), Drew Schoonover (159th), Burch Harris (161st), Caleb Thornton (164th), Trevor Thompson (165th), Alexander Burgess (170th), Ben Bell (172nd) and Murphy Williams (174th).

OHS BASKETBALL Opelika’s varsity basketball teams opened the 2023-24 season last week.

The Lady Bulldogs, led by head coach Blake Smalley, beat Russell County 53-49 to open the season on a positive note.

Naomi Whack led with 18 points despite fighting off flu days before the game. Monica Whack and Tyra Pitts scored 10 points apiece.

Boys head coach Wesley Button started the season with two losses last week, 67-53 to ClayChalkville and 63-47 to Russell County.

The Dogs will host Columbia on Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Mainstreet gym.

The girls will host Arab See ON THE MARK, page B5

AU v. Arkansas Recap — B6

Scoreboard showing the final score of the game between Loachapoka and the Southern Choctaw Indians.

BY D. MARK MITCHELL THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — The first round of the AHSAA football playoff ended with four local

teams advancing: Auburn, Loachapoka, Central and Benjamin Russell.

LOACHAPOKA The Indians jumped out to a 20-6 first half lead and added 14 second half points

on their way to a 34-6 win over Southern Choctaw.

Poka's Anthony Wheat scored two TDs in the first half on runs of 11 and three yards. J.K. Walker returned a punt 64 yards for a score,

and Quinton Cooks caught a 28-yard pass for a TD from Pete Nelms late in the first half. Nelms ran three yards for a TD in the third See PLAYOFFS, page B5

Lee-Scott, Glenwood to meet again in state championships

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — This year’s AISA 3A state football championship will be a rematch of Lee-Scott Academy and Glenwood High School, giving both teams a chance to leave their final marks on the AISA. Both schools are set to make the jump to AHSAA athletics next season.

The two rivals have been regulars in the AISA championships in recent years, including last year’s football championship. The Warriors and Gators have traded wins in the last two regular seasons, while the Gators came out on top in the boys 2022-23 basketball championship and baseball

semifinals. “[The state championship will be] a heavyweight game,” said Ryan Nelson, Glenwood head coach. “It’s a battle of the two best teams in 3A, no doubt.

[Both teams] have been the past two years, so it’ll be fun.”

The two teams both earned their way to this year’s championship after lopsided wins in the semifinals, following first-round byes. With a 42-31 win over Lee-Scott in September, Glenwood (10-1) comes in as the No. 1 seed, while Lee-Scott (10-1) is No. 2.

On Thursday night, Glenwood trumped Autauga, 45-12, at home behind four combined touchdowns from running backs Camden White and Carter Judah. Opposingly, Lee-Scott

defeated Fort Dale, 42-3, behind three scores and 147 rushing yards from running back Jonathan Myers.

The rushing attack ruled the game for both squads, as it has for most of the season, but the last time these two met, it was an air raid. Glenwood senior Dallas Crow and Lee-Scott junior Pelzer Reeves combined for seven passing TDs in Glenwood’s 11-point win, while there were five scores of 50 or more yards.

That matchup was the only time either defense allowed more than 20 points all season, and neither team was notorious for surrendering big gains or chunk plays. Simultaneously, See CHAMPIONSHIPS, page B2

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334-749-8303 1-800-327-6519

B2 Nov. 16, 2023

Daniel said CHAMPIONSHIP >> turnovers,” when asked what it will

FROM B1

neither team saw another offense all season with as much firepower as they did that night.

After Lee-Scott swept Glenwood in two matchups in an undefeated 2022 season, the Gators flipped the script with a win in September, making the Warriors the ones looking for redemption this November.

It is difficult to beat any good team twice in a row, but Glenwood will look to reverse last season’s script and take down the Warriors again. In order to prevent a season sweep at the hands of the Gators, Lee-Scott head coach Buster Daniel said ball control will be key after two interceptions led to the Warriors’ demise versus Glenwood in the regular season.

“We can’t have any

take for his team to win the state championship.

“We’ve got to take care of the ball, and we have to be the toughest team on the field.”

While Nelson said the Gators are staying intrinsically focused and tuning out external factors, the Lee-Scott players have been vocal about the significance of a championship rematch with their rival.

“We’ve been pumped for this all season, trying to get back [to state], especially after losing to Glenwood. We knew if we won out, it’d be a rematch, and now we’re ready for it,” Myers said following Lee-Scott’s semifinal win on Thursday.

“We’ve all decided that we’re coming for them.

We’re going to give them all we got.”

Glenwood is keeping to itself, but last season’s 35-16 championship loss has not been forgotten. At

iHeart High School Football Media Day this preseason, Glenwood’s Crow said losing the game to Lee-Scott was a chip on Glenwood’s shoulder to get back to the championship game in 2023.

“Last year, we went to the state championship, and it was a great experience for us, but it didn’t come out how we wanted,” Crow said.

“I think it gives us a chip on our shoulder to go back and work even harder… I believe in our coaches and I believe in our players, and I think we’re going to get it done.”

Glenwood and Lee-Scott will face off in Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl on Thursday, Nov. 16. This time, it’s not only a chance for the programs to lift the trophy to end the season with a win over its rivals, but it’s a chance to go out on top in their AISA eras.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Lee-Scott heads to state

Lee-Scott cheerleaders watch on as the team wins its game last Thursday night against Fort Dale Academy.

B3 Nov. 16, 2023

Loachapoka holds on to undefeated record

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES/THE OBSERVER

Loachapoka remains undefeated this season and will play against rival Brantley Friday, Nov. 17.

B4 Nov. 16, 2023

Opelika High School seniors commit to colleges PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OHS Senior Jackson Killcreas signed a baseball scholarship to Chipola College. Joining Killcreas and his family were coach Brett Powers, coach LeVale Speigner and OHS head baseball coach Zach Blatt.

OHS Senior Sarah Bush officially committed to swim with Auburn University as a preferred walk-on. Joining Bush and her family was OHS head swimming coach Tyler McGill.

Beulah seniors ink softball scholarships last week PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Four seniors from Beulah High School inked scholarships last week. Abrianna Green, top left, signed with Columbus State University; Elizabeth Hancock, top right, signed with Lurleen B. Wallace Community College; Aubryn Trammell, bottom left, signed with Point University and Libby Buchanan signed with Wallace Community College, Dothan. The four students are pictured in the bottom photo with coach Stan Pepper.

B5 Nov. 16, 2023

AU hopeful despite opening basketball season with loss SOUIX FALLS, S.D. —

It goes down as a loss in the record books, but Auburn University men’s basketball returns home from South Dakota with high hopes for the future despite falling 88-82 to No. 20 Baylor to open the 2023-24 campaign on Tuesday, Nov.7.

Auburn’s top two scorers came into the game with their health in question, but freshman phenom Aden Holloway and junior Johni Broome ended up looking like a force to be reckoned with.

Holloway led the team with 19 points and six assists in 27 minutes in his debut, and Broome posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite a valiant effort from Auburn’s duo against ranked competition, they failed to secure a win late in the game. Holloway’s third turnover with 3:19

left in the game led to a 3-pointer from Baylor’s RayJ Dennis to tie the game. Baylor outscored Auburn 11-5 from there, while Broome fouled out with 27 seconds on the clock.

Auburn led 43-34 at halftime, but ball control and putting Baylor at the free-throw line 34 times caught up to the Tigers, allowing Baylor’s 5-star freshman, 6-foot-5 guard Ja’Kobe Walter, to rally for 28 points in his college debut.

The turnover battle was in the Tigers’ favor all game long, but it ended in a 15-15 tie, allowing the Bears to seize control late in the game and force 32 fouls from Auburn. The Bears took advantage of it, shooting 79.4% from the free-throw line and converting on 10 more opportunities than the Tigers.

Although Auburn struggled with fouls, it was the more efficient team offensively.

SPORTS >>

For a team that ranked 320th in the nation in 3-point percentage and 151st in points per game last season, Auburn saw an offensive renaissance to start its season with four new guards. Behind seven combined made 3-pointers between starter Denver Jones and Holloway, Auburn tied Baylor at 9-for-19 from beyond the arch and shot 44.4% from the floor, a point better than Baylor.

The efficient shooting started with swift ball movement. Auburn racked up 18 assists, nine in each half. Holloway led the team with six assists, followed by Cardwell with four, and eight different players assisted on buckets.

