April 3 2015

April 3 - April 16, 2015

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali: 256-468-9425 Deborah: 256-309-9399

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

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Special Feature Valley Cleaning Service: “Our Business Is Making Yours Shine”...

Mike Jackson was born in Athens, and had a decorated 20-year career in law enforcement both here as well as in the Birmingham/Homewood area... Page 7

Grand Slam Cages: Batting A 1,000, Building Families

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Wendi Albritton does not play baseball or softball, but she does know that it is far more than the American pastime; it is a way of building kids, families, and communities. When she and her family moved here in 2006, she was a busy ER nurse raising her family, and knew firsthand what it was like to be a single mom and Continued on pages 15

Tourism

Sweet Thymes Bakery And Meals To Go: An Unusual Eatery In An Unlikely Spot

April Is Showering Athens With Events...

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association proudly announces the return of ...

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Together We Stand Burn Blue Lights In Support Of America’s Peacekeepers...

The newly-formed Athens and Limestone County group, “Together We Stand,” is inviting the public to...

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April 3 - April 16, 2015

Wendi Albritton and Michael Whitworth

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Brother - Sister Team Jordan Anderson (L), and Kelli Minyard (R), co-owners of Sweet Thymes Bakery

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It is the season where we celebrate Spring, Passover and the Resurrection, and Sweet Thymes Bakery is a perfect way to

Continued on page 17

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April 3 - April 16, 2015

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales

Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Teresa Todd Joel Allen Lynne Hart Hunter Rogers Rachel Clark, RN, BSN Karen Middleton Jerry Barksdale

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 The Gen Y Perspective . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 7 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12 Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . 15 & 17 Jerry’s Journal . . . . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . . 20 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22

April 3 - April 16, 2015

Terri Schiavo: 10 Years Later On March 31, 2005, the third state sanctioned attempt on Terri Schiavo’s life actually took, and she breathed her tortured last.

Iraq was a brand new democracy before it was overrun by ISIS, and the torment-by-starvation-anddehydration of a brain damaged, but vibrant and beautiful young woman threw Iraqis for a loop. Her death and the spin that led up to it hurt our soldiers, damaged morale, and I talk about it at length in a chapter my book, A Ballad For Baghdad. The chapter is entitled Stetsons For Terri Schiavo.

Life is strange, and one of the many amazing blessings that came out of becoming a published author has been to come to know and love Terri’s dear family.

This happened as a result of interviewing them for the book, having several phone conversations, being on radio together, and spending time with them in person.

Her dad, Bob Schindler, has passed on. I am convinced that the stress of their ordeal ultimately killed him.

Her brother Bobby, her mother Mary, and her sister Suzanne have since gone on to fight a noble fight for those who have no desire to die, but are being forced to. This relentless fight for life has happened through the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network, and on March 31, 2015, the Network celebrated Terri’s Day. The Schindlers are Catholic, and each year on March 31st, there is a Mass cele-

brated in Terri’s memory.

For the past three years, in association with Terri’s Day, there has been a gala fundraising celebration held to further the impact of the Life and Hope Network, and has had keynote speakers such as former Alaska Governor and US Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, as well as talk and TV host, Glenn Beck. There is also an award given to an individual or family that has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect a life in peril as the result of the machinations of the pro-death culture in which we live.

Prior to Terri’s death, Glenn was living in Florida, and had his own successful radio show. When the Schiavo case first became daily fare in Florida, he was, by his own admission a complete idiot when it came to what was going on. He thought, as did I, that Terri was dying anyway, her family was not willing to let her go, and his ignorance of the facts of the case turned out to be as stunning as they were revelatory.

Then, Glenn experienced a fantastically painful but necessary humbling journey that he thought might be the end of his career.

He broadcast an improvisational 18-minute radio segment in regard to his arrogance and stupidity, and became one of the Schindler’s strongest advocates.

He fought hard for Terri, and when the battle was lost, he gave the eulogy at Terri’s funeral.

By contrast, our President, during his first run at the Oval Office, told a reporter that the biggest mistake he had made as a US Senator was signing the legislation (which passed unanimously, by the way,) that would have saved Terri’s life. As long as I live, I will never forget the day after he made that comment.

say that about my sister?”

In this life I will never have an answer, but what I can say is that the Schindlers, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and multitudes of others who continue to fight for the vulnerable give me hope, 10 years later.

I was driving westbound on Nick Davis Road, and was on the phone with Terri’s brother, Bobby. With a hurt that I cannot begin to describe, Bobby rhetorically asked me, “How could he

Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

Ride The Thunder

by Ali Elizabeth Turner It has been a banner year for movies about our military heroes. An American Sniper has grossed more than 300 million dollars, more than the other Best Picture Oscar contenders combined. Other recent offerings include Unbroken, The Imitation Game, and Fury. However, last week a book-turned-movie that has been many years in production premiered in California, and whose story I have been awaiting for a long time. When it comes to our area, I will see it first chance I get. I plan to take a lot of Kleenex, and I might just go with a bunch of ‘Nam vets from the Vets’ Museum so I can tell them one more time how sorry I am that I ever bought into the idea that they were “baby killers.” The movie’s name is Ride The Thunder: A Vietnam War Story Of Honor And Triumph.

It tells the story of Vietnam from the perspective of Vietnamese soldiers and the Americans who fought alongside them. It is without apology willing to say that the South Vietnamese are forever grateful to Americans for helping them fight communism, something that would send people like “my former self in another lifetime” into cardiac arrest.

vets were advised to not get off the plane in Oakland in uniform for their own safety: “The men who served in Vietnam are every bit as great as their dads and uncles who served in World War II, The reason they’re not called the Greatest Generation is because Vietnam’s generation had people like Jane Fonda out there muddying up the waters, and John Kerry.

There were several hundred thousand junior officers who served in the Marine Corps and Army, and yet the only name that is ever recalled is Lt. William Calley. We’ve got to change that.”

There are a number of reasons why I want to see this

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

April 21st

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4

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movie, and they are not all cathartic. I will be the first to tell you that the facts of what occurred in Vietnam are murky to me, and I know from having lived on an intel base in Iraq that “human intel is the best intel.”

In other words, human “source documents” are always the most accurate, and I am happier than I can say that such an outstanding opportunity to hear the voices of the battlefield brothers, and to also let them set the record straight has come our way. I hope that like Sniper, Thunder is a blockbuster.

Ride The Thunder’s author and the film’s Executive Producer, Richard Botkin, had the following to say about the era when returning

After the war had been over for several years, former President Richard Nixon lamented, “No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then. It is misremembered now.”

