April 15, 2016

April 15 - May 5th, 2016

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Homeland Trading Company: Athens’ American Made Family Store...

John and Amanda McGrew joined the “Made in America” movement when they did their Christmas holiday shopping for...

Page 5

From The Vets' Museum Ride Around America: One Coast Guard Veteran’s Mission...

I am amazed at the people I meet on a daily basis! Today I met a true “man on a mission.” His mission?

To visit...

Page 10

Athens Bible School To Host Humorist Jeanne Robertson May 10th At The VBC

By Ali Elizabeth Turner I believe it was about 3 years ago when I saw Jeanne Robertson on YouTube for the first time. Indeed, I laughed hard Continued on page 15

Discover “Blue Distinction” Quality At Athens-Limestone Hospital

By Felicia Lambert

Athens Rehab Spotlight

Athens-Limestone Hospital has earned what is known as Blue Distinction® Center+ Designation for quality and cost-efficiency in knee and hip replacement surgeries.

Earlier this month, Blue

Spotlight On Charlene Cummings...

Charlene Cummings is a native to Alabama, having been born in Clanton near Birmingham on September 22, 1942.

She never...

Page 16

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Continued on pages 17

www.athensnowal.com

Page 2

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design

Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Paul Foreman Shelley Underhill Rachel Clark, RN BSN Jackie Warner Sandra Thompson Deb Kitchenmaster Wayne Kuykendall Felicia Lambert

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 A View From The Bridge . . . 8 From The Vets' Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Shelley . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Athens Rehab Spotlight . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . 20 Fitness, Fiscally Speaking . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Miracles From Heaven, A “Beam” Of Hope A week ago, my family and I took a 10-year-old girl who is like family to us to see Miracles From Heaven, a film produced by T.D. Jakes, starring Jennifer Garner and costarring Queen Latifah. It is based on the undeniably medical-science-defying incident that has believers and skeptics alike getting real cozy with the term, “miracle.” As I have written before, if you are going to try and convince me that miracles are not happening today, you are wasting your time. I have seen them, I have experienced them, and at the risk of sounding too testy, I am bullet proof when it comes to the unbelief of theorists.

Interestingly, the body of medical evidence prior to and after that fateful day in 2011 is so huge, that all that medical professionals can do is use the “medically correct” term “spontaneous remission” while they scratch their heads trying to explain what happened to little Annabel Beam.

Briefly stated, beginning at the age of four, Anna was embroiled in a 4.5-year battle with a rare digestive disorder that was literally killing her.

Parts of her intestines would not systematically contract in order to pass her food down and out for elimination. Her belly was distended, and this child was in continual pain, building to the point that she was so worn out with it that she just wanted to die.

The yeoman’s efforts of her parents, the doctors, the community, strangers, her family, her church, and others in both the Fort Worth area of Texas, as well as Boston are to be commended. However, at the end of what seemed like “Annabel’s Last Stand,” she was sent home to die, because

nothing they tried had worked.

I can’t begin to imagine what that was like for all of them, and even though I knew that “Sunday was coming,” as a parent, it was hard to watch her and her family struggle without any hope that the pain would end on this side.

Then one day, Annabel had a rare burst of strength and

Not only did Annabel live, (having suffered just a mild concussion and released from the hospital the next day), what is completely baffling is that since that time she has had no problems with eating, digesting or eliminating.

All of it is inexplicable to the medical profession, and all of it is documented.

Her mom casually took notes on her Smartphone, and neither parent never probed or coached her because they did not want to inadvertently cause Annabel to embellish her story. Smartphone, and smart folks, and from the beginning, Anna’s story has stayed consistent.

I think Miracles From Heav-

©2015 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.

joined her sister in climbing a 3 story cottonwood snag in their back yard. A branch began to break off, and in quickly moving to what looked like safety, she fell head first 30 feet down the trunk no one knew was hollow. She landed on her head, lay motionless and completely unresponsive in a fetal position, and the firefighters arrived thinking at best they were going to extract the body of a dead child without mangling it too badly.

She was in the tree, (which is still in their yard), for around 5 hours, and during that time, she had the remarkable encounter with her Savior that is only one of the subjects of the book and the film.

One of the things I appreciated about her parents was that they “stayed cool” when she began to talk about what happened in the tree. The first time was the day after the fall, while Anna was in the truck on the way home from the hospital that she began to talk about heaven and Jesus.

She told about how much she had wanted to stay there because she was finally free of pain, and it was so beautiful.

However, it was made clear to her that she had a job to do on Earth that couldn’t be completed in heaven, which I think is the most powerful take-away from the film: if you are still here, you have a job to do, so find out what it is, and get crackin’.

en does just as good a job of addressing “the long night of the soul,” and the conundrum of unexplained, unrelieved suffering as it does the life changing effects of divine intervention. At the very least, no matter what you conclude after seeing it, Annabel and her story provide a true “Beam of hope” and that is something we could all use these days.

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

athensnowal.com www.athensnowal.com

Page 3

All Things Soldier

“Jane” And The General, Part 2

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Last Soldier column dealt with being introduced to, listening to, chatting with, and being changed by a the story of a man that “long ago and in another life” I would have despised. Once again, I faced down what I used to be, and once again, got the chance to apologize for my former stupidity as a someone who had been, shall we say, “fonda Jane.” I let him know that, if it would be ok, I would really appreciate talking with him again and learning more. The man was Brigadier General Robert Stewart, and he, his wife Mary, and I had a memorable morning at the Space and Rocket Center.

One of General Stewart’s distinguishing achievements during his career was flying un-tethered outside of the Space Shuttle Challenger. He was the 2nd

person to do so, and “his” Challenger is on view at the USS&RC. He works there as a docent.

He told me that even though he had some ambivalence about our involvement in Vietnam, it was still his favorite venue. He got to fly Secretary of Defense McNamara around in a chopper.

He also explained to me what may have helped me to understand better the reason for some of the horrific tortures that were inflicted on our soldiers by the Viet Cong. In the Asian military mindset, when a soldier surrenders to captors and captivity rather than death, those soldiers cease to be human. Therefore, the logic is, if they have surren-

others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”

dered their humanity, they don’t deserve to be treated humanely. That kind of thinking doesn’t exactly

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

April 18th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

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

www.athensnowal.com

square with the Geneva Convention, but it answered a question I didn’t even know I had.

He talked about General Vo Nguyen Giap, who served under Ho Chi Minh. General Giap was astonished that Americans gave up in Vietnam, and said in his memoirs, “If you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender. We knew it, and we thought you knew it.

But we were elated to notice your media was helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields.”

He also reminded me of something I learned in Iraq, and that is, no one wants peace more than soldiers. I just never knew that General Douglas McArthur had said it best at his last address at West Point.

