Freedom Celebration draws families, patriotic tributes and a spectacular fireworks finale.
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER AUBURN — It could be said that faith, music and the American spirit are part of Gary Klarenbeek’s soul. More accurate is his love for the Auburn community, so much so that, for the past 25 years, he’s spearheaded a celebration like no other.This year’s Star Spangled Spectacular, which celebrated the nation’s 250th founding, featured legendary performer Lee Greenwood, nearly 100 choir members and a 50-member...
CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA HENDERSON LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Commission hosted a Liberty Tree dedication on Thursday, July 2, outside the Lee County Justice Center as part of Alabama's commemoration of America's semiquincentennial, the nation's 250th anniversary.Lee County was one of 52 Alabama counties selected to receive a Liberty Tree through the statewide initiative. Each participating county received a 6- to 8-foot Princeton elm and a...
Local art and history mark America’s 250th anniversary BY GRACIE GOODMANFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — The Southside Center of Arts is marking America’s 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence with a new exhibition that brings together local artwork and historical artifacts to celebrate the nation’s history.The exhibition features art by local artists alongside artifacts from the East Alabama Museum and memorabilia from East...
BY OBSERVER STAFF EAST ALABAMA — The Observer, The LaFayette Sun and LIVE Lee Magazine brought home 33 awards in the 2026 Alabama Press Association Media Awards, including several first-place honors and major overall awards.These awards recognize the work our team does throughout the year to provide quality, local news to both Chambers and Lee County,” Michelle Key, owner and publisher of Key Media said. “None of these awards would happen...
BY GRACIE GOODMANFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Established more than two decades ago, the Penguin Project uses theater as a way to empower children and young adults with disabilities. Participants are involved in specially adapted musical productions that give them an opportunity to develop performance skills, express themselves creatively and gain experience on stage.Beyond the performances themselves, the program focuses on personal growth....
Community
Freedom Celebration draws families, patriotic tributes and a spectacular fireworks finale.
A Lee County resident and retired Auburn police officer recently marked the Fourth of July by reflecting on the military service and sacrifices of several generations of his family. Joe Stroud said his sixth great-grandfather, William Hampton...
D1 LIFE FOUNDATION RECEIVES DONATION — Deborah Pegues and Jalen Plott accept a donation for the D1 Life Foundation, which was established in memory of Dylan Pegues following his death in June 2022. The foundation provides scholarships to high...
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