Contrast those comments with those of our current Secretary of State, who threw away his Purple Heart: “We wish that a merciful God could wipe away our own memories of that service.”

It appears rather, that after more than 40 years, a merciful God is making it possible for people like me to “know the truth,” and have that truth make all of us of the Woodstock Generation fully free. At last the honor that is due the warriors of America and Vietnam will be lavished upon them with no reservation, and I could weep for joy.

April 3 - April 16, 2015

The Gen Y Perspective

For The Love Of NASCAR

by Hunter Rogers

tThe smell of racing fuel -and burning rubber meets my nose, and I instantly nrecognize the scents I love mso much. My heart begins sbeating rapidly when engines come to life with a rroar at the command of the Grand Marshall. I rise -out of my seat and begin -cheering for my favorite driver as the speed of the acars causes the ground eto shake while they head .for the starting line. The -green flag waves and the -NASCAR race begins!

For approximately nine ,months of the year, I espend every Sunday afsternoon possible watcheing NASCAR racing. I love watching the cars nand drivers race around ,the track at astonishing -speeds, while trying to avoid crashing into other -cars. Auto racing is unpredictable: a crash can thappen at any moment, tthe engine could blow, or a myriad of other problems could occur that will s affect the outcome of the t race. The unpredictability o and thrill that accompany e a NASCAR race are just two of the many reasons e that racing is my favorite s sport.

I have been raised watching NASCAR since birth. a My dad, (who is an engig neer) is the main reason I e was exposed to the sport.

He has loved cars for as e long as I can remember, k and I have many memot ries of being in the shop e with him while he worked a on cars. He has taught me everything I know about o mechanics, engineering, d and racing; I inherited my love of motor sports from him. We watch the races

April 3 - April 16, 2015

together, and he explains terms to me, as well as the techniques and strategies of racing. We not only talk about NASCAR, but also about drag racing, dirt track racing, gokart racing, and more.

Because I was raised in this environment, I grew to love automobiles and racing of all kinds.

A major component of racing is the engineers who work on the cars, make the cars faster, and improve its performance.

Auto design engineers design the cars to be as aerodynamic as possible while being able to handle the horsepower the engine produces and staying within certain guidelines given by NASCAR. There are many different kinds of engineers that work for the racing teams, but they all work together to create a car that can help their driver win the race.

gle. I believe in dreaming big and not settling for mediocre. Reach for

the stars, pursue what you love, and do not let anyone convince you to

do less.

Remember, anything is possible.

My love of racing, mechanics, and automobiles has inspired me to pursue a career as an engineer, working towards my dream of being a part of a racing team in NASCAR’s top level of competition. I aspire to spend my life doing what I love instead of working in a cookie-cutter job that I will not enjoy. I know it is going to be a long, hard road to get there, but I am willing to put in the hard work needed to reach my goals.

Just like in a race, there will be complications that I will have to overcome in order to “get the win,” but I know the rewards will be worth the strug-

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Calendar of Events “Heaven: O For A Home With God” Now Available

Allen twisting balloons for the kids too. Free for all to attend - VBC parking lot $7.00 per vehicle. headstailscrawfishboil.com

Local authors Steve Klein and Jeff May’s book, “Heaven: O For A Home With God” is now available at the CEI Bookstore in Athens, as well as on Amazon.com. It contains 13 chapters, suitable for bible study groups, and has more than 200 Scriptural references on the subject of heaven from God’s perspective.

Vidalia Onion Pre-Sale Now Thru Apr 15

Athens Ladies Civitans are taking orders from now until April 15 for Vidalia Onions. Ten pounds of freshly dug Vidalias from Georgia for $10. Delivery will be early May. To order, call 256-232-6068 or 256-771-7672 or mail your order to Athens Ladies Civitan Club, P. O. Box 1814, Athens, AL 35612. Include check payable to Athens Ladies Civitan Club, number of bags ordered, name, address and phone number. Funds support special needs programs for children and adults in Athens & Limestone County.

Cruise In Apr 4th

Downtown Athens, AL. Bring your hot rod, motorcycle, truck or unique vehicle and park on the square to share your love of automobiles with other enthusiast from 3:00PM to 6:00PM. Shop the boutiques and store and enjoy a meal downtown at one of the restaurants.

4 Day Gospel Meeting Bethel Church of Christ April 5th-8th

1st Annual Mattress Fundraiser Apr 11th

Benefiting Golden Eagle Football. Athens High School Gymnasium.

100 U.S. Highway 31N, Athens, AL. All sizes, pillow-top, orthopedic, latexs, memory foam and more at discounted prices. Profits go directly to the team. Shop from 10:00AM-5:00PM with cash, checks or credit cards.

Puttin’ On The Glitz Gala 2015 Apr 11th

Westin. 6800 Govenors West Road NW, Huntsville, AL. Join the Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation for this highly anticipated annual black-tie fundraiser benefiting the remodel of 52 hospital rooms at the Athens-Limestone Hospital. Tickets are $175.00 per person. For more information: Laine Terry 256-233-9557 lainet@ alhnet.org or visit alhfevents.org

Heel and Crank Duathalon Apr 11th

Mooresville, AL. Join Team Rocket Triathalon Club for this fundraiser benefitting the Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association in memory of local triathlete, Darin Kruse. This race is beginner-friendly as well as a good challenge for the experienced athlete. This race is not USAT sanctioned. No day of Registration nor on-site registration at Fleet Feet. For more information or to register for this event, visit teamrockettri.org/content/races/heel-crank

Area Wide Acapella Singing Bethel Church of Christ April 17

Speaker: Barry Gilbreath Jr. Sun, April 5 at 9:30am, 10:30am & 6pm. Mon-Wed, April 6-8 at 7:00pm. 26772 Capshaw Road, Athens, AL. www.bethelcoc.org Everyone Welcome!

7-9:30pm. Tom Holland as MC, Fellowship Afterwards, Everyone Welcome! 26772 Capshaw Road, Athens, AL. www.bethelcoc.org

3rd annual yard sale April 11th

T&C Stamping, Inc. parking lot. This is at the intersection of Bolyn and Freeman Ave. Yard Sale will be from 7am–12pm with all proceeds going to Relay for Life. For more information contact Leah Stephens or Suzanne Linnemann at 256-233-7383 or lstephens@ tandcstamping.com or slinnemann@tandcstamping.com

Heads-n-Tails Crawfish Boil and Craft Beer Garden Apr 11th

8am - 12pm at the Farmers Market on Green St., Athens, AL.

