Opelika Observer 09-02-2020 E-edition

VOL. 12, NO. 48

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

pelika Observer O

“An award-winning publication for local people, by local people.”

Opelika, Alabama

Thank you Opelika Ward 5 Voters!

Your Support helped us finish in first place with 761 votes!

it’s not over! Save the Date : Runoff Election is

Tuesday October 6th! Paid for by Todd Rauch for Opelika, 1903 Arbor Ln. Opelika, AL 36804

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Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

America's Thrift Store coming to Opelika Nov. 19

Opelika Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

By Michelle Key Publisher

By Will Fairless Associate Editor

After sitting empty for nearly three years, the 52,602 square foot building that formerly housed Gander Mountain is getting a new tenant. America’s Thrift Stores has signed a lease for the retail space

Last Thursday, the City of Opelika held a public forum to get feedback from the community on its proposed bicycle and pedestrian masterplan. The plan is for walkways, sidewalks, bike paths, bike lanes

See AMERICA'S, page A3

Index OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4

SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITYA7 POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9 RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . A11

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . B11

COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . A14

PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . .B11

and other “facilities,” as the city refers to them, for roadway users not driving motor vehicles. The plan is extensive, setting its goal for 2030 as adding 33 miles of sidewalks and 7.5 miles of bicycle facilities. In the packet distributed to attendees of the forum, the City wrote the following: “The

City desires a connected community that provides access for all roadway users and facilitates connection between people and the places they want to be.” Every roadway in Opelika was graded for construction feasibility (rated “Easy,” “Medium” or “Hard”) See BICYCLE, page A3

A2 September 2, 2020

Historic Jones Store Receives Statewide Historic Designation Courtesy of the City of Smiths Station The Alabama Historic Commission voted today to add the City of Smiths Station’s Historic Jones Store to the Alabama Register of Historic Places, making it the second historic structure in the Smiths Station community to receive this distinction.

The city will soon receive, install and later dedicate a historic marker in front of the museum. “The importance of preservation is something that our city’s administration and Historical Commission take very seriously, and we are excited that we reached another milestone in preserving in our city’s history,” said Mayor F.L. “Bubba”

Dear Editor, September is Suicide Prevention Month and was created so we can be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's theme for the month is to #KeepGoing, by taking simple actions to safeguard our mental health and save lives. From learning the warning signs for suicide and what to do if you are worried someone is struggling, to bringing education programs to your community, we can all learn new ways to help each other save lives. One action I'm taking is to urge my public officials to prioritize suicide prevention and mental health. When someone is in acute crisis, it's hard for them to think clearly, and even reaching out for help can be a struggle. For this reason, it is vital that Congress pass the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (H.R.4194/S.2661) to make a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a reality. This legislation will provide the funding and resources needed by crisis centers across the country that support those struggling with their mental health and thoughts of suicide. I lost my mom to suicide nearly four years ago. She was one of the smartest people I've ever known. She taught high school math for thirty-two years in Alabama and in Georgia. I believe we can prevent suicide if we have the right helpful tools. In this time of uncertainty, we all need to find new ways to connect and support each other Together, we #KeepGoing. Sincerely, Becky Bootz Opelika

pelika Observer

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Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com

Copeland. The Historic Jones Store was built and operated for several decades by Smiths Station residents George and Maggie Jones. The structure was gifted to the City of Smiths Station in 2017 and relocated to the Smiths Station Government Center campus. Following a nearly two-year restoration process and conver-

sion to a museum, the City held a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the structure in July 2019. Currently, the store houses a number of artifacts pertinent to Smiths Station’s heritage, and it includes exhibits commemorating individuals who have contributed to the City both past and present. To schedule a tour, call 334-2978771.

Letter to the Editor: Thank you for the welcome This story needs to be told. It doesn't include a near miracle, a surprising twist, nor a set of special challenges overcome. It's a simple story of a newcomer's welcome, of starting friendships and of appreciation for a characteristic of Opelika's business community. Some background first. My fiancée and I moved here from Montgomery in June to open a pinball arcade. It's my first stab at owning a business, being my own boss. I grew up on the west coast, in what I thought was a small town, population 36,000, a suburb of San Diego. The US Air Force took me away and I spent 7 years in Germany, most of them residing in small villages, but never really feel-

They began recognizing me as "Hey, you're the pinball dude!" and asking when we'd be opening. Our Pop-Up Pinball events, where we'd position a few machines for several days, were big hits, and we hope to have one more before opening this fall. The support from patrons could only be possible with the support from the business community. Even during the pandemic our Pop-Up Pinball attendance was dramatic. Jill Sanderson, the GM for John Emerald Distillery thanked us and remarked about revenues increasing during our stay. Red Clay Brewmeister Craig Collins volunteered to create a special Rock

local businesses, and (2) enlist some them to get the word out about Rock 'N Roll Pinball. We wouldn't be cooking meals, so we could recommend local eateries when our players get hungry, and perhaps those restaurants would allow us to position discount business cards on their counters. The reaction to this request is what I feel merits appreciation. Without exception, every business in downtown Opelika said yes, "please provide a stack of cards and we'll gladly display them". Jefferson's, Niffer's, La Cantina, Red Clay Brewery, John Emerald Distillery, Butcher Paper BBQ, 10,000 Megahertz, even as far away as Tiger Town's Huddle House, all said yes.

ing a part of the community. Washington DC and Montgomery were my only other two assignments during my 20-year career. After retiring in '96, I spent the next 24 years as a computer programmer with a state job. Not feeling like I needed a restful life, and having the finances to take the risk, I decided to start a pinball business, Rock 'N Roll Pinball. My support team lives in Auburn, so the search for an arcade location included Opelika. "Embrace the retro of pinball" was a mantra, and the Mayberry like feel of downtown O-Town made it seem like a perfect fit. One of our business strategies had two parts, (1) don't be perceived as a competitor to other

See LETTER, page A3

Subscribe to the Opelika Observer Today! Publisher: Michelle Key Associate Editors: Will Fairless and Hannah Lester Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Sports Writers: Wil Crews, Rick Lanier and D. Mark Mitchell

www.opelikaobserver.com 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved. Opelika Observer is published weekly by Opelika Observer, 216 S 8th St. Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801

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A3 September 2, 2020

Courtesy of Chambers Co. Development Authority In May, the Chambers County Development Authority launched its new program that provides a resource for local retailers to market their products online. Titled “Shop Where I Live Chambers County,” the program features a dedicated website that allows any county retailer to have their own unique page where they can market and sell their goods and services to the world. In the midst of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, the CCDA has been actively working to support local businesses and industries as they navigate uncertain economic times. This program is an ambitious effort to help the companies that have been hit the hardest: small businesses.

BICYCLE >>

FROM A1

criterion for prioritization. A roadway’s rating was decided based on its width, shoulder type, utilities, potential grading challenges and potential property impacts. The other criteria the city will consider in prioritizing the projects are: generator proximity whether the subject roadway expands the existing network estimated cost population density posted speed limit transportation equity daily traffic volume stakeholder and public input The city is requesting input from the public so that the plans can be prioritized and broken up into smaller, achievable phases. The full plan cannot be carried out all at once; these phases, or short-term projects, should eventually compose the master plan. At the public meeting, some of the concerns

LETTER >>

FROM A2

'N Roll Pinball beer. I feel like these won't be fleeting friendships but fulfilling ones for years to come. In this age of social distancing, these words and actions are like emotional hugs for me. Perhaps those of you who have called Opelika home for many years take this for granted, as just a way of life. I've heard it, and perhaps you've said

There are currently 22 businesses enrolled on the Shop Where I Live website, and five of those have products listed for sale. In addition to businesses, the CCDA has announced an expansion of the platform that will allow local non-profit organizations to create a page that features fundraising items to help generate contributions for their causes. Any such entity must be a 501c3 or 501c6 registered agent with the Internal Revenue Service or may be any school program that does not operate for profit. Kimberly Carter, director of recruitment at the CCDA, is spearheading the initiative, which is the first of its kind for any county in Alabama, with the goal of giving local retailers, and now non-profit organizations, the opportunity to expand their brands to both a local and

global audience. During the first year of the program, the CCDA can accept up to 400 registered partners to participate at no cost. Training and support will be provided as well as tracking data to measure sales. Businesses and organizations that participate will have a dedicated page, where they can sell up to 25 items at a time. The Shop Where I Live Chambers County website is being promoted on city and county websites, social media and with local media outlets. The site is currently live and can be accessed by visiting www.chamberscounty.shopwhereilive.com If interested in participating in Shop Where I Live Chambers County or want more information, contact Carter by phone at 706-5900291 or via email at kcarter@chambersida. com.

raised by citizens were that high-pedestrian-traffic areas currently without sidewalks be prioritized, that any new facility not adjacent to an existing roadway be accessible to emergency vehicles and that there be some measure in place for the increased littering that might be a consequence of new walkways. The presentation can be found at www. opelika-al.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2707/

Bike-and-Pedestrian-Plan-Public-Meeting-Presentation. After reviewing the presentation, citizens can submit their feedback on the plan by completing an online survey or filling out the feedback form found on the city’s website and sending it to the city via email (sparker@ opelika-al.gov). The online survey can be completed at https:// www.surveymonkey. com/r/PublicFeedbackForm.

it, "People are friendly here." It is perhaps a subtle superpower that insiders just feel comes naturally. For someone like me, a newcomer unsure what he might find, this feeling of welcomeness is heartwarming. Opelika may be small, but this widespread characteristic of your people is great. I want all who read this to know it is not something found everywhere, and it is a positive sign, an inspiration, to see it displayed over and over

again. Every time you support a local business you are in essence placing a vote for their continued existence and an endorsement for the hard work of their employees. Our local businesses deserve these votes of support. Thank you, Opelika, for welcoming us even before we've opened and helping us to feel more than comfortable and confident the Opelika choice was the very best it could be. Eddie Rains

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

CCDA Opens E-Commerce Marketplace to Local Non-Profits

Third grade 8 year old, Mattie Ashworth, remembers her friend A.J. They were in the 1st grade together. Her mother said Mattie tells her stories about A.J. when they were in school together.

REMEMBRANCE MONUMENT INSTALLED IN BEAUREGARD By Wil Crews SportsCrews@ opelikaobserver.com A new monument located at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard remembers the 23 people killed in the deadly

AMERICA'S >>

FROM A1

and plans to open in little more than two and half months. President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Thrift Stores Ken Sobaski said that they are excited about coming to this location. “It is a market in Alabama that we know has a solid population base, decent growth and a good economy,” he said. The store’s grand opening is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 19 through Nov. 22. “What we don’t know is how big of a grand opening we will do just given everything COVID,” Sobaski said. “We may do more of a soft opening and not have all the hoopla that we like to have, but we are on target to open that weekend.” The Opelika store will be the 12th store in Alabama and the 21st for the company. The other nine stores are located in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The company has been operating for nearly 36 years. Sobaski, who has been at the helm of the organization since early 2014, said that they expect this location to create 70 to 80 jobs. The company will host a two-week job fair starting Sept. 14 at the Holiday Inn Express, 1801 Capps Landing in Opelika. More information on the job fair will be released as soon as it

tornado that ripped across east Alabama counties last year. The names of the victims are inscribed into the main layer of the stone monument. The second layer is dedicated to the first responders and

volunteers that were called into action. In the middle stands a cross that reads ‘Beauregard Strong,’ an expression of hope and unity that the community used to rally and rebuild after the storms.

becomes available. “We have to have a decent size crew to process all those donations,” Sobaski said. “The bulk of the employees are the ones working behind the retail sales floor, getting donations ready to go out onto the floor.” Sobaski expects that the location will have at least two trucks that will assist in picking up deliveries from people’s homes as well as from their donation bins throughout the area. “It will be a decent number of new employees,” he said. Charity Partner All of America’s Thrift Stores partner with local, regional or national charitable organizations. The Opelika store will be partnering with MakeA-Wish Alabama. “It is a great partnership, and they will actually be a strong participant in our opening and a great partner with us,” Sobaski said. The store will carry a blend of donated items and new items. There will be donation bins throughout the community and a drive-up donation center at the back of the store. “We take donations of gently-used clothing and household items,” Sobaski said. “Every pound of donations collected results in a donation to Make-AWish. This year, we will contribute more than a million dollars to Make-A-Wish in the state of Alabama.”

The Merchandise America’s Thrift Stores pride themselves on how well their merchandise is organized. “We know that while people love to hunt for treasures, they love to find them more,” Sobaski said. America’s Thrift Store believes in making it easy for their customers to find what they are looking for as it will create a better shopping experience. The store will be divided into different departments and each department will then be subdivided even further based on the style or type of items. “The tagline we use for the company is ‘Where it’s a new store every day,’” Sobaski said. "The reason we say that is because our key to success is the variety of selection that customers will find in our stores.” The company will collect approximately 50 million pounds of donations this year and Sobaski said that each store will generally put out approximately 12,000 to 15,000 new items every day. “People who shop thrift are looking for that treasure and they know that if it is not there today, it might be there tomorrow,” he said. The store will be located at 1640 Parker Way in Opelika. For more information visit the company’s website (americasthrift. com) or Facebook page (facebook.com/americasthrift/).