Bench play also allowed Auburn to stay fresh. The Tigers’ bench put up 39 points, and Auburn rotated in 11 players. Led by 27 minutes from Holloway off the bench, five players played more than 20 min-

PLAYOFFS >>

FROM B1

FROM B1

on Monday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., also in the Mainstreet Gym. The Lady Bulldogs will also host the first “Hoopsgiving Games” Nov. 21 and 22 in both the Arena and the Mainstreet Gym. Two games will be played at once. Games are scheduled for 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tournament will feature teams from Arab, Eufaula, BTW, Beauregard, Oxford, Auburn, Handley, Russell County, Grissom, Park Crossing and Opelika high schools.

Fans can purchase tickets in advance online at www.gofan.co or at the OHS ticket office.

WRESTLING The Opelika High wrestling team hosted Prattville in the first meet of the season Wednesday night at home. Unfortunately, results were unavailable at press time.

The school has both girls and boys wrestling teams, led by head wrestling coach Davis Simpson.

OHS and OMS wrestling teams will participate in the “Swede Umbach Invitational,” hosted by Auburn High School Dec. 8-11.

Opelika’s girls and boys head wrestling coach is Davis Simpson.

I will have further info on both teams in the coming weeks.

FOOTBALL COACHING SEARCH As of Monday, Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore has not released any information on the search for a new football coach to replace Erik Speakman, who was fired in an early morning meeting last Thursday.

Speakman confirmed to “On the Mark” that he cleaned out his office, but said he was not sure where the school system would place him for the remainder of the academic year. It appears Speakman will have his full 25 years in May of 2024. No official word from Erik Speakman on his future.

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.

quarter. Indian head coach Reco Newton takes his team to play at Brantley (6-4), which advanced by beating Linden 42-17 last week.

TEAM INFO Loachapoka High Indians • Coach Frederick Newton (his fourth Season) 1A, Region 4 No. 1 seed • (10-0, 7-0), defeated Region 2 No. 4 seed Southern Choctaw 34-6 in first round • Will travel to play against Region 1 No. 3 seed Brantley (7-4, 6-2) in second round of playoffs • Brantley won at Region 3 against No. 2 seed Linden 42-17 • Loachapoka last played Brantley in 2014 (0-5 record all-time) • Locachapoka seeking first win in second round or beyond since 2013 (lost in third round) • Winner will play Leory/ Georgiana in 3rd round (Poka would host Leroy, travel to Georgiana) AHS The Auburn High School Tigers beat Baker 27-7 last Friday in Mobile. Sophomore Omar Mabson scored two first half TD's to help AHS build a 17-3 halftime lead. Placekicker Towns McGough made field goals from 57 and 36 yards.

The Tigers improved to 10-2

utes for Auburn, including starters Jones, Broome, Jaylin Williams and Chris Moore.

Defensively, Cardwell had a great impact with five blocks in 14 minutes, and Chad Baker-Mazara gathered two steals in 12 minutes. Despite a healthy guard rotation for Auburn, it was Walter who gave it fits. The Tigers struggled to contain him from any area of the court, as he was a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and 4-for-7 from 3-point land in 34 minutes.

Outside of the outstanding performance from Walter, only seniors Jalen Bridges and Dennis eclipsed 10 points for Baylor. Bridges had a solid all-around impact with 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block, while committing no turnovers.

Improving free-throw output offensively and defensively is the main category where Auburn

on the season and will travel to Phenix City Friday, Nov. 17, to play Central. The Red Devils beat the Tigers 41-20 on Oct. 20 at Duck Samford. Central has beaten Auburn 43 times and leads the series 43-17-3. AHS beat CHS three times since 2020, with two of the wins in the semi-finals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wayne Trawick Field.

TEAM INFO Auburn High Tigers: • Coach Keith Etheredge (his third Season); No. 3 seed in Region 2 • (9-2, 6-2), Won at Region 1 against No. 2 seed Baker last week 27-17 • will play at Region 2 against No. 1 seed Central (10-0, 8-0) in second round of playoffs • Auburn lost 41-20 in regular season, beat Central 14-13 in third round of playoffs last season (17-43 All-time vs.

Central) • Winner will play Mary Montgomery/Enterprise in 7A Semi-finals 11/24 (Auburn would host Mary Montgomery, but travel to Enterprise) Central Red Devils: • (10-0, 8-0), Won vs. Region 1 No. 4 seed Davidson 63-21 in first round of playoffs • Friday, vs. Region 2 No. 3 seed Auburn (9-2, 6-2) in second round of playoffs • Beat Auburn 41-20 in regular season, lost to Auburn 14-13 in

Hunley Group Lambert Transfer and Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, Alabama 36801 334-745-5706

PHOTO BY STEVEN LEONARD/ AURBURN TIGERS

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

Auburn's Chaney Johnson (31) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Baylor Bears at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023

will need to improve going forward. Auburn made 17-of-25 free shots in addition to giving the Bears 34 tries.

However, the areas where it struggled are manageable, while the categories in which it saw improvement were the ones that led to an early exit in the NCAA

3rd round of playoffs last season (43-17 All-time vs. Auburn) • Winner will play Mary Montgomery/Enterprise in 7A Semi-finals 11/24 (Central would host thirrd round against either team) AISA The Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) held its semi-final football games last Thursday. Four local teams advanced to championship games, set to be played Thursday, Nov. 16 at Montgomery's Crampton Bowl.

The 3A championship game at 7 p.m. is a rematch of the 2022 championship game between Lee County schools Lee-Scott and Glenwood.

LEE-SCOTT Lee-Scott Academy’s football team (10-1) blew out Fort Dale behind J.J. Meyers 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Meyers, a senior, continues to play both ways for LSA, including running back on offense and linebacker on defense. Tyler Kennedy gained 55 yards rushing, while Jake White had 69 receiving yards and scored one TD. Quarterback Pelzer Reeves was eight of 10 for 110 yards and two TDs. Meyers, the youngest of three brothers, has been a four-year starter for the Warriors. He is 108 yards away from rushing over 1,000 yards this season.

TEAM INFO

Tournament last season.

Baylor is the first ranked season-opener for Auburn of this decade, allowing Auburn to grow and adjust early in the season.

Auburn will go into its home opener on Friday, Nov. 10, against SE Louisiana already battle tested and with a concrete picture of its abilities.

Lee-Scott Academy Warriors (3A, Region 1): • Coach Buster Daniel (his fourth season) • (10-1, 6-1), defeated Fort Dale 42-3 last week in 3A semifinals • Will play Region 1 No. 1 seed Glenwood (10-1, 7-0) in 3A championship on Thursday.

•Glenwood defeated LeeScott 42-31 on 9/15 this season; LSA beat Glenwood in state championship game last season 35-21 • sixth state championship appearance in school history (4-1 All-time) • State Champions in 2022, 1994, 1990 and 1988.

Glenwood Gators • Coach Ryan Nelson (his second season) • (10-1, 7-0), defeated Autauga 45-12 last week in 3A semifinals • defeated Lee-Scott 42-31 at home on Sept. 15 this season, the first time beating LSA since 2020 • will play Region 1 No. 2 seed Lee-Scott (10-1, 7-1) in 3A championship Nov. 16.

• will go for first state championship win of the 21st century and first in 31 years • ninth state championship appearance in school history (3-5 All-time) • State Champions in 1978, 1991, 1992

B6 Nov. 16, 2023

Recap: AU Tigers easily handle Arkansas

“I told (Scott) this morning at the hotel — I swear I did — I told him that you are going to either return a punt for a score or return one that puts us in field-goal range.”

Scott backed up his coach. “He challenged me in the hotel,” Scott said postgame.

“He said he needed elite play out of me. I accepted that challenge and told him, 'Let's make it happen.’”

Following another three-and-out by the Auburn Defensive Back Caleb Wooden (12) during the game between the (24) Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas offense, the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, AR on Saturday, Nov. 11, Tigers covered 56 yards 2023. in six plays to stretch its lead to 21-0 after Thorne found tight end Rivaldo Fairweather for an 11-yard touchdown pass.

After holding the Arkansas offense to yet another threeand-out, Auburn was moving the ball on its way to another score when a Thorne pass was intercepted by the Razorbacks’ Dwight McGlothern, who returned the pick 42 yards to the Auburn 22-yard line. Just when it looked like Arkansas had life, the Auburn Tight End Rivaldo Fairweather (13), Auburn Offensive Lineman Gunner Britton (53), and Auburn Tiger defense allowed Offensive Lineman Jeremiah Wright (77) during the game last Saturday. only two yards on three plays to force a field goal, which put Arkansas on the board, making the score 21-3.