2nd annual Relay Tee Cup at Canebrake April 23rd

Von Braun Center, South Hall. 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL. Enjoy great food, craft beer, zydeco music and entertainment with friends and family from 3:00PM to 10:00PM. An array of seafood will be available for purchase along with your favorite beverages.

Babrielle’s Face Painting will be on had to adorn fasces and plenty of fun for the kids with Jump To It inflatible area. Plus A+ Ballons by

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The Annual Limestone County Master Gardeners Plant Sale Apr 18th

There are still openings for teams and sponsors. Shotgun start at 1:00pm. After the tournament the Limestone County Sheriff’s Dept. will be assisting us with a ball drop. Tickets will be on sale at the yard sale, the golf tournament and at T&C Stamping, Inc. Tickets are $5.00 each. The winner will receive 15% of the earnings of the ball drop ticket sale, up to $2500. For more information contact Leah Stephens or Suzanne Linnemann at 256-233-7383 or lstephens@ tandcstamping.com or slinnemann@tandcstamping.com

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April 3 - April 16, 2015

Special Feature

Valley Cleaning Service: “Our Business Is Making Yours Shine”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Mike Jackson was born in Athens, and had a decorated 20-year career in law enforcement both here as well as in the Birmingham/Homewood area. He is one of those Athenians who is related to everyone, and 95% of his family still lives here. He calls law enforcement the “family business,” and many of his kin in the area have been a part of the thin blue line. He is now the third generation in his family to have a “career in cleaning,” beginning with his grandfather, James Hobson Vinson, who was custodian for West Limestone High School in the ‘60s. He remembers as a little boy being with his grandpa there at WLHS while he “made everything shine.”

His father, Roger Jackson, started his own cleaning service called Alabama Cleaning Service.

Mike absolutely loved law enforcement, but a knee injury forced him into medical retirement in 2012. His knee would no longer allow him to be one of the members as well as trainers of the S.W.A.T. team in Homewood. He also says, in reference to some of his favorite things about law enforcement, that he had a good time “getting paid to run around on a Harley,” riding in special events, doing undercover work, and providing what are known as “explosive breaches” when necessary. (Note to bad guys: if

and businesses. “We give personal, local service, and if you call us, you’ll get us, not someone at a call center in Atlanta. If there is a problem, we will be right there to fix it.”

He also says that they come to make a detailed assessment of the site, work with the client’s budget, and “we tailor make the service to exactly what the customer wants.”

Recently at a Vital Living Expo, a woman from India won a free cleaning for her home from Valley Cleaning

you are holed up somewhere, and the S.W.A.T. team arrives, you don’t want to be on the business end of an explosive breach.) He was the recipient of many awards from the force, and was chosen as the Chamber of Commerce Officer of the Year.

He returned to Athens, decided to do “something different,” and realized that in spite of the recession, research indicated that a cleaning business could be profitable if run well. He started Valley Cleaning Service, and while most of his business at the moment is in Huntsville, Athens is home to Mike and his family, and he wants to increase both his commercial and residential business in Limestone County.

As we were chatting, he made an interesting comment about the cleaning business in gen-

eral that made me think, and that is that a business that is clean is “good for everyone.”

By that he meant that research indicates that for business owners, having a commercial facility that is well maintained translates into less employee sick days, less missed days in general, and better performance on the part of employees. Makes sense.

Mike says that what makes Valley Cleaning Service unique is that they treat their business as though it is a franchise, but specialize in customized programs for both homes

April 3 - April 16, 2015

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Service. Her home, it turns out, was spotless, but Mike wanted to be a man of his word, and so he did yard work for her, even though that is not his usual gig.

He does do some exterior pressure washing and light yard work, but cleaning is far more his “thing.”

I was happy to hear that he uses green products as a matter of course, not only because they work well and are safer, but he is the one who has to be around the ingredients on a continual basis, and therefore has a vested interest in staying well. He

uses lemon scented Simple Green, a highly recommended non-toxic product for hardwood floors called Bona, and does our grandmothers proud by using a goodly amount of vinegar and baking soda. “I research every product before I use it,” he says. He then added, “I ask about allergens, and all of our vacuums have HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) filters.”

His very favorite projects are those connected with new home construction. He takes great pride in what he calls “making it perfect” for the new homeowner. “It’s all ready for them when they move in,” he said.

Mike is a member of BNI, an international business networking group which has chapters in Huntsville, and recently “pitched” what I thought was a grand idea.

Soon Valley Cleaning Service is going to offer a special gift package for expectant mothers that will begin with coming in to do a deep clean the week before the baby is due, and then design a custom package to help out the new mom with cleaning after the baby has arrived. I doubt there is a mom alive who would turn that down.

If you are looking for a cleaning service that makes it their business to make your business or home shine, the team at Valley Cleaning will more than fill the bill.

Valley Cleaning Service Mike Jackson, Owner Phone: 256-777-9989 Email: valleycleaning44@gmail.com Facebook: valleycleaningservices Page 7

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Resurrection, Recreation, And Keeping A Grip

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Opening Day for the spring/ summer ball season is Saturday, April 4th, and in a scene that will be repeated all over America, mayors will be throwing out the first pitch. In Athens, Mayor Ronnie will first go to Coffee Call at the Veterans’ Museum, and then, at 9 am will be sending a ball hopefully straight over home plate.

Spring has finally come to Alabama, and it is the season of celebrating our chance to experience both the Resurrection as well as some much-needed recreation after an unusually cold winter. Holly Hollman, Communications Specialist for the City of Athens, had the following to say: “This year, 440 players are

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signed up for baseball. There are 260 signed up for softball, and 270 signed up for spring soccer. In addition, Athens Recreation offers archery at Swan Creek Park, and there are 30 participants signed up for that sporting activity.”

That’s over 1,000 kids! In addition, Mayor Ronnie said, “This is the highest number we have ever had sign up for soccer. It’s going to be a great day,” he added. We have talked many times in this column about the concept of synergy, essentially the fact that the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” In a small city such as ours, team sports, when played, coached and supported well is one tremendous source of syn-

ergy. “Grandparents, parents, coaches, and players can all teach leadership skills by the way they behave on and off the field,” he said.

Synergy is alive and well, and spotted recently at Julian Newman Elementary when the Championship Huntsville Sparkman High School Cheer Squad came to visit. They took their 12th title this year, and in addition to the obvious synergy of a competitive sports team, the kids at Julian Newman “dished” some of their own.

There are now clubs at the school that are based on Steven Covey’s 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. While they have such creative titles as “Enthusiasm,” or “Ambassador,” or

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“Photography,” the point is to give the kids a chance to “walk out” the 7 Habits while having fun.