“The soldier above all

General Stewart said he underwent a huge change when he was in the process of receiving his “stars.” The Army sent him for training at Center for Creative Leadership, which was one source of challenge, and though tough, it was positive. For a good part of his career, General Stewart was not a Christian, but when one of his daughters was facing down the possibility of having to have painful rabies shots, and then the rabies test came back negative, he got down on his knees in thanks to God and surrendered his life to Him. In a lot of respects, that is when his own personal “Great Adventure” began, and it’s a decision he has never regretted.

General Stewart is also a professional speaker, and he especially loves to speak on college campuses.

I thought of just how amazing it is to be divinely granted a second chance.

Here I was, getting to talk with a soldier who had made history, and being able to both repent to him and be forgiven by him for my madness during Vietnam And, I was also reminded of what a sacred charge it is to be a “member of the media,” even if it is publishing a small newspaper. At times, the pen is mightier than the sword, and God help me if I don’t use my “sword” well.

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Special Feature

Homeland Trading Company: Athens’ American Made Family Store

by Ali Elizabeth Turner John and Amanda McGrew joined the “Made in America” movement when they did their Christmas holiday shopping for the 2012 season. The “Made in America Challenge” was designed to encourage people to purchase their gifts from American companies, with goods produced here in the good ol’ U S of A. Amanda said, “It’s not that we are opposed to imports, it’s just that we feel that things are out of balance, and we want to help keep America from losing jobs that Americans need to be working at here at home.”

They got “bit by the bug,” and came up with the idea of opening Homeland Trading Company, which was born in July of 2015. It was one bold throw, a labor of love as well as time, and they are pleased to announce that they are starting to prepare for their first anniversary celebration.

As is the case with any small business, the first year always has a steep learning curve attached to it. They learned a lot by listening to their customers, and finding out what they really wanted. For example, women who wear plus sizes want to have the same kinds of styles as Misses, and thankfully, the current “tunic trend” has made

April 15 - May 5, 2016

that unusually easy.

“We have met a lot of cool people who are on board with the ‘American Made’ movement,” said John. He added, “People see our sign, and come in to find out what we are about. We are not just a women’s store”, he said.

As we chatted, I learned something fun about both John and Amanda. Not only does John have a strong sense of fashion, but as a former Architecture student at Auburn, he knows more of the actual science of form, line, balance, and color. “I know

Amanda and John McGrew, owners of Homeland Trading Company

He went on to say that he and Amanda try to “touch on the ‘Made in America’ movement” when they are greeting new customers, and says that “About 75% of the people who come in and buy are receptive. Some don’t care, but that’s ok, because we have really good prices, and they like that.”

what works,” he said. Truth is, he does a lot of the display work at Homeland Trading, and has found that his time at Auburn has garnered him a o greatpportunity for practical application in his own store.

Amanda and I are somewhat the same when it comes to fashion.

We don’t want to spend a lot of time figuring stuff out when it comes to clothing. We just want to know what can be put together quickly, look well put together, put it on, and “git ‘er dun.” Amanda will tell you that her sense of style and fashion has grown since they opened the shop. “John always tells me, ‘You are shopping for every woman, not just you.’” She tries to wear stock from Homeland as much as she can, and this past Easter wore a charming green polka dotted dress that is available at the shop to church.

When I asked her how she felt in her “frock,” she smiled, put her hands out, and would have twirled like her daughter, Katy, if she’d had the chance.

Both John and Amanda work

www.athensnowal.com

at other jobs, and “meet themselves coming and going.” They operate equipment and/or supervise in the construction based fields, and the blue collar worker has always been part of the target market at Homeland Trading. John says it well: “Homeland Trading Company carries stock that is American made, a family store with family prices for working people.” He also wanted to emphasize that Homeland is not just a women’s store.

There is men’s work and casual apparel, including denim work shirts, jeans, T shirts, and John’s favorite, Thoroughgood brand work boots. He says, “These are the kind of boot that you never throw out, you get them resoled. They don’t wear out, they ‘ugly out.’” He swears by them.

So, what’s ahead? Eventually they want to add more children’s clothes, and a teen line, which is hard to break into because of how particular teen shoppers are. They are planning on having food, fun, and give-aways for the anniversary party, and

more information on that will be forthcoming as July gets closer. It will be an “Independence Day” of a sort that has been understood by generations of people who have either been born here or have risked all to come here and be a part of what we have come to call the American Dream.

Until then, just know that there is a young family that embodies all that is possible with hard work in America, and that is Homeland Trading Company.

Stop by and see for yourself!

Homeland Trading Company

1207 East Forrest Street Athens, AL 35613 Hours: Tue-Thu 9-5, Fri-Sat, 9-5:30 Phone: 256-444-4825 Facebook: Homeland Trading Company Page 5

Calendar of Events Unsung Hero Scholarship Banquet Apr 16

13829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens, AL. 5pm. FREE to the Public. It is in Partnership with the Mayor of Athens. For more information, please call Jan Matthews 256-874-2941 or Holly Hollman in the Mayor's Office. In Love and Unity for our CommUNITY..

Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions about plants and make planting recommendations. We will also have some door prizes for those that visit the plant sale. For more information 256-614-3530.

Oakwood Academy Choir Back from the Dominican Republic Concert Apr 16th

Sandridge Student Center Ballroom. Athens State University, 300 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL. Join the distinguished Oakwood Academy Choir at 1:30PM as they share their experience and music from their December 2015 humanitarian mission and adventure to the Dominican Republic. Free For more information: Demeterius Bell 256-716-2163 or Terry Stepp 256-233-8241.

Free BBB Fraud Prevention Summit April 21

Better Business Bureau invites the public to a free event to educate on recognizing fraud, scams and identity theft on Thursday, April 21 from 9:00 - 11:30 at the Rogers Center in First Presbyterian Church (112 S. Jefferson St. Athens). Pre-registration is not required. Refreshments will be served and door prizes awarded.

For more information call the BBB at 256-355-5170.

Cornhole for a Cure Tournament Apr 23rd

Limestone County Sheriff's Arena. AL-99, Athens, AL. Join County for a Cure for a Cornhole tournament officiated by Dane Pitman. Entry fee is $25.00 per person or $50.00 per team. Signup in advanced at the Limestone County Sheriff's Office 101 West Elm Street Athens, AL or at the event day of tournament by 11:00AM. Tournament begins at 12:00PM. Double elimination, best 2 out of 3 winner's bracket and cash prizes. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life of Limestone County.

The Red Caboose. 25483 Railroad Street, Elkmont, AL. Join The Red Caboose for an evening of live music. Doors open at 6:00PM, Page 6

2nd Annual Spring Arts Festival Apr 23

The Creekside Elementary School PTO is hosting from 10am3pm. There will be fun, entertainment, and yummy food for everyone! We will also have several vendors on site, sharing great products and services. blake.williams78@outlook.com

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association Plant Sale Apr 16

Singer-Songwriters Night Apr 23rd

Show starts at 7:00PM. Admssion is $25.00 and includes snacks.