A4 September 2, 2020

Praise the Lord, September is here

Y

ears ago, when agriculture dominated Alabama, the month of September was known for three things. Politics, fights and revivals. Often the three were related. Now I won’t get into the fights, other than to say that in the heat of late summer, tempers got a little raw and with the crops laid by, there was ample opportunity for folks with a grudge to go out and settle it. Sometimes politics played into the fighting, as it did in 1893, down in Clarke County, when what is known locally as the Mitcham War broke out. It was not an isolated incident. Other counties had their share of late summer/early fall violence. Once, in a fit of dem-

ocratic zeal, the state legislature set aside this time for campaigns and elections because between the opening of the first cotton boll and picking the crop, farmers had time to get to the polls. As for revivals, the same open dates on the calendar made this a dandy time to get folks to church, entertain them with music and preaching, shake them out of their summer spiritual lethargy and maybe even save a few souls. A visiting evangelist would come to town to bring The Word in a series of nightly messages. There would be “special music” and professions of faith that would soften the hardest heart. A week of this would culminate with a wing-ding of a sermon

By Hardy Jackson on Sunday, followed by dinner on the grounds. Bring a friend and a covered dish. When I was a boy, rural churches loaded up members and drove to town for the festivities. It was a trek country folk normally made only once a week, on Saturday, to “trade.” But it was OK to take the time to make the journey five times or

more because, well, it was done in the name of the Lord. Not to downplay the spiritual side of revivals, but there was also a reunion aspect to the gatherings – especially for the children. Friends they had not seen since school let out came with their parents. Often segregated from the adults who went to “Big Church,” children

were among their own, and as I recall there was more playing than praying where we gathered. Most folks I knew were either Methodists or Baptists. They mingled freely and when a month had a fifth Sunday, whole congregations would move from their church to the other, and for a day, we were one. Children were even more ecumenical. We attended each other’s Vacation Bible Schools, where we learned which denomination had the best cookies and KoolAid. Theological differences eluded us – Baptists dunked, Methodist sprinkled – that was pretty much it. And my buddies and I attended each other’s revivals, because it was a great place to meet girls.

Rural families who came to town to be “revived” often brought a daughter you had not seen since school shut down three months earlier. Time had worked a miracle and the skinny, knob-kneed girl no one would give a second glance had blossomed into a sun-kissed beauty. She went to “Big Church” with the adults and the boys followed. Surely such girls were as responsible for young men putting away childish things as was the preacher in the pulpit. By the last night some lucky lad was holding her hand under the hymnal as they sang “Have Thine Own Way.” There were also moments of high drama, which usually came at See JACKSON, page A5

Dear Sissy… How are you today, sweet one?

I

have been thinking a lot about you over the last year. More, actually, than I believe I ever have before. The mother in me has risen every day over the last 12 years and beyond to try my best to keep you safe and love you well. These days have been the best days in the whole world. You have been my little girlie and I have been here, being your Mommy. Something has begun to be different. I have tried my hardest to keep you as you are, right here, but that is simply not the way God intended it. For, as is with all children, you must grow up. You must leave this sweet and sacred space of childhood and grow into your own self. I wonder if this is the reason I have always loved the movie Peter Pan? Did I think in the back of my mind that this

“I

am not an artist,” said Ginni Bonell. “I can barely draw a straight line.” Bonell lives in Virginia. She is in her mid60s, with long silvery hair and you get the feeling that this woman listens to Carole King or James Taylor. She has that vibe. In fact, I would bet good money that this woman owns at least one 1970s album containing the song “Shower the People.” She threw open a huge garage door for a camera crew and said, “This is where the magic happens.” Inside is a makeshift studio filled with nothing but scrap wood and paint fumes. There are hundreds—no, there are billions of little pine blocks covered in wet

fantasy could be real? I saw you the other day walk out of your bedroom, first thing in the morning, carrying your bunny and blanket that you have had since you were born. I don’t see you do this too often anymore, so maybe that’s why I noticed it. And at that same moment you said to me, “I mean, Mom, you do know I’m growing up right?” I stared at you holding tightly to softness of your past, yet seeking confirmation for your future. At that moment, I knew. I knew the great change was beginning and my heart began to sink. Just a few days later, I was caught in your bed holding you closer than I had in a long time. You were a bed of tears and confusion. I sat still to comfort you and out

of nowhere you said, “I don’t want to grow up Momma. Why can’t I just be little forever?” Instantly, 12 years of your life flashed before my eyes. I saw the span of your sweetness from the day you were born, through two-year-old piggy tails and jumping in mud puddles with your brother. I saw you hopping waves at three and giggling, as you say, “Look mommy, see me?” I melted with you right there. I could not take it either. The truth is, boo, I don’t want you to grow up too. Can you please stay small forever? I feel as though I’m standing up and waving farewell to the tiny, tan being you are. I’m waving goodbye to the Sissy who used to give Shep his bottle. I’m waving goodbye to the

silly goose who has always been smarter than her own britches. I’m watching you walk away from pink overalls, tiny gardening hands and a happy girl who got her first back-handspring. “I don’t ever want to have to leave you Momma,” you tell me. “Why? Why do we have to grow up?” Through tears I tell you that one day you will have your own children too. You must become a woman like me, so that you can do all the amazing things God has planned for you. With our heads on your pillow you ask, “can we stay like this forever? Just me and you?” Yes, darling, at least I hope so. I will always be your mother and I hope to always be here taking care of you. The

beauty in today is that you don’t have to do this alone. That’s why I’m here; to hold you and be your lantern and show you which way to go. I know, dear one, it’s hard to walk away from something so amazing and wonderful as being a little child. But I promise, lovely things are around the corner too. And I will still be here, guiding your path and loving you the whole way through. So, dear Sissy, we will say farewell to wee little you together. We will never forget her and she will continue to be a source of joy and silliness for the rest of our lives. And when we think the hurdles are too big or the mountain too tall, we will turn around together and see little you... “Look Mommy! I’m doing it. See! See me?”

By Bradley Robertson And will look directly into your eyes and see the lady you are becoming. You will continue to conquer all the things of life, just as you have done before. I love you, sweet girl. You are a light unto my own feet and a lamp unto my path… Love, Mommy

BE KIND paint. These aren’t fancy works of art, they are white squares with acrylic pink hearts and simple writing. Two words. Be kind. In today’s world, kindness is a pretty rare concept. I just saw a man in traffic, for instance, throw a full Coke bottle at another car on the interstate. The other car returned fire by throwing a fast food bag. French fries scattered all over the highway. A Big Mac nearly hit my windshield. These drivers were definitely not listening to James Taylor music. Bonell’s idea for the handmade signs happened one day after watching the local news. The headlines were depressing, and a

By Sean Dietrich person can only take so much televised tragedy, environmental destruction and senseless acts of politics. When Bonell was out for a walk to blow off some steam and clear her head, she saw a garbage heap that caught her eye. A big whiteboard was in the trash, like the kind you’d find in an office or classroom. She took the thing home and

placed it in her yard the way you would a real estate sign. She wrote messages on the board. Like this one: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” It was just for the neighborhood, mind you. A small reminder not to throw Chicken McNuggets out vehicle windows. The little whiteboard was an immediate hit. It

became famous. Sometimes Bonell would be in her house— probably listening to James Taylor records— and she’d hear honking horns from cars on the street. Neighbors would cruise by, waving arms, cheering, giving a thumbs up. People stopped to snap photos. “BE KIND!” some of them would yell. Bonell had struck a nerve. The next day she went into her garage, probably cranked up her music, and began slinging paint. We can only speculate what kind of music she might have been listening to. So we choose to speculate that she was listening to “Shower the People” by James Taylor since this makes for a better column. But anyway, Bonell had a jolt of creative

energy—possibly fueled by the aforementioned hit single from 1976— and she painted her masterstroke. She lugged this new creation from her garage into her yard. It stood like a monument. This was no mere whiteboard. This was art. “Be kind.” It wasn’t long before a neighbor saw the sign and asked for one. Then, a few teachers wanted some for their classrooms. Then more people asked for signs. And a few more. This officially marked the end of Bonell’s spare time. It wasn’t long before she was showering the people with signs. And by “people,” I mean thousands and thousands of people. See DIETRICH, page A5

A5 September 2, 2020

JACKSON >>

FROM A4

the end of the evening when the Evangelist issued the “Altar Call.� All that music, singing and exhorting inspired a soul-searching that led some to get out of the pew, walk down the aisle, and approach

DIETRICH>>

FROM A4

Today, Bonell has lost count of how many signs have been given away. It could be hundreds of thousands. Maybe more. The signs have made their way past city borders, into other states and other countries. She made the nightly news a few times. Newspapers started writing about the signs. Governors were asking for them. Politicians everywhere from Michigan to Florida wanted their own, too. Pretty soon, Ginny was dishing out signs faster than nacho cheese at a NASCAR race. Sometimes more than 100 signs at a

the altar where the Evangelist waited. And while the congregation sang “Softly and Tenderly,� some sinners openly confessed sins that confirmed what the congregation already suspected the sinner was doing. Others, however, prayed silently, which allowed the saved

and sanctified to imagine just what the sinner was asking forgiveness for. Only sometimes no one came forward. I remember well such a time. Over and over the congregation sang “calling o’ sinner come home� but the sinners

just sat there. The Evangelist look worried. If no one got saved his reputation would suffer. My fear was that we would be stuck there all night. I was on the verge of going down myself and confessing that I was the one that put the dead snake in Mrs. Poole’s

time. And still it grew. Kids started duplicating the signs. People from other places were doing the same thing. Children, teachers, nursing home residents, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League teams, art classes, and, of course, regional Realtor associations. Anybody who had a paintbrush began making “be kind� signs. They were being shipped via the U.S. Mail, hand delivered by locals, given as gifts, displayed on front doors and propped up in dirt yards in remote Third-World nations. Today, the signs reside in every U.S. state, nearly every major American city, and in

38 different countries. They stand in neighborhood lawns, car windows, storefronts, flowerbeds, porches, restaurants, coffee houses, mom-and-pop shops, meat-and-threes, county prisons, halfway houses, courthouses, dog houses, outhouses, henhouses and used car dealerships. Chances are you’ve seen one before and didn’t know it. I recently saw one in a gas station. That same day my wife saw one in a truck windshield. The signs are free. Always have been. Bonell gives them away, and so does anyone else who makes them. That’s the rule. Anyone who wants a sign can have one. Anyone who wants to

paint one should. “People are always amazed when I tell them it’s free,� said one sign maker. Ginni’s signs are not accompanied by online fundraisers, self-promotion, annual meetings nor fancy merchandise. No T-shirts, ballcaps, bracelets, bumper stickers, Home Shopping Network sales pitches or theme park gift shops. The signs are just scrap wood and cheap paint. But the acrylic colors from this woman’s garage pepper the globe. “It’s so simple,� Bonell said. “And so powerful. I just think we should throw kindness around like confetti.� In other words: Shower the people.

Panel to discuss improving relationships with Opelika youth on Sept. 3 By Will Fairless Associate Editor The City of Opelika will continue its town hall series on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 6-7 p.m. A panel of seven community leaders, moderated by Matt Ulmer from AU Extension Services, will discuss the event’s title topic, “Improving Relationships with Our Youth.� The panel comprises the following seven people: Mayor Gary Fuller Sikuria McCurdy, School Resource Officers with the Opelika Police Department Jeremy Gray, Alabama State Representative Kenneth Burton, Assistant Superintendent with Opelika City Schools Skip Long, Manager of the Youth Incarceration Prevention Program Kevin Haefner, Pastor at Church of the Highlands Richard Curry, with the Boys & Girls Club The town hall series was created as a solution to the city’s encountering questions about various issues regarding the improvement of the Opelika community, evidently mainly focused on what the city government can do to improve its relationship with the public. The first installment in the series was meant for the public to get to know the Opelika Police Department. The third will be on the subject of Community Relations and Communications and will be held on Sept. 24. All community members are welcome to attend the event on Thursday, which will be held at the Opelika Municipal Court. It

will also be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel (Opelika

City Gov). The town hall sessions are also recorded and posted to

the same channel to be viewed at any time after the events.

flower box – almost gave her a heart attack she told her neighbors –when the spirit moved someone else and I was safe. Finally the Evangelist felt he had netted all the sinners he was going to net, so he announced the closing hymn. Then, with everyone

duly witnessed to, we went our separate ways and waited for football season. Harvey H. (“Hardy�) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State University and a columnist for The Star. He can be reached at hjackson43@ gmail.com..

