Column Articles

On the Mark | Opelika football teams scrimmage

BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika Middle School, ninth grade, junior varsity and varsity football teams took the field last week in preseason scrimmages to sharpen their skills ahead of the fall season.Last Friday night, Opelika High School’s varsity squad hosted...

Altar Call | The talking donkey [part 2]

OPINION — There is more to the story of Balaam in the Bible that the amusing account of his talking donkey. Balaam is mentioned in five books of the Old Testament: Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Micah and Nehemiah. And Balaam’s name is found three times in the New...

A Taste of Grace | ‘You’re a good nurse’

BY BRUCE GREEN OPINION — I’m rewatching “Band of Brothers,” the WW2 series based on the book by Stephen Ambrose and created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks not long after they worked together on “Saving Private Ryan.” The series focuses on Easy Company, a parachute...

Sean of the South | The modern American teacher

BY SEAN DIETRICH OPINION — She shall remain anonymous.Her classroom was out of control. Had been for a while. The kids in her “at-risk” fourth-grade class were about as organized as a prison riot.That’s what we call them in today’s world. “At-risk youth.” Once upon a...
On the Mark | Sept. 19, 2024

On the Mark | Sept. 19, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika (3-1, R 1-1) beat J.A.G. (0-4, R 0-2) 52-6 last Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs did exactly as I...

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Alter Call

Alter Call

That trembling in my soul OPINION — Were You There” is a haunting phrase in the old spiritual, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” The...

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Inside the Statehouse | Sept. 26, 2024

Inside the Statehouse

Jimmy Rane: An Alabama legend OPINION — Abbeville’s Jimmy Rane has been heralded as the richest man in Alabama. Indeed, his wealth status has been...

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Making the Grade

Making the Grade

At home with Chef Jim OPINION — As I have mentioned numerous times in this column, I love to eat, but I really dislike cooking.My attitude about...

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Southern Hospitality | Sept. 12

Southern Hospitality | Sept. 12

Love of baking leads to customized confection business BY ANN CIPPERLY After having interesting careers around the country, Jan and Joel Martin...

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