Children 12 and under are free. For more information, performers and directions: TheRedCaboose.net

Athens-Limestone Home Builders Association Bass Tournament Apr 23rd

Ingall's Harbor. 701 Market Street NW, Decatur, AL. Take to the Bass rich waters of the Tennessee River during this annual fundraiser.

For more information: www.athensalabamahomebuilders.com/ bass.html

All Stars Celebrity Waiters' Night April 26th

Applebee's. 1331 U.S. Highway 72 E, Athens, AL. This year's Celebrity Waiters' Night will be held in honor of Councilman Jimmy Gill. Celebrity Waiters to date are Mayor Ronnie Marks, local actor Frank Travis, East Limestone High School Band Director Jennifer Janzen and attorney Shane Black. Enjoy a dinner as these local celebrities serve as your waiter - their tips will go to the City of Athens Relay for Life Team goal and will benefit Relay for Life of Limestone County.

2016 Administrative Professionals Day Celebration Luncheon Apr 27

11:30am. The Event Center. 114 W. Pryor Street, Athens, AL. The Family Resource Center cordially invites you to honor your administrative professional with a reservation for a special luncheon to recognize the importance of the work they do. Lunch

by Lawler's Barbecue & Suzanne's Bakery. Speaker: Linda Spalla, a REAL Cinderella story. Milestone award, entertainment & door prizes.

Cars and Bikes on the Square Apr 30th

Downtown Athens, AL. Bring your ride - car, truck, motorcycle or other unique vehicle - and roll into downtown for the return of the show. No pre-registration, day of $20.00. Profits will be given to area community charities. Enjoy the shops, food and celebrities.

For more information: Tschuman@comrep.com

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com

Page 7

The View From The Bridge

When You Share, You Gain Perspective. Try it!

Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

by Jackie Warner

Take a moment and name 5 skills you have, or perhaps 5 things you do extremely well.

Have you ever heard the phrase “If you hold on to something to tight you might lose it”? I would have to agree with it.

As I thought about my top-

ic for this month’s article, I could not help but remember a video by Andy Stanley I watched a few weeks ago as I was preparing to teach a leadership class. I found lots of great resources, but this one stuck with me the most.

The message in the video talked about emptying our cups.

Yes, emptying our cups. As I listened very attentively, I thought how true it is that we must empty our cups often. Most of us are so busy trying to fill our cups, we don’t dare think about

emptying them. As I continued to listen, I thought about you and me and how our cups truly “runneth over.” We all have things we love, appreciate, and have gained knowledge about over the years,

but are we really taking the time to grow those around us? Some people share their knowledge.

Others hoard or hold on to it and just keep packing it in, never release it. How selfish! It’s just like when we hold our fist tight, trying keep what’s in our hands. In

doing so, we choose not to allow the opportunity to receive.

It’s the same way with those full cups we have.

You know, sometimes we have to empty our cups to really get what we need.

Our responsibility as leaders is not to teach everything, but to share what we do know with those coming along beside us.

I challenge all of us to empty our cups, especially by pouring into someone else’s cup.

God blesses each of us with so much, remember to keep your eyes on Him and not the blessing; instead, share the blessing!

I leave you with words

from Andy Stanley, Leadercast Presenter: •Think beyond You! •If your leadership isn’t about you, it will live beyond you.

•If your leadership is about you, it will end with you.

•Bring someone along with you.

•Don’t Hoard.

•Share.

Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: http://thebridge-us. yolasite.com/

Page 8

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com

Page 9

From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Ride Around America: One Coast Guard Veteran’s Mission

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum I am amazed at the people I meet on a daily basis!

Today I met a true “man on a mission.” His mission? To visit every county in the lower forty eight states, and to do it on a motorcycle. Of course, the first question is “Why?” Why would anyone want to take on such an endeavor? His goal is to document at least one veterans’ memorial in each of the 3,509 counties.

When he first got interested in veterans’ monuments in 2003, it was just a way to get out of the house, and since his family has had a man in uniform since the American Revolution, this was a way to honor them.

However, as he traveled around he was shocked at the number of people who didn’t even know their town had a veterans’ memorial. Instead, he started asking “Where is the court house?” as this is very likely where the monument would be.

“You can’t miss it, there’s a cannon in the yard” he says. “They have lived in this town or this county all of their life; they’ve been by the county courthouse hundreds of times, they have seen that cannon and it’s never clicked why that old cannon is sitting in the yard.” Especially today, when we have a volunteer force and we have only about one percent of our citizens are serving in the military, we really need to be aware of what they’re doing and what we’re asking of them.”

Page 10

To date, Wonnacott has visited 17 states, 800 counties and has documented over 1,000 memorials. Although Wonnacott has funded this mission on his VA pension, he says he can’t keep it up. How can you help?

Motorcycle maintenance is

a big item, one of the biggest costs being tires. Fortunately, he got a windfall from Dunlop Tires, who has committed to provide tires as long as his journey lasts. He said “I must rely upon the assistance of strangers. No, let's say that I have to look to fellow citizens that want to help me honor our military veterans. Do you have a back yard where I may pitch my tent for the night?

Or, maybe, do you have an

www.athensnowal.com

empty couch to sleep upon?

I'm having a four inch embroidered patch made as a thank you to those that pitch in $20 or more. Sew it onto your vest and, if you have the opportunity, ride along with me to a memorial or two. Take pride in the service and sacrifices of our veterans, help me tell the younger generation what was done by those named on so many monuments around the United States.

Remember and honor those that served and those that did not return home.”

When he was asked why he

didn’t buy a car to make his journey as it would be so much more comfortable than a motorcycle his response really hit home, “There is no discomfort that I endure that we do not ask of our veterans serving today. I have a choice, they don’t.” After his ride is completed he plans on donating his motorcycle to Honda, and perhaps document his travels in a book.

You can follow his journey or make a donation at www.ridearoundarmerica. com.

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com

Page 11

Clean and Green

by Lynne Hart Come celebrate with us!

On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful will host our annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO. It will be held at Friendship Church again this year from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Marbut Bend Nature Walk Before you head to the celebration, take a guided walk at the Marbut Bend Walking Trail with Damien Simbeck from TVA. Damien is a bird expert and very knowledgeable about how that area came to be and the wildlife that call it home. Participants should meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Trail Head, which is located a short way west of the Elk River bridge on Hwy. 99. The trail is handicap accessible.

Please wear comfortable shoes and use insect repellant if needed.

and feed, and Jim Swanner of KIN Stables and his horse Rosie. As always, children up to age 12 can make and take a variety of recycled crafts.

You will find vendors and exhibitors inside and outside with information, hands-on activities, and interesting and fun things to do and see. AMSTI will be there with microscopes to see water samples and plant life. The Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority

even if you're not a fan of bugs! Learn more about recycling, test your knowledge of native birds, learn about the dangers of cigarette litter, find out about Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and get a $1/minute massage from HealthSource with all

EXPO After the nature walk, you will have plenty of time to bring the whole family to Friendship Church on Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens to celebrate Earth Day beginning at 10 a.m.

