The Lee County Listener

Girls Step Inc and Our Need for Connection

Tiffany Gibson, founder and CEO of Girls Step Inc, joins the show this week to share the powerful work that Girls Steps is accomplishing in our community. Only a few years old, Girls Steps has grown to cover four counties and continues to empower young girls to be leaders in their communities. Tiffany is an accomplished leader herself, having served on the Opelika city council for Ward 2, a position that led to a few long nights, but more great moments serving her beloved community. Tiffany, Sam, and Garrett also share their favorite restaurants around town. 
Thanks to our Show Partners that make the Lee County Listener possible!
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Thanks to our Community Partners for making our Black History Month series possible!
https://www.gstepsinc.org/
https://simplymedia.social/home
https://www.thedreamdayfoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Eula-Maes-Eua-la-la/100043319539490/

A Lifetime in Lee County

Ralph Foster, a retired educator and businessman, joins the show this week to share his life full of stories on the evolution of Lee County and Auburn. Mr. Foster has done it all, from opening Auburn's first black barber shop to building both the physical stadium and sports programs of Loachapoka. From his experience, Sam and Garrett get to learn the daily life of the segregated South and of the changes that Lee County has undergone after desegregation. 
Thank you to our show partners that make this possible!
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Thank you to our community partners that make this series possible!
https://www.gstepsinc.org/
https://simplymedia.zenfoliosite.com/home
https://www.thedreamdayfoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Eula-Maes-Eua-la-la/100043319539490/
 
 
 

The Power of Theatre

Dr. Beatrice Allen and Marty Moore, the committee chair of ACT-SO with the NAACP and the founding Executive Director of the Opelika Theatre Company respectively, join the show this week to share about the upcoming Black History Showcase. Since dreaming the Opelika Theatre Company, Marty has brought to focus many talented artists in the local area. The Opelika Theatre company boasts many performances a year alongside classes that bring the arts to the community. After going to some shows at the South side, Dr. Allen noticed room for diversity in the Theatre Company's work. Coming together, the pair dreamed up the Black History Showcase, a living collage of arts that shares the impact of Black artists on the arts. Now in its 2nd year, the showcase is telling its story once more, with more acts and local artists than before!
Learn more about the Opelika Theatre Company:
https://www.opelikatheatrecompany.com/
Keep up with news and events in our area:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners for this episode:
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://simplymedia.zenfoliosite.com/home
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.gstepsinc.org/
https://goguecenter.auburn.edu/
https://www.thedreamdayfoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Eula-Maes-Eua-la-la/100043319539490/

Telling the Stories of History

Theo Moore, Executive Director of Hiztorical Visions Productions, joins the show this week to kick off our Black History Month series. Theo is an educator and local filmmaker who is using his camera and interviewing skills to preserve vital history to Alabama in a format accessible to technology savvy students: movies. The conversation covers ground from filmmaking to Theo's journey to education as whole. This is the first of a four part series, more to come!
Learn more about Hiztorical Visions Productions and watch the films here:
https://hiztoricalvp.org/
For more on events and community news:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
More information on our community partners can be found at the following:
https://www.thedreamdayfoundation.org/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://www.opelikatheatrecompany.com/
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Eula-Maes-Eua-la-la/100043319539490/
https://goguecenter.auburn.edu/momix-alice/
 
 
 

How do we define work?

This week, Elizabeth Boyle, the Community Manager of CoLab in Opelika, joins the show to share the ways CoLab offers a different way to work. Side discussions are a plenty in this episode as we get to art, Wes Anderson, and why admitting you drew creative influence from others is okay. Still, the main focus is on the way that we, as humans, interact with work, and maybe, just maybe, why the current way is due for some changing. 
This episode is sponsored by CoLab! For more information on CoLab and their services, check out: 
https://www.colabopelika.com/
To learn more about the community and events going on, check out:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
 

What keeps Auburn growing?

Anna Hovey, president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, joins the show this week to share about leadership, Auburn's charm, and the reasons that Auburn continues to experience such historic growth: while the town changes, it is the people that remain the same. Sam and Garrett also announce the Lee County Listener's new partnership with CoLab! 
Connect with the Auburn Chamber:
https://auburnchamber.com/
Read more about the community and news:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
 
 

What is the Lee County Humane Society?

From Christmas morning shifts to Books and Barks, the Lee County Humane Society works relentlessly to both love on each animal that comes through its doors as well as the community at large! Jenny Warren and Patti Tole of the Lee County Humane Society come on the show to share the stories of the incredible work that they are doing.
Through the No More Wasted Lives campaign, the community can support the work that the Lee County Humane Society! Information on involvement and donations can be found here: https://www.leecountyhumane.org/nmwllaunch
For more information on the Lee County Humane Society: 
https://www.leecountyhumane.org/
For news and events in the community:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
 

What makes for a great hotdog?

For the shows 20th episode, Rick Lanier, co-owner of Franky June's Weenie Wagon, joins the show to discuss what makes the greatest hotdog – and it may not be the hotdog itself. Sam and Garrett share their thoughts on the production of the podcast and their own hotdog preferences. 
For further information on Street Food Saturdays and to connect with Franky Junes:
https://www.facebook.com/FrankyJunes/
Read more about the community and news at:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
 

The Spirit of Community in Gear Gaming

Adam Johnson joins the show this week to share about Gear Gaming, the local friendly game shop of Opelika. With him, Sam and Garrett share their own memories of playing games and hear the way games bring people from all around the world together. Adam also shares his musical ability. He is a big Nickelback fan. 
Follow Gear Gaming on Instagram at:
Geargaming_Opelika
Follow the Lee County Listener on all platforms at:
Lee County Listener
Read more about the community and news at:
https://opelikaobserver.com/

What makes this season so special?

On this double-feature of an episode, Sam and Garrett continue their year end reflection around the question: What are you grateful for? In the chaos of the year-end, Nora Patterson, the Co-President of Congregation Beth Shalom, and Jeff Meyers, the Pastor at First Baptist Opelika Church, join the show to share on the faith celebrations that mark the end of the year for so many. Rather than gifts and rush, these celebrations encourage rest and hope that prove to be great takeaways for the new year. 
Read more about the community and news at:
https://opelikaobserver.com/