That is where the score would remain at the close of the first quarter, marking the third straight game the Tigers scored 14 points in the first quarter.

Auburn didn’t have 14 total points in the first quarter combined in the previous seven games. The Tigers have now outscored its opponents 49-6 in the previous three games (Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Arkansas). Auburn’s Auburn Kicker Alex McPherson (38) and Auburn Punter Oscar Chapman (91) during the game between 21 first-quarter points the (24) Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. were the most by the Tigers in the first five-yard line. The minute remaining in recovery extended the quarter of an SEC offense drove the ball the half, the Auburn Tigers’ turnover streak game since scoring 21 73 yards on 13 plays to defense wasn’t done to 19 straight games, against Mississippi the Arkansas 22-yard yet.

Facing third and the longest streak State in 2017. line, where it settled 17, McLeod sacked since an 18-game After trading punts for an Alex McPherson Jefferson, forcing string in 2007-08; the on the subsequent four field goal, putting the a fumble recovered school record is 33 drives, Auburn began Tigers up 24-3. by Auburn’s Marcus games (1997-99). The its drive on its own With just over a Harris. That fumble Tigers would settle for a McPherson field goal on the drive to send the Tigers to the locker room up 27-3.

McPherson’s field goal was his 17th successful kick in a row, breaking the previous Auburn record of 16 surpassing Daniel Carlson.

“Being able to go out there and trust the operation every time you walk out makes it easy to do your job whenever you feel like the others around you are gonna do theirs,” McPherson said.

“That's really our mojo right now, being able to protect, snap, hold and allow me to kick the ball. It feels great.”

The second half picked up where the first half left off.

Following an Arkansas

PHOTO BY ZACH BLAND / AUBURN TIGERS

PHOTO BY AUSTIN PERRYMAN / AUBURN TIGERS

AUBURN — In its best overall performance of the season, the Auburn Tigers (6-4, 3-4) dominated on offense, defense, and special teams to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-7, 1-6) 48-10 to become bowl eligible and record its first three-game win streak in the SEC since 2020.

The Tiger offense piled up 517 yards, its most in an SEC road game since gaining 629 yards in 2017, also against Arkansas.

Auburn’s 354 rushing yards marked its most against a Power Five opponent since gaining a program-record 543 yards in 2016, against ... yep, Arkansas.

Auburn’s 38-point margin of victory is the most over an SEC opponent since 2019. The opponent?

Arkansas (41-point margin, 51-10). The 48 points scored was the most against a conference opponent since scoring 48 against LSU in 2020. Auburn scored 21 points in two different quarters in a game for the first time since the LSU game in 2020.

“Coach Freeze, his track record speaks for itself,” Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne said postgame.

“To be honest, I don’t really know how much he is calling [plays] ... but I know he’s calling some plays.

He’s calling some good ones. He’s dialing up the defense right now, and it’s fun to play.”

Not to be outdone, the Auburn defense owned the line of scrimmage, hitting Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson early and often, compiling five sacks, and limiting the Razorbacks to 1 for 12 on thirddown conversions.

The defense held the Arkansas offenses to a three-and-out on its

first four drives of the game. Auburn's defense has now recorded five sacks in back-to-back games for the first time since 2018.

Auburn edge rusher Jalen McLeod led the defensive effort with nine tackles, a careerhigh three sacks, four tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble. He was asked after the game about coming into a visiting stadium, silencing the crowd and seeing the stadium empty at halftime. “You feel like a menace,” he said with a smile. “You feel like a bad man.”

Before the game, the Tigers preached getting off to a fast start, and that is precisely what happened. Receiving the opening kickoff, the Tigers set up on its own 25-yard line. Just like the previous game against Vanderbilt, Auburn started the game with a Thorne keeper around the left end for an eight-yard gain. Following a falsestart penalty, Thorne hit wide receiver Caleb Burton on a slant for 45 yards. Thorne would run it in six plays later to give the visiting Tigers a 7-0 lead. It was the team’s third straight opening-drive touchdown.

The defense held the Razorbacks to a three-and-out on its first possession when the Auburn special teams got in on the fun.

Keionte Scott ripped off a 74-yard punt return to put the Tigers up 14-0 less than five minutes into the game.

Scott’s return helped Auburn grab its largest first-quarter lead in an SEC game since 2019. It was Auburn's first punt return for a touchdown since Quan Bray against Louisiana Tech in 2014 and its first in an SEC game since Chris Davis returned one against Tennessee in 2013.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze called it before the Tigers arrived at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

PHOTO BY ZACH BLAND / AUBURN TIGERS

BY BRANDON HUGHES FOR THE OBSERVER

See AU-ARKANSAS, page B7

B7 Nov. 16, 2023

AU Men’s BB Rides Bench to First Win of Season

AUBURN — Auburn University men’s basketball went as its bench went on Friday night as the Tigers secured their first win of the season at home over Southeast Louisiana, 86-71.

After shooting 4-for18 as a team to start the game, Aden Holloway and K.D. Johnson came off the bench and wasted no time in providing a spark for the Tigers, as they led an Auburn bench that outscored the starting five 46-40.

With the offense struggling out of the gate, Holloway and Johnson scored 12 straight points for Auburn, increasing its lead from six to 13 with 3:18 left in the opening half. Including a pair of 3-pointers in that run, Holloway sank three shots from beyond the arch in the game to tally 11 points after scoring 19 in his debut versus Baylor.

AU-ARKANSAS >>

FROM B6

three-and-out, the Tigers moved 67 yards in nine plays, capping off the drive with a 14yard touchdown pass from Thorne to wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson extending the

Sparked by the bench, Auburn went on to shoot 41.4% from the field in the game, including 11-for-32 from 3-point range. The team eclipsed 80 points for the second consecutive game after ranking 151st in the NCAA with 72.8 points per game last season, and bench play is a big factor in the offensive improvement for the Tigers through week one of the season.

Starting center Johni Broome has made it tough with two double-doubles and a team-high 18 points versus SE Louisiana, but the bench has outscored the starting five through two games, 85-83.

Broome, Auburn’s leading scorer from a year ago, was the only double-figure scorer among the starters on Friday, while Holloway, Johnson and Chad Baker-Mazara all scored double figures off the bench.

Just when starting forward Jaylin Wil-

liams looked like he was changing that trend with two consecutive swishes from beyond the arch, SE Louisiana went on an 8-0 scoring run to draw its deficit to seven with 7:30 left in the second half.

Again on their heels with a single-digit lead, the Tigers got a boost from their bench for the second time in the game and coasted from there. Right away, Auburn responded with a 9-2 run, capped off by a pair of 3-pointers from Johnson and Holloway.

It wasn’t as easy as the score implies, but a Baker-Mazara dunk sealed Auburn’s 46th consecutive non-conference win at home by 15 points.

While Auburn won decisively, it once again allowed more free-throw opportunities than it took.

SE Louisiana got 22 shots from the charity stripe, while the Tigers went to the line 20 times.

Shooting 85% on free

throws, out rebounding SE Louisiana 46-33 and leading 7-1 in blocked shots allowed Auburn to dominate the game, but the Tigers only forced one turnover in the second half, losing the turnover battle 11-9 and allowing the Lions to hang around and get their guards open looks in transition.

Auburn didn’t face a 6-foot-5 guard like it did with Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, but SE Louisiana guards Roger McFarlane and Rosco Eastmond combined for 39 of its 71 points. McFarlane added 11 rebounds for a double-double of his own. However, the Lions struggled to find scoring options outside of those two, and Auburn locked down the perimeter, only allowing five 3-pointers.

Offensively, Auburn continued its impeccable ball movement, racking up 21 assists after recording 18 against Baylor. Starting guards Tre Donaldson and Jones led the way in that

category with four apiece.

Nine different players assisted on buckets, and Johnson and Holloway each added three.

11 players saw the court again for Auburn, but the same veteran-freshman duo continued their stealthy starts to the season.

Broome recorded his second straight double-double

after putting up nine total last season, and Holloway came off the bench for his second straight double-digit scoring performance to start his college career.

Auburn improved to 1-1 on the season ahead of a trip to Brooklyn, New York, to face Notre Dame on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. CST.

Tigers’ lead to 34-3.