Another way of describing being highly effective is through what Timothy Richardson calls “keeping a grip.” In a chapter of the same title he reminds us of the need for balance, even in the midst of the much-needed enthusiasm we typically experience as our city moves into Spring and all that comes with it.

“Enthusiasm not only makes an impact on people, but, even more importantly it is contagious and can have undreamed of consequences, like the proverbial endless ripples made by a single plop of a pebble tossed

into a pond.”

We definitely need to “toss ourselves into the pond,” and be willing to make some waves, but at the same time, we need to take care that we are keeping a grip on all that calls to us and not let ourselves get burned out.

We ended our time talking about things like the Mayor’s Boy Scout Prayer Breakfast, as well as the Celebrity Waiter’s night for Relay for Life coming up soon, and then prayed that, above all, we would stay firmly in the grip of the One who made us. Then it was time, once again, for Ronnie to roll.

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Tourism

April Is Showering Athens With Events

by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association proudly announces the return of free, guided walking tours beginning each Saturday in the month of April. Residents and visitors are invited to take part in a casual stroll through historic Athens and/ or Mooresville and learn about their history and heritage.

The one-hour walking tours are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on April 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th at the Athens’ Visitor Center meeting room. In Mooresville, the walks will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will meet at the Post Office each Saturday.

Downtown

faces and several familiar hometown favorites.

Reservations are not required and tours are held rain or shine.

This year’s sponsor is Champion Chevrolet and Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. On April 25th, make plans to attend the KALB and AthensLimestone County Tourism Earth Day and Outdoor EXPO starting at 10 a.m. This combination event is even bigger this year! See more info on our websites and Facebook pages.

•Historic Square

Athens and Mooresville’s guided walking tours are part of the April Walking Tours coordinated by the Alabama Tourism Department. Athens and Mooresville are two of 26 towns across the state participating in the annual event. in Elkmont and has been singing in Nashville at the famous Bluebird Café. The concerts series will continue through August, and as always you are encouraged to bring your lawn chair and enjoy the beautiful evenings listening to our entertainers with the sparkling water fountains as a relaxing backdrop. You will enjoy this year’s entertainers; we have some new

Knowledgeable guides escort participants through historic neighborhoods and landmarks where they will share the history of the city and amusing accounts of the city’s storied past. They will share the history of the local businesses, architectural styles of the homes, and acrimonious accounts of the Sacking of Athens by Col. Turchin during the Civil War. The Athens tours features four different routes each week, each with a different theme.

Mooresville is the oldest town in the State of Alabama with the oldest continuous working post office.

You can tour the six streets of homes and the famous 1818 Farm during your tour. The entire town of Mooresville is on the historical registry.

The four areas of tours in Athens are: •Historic Beaty District •Historic Houston District •Old Athens Cemetery

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April also starts our summer concert series. However this year, the Athens-Limestone County Singing on the Square has found a new temporary venue while the County Courthouse in under renovation. The new venue will be Big Springs Memorial Park.

Singing on the Square has been a popular event for the past several years for the Limestone County Tourism Association. With the lack of

The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and quality of life in Limestone County. For information on special events and attractions in Limestone County, contacts the Visitor Center located at 100 N. Beaty Street, at 256232-5411 or visit our website at www.VisitAthensAL.com.

electricity at the Courthouse, we did not want to eliminate the event. The concert series is a way for new talent to perform and get their name before the public and allows the established talent to stay in touch with their fans. The park is a great venue for the concerts this year; it is very family friendly and there is great parking.

Starting at 6 p.m. on April 17th, we will kick off our concert series with a community favorite “Southern Splendor,” a barbershop quartet from 6-7 p.m. and Miss Lillian Glanton, a newcomer to the concert series but not new to singing. Lillian performs regularly at the Red Caboose

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With Tom Holland as MC

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Clean and Green

Community Invited to Free Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO

by Lynne Hart Spring has finally sprung, which means it’s time for the 6th annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO taking place on Saturday, April 25th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens (aka The Duck Pond).

In 2009, John Crews, owner of Crews, Inc., approached me with an offer to fund an Open House that might bring more attention to KALB and what we do in the community. We offered a few hours of music, free hot dogs and Pepsi, and information about our organization’s mission, projects, and programs.

Because it was such a success, we built on the idea and the first official Earth Day celebration was held in 2010.

The event has grown every year since to include games, exhibitors sharing information on local environmental is-

sues, and vendors demonstrating earth-friendly products and services.

This information gathering will allow our guests to make informed decisions in their everyday life practices.

For that reason, we thank John Crews for his belief in our organization. Because of his inspiration, we continue to bring this free event to the community, which is highly acclaimed by teachers, parents, and children of all ages. Thank you, Mr. Crews, for continuing to support this event. We consider you the “Father of Earth Day” in Athens!

KALB is also working closely with the AthensLimestone Tourism Association. Teresa Todd approached us with the idea of adding a new dimension to our event. Exhibitors and vendors will be on hand to showcase local outdoor activities and tourist attractions such as

canoeing, kayaking, horse trails, bike trails, the Veterans’ Museum, preservation of Trinity High School, and much more.

The Tourism Association wants guests to be aware of the many ways offered to improve quality of life in Limestone County.

Just a few of the activities you will find: •Music provided by the Athens Dulcimer Group •Coosa River Science School will provide presentations on raptors and reptiles from stage. They will also be available throughout the event with an animal on display at all times.

•Tennessee Valley Zoo will bring a dozen or more animals including a wallaby, porcupine, calf, sheep, alpaca, and more.

•Peace, Love, and Animals will be present with dogs looking for forever homes.

•Passports distributed to

be stamped at Education Stations earning guests a free frozen treat.

•Test your roping skills at the Ardmore Rodeo exhibit.

•Check out AirEvac LifeTeam’s medical helicopter.

•Sit in on Sci-Quests Roaming Dome Force Five exploration of extreme weather. Experience a hurricane, tornado, and storms in the solar system.

•Enter Nexus Energy Center’s tiny green house to learn about energy conservation.

•Visit with Scott Clem, Auburn University Department of Entomology, as he shares information about his insect collection.

•AMSTI- Athens State University will walk you through a hands-on environmental science activity.

•Visit Water Wheels to

learn about water conservation and rainwater harvesting using rain barrels.

•Watch as the Alabama A&M University Stream Trailer demonstrates how erosion occurs and how to prevent it.

•Step into a beautiful Bankston Motorhome and dream of future travels.

•Learn how to identify poisonous plants and have your garden questions answered by the Master Gardeners •More than 50 exhibitors and vendors Put a big red X on April 25th and be sure to gather family and friends for this amazing free event.

