Envision Opelika

Just around the corner lies a special fundraiser! Special because it benefits the renovation and transformation of the Miriam S. Brown School into a Community Cultural and Small Conference Center.

Special because it brings together a host of community arts organizations as sponsors: the Arts Association of East Alabama, the Auburn Chamber Music Society, Auburn University Community Orchestra, the Caroline Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, Envision Opelika Foundation, the Jule Collins Museum of Fine Arts, and special because the featured guest for the evening will be the well-known syndicated columnist and author Rheta Grimsley Johnson.

You know her. You read her every week in the Opelika-Auburn News. She is a 1977 graduate of Auburn University, winner of the 1974-1975 National Pacemaker Award, while on the Plainsman staff, with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for seven years and other regional newspapers prior to that.

Johnson has garnered numerous awards the National Headliner Award for commentary in 1985, the Scripps Howard’s Ernie Pyle Memorial Award for outstanding human interest reporting in 1984 and was designated the Scripps Howard Writer of the Year from 1983-1985.

In 1996, when she delivered the Neil and Henrietta Davis Distinguished Lecture, Dr. Dale Harrison, AU faculty member and immediate-past chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism said, “(her) insightful columns have warmed hearts and households across the country by raising up the ideals we all hold dear and telling timeless stories with an engaging and irresistible voice that is uniquely her own.”

She has authored several books, including “America’s Faces,” “Good Grief,” the authorized biography of Charles Schulz, and the one featured at this fund-raiser.

This “Book and Buffet” event has two editions. If you purchase the first edition, you will be entitled to a lecture by the famed Johnson, “The South Did This To Me;” a copy of the author’s new book, “Poor Man’s Provence,” from NewSouth Books; a book signing; and a buffet of Southern specialties.

The second edition includes all of the above without the lecture.

Why two editions?

Space is limited to only 150 for the lecture and the sponsors wanted more people to be able to meet the author and have the book signed by her. Plus this is a fundraiser and more people equals more funds.

Each edition is priced differently. First editions are, of course, always more expensive.

Johnson credits her love for Cajun country, particularly Henderson, Louisiana, as the inspiration for her new book, saying “I’m uneasy about pretending to understand a culture that is not my own. I’ll qualify it by saying that I’m not an authority… This is just a love story, my love affair with this place, a work-a-day town where they still make their living in the swamp.”

Other special things about this event: catered by the trio of Ursula Higgins, Martha Hicks, and Billy Lee; the place, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art; the time, First Edition 6:30, Second Edition 7:00; and the date, Aug. 28. Contact: AAEA at 749-8105.

Barbara Patton is executive director of Envision Opelika.

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Dr. J. W. Darden’s legacy is living on through the restoration of the home where he and his wife lived and where he practiced medicine. The restoration of this house on Auburn Street in Opelika was relentlessly pursued by Dr. Yvonne Brown-Phillips, as she led the efforts and formed many partnerships to make this house come back to life. It was not an easy task but through her, their legacy was preserved.

Now, the house is being used partly as a Wellness Center for the community and the Darden Wellness Committee sponsors monthly educational programs at the facility. This Committee collaborates with other individuals and organizations to host these monthly events and invites citizens to participate and take advantage of what is offered.

The first program for this year was held in March. Thirteen clients visited and heard a brief educational presentation entitled “Stroke Brain Attack.” They also had their blood pressure checked, received educational literature, enjoyed nutritional snacks donated by Wright’s Market and registered for a door prize (a digital blood pressure cuff) which was donated by Bubba’s Medicine Shop.

In April, Lee Russell Council of Governments’ Daphne Farley was on hand to discuss “Medicare Matters” and Roenia Janigan assisted with “Free Prescription Help.”

Then in May, along with the blood screenings, Ms. Janigan returned to discuss the same topic as above and a power point on “Healthy Choices” was also presented.