On its following possession, the Razorbacks were putting together its best drive of the game when, at the Auburn 17-yard line, Zion Puckett forced a fumble from Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders.

The ball laid on the

ground for a moment before being picked up by Caleb Wooden, who returned it 74 yards to the Arkansas 11-yard line. Auburn needed only one play to capitalize when Thorne hit Fairweather for the pair's second 11-yard touchdown connection of the game to make

the score 41-3.

Aubur’s defense came up with its sixth three-and-out of the game, and when the Tigers got the ball back, it continued to pour it on as the offense promptly drove 65 yards on eight plays (all runs), with running back Brian Battie

capping the drive with a seven-yard bulldozing touchdown, giving the Tigers’ a 48-3 lead.

Arkansas would score its only touchdown of the game on the following drive.

Backup Razorback QB Jacolby Criswell found Isaac TeSlaa for 11 yards two plays

into the fourth quarter, making the score 48-10 to finish off the scoring for the game.

Next up: Auburn goes for its 800th win in program history this week at home against New Mexico State.

Kickoff is set for 3:00 on the SEC Network.

Tre Donaldson (3) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Neville Arena in Auburn Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

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looks good on you!

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PHOTO BY JAMIE HOLT / AURBURN TIGERS

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

auburnart.com

B8 Nov. 16, 2023

Classroom Observer

'Twas the week before Thanksgiving

BETH PINYERD OPINION —

W

e early childhood teachers love this time of year. “Lest You Forget” is a way to connect our Thanksgiving celebration to the first harvest feast and celebration that brought the Pilgrims and native Americans together. Teachers and families love connecting the past to the present by reading books to our children. Our community is so blessed with wonderful libraries to help teachers and parents to find the books and resources they need. There are so many resources online too.

Children love to learn about the first Thanksgiving with dressing up and acting it out. Our community is so good in offering celebrations to the children and their families. This is a time as families gather to share family history and traditions.

As we get ready for the holidays, we all like to get our holiday boxes down, recipe books out, and idea resources as we get ready for the holidays. We teachers like to look through our resources to help us decorate, find lessons to teach, activities, songs and poems as we celebrate each holiday season. As Classroom Observer I have resources that I have shared with readers and

would like to review as we include children into the Thanksgiving season.

During this week before Thanksgiving with planning and preparing, children love to help in holiday planning. This is such a special time to include young helping hands. It does take time as a parent and teacher to guide young hands to help pick up, clean and organize.

With this, we have to think and plan age-appropriate tasks for each child. It may take a little longer to do chores, but it is valuable learning lessons in feeling responsible and trusted when we ask children to help us.

Household chores offer so many academic and readiness skills. For example, guiding your child to set the table by counting family members a family has, then counting out how many plates, cups, forks, spoons and knives are needed for family members.

This teaches our children about patterning and oneto-one correspondence.

Children can also help sort laundry into socks, pants, shirts, towels, etc.

Children maybe cannot fold laundry, but they can sort the laundry by colors, what the clothes are, and who the clothes belong to.

One thing that I have observed children doing is to take joy in cleaning and wiping down tables. They want to help their teachers

and parents do this simple task. In this week before Thanksgiving, if your child or children have no problems with allergies, let them dust the furniture as preparations are being done for Thanksgiving. Children love to see their reflections.

Let’s move into the kitchen area. This week there may be many dishes that you are preparing for next week, such as desserts, casseroles to be frozen, etc.

Seeing parents cut fruits and vegetables up in halves, thirds and quarters teaches children about fractions.

When children are able to help their families in the kitchen, they learn chronological order of steps to the recipe.

The kitchen offers a wonderful place to teach your children about the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Right here, before Thanksgiving, these recipe ingredients are worth reviewing for our children and families.

1. Take a gallon of love.

This ingredient is one we need so much of. 1 Corinthians 13:13: “and now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Cherish this time in the life of a young child. Those of us who teach children are so blessed with hugs, and hearing the words, “I Love you.”

2. Sprinkle in a dash of joy. Happiness is conditioned by and often dependent on what is “happening to me,” but joy is that deep heartfelt peace that children seem to understand. God provides joy as a divine dimension not shackled by circumstances.

Children display this joy in playing and humming as they

work. Children are fresh from Heaven and they are still wrapped up in their blankets of joy.

3. Weigh out a pound of peace. We can model peace in front of our children by how we get along with others. Sharing and getting along with family, siblings and friends promote peace in a child’s understanding.

Offering forgiveness to others when they have done wrong or hurt other people’s feelings is practicing peace.

This is where we as parents and teachers can guide children to forgive each other when one has been hurt.

4. Throwing in a pinch of patience is such an asset in this fast-paced world.

We classroom teachers teach our young students to raise their hands until it is their turn to answer, put fingers over their mouth to remind them to wait their turns to answer, to hold their thoughts so they don’t interrupt the teaching until the lesson is finished.

Teaching children patience is a courtesy to others.

Teaching patience early in a child’s life is very important and will lead to happiness and contentment.

5. Pour in a cup of

kindness. Doing acts of kindness is contagious.

“Love talked about is easily ignored. But love demonstrated by helping others is irresistible.”

Children are taught not by our words but our actions as we parents and teachers model kindness.

6. Measure out a tablespoon of goodness.

Goodness is doing what is right in the sight of the Lord and man. It is doing the right thing for the right reason.

We are raising our children in a challenging world in 2023, but outreaching in goodness to others overrides bitterness and leads to deep hearted joy.

7. Pouring in a quart of faithfulness is love hanging on. Matthew 19:24: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Children love to pray. With their young hearts, they believe in prayer. They trust and know that God will keep his promises. Over the many years I have taught, children have come to me with prayer requests for themselves, their families and friends. They are so quick to let you know when their prayers are answered.

Establishing faith early in a child’s life when there are answered prayers, disappointments or even discouragements gives them hope.

8. Pour in a pint of gentleness. When we think of gentleness, we think of humility, lack of pride and mercy. With gentleness, children seem to understand examples of thinking of other people first. I love the way preschoolers open the door for each other, go to the back of the line instead of first and look and express good points they see in each other.

9. Self-control adds to the ingredients of this life’s recipes. Self-control for children means that they obey and submit to their parents, teachers and rules. This takes time and consistent teaching.

In this week before Thanksgiving, I hope all families prepare in their hearts to include children in the plans, preparations and “fixings” of a good family and community Thanksgiving.

Beth Pinyerd has taught in the classroom for many years. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education.

Lee County United Way teams with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library OPELIKA — The United Way of Lee County announced last week that it has been chosen as the official partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) in Lee County.

Although DPIL was established in 1995 and has been a prominent fixture in many other Alabama counties, it was previously unavailable in Lee County. DPIL will provide children under age 5 with a new book every month at no cost to their families.

“Alabama’s state literacy rate is among

the lowest in the United States and we understand the importance of offering educational resources and opportunities to kids starting at a young age,” said Gabby Thabes, Community Initiatives Specialist at the United Way of Lee County. “UWLC is thrilled to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to fundraise, coordinate child registration, and organize book distribution in Lee County.”

The United Way is also offering opportunities to assist with the Imagination Library through

sponsorships. You have the option to sponsor one child’s books for one year for a donation of $30, five children’s books for one year for a donation of $150, 10 children’s books for one year for a donation of $300 or give a custom donation amount.

Donations can be made by cash, check or Venmo.

To learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the sponsorships available or to register for the program, visit the United Way of Lee County’s website at unitedwayofleecounty. com/dpil.

L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

B9

Nov. 16, 2023

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

Inside the State House

Negative ads work

STEVE FLOWERS OPINION—

O

ver the years, many of you have lamented to me and said, “I am so tired of seeing all negative ads with candidates lambasting each other in political campaigns. Why don’t candidates say what they are going to do when they are elected, rather than bashing their opponent mercilessly?” People also suggest that campaigns are more negative today than in bygone years. Allow me to answer the question in the reverse order.

Criticizing and slandering your opponent is not new. It was actually more vicious and incendiary in earlier American political life and much more personal.

First of all, there were no television cameras or hidden studios where third party political ad gurus brewed disingenuous ads. Folks in the old days would have to meet their opponents face-to-face at political forums, rallies and debates. They would trade barbs and insults right in the face of each other. In early American political history, there were instances of fisticuffs and even a duel where opponents were shot.

Nothing was off limits, not even peoples’ wives and children. What they did to Andrew Jackson’s wife Rachel was so bad that it eventually caused the poor lady to withdraw and die from depression.