Admission is free and donations are greatly appreciated.

Our main attractions this year will be raptors from the Alabama Wildlife Center (their first visit), the Tennessee Valley Zoo with animals to pet

Page 12

will teach children and adults about aquifers by helping them build edible aquifers using ice cream, soda, and other yummy ingredients.

Auburn University's Entomology Department will bring lots of bug specimens and possibly roaches to race.

You may even find edible insects to sample!

proceeds going to KALB. Sample some Starbucks coffee and ask for coffee grounds to add to your garden while they last, find out how to conserve water at home including the use of rain barrels, and so much more!

We could not have this great program if not for our generous sponsors. Our CHAMPION SPONSORS are Custom Polymers, PET, and Friendship Church.

GUARDIANS are Legacy, Partners in Educa-

tion, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Bank Independent, and Pepsi.

PATRONS are Crews, Inc., Rep. Danny Crawford, Top Job Roofing and Construction, and HealthSource of Athens. FRIENDS are Clem Tire, Jacobs Technology, TVA, and Athens Now. We hope you will come out and celebrate with us. Our world and our local environment are gifts we should cherish and protect. Let's learn how together.

Become a Fan

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

Don't worry, there will be lots of things to do,

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Cooking with Shelley

Big Mike’s Green Chile Enchiladas

by Shelley Underhill

Big Mike’s Green Chile Enchiladas 2 lbs of course ground chuck 1 medium Mexican onion, chopped 1 packet taco seasoning powder 1 20-pack of corn tortillas 2 cups of vegetable oil 1 lb of Mexican shredded cheese blend

1 large jar of Pace salsa, medium or mild 5 cans of green Enchilada sauce 2 small cans of green chopped Chiles 22 individual paper towel sheets 9x13 glass rectangular baking pan

Instructions: First combine the onions, beef, and about half of the taco seasoning powder in a large skillet until well cooked and browned. When done, put in a spaghetti strainer to help drain off the oil.

Second, heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan until very hot, then fry corn tortillas individually for no more than 10 seconds each, remember you don’t want them stiff. As soon as bubbles start to appear in the corn tortillas, immediately remove each one and layer between paper towel sheets on a paper plate.

Third, combine half of the Mexican Cheese, the whole jar of Salsa, the two small cans of green Chiles, the browned ground beef, and two cans of green enchiladas sauce until well mixed in a large bowl.

Fourth, I would recommend placing a bunch of paper towels under everything at this point because it’s going to get messy. Separate tortillas from their individual sheets of paper towels and place altogether on a paper

April 15 - May 5, 2016

plate. Take one can of green enchilada sauce and smother the inside bottom of 8x12 or 9x14 glass pan, and set to the right. To the far left should be the tortillas, two cans of green enchiladas sauce in a bowl or pie tin. The browned beef should be in the middle. Take each tortilla and dip in both sides of the green sauce then fill with the beef, salsa, and cheese mixture. Roll, then place in rectangular glass pan. Remember you don’t want to overfill each tortilla as they should retain there shape when cooked. Also remember the tortillas will tear easily after they’re wet by the sauce so care should be taken when placing in the glass pan. If you have any remaining ground beef after you fill the pan, spread it over the top evenly along with the remaining ½ pound of Mexican shredded cheese and cover with a sheet of aluminum foil Bake for 30 to 40 min at 350*, then remove the foil and bake with the oven off for 5 to 10 minutes to lightly brown. Remove from the oven, and let it sit a few minutes to cool before eating, as it will certainly be hot and delicious afterwards.

It’ll take about an hour to pre-prep, but will be worth the wait and enjoyment.

www.athensnowal.com

Page 13

Health and Fitness

Activity Trackers

by Janet Hunt

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

Since activity trackers first came out, I have had dozens of people ask me which one I recommend.

I have always suggested that each person do their own research and decide which features work best for them. Most activity trackers today report steps, heart rate, calories burned, distance, and pace. Below are some specifics reported as a result of an ACE survey from earlier this year.

Trackers that measure steps (basic pedometer): This is a great measure for those people that are more sedentary and have a goal to be more active.

These trackers give a person a better idea about how much or little they move. These trackers usually just provide informa-

tion about the quantity of steps but not the quality of the steps. For example, steps strolling through the mall will not be differentiated from steps taken during a brisk walk.

Trackers that measure calories: These are great for the person than wants to lose weight and needs to see how calories in and out affect weight loss.

This is a great tool when teamed up with a foodlogging app or just a simple food diary.

Trackers that measure heart rate: These are great for those watching their exercise intensity or for more athletic people who want to gauge one workout against another to improve performance.

Trackers

that

mea-

sure duration, distance, pace: These are great for both beginners and the more athletic person.

These trackers measure how long, how fast, and how intensely one exercised during their workout. This allows a person to compare measurable outcomes to improve performance.

The above variables are common in most trackers, but other features are available. Some trackers monitor sleep, information that might be helpful. Other trackers act as a “watch dog� for inactivity by encouraging users to get up and move around to attain their step goal or to break up their sitting/ inactivity.

I still recommend you do

some homework. Decide what you are looking for in a tracker – do you need

all the bells and whistles?

Determine what you want to spend. Decide if accuracy matters, as not all trackers have the same accuracy levels. If you just want to compare your steps to the steps you did yesterday, accuracy may not matter. Are you a computer person? If so, maybe you want a tracker that allows you to plot your data. If you want something super simple, maybe a simple pedometer is your best option.

For myself, I have a Garmin that is several years old. I use it when running for checking my distance.

I set a distance goal and run in local neighborhoods. Without it, I know I would not run nearly as far.

For more information about setting fitness goals and keeping track of your progress, call Janet at 256-614-3530 or email at jhunt9155@gmail.com.

Page 14

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Cover Story

Athens Bible School To Host Humorist Jeanne Robertson May 10th At The VBC

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

and long, but that was only the beginning. Jeanne Robertson is, on so many levels, just plain stunning. She is 6’2’’ and wears it well. She is at home in her own skin.

She is physically beautiful, a snappy, age appropriate dresser, and has a killer sense of timing in her comedic delivery. She is the quintessentially charming yet substantive Southern gentlewoman.

And, the best part, she is genuinely “Rated G.” In 1963, she was crowned Miss North Carolina in the Miss America pageant, and while she didn’t win the national title, to this day she holds the record for the largest margin by which any contestant has won the Miss

Congeniality title in the Miss America contest. I think her fellow contestants must have surrendered due to the sheer delightfulness of her humor, and the fact that they were laughing so hard their sides hurt. She went on to teach school, be a wife and mom, and never had the intention of becoming a nationally known, multiple award winning speaker. She has an uncanny gift of taking such seemingly common topics like husbands going grocery shopping, or the more curiosity generating tale of bungie jumping as a senior citizen, and making you howl with laughter.

Jeanne Robertson is like the aunt you can’t wait to talk to at the family reunion, who always has

a new story to tell that keeps the whole family in stitches.