June was skin cancer awareness with Dr. John Stewart volunteering his services. Dr. Stewart discovered three skin cancers and sent these three people to be treated. Other future programs will feature ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, dental health, diabetes, and “Maintain Your Brain.” All of these events are collaborative efforts of the Wellness Committee, the AU School of Nursing and the EAMC Parish Nurse Program. Peggy Hanson is the leader of the committee and as you can see, she is doing an outstanding job.

Another activity is an upcoming fund-raiser, the J.W. Darden Heritage Festival, under the direction of Nancy Haynes. The festival will be this Saturday (Aug 2nd) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be entertainment, children’s activities, prizes and free ice cream for the children. Sausage, hot dog and fish plates are being sold.

Also, the Life South Blood Mobile will be on site. Part of the proceeds raised from this event will go towards the Wellness Center Programs and part will go towards the upkeep of the J.W. Darden House.

At other times, the J.W. Darden House is open for tours by appointment and the facility may be rented for functions under the guidelines established by the Board of Directors. If you are interested in having a function, please contact Harrison Dixon, 937-623-4802, email HPDDIX@AOL.COM or write Box 1581, Opelika 36801.

Barbara Patton is executive director of Envision Opelika.

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PATRIOTISM! What a soul stirring, resounding word. This is the character word of the month and should not be difficult to write about. After all, this is the month that we celebrate our country’s independence. How easy to be patriotic on the 4th of July with red, white and blue everywhere, flags flying, and hearing“The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” being played and sung.

Webster says “Patriotism” is love for or devotion to one’s country and it comes to us from a Greek word meaning fatherland. That’s simple enough. Most of us are grateful for the country we live in and not many of us would want to live anywhere else in the world. For a long time, patriotism referred just to a love of the physical features of one’s homeland and its people. But, meanings of words can become complex, can’t they?

Enter the ideals of democracy, socialism, and communism. Now, the love of one’s country encompasses not only the land and the people but also its political leanings, pride in its history, the preservation of customs and traditions, and its welfare.

America was formed on certain values, rights, and freedoms. Patriotism involves supporting these for our nation. The Declaration of Independence states: “We hold certain Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” When these values, rights and freedoms are not being upheld, we should have the freedom to speak up, as protected in the Bill of Rights, and it not be unpatriotic to do so.

This is an election year for our country and locally, in Opelika. Being apathetic is not being patriotic. We need to be informed on the issues that face us and vote to make sure all our different voices and opinions are heard. It is our patriotic duty to vote for the people we think will best represent us in this country.

According to a survey, conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, and reported by the University’s News Office in June, 1998, Americans are prouder of their country than 23 other nations studied.

Americans, with a score of 38.5 out of a possible 50 in the National Pride in Specific Achievements rankings, rated their country tops in political influence, economic performance, scientific and technical accomplishments, and the ability of the armed forces. In the General National Pride scale, Americans (89.9 %) were more likely to say they would rather be a citizen of their country than any other. That states to me that basic patriotism is alive and well in the United States.

In the aftermath of the terrorists’ acts on 9/11 in which so many lives were lost, Americans showed their patriotism to the world, as people rallied, demonstrating what it meant to love one’s country, take pride in it, and care for one another.

Following this horrific day, as Americans were urged to fly the American Flag for 30 days, House Speaker Dennis Hastert said: “You will be sending a strong signal to millions of people here at home and abroad that the red, white and blue represents freedom and democracy, and those ideals will live on.” - Barbara Patton

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Here’s the results for this past weekend’s Unity Race: Click Your Race for Details! 5 K Race 1 Mile Fun Run

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Confidence is the Character Word of the month at the Opelika High School and the Opelika Middle School and throughout the City of Opelika via the Envision Opelika Character Council.  You will see it on the Charter Bank marquee and on the First United Methodist Church marquee. It is in the Lee County Youth Development newsletter and on e-mails from the Boys and Girls Club as well as the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.  The Character Council strives to emphasize the character trait each month everywhere that it can.  Don’t hesitate to let us know if you would like to include it on your e-mails or in your newsletter. 

