Community Articles

Manning’s Magnolia Mercantile brings makers, history and community together downtown

BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA — What began as a retirement idea for Michael Manning quickly became something much bigger.Michael and his wife, Jeanne, are the husband-and-wife team behind Manning’s Magnolia Mercantile, a new community-focused marketplace in...

On the Tracks rescheduled for Nov. 6 in downtown Opelika

CONTRIBUTED TOTHE OBSERVER AUBURN-OPELIKA — Originally scheduled for Oct. 9, On the Tracks has been rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, due to inclement weather. Hosted by Opelika Main Street, the annual wine trail will return to downtown Opelika for an evening of wine,...

Revised rental licensing ordinance returns to Opelika council

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER OPELIKA — A revised ordinance that would establish new business-license requirements for residential, commercial and short-term rental properties, as well as self-storage facilities, returned to the Opelika City Council for a first reading...

Syrup Sopping Day returns with history, food and fall traditions

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER LOACHAPOKA — More than five decades after beginning as a small local heritage event, Syrup Sopping Day continues to bring thousands of visitors to Loachapoka each fall for a day centered on history, food, traditional skills and community. The...

Opelika Chamber honors Lee County’s first responders at annual Valor Public Safety Awards

Opelika Chamber honors Lee County’s first responders at annual Valor Public Safety Awards

Oct 20, 2026

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce honored the men and women who protect and serve...

Robyn Bridges earns CDME designation

Oct 20, 2026

CONTRIBUTED BY AO TOURISM LEE COUNTY — Robyn Bridges, president and CEO of Auburn-Opelika Tourism, has earned the Certified Destination...

If our military makes time to vote, we should make sure they can

Oct 20, 2026

CONTRIBUTED BY JOHN H. MERRILL (R-AL) AND JAMES C. CONDOS (D-VT) OPINION — Recently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed military...

Ferguson Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church celebrates 127th church anniversary

Ferguson Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church celebrates 127th church anniversary

Oct 20, 2026

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Ferguson Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate 127 years in Opelika with a special...

Autism mom turns family journey into book, advocacy

Autism mom turns family journey into book, advocacy

Oct 20, 2026

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER EAST ALABAMA — Sharonica Turner remembers what it felt like to be the parent who did not know what came next. Her son,...

ARM staff to live in shacks to raise funds for home repairs

ARM staff to live in shacks to raise funds for home repairs

Oct 20, 2026

BY THE OBSERVER STAFF AUBURN — For the 19th year, Alabama Rural Ministry staff members will spend nearly a week living in makeshift shacks to draw...

Legacy Senior Living celebrates 20 years of service

Oct 20, 2026

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Legacy Senior Living is celebrating 20 years of service this October, marking two decades of caring for...

Miriam’s Delite carries Zoe’s legacy forward

Miriam’s Delite carries Zoe’s legacy forward

Oct 13, 2026

BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER OPELIKA — For seven years, Danny Atteberry worked mostly behind the scenes at Zoe’s Ice Cream Delite. He cooked in the...

Opelika’s Christmas movie needs a cast

Opelika’s Christmas movie needs a cast

Oct 13, 2026

BY ALI RAUCHTHE OPELIKA CHAMBER OPELIKA — Every December, something happens downtown that I still have not found the right words for.The streets...

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