For information call 256-233-8000 or 256232-5411, or email KALBCares@gmail.com.

Follow the event on Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful’s Facebook page for continual updates.

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com

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April 3 - April 16, 2015

Cooking with Shelley

Jello Cake

by Shelley Underhill This is one of my favorite recipes...easy to make and everybody loves it! I can remember making it for my children when they were growing up. It just wasn’t summer at the beach without Jello Cake. This cool treat mixes just right with sunburns and sandy feet. It’s been a while since I challenged our readers to make a memory in the kitchen. So, go ahead I dare you... And let me know how it turns out. You can email me at shelleysdesk@gmail.com.

What you will need: One 18-ounce box of white cake mix One 3-ounce box of strawberry Jello (prepared as directed; do not refrigerate!)

One 12-ounce container of Cool Whip, thawed Instructions: Bake cake as directed. Let cool. Punch holes all over cake so that liquid Jello can be poured evenly all over cake. Place in refrigerator over night. Top cake with Cool Whip and serve.

April 3 - April 16, 2015

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Health and Fitness

Exercise And Parkinson’s Disease

by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.

Exercise is a part of healthy living for everyone. However, for people with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is a vital component of their treatment.

Exercise helps maintain balance, mobility and daily living activities. Exercise is associated with a better sense of wellbeing across all stages and severity of the disease.

Research has shown that exercise can improve gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength, and motor coordination. Exercise such as walking on a treadmill and biking have all been shown to provide benefits, as have exercises like tai chi and yoga.

There is agreement among physicians and physical therapists that improved mobility in Parkinson’s patients decreases the risk of falls and other complications associated with the disease

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process. Practicing movements (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and participating in an exercise program) improves mobility. It is known that people who are not diagnosed with Parkinson’s who exercise intensely (such as running or biking) have fewer changes in their brains caused by aging. Studies in animals suggest that Parkinson’s is also improved by exercise.

Many neurologists in the National Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence network recommend intense exercise to their patients and also to people who are worried about getting Parkinson’s because of a family connection (genetics).

Parkinson’s patients, as well as everyone else, will benefit the most with consistent exercise. It has been shown that people with Parkinson’s show

of these areas has been shown to provide a benefit to people with Parkinson’s, and none should be overlooked.

A person with Parkinson’s needs to find something that works for them - a program that can be started and continued.

significant gains in balance and mobility after 6 months of consistently participating in an exercise program. Greater intensity equals greater benefits for those with Parkinson’s disease and those without it.

Experts also recommend that people with Parkinson’s, especially those in the early stages, exercise at high intensity for as long as possible

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and as often as possible.

Any exercise program will be beneficial, but I suggest anyone with Parkinson’s disease to consult with their primary care physician or physical therapist. In general, anything a Parkinson’s patient can do without injuring him or her self will provide a benefit.

Formal exercise programs, fitness classes, and personal training sessions will offer all fitness components: strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and endurance. Each

Some examples of exercise programs for people with Parkinson’s disease might include: sports training, walking or running on the treadmill or outdoors, biking outdoors, stationary biking, resistance training, fitness classes, yoga, tai chi, workout tapes at home, balance classes, Silver Sneaker type classes, etc. In other words, people with Parkinson’s need to find the program that they enjoy so they will continue long term with it.

For additional information about Parkinson’s Disease and exercise, contact a physician, physical therapist or a personal trainer (Janet Hunt 256-614-3530).

April 3 - April 16, 2015

Cover Story

Grand Slam Cages: Batting A 1,000, Building Families

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

try to find good, clean, safe fun for her family that was affordable. While she does not play baseball herself, her other half, Michael Whitworth, and his sister, Dawn Ridgeway, are long time local players and coaches, and everyone agreed: there needed to be a place where kids and families could gather and either train, or just play together and make memories.

Grand Slam Cages, located at 100 US Hwy 31 S in Athens, opened during Spring Break as a result of the whole family coming together to make it happen. The facility is in Suite K of the Athens Shopping Center and is near Hometown Grocery, Advance Auto Parts, and Subway. The paint is barely dry, but every time I go in there, there are kids and families enjoying themselves, so they are off to a good start.

When I asked Wendi why “now” was the time to scramble to make this happen, she said, “Three different people, (without talking to each other), said to her, ‘We need indoor cages.’”

The serious players in her household were also having to contend with practice being cancelled often because of rain, or due to inclement weather. The “now” also had to do with Spring Break, as mentioned above, and the fact that Opening Day is this weekend for every team from the majors on down, including the Athens Sports and Rec teams. (See What Makes Ronnie Roll on page 8) Wendi has a strong work ethic and a healthy traditionalism when it comes to raising kids, and all of the kids in her blended family with Michael are involved in the business.

“The little kids pick up balls and put them back in the machines, and the big kids help with everything, as well as at the desk. She told me that one of her goals is to “build

April 3 - April 16, 2015

Wendi Albritton, Stephanie Gilliam (manager) and Dawn Ridgeway (manager) a business that I can leave to my kids someday.” She is not only passionate about raising her kids right, she has a heart for community building, and making a place where everyone can feel comfortable. “We have had a single dad walk here from his home with his two kids, and for $10 dollars, they had a great time. We have had some people (for whom money was no issue), come with their kids and do the same thing, only they played longer. We have had little kids come and pull their change out of their pockets until they had enough to play, even if it was only a few pitches.” Three dollars at Grand Slam will get you 20 pitches, which is a good way to teach kids the value of a dollar.

The state-of-the-art machines range in speed from 35-60 mph for softball, and 40-70 mph for baseball. In addition, there are pitching and catching practice lanes. You can come as an individual, a team, or as a family, and coaches can reserve

What has been gratifying for Wendi and her family is the support they have received from the community. The walls are going to be decorated with jerseys that have been donated by schools and other sports organizations. The concession stand, which is called “The Dugout,” is located at the back right corner of the building, and the counter is decorated with pictures of local kids playing ball. It will carry standard concession stand fare, drinks, Cracker Jacks, hot dogs with all the trimmings, and nachos.

And, in keeping with all things Americana, the lyrics to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” will be posted through the use of “wall words” around the inside perimeter of the building.

There are several things

the little kid that has saved up your proceeds from your lemonade stand, you can go to the cages. If you want to rent the whole place out for a party or a practice, you can.

Wednesday nights and all day Sundays are set aside for reservation-only events, large or small. The machines are top flight, and the best part is

that the staff has already been commended for “amazing customer service,” as well as for being “friendly and outgoing.”

