The Lee County Listener

We are all Worthy (Kathyrn Guthrie)

It happens here, too. On the show this week, Kathryn Guthrie, the founder of Worthy^2, joins the show to share about the realities of sex trafficking in our area and the active steps that are being taken to create a community that is safe and welcoming for all. This conversation gets heavy, but we hope you'll tune in to the whole talk. Love your neighbors, and let love guide the way.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Monday Newsletter!
https://opelikaobserver.com/lee-county-listener/
Learn more about Worthy^2:
https://www.worthy2.org/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw
 

Breaking New Ground (Ali Rauch)

What’s happening in Opelika? Who better to sit down with than Ali Rauch (again!) to learn more about Forward Opelika, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce’s 3.5-million-dollar initiative to transform Opelika into the place to be for business. Though Opelika already boasts a robust collection of small business and industry, Ali hopes that this movement by the chamber, and its many community allies, will give more and more people a reason to call Opelika home. The secret to making somewhere feel like home? Connect people to their neighbors.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Monday Newsletter!
https://opelikaobserver.com/lee-county-listener/
Learn more about Forward Opelika and the Opelika Chamber of Commerce:
https://www.opelikachamber.com/forward-opelika/
https://www.opelikachamber.com/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw
 

Music and the Moment (DJ Lee)

Lee Bradberry, DJ Lee as he is more widely known, joins the show to share about the power of music to bring a room together. Whether it's just a small group at the front, a packed out bar, or the World Games, Lee talks about how he holds a musical conversation with those around him. Listen in to get some great music recommendations and learn what is the most requested song, no matter the venue!
Connect with DJ Lee:
https://www.instagram.com/officialdjlee/?hl=en
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw  

Creating a Space to Gather (With Richard Tomasello)

"Can this be done where we live?" asked Richard and Crystal Tomasello of a book store concept they stumbled upon during a trip. It turns out, not only would a book/coffee/wine shop work, it would thrive in the heart of Auburn. Well Red has become a gathering place for many, young and old alike, with its welcoming space, kind staff, and many events. Swing by and see for yourself what makes Well Red home for so many in our community!
Learn more about Well Red:
https://www.wellredau.com/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw
 

Sidetrack is a garden (David Bizillia)

David Bizillia, owner of Side Track coffee, joins the show this week. Does unconditional love exist? How does life change if it does? How do we even begin to look for answers to these questions? David shares how Side Track has opened these questions to him and the ways he hopes to cultivate his response. As he shares, Side Track is a garden. Easy answers and easy work is not found in the garden, but in the hard work, goodness might be found. 
Learn more about Side Track:
https://www.sidetrackcoffee.co/#/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw
 

Planting Seeds (Judy Van Dyke)

Judy Van Dyke, Founder of Glory Be Farms, joins the show this week. After suffering the loss of her husband, Judy decided to turn their former farmland into a row of sunflowers. Before she knew it, that row became rows and more flowers until the name Glory Be farms came to her one day while she was working. Judy shares her hopes for the farm and the difficulties she’s encountered along the way. But, as she puts it, planting flowers is putting hope in the future. Now, as Glory Be begins to grow, she has full faith that, step by step, it will become exactly what it needs to grow into.
 
To learn more about Glory Be Farms:
https://www.glorybefarms.com/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw
 

The Opposite of ”Stressed” is... Desserts! (Angela George)

Angela George, owner of O Town Ice Cream, joins the show this week. Whether a hot summer day or a reward after the dentist’s office, ice cream is always a reason to smile. Angela shares how this common enjoyment of an ice cream has allowed her passion to become the gathering place of the larger Lee County family, as they watch kids grow up and give moms a place to relax. After all, as Angela puts it, what’s the opposite of “stressed?” Desserts.
Keep up with O Town Ice Cream:
https://otownicecream.com/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw

A True Southern Spirit (Jimmy Sharp)

Jimmy Sharp, co-founder of John Emerald Distillery, joins the show. Sometimes, you just can't let a hobby be a hobby. For Jimmy, his interest in distilling, and growing family, led him to take a step out, alongside his father,  and turn his hobby into John Emerald Distillery. Now almost 10 years down the line, Jimmy shares what he has learned about distilling, and what he hopes for the future. That future now is set in oak barrels that may not be ready for years to come, but all things are made better with time and a little patience. 
Check out John Emerald Distillery:
https://johnemeralddistilling.com/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw

Pedal The Pacific (Hannah Smith)

Hannah Smith, former rider and leadership team member of Pedal the Pacific, joins the show. In 2020, she joined Pedal the Pacific hoping to complete the 1700 mile ride down the West Coast to raise awareness about the fight against sex trafficking before being sidelined by the pandemic. However, along with her teammates, they rode their own paths as Pedal the Pacific went virtual, engaging local communities as they went along. Pedal the Pacific is an organization that uses bikes to begin conversations on sex trafficking and empower the women that ride. Hannah now uses her knowledge to continue to advocate for victims of sex trafficking and the mission of Pedal the Pacific.
To learn more about Pedal the Pacific:
https://www.pedalthepacific.org/about/why-a-bike
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw
 

Grandma Val’s Lemonade

Grandma Val, of her namesake lemonade business, joins the show this week. Full of joy and wisdom, she shares her path to redefining her life through a simple drink of lemonade. With fresh cut fruit, and loving care, Grandma Val's lemonade has exploded in the Lee County area and more keeps coming her way. Still, she remains focused and passionate on people, using her newfound success to empower those around her.
To keep up with Grandma Val's Lemonade:
https://www.facebook.com/GVLemonade/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners!
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw