Citizens of Auburn gather for 2023 Polar Plunge

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics, swim across Samford Pool.

  • Mayor Ron Anders welcomes citizens of Auburn to the 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge listen for directions as they prepare to jump in Samford Pool.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event benefitting Lee County Special Olympics, jump into Samford Pool.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge listen for directions as they prepare to jump in Samford Pool.

  • Mayor Ron Anders welcomes citizens of Auburn to the 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge in Auburn, Alabama, signal that they are ready to jump into Samford Pool.

  • Participants of 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics, line Samford Pool.

  • Spectators gather to watch participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge jump into Samford Pool. The annual event benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge make their way across Samford Pool. The annual event benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event benefitting Lee County Special Olympics, begin their trek across Samford Pool.

  • Aubie cheers on participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics, as they make their way across Samford Pool.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that beenfits Lee County Special Olympics, wait for instructions.

  • Aubie makes his way around Samford Pool to greet participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • First responders make their way to the ladder after jumping in Samford Pool during the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • Aubie makes his way around Samford Pool to greet participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

  • A participant of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics, exits Samford Pool after making his trek across.

  • Participants of the 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event benefitting Lee County Special Olympics, jump into Samford Pool.

On Jan. 28, citizens of Auburn and Opelika gathered at Samford Pool in Auburn, Alabama, to participate in the city’s 2023 Polar Plunge, an annual event that benefits Lee County Special Olympics.

The event was presented by Auburn Parks and Recreation and Lee County Special Olympics. The theme of its 11th year was superheroes. Dressed in various costumes, over 75 participants arrived at the pool at 9 a.m. and were split into three groups to take the plunge and swim across the pool.

After an introduction by Mayor Ron Anders, the first of the three groups lined up along the side of the pool. They made their jump while being cheered on by attendees such as Aubie, Sparky the Fire Dog and different groups from Auburn University, including the Auburn University soccer team.  

This year, participants raised $7,414, which will be used to purchase equipment and uniforms for the athletes of Lee County Special Olympics, rent facilities for practices, scrimmages and events and make various travel arrangements.

Proceeds from the event will also allow the group to send athletes to the state games in Troy, Alabama, each year, as well as sending athletes out of state for the national games every four years.

Pickleball players from across the country compete in Paddles at the Plex

Over 650 pickleball players from 16 states gathered Thursday at the Opelika Sportsplex to compete in Paddles at the Plex, an annual pickleball tournament hosted by the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department and the Opelika-Auburn Pickleball Club.

In this year’s tournament, 69 teams competed in men’s doubles 60-plus on Thursday, 96 teams competed in women’s doubles with six teams on the waitlist, and 96 players competed in men’s singles with eight on the waitlist on Friday.

On Saturday, 191 teams competed in mixed doubles with 25 teams on the waitlist, and on Sunday, 120 teams competed in men’s doubles with eight teams on the waitlist, and 32 players competed in women’s singles.

This year, 53% of the players who registered to compete came from out of state. Among the players were numerous who are nationally ranked—one of which being Alia Brown, who is rated No. 14 in women’s doubles and No. 4 in junior’s singles.

The four-day tournament is the first to use the Opelika Sportsplex’s 12 newest courts. Including this addition, the complex has a total of 24 courts, each individually fenced and covered by a large canopy.

Auburn-Opelika Tourism said they estimated a direct economic impact of about $200,000 from this year’s Paddles at the Plex.

Guy and Beverly May bring Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to Auburn

When Guy and Beverly May came across Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, a company that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, they ditched their retirement plans and applied to be franchise owners.

“We knew we were going to retire to Auburn, and we knew we wanted to do something to give back to the community, so when Bitty & Beau’s announced they were selling franchises, we decided that would be the perfect fit for us and for Auburn,” said Beverly May, co-owner of Bitty & Beau’s Auburn.

The chain of coffee shops was founded by Amy and Ben Wright in 2016 with the goal of “changing the way people see other people.” Their mission is to advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Wrights have four children: Lillie, Emma Grace, Beau and Bitty. Lillie was born with Autism, and Bitty and Beau were born with Down Syndrome.

“They found out through that process that 80% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed, and many live under the poverty level because of that. They set out to change it all,” May said. 

The Auburn location of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee opened in August 2022, employing 26 people with disabilities. Their jobs include working the cash register, making the drinks and calling out the orders.

“We’ve seen some great things happen here since we opened several months ago. Our employees are fabulous, and what we have seen is that they have grown in their confidence and their ability,” May said.

One employee in particular, 15-year-old Fritz, had his learner’s permit when he began working as a drink maker at Bitty & Beau’s, but he never wanted to drive. In his eight months of employment, however, he has gradually gained the confidence and desire to practice being behind the wheel.

“That’s what Bitty & Beau’s is all about. It’s to show the world that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can and are able to be in the workforce. We’ve seen that in our employees from day one, and we’ve just watched them grow since,” May said.

D1 Life Foundation Hosts First Inaugural 5K Race

When Gary and Debbie Pegues’ 17-year-old son Dylan was killed in a car crash in June 2022, they established the D1 Life Foundation to honor him.

“Sharing love, kindness and generosity through Christ is really our mission,” said Gary Pegues. “We want to do that by providing scholarships to high school seniors that are trying to go off to college, something Dylan was passionate about but was unable to do.”

The foundation also raises money to send high schoolers to church conferences, soccer camps, photography seminars and other events and activities that Dylan was passionate about. Their proceeds come from the D1 Life Collection with Scarlet & Gold, sponsorships, vendors and various events.

They held the first inaugural D1 Life 5K April 22 at Town Creek Park, and hundreds of participants came out to support the foundation.

“It means so much to me that a community has come together showing Jesus and all the things, and we are just so grateful for this opportunity—me and my parents are,” said Lexie Pegues, sister of Dylan Pegues.

The foundation’s motto, “Live a D1 Life,” is inspired by Dylan’s love of sports and reflects the Pegues family’s desire to inspire others to raise their level of character, leadership and love towards others while also leading others to Christ.

Gary Pegues said that being a part of the Auburn community played a huge role in how their family set up the foundation and created their motto.

“Everybody can live a D1 Life.  Everybody can share love, kindness and generosity through Jesus Christ,” said Gary Pegues. “We want to pour that into people and reiterate that the most important thing in life is to live elite.”