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A6 September 2, 2020

CARES FUNDING TO HELP ALABAMA FOREST OWNERS Courtesy of Jeff Helms/ Alabama Farmers Federation

The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama TREASURE Forest Association (AFTA) welcomed news today of $10 million in state coronavirus relief to help forest owners impacted by the pandemic. Federation President Jimmy Parnell thanked Gov. Kay Ivey and State Forester Rick Oates for working to provide relief for landowners who sold timber at reduced prices

due to market disruption. “COVID-19 has hit Alabama’s forest industry hard,” Parnell said. “Prices have decreased for timber used for lumber as well as pulpwood used to make paper. We appreciate Gov. Ivey recognizing the importance of private forest landowners to our economy and environment. This funding will help lessen the blow for those who sold timber this spring.” Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) will administer the

Assisting Alabama Timber Owners Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic program. It will provide payments to landowners who harvested timber during the months of March through July 2020. The payment rate will be $1 per ton of timber sold. Initial payments will be limited to no more than $10,000 per applicant, pending evaluation of program participation and available funding. ATFA executive director William Green said the

program will help forest owners sustain ongoing management practices. “Unlike seasonal crops, forest products are a longterm investment. It is challenging to recover from depressed prices at harvest because the investment in a mature tree often spans decades,” said Green. “This program will offset some of the losses timber owners experienced this spring and will help them continue managing their land for multiple uses,

including wildlife habitat.” The Alabama Department of Revenue estimates about 10 million tons of wood are harvested each quarter. About 56% of Alabama forest land is owned by non-industrial private landowners (family forests). There are about 23 million acres of forestland in Alabama. AFC is developing application and payment procedures. The Federation and ATFA will provide more information as it becomes available.

Alabama received approximately $1.9 billion of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding to respond to and mitigate COVID-19. The $10 million in forestry relief is authorized as part of $300 million approved by the Alabama Legislature to be used to support citizens, businesses, and non-profit and faith-based organizations of the state directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS • Sept. 5 - Storybook Farms Kentucky Derby Day starting at 2 p.m.

Savor a picnic with family over Labor Day weekend ANNCIPPERLY

Southern

Hospitality

O

ur area has many ideal locations for being outdoors and enjoying a picnic, including Chewacla State Park, Lake Martin and nearby Callaway Gardens. Over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, pack a picnic and find a place with a view to savor the food and linger all afternoon. Linda and Bob Fucci of Opelika have enjoyed picnics in interesting places, their favorite being with views of the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. On their anniversary a few years ago, they were staying

at their favorite place, the Hotel d' Aubusson in Paris. They asked the hotel to prepare a picnic basket with meats, cheeses, yummy French bread and fruit. “We bought a few other items at the store and a bottle of wine,” Linda said. Along with many others, they sat with a view of the Eiffel Tower. As night fell, the lights of the tower came on, providing a magnificent scene. From time to time someone would play music, which was mostly live. While the virus has kept them at home this year, they recently had

a picnic to celebrate their 39th anniversary. “Bob is always such a romantic,” Linda said. “The picnic was my idea in Paris, but this year it was his idea. He always does something special for me.” For the picnic this year, Linda and Bob picked up crab claws, artichoke hearts and a hamburger and French fries from Saugahatchee Country Club. They took the food, along with their own bottle of wine, to the lake just off the 10th hole on the golf course for their picnic. They also took two lawn chairs and a lavender scented candle

Linda and Bob Fucci are pictured enjoying a picnic with a view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. While you may not find a view as spectacular, you can enjoy a picnic with family over the Labor Day weekend at a park or your own backyard.

to ward off mosquitos. “It was nice and quiet,” Linda said. “A couple of people came by fishing.” Linda and Bob have a view of the golf course from the deck of their home on Heritage Drive. They spend a great deal of time on the deck and enjoy breakfast there almost every day. Linda, who was born and raised in Opelika, is retired from Auburn Bank, where she was

a senior vice president, while Bob, who comes from a family of restaurateurs, owned restaurants in Auburn. His Grandmother Fucci came from Naples, Italy, and opened several restaurants in New Jersey, where Bob was born and raised until the family moved to Florida when he was 15. After high school in St. Augustine, Florida and a tour in the Marine Corps, Bob came to this area to attend Auburn

University. His parents moved to Columbus, Georgia, for his father to become co-owner of the Villa Nova restaurant. Bob would go over to help his father at the restaurant. He was more interested in assisting in the front of the restaurant rather than the kitchen, where cooks prepared his father’s recipes. While Bob was a student, a space became See CIPPERLY, page A10

JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM REOPENS By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com Life begins to move on and places that have been closed since March are reopening, like the Jule Collins Smith Museum. The museum opened on Aug. 11 and there are new exhibits to see both inside and outside the museum walls. Although the physical building may have closed in March, the museum was still finding ways to connect with the community. “We’ve done what

I suspect most people have done and certainly what all cultural institutions have done,” said Cindi Malinick, director and chief curator at June Collins Smith Museum. “Which is, we’ve looked inward at things that we needed to tend to that we now had a little bit of time to. We also looked outward, how can we continue to offer engagement opportunities, solace, places to explore during such a difficult time?” One of these ways of connection was online, Photo courtesy of Jule Collins Smith Museum

See MUSEUM, page A9

A8 September 2, 2020

VFW AUXILLARY COLLECTS TOYS FOR CHILDREN DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Courtesy of VFW District 5

The VFW Auxiliary organization’s objectives are fraternal, patriotic,

historical and educational. It provides services to veterans and their families in

various communities throughout each See DISTRICT 5, page A9

A9 September 2, 2020

Junior League of Lee County Awards 2020 Grant Recipients in Outdoor Ceremony Courtesy of the Junior League of Lee Co. Junior League of Lee County awarded four community partners as 2020 grant recipients in a socially distant outdoor ceremony on Aug. 28. Recipients

DISTRICT 5 >>

FROM A8

state. One activity District 5 has undertaken, as a community outreach program, is to provide stuffed toys to agencies in the area. Collectively, the organization has donated over 100 toys that will be used by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Auburn and

included Girls on the Run, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County and I Am My Brother’s Keeper. The Junior League of Lee County (JLLC) is committed to strengthening the

leadership, power and voices of school-age girls and young women in Lee County to result in increased confidence, courage, knowledge, and personal development. JLLC is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues Interna-

tional, comprised of more than 150,000 women in 292 communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico. The Junior League of Lee County welcomes new members, women ages 21 and older, year-round.

Opelika Police Departments, Auburn and Opelika Fire Departments and the Lee County Volunteer Fire Departments. When any of these agencies have to respond to calls that involve children, these toys can be provided to these children to ease their situation. District 5 is composed of

auxiliaries from Prattville, Wetumpka, Tallassee, Ft. Mitchell, Smiths Station, Auburn and Opelika. This is one of many services these auxiliaries provide. Membership is open to husbands/wives, fathers/mothers, sons/daughters, brothers/sisters, widowers/ widows, grandparents and

grandchildren of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. One local representative is Mrs. Sherry Jiles, who has served as a Department President and currently serves the organization as District 5 president and Hospital/VAVS chairperson.

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FROM A7

Malinick said. The museum went virtual and allowed people to view exhibitions on their computers. There were events too that were held by Zoom. “We further kind of enlivened the grounds as people could be outside safely,” she said. “We were so delighted to get our interactive play structure installed and up for young people to be able to get a little physical activity.” Despite still being available to the public virtually, when it was safe to do so, the museum reopened physically. “It was certainly a quiet place and it felt sad to not have guests coming in and enjoying and learning and all of those things,” Malinick said. Of course, everything is not as it was. There are restrictions in place, just like at

the grocery store, on Auburn University’s campus or anywhere in the state of Alabama. Guests must wear face masks and keep a distance of six feet from other patrons. “The first day went great, the first week went great, I mean, it’s gone just wonderfully,” Malinick said. Other precautions the museum took were to buy some masks to give to guests and create one-way movement in the hallways, entrances and exits. “From a cultural institution perspective museums are one of the safest places to be if you’re gong to be indoors, right,” Malinick said. “They’re usually very large spaces and we’ve taken out all of the seating, there’s nothing to touch so we’ve been very careful about ensuring, to the extent possible, the safety of our guests.” Charlotte Hendrix, senior

communications and marketing specialist at Jule Collins Smith Museum, said that guest safety was always a priority, even before the pandemic. The outdoor sculpture exhibition, Out of the Box, has also been extended, she said. There are also two new exhibits inside, a French poster show and work by Auburn University students. “I certainly have as I’ve been on the floor, I’ve just been so happy to hear people say that they were so happy that we were open,” Malinick said. There were a lot of visitors and despite restrictions and distancing, guests still wanted to come. Malinick said that the numbers of guests were similar to what they were in 2019. “It definitely felt great to be missed and to be needed and needed in this time frame,” Hendrix said.

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A10 September 2, 2020

CIPPERLY>> FROM A7 available in downtown Auburn, where the Auburn Cash Grocery had been located. “I called my Dad to tell him a building was available,” Bob remembered. “He told me to stay in school, but I thought I was too smart to do

RECIPES AVOCADO AND BACON

SANDWICHES WITH AVOCADO SPREAD

Kathryn W. Whetstone 2 avocados, divided Lime or lemon juice 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 8 slices fried bacon Mayonnaise 8 slices sandwich or sourdough bread Salt and pepper to taste Mash 1 avocado and mix with softened cream cheese, a small amount of mayonnaise and salt and pepper to taste. Slice other avocado and squeeze a little lime or lemon juice to prevent darkening. Spread avocado and cream cheese mixture on all the sandwich bread, and then add bacon and sliced avocado. Top with another slice of bread.

EGG SALAD SANDWICHES

Nealey Dozier Thompson 8 eggs 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise (I prefer Duke’s Light) 2 Tbsp. snipped chives 2 tsp. cider vinegar 1/2 tsp. prepared mustard 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Bring eggs to a boil, then remove from heat and allow to cook for 12 minutes. Rinse with cold water (or place in an ice bath) to stop the cooking. Peel and chop. Combine chopped eggs, mayonnaise, chives, cider vinegar, mustard, salt and bacon crumbles. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve on white sandwich bread (don’t even think about getting fancy here!). Makes 4 sandwiches.

CHICKEN SALAD IN MINI PITAS

Peggy Tipton 4 chicken breast halves 1 lemon 2 celery stalks cut into 1-inch pieces ¼ cup coarsely chopped red onion 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 cup pecans toasted and coarsely chopped Red seedless grapes cut in half Package of mini pitas Set oven to 350

that.” Although his father tried to discourage him, in 1960 Bob opened what was probably the first Italian restaurant in Auburn, called Sorrento and located downtown. In 1967 it burned to the ground. Bob then opened Fucci’s Steer and Stein out of the downtown area. “In those days

you were not allowed to sell alcohol within a mile of campus,” Bob said. Across the street from this restaurant, he opened Fucci’s Food and Follies and then a few years later in 1983, he opened Denaro’s, followed by Aubie’s. Bob’s father trained the cooks and taught them how to prepare his recipes, which were

originally served at Bob’s grandmother’s restaurants in New Jersey. After 12 years, Bob sold his restaurants and focused on real estate, as well as family, which is important to both of them. While you may not be able to find a stunning site like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can still enjoy wonderful

family time outdoors with a picnic, even if it is in your own backyard. The following recipes will give plenty of delicious choices for your picnic. Picnic Essentials Be sure to have enough cold inserts and bags of ice in the cooler to keep food cold. Don’t forget to take hand sanitizers,

degrees. Spray Pyrex 9 by 13 baking dish with Pam spray. Place chicken breast into dish. Halve the lemon, squeeze juice over chicken. Slice lemon into ½-inch pieces and place over and around chicken. Cover with foil and bake 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool. Tear chicken into chunks and discard lemon. Note: I have found that baking rather than boiling the chicken makes it tenderer. Into a food processor put chicken, celery and red onion; grind together. Add mayonnaise and mustard and pulse to incorporate. Add more mayonnaise if mixture seems too dry. Slice mini pitas in half. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of chicken mixture into pita. Place grape half onto chicken mixture and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

coat. Spread small amount of oil evenly in a shallow baking pan. Arrange chicken in a single layer. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes on each side or until done. Comeback Sauce for Chicken Fingers 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup ketchup 1/4 cup chili sauce 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. Tabasco Sauce 1 Tbsp. lemon juice Mix all ingredients together and chill until ready to serve.

chopped 1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped 1/2 medium bell pepper, chopped 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish 1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1 cup grated sharp cheese Salt to taste Place macaroni into boiling water and cook until tender. Drain into colander and spray with Pam to prevent macaroni from sticking together. Cool. Add chopped vegetables, cheese and mayonnaise. Salt to taste, if desired.

ange juice 4 eggs 2 sticks butter, softened 1 tsp. orange extract, optional Combine all ingredients; blend well. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until tests done. Punch brownies with fork. Pour topping over brownies. Topping 1 cup powdered sugar 2 Tbsp. orange juice 2 Tbsp. orange zest Combine ingredients.

SWEET POTATO SALAD

CARAMEL BROWNIES

SMOKED SALMON AND CREAM CHEESE ROLLS

Chef Christine Healey 2 flour tortillas 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 lb. smoked salmon 6 gherkin pickles, sliced in half On each tortilla shell, spread cream cheese and layer salmon. Place gherkin pickles on one edge and roll into a tube. Chill for 2 hours. When ready to serve, slice into pinwheels.