Thom O'Neil, The Carlisle Theater, Carlisle, PA Some of Miss Jeanne’s other offerings are, “Don’t Go Rafting Without A Baptist In A Boat,” “Don’t Underestimate A Daddy,” “I Don’t Line Dance,” “Mothers vs.

Teenage Daughters,” and “Mother’s Revenge.”

Athens Bible School has invited Jeanne to come to the Von Braun Center on May 10th as part of a fundraising event to take care of some major needs at the school, and provide a memorable evening for the whole family. I spoke with Norm Webb about their needs and goals, but it took awhile to get there because we both started comparing and cracking up at our favorite “Jeanne routines.”

ABS had some huge and unexpected expenses this year, and did not want to pass on the cost to young families who are already sacrificing in order to get their kids a private Christian education. The HVAC unit in the dining hall went out, and cost $50K to fix.

Norm told me that the cost of insurance for ABS employees is now 30% more expensive, and they also have not raised tuition in 4 years. They are “fighting to stay in the black” right now, and having Jeanne come will be a win-win situation. “Jeanne’s show is helping us deal with some significant unexpected expenses,” said Norm, and he also added that the evening will increase their ability to provide financial aid to students.

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com

In “digging in” to Miss Jeanne’s brand, I learned something about being a comedian as opposed to a humorist. Comedians have rapid fire “bits” that are chock full of jokes, and are often strung together. Humorists take their time with the story, set it up well, allow the audience to have the opportunity to imagine it in their own minds, and the journey is enjoyable every step of the way. Jeanne refers to her material as “presentations.” She is also the author of Don’t Let The Funny Stuff Get Away, and Mayberry Humor Across The USA, along with some collaborative titles. In addition, Jeanne does something quite wonderful, and that is, teach others to use humor as a strategy for success in life. She also has the ability to just be “light,” say, for an after dinner presentation, or slip a number of important principles into her material that teach life lessons. She has produced 7 DVDs, and her husband, Jerry, (to whom she affectionately refers as “Left Brain”) helps her with her business/ ministry, and often travels with her.

Norm mentioned that he “loves the fact that Ticketmaster is handling everything. They have done an outstanding job of advertising, and have made things so much easier for us.” The prices range from $35 to $150, the top price also giving the ticket holders access to a private reception with Jeanne. There are also sponsor opportunities, and Lynn Persell Home Builders of Athens, as well as Bankston Motor Homes of Huntsville have already offered their generous help.

“The VBC has a total of 1995 seats available for the evening,” said Norm, “and already 1400 have been sold.” Truly, you need to “get after it” and get your tickets quickly, or you will miss out on a night that will help a school, and demonstrate in a new and charming way that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

For more information, you can call Norm Webb at 256431-7946. You may order your tickets through Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or in person at the VBC box office.

Page 15

Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On Charlene Cummings

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Charlene Cummings is a native to Alabama, having been born in Clanton near Birmingham on September 22, 1942. She never married, but really likes kids, so she did “lots of babysitting.” As far as her work life, she did “a little of this and a little of that.”

She used to visit Athens a lot, because her brother, David, was here. “He works part time for the Sheriff’s Department,” she said.

When it came time for her

to be in a place where she could get full time care, Athens Rehab and Senior Care was the perfect choice. She arrived about a month ago.

The Activities staff at the facility told me that “Miss Charlene is a hoot,” and so I was really looking forward to getting to know her.

Her dad was a barber, and her mom stayed at home.

She grew up as a Baptist, and also has been to Calvary Assembly in Decatur. We talked about times we had

both been to Calvary Assembly for various events, and how much we enjoyed it.

I asked about her favorite song, and she thought for awhile before she said, “Reach Out And Touch The Lord As He Goes By.” I sang the one I thought she meant, and it turns out, it was indeed her favorite. Here are the lyrics: Reach out, and touch the Lord as He goes by

You’ll find He’s not too busy to hear your heart’s cry He is passing by this moment, your needs to supply Reach out, and touch the Lord as He goes by* She really enjoyed baking, especially pies and cakes.

“These days, though, I have a feeding tube, so I don’t get to taste anything,” she said.

One of her favorite foods is banana pudding, and she loves the way food smells at the facility.

Speaking of Athens Rehab, she really likes the care she gets and says, “The people have been good to me.”

We moved on to favorites.

As a child, besides the Bible, her favorite books were the Little House series. “I think I read them all,” she said, and I told her they had been some of my favorites as a kid, too. As an adult, she has really enjoyed reading Debbie McComber.

Her favorite color? “Purple.” That was also the color of the T-shirt she was wearing for our time together.

Page 16

www.athensnowal.com

Favorite celebrities? Bob Hope and Minnie Pearl.

President? JFK. We talked about a day we will never forget, November 22nd, 1963.

The biggest change that has occurred in her life? “Rockets and Space.” To this day, she is still enthusiastic about everything that happened during the Space Race, especially here in our area.

Favorite Scripture? “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jn 14 I asked her what her advice is for young people. “Trust in Christ. Don’t do alcohol or drugs, and be good.”

Then I steered her in her wheelchair back to one of her favorite places in the facility. As we maneuvered down the hall, I bent down near her ear and sang “Reach Out And Touch The Lord…” I am glad that here in Athens, Alabama, we have a care facility where that would not be frowned upon. *Words and music by Bill Harmon

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Cover Story

Discover “Blue Distinction” Quality At Athens-Limestone Hospital

by Felicia Lambert continued from page 1

Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama selected AthensLimestone Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, with input from the medical community.

Knee and hip replacement procedures are among the fastest growing medical treatments in the U.S., according to studies published in the June 2014 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery1 and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons2.

In 2010, the estimated cost of hip replacements averaged $17,500 and the estimated cost of knee replacements averaged $16,000, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)3.

Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other hospitals.

Quality is key: only those facilities that first meet nationally established, objec-

tive quality measures will be considered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center+.

Athens-Limestone Hospital is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for meeting the robust selection criteria for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

“Being selected as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement confirms AthensLimestone Hospital’s commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for patients who undergo knee and hip replacement procedures”, said David Pryor, President, Athens-Limestone Hospital.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com

hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction, and discover the difference in your hometown hospital.

1 J Bone Joint Surg Am, The Role of Overweight and Obesity in Relation to the More Rapid Growth of Total Knee Arthroplasty Volume Compared with Total Hip Arthroplasty Volume, 2014 Jun 04; 96 (11): 922 -928. http:// dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.L.01731 2 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Annual Incidents of Common Musculoskeletal Procedures and Treatment, 2014 March; http://www. aaos.org/research/stats/CommonProceduresTreatments-March2014. pdf 3HCUP Projections: Mobility/Orthopedic Procedures 2013 to 2012.

HCUP Projections Report #2012-03.

ONLINE September 20, 2012, U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Available: http://www.ahrq. gov/research/data/hcup/index.html About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and lo-

cally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for nearly 105 million members – onein-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com.