Come to Grand Slam Cages, where sandlot meets state-ofthe-art, your kids get good exercise while working hard as well as having fun, and you’ll have made memories that will not fade with summer.

Grand Slam Cages

Evan Whitworth, Hannah Whitworth, Parker Albritton and Wyatt Albritton

time for their crews. “You can bring your own equipment, or we can provide it,” Wendi said.

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that make Grand Slam Cages a real bargain and a boon to our community. There is no membership fee. If you are

100 US Hwy 31 S, Suite K, Athens, AL, 35611 256-444-4747 Facebook: Grandslamcages Hours: Mon-Tue and Thur, 3-9, Wed reservation only, Fri, 3-10, Sat, noon-10, Sun, reservation only Extended summer hours are just around the corner!

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Jerry’s Journal

Tink Haney - From Cotton Fields To Rice Paddies Of Vietnam, Part 2

by Jerry Barksdale South Vietnam, May, 1968.

Lieutenant Tink Haney of Tanner landed at Tan Son Nhut Airbase outside Saigon and deplaned. It was hot and humid. The new crop of “green seeds” were herded aboard an olive drab colored military bus and hauled to the Placement Center. It was a sobering ride. “Mesh wire had been stretched across the windows so hand grenades couldn’t be thrown inside,” he remembers. “It was a poor, nasty looking place and concentina barbed wire was everywhere. When we got off the bus, sirens sounded and we went inside a culvert and stayed about thirty minutes until the ‘all clear’ was announced.” How quickly life can change.

Only 13 hours earlier, he was stretching his legs in peaceful Honolulu and sucking up a warm ocean breeze that carried with it the sweet fragrance of flowers. Now, he was huddled inside a bomb shelter not knowing what danger awaited him. “I lay on a bunk at the Placement Center wondering where I would be going. Two days later, I heard my name and social security number called over the loud speaker and was told to report to the office.” He was assigned to the 18th Engineering Brigade, 35th Group, 19th Engineering Battalion. “When I arrived at Brigade headquarters at Cam Ranh Bay, I was told there was only one of two places I could be sent. I looked up at the map on the wall and saw that Company B was as far north as you could go. I told myself, ‘this is where I’m going,’” he grins. “I’ll kiss your hind end if that’s not where I went.”

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He reported to Battalion Headquarters at Bon Song some 70 miles north of the sea port Chu Lai and was assigned to Company B and given command of 2nd Platoon. Company B was encamped at LZ Max an isolated compound located on a small hill and encircled with triple concentina wire, apron fence and claymore mines.

Low jungled mountains lay to the west, otherwise it was flat terrain where peasant farmers grew rice as they had done for

ran up the coast hundreds of miles. It was dirt except for a short stretch near battalion headquarters.

Haney’s platoon was charged with maintaining a 12-mile stretch of the road and keeping it free of landmines. “No military traffic could move down the road until it had been swept for mines which usually took till noon to complete.” Hoards of Vietnamese civilians anxiously awaited permission to travel the road each morning.

scooters and Lambrettas.

“Don’t let them come through until they are stacked up behind you,” the Company Commander told Haney. “Then you get out of the road and tell them to come on.” Says Haney, “I thought, ‘what if they run over a mine?’” That’s what happened. A guy was blown to pieces. Following the civilians were military vehicles. The metal detectors were mostly ineffective because the mines were homemade and contained

with one stone, so to speak – destroy the bridge, vehicle, and passengers inside. Haney had been on the job a couple of weeks when a platoon member yelled “HERE’S A MINE!” Haney saw a string going out into a rice paddy, looked up and spotted a small Vietnamese man some 75 yards away.

“There he goes Lieutenant!” exclaimed a soldier.

“Let me get ‘im!” said another soldier.

“Nah, that just a little old farmer,” said Haney. “Don’t shoot ‘im.”

An inspection revealed that the string led to a hand grenade attached to a 155-millimeter shell. Haney pulled the string, there was an explosion and the 155 projectile whizzed through the air. The supposed farmer was likely a Viet Cong bent on killing Americans.

L-R Unknown, Gov. George Wallace, Tink Haney, Dr. Frank Rose, President of University of Alabama

centuries. The muddy paddies were plowed by water buffalo and the rice seedlings were planted by hand. Recently, Viet Cong had attacked the compound. “They put satchel charges on the end of bamboo poles and catapulted them over into the compound and blew up quite a bit,” he says. The main supply route was National Highway 1 (QL1) that

Behind them were military vehicles. “We used hand-held metal detectors that were wore out. It was pitiful.” He shakes his head. “We found about one out of ten mines; military trucks ran over about one out of ten and civilians stepped on some.” When they had finally swept the 12-mile stretch, they moved over and let the civilians pass, some riding motor

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no metal. “The Viet Cong chopped RDX explosives out of dud bombs and put it in sand bags and installed a pressure plate device, often made of bamboo. All of it was made from military parts they had stolen.” The Viet Cong planted mines in the dirt road at night, usually near the end of a culvert or bridge so that the explosives would get three birds

Later, they spotted the corpse of a Vietnamese man sprawled in the road. Afraid that it might be booby trapped, they threw a grappling hook on the end of a rope and pulled the body in for close for inspection. “He had marks on his wrists like he had been hung up and tortured,” says Haney.

“He was shot in one ear and the bullet came out the other one. No one picked up the corpse that day, but it was gone next morning.” Haney speculated that the Viet Cong had killed the man and put his body in the road to spook the Americans.

Haney’s platoon was in constant danger. They worked in the open and were exposed to Viet Cong snipers and ambushes. “We got all of our stuff blown up. One Jeep was

continued on Page 19

April 3 - April 16, 2015

Cover Story

Sweet Thymes Bakery And Meals To Go: An Unusual Eatery In An Unlikely Spot

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

that makes Sweet Thymes so fun.

I always ask our Athens Now clients what makes their specific establishment or service the best possible choice for their customers, and her answer made me want to cheer for its unpretentious lack of political correctness.

“When you walk in, people are greeted with, ‘Hi, hon,’ and when you leave they are told, ‘Thanks, babe!’”

However, there was

continued from page 1

illustrate renewal in every regard. Kelli Minyard, and her brother, Jordan Anderson, are nearly 20 years apart in age, the best of friends, and the coowners of a former crack house that has been repurposed into a delightful bakery and eatery called Sweet Thymes Deli.

Their dad, Curtis Anderson, owns the commercial property on the corner of Pryor and Clinton. The cottage had fallen into nefarious misuse, and Kelli told me, “It would have cost five thousand dollars to tear it down. I wrote Jordan a letter, spelling out my vision for turning it into a restaurant.