 I saw a lot of confidence exhibited in the Opelika High School production of Guys and Dolls.  I also saw a lot of confidence and passion in Brian Blackmon as he spoke about the Character Education program in the Opelika Schools at Ladies Night at the First United Methodist Church.  Confidence is an important trait as you make your way in the world.  Most all of us have to have some confidence or we would isolate ourselves and never step outside but we can also build on that small amount of confidence as we develop skills, make those decisions, take advantage of opportunities, and set those goals that are achievable.  Norman Vincent Peale said: “Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”

There are a multitude of self-help materials available to build confidence. Not only written materials but motivational and inspirational talks, tapes, and seminars as well. The computer certainly makes a world of information available to all who use this device or, if you’re fortunate enough, to get others to do the research for you.  I have looked at some of the information posted on the internet that deals with improving your self-confidence and found a very good site from Texas Woman’s University Self-Help Library.

TWU says, and I have heard it said before, that we should emphasize our strengths and not focus so much on our weaknesses.  That’s good advice for building confidence.  Focusing on what you can do, strengthening those qualities, accepting current limitations comfortably, and considering what strengths you might want to develop next are good building blocks for a better confidence foundation.
 
I have also learned a new word – perfectionistic. Perhaps it’s not really a word but it was used to say that if we don’t establish realistic goals instead of perfectionistic goals for ourselves, we are inviting stress and failure.  That’s not to say we shouldn’t work to reach our full potential but it may be a step by step process.
 
Sometimes we do have to take a chance and try something new and different that we have not done before.  There will possibly be mistakes in the process but self-confidence should improve just by knowing that you tried something new and you learned a little more about yourself and about life. 

We can all lend a helping hand to others in instilling confidence. Helping others feel confident and worthwhile will not only help them but it will help us also. I like Richard Evans quote: “Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”

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We want to keep the OA News readers up to date with the work of the Envision Opelika Race Relations/Cultural Diversity Task Force and the Opelika Character Council, an outworking of the Task Force.  The Task Force is sponsoring the Two by Two Unity Run, which will be held this Saturday, March 29.  The purpose of the effort is to strengthen relationship among citizens of all cultures in our community.  Proceeds will benefit Character Education in Opelika, the Miracle Field, and Keep Opelika Beautiful.  This is the same day as Keep Opelika Beautiful “Garden in the Park,” which is held in Municipal Park, and the Opelika Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, which is held at the Opelika Municipal Recreation Center. 

The Two by Two Unity Run will feature a 5K Run starting at 8:00 a.m., and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk/Wheel at 9:30 a.m.  Pairs of runners of different races or cultures are offered the opportunity to be linked together at the wrist (Velcro links provided), designed to promote teamwork and build relationships.  There are discounts for runners who choose this option.  The course starts and ends at Municipal Park in Opelika.  All ages are encouraged to participate.  Wheelchair participants are welcomed.  No other wheeled devices such as skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or skates are allowed in the events.  Applications may be obtained on line at barbara@envisionopelika.org or auburnrunning.org.  Participants may also register the day of the events.

We are very appreciative to the following for sponsoring the Two by Two Unity Run:  Associated Realty, Auburn Bank, BancorpSouth, Best Copy Products, BMB & Associates, Brunos, Chick-Fil-A, East Alabama Medical Center, Envy Salon, First American Bank, First Baptist Church, Hair Expo, Hilyer Consulting, May Refrigeration, Russello’s, Scott Bridge Company, State Farm (Rusty Sheehan, Bill White), L & L Machine, V3 Media Group, Whispering Oaks, and Winston Smith T Building Supply.

Saturday, March 29, will be a wonderful day in our community for everyone.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be with family and friends.

The Opelika Character Council has two projects they are working on.  There is the ongoing effort to publicize selected character traits throughout our community.  These traits are being taught to our children in the Middle School and High School.  Organizations and businesses that are cooperating in this effort are:  First United Methodist Church; Charter Bank; Lee County Youth Development Center; Boy and Girls Club of Lee County; Opelika City Schools; Opelika Chamber of Commerce; Lee County Red Cross; churches in Opelika.  We will continue to enlarge the number of participants in publicizing the “Character Trait of the Month.”