We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog, for up-todate information about BCBSA. About Blue Distinction Centers Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community.

A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable health care. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s innetwork status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

What Are Your Kids Doing This Summer?

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 Guess what? It is only 25 days until the last day of school! My, how time flies.

It seems like we just barely got finished with Christmas and New Year’s.

This year, the Center for Lifelong Learning will be offering several new camps.

Be sure to watch backpacks for the announcement going home from schools or the News-Courier for a Sunday insert. Or you can check out our website – www.athens. edu/CLL - for more information. You can always call us at 256-233-8260 and we will mail on to you.

and crops. Camp is limited to 12 students.

SMART PHOTOGRAPHY will use your smart devices to take pictures around town. This camp is for ages 10 and up. It is scheduled June 20-24, 9:00 am – 12 noon. Camp is limited to 15 students.

9:00 am – 12:00 noon. This camp is limited to 30 students.

ART EXPLORERS is for ages 8-12. This camp is an exploration of art mediums.

Camp is scheduled July 11 – 15, from 9:00 pm – 12:00 pm. This camp is limited to 15 students.

STOP MOTION ANIMATION is an opportunity to make your own movies. This camp is designed for ages 8-13. It will be held June 20-

THE GREAT BRICK ADVENTURE is for ages 5-13.

Camp is scheduled July 1822, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Like Stop Motion Anima-

24, from 1:00pm – 4:00 pm.

Don’t miss this change to be your own movie producer.

Camp is limited to 12 stu-

tion, this camp is co-sponsored with Bricks 4 Kidz.

It is a chance to build adventures with LEGO bricks and is sure to be lots of fun.

Here is what we are offering: ARCHERY CAMP is for ages 8-12. It will be held June 6-10, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at Carter Gym on the Athens State Campus.

Boys and girls are welcome to spend a week with us learning everything you ever wanted to know about archery. Camp is limited to 20 students.

FROM COWS TO COTTON is an introduction to

agriculture for ages 8-12.

It is scheduled June 13-16, from 9:00 am – 12 noon.

We will start out at the Center for Lifelong Learning and visit local farms to learn about raising animals

Page 18

dents.

CHESS CAMP is for ages 8-12. It is an opportunity to learn game strategies and how the pieces move. Camp will be held July 11-15, from

Camp is for ages 8-12 and will be held July 25-27, 9:00 am – 12 noon.

8-11 year olds or ages 12 and up. Each camp is limited to 20 students.

ANCIENT ART will be held at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur.

There are three weeks available depending on your age.

Camp is for 5-7 year olds,

We hope you will LIKE us on facebook – Center for Lifelong Learning at Athens State University. You can FOLLOW us or TWEET us at CLLatAthensState.

Camp is limited to 20 students.

GROSS SCIENCE is a fun exploration of the slimy, smelly, and weird things that happen in the human body.

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Our Fierce Firefighters

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Recently the Alabama Fire College training trailer was at Leak City, and in the pouring rain, the Mayor, Holly Hollman, acting Athens Fire Chief Brian Thornton, AFD Driver Ryan Kiser, and some other members of our “fierce fire-fighting force” congregated around and in the soot-lined trailer. Mayor Marks had wanted me to see some of what our FD guys go through to learn to protect us well.

wood.

Ryan is the one who operates the trailer, and he travels all over Alabama with it when the need for training arises. He has been fighting fires since 2001, and has been a part of our force here in Athens for five years. He is what is known as a “Grade 8 Driver,” which in and of itself is a dangerous job, getting a fire service vehicle through traffic and to the fire quickly without causing an accident in the process. He also operates the pump and aerial, and knows everything about every aspect of what comes out of a fire hose.

I was the only one who had never been in it, and got a personal tour. “Don’t touch anything,” Ryan said, not that I could break anything, but if I had, I would have emerged looking like a chimneysweep.

The trailer is two-story, and has rooms that can simulate a kitchen fire, a second floor fire, and the most dangerous, a basement fire. “It can get up to 800 degrees in here,” he said. He showed me how high the flames could shoot, and explained that the reason a basement fire is the most dangerous is because there is only one way in or out.

Back under the cover of the breezeway, and out of the rain, I learned even more from Brian Thornton.

“Firefighting has become a science, and things have changed greatly since the ‘70s.

When I got started, we would go practice on a condemned house, but those days are over,” he said. “This way, we can better protect our firefighters while they are in training. Back in the day,

April 15 - May 5, 2016

As a side note, more than 26,000 students have graduated from Alabama Fire College, and they have come from 48 states

as well as 6 foreign countries. Our mayor is understandably proud of the Athens Fire Department and the positive impact they are having in the U.S. and abroad. “As we have talked about many times,” he said, “public safety is the number one concern for any city, and any mayor. We want our firefighters to know how much we appreciate them.” It was time again for us to go back out into the rain, and “roll” on to what was next in our day, but not before he reminded me that there will be a dinner on June 3rd to honor “our fierce firefighters.” For more information, go to the Together We Stand Facebook page.

they can kill the flames quickly, with a dead man switch, if need be.

some guys lost their lives during the training process,” he added. There are new guidelines for live fire training, with more builtin safety measures. With the use of the controlled fires started in the trailer,

“Things have also changed a lot in the last 5 years because of the way houses are being constructed now, which is also very different from the ‘70s,” he said. I replied, “How so?”

“Fires are hotter and faster.

It used to be that a house could flash (become engulfed) in 5 minutes. Now it only takes a minute.” He explained that this has to do with the combination of more metals and plastics used, “and they (houses) are just lighter.” The idea is akin to the flash caused by tinder when you are building a campfire.

Its purpose is to flame up quickly, with the purpose of igniting larger pieces of

www.athensnowal.com

Page 19

Horse Whispering

“Nicker-Nicker”: The Shedding Blades Are On The Move

by Deb Kitchenmaster Do you refer to a horse’s coat covering as fur or hair? If you said hair you are spot on. In our observation of animals, we have noticed that some coat coverings are denser than others. A denser coat on an animal is called fur. Fur is a coat covering used in wearing apparel. The horse’s coat covering is NOT used in wearing apparel, and therefore is called hair.

How does a horse know when to grow hair and when to let go of its hair covering? When the days become shorter with light, this triggers the horse to grow hair. In the same way, when the days become longer with light, another trigger is pulled to release the coat covering on the horse’s body. Light is important in a horse’s life, as well as it is in our own lives.

short and thick hairs, and one is long hairs that will stick up and provide air spaces that serves as an insulating-layer against cold winter temps. These hairs lift up to release heat and conceal keeping heat in. How amazing!

piece in a “U” shape, held together by a handle.

One side of the shedding blade has small, jagged teeth that remove loose hair from the horse’s

you press too hard, your horse will usually give a swish of the tail or look at you like “Hey! Knock it off!” No worries, your horse will give you ac-

It is this time of the year that the winter coat hairs are coming off, detaching and being released for a new coat. This is where the shedding blades come out, and are used again and again in our grooming of our horses.

So with shedding blade in hand, relaxing as you stand next to your horse, begin a rhythmic stroke, and watch all the hairs that have detached, being released because you showed up with a shedding blade in your hand.

Horses have three different hair coats. We humans consist of three parts: spirit, soul and body. Our Creator is ONE Triune God: Abba Father, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

One of the coats of a horse is referred to as its summer hair coat. This spring coat is a lighter coat; a hair covering that easily supports the horse drying out should the horse become over heated and sweaty.

Then, there are two winter coat growths. One is

Page 20

ic ailments, Cushing’s Disease, a thyroid imbalance, or other health concerns. Sometimes it can simply be the outcome of the weather patterns and nature bringing about an “abnormal” coat covering that raises some concern. In those times that it’s “unusual” but no known health issue, the “wait and see” may be beneficial. Usually, if the horse is on a balanced diet and you spend more time grooming your horse and even giving your horse a body massage from time to time, the mystery of the questionable coat covering will be resolved.

Piles of horse hair will be in your alley way, or the wind will swoop it away. The birds will collect horse hair and line their nests with it. The horses are releasing, and the birds are collecting.

What is a shedding blade? It’s a bent metal

coat. The other side is smooth and works well to remove sweat after a ride or to remove excess water after hosing your horse down from accumulated sweat from the saddle and saddle blanket.

In using the shedding blade on your horse, if

www.athensnowal.com

curate feedback on how you’re doing. Our horses enjoy strong rhythmic strokes on the necks and rumps.

The condition of your horse’s hair coat can be a “tell-tell” on the overall health of your horse.

A dull course hair coat can be related to parasit-

And remember if there is something in your life that is no longer serving you well, let it go and enjoy the release, receiving your new coat that will serve you well.

Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections www.corralconnections.com ‘A church of great heart’ 256-426-7947 Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Fitness, Fiscally Speaking

Small Business Owners: What Are Your Goals?

By Wayne Kuykendall, Financial Services Representative with Strategic Financial Partners, an office of MetLife.

Every small business owner has a unique story to tell regarding why they decided to establish their company. For some, it’s the opportunity to be their own boss. For others, it’s to satisfy a product niche that no other local business is offering. Still others are thinking big picture and looking to offer something truly innovative that might take off on a national scale. And for some, it’s a combination of all these reasons.

Regardless, once a business has gone through the lean and mean early years and started to establish a reputation for itself—not to mention, a comfort level that it might be around for the long haul—it’s time for owners to give some thought to their long-term personal objectives.

strengthen my personal finances and build wealth?

Many business owners become so engrossed in running their companies that they inadvertently end up putting their personal finances on the back burner.

Although it’s easy to tie up most of your liquid assets in a business, to achieve financial independence and build personal wealth, it’s important to make personal savings a priority. By conducting regular financial reviews, and taking follow-up action as needed, you can help develop and strengthen your personal financial position.

•Am I preparing for retirement? Many tax-deferred, qualified retirement savings vehicles, such as 401(k) plans, are available to business owners and their employees.

The retirement plan that is best in a given situation is often determined by the size of a company, as well as the ages and salaries of its employees. In addition, nonqualified plans allow business owners to provide selective benefits for themselves, as well as their key employees.

•Have I developed an exit strategy? Although it’s sometimes difficult to think past any given quarter, it’s important for small business owners to give some thought to whether the business will be marketable if and when the decision is made to sell it.

Developing an “exit” strategy can help provide cash commensurate with the value of the business in the event you choose—or are forced (due to death or disability)—to divest.

In other words, what would you like to achieve now that the business is up and running? Twenty or thirty years down the road, what is the measure of success?

About the MetLife Premier Client Group

Once the day-to-day questions about business viability have been resolved, it’s important to set personal goals. This will help small business owners define exactly what they would like to achieve, both for themselves, their family, and the employees who have helped make the business what it is.

About MetLife

In setting these objectives, it’s important to ask the following: •Am

I

working

April 15 - May 5, 2016

to

•Are you looking to retain the company within your family? Your company, like many others, may be a closely-held business operated by more than one family member. If you wish to keep your company in your family, it’s important to learn about transfer tax issues and develop a business succession plan that will help keep your longterm goals and objectives on the right track.

Stay Focused Unfortunately, these questions are not ones that should be asked once and then forgotten. Personal goals and priorities change and develop over time.

To make sure the priorities that you established in your thirties are still the priorities you have as you grow older, it’s important to conduct a periodic re-

view of your personal and business priorities. Annual reviews can help ensure your business activities are still consistent with your long-term personal goals and objectives.

Prepared by MetLife Delivered courtesy of Wayne Kuykendall, Financial Services Representative Strategic Financial Partners, an office of MetLife For more information on the financial, risk and wealth management strategies that Wayne Kuykendall provides, please contact him at (256) 777- 4524, wayne.d.kuykendall@ strategicfinancialpartners.com, 105 S. Marion Street, Suite 202, Athens, AL 35611

The MetLife Premier Client Group (MPCG) provides consumers and small businesses with access to local financial professionals across the United States who can provide advice and guidance tailored to their financial needs. MPCG financial professionals stand out in the market for their holistic financial strategies, their team-oriented approach to client service and their adherence to a core financial planning philosophy that helps clients both grow and safeguard their assets. MPCG’s highly trained and credentialed representatives provide their clients with a wide range of services, including wealth management, retirement planning, estate planning and small business planning. For more information, please visit www.metlife. com/premier.

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

The MetLife Premier Client Group is a distribution channel of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), New York, NY 10166. Securities and investment advisory services offered through MetLife Securities, Inc. (MSI) (member FINRA/ SIPC) and a registered investment adviser, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. MLIC and MSI are MetLife companies.

Pursuant to IRS Circular 230, MetLife is providing you with the following notification: The information contained in this brochure is not intended to (and cannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties.You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and not intended as specific advice. Neither MetLife nor its representatives are engaged in rendering tax, accounting or legal advice. A qualified professional should be consulted regarding the effect of such considerations on the matters covered in this publication.

L0315415941[exp0416][All States][DC,GU,MP,PR,VI]

www.athensnowal.com

Page 21

Medical Update

April is National Autism Awareness Month

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN

Over the last several years, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome have been frontrunners in discussions regarding health and education in children. So much so that since the 1970s, April has been deemed National Autism Awareness Month according to the Autism Society. This month is recognized in the United States as a special time to educate the general public about both Autism and issues in the Autism community (www.autismsociety.org).

