I don’t have to tell you that Auburn and Opelika are growing and expanding by leaps and bounds. Just a short drive to either downtown district proves that there are more homes being built, more cars scurrying from here to there, more businesses with grand openings, and more schools being built for all the new students enrolling.
On top of all this local growth, each fall, there seems to be more college students choosing Auburn University and Southern Union as their home away from home. East Alabama is booming, and there doesn’t seem to be a slowdown anytime in the near future.
In towns like ours, growth is inevitable and welcomed among families looking forward to all the new additions. If you are new to Auburn or Opelika, welcome to living on The Plains! You will find no shortage of places to explore, people to meet, and communities to join. From quaint coffee shops and local green spaces to gathering with friends, to top-ranked educational programs and various after-school enrichment resources, your family will fall in love with your new home soon, too.
In this month’s edition, you’ll find the Newcomers Guide and our June calendar, featuring all the “places” and events planned to help you get started. First on most families’ to-do list when moving from one home to another is getting their children established as new patients. Flip to our guide, and the list of local dentists, family physicians, and support services is available to you, right at your fingertips. Give them a call, and they will be happy to be your family’s new primary health specialist.
Are you looking for pickleball or swimming lessons for the kids? Both Auburn and Opelika Parks and Recreation are offering every kind of activity and teams to keep your family moving and involved. Touring their fitness centers and swimming pools would be a great place to start.
Does your family enjoy immersion into the fine arts and cultural scene? You have come to the right place! Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University, East Alabama Arts, and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts have really put us on the map. They have curated the most beautiful art exhibits and recruited some of the world’s most talented artists to showcase on the stage. Be sure to check out the performances and artists that are already planned for this upcoming year. East Alabama has so much growth and opportunity for everyone to experience and get plugged into the community.
Speaking of growth, also included this month is our feature article, How to Prevent the Summer Slide Without Turning Summer Into School. This article offers unique ways to encourage our students to keep growing academically without making it feel like they are still sitting at a desk and preparing for the next pop quiz. Reading is one of the most beneficial ways to keep young brains engaged, while also not feeling like required homework.
Plan a day trip to one of the local libraries to learn about their summer reading programs and all their story times, book clubs, and STEM programming. Let them choose an adventure on the high seas or a mystery to solve with each turn of a page. Grab a book or two for yourself and show your kids that reading isn’t a chore but can be enjoyable, too.
Whew…there are so many places to explore here, and your calendar might be full this summer. I hope you find East Alabama as charming, exciting, and welcoming as I do. From one parent to another, welcome to Auburn and Opelika!