The second effort we are working on relates to one part of the Character Council’s plan of action:  Identify resources to assist entities in the development of excellence in character among groups and individuals.  We offered the CharacterFirst! Management Training Seminar in Opelika on February 28 that trains managers and supervisors to emphasize, require, and recognize excellence in character within the operation of their organization or business.  Representatives from the following organizations and businesses have been through the training:  Hilyer Consulting; Pawn City; Associated Realty; Opelika Utilities; Boys and Girls Club of Lee County; office of the Lee County Revenue Commissioner; East Alabama Medical Center; ESG Operations; City of Opelika; Lee County Commission; Jeffery A. Hilyer, CPA; and Envision Opelika, Inc.

If you have comments or questions about our work, please contact us at 705-5138 or barbara@envisionopelika.org.

Administrator Race Relations

A Unique Run with a Great Mission:  To strengthen relationships among citizens of all cultures in our community.  Proceeds benefit Character Education, the Miracle Field, and Keep Opelika Beautiful.  Unique Feature of the 5K and 1-Mile. We encourage pairs of runners of different races or cultures to be linked together at the wrist (Velcro links provided) promoting teamwork and building relationships.  Discounts for runners who choose this option.  Read More Here or Download Information/Registration Form Below. 

Download Race Application & Information Here!

Administrator Race Relations

If you missed it last month, the Opelika Character Council is beginning a campaign to promote character traits in our citizens that will improve life in the community.  The character traits are the same ones that the Opelika Middle School and the Opelika High School are emphasizing.  Last month the character trait was Patience and this month the character trait is Persistence. John Quincy Adams said of both these traits: “Patience and perseverance (persistence) have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

There are many definitions of Persistence out there.  Some of those are “persevering application, tenacious, industrious, and perseveringly attentive.”  Character First which is a program that the Opelika Character Council has reviewed and finds its materials well thought out and well presented defines persistence as “investing my time and energy to complete each task assigned to me.”  We certainly know that to be successful in school students must complete their assignments and employees must complete tasks assigned to them for a business to be successful.

Perhaps you have seen the marquee at Charter Bank with the character trait of the month displayed.  The trait is also in every Friday Facts that the Opelika Chamber of Commerce sends out. If you have a newsletter, a billing that allows space for such as this, or any means of communication that would help publicize and bring attention to these traits, we would appreciate your help in this effort.

Customer service is a hallmark of a good business and it is important for customers to be satisfied with a company’s service or they will stop doing business with them.  Not only will they stop but they will spread the word to others about their unhappiness with the company. A company should follow through and deliver on the service it proclaims or the product that it is manufacturing.   That’s where persistence comes in. Persistence means following through on those guarantees for the customer.

Calvin Coolidge said:  “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”  Persistence is a trait that means pursuing and completing but does it mean to never give up.  I don’t think that is the case.  It’s not necessary to continue to pursue a plan that is out of date.  It is not necessary to pursue a goal that is no longer relevant to the big picture. Sometimes it is necessary to change direction and leave some things unfinished in order to pursue others. But as Thomas Alva Edison put it: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” and Jane Addams said: “Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.”

In our journey in life, persistence is important in growing and developing into the person we would like to be.  Be persistent, to quote Opelika schools, in being the best that we can be.  - Barbara

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PATIENCE is the Opelika Character Trait of the month being emphasized in the Opelika City Schools for January.  That word brings so much to mind in my life and I’ll bet it does in yours.  It is probably a trait that everyone knows needs strengthening, even if that person considers himself to be a patient person.  I don’t think anyone would argue that we don’t all need to learn the art of patience.

What comes to mind when you think about the word “patience”?  Wikipedia defines patience as the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties with the opposite of patience being impatience.  See if you agree with this statement from Brian Adams:  Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure.  Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success. 

There are many notable people that have given us quotes on patience which give direction and “food for thought.”  Isaac Newton said, “If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent.”  Helen Keller said, “We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.”  Saint Francis de Sales said, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.”  Elizabeth Taylor said, “It is strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter our time, the greater out capacity for waiting.”  There are many others but I selected these because they point out to me that to be successful patience is an important character trait, that one must be patient with oneself and not get discouraged, that one gets to begin again every day to improve oneself, that life is not all joy, and that there is progress in developing and growing but the journey is forever.

For a tool to help with developing patience, I found a website that seemed to be good resource. Coping.org is the Public Service of James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance Messina, Ph.D.that gives Tools for Coping with Life’s Stressors and will take one through steps on developing patience.  In the steps, it outlines some negative consequences of impatience, outlines how people respond to impatience in others, asks you how you feel when you are impatient, tells you some new behavioral traits that could be needed to help you increase the level of patience in your life, and, lastly, gives you some steps towards developing the skills you need to grow your patience. 

The Opelika Character Council is working to promote character in all sectors of the city. As a part of the efforts, it wants to emphasize throughout the community of Opelika the character traits that the schools are using.  The Chamber of Commerce has already begun this process but to expand the reach to remind each of us to think about this trait and how we can improve upon it in our own lives, the Character Council is in the process of seeking every available means to publicize the Character Trait of the Month.   You may be contacted to help with this effort and, if you are, I hope that you will be receptive to the idea.   Also, you don’t have to wait to be contacted, you can call us (705-5138) at the Envision Opelika office and let us know that you would like to help “spread the word.”  - Barbara

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Tom Tippett, the Chairman of Envision Opelika’s Character Council, and I had the privilege of speaking briefly at the Kickoff Ceremony for the Annual Character Counts Week Celebration (October 21-27) at the Potter-Daniel Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County and were both so impressed with the attentiveness and the manners of these boys and girls.  Clay Crowe, as the Program Director, has a mammoth responsibility and does a wonderful job. This Unit serves youth between six and eighteen years of age and, currently, there are about 115 active members.  I don’t know how many were there for the Kick-Off but I do know there were rows and rows of young faces.   Wanda Lewis, the Executive Director, was also in attendance and I’m sure she was in and out all week long during these activities.

There are six core ethical values that form the foundation of Character Counts and they were focusing on those this past week.  These six pillars are Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness; Caring, and Citizenship. Using the first letter of each of these values forms an acronym that they learn and helps them remember that people with good character are terrific(TRRFCC). These young folks will be terrific as they carry what they have learned throughout the year and throughout their lives.

There is also a color scheme that connects to each of the pillars and reminds them of each one.  Trustworthiness is the color blue which goes along with “true blue”, being loyal, doing what you say you’ll do, being reliable, not being deceitful, cheating, or stealing.  Respect is the color gold that shows the relationship to the Golden Rule, being considerate of the feelings of others, being tolerant of differences, using good manners and working out disagreements peacefully.  Responsibility is given the color green, illustrating being solid and reliable as a tree, being self-disciplined, being accountable for choices, and doing what you are supposed to do.  Fairness is orange and is illustrated by dividing an orange into equal sections to share with friends, taking turns, playing by the rules, not taking advantage of others, and being open minded.  Caring is red like a heart, being kind, compassionate, showing you care, expressing gratitude, helping those in need, and being forgiving. Lastly, Citizenship is purple, representing the state and teaching being involved in community affairs, staying informed, voting, respecting authority, obeying the laws, and protecting the environment.

During this week the children had a Make a Difference Day in partnership with Keep Opelika Beautiful.  They had a Cultural Diversity Project, a Member Recognition Ceremony, a Music Extravaganza, and Presentations and Skits throughout the week. A very busy time!

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County has always endorsed high academic and athletic achievement among the youth they serve and strengthening character is an integral part of its program.  Since 2005, they have been using the Character Counts curriculum.

Envision Opelika through the Opelika Character Council is working towards having Character Programs in all segments of the community and towards reminding all of us that character is the most valuable part of who we are and building character is a life-long journey.  Character, like a diamond, has many facets and the more it’s polished, the brighter it shines. Kudos to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County for their instilling and polishing!  - Barbara

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