Even as prevalent as this discussion has become, there are still many people who are not aware of Autism and Asperger’s, and all that they entail. Basically, Autism is more than a single, identifiable problem. According to www. autismspeaks.org, Autism is a general term for “a group of complex disorders of brain development . . . characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.” In 2013, the DSM-V diagnostic manual merged all of these various disorders under one, more general diagnosis labeled “ASD” or “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” While the difference between Asperger’s and autism is both subtle and complicated, those with Asperger’s typically do not exhibit a delay in communication skills.

world. Findings published on their website indicates that roughly 1 in 68 children in the U.S. have been identified as being on the autism spectrum. This is “a ten-fold increase” over the last 40 years. Studies have also shown that autism is more common in boys than in girls, 1 in 42 as opposed to 1 in 189.

Now that you know what autism and Asperger’s are, you’re probably wondering what causes them. Unfortunately, the jury is still out on this question. Just a few years ago, most people would say that scientists have no idea. However, there is now better research as to the links to this spectrum of disorders might be. There is no “one single cause,” just as there is no “one single type of autism.”

A few possible causes might include genetics, environ-

ment, and nutrition. There has also been great controversy over a possible link to vaccine administration.

Autism is generally diagnosed when children are still very young. Many times parents are the first to notice that something just doesn’t seem right and they can’t figure out what it is. Some of the more common signs or symptoms that children exhibit include but are not limited to social challenges, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors.

Social Challenges: By nature most babies are very social and interactive with parents and caregivers. In contrast, most who develop autism show signs early on that there is an issue. Signs might include not responding to their name, lack of interest in people and failure to engage in

Communication Difficulties: By the time most children are 3 years old, they are able to form a few words and/or simple sentences.

They can convey like or dislike, respond to their names, and indicate desire for something. Children who are autistic or have Asperger’s syndrome are often delayed in these communication skills. Sometimes, infants will develop autism later but have previously demonstrated the ability to communicate. Others will

have significant delays in learning to speak and communicate from a very young age. Many learn to communicate with pictures, sign language, word processing software, and speech generating devices.

Repetitive Behaviors: Often, children on the autism spectrum will exhibit use of a set of repetitive behaviors, which is “one of the core symptoms of autism”. These repetitive behaviors may include but are not limited to such activities as “hand-flapping, rocking, jumping and twirling, arrangement and rearrangement of objects, and repetition of sounds, words, or phrases”. If someone attempts to stop or discourage these behaviors, children will often become very upset. Those children and adults on the autism spectrum often benefit from order and consistency on daily routines, with even minor changes to that routine deeply affecting behavior.

“Children with autism also exhibit a higher than average occurrence of genetic changes, GI (gastrointestinal) issues, seizures, sleep dysfunction, and sensory processing disorders.”

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve had the profound honor and privilege to work with multiple children and adults who are on the autism spectrum, some more so than others.

These amazing people have given me the great gift of their presence in my life and I am forever grateful for it.

Statistics from Autism Speaks claim that ASD affects over 2 million people in the U.S. and tens of millions around the

Page 22

babbling and “baby talk.” It is also common for individuals on the autism spectrum to misinterpret what others think or feel and gestures such as smiling or waving often convey no meaning. It is also difficult to see things from the perspective of another.

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

Foreman’s Forum

Don’t Let Your Gun Go Naked! Part 2

by Paul Foreman In the last issue of Foreman’s Forum we talked about the need for a proper, well made holster for your gun. Now we are going to talk about the various styles of holsters. There are some great ones out there which are available for those who either carry concealed or just want to keep a gun at home for self protection.

There are also some holsters, in my humble opinion that you, need to stay far away from. So here is the good, the bad and the ugly.

The first group of holster styles I am going to discuss is the UNSAFE ones.

These are the ones which, in my opinion, will get you into trouble. Now I am sure there are some who will disagree with me, just don’t do it where I get hurt, or I have to watch you get hurt.

Cross Draw Holsters: There used to be quite a few local, state and federal agencies who issued “cross draw” holsters. I used to work for one such agency. Not to mention their name, but it’s the one south of Alabama and Georgia. They no longer issue such holsters to their officers. The idea behind such a holster it is much more comfortable to wear and draw a “cross draw” while sitting in a car and driving for 8 hours or more. That’s where the good ends. During the action of drawing, the shooter in the very least, “flags” their other arm. By “flag”, I mean pointing the gun at something you do NOT want to destroy. The “cross draw” also flags other people who may be behind and to your side as you bring the gun around to point it at

April 15 - May 5, 2016

whatever is threatening you.

Most shooting ranges have banned cross draw holsters for just that reason. Shoulder holsters also come into the same category as cross draw. They look good in the movies and TV, are easily concealed under a coat, but they are dangerous.

signed properly.

SOB holsters: No, not that kind of SOB. Small of the Back is what SOB stands for. Again, the dangerous part is who and what are you flagging when you reach behind your back and draw. If you were to fall, you could sure mess up your tailbone if you fell on your gun and it hit your spine.

Ankle Holsters: I wore an ankle holster when I was in uniform, for about 21 years.

This was my “backup” if my duty weapon was empty, or got taken away. Until well designed high security retention holsters came into the market, some law enforcement officers were shot with their own gun. An ankle holster might be considered for citizens who carry concealed. Ankle holsters are great for when you are sitting, such as in a car. But, to draw the ankle rig, you must kneel down and pull your pant leg up, to draw the gun.

Cheap nylon holsters: I mentioned this my last forum. Your holster MUST be designed to stay gapped open after you draw. Cheap nylon and some cheap leather holsters are just not de-

Belly band holsters: These are great for concealment but can be hard to access.

These look like one of those weight reducing elastic girdles, with a pocket to hold your gun. I don’t recom-

www.athensnowal.com

mend these unless you’re working deep undercover.

Belt holsters: Think of your belt as a clock with the buckle at twelve o’clock, the right hip is three o’clock and the center of your back as six o’clock. The two o’clock, three o’clock and four o’clock positions are all easily concealable, and readily accessible. Whether you use an inside the waist band or outside the waist band, it is entirely up to your preference and comfort. You must practice hundreds of times with an unloaded gun using your holster, so your muscle memory will kick in during a high stress incident.

The best holster is what works well for you. For concealed carry, you will need to wear clothes which cover the holster and gun. The holster should hug close to

your waist. The holster must cover the trigger and should be specifically molded to fit your gun. Both women and men can wear jackets or shirts that are un-tucked and cover the gun. Don’t let your gun go naked!

For firearms training, Paul can be reached through eMail at Captureman@PaulForeman.com or his web site, www.PaulForeman. com. Paul is a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. AHA Certified Instructor in First Aid, CPR & AED, and is a retired Deputy Sheriff, from Lee County Florida.

Paul Foreman Retired Deputy Sheriff, Lee County Florida NRA Certified Pistol Instructor.

Paul can be reached through e-Mail at Captureman@ PaulForeman.com or his website www.PaulForeman.com

Page 23

Page 24

www.athensnowal.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

Page 25

Page 26

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

Page 27

Page 28

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

Page 29

Page 30

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016

April 15 - May 5, 2016

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

Page 31

Page 32

www.athensnowal.com www.troyelmore.com

April 15 - May 5, 2016