Basically I told him, ‘I’m the cook, you’re the herb guy.’ I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else,” she penned, and they were off on an adventure that has involved their family, friends, and even some stars of the Athens High School football team.

Kelli is someone who doesn’t just enjoy cooking, but according to her charming story, she “HAS to cook!”

She doesn’t use recipes, and a lot of times she doesn’t even taste her creations before they become a part of the daily menu. “I love the sound of bacon when it hits the pan, and the feel of green peppers and celery when they are getting chopped just right,” she told me.

Jordan sometimes wears the “quality control hat” and does the tasting. However, when it comes to their nosugar, three-ingredient corn bread, if he decides it doesn’t “look right,” out it goes, no questions asked.

For his part, Jordan invested heavily in Sweet Thymes, both in terms of sweat equity and with his wallet. He has a greenhouse out back, and

April 3 - April 16, 2015

grows all the herbs for the herb and cheese biscuits. He is fully capable of doing a whole lot of other duties, including faxing the “daily fresh” to more than 70 customers, some from as far away as Birmingham.

Sweet Thymes has one whole room dedicated as a play room for Kelli’s preschooler, and because the entire family, (from the Meemaws on down) pitches in, Kelli is able to be a wife and mom of 3 who makes it to events and has a family life as well, something which can get “pinched” when someone is bootstrapping a business.

“Everything is made fresh, everyday, completely from scratch. Nothing is canned or packaged,” said Kelli, and as is the case with the best of restaurateurs, the understanding that the first ingredient must be love is part of her modus operandi.

What I found amusing is that in addition to working with

her daughter, Breanna, Kelli is also mentoring two AHS football players as part of her prep crew.

“These guys had never been in a kitchen, and knew nothing about cooking. Harper (Ward) now makes the Oreo balls, and Cade (Anderson) is in charge of making the cinnamon crisp. Breanna works as a Gal Friday, and like Jordan, knows the ins and outs of the business.

Kelli has some signature dishes that could not be more classic Southern cuisine.

One is her mac and cheese, the other her chicken casseroles, which change all the time. She has a hilarious wall tile that says, “I’m one casserole away from a nervous breakdown,” and that light-hearted approach to the stresses of running one’s own deli is one of the things

one more thing that made me wish I could work for her, and that is sometimes they have icing fights. Anyone who has been in the restaurant industry knows there is nothing better for morale and team building than a no holds barred food fight, and I am glad she sees the value of blue icing on

the wall. Of course, it is all cleaned up by opening time, and no one is the wiser, until now, that is!

She added that they also make excelling at customer service priority one. “If something is not right, we’ll make it right,”

she said, and they will deliver to close by places when the order is for ten or more.

Some of Sweet Thymes’ future plans include getting rid of the chain link and barb wire fence, adding more outdoor seating, making a drive-thru around the back, and having plenty of flower pots and hanging baskets.

Right now the drive thru is at the back door, and they have a disabled woman for whom they make a custom plate each day and take it out to her car.

Sweet Thymes Deli is a beautiful blend of urban renewal, American ingenuity, sweat equity, family, fun and hard work coming together to make “an unusual eatery in an unlikely location.” Come taste for yourself!

Sweet Thymes Deli 407 North Clinton Athens, AL 35611 Phone: 256-444-4112 FAX: 256-444-4143 Hours: Tues-Fri 10:30am-5:30pm Facebook: Sweet Thymes

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Learning As A Lifestyle

It’s Our Birthday!

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 The Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) opened its doors on April 26, 2011, and was attended by city, county, and state officials. Many from the community came to ask the ever-present question “What is it you do here?”

One thing we do is take trips.

March 23-27 I went to Savannah with an Academic Travel group. We traveled by chartered bus and spent three days in the Savannah area. The weather was perfect and we saw gardens, antebellum houses, historic homes, and quaint shops.

We visited the Marine Museum on Parris Island, and shopped in Beaufort, South Carolina. We took an excursion to St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island too.

We also showcase our facility at 121 South Marion Street. We will do this by hosting a birthday party featuring all of our partners.

Lunch will feature selections from Square Clock Coffee. Entertainment will feature a fashion show from Epiphany Boutique. The fee is $15 a person. Please make reservations by April 27. You can call us at 256233-8260.

Another thing we do is offer classes for personal interests, professional development, and certification for career advancement. On April 18, we will be offering Blacksmith Project. This class will provide you with the skills and tools you will need for more advanced projects. In

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this class, Travis Fleming and Al Stephens will guide you in the steps to make grilling tongs or a utensil rack. All tools and equipment are provided. It is best if students have taken the Basic Blacksmithing class, but not required. The class is scheduled from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The fee for the class is $79.

As you are walking by our windows in the coming weeks, see if you can guess how many balloons are in the window. The person who has the closest guess will win a gift basket.

If you have never been to the Center, you are invited to come in and take a look around. Our lobby is very inviting, and our friendly staff is more than happy to answer your questions.

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April 3 - April 16, 2015

Jerry’s Journal

Press Release

Tink Haney - From Cotton Fields Burn Blue Lights In To Rice Paddies Of Vietnam, Part 2 Support Of America’s Peacekeepers

by Jerry Barksdale continued from Page 16

blown up and nine Vietnamese people were killed in eight months. Sometimes, when the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) Cadre was brought in to teach the local Viet Cong how to make mines, things would get bad. We were always on the alert.”

For security purposes, an APC (Armed Personnel Carrier) was attached to Haney’s platoon. It had a four-man crew and was armed with two M-60’s and one .50 caliber machine gun. “They didn’t like to run in the road for fear of hitting a mine,” says Haney. “They would get out in rice paddies and make a mess. The Vietnamese farmers were trying to make a living.” He had been a farmer himself and knew how dif-

ficult it was. “Don’t be running in people’s rice paddies,” Haney ordered. “That’s their rice. They set it out by hand.”

The squad leader stood up on the back of an APC and yelled back at Haney. “Ain’t no g -d engineering officer gonna tell me what to do with my APC.” “I called our Company Commander and told him I wouldn’t put up with them. They were sent back,” says Haney. Vietnamese civilians worked for Haney. But he never knew if they were innocent civilians or Viet Cong. “We gave them a dollar a day. They were good workers, but not always to be trusted. I caught a guy riding on the back of our truck throwing off stuff. He was a Viet Cong helper. My men went ape. I had to keep them from killing him.”

An investigation revealed that the man’s family had been threatened by the Viet Cong if he didn’t cooperate with them and steal the items. One of Haney’s men was standing on the running board of a truck talking to the driver as they proceeded down Highway 1.