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN FINGERS WITH COMEBACK SAUCE

1½ chicken breast tenders Salt ¾ cup buttermilk 1/2 cup coarsely crushed cornflakes 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 1 tsp. paprika 1/4 tsp. black pepper Vegetable oil Salt chicken and place in a bowl. Pour buttermilk over chicken, cover and refrigerate overnight or at least for 2 hours. Combine cornflakes, breadcrumbs, paprika and pepper. Dip chicken into cornflake mixture to

TURKEY OR HAM RANCH WRAPS

1 cup ranch dressing Tortillas 1 lb. thinly sliced turkey or ham 8 slices cooked bacon, optional 4 slices American or cheddar cheese Romaine lettuce Tomato slices Spread 2 to 3 Tbsp. ranch dressing onto each tortilla. Top dressing with 4 slices turkey or ham. Top with 2 slices bacon and one slice cheese. Add small amount of lettuce and tomato. Fold in ends of tortilla up over fillings, then fold up burrito-style. Wrap each on in plastic wrap. Chill until ready to serve.

MAMA’S SPECIAL STUFFED EGGS

Anne Carpenter 6 large eggs 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 2 tsp. regular mustard 1/3 cup mayonnaise or to taste ¼ cup sweet pickle relish or to taste Put eggs in water to cover; bring to boil. Remove from burner. Let sit covered for 20 minutes. Cool eggs in cold water and peel. Slice in half; put yolks in a bowl with vinegar, mustard, mayonnaise and pickle relish. Salt and pepper to taste. Spoon yolk mixture into halves. Garnish with a basil leaf or pimento pepper strip.

MAC N CHEESE SALAD Jean Martin 2 cups elbow macaroni 4 cups boiling water 1 medium tomato,

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped ½ cup chopped celery ½ cup raisins ½ cup chopped pecans ½ cup sour cream ½ cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. honey Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender; drain and cool. Combine potatoes, apples, celery, raisins and pecans in large bowl. Mix together the remaining ingredients. Gently fold into potato mixture. Chill.

NEW POTATO SALAD

Mary Hodson 5 lb. new red potatoes, diced and cooked quickly (do not overcook) 1 bunch green onions, finely diced ½ cup sour cream ¼ mayonnaise Prepared horseradish to taste 1 small bunch fresh dill, finely chopped 4 to 5 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled Mix sour cream, mayonnaise and horseradish together until well blended. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add mixture to potatoes, onion and dill weed. Toss well and chill until ready to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle bacon on top.

2 sticks butter, room temperature 1 box light brown sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs 2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup chopped nuts Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat the butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar and vanilla; cream together. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Mix nuts with flour until coated. Add flour and nuts to batter; blend well. Pour into a greased 11 by 7-inch pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Cool in pan. Cut into squares and serve. Freezes well.

CHICKEN, TOMATO AND FRESH MOZZARELLA WRAP

1 cup chopped tomatoes 1 cup fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh basil, optional 1 tsp. olive oil 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and salted

wet wipes, paper towels, rash bags, napkins, paper plates and utensils. You will also need sunscreen and insect repellent or a lavender candle. Pack plenty of water bottles. Take a blanket or folding chairs for lounging. Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com. 2 oz. (4 slices) fresh mozzarella cheese 4 flour tortillas In a small bowl, mix tomatoes, spinach, basil, oil and vinegar. Place chicken on center of each tortilla; top with 1 slice and about 1/4 cup tomato mixture. Fold bottom of tortilla over filling; fold both sides to close. Wrap each on in plastic wrap. Chill until ready to serve.

BUFFALO CHICKEN TORTILLA ROLL UPS

8 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 Tbsp. sour cream 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1/2 cup Buffalo wings sauce 4 flour tortillas In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, blue cheese and cheddar cheese. Add chicken and buffalo wings sauce. Lay a tortilla on a plate and spread an even layer of the chicken and cheese mixture to the edges. Roll up tortilla tightly and repeat until all the ingredients have been used. Wrap each on in plastic wrap. Chill until ready to serve.

PEANUT BUTTER BARS

½ cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy ½ cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 cup self-rising flour 1 tsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Melt peanut butter and butter over low heat. Add remaining ingredients and stir until smooth. Pour into greased baking dish; bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Makes 2 dozen.

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A11 September 2, 2020

T

Bored with their blessings

he first ten chapters of Numbers present a placid picture of Israel in the wilderness under the guidance of Yahweh. After going off the rails in the golden calf incident, the nation settled down and built the tabernacle (Exodus 35-40), conducted a census (Numbers 1), organized their camp around the tabernacle (chapter 2), performed duties relative to the tabernacle (chapters 3-4), and observed the Passover (chapter 9). Trouble begins in chapter 11, where we’re told, “the people complained about their hardships” (v. 1). They had been on the road for a little over 13 months. While it’s true they hadn’t been traveling all that time (they had spent almost a year at Mt. Sinai Exodus 19:1; Numbers 10:11-12), nonetheless,

Church Calendar • AIRVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH HOMECOMING 2301 Airport Road, Opelika Celebrating 69 years...Sept. 13,2020 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon and Lunch will follow Pastor: Dr Gary Walker – Praise and Worship: Doug Long • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. • St. Marys Catholic Church/ St. Michael’s Church SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass is also held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org. • Union Grove Baptist Church In-person gathering with social distancing. Masks are available. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m. Services are streamed live on Facebook– the page is UGBChurch • First Baptist Church Opelika The following are held in-person and online on Sundays. 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship and Message at The Worship Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Hour 11 a.m. Contemporary Service at The 3:16 Center 6 p.m. Evening Worship and Message at The Worship Center 6:30 p.m. Church on Chadwick at Chadwick Lane in Auburn To watch services online, go to fbcopelika.com/media

they were in transit. (Think of camping for 13 months!). Furthermore, they had been eating manna every day for over a year. They would have had only limited access to other foods, so the manna was the staple of their diet. Before we judge them too severely, we need to understand and acknowledge they were living in some challenging circumstances. But their hardship hardly justified complaining against God. Perhaps Israel was like some disciples today who think that coming to Christ means no more difficulties. (Wherever they got this idea, it wasn’t from Jesus, who unhesitatingly told His disciples they would experience hardship precisely because they were followers of Him – John 15:18-21). Whatever their reason, just three days after

By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

they had left Mt. Sinai, the nation began airing their grievances against Yahweh. God was not pleased because their complaining represented a lack of confidence in Him. You would think that ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from above, water from a rock, and all of the other things He had done would have been sufficient for them to trust that He would take care of them. God’s response was

fire. In His mercy, it was limited to the fringes of the camp. The people cried out to Moses, who prayed for them and then the fire stopped (v. 2). Lesson learned, right? Or maybe not. Apparently not long after this, the “rabble” began to complain. This is a reference to the non-Jewish people who had left Egypt with Israel (Exodus 12:38). They hadn’t experienced all that Israel had. They didn’t know the story like Israel did. They began complaining and it wasn’t long before Israel joined in. They told God that having a variety of food while living in slavery and oppression was preferable to freedom and hope in the midst of hardship! The Israelites romanticized their past in Egypt, so God gave them all the meat they could eat with a side

dish of plague to help them remember what Egypt was really like. God had initially given the manna to Israel in response to their grumbling about the lack of food but now, just a year later, they complained to Him about what they had previously begged for. Moses will later tell the next generation of Israelites that their parents were given the manna to teach them to trust in God (Deuteronomy 8:3), but they hadn’t learned the lesson. Instead, they became bored with their blessings, blamed God and died in the wilderness. Bored with their blessings was not a good look then and it hasn’t improved over the centuries. You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.

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And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. — 2 Corinthians 8:5

Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 HIghland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 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

Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700

5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at

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

First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD

Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene 1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-7418675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-7495386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-7411006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770

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A12 September 2, 2020

OBITUARIES James C. Andrews James C. Andrews was born on February 21, 1943 to the late Helen Maxwell and Clarence Andrews in Alabama. He passed away at Bethany House on Aug. 25, 2020 at Bethany House in Opelika. He was 77 years old. He was a building maintenance supervisor. Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Mark Andrews. He is survived by his wife, Eldra Chappell Andrews; daughters, Susie Caswell (Wesley McCoy) and Tammy Boland (Marc); 7 grandchildren, Brianne Caswell, Holden Caswell, Seth McCoy, Brady McCoy, Brock McCoy, Mark Andrews and Tyler Boland; 2 great grandchildren, Greysen Caswell and Abigail Caswell.| A private family service will be handled at a later date. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home will be directing.

Michelle “Miki”

Torres Parker, beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister,

passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 25 at the age of 49. A lifelong resident of Auburn and Opelika, Miki was a 1989 graduate of Auburn High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business and marketing education, followed by a master’s degree in education, both from Auburn University. Miki loved unconditionally with strength and resilience. She never met a stranger. She was authentic, genuine and humble, giving of her time to ensure anyone who met her felt cared for and loved. Her giving was never exhausted – she showed up for everyone. While she was a true and loyal friend, her biggest role was that of mother to Carly and Ava. She was a fierce advocate for her daughters, working tirelessly to ensure whatever they needed was taken care of – whether that was as simple as being there for a volleyball game or pushing doctors and nurses to evaluate potential cancer treatments. Miki loved Carly and Ava with all her heart. Miki was preced-

ed in death by her daughter, Carly Marie Parker, grandparents Kathryn and Charles Rush of Auburn and grandparents Edmond and Sylvia Torres of Reserve, LA. She is survived by her husband, Scott, daughter Ava Grace, parents Bryan and Mary Fraser Torres of Opelika, sister Alison Hagler of Columbus, GA, brother Steve Torres (Aimee) of Auburn and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and countless friends. Visitation was held Aug. 29, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Graveside service followed at Garden Hill Cemetery in Opelika. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Miki to the Hudson Family Foundation or Camp Smile-a-Mile.

LeRae Whatley Rainer LeRae was born Aug. 15, 1964 in Lee County, and she died Aug. 22, 2020 at her home in Enterprise, Alabama.

LeRae graduated from Macon Academy in 1982. She was a cheerleader and loved her classmates, and they loved her to this day. She attended Southern Union Wadley Campus and graduated from Troy University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and completed all but her comps towards a master’s degree. LeRae was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. As a child LeRae was in Lee County 4-H and was crowned Miss Lee County Agriculture in high school. She loved to ride horses and show horses and show livestock through 4-H. She was proud to be a cowgirl. She is survived by her husband, Ricky Rainer; step children, Doug (Stephanie) Rainer, Lori Beth (Jamie) Whaley, Will (Jalon) Rainer, Leanne (Trent) Matherly and 5 grandchildren. She was also survived by her niece, Hayden Whatley; nephews, Connor, Callen, and Carson Brown; brother, Allen Woodall;

aunts, cousins and too many friends to name or count. She loved her pets and considered them her children. LeRae was preceded in death by her parents, Annice and Andrew (Leary) Whatley; and her brother, Cal Whatley. She will be missed and forever in our hearts. She had such a good heart and was so much fun and made everyone laugh and feel good about themselves. Graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Aug. 28, 2020, at Mt. Olive Cemetery with visitation at Mt. Olive Church from 12 to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society or Animal Shelter of your choice. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.

Bobbie Humphrey Brown A graveside service for Bobbie Humphrey Brown, 85 years old, of Opelika is scheduled for 11 a.m.

CST, on Sept. 4, 2020. Reverend Michael Brown will be officiating. Bobbie went home to be with her Lord on Aug. 29, 2020, at Bethany House. She was born Aug. 26, 1935, in Lanett, Alabama. She graduated from Lanett High School and has been a longtime resident of Opelika. Bobbie was of the Baptist Faith. She retired as a quality control specialist for Ampex. Bobbie Brown and her deceased husband, Jerry Brown, were married for 60 years. Mrs. Brown is survived by her daughter, Jeri Brown of Titus, Alabama; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Should you wish to send flowers, please send to Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika. If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please do, on her behalf, to Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, Bethany House in Auburn, or Airview Baptist Church in Opelika.

GOV. KAY IVEY ANNOUNCES ASSISTANCE FOR ALABAMA TIMBERLAND OWNERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 Courtesy of Alabama Forestry Association Earlier this week, Gov. Kay Ivey announced $10 million in Coronavirus relief money would be allocated for Alabama timberland owners

affected by the pandemic. “We are grateful to Governor Ivey for recognizing how important the forest products industry is to the state’s economy and the critical role forest landown-

ers play in the supply chain,” said Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Forestry Association. “Like many segments of the economy, forest landowners have been particularly hard hit

and we appreciate the opportunity to work with the Governor to provide this much needed relief.” The Alabama Forestry Commission will administer the grant. The money will be dispersed on

a first come first serve basis for qualified applicants. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to timberland owners who harvested timber in Alabama during the months of March

through July 2020. Alabama received approximately $1.9 billion of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding in response to COVID-19.