At least today, it seems inappropriate and out of bounds to attack peoples’

family members. Also, in the old days it seemed you could say things about your opponent without there being any semblance of truth to the accusations.

Today there are laws requiring that any attack on the opposition must have a semblance or scintilla of truth. Therefore, it was worse in past decades than today, if you can believe that.

To the main point asked, why do these campaign media gurus use negative ads. It is a simple answer: They work. If they did not work, they would not use them. Polling reveals that negative ads change the trajectory and standing of candidates dramatically and instantaneously. There is a direct correlation to a candidate’s polling numbers before and after being hit by a negative ad. Much more so than a soft, pretty ad advocating that you vote for someone because they are a competent person that would be the ideal elected public servant.

These gurus know this fact because today’s polling is very accurate, and they can read the polls and react and design ads based on polling.

In Alabama political history, the most brilliant and unquestionably accomplished politician was one, George C. Wallace. In Wallace’s early years of “politiken” for his first terms as governor, polling was in its infancy and was not as scientifically accurate.

However, Wallace was born to be a political genius and a political animal. He had a God-given ability to remember names, and he knew what people wanted to hear. He inherently could read the political tea leaves. He did not need polling.

I would visit often with Wallace in his last term. I was a freshman legislator and actually represented his home county of Barbour. He would call

me down from the House floor to visit with him in the governor’s office. He would reminisce about past political forays and governor’s races. He would tell me a lot of inside stories that I will probably never share. However, allow me to share this sage political admonition he imparted to me one day.

He looked me squarely in the eyes and told me that more people vote against someone than for someone. He further elaborated: “You have got to find a boogeyman to run against.” He lived and breathed this belief and strategy. He ran on the race issue and segregation for decades. He rode that horse as long as he could.

However, when black Alabamians were given the right to vote in 1965 and soon after constituted 25% of the Democratic primary electorate, Wallace instantly changed his stripes and went down Dexter Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr.’s church and had a conversion experience and begged forgiveness for exploiting the race issue. Black voters forgave Wallace and elected him governor that last term in 1982. I never said Wallace was a statesman. He was a true, natural politician and, yes, a demagogue. Whatever it took to get elected was Wallace’s modus operandi.

These political gurus of today know the George Wallace adage of finding a boogeyman to run against remains true. In this upcoming election year, that is why you will see countless negative ads on television, because they work.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers.

He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www. steveflowers.us.

Smiths Station appoints Richard Cooley as new mayor

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM SMITHS STATION — Tuesday night, Richard “Rick” Cooley, formerly Place 4 Smiths Station City Council Member, stepped into the role of Mayor of Smiths Station.

Place 2 Council Member Morris Jackson was serving as mayor pro tem since Former Mayor Bubba Copeland’s death on Nov. 3.

“This is a meeting that none of us have See SMITHS STATION, page B11

RICHARD “RICK” COOLEY

Opelika City Council recognizes city employees

BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM OPELIKA — The Opelika City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller recognized the 2023 Firefighters, Police Officers and Communication Officer of the Year. Turn to B10 for photos.

OTHER BUSINESS - The council held an appeal hearing for the denial of an alcohol license for Shandalika 1971 Inc. and voted to deny the appeal.

- The council held public hearings for weed abatement assessments for 1916 1st Ave. and 121 N. 20th St. then later voted to approve the assessments, which were $67.06 each.

- The council approved a request for street closures for the Victorian Front Porch walking tour to be held Dec. 9 in the Historic District of Opelika.

- The council approved various expense reports from city departments.

- The council approved a quote from CDW Government for the

purchase of Cisco Switch, cameras and hardware for the Opelika Public Library for an amount just over $116,000.

- The council approved a quote from CDW Government for the purchase of Nutanix Server Cluster at the Opelika Police Department Data Center for an amount just under $374,600.

- The council approved an equipment lease agreement with Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus LLC for the fire department while it waits for the new pumper trucks that were recently ordered to be delivered.

Due to the continued delay Williams Fire has agreed to pay for a reserve truck to be furnished by Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus LLC. The city is required to sign a lease agreement and provide insurance on the reserve truck.

- The council approved the partial funding of a special operations response vehicle for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), Auburn Police Department and the Opelika Police

Department, all three of which are active members of the Lee County Wide SWAT Team. The LCSO recently received a grant of $150,00 towards the purchase of the vehicle.

The lowest bid of $238,801 from Lenco Industries Inc. was approved by the Lee County Commission. The city of Opelika approved the amountt of just under $32,240 to be applied towards the outstanding balance of $88,801.

- The council approved a second amendment to the Medical Services Agreement with Premise Health for the Human Resources Department.

- The council approved the Shelton Village sewer agreement with the city of Auburn which has agreed to furnish wastewater conveyance and treatment services to Shelton Village Subdivision. The subdivision will generate wastewater in Opelika and which will be deposited into the Auburn sewer system for treatment and disposal.

See OPELIKA, page B10

Lee County Commission Expands Broadband

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM LEE COUNTY —The Commission has moved forward with American Rescue Plan Act funding for broadband projects.

"We have been meeting over the last two months, we formulated a team," said County Administrator Holly Leverette.

Leverette said the team has met with the ICA partners and the Sain and Associates partners.

"They have been guiding us through this process, through our application process for the four areas that you all identified as areas that are completely unserved, which means there is no internet or broadband there at all," she said.

These four areas are Loachapoka, Salem, Waverly and the South Central Region The commission voted to approve Broadband Expansion Grants to Point Broadband for over $345,100 for the Loachapoka area. It also approved grants to R.M.

Greene doing business as Beam for over $169,500 for the Salem area. Finally, the commission approved grants R.M. Greene doing business as Beam for over $469,700 for the South Central Region.

While Waverly is the fourth area needing broadband, the commission packet said it did not receive any applications as an ISP Provider. Point Broadband said it recently completed a project in Waverly, according to the packet.

"Following completion of a broadband feasibility study

performed to identifypriority unserved and underserved areas where the county should expand broadband fiber optic infrastructure, the Lee County Commission voted unanimously at its regular meeting on June 12, 2023, to allocate up to $4,392,071.00 of ARPA funds for the expansion of broadband fiber optic infrastructure in unserved and underserved portions of Lee County," the commission's packet said.

For the Loachapoka area, 11.72 miles and 394 addresses would be covered. The South

Central project would cover 11.1 miles and 187 addresses.

Finally, in Salem, it would cover 8.5 miles and 110 addresses.

This leaves over $3 million left in the funding for broadband, Leverette said.

"The last communication the team had when we met was moving forward," Leverette said. "We've heard citizens come before us talking about roads, we have identified some areas where the county, it could be helpful, in areas, such as some of the parks, where

there's not internet, and the houses that are surrounding those parks ... So, that was what the consensus was for the team was to go back to Sain, see other areas and other additional projects that we could look at spending some of this money."

District 2 Commissioner Ross Morris said he is glad to move forward with the projects.

"I'm thankful that citizens of Loachapoka and Salem and ... South Central are all finally getting [broadband] See COMMISSION, page B10

B10 Nov. 16, 2023

High school reunions fading, but not the 50th — That's the big one

GREG MARKLEY

I

OPINION — received confirmation that the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation will be celebrated in two years. I graduated in June 1975 when Gerald Ford was president and “Jaws” was filling movie theatres.

It seems so long ago, as I have never attended a class reunion. But the 50th is the one many alumni will attend. Most 1975 grads will be 68 years old or older by October 2025.

“You Can’t Go Home Again” was written by Southern novelist Thomas Wolfe and published

posthumously in 1940.

The catchy phrase took on a life of its own meaning that when a person tries to return to a place of his or her past, it will be changed and that will disappoint the person hoping for nostalgia. The October 2019 issue of seniors magazine Sixty+ gave insights into attending your 50th.

“The 10th reunion is about competition left over from high school — seeing who’s still hot, who got fat, who has the better job, who is married, who has kids,” wrote Elizabeth Dunkel.

“High school rivalries, insecurities and cliques are still in play. The 20th reunion is when we’re well on our way in life, though still comparing careers, children, marriages made, divorces, money earned or not.”

Perhaps, never having gone to the 10th through 40th reunions, I will have a lot to learn about the other students as adults.

I did not have any high school rivalries and was not a member of a clique, so that is not an issue. I kept a low profile at that stage. But in 2025, I can tell them how my life developed over the past five decades.