The left front wheel struck a mine. The soldier was blown upward into the headboard.

He was medivaced and the destroyed truck was pulled into the compound. “We were walking by it one day and I smelled something awful,” says Haney. “I looked and saw that it was some of his flesh. It had rotted.”

Haney had been in Vietnam five months and had seven more to go. He wondered if his luck would continue to hold.

-- To Be Continued --

by Karen Middleton The newly-formed Athens and Limestone County group, “Together We Stand,” is inviting the public to join in Project Blue Light by displaying blue lights to send a message in support of America’s peacekeepers that your light is guiding them to safety and peace.

The color blue is symbolic of peace; let it shine all year long.

Project Blue Light is a nationwide recognition of those Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. It began 1988 in Philadelphia when Dolly Craig wrote a letter to Concerns of Police Survivors stating that she would be honoring her late son-in-law, Philadelphia Police Officer Danny Gleason, during the holiday season by placing a blue light in her window.

We would like to ask each of you to please consider placing a blue light in your window,

or outside light fixture during the year to show your support for your police officers and those everywhere.

As we display our blue lights let us also remember that Limestone County has had seven law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty: Sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Henry Eubank, June 13, 1918; Athens Police Officer Bedford F. Bracken, March 24, 1941; Officer Billy Daily, Dec. 22, 1964; Lt. Benton McLemore, March 7, 1969; Officer Dewey Wayne Dorsey Sr., Feb. 11, 1989; Officer Anthony Lee Mims Jan. 2, 2004, and Sergeant Larry Wayne Russell, Jan. 2, 2004.

In the March 20th, 2015 issue of Athens Now the feature story on “Garnet’s On The Square” inadvertently printed their store hours incorrectly. The correct hours are

Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm

We apologize to Garnet’s and to the readers of Athens Now for any confusion this may have caused.

April 3 - April 16, 2015

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Dog Barker

Spring Is Here: Are Your Pet Vaccines Up-To-Date?

by Joel Allen

Are the “fur babies” up to date? If not, they should be!

Let’s talk about the dangers of not doing so. Dogs are very inclined to contracting different illnesses. A real danger is during the hot summer months when Hydrophobia or Rabies is prevalent.

Ever seen Disney’s “Old Yeller?” Wild animals can contract rabies, and easily pass it on to our dogs. It is usually a concern when an animal not known for aggression comes at our dogs and attacks them. If this happens,

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contact your veterinarian immediately and

take your dog in. Some other signs are when the

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animal acts sluggish or they cannot keep their balance. Never attempt to pick up any carcass during this time of the year unless proper protective equipment is worn.

People easily forget about the threat of rabies. I for one don’t think about it like I should. Sometimes we all need to be reminded before a tragedy strikes our home.

Now when we go to get vaccines, we should be aware of how and where to administer them.

Your vet should have no problem allowing someone to watch their dog be vaccinated. If they do, I would suggest going to another vet because there is no reason to hide the way it is done. The reason I stress this is because the administrator of the vaccine should place the needle in the

skin of the dog by raising the dog’s skin away from their body and injecting in the raised portion of the skin.

This is necessary to avoid hitting any nerve in the dog.

Nerve damage can lead to the crippling of the dog, so never allow anyone who has no experience doing this to even touch your dog.

I know this article is short this month, but I felt the need to remind everyone about this sickness that could strike anywhere.

There was a time rabies was a scourge to our country and was feared.

We do not want that to become an epidemic again.

One more thing: April is here, I will be taking May training sign ups. Due to college and other matters, anyone interested in training will have to call me for times and signing up. I can tell everyone that Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays will be my only available times.

“Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”

Joel and Zues Allen 256-651-2211 April 3 - April 16, 2015

Citgo Touchless Car Wash

Special!

Car Wash and Wax

$39.95

1404 US Hwy 72 E • Athens, AL 35611 256-221-5354 Mon-Sat 7 am-7pm • Sun 8-5:30

If It Don’t Shine, It Ain’t Mine!

April 3 - April 16, 2015

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Medical Update

Seasonal Allergy Relief, Naturally

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN

Spring has sprung! The days are beginning to get longer, the rain is plentiful, and things that have lain dormant during the long winter months are beginning to grow. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and gardens are being planted. This is a time when we are reminded that all things are made new. While most people enjoy the beauty and wondrous scents that are ushered in with spring, many have a lovehate relationship with it.

Seasonal allergies are an issue for approximately 50 million people in the United States. That translates to about 30% of adults, and 40% of children. There is no cure for seasonal allergies, but there are many ways to combat the symptoms.

able to deal with these annoying symptoms.

Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies: •Neti pots-a saline rinse that cleanses the nasal cavity, flushing out allergens and loosening mucus •Local honey-the honey is pollenated by bees with allergens from your area, and eating a little bit each day seems to help some people increase their tolerance of allergens •HEPA filters-trap allergens such as pollen, dust, and pet dander inside the home •Herbal supplements such

as nettles, spirulina, goldenseal, eyebright, and butterubur. Stinging nettles work similarly to prescription and over the counter allergy medications without unwanted side effects such as dry mouth and drowsiness by inhibiting histamine production by the body.

•Hot showers or steams to open up nasal passages and allow for drainage of mucus •Eucalyptus oil to open up airways and nasal passages •Tea-there are good effects from the heat and steam but benefits don’t

stop there. Peppermint tea works like a decongestant and expectorant to break up mucus and get it out of nasal passages. Green tea has antioxidants that inhibit allergic reactions.

•Apple cider vinegar with the “Mother”-reduces mucus production and cleanses the lymphatic system •Probiotics-allergies are usually an over reaction of the immune system to a stimulus, and new research indicated that healthy gut bacteria can help reduce the incidence of allergies •Nix the hair spray and

hair gel. These act like magnets for pollen.

•Opt for allergy friendly flowers in your garden.

In our area these include: periwinkles, irises, begonias, bougainvillea, and for the inside, orchids.

•Pay attention to the pollen count on a daily basis. If you plan ahead, you are going to know when you should do your best to stay indoors. You can get a daily update at AAAAI.org/NAB So get out there and enjoy the sunshine, soak up some Vitamin D, and may you find success dealing with seasonal allergies.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies: •Sneezing •Stuffy nose •Runny nose •Watery eyes •Itchy eyes, nose, and throat •Headaches •Poor sleep Many people go to their primary care physician and receive prescription drugs or over the counter drugs to deal with allergy symptoms. Some allergy medications include Benadryl, Allegra, Singulair, Claritin, and Zyrtec.

For those of us trying to approach health and wellness from a more natural standpoint, there are many options avail-

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