A13 September 2, 2020

BCBS of Alabama Commits $230 million to support COVID-19 fight Courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has paid, contributed and made available $230 million in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus, supporting its members, employer customers, providers and the community across Alabama. The 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield companies and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program have committed nearly $3 billion on a national basis in support of members, healthcare workers and local communities during the coronavirus pandemic. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is committed to giving back to communities statewide to

fight the coronavirus pandemic. The company has made contributions in support of food scarcity, small business loans, personal protective equipment and meals for healthcare workers, and other relief efforts across the state. Some programs receiving support include United Way Meals on Wheels, Alabama Food Bank, Birmingham Strong, American Red Cross, Alabama Department of Public Health, Jefferson Country Department of Health and other local community foundations. “COVID-19 has created unprecedented health and economic challenges for Alabamians,” said Tim Vines, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of

Alabama. “As we continue working to combat COVID-19 throughout the state, it is critical that we continue to care for and support our customers, providers and the communities we serve.” Blue Cross is also continuing to work with local and state governments and public officials to ensure the company is able to plan for and address current and future needs of its customers, providers and communities across the state. Commitments made by Blue Cross since March include:  Waiving member cost-sharing for coronavirus diagnostic testing, treatments and the related in-person or telehealth office visits, urgent care visits and emergency room visits

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medical services and other questions, resulting in timely responses related to coronavirus. For more information, please visit AlabamaBlue.com/ Coronavirus. For the latest on coronavirus developments, please visit the CDC’s website. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for 84 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market. For more information about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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A14 September 2, 2020

COMICS

“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

Hornets Lose Home Opener By Rick Lanier Opelika Observer

On the Mark By D. Mark Mitchell

Auburn High tears into Opelika

A

uburn High School (2-0) defeated Opelika High School (0-1) 3710 last Friday night at Duck Samford Stadium. Opelika played without several members of the team due to one or two players testing positive for the coronavirus. Auburn held a 16-10 lead at halftime, although Opelika failed to pick up a first down. The Bulldogs held the Tigers from scoring from the 1-yard line. After the fourth down stop at the 1, Auburn’s defense earned 2 points after tackling an Opelika player in the end zone. Opelika’s Eric Thomas intercepted a screen pass on the next possession. Opelika took a 3-2 lead after Baker Rowton made a 23-yard field goal with 9:45 left in the second quarter. Auburn answered with a nine-play, 63-yard drive resulting in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mathew Caldwell to Zane Ray. The PAT made it 9-3 Auburn. The Tigers intercepted an Opelika pass 3 minutes later, resulting in a 61-yard pick six.

The extra point extended the score 16-3. Opelika’s Will Beams caught an 80-yard pass for a touchdown, on the ensuing possession, closing the gap to 16-10. Auburn took over the game in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered points to win 37-10. Auburn gained 305 yards on offense while holding Opelika to 150 yards. Opelika must regroup and prepare for region foe Sidney Lanier in the first home game at Bulldog Stadium, Friday night. The Poets enter the game with a 1-0 record after beating rival Jeff Davis 12-7. Opelika dominates the series 12 wins to Lanier’s three. The last time the two teams played, in 2013, it was a 56-20 Bulldog win. Lanier’s last win over Opelika was in 1987. Tickets are available online at www.gofan. com. No tickets are available at any outlets or Opelika High. Fans can listen to the game on 97.7 Kicker FM, online at kickerfm.com and on the IHeartRadio app on See SPORTS, page B4

Sept. 4 - Special called Lee Co. Board of Education Meeting at 10 a.m. - First public hearing for FY 2021 Budget Zoom Meeting ID 922-5724 4605 Password 2410 Sept 8 - Lee Co. Board of Education Meeting at 6 p.m.

This past Friday night, on a rainy, soggy field in Beauregard, the Handley Tigers (3-0 overall) nearly executed their hybrid run game to perfection and in the process spoiled the Hornets’ (0-2

overall) home opener, winning 36-6. Beauregard linebacker Trent Jones (eight solo tackles/two tackles for loss) continued to lead the spirited Hornets’ “bend-butdon’t-break” defensive unit who managed to hold the run-oriented Tigers (23 rushes) to

only two touchdowns after surrendering over 200 yards of offense in the first half. However, the second half proved more of the same as the Handley offense kept to their clock-controlling, ground and pound game plan (46 rushes) that, by game’s end, had simply worn down

the Hornets’ defense. There were signs of progress; the defense played better than last week, and they seem to be on an upward trajectory. Head coach Rob Carter turned to senior Gavin Prickett (4 See HORNETS, page B4

Smiths Station drops season opener

By Wil Crews

sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

The Smiths Station Panthers scraped and fought the whole way in their opening game of the season. Ultimately, however, the Panthers were sent home with their tails tucked, falling to the Gardendale Rockets 26-7.

It was a humid, muggy and showery night at Panther Stadium. After receiving a forfeit victory in week one, the tumultuous weather had also put the Panthers’ second scheduled game in jeopardy. However, after a 30-minute lightning delay, there was football to be played. Gardendale received

the ball to begin and marched right down the field. Rockets’ quarterback and West Virginia commit Will Crowder hit his wide receiver on a precise back shoulder pass for a 21-yard touchdown to open the scoring. The extra point was good and the Rockets led 7-0 early. Smiths would not be outdone for long,

however. Establishing the run to open their first drive, Smiths Station quarterback Corey Minton then hit a Panther receiver for a deep back shoulder pass of their own. The gain put the Panthers on the 1-yard line and Jordan Jones punched it in to tie the game, 7-7, See SMITHS, page B4

Art Gallery improving students’ access to fine arts education Courtesy of Sarah West

Since 2008 The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, A Center for Cultural Arts has continued to expand and increase endeavors for sustainability. As a steward of sustainability, historic preservation, cultural conservation, and continued education it recognized the importance of cultural appreciation and accessibility to culturally enriching involvements. Also, recognizing the paramount importance of accessibility to fine art education and the

severe lack of related resources for schools in rural parts of our home state, it prioritizes any opportunity to bridge the gap and forge new paths to making the inaccessible accessible. Art in Schools is a fine art education program made accessible to elementary school students through collaboration between The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art and any participating Board of Education. Through collaboration with The Lee County Board of Education, Art in Schools debuted in See ART GALLERY, page B4

Photo courtesy of of The Sarah West Gallery of Fine

Art, A Center for Cultural Arts

B2 September 2, 2020

Glenwood Gators swamp the Cougars, move to 2-0 By Wil Crews

PLAYER OF THE WEEK The City of Opelika is proud to sponsor the Opelika High School Player of the Week. We applaud you for your HARD WORK and DEDICATION on and off the football field.

WILL BEAMS TD reception 80-Yards

IT’S THE OPELIKA WAY.

GO DAWGS! #myOpelika • #beOpelika www.opelika-al.gov 2018 observer

sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

Last Friday, as soggy weather conditions affected high school games across the state, the Glenwood Gators defeated the Escambia Cougars 24-22 on the road. Both schools entered the matchup having won their season openers and looking to build on strong starts to the 2020 campaign. Two schools with apex predators as mascots, the game was highly contested and fittingly ferocious. Glenwood’s only touchdowns came on special teams and defense, but the Gators managed to steal a win in their second game of the season. The Cougars received the ball to begin and marched straight down the field. After converting a fourth down, Escambia quarterback Landon Sims broke a long scramble run before being tackled just inside the 10-yard line. The Cougars then punched the ball into the end zone with a five-yard rush, missing the extra point and taking an early 6-0 lead. Glenwood failed to answer with their first possession on offense,

but it wouldn’t take long to get on the scoreboard. Glenwood defensive back AaronJoshua Harris intercepted a pass on the Cougars’ second drive, taking it all the way back for a 50-yard pick-six, giving the Gators a 7-6 lead after the PAT. The second quarter began and the Gators were threatening – this time on offense. Faced with a fourth and two at the Escambia 19-yard line, head coach Jason Gibson decided to go for it, but the Gators were thwarted, turning the ball over on downs. After a big play put the Escambia in the red zone on the next drive, the home team scored on a three-yard rushing touchdown, adding the two-point conversion to make it 14-7. Following the score, Escambia got an interception of their own and looked to stretch their lead going into the halftime break. The momentum would only last so long, as the Cougars had their punt blocked by Austin Monn of the Gators and returned for a 50-yard touchdown. Glenwood would make a successful extra point attempt and the

game headed to halftime tied 14-14. The second half did not allow fans to digest a first half defined by big plays for long. The Glenwood returner, Harris, would give the Gators a dream start to the second half, returning the kick all the way back for his second touchdown of the game; Gators lead 21-14. After a Cougar punt pinned the Gators deep against their own goal line, Escambia would force another turnover – this time a fumble – giving the Cougars great field position as they took over at the Glenwood 3-yard line. The Cougars continued their rushing dominance (279 total yards) and were able to capitalize with another rushing touchdown. Escambia would go for two in a bold call from head coach Hugh Fountain – and get it – giving the Cougars the lead once again 22-21. The Gators were resilient all game, however, and marched directly down the field in response, retaking the lead on a Garrett Hall 30-yard field goal. Glenwood would take a scant 24-22 lead into the fourth quarter. See GATORS, page B4

Beauregard’s Football Player of the Week

TRENT JONES Jones continued his impressive play gaining 50 yards, on 13 carries and one TD on offense, as well as, making eight solo tackles with two tackles for a loss on defense.

JORDAN JONES Linebacker/Running Back Jones had 2 attempts, 5 yards, 1 touchdown

Sponsored by Goree’s Furniture Express

3797 AL Highway 169, Opelika 334-742-0607

B3 September 2, 2020

September Skips In

I

t is hard to believe, but September has skipped in as we have begun school, and this month signals that autumn is on the way. Classroom decorations depict seasonal delights of apples and colorful autumn leaves and trees. Even though it is still warm, we look forward to cooler days as autumn is just around the corner. This week of Sept. 1 to 7 is National Waffle Week, which children of all ages love to celebrate with all kinds of delicious toppings. This is so timely because September is

recognized as Better Breakfast Month. This originated during World War I for United States citizens to eat a better breakfast. It continued to be emphasized during World War II. The Cereal Institute promoted “Better Breakfast Month” in September of 1951. I have observed firsthand how children benefit in classroom performance when they have had a good breakfast. A good breakfast provides energy for our children’s bodies and not only do they perform better but they behave better.

Some of my favorite early morning time with my students is to listen to what they have had for breakfast. They are so proud that they have eaten breakfast, and they are encouraged for the day with this early morning boost. Include your children in what they enjoy eating for breakfast. Guide them to choose breakfast foods that include all the major food groups of protein, carbohydrates, dairy and fat. The first meal of the day is a way of teaching good nutrition to our children. September is also recognized as National Children’s Good Manners Month. It is so timely to teach children good manners early in their lives. The best role models are parents, family members and teachers. The expression says, “Actions speak louder than words.” Children observe us displaying good manners then we can direct them to practice good manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” when

provided a snack or a meal; holding the door for others in order to help them; greeting other people with a “hello” and smile; or apologizing and saying are sorry when they have done something wrong to hurt others. It melts this teacher’s heart when my young students show good manners toward their teacher, whether it is by helping me to pick up papers when I have dropped them all over the floor; extending out their little hands to help their teacher get out of a chair; helping me in walking down steps; or helping the teacher up when I have accidentally tripped. My most embarrassing classroom moment was in first grade as I was going around the room to grade weekly spelling tests. I fell over with legs and high heels going straight up over my head. Needless to say, I was stunned. But as I looked up with an embarrassed red face, 22 little hands were extended down to their teacher to help her up. After I got my composure, the students and

I had a good old laugh and I thanked every one of them from the bottom of my heart for helping their teacher. Also September is recognized as “Baby Safety Month.” This is a good time to assess the safety of your child for “child-proofing” your home, nutrition safety, sleep safety, car seat safety, outside safety, etc. Checking in with your child’s doctors as well as early childhood specialists is beneficial to making sure your infant stays safe. “National Read A Book Day” will be celebrated and observed on Sept. 6. Parents, children and grandparents can make this a special day by sharing a book with others. Books are wonderful in improving language skills, educating and family entertainment. Labor Day is this upcoming Monday, Sept. 7. I remember that we didn’t start the school year until after Labor Day when I was a child. I really looked forward to Labor Day, but I didn’t know why we celebrated Labor Day. This is a perfect time to emphasize to your young children what community helpers do

as we approach this day off for many of us. Emphasize to them this holiday makes our workers feel special as we celebrate their achievements. Talk to them about the jobs of the police, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, teachers, utility workers, mail carriers, grocery workers and the list goes on and on. Circle on your calendar Sept. 13, “National Grandparents Day.” Parents, whether your child is in the classroom or at home, this day offers many opportunities for children to show appreciation for their grandparents. Grandparents could be a biological grandparent, a foster child grandparent, a god grandparent or a person in the community who reaches out to your child like a grandparent. When many of our families have had to separate the grandchildren from grandparents, spending time making cards, crafts or other art work provides a language experience lesson as well as an art lesson as you and your child are showing love to their grandparents. Classroom Observer Beth Pinyerd

Three Juniors who can step up for Auburn in 2020 By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

Photos courtesy of AU Athletics

The junior year of an athlete’s career can be the most important in college football– it’s the year they become eligible for the NFL draft. However, only the best of the best typically leave after this point. More often than not, third year players are guys looking to take the leap from rotational backup to every week starter. For some, the pressures of the SEC are just too much – they crack. For others, their emergence can take the team to the next level. Here are three juniors for Auburn who can make the biggest impact in 2020. 1. Seth Williams Wide Receiver: Two years ago Williams was an AllSEC Freshman, leading the conference with a 20.5 yards per reception average. He followed that up in 2019 with a stellar second season, earning All-SEC Third Team