In advance of the 50th reunion, I am starting to remember some particular students.

One guy, a football player, was nicknamed “Huff” for Sam Huff, an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins.

When I was in college, I bumped into Huff from my graduating class at

a pub frequented by Ivy Leaguers from Brown University in Rhode Island. But I don’t know what he is doing now. I read in a school newsletter that one member of our class was a soldier who died when his Humvee toppled over in a river in Iraq. I imagine they will have a prayer for him at the 50th that I can participate in.

Three months after our graduation, 112 girls were admitted to the academy.

At the time, Catholic schools were floundering, so the girls added to the boys totaled a student body of about 650. In the local paper, a photo showed girls walking under a longtime entrance sign: “Enter as boys, leave as men.” The photo cutline read: “Your sign is slipping.”

The best thing I liked about the school was the academic depth. There were no “study guides” for exams, few tests with only rote memorization and only two or three class days off for special events.

The Christian Brothers were heavily degreed

and experienced. Saint Raphael Academy, when I graduated, had a 98 percent rate of graduates going to college or to the military. That’s amazing!

Relationship experts report that many people have no desire to attend reunions because, “With no fond memory to look back on, the event might seem more daunting than delightful” or “Reengaging with a chapter they’ve moved on from doesn’t align with their future aspirations.”

Yet the real killer for these in-person reunions is the omnipresence of computers and other devices that link people through social media.

Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn keep us in touch with who we want, thus jettisoning the idea of physical reunions.

People on social media can connect on a daily basis with friends and acquaintances — and they even choose the time to connect.

One thing I would enjoy at a reunion would be visiting the SRA student newspaper office.

Computers would be there, not typewriters, but I hope students are as curious and engaged today as I was. Writing for the high school paper led to four years in my college newspaper, including two as co-editor-in-chief.

The first story I wrote for publication was on “The Student Guidebook,” and most students did not even know this important book was. Oh, well, seeing my byline in the school paper at age 18 was still a seminal event. In two years, I will probably go to the most important reunion, the last one for the 1975 grads, but the first for me.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996.

He has a master’s in education from AUM and a master’s in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama.

An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer since 2011.

He writes on politics, education and books.

OPELIKA >>

FROM B9

The council voted to reappoint Kisha Abercrombie as an assistant municipal prosecutor in the municipal court for a two-year term beginning December 8, 2023, and ending December 7, 2025.

- A resolution for an annual appropriation contract with the Arts Association of East Alabama remained tabled.

- The council approved a special appropriation to Opelika Main Street for $1,250 for Christmas in a Railroad Town.

- The council approved the annexation petition by Deidre W. Jones and Jason F. Jones for .75 acres of land located at 6551 Highway 431 North.

COMMISSION>>

FROM B9

and that's what we wanted, we want to help the people that don't have any service first, so that's what we ask for," Morris said.

All projects will be completed within a two year time

The Opelika Firefighter of the year is Sgt. Ronnie Brundage,left. The Opelika Police Department (OPD) Communications Operator of the year is Gabriella Santiesteban, center, and the OPD Officer of the Year is Lt. Alfred White, right.

frame.

OTHER BUSINESS: - John Findley with Beulah Friends of the Community recognized John McDonald with the Environmental Services Department.

- The commission heard the first reading of a vacancy on the Smiths Station Fire and

Rescue Board.

- The commission heard the second reading of a vacancy on the Beulah Utilities Board.

- The commission postponed a decision on the collection and administration of taxes. The commission will read over information and

make a decision.

- The commission approved the FY 2024 Outside Appropriations as follows: • Emergency Transport System (EAMC), $376,517 • Auburn University Airport Terminal project, $100,000 • Airport FM projects

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$30,000 • Lee County Alternative Sentencing Board, $100,000 • Lee County District Attorney, $50,000 • Airport runway safety zone extension, $100,000 • Lee-Russell Council of Governments, $162,637 • State Public Health Dept., $120,000 Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, $106,321 • East Alabama Mental Health, $64,050 • Lee County DHR, $4,725 • Horseshoe Bend Library, $20,000 • Child Advocacy Center, $17,500 • Judicial Volunteer Program, $12,000 • East Alabama Services for the Elderly (EASE), $10,000 • Lee County Historical Society, $11,000 • Valley Haven School, $8,000 • Auburn Daycare Center, $6,000 • Domestic Violence Intervention Center, $6,000 • Lee County Firefighters Association, $20,000 • Museum of East Alabama, $6,000 • Community Market, $2,650 • Soil & Water Conservation, $6,000

• Loachapoka Family Enrichment Center, $27,551 • Alabama Kidney Foundation, $5,000 • One Voice Shelter Coalition, $14,000 • Girls S.T.E.P.S., $9,500 • The Curtis House, $9,500 • Dream Day Foundation, $8,500 • Forward Opelika (Chamber of Commerce), $25,000 • Rape Counselors, $9,000 • CASA, $2,500 - The commission voted to replace the 2024 Fiscal Year Budget.

- The commission approved the 2024 Gas Tax Fund Budget Adjustment.

- The commission voted to approve a change in polling places in the county. The city of Auburn received four more polling locations.

- The commission approved the FY 2024 Local Roads Safety Initiative Award funding match that the county needs.

- The commission approved the county to authorize the ARPA Stormwater Grant Award funding agreement.

- The commission asked the Engineering Department to grade the non-county maintained paved roads, then the commission will discuss what it wants to do with the roads.

B11 Nov. 16, 2023

Local clubs learn about local businesses PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Deirdre and Ed Hill of Dink & Volley Pickleball were guests speakers at the Opelika Kiwanis Club last week. They are pictured with Scott Parker, left.

FROM B9

looked forward to … but it’s something that has to be done to carry on,” Jackson said. “… Rest assured the city council and mayor will do what the city has to do with the best interest.

There will no doubt be some rough roads ahead, we will take it one day at a time.”

Legally, it is the councils job to appoint the mayor in a situation like this where a term is unfinished, said City Attorney Allen Martin.

“Alabama law specifically states that the council

At the end of the term, which is in 2025, Cooley can then run for his next term as normal if he desires.

The vote for Cooley was unanimous by the council.

He was sworn in by Judge Jeff Tickal.

“First of all, let me express my appreciation to the city council … I will do my best to live up to the expectations and serve the citizens with honor, integrity and pride,” Cooley said. “I ask that our citizens be patient and give us the opportunity to adjust to our new roles and the task before us. May God

bless Smiths Station and may God bless America.”

Cooley’s former seat, Place 4, is now empty.

He said that applications from citizens will be reviewed and the council will then appoint the new member. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 28.

“We hope to have that position very shortly so we will have a full council,” he said.

OTHER BUSINESS: - The council amended a previous resolution to correct the physical address of the Public Works Department to determine the location of the James W. Anderson Memorial Parkway.

Auburn Rotary Club President Griffin McNeill welcomed Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) Vice President Cora Connelly, who spoke on AACT's mission to provide an opportunity for education and participation in the world of theater. Participation is open to both children and adults, and the program is run entirely be volunteers as a non-profit. Also at the meeting, Dr. Thomas Maple read from a play in which he acted.

PHOTO BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER /THE OBSERVER

fill the vacancy and SMITHS STATION >> shall elect the person,” he said.

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Richard “Rick” Cooley was sworn in by the Honorable Jeffrey Gerald Tickal as mayor of Smiths Station during the city council meeting Nov. 14.

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PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ERNEST FRANCIS CASEY, JR. Deceased.

Case No.: 2023-545 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to Benjamin H. Parr, Personal Representative on the 25th day of October 2023, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Legal Run 11/2/23, 11/9/23, 11/16/23 ---------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ONIE DORA BARBREY. Case No.: 2023-504 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to George Edward Barbrey, Personal Representative on the 25th day of October 2023, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the

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same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

George Edward Barbrey Legal Run 11/2/23, 11/9/23, 11/16/23 ---------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA T.S. PROPERTIES, LLC, Plaintiff, v. ANNIE MAE MCGHEE, and Her heirs or devisees, if deceased, A certain tract or parcel of Real Property located in Lee County, Alabama, AND any Party Claiming an Interest to a certain tract or parcel of Real Property located in Lee County, Alabama, Defendants.

CV-2023-900154 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 3rd day of May 2023 a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: A tract or parcel of land, with all buildings and improvements thereon, in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, formerly known as 51 Clanton Street (now known as 1408 Clanton Street) and otherwise described as follows: Said lot being located at the Northwesterly corner of intersection of

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Cherry Street, (sometimes formerly known as Hardaway Street) and Clanton Street and more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the Northwesterly corner of the rectangle formed by the intersection of said Cherry Street (formerly known as Hardaway Street) and Clanton Street; thence westerly along the Northerly margin of Cherry Street 200 feet; thence at right angles in a Northerly direction for a distance of 100 feet; thence at right angles in an Easterly direction parallel with said Cherry Street to the Westerly margin of Clanton Street, the distance being 197-1/2 feet, more or less, and thence Southerly along said margin of Clanton Street, to the point of beginning, being the same property conveyed to C.G. Littleton and W.L. Littleton by G.N. Hodge, et al, by deed dated March 27, 1923, and of record in the Office of the Probate Judge of said County in Records of Deeds, Volume 135 at Page 367 and being the same property conveyed to Cliff Collum and Nora Collum by C.H. Littleton, et al, by deed dated March 24, 1953, and of record in the office of Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, in Records of Deeds, Volume 392, at Page 421.

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 26th day of October, 2023.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Jarret A. Layson 830 Avenue A, Suite B Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-745-3333 Fax: 334-460-2287 iarrel iklawoffice.com Legal Run 11/2/23, 11/9/23, 11/16/23 & 11/22/23 --------------INVITATION TO BID 24004 Sealed bids for the construction of Traffic Signal Installation at SR 51 at Gateway Drive shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on November 28, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention

of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”.

All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license.

State law Ala. Code §348-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450.

Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or

electronic drop box. Bid documents may also be downloaded from the City’s website at www. opelika-al.gov/bids.aspx.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803-0390.

Attn: Traffic Signal Installation at SR 51 at Gateway Drive LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASINGREVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 11/9/2023, 11/16/2023 & 11/22/2023 ---------------

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

B13 Nov. 16, 2023

PUBLIC >> NOTICES

FROM B12

STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT CASE NO. 2023-523 ESTATE OF SYLVIA TALEEDA SHARPE, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR Letters of Administration of the Estate of Sylvia Taleeda Sharpe, deceased having been granted to Tia Bell Glenn this 25th day of October 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.

Tia Bell Glenn, Personal Representative Jeffery A. Hilyer 334-745-2564 Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, AL 36803-0030 Legal Run 11/2/23, 11/9/23, 11/16/23 ---------------INVITATION TO BID 24006 Sealed bids for the construction of Floral Park Renovations shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, December 5, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the same location as bids are to be opened at 2:00 p.m., CST on Monday, November 27, 2023, for the purpose of reviewing the project and answering Bidder’s questions. Attendance at the Pre-Bid Conference is not mandatory, but highly recommended for all General Contractor Bidders intending to submit a Proposal and is recommended for all Subcontractors.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”.

All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Drawings and specifications may be obtained from the office of Seay, Seay & Litchfield, P.C., 570 Devall Drive, Suite #304, Auburn, AL 36832, (334) 781-6029 ext. 301, at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment.

Bidders may email Nick Vansyoc at nvansyoc@ sslarch.com for drawings and RFIs. Additionally, bid documents are available on the City of Opelika’s website at www.opelika-al.gov/ bids.aspx.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Floral Park Renovations LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASINGREVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 11/9/2023, 11/16/2023 & 11/22/2023 --------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY ESTHER HARRIS FENN, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2022-529 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 12th day of September, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required

to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

SUE FENN JOSSERAND Personal Representative D. Carter Weeks Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 11/9/2023, 11/16/2023, 11/22/2023 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF RONALD RUSSELL RAGON, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO: 2023-496 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Margaret Lynn Fletcher on the 31st day of October, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Margaret Lynn Fletcher Legal Run 11/9/23, 11/16/2023 & 11/22/2023 --------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA MICAYLA HEARD, et al., Plaintiffs, V. KENY FELIPE SALES, et al., Defendants.

Case No. CV-2022-900404 LEGAL NOTICE In this cause it is made to appear to the Court, by the affidavit of the Plaintiff, that Keny Felipe Sales and Cleyver Yovany Felipe Sales defendant(s) are either nonresidents of the State of Alabama, whose residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort, or if being residents, either their residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort or they have been absent from the State more than thirty days since the filing of the comp1aint in this clause, or they have concealed themselves so that process cannot be served upon them, and further, that defendant(s) are over the age of nineteen years.

It is therefore, ordered by the Court that publication be made in a newspaper published in Lee County in the State of Alabama, for four consecutive weeks, and the said defendant(s) are hereby notified of the issuance of said summons and complaint, and to be and appear if they think proper to defend this suit at the present term of this Court, and within thirty days after this notice by publication is completed.

Done this the 31st day of October, 2023 Clerk of the Circuit Court| Lee County, Alabama 2311 Gateway Drive, Room 104 Opelika, AL 36801

Legal Run 11/9/23, 11/16/23, 11/22/23 & 11/30/23 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CONSTANCE KENNEDY JEMIAN, DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Robert A. Jemian, as Executor of the Estate of Constance Kennedy Jemian, deceased, on the 3rd day of July, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred.

Robert A. Jemian, Executor Of the Estate of Constance Kennedy Jemian, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 11/9/2023, 11/16/2023 & 11/22/2023 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of the Estate of James C. Manning, Deceased Case No. 2023-234 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR AND NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters of Administration on the Estate of James C. Manning, deceased, having been Granted to the undersigned Paula Kersey on the 28th day of April, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. /s/ Paula Kersey Paul Kersey, Administrator, Estate of James C. Manning, deceased.

Legal Run 11/2/23,11/9/23 & 11/16/23 ---------------SYNOPSIS OF ZONING NOTICE The City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter described so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district, as follows: From a R-5 District (HighDensity Residential District) to a C-2, GC-P District

(Office/Retail, Gateway Corridor Primary Overlay District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: PARCEL l COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SEC. 10, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST IN OPELIKA, LEE COUNTY ALABAMA; THENCE WEST 826.92 FEET; THENCE NORTH 2607.57 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE PARCEL OF LAND HEREIN DESCRIBED; THENCE N 88°39'15" W, 742.52 FEET TO THE SOUTHEASTERLY R/W LINE OF VETERAN'S PARKWAY: THENCE ALONG SAID R/W LINE, N 58°23'02“ E, 219.56 FEET; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY, BEING A CURVE CONCAVE NORTHWESTERLY, HAVING AN ARC LENGTH OF 312.37 FEET, A RADIUS OF 1220.90 FEET, A CHORD BEARING OF N 51°03'15" E, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 311.52 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE LAST MENTIONED R/W LINE WITH THE SOUTHWESTERLY R/W LINE OF THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY, THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE LAST MENTIONED R/W LINE BEING A CURVE CONCAVE SOUTHWESTERLY, HAVING AN ARC LENGTH OF 453.83 FEET, A RADIUS OF 5010.36 FEET, A CHORD BEARING OF S 43°38'02" E, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 453.68 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING CONTAINING 2.62 ACRES +/PARCEL 2 COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SEC. 10, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST IN OPELIKA, LEE COUNTY ALABAMA; THENCE WEST 826.92 FEET; THENCE NORTH 2607.57 FEET, THENCE N 88°39'15" W, 742.52 FEET TO THE SOUTHEASTERLY R/W LINE OF VETERAN'S PARKWAY; THENCE N 46°19'30" W TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTHWESTERLY R/W LINE OF VETERANS PARKWAY AND THE NORTHWESTERLY MARGIN OF AN ABANDONED RAILROAD BED SAID POINT BEING THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE PARCEL OF LAND HEREIN DESCRIBED; THENCE ALONG SAID MARGIN, N 23°44'35" W, 55.45 FEET; THENCE N 35°18'35" W, 435.40 FEET: THENCE N 47°54'35" W, 309.70 FEET: THENCE N 54°49'35" W, 185.19 FEET, THENCE N 51°42'46“ W, 349.20 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION

OF SAID MARGIN WITH THE SOUTHEASTERLY R/W LINE OF WAVERLY PARKWAY (OLD US 280), THENCE ALONG SAID R/W LINE, N 61°57'23" E, 333.85 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID R/F LINE WITH THE SPUTHWESTERLY R/W LINE OT THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY: THENCE ALONG THE LAST MENTIONED R/W LINE,S 56°ll'54" E, 485.21 FEET; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY, BEING A CURVE CONCAVE SOUTHWESTERLY, HAVING AN ARC LENGTH OF 841.06 FEET; A RADIUS OF 5767.63 FEET, A CHORD BEARING OF S 52°01'15" E, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 840.31 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH SAID R/W LINE WITH THE NORTHWESTERLY R/W LINE OF VETERAN'S PARKWAY; THEN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE LAST MENTIONED R/W LINE BEING A CURVE CONCAVE NORTHWESTERLY, HAVING AN ARC LENGTH OF 271.61 FEET, A RADIUS OF 1115.36 FEET, A CHORG BEARING OF S 50°5b'04“ W, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 270.94 FEET; THENCE S 58°23'02" W, 259.07 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING CONTAINING 11.60 ACRES +/-.

The above-described property contains 14.22 acres, more or less, and is located in the 3500 block of Waverly Parkway. Said property is also accessed from Veterans Parkway.

Public Notice of this public hearing with insertion of the proposed ordinance was first published on November 9, 2023, in the Opelika Observer. This notice is given pursuant to Sections 11-52-78 and 11-52-85, Code of Alabama (1975).

At said public hearing, all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to said ordinance. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing.

Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

THIS NOTICE is given under my hand this the 16th day of November, 2023. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 11/16/2023 ---------------

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B16

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B14 Nov. 16, 2023

opelika, Alabama

SEASON of Comfort & Joy Christmas Decorations Nov. 26 – Jan. 4.

Tag us with #MyOpelikaChristmas

OHS/OMS Christmas Band Concert December 12 • 6:30 p.m.

Opelika Center for Performing Arts

Christmas Movie Series Thursdays in December • 6 p.m.

Opelika Public Library

Where’s Theodore Elf Hunt December 11-15 Opelika Parks & Recreation

Opelika Holiday Open House November 12 • Noon – 5 p.m.

Opelika Main Street

Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express December 14-16 • 5 – 8 p.m.

Opelika Parks & Recreation

Bring Opie Home for Christmas Month of December City of Opelika Community Relations Office

Collinwood Luminaries December 15 • 5 – 9 p.m.

Collinwood Neighborhood

Sno*pelika Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting December 1 • Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.

Rain Date: December 3 Opelika Chamber of Commerce

Winter Wonder Workshop December 16 • 10 a.m.

Opelika Public Library

OHS/OMS Holiday Choral Concert December 6 • 6 p.m.

Opelika Center for Performing Arts Christmas in a Railroad Town December 8 • 6 – 9 p.m.

Opelika Main Street

Family Movie & Crafternoon December 19 • 2 p.m.

Opelika Public Library Christmas Movie Marathon December 22 • Begins at 10 a.m.

Opelika Public Library

9Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour 3oth Anniversary December 8-12 Bike Tour: December 9 • 10 a.m.

Walking Tour: December 9 • 6 – 8 p.m.

Driving Tour: December 8, 10, 11, 12 OpelikaChristmas.com • #MYOPELIKACHRISTMAS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: City of Opelika • Opelika Parks & Recreation • Opelika Public Library • Opelika Chamber of Commerce • Opelika Main Street • Victorian Front Porch Tour • Auburn-Opelika Tourism • Opelika City Schools

B15 Nov. 16, 2023

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B16 Nov. 16, 2023

PUBLIC >> NOTICES

FROM B13

NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE 2018 BLACK FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK VIN1FADP3M26JL291653 Tag Number YJD094 AUCTION WILL BE HELD JANUARY 29,2024 8 A.M. JHCC Holdings LLC Doing Business As Joe Hudson's Collision Center 700 Columbus Pkwy Opelika, AL 36801 {334)387-5822 Legal Run 11/16/2023 & 11/23/2023 ---------------\ NOTICE OF COURT PROCEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of

Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of RUSSELL DWAIN BIRD, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office

by JUNE LANIER BIRD on November 8th, 2023, pursuant to Section 432-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to Section to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 11/16/2023 ----------------* Advertisement For Completion In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Synagro WWT, Inc. Contractor, has completed the Contract

for the Improvement of the Process Residuals Removal and Disposal at R.A. Betts Water Treatment Plant for the State of Alabama and the County of Lee / 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 The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika, 4055 Water Street, Opelika, AL 36803, Synagro WWT, Inc. 435 Williams Court, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21220 Legal Run 10/26/23, 11/2/23,11/9/23 & 11/16/23 ----------------CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL

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OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:45 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: I. Some items at the meeting will have a designated public hearing (noted below). Individuals are limited to 5-minute comment period per public hearing.

II. Approval of Minutes III. Update on Previous PC Cases IV. New Business A Final Plat 1.A request by Jim Masingill Jr., authorized representative for Broad Metro, LLC, property owners, for final plat approval of The Landing Subdivision, Redivision of Parcel 2-A consisting of 3 lots accessed from Gateway Drive and Capps Landing.

2. A request by Blake Rice, Barrett-Simpson, Inc., authorized representative for Auston Shaw, property owner, for final plat approval of The Bowery subdivision consisting of 14 lots accessed from Oak Bowery Road.

3.A request by Jacob Hill, authorized representative for SP Opelika Ventures, LLC, property owner, for final plat approval of The Villages of Opelika Phase 2 subdivision consisting of 23 lots accessed from Hammonds Drive and Plainsman Loop.

B. Conditional Use – Public Hearing 4.A public hearing on a request by Stanley R. Johnson, property owner, for conditional use approval for a duplex in a R-4 zoning district at the corner of Avenue C and South 2nd Street.

5.A public hearing on a request by Brian Lee, authorized representative

for Opelika Retirement Investors, LLC, property owner, for conditional use approval for an addition to an assistant living facility in a PUD zoning district at 1001 Fox Run Parkway.

6.A public hearing on a request by Compass Construction, authorized representative for Nathaneal Moody and Shree Summerlin, property owners, for conditional use approval for a mixed use commercial and residential development on a 13,500 sf lot in a C-2 zoning district accessed at 512 South 8th Street.

C. Rezoning - Public Hearing 7a. An agenda item for a rezoning request includes an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 27,965 square feet (two lots) at 1018 and 1016 Alabama Avenue from a low density residential land use category to a light commercial land use category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 27,965 square feet and Council approves the rezoning, then the amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

7b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Mike Maher, authorized representative for KAAM Enterprises, LLC, property owner, to rezone two lots at 27,965 square feet at 1018 and 1016 Alabama Avenue from R-3, GC-P to C-2, GC-P zoning district.

D. Vacation of Right-of-Way, Rezoning – Public Hearing, and Conditional Use – PublicHearing 8. A petition from Timothy Murphy, authorized representative for Richard Dale Murphy, property owner and the adjacent property owner to the Speedway Drive right of way requesting the City Council to vacate a portion of Speedway Drive from the north property line of Lot 8 as shown on the JW Long subdivision plat to the intersection of Speedway Drive and Veterans Parkway. The Planning

Commission provides a recommendation to City Council.

9a. An agenda item for a rezoning request includes an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 1.1 acres accessed at 1504 Speedway Drive from a light commercial land use category to a general commercial land use category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 1.1 acres and Council approves the rezoning, then the amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

9b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Timothy Murphy, authorized representative for Richard Dale Murphy, property owner, to rezone 1.1 acres accessed at 1504 Speedway Drive from C-2, GC-P to C-3, GC-P. 10. A public hearing on a request by Timothy Murphy, authorized representative for Richard Dale Murphy, property owner for conditional use approval for an office of contractor without outside equipment and material yard accessed from 1505 to 1609 Speedway Drive or 1001 Fox Run Parkway. Conditional use approval is subject to City Council’s approval of the rezoning request.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings.

The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council. Please contact the Planning department at 334-705-5156 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR LEGAL Run 11/16/2023 ---------------

WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR Plumbing & Heating Supplies Pipes - Valves - Fittings 334.625.3384 800.625.3384 102 N. College Street Auburn, AL

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Notice of Completion McElhenney Construction Company, LLC. hereby gives notice of completion of contract with The Alabama Department of Transportation for construction of Project Number ATRP2-41-2022-456 in Lee County, AL. This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on November 2, 2023, and ending on Nov.22 , 2023. All claims should be filed at P.O. Box 1409 Theodore, AL 36590 during this period.

Legal Run 11/2/23, 11/9/23, 11/16/23 & 11/22/23.