Brodarrious Hamm

honors. He began the year with a game-winning 26-yard touchdown grab against Oregon, and finished with 59 receptions for 830 yards and eight scores. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound pass catcher can do it all. He will be looking to build on his numbers from last year and become the first wideout in the program to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving since Ronney Daniels in 1999. However, this may prove difficult with the SEC moving to a 10-game conference-only schedule. Regardless of what the season looks like, Williams is a bonafide

Seth Williams

star who could catch a baby falling out of a burning building with a blindfold on. 2. Roger McCreary Defensive Back: Of the guys on this list, McCreary’s emergence is the one that is most needed. Auburn lost two starting defensive backs in the draft and McCreary is next man up. The 6-foot, 188-pound defensive back was primarily used as a backup last year but has appeared in 21 games over his first two seasons. He finished first on the team in 2019 in solo tackles with 30, and first in

Smoke Monday

pass breakups with 11. McCreary has already proven that, when called upon, he can step up. McCreary registered a career-best 10 tackles and caught his only interception of the season off of eventual Heisman winner and No.1 overall draft pick, Joe Burrow in the first start of his career last season against LSU. 3. Nick Brahms - Center: Last season, Brahms became the starter at center in week 10 against Ole Miss, replacing the now graduated Kaleb Kim. He is the only offensive

lineman to return in 2020 who started in 2019. This gives him a leg up on any of the guys trying to take his spot and thrust him into a leadership position. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Auburn’s offensive line as the No. 28 best unit in the country last year. The Tigers did a good job in pass protection, only allowing 48 quarterback hurries all season, but they struggled mightily with the run. Auburn last reached the SEC Championship game in 2017, and 2013 before that. Those teams averaged 223 and 321

yards rushing per game, respectively. The Tigers averaged only 191.6 in 2019. Brahms can be the leading man who helps return Auburn to a dominant run-first offense. Honorable Mentions 1. Anthony Schwartz - Wide Receiver: Schwartz is nicknamed “The Flash.” Not because of his passion for photography, but because of his supernatural-like pace, the likes of which he so flamboyantly showed off against Texas A&M last year. Schwartz’s touchdown See JUNIORS, page B7

B4 September 2, 2020

Provost Fellows announced for 2020-21 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Courtesy of Kalani Long Auburn University

Six Auburn University faculty members have been selected for the 2020-2021 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program. They are Duane Brandon, the Taylor Professor and director of the School of Accountancy in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business; Paul Holley, professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction and director of the Center for Construction, Innovation and Collaboration; Christopher “Chris” Lepczyk, professor of biology and wildlife conservation in the School of Forestry

ART GALLERY >> FROM B1 6th Grade Classrooms at four elementary schools in Smiths Station and Salem, Alabama during the 2019-20 school year. Upon school closures and in support of Safer At Home statewide mandates, Art in Schools rapidly transitioned from a Traditional Learning program and adapted to the Virtual Learning model. Through the end of the 2019-20 school year, Art in Schools fine art classes were rendered virtually and without interruption, concluding a record-setting school year, even amid the unforeseen circumstances presented by the pandemic. The debut school year (2019-20) for Art in Schools was one of historic proportions, as each selected school had never had access to a fine arts program before. This summer, The Sarah West Gallery

SPORTS >> FROM B1 your smart phone. You can watch Opelika games online by going to NFHSnetwork. com. Set up an account, search for “OPELIKA HIGH SCHOOL” and look for “PRODUCED BY OPELIKA,” otherwise you will be asked to pay the fee. The Orthopedic Clinic paid the fee to allow all Opelika fans to watch at no charge. OPELIKA’S ROY LEE JACKSON HEADED TO COLLEGE BASEBALL HOF

and Wildlife Sciences; Mallory Lucier-Greer, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Families Studies in the College of Human Sciences; Elizabeth “Beth” Hiltbold Schwartz, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences and Mathematics; and Bill Walton, professor in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences in the College of Agriculture and director of Auburn’s Shellfish Lab. “The Auburn Family is very proud of these six outstanding faculty members and congratulate them on their accomplishments,” said Bill Hardgrave, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Their dedication to

achieving excellence in research and in the field enhances the university now and for future scholars and students.” The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has three components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants; two SEC-wide three-day workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants; and a competitive fellowship designed to provide administrative growth opportunities for former fellows. Duane Brandon Duane Brandon

of Fine Art set to work refining the Art in Schools program for Virtual Learning expansion. In the summer of 2020, The Art Box, a custom curated art program developed exclusively by The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, in efforts to prioritize a Safer Studio for socially distanced learning, debuted upon the reopening of Smiths Station, Alabama’s premiere fine arts destination. The Art Box for Art in Schools provided for increasing expansion of The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art’s partnership with Lee County Schools. This year, every 6th Grade student at select elementary schools, including Loachapoka Elementary, Wacoochee Elementary and every elementary school in Smiths Station, Alabama will receive fine art education as part of their Virtual & Traditional Learning School Year 2020-21. With

provision of The Art Box for Art in Schools, the Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art also provided every student with their very own fine art supplies that correspond with the Virtual Learning program. The future for Art in Schools will be ever expanding as it is Sarah West’s goal to make Cultural Enrichment through Fine Art Education accessible to every elementary school student in the state of Alabama. Art in Schools is a fine art education program founded/developed and provided by The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art in collaboration with educators. Through Art in Schools, students learn and cultivate skills for design, critical thinking, innovation, analysis, and further establish creative solutions through strengthening abilities. To find out more about the Art in Schools program, visit https://thesarahwestgalleryoffineart. com/?page_id=27

Opelika’s Roy Lee Jackson was among 12 players selected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame in the class of 2020. Jackson, who graduated from OHS in 1972, was drafted in MLB’s twelfth round the same year. Roy Lee faced a major decision: take the baseball scholarship offered by Tuskegee Institute College or play in the Minor leagues. After meeting with his mother and father about the positives and negatives of each, Jackson decided it was best to play at Tuskegee Institute. The decision paid dividends. Jackson

See FELLOWS, page B8

finished his college career with a 22-9 record, 384 strikeouts in 251 innings, named All-Southern Athletic Conference Performer three years in a row, struck out 160 batters and earned a .098 era. The 160 strikeouts were the most by any pitcher in Division II. He was an offensive threat as well, hitting over .400 each year with a slugging percentage better than .700. Jackson signed a free agent contract with the New York Mets in 1975, after graduating from Tuskegee. He played in the minors until he made his major

SMITHS >>

Smiths would receive the ball to start the second half. The rain had dried up by this point, but not before turning the field into a muddy slip and slide. The Panthers relied heavily on the run in the first half and would try to do the same in the second. It was an exercise in futility - three plays later the Panthers were forced to punt. Gardendale then failed to capitalize on the good field position – a trend that would prevent the Rockets from breaking the game open earlier than they did. Still, Gardendale struck first in the third quarter with another field goal. Smiths Station trailed 19-7. The Panthers continued to play with admirable spirit as the game continued into the fourth quarter. However, they were simply outmatched. Gardendale’s offensive and defensive line towered over the Panthers’. Both teams remained committed to the rushing attack in the poor conditions. The Rockets consistently had more push up front and running

back Lt Sanders blasted through the holes. The Rockets were more dominant through the air as well. Crowder sliced the Panthers defense with short throws seemingly at will. He hit another Gardendale receiver on a slant with 9:57 to go in the fourth to put the Rockets up 26-7. If there was any hope left in the Smiths Station faithful, it was soon lost. Gardendale intercepted Smiths’ Minton 41 seconds later – effectively ending the game. The Panthers had two more drives on offense and showed reason for promise with their rushing attack. Overall, Smiths didn’t play terribly, and there were plenty of positives to build off of going forward. Still, the clock hit triple zero during a final unthreatening Panther drive. Final score: 26-7, the Gardendale Rockets defeat the Smiths Station Panthers. Next week, Smiths Station (1-1) will look to bounce back at home again versus Central Phenix City. The game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. CST at Panther Stadium.

Tigers in the box, the Hornets looked to take advantage of some oneon-one opportunities in the passing game, but were unsuccessful. Handley’s ability to pressure Prickett forced him to throw off rhythm most of the night where dropped passes and the wet field conditions combined to nullify the Hornets’ passing efforts. The Hornets look to use the experience

of facing two quality opponents early in the season to build upon the positives, to clean up the areas of concern and get better moving forward. Beauregard opens conference play this week as they host the Talladega Tigers on Friday, Sept. 4. Hornet stadium is located at 7343 Ala. Highway 51, Opelika, Alabama 36804. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CST.

The final quarter was a true battle of attrition, with turnovers galore and both teams forcing and recovering fumbles. Neither team really threatened, however, and with just under a minute left in regulation, the Cougars were faced with a fourth down on Glenwood’s 45-yard line. The Glenwood defense would make their final stand, forcing a turnover on downs and allowing

the Gators to run out the clock on offense. The Gators only managed 121 total yards compared to the Cougars’ 330, but timely turnover and impact plays on special teams led them to the win. The Glenwood Gators emerged victorious over the Escambia Cougars, 24-22. The Gators failed to score offense all game and were outgained by a margin of 330 yards to 121. Tye Robichaux added to his season rushing total (284) with 108 yards rushing, but Harris was

undoubtedly the player of the game with a punt block returned for a touchdown and pick-six. The Gators move to 2-0 and play host to rivals Lee-Scott Academy (1-0) in next weeks’ matchup. Having played 36 times, the game is both programs’ longest running rivalry. The Gators hold a historic edge over the Warriors with a 21-15 all-time record. The game is scheduled for Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. CST at The Swamp.

league debut in 1977. Prior to being called up, Roy Lee earned 11 wins. Jackson played in the MLB for 10 years. He played with the Mets, Blue Jays, Padres and Twins. He ended up with a 28-34 record and an ERA of 3.50 after pitching 559 innings. He struck out 351 batters and only allowed 50 home runs. Roy Lee, his wife Mary and I have been friends for many years. Jackson appeared on my radio show “On the Mark” a few weeks ago to discuss his career and life. He is now serving God as a local Minister

and continues to be humble. Jackson said the most important people in his life were his mother and father. It’s obvious, God and family are one and two in his life. Roy Lee also praised his high school coach and mentor Larry Gore. Coach Gore has the same sentiment, calling Jackson one of his favorite players and friends. Roy Lee Jackson is a good person and earned his way to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. I will never forget the night Roy Lee and Mary appeared in my room in Progressive

Care at EAMC. It was a Friday night in the fall, I was transferred out of ICU after spending seven days in very serious condition. The visit meant so much to me! Roy Lee and Mary prayed for me when they arrived and departed as I lay in the bed with my two daughters at my side. The two could have gone anywhere that night but decided to visit me. That is proof, he is a man of God who walks the walk. CONGRATU­LA­ TIONS ROY LEE! YOU AND MARY HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART!

FROM B1 with 5:18 left in the first. Both teams struggled to get a rhythm until 2:30 left in the first quarter. That was, until Crowder zipped the ball to Gardendale running back LT Sanders, who shot through the middle of the field, slipped right behind the unaware Panther secondary, and went untouched into the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown. 13-7 Rockets. Smiths failed to threaten on offense for the rest of the half, but their defense would settle in. After another well-balanced drive, Gardendale faced a third and goal. The Rockets handed the ball off, only to get blown up by Panther defensive end Cam Johnson, forcing a fourth down. Gardendale settled for the field goal, making it 16-7 Rockets. With a rather uneventful second quarter coming to a close, the Panther defense showed their resilience again, sacking the Gardendale’s Crowder near the 50-yard line as the clock ran out. Half time: 16-7, Gardendale.

HORNETS >> FROM B1 for 15, 32 yards) in a change at quarterback, to lead the Hornets’ offense. Prickett and the Hornets faced a stingy eight-man Tiger front most of the night, limiting Beauregard running back Trent Jones and the run offense to just one touchdown on 13 carries for 86 total yards. With eight

GATORS >> FROM B2

B5 September 2, 2020

STRIKE UP THE BANDS!

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

B6 September 2, 2020

Dawgs fall before the Tigers 37 -10

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

B7 September 2, 2020

Beauregard beats OHS Varsity Girls 3 - 0

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

JUNIORS >> FROM B3 production regressed from seven in 2018 to just three in 2019. This was partially due to him being banged up all season. Tiger fans will be hoping for more big plays and Gus Malzahn will be looking for the track star to “put it all together” in 2020.

2. Christian Tutt, Smoke Monday and Jamien Sherwood Secondary: Sherwood and Monday were both reserve safeties in 2019 who are slated to start for the Tigers in 2020. Both showed their ability to make an impact last season with Sherwood finishing eighth on the team in tackles and Monday’s

notable pick-six in the Iron Bowl. Tutt does double duty for the Tigers, starting at nickel corner and returning punts at the rate of 13.2 yards per return – good enough for the fifth best average in the nation. All of these guys are seriously talented but ultimately share the load with one another. More pressure is on

McCreary to step up and be the No. 1 lockdown corner. 3. A host of offensive linemen: Offensive line is the biggest question for the Tigers heading into 2020. They lost four starters from last year’s group. Brendan Coffey, Tashawn Manning, Brodarious Hamm, Alec Jackson,

Austin Troxell, David Shannon, Brandon Council and Kilian Zierer are all junior linemen with a chance to start for Auburn this year. Whoever comes out of the bunch, Malzahn and the Tigers will be looking to improve on a rushing attack that averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2019 – only

good enough for eighth best in the SEC. 4. Anders Carlson - Kicker: Oops, there was a typo – it’s Anders Carl$$$on. Carlson went 4-for-4 on field goals in last year’s Iron Bowl epic. Auburn will hope he can carry that form into 2020 and become one of the best kickers in the nation.

B8 September 2, 2020

Opelika JV Volleyball loses against Beauregard

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

FELLOWS >> FROM B4 joined Auburn’s faculty in 2003. His research focuses on auditor judgment, audit quality and auditor liability. His work has appeared in Contemporary Accounting Research, Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, the Journal of Accounting & Public Policy and Behavioral Research in Accounting, among others. He has received multiple internal and external research grants, including a grant from the Center for Audit Quality, with Jennifer Mueller and James Long. With respect to teaching, Brandon has been recognized and honored for outstanding teaching in a number of ways, including receiving the Lowder Teaching Award in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, the McCartney Award twice, the Outstanding MAcc Teacher Award, the Outstanding Teaching Award in the School of Accountancy twice, and the Camp War Eagle Faculty Honoree twice. He earned a

bachelor’s degree from Christopher Newport University and both a master’s degree in accounting and a doctorate from Virginia Tech. Paul Holley Paul Holley is beginning his 19th year at Auburn, following 14 years in the commercial construction industry. His current research interests are prefabrication in the built environment and mitigating the contamination impact of washwater from concrete construction. Holley’s wife, Jacque, also works at Auburn, in Development for the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. They have two children, a daughter who is a junior at the University of Alabama and a son at Auburn High School. Holley earned a bachelor’s degree in building construction from Auburn, an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a doctorate in education from Auburn. He also received a Management Development Program certificate from Harvard University. Chris Lepczyk

Chris Lepczyk is an ecologist and conservation biologist with a focus on collecting data to aid in management and policy decisions related to nature. His passion for conserving nature stems from a lifelong interest in the environment and many years spent outdoors. Lepczyk began his faculty career at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a visiting professor, after which he was an assistant and associate professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In 2014, he moved to Auburn’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Lepczyk originally hails from the Midwest, where he grew up in Michigan before attending school at Hope College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and geology. Later, he earned a master’s degree in wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a dual doctorate in fisheries and wildlife, and ecology, evolutionary biology and behavior at Michigan State University.

Mallory Lucier-Greer Mallory Lucier-Greer is an applied research scientist focused on the well-being of families, particularly military families, with a clinical background as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She currently teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on family stress and resilience and research methods. Her research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Currently, she is the principal investigator of Military REACH, a DoD-USDA partnership grant that translates military family research into practical and accessible tools and resources for military policy makers and service providers, and she is the co-investigator for an Air Force project focused on evaluating their personal financial readiness program. Lucier-Greer is an award-winning educator and mentor with expertise facilitating student classroom and research engagement. She earned two bachelor’s

degrees in psychology and speech communications from the University of Georgia, and both a master’s degree and a doctorate in human development and family studies from Auburn. Beth Hiltbold Schwartz Beth Hiltbold Schwartz joined Auburn’s Department of Biological Sciences in 2012. She is an immunologist, and her research program is centered around the interactions between bacteria and host immune cells. Schwartz’s work over the last 10 years has focused on the development and function of antigen presenting cells and how they respond to bacterial infection. More recently, her group has been focused on the contributions of microbiota to immune cell function in the gut and on the role of the immune response in sickness behavior. Schwartz’s major role in teaching at Auburn has been in immunology courses—Immunology, Immunology Lab and Perspectives in Immunology—that primarily serve large

numbers of undergraduates in the college’s popular biomedical sciences major. Her first experience with administration began in 2019, when she took on the role of Undergraduate Program Officer in her department. Schwartz earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn and her doctorate from Emory University. Bill Walton Working along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico at Auburn’s Shellfish Lab in Dauphin Island, Alabama, Bill Walton conducts applied research with local shellfish farmers, commercial and recreational shellfishermen, and national and local organizations. Before moving to the Gulf, Walton did similar work along the coast of Massachusetts. His interests include all aspects of marine invertebrate fisheries, restoration and aquaculture. Walton earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tufts University, a master’s degree in ecology from Rutgers University and a doctorate in fisheries science from the University of Maryland.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

September 2, 2020

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Inside the Statehouse Labor Day

L

abor Day is Monday, and in bygone days it was the benchmark day for campaign season to start. Historically, Labor Day barbecues were events where political campaigns had their roots. Camp stew and barbecued pork were devoured while folks listened to politicians promise how they were going to bring home the pork. The most legendary political Labor Day barbecues have been held in the northwest corner of the state. There were two monumental, legendary barbecue events in that neck of the woods that were a must-attend event for aspiring and veteran politicians, both locally and statewide. The Terry Family Reunion is in the Loosier Community of Lawrence County. This is where the large Terry family originated. Actually, a good many of the folks who attend have kinship or ties to the Terry family. Many of the folks in Lawrence County are kin to each other through the large Terry family. Every serious candidate for governor or major statewide office made the Terry barbecue. It lasted all day. Some would arrive in helicopters, which

Commission discusses Beulah quarry By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

STEVE FLOWERS garnered attention. Legendary icons like Big Jim Folsom, George Wallace, Bill Baxley, Albert Brewer and Howell Heflin attended every year. Another Labor Day barbecue was held in that area, which barbecue was just as important if not quite as big and wide open as the Terry Event. The legendary L. O. Bishop of Colbert County was known for having a Labor Day barbecue bash. His event was big, but See FLOWERS, page B13

Although no action was taken, the commission again discussed the potential quarry in Beulah at Monday night’s meeting. The commission previously voted to approve a resolution opposing the quarry, but leaders of a movement against the quarry, Tara Brumfield & Danielle Ritch, wanted to check back in. “The main reason that I’m here is to make sure that you understand that we are still in this fight, that we haven’t given up as a community,” Brumfield said.

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“I know that you only see me here at these meetings, and Danielle here, but we’re not here just for us. We’re here for all of the other ones who live in our community.” Probate Judge Bill English said he is watching and the quarry has not applied yet for

Alabama Department of Environmental Management permits. Sheila Eckman, District 1, reminded the two that despite the many reasons residents may not want a quarry, the only thing ADEM will listen to is concerns with the air and water. See BEULAH, page B13

Mask ordinance extended until Oct. 2 By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

Take a deep breath, Alabama - through your mask - because the safer at home order and mask ordinance have been extended through Oct. 2. Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday during a press

conference that she is extending the ordinance, although the state of Alabama has been seeing improvements with cases. “I talked at length with Dr. Debrah Burkes on Monday, and she was very complimentary of how much progress we’ve made here in

Alabama since our mask order went into effect,” Ivey said. Alabama has seen almost 120,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, said State Health Officer Scott Harris. Out of that number, there have been almost 14,000 hospitalizations

associated with the virus and 2,000 confirmed improbable deaths, Harris said. “Given that, however, we are cautiously optimistic about what we’ve been seeing recently since the governor’s mask mandate went into effect,” he said. “We have definitely seen improvements in our daily numbers of new cases.” The state saw an increase in cases after the Fourth of July holiday. Now, Labor Day is coming up and Ivey urged people to be careful. “We’re making such good progress doing what we’ve been doing,” Ivey said. “We need to keep it up, especially

because we’re coming into a holiday weekend. The temptation to gather in crowds of more than ten is upon us and we just need to be extra cautious ya’ll.” Ivey also commended the city of Tuscaloosa for shutting down its bars when it deemed that necessary to stop the spread. She encouraged other businesses to shut down voluntarily if the need arises. However, Ivey said that she does not want to see businesses have to close. “The last thing I want to do is have to close businesses,” she said. “I say again I do not want to close businesses.

People need to have a livelihood and they need to be healthy to have a livelihood.” Nevertheless, she said she supported the Tuscaloosa mayor in his decision. “Ultimately it is up to each individual to do our part,” Ivey said. “If not for ourselves, do it for your family and friends. We all want to get back to normal and the way to do that means wearing a mask. This year has certainly not gone the way we thought it would. Our businesses have been disrupted, our school year has been altered considerably and we’ve lost loved ones to this virus.”

B10 September 2, 2020

NAACP LEE COUNTY BRANCH Why the 2020 Census is important REINSTATED Courtesy of the Lee Co. NAACP

The national NAACP Board of Directors approved reinstatement of Lee County Branch #5038 on July 25, 2020. The Membership Department is processing memberships for those who joined to reactivate our branch and will forward cards to members at the address given when dues were paid. A Nominating Committee will be formed to submit a written report of nominees for the election of officers. An Election Supervisory Committee will be elected to supervise the election. The

election of officers process will start within the next month. The ultimate goal of Lee County Branch #5038 is to become the best branch in Alabama in terms of ensuring the political, educational, social and economic equality of all citizens and end discrimination. The first two planned initiatives toward achieving our goal are the ACT-SO program and reinstatement of the NAACP Auburn University Student Branch #5700.

ACT-SO is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and promote high academic and cultural achievement among AfricanAmerican high school students. All Lee County citizens are welcome and encouraged to join NAACP Lee County Branch #5038. For additional information, please contact John A. Harris (334-7343302) or Billy U. Allen (770-879-5386).

Courtesy of the City of Opelika

The 2020 Census is very important to the future of our state. We all need to stand up and say “I Count” by completing and submitting our Census forms in 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census of the United States every 10 years, going all the way back to 1790. The data

collected during the census is used in a variety of ways that affect decisions regarding community services provided to residents and the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. This funding supports local programs for schools, health care, community assistance, infrastructure and other important

needs. The census also determines the number of representatives each state will have in Congress. The census counts every person – both adults and children – living in the United States. This information helps monitor changes in communities and is used to identify and address public service needs such as See CENSUS, page B13

APD given authority to stop alcohol sales By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

The Auburn City Council approved a resolution Thursday that will give the Auburn Police Division authority to temporarily shut bars down. Rather than follow in Tuscaloosa’s footsteps, City Manager Jim Buston said that Auburn did not want to punish bars and restaurants that have been following social distancing and the mask ordinance. Before students returned, Buston said that the city took the time to educate businesses on what was expected of them given restrictions. Since students returned to campus, however, the bars specifically have been flooding with patrons into the street. “[Last week] we pivoted to a more punitive enforcement,” Buston said. “We saw that there were

a number of students being impacted with the COVID infection. We attempted to focus on the bars and restaurants that were out of compliance. We’ve given multiple citations to them, those that were not in compliance and we still seem to have some issues, and not the majority, but a few still kind of thumbing their nose at the governor’s orders.” The council members have been concerned with the lack of social distancing and patrons not wearing masks. The resolution the council passed Thursday gives the Auburn Police Division the authority to temporarily shut a bar down if social distancing is not being enforced. Specifically, the resolution states that alcohol cannot be served to walk-up patrons. Patrons must be seated to consume alcohol. Outdoor walk up bars

are excluded from this order. Additionally, bars that have an outdoor element, in addition to an indoor element, will be able to continue as normal in the outdoor portion of the bar. “Any ABC licensed alcohol establishment in the City of Auburn that shall be cited for a violation of this Resolution, or any applicable State Health Order, shall be prohibited from further serving alcohol until such time as the establishment shall remedy the violation,” the resolution stated. For instance, if a bar is found to be serving patrons who are milling about then the police could shut the bar down until they come into compliance. The resolution will go into effect Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. and will expire on Sept. 16. Other measures See ALCOHOL, page B13

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B11 September 2, 2020

Todd Rauch leads in 1st place ahead of Oct. 6 runoff in Ward 5 Courtesy of Todd Rauch Campaign

Todd Rauch, candidate for Opelika City Council – Ward 5, was the largest vote-getter out of all the City Council Candidates in the Opelika Municipal Election this past Tuesday. Out of a total of 1,786 votes case at the Opelika Sportsplex for the Opelika City Council Ward 5 seat, Rauch received 761 votes cornering 42.6% of the vote. “This is a huge victory for us tonight, and I want to say thank

RAUCH you to all of the voters who turned out today,” Rauch said. “We’ve worked hard the last

couple of months by taking our message directly to the people, by knocking on their

doors and asking for their votes personally.” Rauch’s lead dominated over the current incumbent’s total of votes, who limped in with 443 votes, taking only 24.8% of the vote. Rauch also led the Ward 5 candidate field in absentee ballots by receiving 28 of the total 58 absentee ballots cast in Ward 5, taking 46.5% of the absentee vote. “I was unsure how election day would actually play out and whether there would be a line at the polls,” Rauch said. “Although

most of the voters we talked to were committed to voting in person on election day, I always kept absentee application forms on hand to make sure that every voter had the chance to make their vote count on election day.” Todd Rauch will now face David Canon in the Opelika Municipal Run-Off Election on Oct. 6. “Our message of more accessibility, better communication and complete transparency is resonating with the voters of Ward

5,” Rauch said about the runoff. “I believe that all three of those things are currently lacking in the Opelika City Council Ward 5 seat, and 75.2% of the people in Ward 5 agree with me. I’m committed to working harder than everyone else in the race, and I look forward to knocking on several thousand more doors and earning even more votes in the run-off election on Oct. 6.” About Todd Rauch Rauch has lived in

same if you see proper to do so. A copy of this Order shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the parties and counsel of record. DONE this the 12th day of August, 2020. Hon. Bill English, Probate Judge Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20

Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20

See TODD RAUCH, page B14

PUBLIC NOTICES --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BILLY W. BRATTON A/K/A BILLY WILLIAM BRATTON, DECEASED. CASE NO.:2020-315 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE THAT Letters of Testamentary were granted to John W. Bratton, as Executor the Estate of Billy W. Bratton a/k/a Billy William Bratton, deceased, on the 25th day of August, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. John W. Bratton Legal Run 09/02/20, 09/09/20 & 09/16/20 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 021-20 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (The Villages of Opelika PUD) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The City Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) QOZB1, LLC heretofore submitted to the City a Development Plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled “Villages of Opelika PUD” consisting of approximately 21.92 acres. (b) The proposed development is located in a R-5 District (High Density Residential District) and is located at 3001 Hi Pack Drive between Hi Pack Drive and King Street. (c) The development Plan provides for 94 single family homes, 34 twin homes/ town homes, and 20 small bungalows. The overall density for the development is 6.75 units per acre. An amenity area will include a dog park, recreational facilities, and approximately 3.2

acres of open space. (d) The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development. (e) It is advisable and in interest of the City and the public interest that the property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a mixed use residential development. Section 2. APPROVAL OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and confirmed as required by Section 8.18(N) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City. Section 3. DESIGNATION OF PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The Official Zoning Map of the City is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-5 District (High Density Residential District) to a Planned Unit Development (“PUD”) on the Official Zoning Map: Parcel – B and Parcel – C, HIPACK PARK, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 10, at Page 134, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. The above described property containing 21.92 acres is located at 3001 Hi-Pack Drive between Hi Park Drive and King Street. Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer, and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection. Section 5. REPEALER. That any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of gen-

eral circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 1st day of September, 2020. /s/Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 2nd day of September, 2020. /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 2nd day of September, 2020. /s/Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Ru 09/02/2020 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF TERRY WAYNE SKINNER, DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Frances Susan Skinner, as Executrix of the Estate of Terry Wayne Skinner, deceased, on the 20th day of August, 2020, 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. Frances Susan Skinner, Executrix Of the Estate of Terry Wayne Skinner, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20, 09/09/20 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF GRADY OGLE, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2020-276 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of GRADY OGLE deceased having been

granted to James Ogle, on the 10th day of August, 2020, 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. James Ogle Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20 --------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LEON WHITMAN, Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2020-140 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to KATHLEEN WHITMAN, the 12th day of August, 2020 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate, Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given than 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. Attorney for Petitioner: J. Matthew Williams ESQ. The Anderson Law Firm, LLC 7515 Halcyon Pointe Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 Personal Representative Kathleen Whitman 341 Lee Road Opelika, AL 36804 Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IJN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NANCY ANN NASH, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2020-281 NOTICE OF HEARING Please take notice that on the 7th day of October, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., a hearing will take place at the Lee County Courthouse, located at 215 S. 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801 on the Petition to Probate Estate of Nancy Ann Nash, filed by Terry Taylor through his attorney, Ben C. Hand at which time you may appear and contest the

--------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JIMMY L. ALDRIDGE, Deceased. CASE NO. 2020-291 NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary, having been granted to Troy Aldridge, as Executor of the Estate of Jimmy L. Aldridge, deceased, on the 12th day of August, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Troy Aldridge Executor of the Estate of Jimmy L. Aldridge, deceased Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARTIN ALLEN ROMANISHAN, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2020-302 NOTICE TO CREDITIORS TAKE NOTICE THAT Letters of Testamentary were granted to Levi Romanishan, as Executor the Estate of Martin Allen Romanishan , deceased, on the 14th day of August, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

--------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NATALIE S. JONES, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2020-282 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 10th day of August, 2020, 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. SUSAN JONES MCGWIER Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20 --------------STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2020-306 RE: ESTATE OF DAVID EDWARD JOHNSON, DECEASED: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 17 th day of August, 2020, by the Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Sharon Johnson, Executor Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr., Esq. Attorney for Executor Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171 Legal Run 08/26/20, 09/02/20 & 09/09/20

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B12 September 2, 2020

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B13 September 2, 2020

FLOWERS >> FROM B9 more selective. L.O. was and has been for 60 years a leader in the Alabama Farmers Federation. He would only invite the Alfa-backed candidates. His barbecue is renowned as the best in the state. Bishop and Howell Heflin were best friends. Heflin became the best friend the Alabama farmer had. Judge Heflin became Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. He did a yeoman’s job for Alabama Agriculture. Senator Heflin was

ALCOHOL >> FROM B10 were proposed but not passed. Beth Whitten suggested imposing an age limit on patrons at bars, for instance, a patron must be at least 21 or 25 to enter. The city’s legal counsel said they would look into the legality of the suggestion. Police Chief Cedric Anderson said that it should not be a problem to enforce this new

BEULAH >> FROM B9 Br umfield asked if the county would ask the cities of Opelika and Auburn to oppose the quarry as well. Eckman encouraged the two women to seek out help from the cities of Opelika and Auburn on their own by going to the councils. “They can pass a resolution, just as we did,” she said. The council member also suggested Brumfield remind the Auburn City Council that the city gets some of its water from that source as well. “We don’t need another quarry in this county,” Brumfield said. “I believe we’ve had our share of quarries in our county. It’s time for money to be set aside and let’s start worrying about the people and the residents of this county and how it affects them.” A resident of Opelika spoke before the commission on a different order of business to complain about the Loachapoka quarry. Brooke Burks said that her godmother lives near the Loachapoka quarry and said that she must put up with the sounds of blasting at all times of the day and night. “It’s just really unfortunate that the residents in that area have to deal with this and have dealt with this for however many years that quarry has been there,” Burks said. “I don’t know at this point if there’s anything that could be

from Colbert County. He was renowned for being a great lawyer, storyteller and judge. From Northwest Alabama, he made the event of his best friend L.O. Bishop and the Terry Family Reunion every year. He not only made the events; he stayed there all day, grazed and ate barbecue. Judge loved to eat. He really loved barbecue. You could tell he liked to eat from his large rotund physique. He considered himself a connoisseur of barbecue. In fact, he toured the state every year and he would plan his schedule so that he could eat at his resolution. “We have gone to the bars the past two weeks, initially warning and letting them know what was coming,” Anderson said. “As far as us coming in and using this order to ensure that social distancing is taking place, it has not been anything difficult for us to do.” The chief said that there is a number of officers who are sent out Wednesdays through Saturdays to monitor activity. done for the residents there.” Even if nothing can be done for her godmother, Burks said she is opposed to more quarries in Lee County and wanted to share her godmother’s experience as an example of why a quarry would be a negative. “I wanted to continue being adamantly opposed,” she said. Other Business: - Leiland Williams requested help from the commission with a portion of Lee Road 110 in District 5 that is not maintained by the county. The commission said that the county would need to reabsorb the road and completely re-do the road portion that is non-maintained, which is a cost to the county. The road was originally built by a private developer and is not up to code, said Justin Hardee, county engineer. - The commission tabled a transfer of retail beer and retail table wine license application for Corner Store until Commissioner Bill Ham is present. - The commission held a public hearing on right-of-way vacation on Lee Road 179 but tabled the vote until Commissioner Bill ham is present. - The commission set a work-session before the next commission meeting to discuss the Fiscal Year 2021 budget so it could potentially be passed at the next meeting. - The commission approved the FY 2021 County Transportation Plan.

favorite barbecue places in every corner of the state. When he would get through eating a plate of pork or ribs, he would smack his lips, sigh, wipe his face with his handkerchief and say, “That’s some mighty fine barbecue, it’s almost as good as L.O.’s” It may be hard for some of you to believe, but after World War II and throughout the 1960’s organized labor was king in Alabama, unlike today where most of our large industries are not unionized. Alabama was the most unionized state in the South by far during that 20-year

CENSUS >> FROM B10 health care, education, public safety, housing, food, and rural access to broadband. We All Have Something to Lose • Many Alabamians directly benefit from the federal programs whose funding allocations are determined in part by census data. In fact, it is about $1,600 per person in Alabama. Completing a census form will help ensure that Alabama receives its fair share of funding. • The assistance programs tied to census data are critical to all Alabamians. They support children, education, hospitals, health care, rural development and community programs that are important to rural communities. If this funding is reallocated to other states due to a poor census count, then the funding for the missing services will have to be made up in some way at the local

period (1946-1966). In fact, every major employer in the State of Alabama was a union shop. Beginning in Northwest Alabama, the Reynolds Aluminum Plant in Sheffield and Florence was union. The Tennessee Valley workers throughout North Alabama were all union. The paper mill and Goodrich Tire Plant in Tuscaloosa were union. The largest employer in Gadsden, the Goodyear Tire Factory, was union. The Lee County Tire Manufacturing Plant was union. The military base or state level. This affects everyone. • Alabama is currently at risk of losing a congressional representative in the 2020 Census due to projected slow growth. That means one less voice for Alabama values at the federal level. We need maximum census participation to retain our current congressional representation. We Can be a Force for Change • Your voice matters. We all have a say in the outcome of the 2020 Census, and it can end with Alabama’s fair share of funding secured and with fair congressional representation. • All you have to do is complete and return your 2020 census form. It is a simple civic duty. • The U.S. Census Bureau has mailed a packet to every Alabama household. It includes information on how to complete your census form in three ways. 1. Online via computer or smart phone 2. Call a toll-free number and complete

employees at Ft. Rucker in the wiregrass were union. The largest employer in Mobile was the state docks. Guess what, folks? All those workers belonged to the union. The largest employer in Birmingham, as well as the largest employer in the State of Alabama, were the steel mills and U.S. Steel. You guessed it – the steel workers were all unionized. In fact, the Steel Workers Union in Birmingham was the largest in the nation. The GOP ticket that appears on the ballot in 60 days will be a powerful triumvirate. It has it over the phone with a U.S. Census Bureau employee 3. Call the toll-free number and request a traditional paper form. Some rural areas with low internet access received a paper form in the first mailing. • The information you submit will be basic household information and is private and will not be used against you in any way or for any other purpose. It is against the law for your information to be shared or used by another agency. Both rural and urban Alabama will be key to the state’s success in 2020 Census. More than 40% of Alabamians live in rural areas. • In 2010 many rural areas, particularly in west Alabama, had among the lowest response rates in the state. Pockets of urban the state’s urban areas also experienced lower response rates. We need everyone’s help to raise the participation level for 2020. • The end goal is

gone under the radar since the presidential and senate races have taken center stage, but popular PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh is up for reelection. Thus, the Republican ticket will feature and illustrious alliteration of Trump/ Tuberville/Twinkle, which will be hard to beat in the Heart of Dixie. Happy Labor Day! Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 15 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us. maximum participation. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Show them that you count, that Alabama Counts by completing your census form. Announcing an added incentive, Mayor Gary Fuller made the following statement earlier this week: “Opelika, it’s important the you’re counted. Right now we’re at 68.2% on the census. We need 85%. If we can get to 85%, I will dye my hair red. I will dye it red, and I will keep it red for a week. Let’s get to 85%. Please, it’s important for our schools, for our communities, for new sidewalks, for a lot of things that require federal money.” Fuller delivered the message wearing a red wig as a preview of what is to come if Opelikians participate. Opelika’s mark of 68.2% is higher than Alabama’s as a whole (61.7%), Lee County’s (61.1%) and Auburn’s (57.7%). For more information visit www.census.alabama.gov.

B14 September 2, 2020

TODD RAUCH >> FROM B11 Opelika with his wife Ali for 11 years. He enlisted in the Army at 17 as a Military Police Officer. He was wounded in Iraq in 2003, eventually needing 12 surgeries to recover. Rauch went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Auburn University, and later worked as an intelligence specialist for the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.

He is currently the Vice President of the Community of East Alabama. Rauch is active in the Opelika community, where he serves on the Board of Directors for the Opelika Kiwanis Club, a Board Member & Programming Chairman for Opelika’s 20 Under Forty Leadership Program and a Board Member & Secretary for the Museum of East Alabama. Rauch is a graduate of Opelika’s 20 Under Forty Leadership Program, Leadership Lee County, Opelika

Citizens Police Academy (CPA) and Lee County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Rauch also serves as a representative for the City of Opelika on the Metropolitan Planning Organization – Citizens Advisory Committee (MPOCAC) with the LeeRussell Council of Governments. For more information, visit www. ToddRauch4Opelika. com, www. facebook.com/ ToddRauch4Opelika or call 334.610.1750 .

THANK YOU OPELIKA

I’d like to thank the people of Opelika for all of their support and for rehiring me. I pledged to work for ALL the people of Opelika, and that’s what I’m going to do. If you ever have a question or concern, call my office or schedule an appointment to come meet with me. I love the people of Opelika. Our future is as bright as it has ever been. I look forward to moving our city forward, together. Thank you, Paid for by Friends of Gary Fuller, P.O. Box 3, Opelika, AL 36803

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This week’s puzzle answers: