April 21, 2017

April 21st - May 4th, 2017

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

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Limestone Health Spotlight The Limestone Health Facility Spotlight On Jessie Ruth Underwood...

The Senior Rehab and Recovery Center at Limestone Health Facility has one sharp cookie in the form of...

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Special Feature

HealthSource of Athens Welcomes Dr. Devin Eernisse

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Dr. Daniel Daley, D.C., of the chiropractic clinic, HealthSource on Hwy 31 in Athens, is pleased to announce both the graduation from Logan University and the addition to the HealthSource staff of Dr. Devin Eernisse. Devin “walks” in her Continued on page 15

Rocks Becoming Art Canvases In Athens...

People in Athens are finding rocks painted with everything from geometric designs to Transformers to words of wisdom...

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Bill Mathews: Your Athens, Alabama Attorney

Learning As A Lifestyle Your Professional Portfolio...

At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we just finished the 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium...

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April 21 - May 4, 2017

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Athens attorney Bill Mathews moved here from Russellville when he was six months old. The youngest of five, Bill graduated from Athens High School, and went on to get his Continued on pages 17

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April 21 - May 4, 2017

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Lions As Liberators?

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Yvonne Dempsey Deb Kitchenmaster Kimberly Hobbs D. A. Slinkard Jackie Warner Wanda Campbell Oliver Carlota, M.D. Paul Foreman Holly Hollman

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Limestone Health Spotlight . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . 9 From The Vets' Museum . . . 10 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 11 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Kimberly . . . . 13 Cover Stories . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . . 20 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

April 21 - May 4, 2017

We have just finished celebrating Passover and the Resurrection, both being the proof of unmerited, wholesale, supernatural deliverance from death. We know from history that not long after Yeshua was raised from the dead, intense persecution began at the hands of the Romans. We also know that it is the mystery of persecution that causes people to either run straight to faith, or speedily away from it. The term “being fed to the lions” has become part of our modern day cultural idiom and is used to describe many other things besides not denying the Savior, including having a rough day at the office, or giving a presentation where there was some push back.

But what if actual lions turn the tables and become the deliverers? In a report that just came out from an outfit that has been smuggling Bibles in the Middle East for 40 years, that is exactly what happened this past Easter Sunday. The story is told by Paul Ciniraj, director of Bibles for Mideast. Paul was raised as a Muslim and became a believer in Christ around 40 years ago. His organization preaches the gospel as well as establishes nondenominational house churches known as Assembly of Loving God, and they live under the continual threat of death. Paul has also triumphed over leukemia. In addition, he reports what many have been saying for the last ten years, and that is, while Islam is most definitely the dominant religion in the region, thousands and

thousands of Muslims are converting to Christianity. It is also commonly known that these conversions often come about as the result of visions and dreams, something I discovered when I was in Iraq.

Anyone experiencing this type of conversion knows that death could spring at any point from any place, and it makes “Whether we live we are the Lord’s, whether we die

age of four, a woman who was seven months pregnant, and an elderly woman of 80.

Paul reported to World Net Daily, “Suddenly, a group of militants reached the house, armed with steel bars and other weapons.” They all thought, “This is it.” Paul puts it this way: “Losing all hope, we thought for sure this was our last day,” and they began to pray together one last time

“Equally astonishing, records show no lions are supposed to live in that forest,” Paul stated.

we are the Lord’s,” take on a reality that so far in the States we have not had to face.

before death surely came.

Then, what can only be described as a miracle happened.

ties in Alabama. As for me, I am reminded that it’s time for spring cleaning, and I do mean more than my garage.

“Completely unexpectedly, a lion ran from the forest, leapt toward the militants, and seized one by the neck.

When other combatants tried to attack the lion, two other lions bounded toward them.

The terrified militants fled the site, and the lions left us completely alone,” Paul said.

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

Paul had himself been attacked by jihadists, and was being cared for in the home of some friends living in a forested area. His group had also been working in the area to spread the Gospel. In the home where he was recuperating, there were also several other believers, including preschoolers under the

This story gives me chill bumps, and I have no reason to doubt its veracity. It is a fresh reminder that we need to find a way to live life with this kind of sharply-honed spiritual readiness within, even though we live in one of the safest coun-

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All Things Soldier

Doolittle’s Diamond Anniversary

by Ali Elizabeth Turner It was 75 years ago this week that Colonel “Jimmy” Doolittle and his Raiders carried out a successful operation against the Japanese just 4 months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. To commemorate the bravery of Doolittle’s Raiders, there was an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with several WWII vets present and ready to lay commemorative wreaths this week at the ceremony.

The Doolittle Raid was one of the most interesting of WWII because it indirectly proved the validity of symbolism and the power of psychological warfare. The raid itself did not do that much physical damage to Japan, even though Tokyo was in fact bombed. However, it provided Americans with a greatly needed boost in morale, and exposed the fact that the Japanese were

indeed vulnerable to air strikes. This proved to be their undoing at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It also inspired the Japanese to attack Midway, which led to their demise at sea.

The Raiders were hailed as heroes, which indeed they were. The story was the stuff of legends due to them having to leave out early because the Japanese found out they were coming, running out of fuel and having to abandon their planes over China after they delivered their payload, and the fact that some were captured and executed. One plane landed in Russia, and the crew was detained there for a year. Doolittle’s Raid has been the subject of several books and movies, and Doolittle’s memoires are considered a must read for any serious

CREW (L-R): Navigator Lt. H.A. Potter Pilot Lt. Col. J.H. Doolittle Engineer Gunner SSgt. P.J. Leonard Co-Pilot Lt. R.E. Cole Bombardier SSgt. F.A. Braemer

student of the Pacific Theatre in WWII. The newsreels that ran in movie houses and reported the

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

May 15th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

Musical Entertainment • 5-7pm 17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4

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raid during the spring of ‘42 were greeted with cheers all across America.

Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, who planned and commanded the operation, was sure that he would end up being court-martialed due to the fact that the planes were all lost. To his surprise, he was promoted up two slots from Colonel to Brigadier General, and received the Medal of Honor. Every Raider received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and those who died received the Purple Heart.

Two received Silver Stars.

One who had been held captive by the Japanese became a missionary and returned to Japan to serve for three decades. Many returned from the Raid and served with other units during the war, and some lost their lives in the Mediterranean Theatre.

For their part, the Japa-

nese scoured the coast of China in order to make sure it could never be used again for an air attack.

They also used germ warfare and committed brutal atrocities. It is estimated that at least 10,000 Chinese civilians were killed by the Japanese during the post-Doolittle campaign known as Zhejiang-Jiangxi. It is said that if any of the Chinese were found possessing anything that was American they were automatically killed, and many others were tortured.

The Doolittle Raiders have all passed on, but at the Honor Flight Ceremony this past Monday, the WWII Vets who were serving 75 years ago reminded us of their bravery. God bless the Raiders, and God bless those who make Honor Flights possible.

April 21 - May 4, 2017

The Limestone Health Facility Spotlight On Jessie Ruth Underwood

by Ali Elizabeth Turner The Senior Rehab and Recovery Center at Limestone Health Facility has one sharp cookie in the form of Mrs. Jessie Ruth Underwood as one of their residents. She was born at home on October 24, 1929 near Ardmore on the Alabama side. Five days later would be the official beginning of the Great Depression. Jessie was the baby of seven – five boys and two girls.

Her parents farmed “just about everything from milk cows to crops,” she said.

Eighteen years later Jessie Ruth married, and her husband very much wanted to serve in WWII, but had a hernia which prevented him from enlisting. They had three children, two boys

and a girl, and Jessie says she “done lost count of the grandkids and greatgrandkids.”

Lynnville Church of Christ was her life-long church home, and she was baptized at the age of 15.

When Jessie was first married, she worked at the phone company, but was then able to stay at home once her children came along. Her husband, she said, “did a little bit of everything; picked cotton, picked corn, built houses, and cut trees.”

We moved to the topic of favorites, and Jessie’s favorite color is blue.

Favorite food to either make or eat? Fried chicken. She also loves dressing, and wanted me to know that the only

way for dressing to be good is to serve it warm.

Favorite book? The Bible.

Favorite Bible verse? “The Golden Rule. My husband used to say, ‘Treat people the way you want to be treated.’”

Favorite hymn?

“Amazing Grace.”

We talked for a while about just how good that song is, and how it never goes out of style.”

Favorite US President? John Fitzgerald Kennedy. We also chatted about how clear the day of the Kennedy assassination still is to us both, all these years later.

Biggest change in Jessie’s lifetime? “Landing on the moon. Many things have happened before and since, but that moon landing was something,” she said.

Jessie came to Limestone Health Facility about four years ago, and likes it there. Savannah, one of the activities coordinators said, “She’s really good at Bingo.”

Jessie showed me her most recent prize, which she won on Good Friday.

It was a purple Easter egg that featured crossshaped, fruit-flavored candies in it. She also won a silver-colored glittery nail kit in a previous game. We needed to wrap up our time together because the next Bingo game was due to start soon. As we headed

April 21 - May 4, 2017

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outside to the beautiful garden to take Jessie’s picture, I was able to scope out some of the prizes that were waiting for the Bingo winner, and this game was no doubt going to be spirited.

I asked Jessie if there was anyone on staff that had taken especially good care of her, and she said with a smile that a nurse by the name of Aurea had done so.

Jessie told me that the advice she would give to young people today is, “Make sure you have the Lord as your Savior. Trust Him and obey Him, and He’ll see you through.” Timeless advice from a woman who continues to live life well, Jessie Ruth Underwood.

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Calendar of Events Carryout available. For more information: 256-771-7578.

Premier Women's Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month

Athens April Historic Walking Tours Now Thru Apr 29th

Prayer • Elderly Assistance • Feed The Hungry Clothes • Scholarships • Empowering Women Volunteers Wanted & Needed Call for Details -256.233.5995 Meeting Time: First Saturday of Each Month at 1:30pm Food pantry open now. wewoa.org • E-Mail: wew5995@gmail.com

100 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611. Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association host the Sweet Home Alabama April Saturday Walking Tours each Saturday in April. Attendees will be offered up to 4 simultaneous tours each Saturday to choose from.

Check-in is 9:45am at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center and the walking tours are 1-2 hours in duration.

Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO Apr 29th

Gardening Questions Answered Every Tuesday

10 am to 3 pm at Friendship Church in Athens. This free event is hosted by Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful. Live animals, lots of exhibits and vendors, make-and-take crafts, raptor show

by Wings to Soar, free hot dogs and Pepsi, door prizes and more.

Get a massage from HealthSource for $1/min with proceeds returned to KALB. This is a great event for all ages, so come to learn and join the fun. Information: KALBCares@gmail.com, 256-233-8000 or KALBCares.com (under EVENT tab).

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association (LCMGA) is available every Tuesday and the first Saturday of every month at Athens Limestone Public Library from 10 - 2 to answer gardening questions.

Houston Memorial Library and Museum Book Sale Apr 21st - 22nd

Houston Memorial Library and Museum, 101 North Houston Street in Athens. The library is helping to celebrate Earth Day by recycling books to new owners during our two day book sale!

April 21st from 2-6pm and April 22 from 9am-noon will be the time to come find the bargains. We are selling 10 paperbacks for only $1 and each hard back book for only $1. We will also have a reserve table for some true treasure hunting amongst highly collectable books. We will have every genre available; fiction, non-fiction, self-help, young adult, Western, Mystery, cook books and DYI books a plenty. Bring a bag (or five) and load up! Come see what you can find during our Friday afternoon and Saturday morning event! Please remember that 100% of the money collected will go directly to repairing and renovating the Houston Memorial Library and Museum.

FREE workshop April 22nd

2nd Annual Biker / Motorcycle Event Apr 29th

Point Mallard Park (large pavilion near wave pool), Decatur, AL. Get your motor runnin’... head out on the highway... looking for adventure? If that’s you (yes, it’s you!) come out and join us for a scenic ride, food and prizes. Hosted by the Decatur-based chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). No fee is required but any donation appreciated. This is a Run for the Son (RFS) event whereby any donations collected will be 100% disbursed to CMA headquarters so it can be used to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, nationally and internationally.

8:30am-3pm with group ride at 9am, then lunch at noon. Ride maps will be provided if you want to ride solo. 256-509-2419.

Rock and Walk For Babies Apr 29th

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association is offering a FREE workshop on Saturday, April 22 at 10a.m. at Lowe's in Athens. Topic: Container Planting.

The TEARS Foundation provides compassionate assistance and ongoing support for bereaved families. Join us for our walk on from 10am-1pm at the Athens Sportsplex. For more information or to register, visit www.thetearsfoundation.org/walks

Annual Fish Fry Apr 28th

Play Outside Day May 6th

The Alabama Veterans' Museum Annual Fish Fry from 11:00AM1:00PM at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1917 US 72W, Athens.

Proceeds go to support the museum. Menu: Catfish; Chicken Tenders; French Fries; Slaw; Hushpuppies; Drink and Dessert.

Purchase Tickets at the AL Veterans Museum (100 West Pryor Street in Athens) for $10.00 in advance. Day of at the door $12.00.

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Families everywhere are encouraged to get outside the first Saturday of every month and play in public parks, enjoy trails, hit the waterways, explore greenspaces and just play! Limestone County offers over 20 trails to explore including walking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking – perfect for all ages. For more information: 256-232-5411.

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April 21 - May 4, 2017

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

For The Love Of Cities, Part 6 Calling All Co-Creators

by Ali Elizabeth Turner This is the sixth in a series about a book that was given to Mayor Marks for Christmas by his staff titled For The Love Of Cities: The Love Affair Between People And Their Places by Peter Kageyama. It talks about a number of needs in any city, large or small, and what it takes for a city to have such a draw that people long to live there, or return to it no matter how long they have been gone.

On this particular day, the mayor teased me with one of the opening lines of Chapter Eight. It states, “Building a great city is akin to throwing a great party.” I was intrigued by the concept, but found myself wanting to counter with, “Yeah, but what about public safety?” The truth is, we need it all. We need to be safe; we need food, clothing and shelter; we need our kids and us to be healthy and smart; we need fellowship and a sense of belonging; and we need to party. By partying, I don’t mean in ways that will get you in trouble with God and man, I mean, we need to celebrate our city. If you don’t have public safety, you can’t celebrate, and after a while, if you have nothing to celebrate about your city, you won’t have public safety.

Kageyama talks about two cities which have experienced exactly what I am talking about: Detroit, MI, and New Orleans,

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LA. Detroit got into trouble from man-made disasters in the form of poor leadership and economic choices, and New Orleans literally and physically nearly drowned.

Both cities are making a comeback, thanks to what Peter calls “co-creators.”

from cemeteries to putting flowers in planters on the Square to making Storytellers’, Grease, and Fiddlers’ Festivals enjoyable, smooth and humming. We have people who are legitimately able to gain the trust and respect of others, even from

Co-creators At The Jazz Festival: City of Athens Grant Coordinator/Communications Specialist Holly Hollman shares a laugh with Athens native and Grammy Award winning musician Britney Howard.

Co- creators include but aren’t confined to builders, networkers, entrepreneurs, educators, bridge builders, provocateurs, and champions.

Co-creators see vast potential in their cities irrespective of their current state, and love their town so much that they will work long and hard to make it shine, both within and without. In Athens we have people dedicating long hours to beautifying everything

groups who historically haven’t trusted each other, and help them walk in the other’s moccasins.

Because of co-creators, we have High Cotton Arts, Little Red School/Scout House, and Houston Library. We have the Bridge “Where Community Matters.” We have Relay for Life, the Autism Walk, Heroes’ Day, and nearly innumer-

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able fundraising 5Ks, fish fries and BBQs for worthy causes.

Kageyama also calls cocreators the “great lovers of cities,” as well as outliers. They have an ego that is well-developed and healthy in the truest sense, demonstrated by

the fact that they are not threatened by the accomplishments of others, or their ideas. They are motivated by what the Italians call fiero, which loosely translated means “taking pride in accomplishing a particularly challenging task.”

Kageyama then points us to two fascinating categories of co-creators: the provocateurs and the champions. While most of the time provocateurs have a negative reputation as people who incite others to commit crimes; it has also come to define the courage of someone like Harper Lee writing To Kill A Mockingbird.

One can start out appearing to be a troublemaker and end up winning an award for it. My favorites are the champions.

They are the ones that the rest of the co-creators look to for guidance and inspiration.

“We need more co-conspirators,” said Mayor Ronnie, and then sent me outside to search for one of the Athens Rocks rocks that Holly Hollman talks about on her column on page 11.

Then I was razzed mercilessly by Holly, Amy Golden and Mayor Ronnie for my ignorance of this cool new way to celebrate Athens, and happily endured my comeuppance on Facebook later in the day. Ronnie had to roll; we had to pray; and be warned, we asked God for more co-creators.

April 21 - May 4, 2017

Slinkard On Success

Self-discipline – If It Was Easy, Everyone Would Do It

by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Recently I was asked, “What separates those who have success versus those who seem to draw the short end of the stick in business?”

My immediate knee-jerk reaction was to answer the individual by giving a short statement about hard work and a positive attitude. However, the more I thought about this question, the more I realized what is prevalent to someone who is successful.

This one ingredient can be used in various aspects of life and it comes down to the word “selfdiscipline.” The definition of self-discipline is, “the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.”

The more I reflected upon this definition, it became apparent to me what separates someone from success, and failure boils down to the amount of selfdiscipline a person has.

Think about the number of New Year’s resolutions that people write down at the beginning of the year. Yet, by this time of year, you find most people have already “abandoned” the resolutions they were so ambitious about months earlier.

much easier for someone to sit back on the couch compared to getting their body in motion.

I’ve written in the past about people waiting to go after their dreams. Why? Selfdiscipline or a lack thereof is what becomes the downfall of many people.

In the world of business it is not easy to have the ability to keep fighting when the odds are stacked against you. When the world has your back against the wall, one of the hardest feats known to man is picking yourself back up when life has beat you down. This proverbial “beat down” could be a job you were fired from, a promotion you were overlooked for, or even a person turning you down for a date. It took me asking my wife out 13 times before she reluctantly agreed to a first date!

We all face obstacles and

struggles in our lives. If you have a heartbeat, you’re going to have problems.

The answer to these problems lies in how we respond to these struggles. This is where having self-discipline comes into play. Having the ability to be in control of your feelings and your actions make the disappointing times a lot easier to handle, as opposed to when you feel out-of-balance with life.

You may be asking yourself, “How does a person find self-discipline?”

I narrow this response down to three things. The first is “Goal Setting” and making sure you are writing out your goals on a daily basis. Who has a better shot of hitting their goal - the person who writes their goal once in a New Year’s resolution or the person who writes their goal down every day? The obvious answer

is the person continuously writing out their goals. If you’re not doing this, start today.

The second is “Time Management” and your ability to control the hours you have. Everyone has 168 hours per week. No one can create more time or less time, as we are all guaranteed the same hours. What’s important is what we do with the time we have. The biggest lie people repeat is they do not have enough time. If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If it’s not, then you’ll find an excuse.

I am a believer in the written to-do list. I learned this special skill-set from my wife who has helped educate and domesticate me in so many ways! This list is simple to do and takes what you want to get accomplished and assigns an importance to the

tasks you want to complete. There will be days you hit it out on your todo list, and other days it will look like you barely touched it. Regardless of the good or bad, keep making your daily list of what you want to get done.

The final word is “Persistence.” You must be obsessed or persistent in achieving self-discipline. In life, you’re going to face obstacles, but you’ve got to build selfdiscipline in your life to find success. There’s a quote I love that states, “Persistence beats resistance” and I point this out because if I wouldn’t have been persistent with my wife, we wouldn’t be married today.

I urge you to work on your self-discipline and create the life you’ve always wanted. Don’t abandon your dreams.

Take someone who is focusing on their health and someone who lacks self-discipline; life is

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From The Vets' Museum

The Limestone Veterans Burial Detail Provides Military Funeral Honors

by Yvonne Dempsey

Limestone Veterans Burial Detail member and Alabama Veterans Museum volunteer Many of you are familiar with funerals featuring military honors, but you may not know why it is done, who is eligible for these honors, how to request this service, who provides this service, how much it costs, and what the ceremony entails.

The Department of Defense defines military funeral honors as “the ceremonial paying of respect and the final demonstration of the country’s gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our Nation.”

Deceased veterans who are eligible for military honors include: •Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.

•Former military members who served on active duty and departed under condi-

tions other than dishonorable.

•Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.

•Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

Honors are not performed automatically; families of eligible veterans must request funeral honors through their funeral director, who will contact the appropriate organization. The family must produce the veteran’s DD214 or similar separation/ discharge document proving that the veteran is eligible for the honor. Because funerals are stressful for families, if you are a veteran and plan on receiving a military burial,

please inform your spouse, children, or other survivors of your intentions. Have your documentation ready in advance and in a safe, easilyaccessible place.

In our area, military funeral honors are provided by the Limestone Veterans Burial Detail. This service is provided by the detail free of charge to the families of eligible veterans. Local funeral homes will contact the detail after receiving proof of eligibility and request for the service. The burial detail will typically travel to funerals within a 100-mile radius of Limestone County.

The military ceremony traditionally includes - three volleys of shots fired in honor of the deceased veteran, the playing of Taps, and the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin. Each part of the ceremony is reminiscent of military

customs and rituals.

of kin.

The firing of three volleys comes from traditional battle ceasefires where each side would take time to clear the dead from the battlefield.

The shots indicated that the dead were cleared and properly cared for. This began the custom of firing three volleys over the grave of fallen comrades.

The Limestone Veterans Burial Detail was formed in the 1990s and has provided services for thousands of local veterans since then.

There are times when the group has had a funeral a day for a week, other times two or three a day, or periods of a week or two with no funerals.

The playing of Taps originally was composed for the military to signal “lights out” at day’s end. The somber tune became a tradition at military funerals to honor the extinguishing of a life.

Usually, eleven members are needed for a funeral.

Over the years, members have moved away, become physically incapacitated, or, sadly, passed away. New members are welcomed to join. You do not have to be a veteran, just a patriotic American who is physically able to perform the necessary duties, has the time to commit, and is willing to serve when called.

The American flag is draped over the closed casket with the blue field of stars over the left shoulder. At the proper moment, the flag is removed, then folded with 13 folds until it is the shape of a triangle with only the field of blue showing, and then respectfully handed to the next

While there is no charge for burial detail services, the group does have expenses which are paid for by your tax-free donations. Some expenses include the purchase of uniforms, weapons upkeep, ammunition, and travel. Anyone may make a tax-free donation to the burial detail by depositing into their account at Regions Bank or by check to Limestone Veterans Burial Detail, 18188 Mooresville Rd., Athens, AL 35613.

Despite the searing heat of summer, the biting cold of winter, or the deluge of a rainstorm, the members of the Limestone Veterans Burial Detail are there to honor those who bravely served our country and proudly pay their respect to those heroes and their families.

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April 21 - May 4, 2017

Special Feature

Rocks Becoming Art Canvases In Athens

by Holly Hollman People in Athens are finding rocks painted with everything from geometric designs to Transformers to words of wisdom.

Roberta Ress, an artist with High Cotton Arts, started the painted rock project on March 18 with the Athens ROCKS kickoff event.

Children and adults painted rocks and hid them in public places around Athens. During the paint session, Ress read a book called, “Everybody Needs A Rock.”

Now, couples dining on The Square, Girl Scout troops, business owners and walkers are finding the painted rocks in planters downtown, around the Courthouse and at Big Spring Me-

April 21 - May 4, 2017

morial Park.

As people find a rock, they are encouraged to post a photo on the Athens ROCKS Facebook page of their find and then to re-hide it.

Athens and Limestone County are embarking on their 200th birthday in 2018. The State of Alabama, which turns 200 in 2019, is hosting a three-year celebration, and Athens and Limestone County are participating.

The 2017 statewide theme is “Explore Our Places.” Athens ROCKS is a way to encourage families to sightsee and explore their own community.

that art is fun and art is educational,” said Athens Arts League Board President Amy Golden.

“Tying the project into part of our local Bicentennial celebrations is a fabulous way to encourage citizens to learn

more about their own city and enjoy creating their own piece of art.”

High Cotton Arts is located in Downtown Athens at 103 West Washington Street. Athens Arts

League operates the non-profit arts incubator to support artists, provide art education and bring cultural events to the community.

“The Athens ROCKS project highlights

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Clean and Green

Something Is Missing…

Where Have They Gone?

by Lynne Hart, Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful You may have noticed that something has changed around town.

Something is missing and you just can’t put your finger on it.

the Athens-Limestone Beautification Board will place Award signs on properties using the following process:

It might just be that you are missing the Beautification Awards that graced properties of well-kept businesses, churches, and government buildings in Athens and Limestone County. They have vanished! So where have they gone?

•The public, including business owners, will have the opportunity to nominate businesses, industries, churches, and government buildings located within Limestone County to be included in the judging process.

Never fear! They have been removed so that those in need of cleaning and repair can get a bit of a facelift. The Athens-Limestone Beautification Board, a part of the KALB organization, also wanted to establish new guidelines for the award process. A committee met and discussed some of the needed changes, and has developed guidelines which should serve the community well.

•Nominations will be accepted through May 15th this year.

Nominations may be made online at w w w. K A L B C a r e s . com/beautification-

Beginning now, YOU can be part of the award process! Here is how you can get in on the action to reward a lovely local business, church, or government facility.

New Guidelines for Beautification Awards In an effort to recognize exemplary efforts to enhance the beauty of Athens and Limestone County, and to promote the increase and importance of green space,

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the judging criteria and time frame for judging.

•Volunteers will be recruited from outside of Limestone County to act as impartial judges.

awards or a form can be picked up at the KALB office. The Beautification Board will also have forms available at their booth at the Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO on April 29th at Friendship Church. The form is simple to complete; just be sure to have the address of the business available.

•Nominated businesses shall receive notification along with a copy of

•The top 20 properties with the highest scores will receive a Beautification Award sign to display on their property for one year.

the problems are not remedied in a timely manner, the board reserves the right to remove the Beautification Award sign prior to the end of one year.

•At the end of one year, this process will begin again and all businesses wishing to be judged must be nominated, including businesses that have previously received award signs.

So what are you waiting for?

When you see a beautiful business, industry, church, school, or government building, jot down the information and nominate them. You may nominate as many as you like!

For more information on the Beautification Awards process, contact KALB.

Guidelines for Retention of Signs •Signs are awarded for one year; however, if a business does not keep the property up to the standards of the award criteria, the board will notify that business giving them 14 days to correct stated problems. If

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Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com April 21 - May 4, 2017

Cooking with Kimberly

Hot Water Cornbread

by Kimberly Hobbs

As a little girl, I was always fascinated at how my Mom was able to form this very hot mixture into these, what look like perfect little footballs. Well, for me, I was given the name “Tender Paws” for the inability of being able to handle such hot stuff. My mother also added a little bacon grease to her mixture. Add you some homemade pinto beans, garden turnip greens. You got some good eatin’! No forks needed for these! Just your God-given utensils! – yo’ fingers! Hope this recipe brings you as much joy as it does my family.

What you will need: 1 c. plain cornmeal (must be plain) 1 tsp.salt 1 tsp sugar 1/2 c. boiling hot water 1 c. shortening or vegetable oil

What you will do: Mix all ingredients together. Add water, a little at a time while stirring. Mixture should be a little stiff, not loose. Shape into little round patties. Fry in hot oil for 3 minutes on both sides until golden brown.

April 21 - May 4, 2017

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April 21 - May 4, 2017

Cover Story

HealthSource of Athens Welcomes Dr. Devin Eernisse

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

cap and gown on Saturday, April 22, in St. Louis at the Logan University campus, and will be back in Athens on Monday to officially launch her career. Technically, she finished all her course work in January, and spent this semester getting in her requisite 300 hours of internship, as well as her 200 supervised chiropractic adjustments, in order to become certified as a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Devin has been an active athlete all her life, and it was at the age of 14 that she experienced life-changing relief from severe lower back pain through chiropractic treatment. Though still a teen, she began to think seriously about pursuing a career in the chiropractic field. Her family is from Minnesota, and her mom worked in a building where there was a chiropractic clinic. When Devin was having to take herself out of fast-pitch softball games due to unbearable pain, her mom took her to the clinic, and it was there that they discovered that Devin had scoliosis. That condition is technically defined as “abnormal lateral curvature of the spine,” and the chiropractic treatments were so successful that Devin to this day participates with passion in a number of sports, including beach volleyball. I asked her, with just a tiny touch of skepticism, “So, you can dive right on into the sand?”

She grinned and said “Yes,” without a smidge of hesitation. However, she does get regular adjustments, so that

April 21 - May 4, 2017

she can maintain her high level of activity.

lot more chatty,” and that was a good thing!

Devin also enjoys golf, hiking, running, and being on a lake, and her soul and spirit enjoy being on mission trips. We talked for awhile about the joy of being on the mission field, and the inexplicable pleasure that comes from giving back to those who are in great need. Logan University has a program where students and clinicians go to underserved countries to give chiropractic care; as can almost always be predicted, Devin has been permanently bitten by the “missions bug.”

She went to the Dominican Republic with seven classmates and two clinicians, and served in the Santo Domingo area. She would like to go back, and perhaps help out in Jamaica or South America.

Devin’s goals for the present are to build her patient base, and she loves working with Dr. Daley and the rest of the staff at HealthSource.

It is also clear that they feel the same about Devin, and are enormously proud of her. “Maybe someday I’ll have my own clinic,” she said, “but that is a long ways off.” Devin loves Athens, and has been “blown away” by the welcome she has received here.

She is excited about accepting new patients who would like to receive the benefits of chiropractic care.

Devin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin, Eau-Claire; a Bachelor’s in Life Sciences from Logan University; a Master’s in Sports Science and Rehab; and as of Saturday, a Doctor’s in Chiropractic, also from Logan University.

about such things as the proper way to carry a backpack, or switching hips when you are carrying a toddler. I also learned something, and it is that guys can throw their backs out over a long period of time just by sitting on wallets being carried around in their jeans back pocket.

Sometimes it is the slightest tweak that can make the biggest difference, and Devin gives her patients

I asked Devin why, if I were in need of chiropractic care, I should choose her for my practitioner.

She thought for a moment and said, “I listen, I put patients first, and also have the background of having been a patient.

I was the first in my family to go to a chiropractic doctor, and I know how much it helped me.”

the depth of care that can facilitate great change as well as relief.

We discussed her commitment to educate her patients

Devin has seen a number of patients’ lives changed since

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she has been at HealthSource Athens. “One woman was in so much pain from a car accident that she could only wear her hair up in a bun, and it hurt too much to put on even a little bit of makeup. As she got better, her appearance changed greatly,” Devin said. She also told of a patient telling her with triumph, “I put my socks on today.” Because Devin has been in that kind of pain, she also has an unusually high level of compassion for her patients.

Devin has observed patients that were in too much pain to talk at all, and as they got better, they also became “a

HealthSource Athens is well known in our area for the way they give back to the community, whether it’s the “dollara-minute” massages that are so welcome at events such as the annual Lawn and Garden Show or charity events such as Relay For Life, doing “teacher breaks” at schools, adopting schools and donating funds to worthy causes. I believe Dr. Devin Eernisse will fit right in, and we wish her and HealthSource Athens all the best!

HealthSource Athens 129 US Highway 31 S Athens, AL 35611 Phone: 256-233-7776 Hours: Mon, Wed, & Thu 8:30-noon, 2-6 Tue, 1-5 Fri, 8:30-12 www.healthsourceof athens.com Page 15

Health and Fitness

Reducing The Risk Of Lower Back Pain

by Janet Hunt

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

Low-back pain is the most common chronic or long-lasting pain issue in the U.S. with 60% to 80% of adults dealing with it at some time in their lives. Many conditions can lead to lowback pain, but poor core strength is often the fundamental factor. With the increased number of sedentary jobs and all the time we spend sitting, this can lead to muscle imbalances and weak core muscles which put the lower back at an increased risk of stress or injury.

•Our deep core muscles are meant to endure prolonged contractions to support and stabilize the spine while standing or sitting in an erect position. Therefore, when we slouch in a chair all day, the core remains rela-

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tively inactive leading to decreased brain signals to the core, telling it to “turn on” and protect the spine when necessary.

•The psoas major muscle is a strong hip flexor.

Sitting can shorten this muscle, putting chronic stress on the low back.

•The gluteal muscles, which are the hip extensors, become lengthened and weak. These muscles are then unable to do their job in regular activities of daily living, forcing other muscles, such as those in the low back, to compensate.

Avoiding sitting is completely unrealistic, but exercise can help minimize your chances of developing lower back pain. Below are five suggested exercises.

•Plank.

Perform one

to three planks holding for 20-60 seconds, or as long as you can maintain proper form.

•Side Plank. The side plank may be more beneficial than a standard plank because it requires activation of the internal and external obliques.

Again, maintain proper form.

sufficient strength, the back takes over.

•Bird Dog. To perform this movement properly, the trunk should remain stable, while only the arms and legs move.

For a full description of the above exercises, check them out online or talk to a Personal Trainer for professional guidance about lower back health.

•Back extension. Back extensions help strengthen your posterior side.

Use proper form; avoid extending past 180 degrees (where the upper body is higher than the legs).

•Glute raises or bridge.

Weak gluteal muscles contribute to lower back pain. The gluteal muscles support activities like walking, running, squatting and deadlifting, but when they lack

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April 21 - May 4, 2017

Cover Story

Bill Mathews: Your Athens, Alabama Attorney

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Mandatory Disclaimer #1: “No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

continued from page 1

undergrad degree in finance from Auburn University.

He attended Samford University’s Cumberland Law School and finished his degree in 1989. He said that as a young man he always wanted to help people, and figured the best way he could do it was to be what he now describes as our “home-town lawyer.” As we chatted in his conference room Bill told me, “I could see people needed help, and I knew I wanted to help.”

He got his wish and opened his own practice in Athens in 1997. Bill has practiced law for 26 years in Athens.

His practice is located right across the street from the east side of the Courthouse at 117 South Marion Street,

Athens, AL 35611, and they are opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bill and his wife Heather have three children: William Jr., Caroline, and John David. Caroline and William Jr. are students at Auburn, and John David is still attending Athens High School.

Bill is a member of Lindsay Lane Baptist Church. He has taught 5th and 6th grade Sunday school, and has also been very active in the community. While in high school, Bill played tennis for the Golden Eagles and also played football, basketball, and ran track. In addition, he has been the coach of several of his children’s sports teams, including soccer, basketball and baseball.

Bill was the Chair for the

United Way, and is a past Presidentof the Limestone County Bar Association. He belongs to the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Bill served as the Chairman of the Limestone County Indigent Defense Commission.

He is also a municipal judge for the City of Ardmore. He was voted by the readers of the Athens News Courier as the Readers’ Choice Winner for 2015 and 2016.

Being a “small-town lawyer” is a bit like being a general practice physician; you do a little bit of everything. While a substantial portion of Bill’s practice is centered around real estate, he also does divorces, adoptions, personal injury, work related injuries, domestic relations cases, deeds, wills, power of attorney, bankruptcies, uncontested divorces, Social Security Disability, Department of Human Resources child support enforcement cases, probate, estates, automobile accidents, and wrongful death cases. When I asked him about some of his favorite areas of law, Bill told me he especially enjoys real estate and adoption cases.

I asked Bill why I should come to him if I find myself in need of legal services. He answered, “I believe a local lawyer will do a better job for a client because of the small-town factor. Word gets around if you have done a good job, as well as if you haven’t. I always wanted people to be able to have the kind of access to their lawyer to where they could walk in the office and ask, ‘How’s my case going? Do you have any new developments?’ You just don’t get that with a big city firm.” His clients have given him high ratings as well as positive reviews. One

April 21 - May 4, 2017

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client said he was “very kind and thorough. Quick to respond to any messages/questions.” Another mentioned, “Bill has the experience and the creativity to get your legal situation solved quickly and easily. I recommend calling them when you need a legal team in the area.” In 2017, Bill was awarded the Martindale-Hubble Attorney Award, which designates him as “Distinguished” and “peer-rated for high professional achievement.” Call Bill’s office today for getting highly-rated help with all your legal needs.

William G. Mathews, Attorney at Law

117 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 Phone: 256-232-2310 Hours: Mon-Fri. 8-5, closed for lunch between noon and 1 p.m. www.athens-lawyer.com

Mandatory Disclaimer #2: “These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors.”

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Your Professional Portfolio

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we just finished the 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium.

Participants received certificates with five contact hours or 0.5 Continuing Education Units. The symposium featured local and nationallyknown leaders. Our featured guest was Barbara Dooley, First Lady of Georgia Football, television host, and author. Dr. Joe Delap presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Deborah Price and the Distinguished Undergraduate Award to Britney Locke.

keep the advertisement for the talk. When I volunteer for a community program, I keep the thank you note.

about starting your own business? Do you want to change careers? Job security is not what it used to be, and many employees are consider-

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Are you looking to update your skills?

Are you thinking

At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we offer several certificate programs and courses to

tools for data analysis.

Topics in this class will include: identifying the primary use of Pivot Tables, filtering, sorting, and grouping Pivot Table data; using Pivot Charts and conditional formatting; tailoring Pivot Table calculations to your requirements; and summarizing data. The fee is $55.

Friday, April 28, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. we will offer ISO 9001:2015 Transition Training.

This course will teach you the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, and how those requirements differ from Dr. Delap presenting the ISO 9001:2008 Distinguished standard. You will Alumnus Award to also learn how to Deborah Price plan and implement the new 2015 renew your skills. standard within your “Certificate hold- organization and how ers earn 20% more to prepare for the upthan workers who coming audits that will hold only a high reflect the new requireschool diploma… ments. The fee is $495 and more than one- which includes lunch. third of certificate For those who are very holders also have busy, the Center offers Associate’s degrees a wide variety of ceror Bachelor’s de- tificate courses online. grees.” (from In- Most can be finished in side Higher Educa- less than a year, some in tion, June 6, 2015) only six months, and a

This was a good opportunity to add Dr. Delap presenting training to our proDistinguished fessional portfolios.

Undergraduate Award If you are a profesto Britney Locke sional, you should be keeping a portfolio. A professional Do not get the idea portfolio is something that I am doing a you keep for a lifetime. great job keeping Your portfolio is a re- this portfolio. Like minder of trainings and most people, I get a place to store awards busy and forget. I and letters of recogni- have an envelope tion. Your portfolio is a of scrap papers that history of all you have need to be added done and an invaluable to my portfolio. resource when applying The point is, if you for new jobs or trying don’t have a professional portfolio, for a promotion.

My portfolio is not just it may be time you a collection of certifi- put one together. cates I have earned. It You never know includes samples of my what opportunities work. When I write an are just around the article for a journal or a corner. newspaper, I include it in my portfolio. When I present on a topic, I

ing alternatives.

Dr. Delap www.athensnowal.com

On Thursday, April 27, from 9:00 a.m.

– 12:30 p.m., we will be offering Building Pivot Tables. Pivot Tables are one of Excel’s most powerful

I q b o w c w h o t T c t b i s p f s f t

S m w t t t u g b c a m Y t i t T c f s p a o few of them in only six c c weeks. a Find out more about a our courses and events f on our website – www. athens.edu/cll - or call C n us at 256-233-8260.

April 21 - May 4, 2017

The View From The Bridge

Parents It’s Time To Start The Exit Plan - Next Stop, College!

Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

by Jackie Warner

I can’t believe how quickly time has gone by. We hear it over and over again. Enjoy them while they are young because it goes fast. Yes, we know it is true but so hard for us to embrace our children’s journey to the next phase of life.

The key to helping your child make the transition should start way before 11th grade, but if you are just getting started or have been preparing for the last few years, allow me to share some helpful tips for those college road trips this summer.

Spring Break and summer of junior year is when most parents hit the road to start making those final selections for the perfect college or university. The goal is to get a feel for the school beyond all those brochures that have been arriving daily in the mail for the past year.

Your child will need to make in-person visits to get a true feel for the campus atmosphere.

They should talk with current students, professors, coaches, admissions officers, etc. As a parent, you should also accompany your child on these visits so you can get a feel for the campus as well. After all, you want your child and, of course, you to feel safe.

College Questions you need to ponder?

April 21 - May 4, 2017

1.Will the school of choice be commuter or residential?

tiple colleges one after another, it may become hard to keep straight what you’ve learned about each school, so taking notes on how you felt while being at each school is important. Take lots of notes, and then review them all to assist with your final decision.

2.What is too close and what is too far from home?

3.What is the real financial contribution from family, and what is the expectation from the student? (Having a real conversation is important or there will be trouble when the acceptance letters arrives)

Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional

Get the Facts Find out the admission requirements for the school such as GPA, SAT & ACT Scores.

Review the scholarship offerings, and know the costs associated with attending. Attend college fairs and financial aid events.

Choose Wisely

the

Dates

The ideal times to visit colleges are the spring of your child's junior year and/or the fall of senior year. Go ahead and have your child complete a college visit day request so that any absences from school will not count against them.

If you are planning your visits in the summer, think about incorporating college visits during a family vacation. The best days to visit are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Map it out It makes sense to map your route, minimiz-

ing the travel time in between each school.

Pick an area or region with several schools you’re interested in so you can visit multiple colleges over the length of your trip. Plan your route ahead of time, so you’ll know each location you’d like to visit and the travel times in between.

overnight in a dorm room, he/she will need to make appointments in advance; don’t chance a walk-in appointment.

Take notes

Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: http://thebridgeus.yolasite.com/

If you’re visiting mul-

Setup Appointments/Interviews Be sure to call ahead and check on tour times, dates offices are closed, and visit/ interview policies.

Have your child to schedule the visits. If your child wants to participate in an official campus tour, interview with the admissions office, coaches, professors, etc., or stay

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Horse Whispering

Learn How To Ride Well

by Deb Kitchenmaster Have you considered what it is like for your horse to have you on its back?

That may seem like a silly question to some, but really, a conscientious horseperson does consider their horse’s point of view. Not in a babysitting type of way or treating your horse like a big dog, but imagining being the horse. When I teach handlers how to pick out a hoof, for example, I will have them pretend to be the horse. I let them ‘feel’ in their hips and joints what it is like when I hold their bent leg from one position to the next. They are amazed to realize the pressure or ease in the body depending on the position of the leg. Especially when we are picking out hind legs, there may be a tendency to bring the horse’s hoof towards our body rather than simply up.

What does it mean to ride well? It means you are in harmony with your horse when you turn and when you make transitions in your walk, trot, canter and gallop.

Walk is a four-beat.

Trot is a two-beat.

Canter is a three-beat and gallop is a fourbeat.

We “foaled” a colt in the late 90s. This horse displayed hunter/English style characteristics that brought me to the intersection of decision making. Either I needed to learn English style riding or sell the horse. I met a gal who gave les-

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sons and signed up. What was fun and natural to me became awkward and unnatural. In fact, the night of my first riding lesson,

a package from my Colorado girlfriend, Marsha, who had purchased me a beautiful horse bracelet with an encouraging note.

structor’s point of view, but what was connecting and naturally effective for him. Prior to lessons, I had a beautiful balanced

“correct” seat and like Matt Damon in The Legend of Bagger Vance (who needed to get his swing back); I needed to get my “seat” back. So I did.

I dreamt about “toes up; heels down.” One day, after having lessons for several weeks, I cried all the way from the barn to my home. In that forty minute drive, I had convinced myself I needed to get out of horses altogether. When I pulled up to my mailbox, there was

I dried my tears, changed instructor, and returned to “fun,” “relaxation,” and “progressing.” I did learn a personal lesson here. I needed a “teacher” not a “mocker.”

My horse did not care if my toes were up and my heels down or what was “correct” from this in-

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Horses mirror what you do in your body because what you do in your body, they do in their body – good or bad. Braiding these three “awarenesses” together will help you ride well: (1) improve your seat (2) balance (3) communication.

point. My what? This place is found somewhere between your crotch and your tailbone. Practice this on a barrel or a log.

Sit on your crotch; slowly roll back towards your tailbone until you find that spot you “naturally” relax in. This is the place where your back will be straight, yet supple. It is an unforced position, and you will feel balanced and secure in your seat.

Once you get the “feel” of this relaxed balance point, you are ready to offer this to your horse as you sit on its back. Once mounted you can test yourself to see if you are on your balance point. Rest the palm of your hand on your horse’s rump. If you can only touch with your fingers, you are too far forward and more than likely on your crotch. If you can touch your horse’s tail or put your elbow on his rump, you are too far back on your jean pockets. Your balanced point is relaxed, unforced, and you simply rest the palm of your hand on your horse’s rump. Palm of hand, not fingers or elbow, on the back of your horse.

Ride well and enjoy your How you sit on your horse ride. I know your horse determines how well your will. horse can move. Your Your NEIGHbor, position on his back deDeb Kitchenmaster termines how he uses his Corral Connections back, how he uses freedom of movement in his shoul- www.corralconnections.com 256-426-7947 ders, and how he uses his hindquarters.

Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner Learn to find your balance dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

April 21 - May 4, 2017

April 21 - May 4, 2017

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Medical Update

What You Need to Know About Pelvic Pain

by Oliver E Carlota, M.D. Most women experience pelvic pain at some time during their lives. Many times pelvic pain is just the normal functioning of the reproductive tract or other organs. Other times pelvic pain may indicate a more serious problem that needs urgent treatment. Here we will discuss some common causes of pelvic pain and potential treatment options.

Some “normal” events can cause severe pain.

Pain with ovulation is called “mittleschmirtz” and can at times be severe. Functional ovarian cysts are fluid filled structures that if left alone will go away without any treatment.

Dysmenorrhea.

This means pain with menstrual period. Some cramping with the menstrual period is normal, but it is not normal to have pain that interferes with a woman’s normal activities.

Prostaglandins are compounds in menstrual blood that cause the uterus to contract, and cause cramping.

Common medicines used to treat dysmenorrhea, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium help by interfering with the production of prostaglandin.

Hormonal therapy with birth control pills can also be very effective.

Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus implants in locations

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outside the uterus. This typically causes pelvic pain around the time of the menstrual period, but can cause pain at other times in the cycle as well as pain with intercourse.

Treatment includes hormonal therapy +/- surgical therapy, including laparoscopy and hysterectomy.

Fibroids. Fibroids are benign growths in the muscle of the uterus.

Fibroids are very common, and usually are not painful. Some fibroids can cause pelvic pressure, pain and excessively heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).

If symptoms are severe enough, hysterectomy may be necessary.

In fact, fibroids are the most common indication for hysterectomy in the

United States.

Infection. Most pelvic infections that cause pain are caused by Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea. Infections can also be caused by other bacteria. Infection of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is called endometritis. Infection of the fallopian tubes is

called salpingitis. Often pelvic infection is given the term Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID. Sometimes pelvic infections can cause severe pelvic pain and fever, but a chlamydia infection may not cause any pain at all. If a pelvic infection is suspected, it is important to be treated with antibiotics, since severe damage to the tubes and ovaries can result if treatment is delayed.

Pelvic Adhesions. An adhesion is where intraabdominal organs stick together. This is often caused by pelvic infection (PID), endometriosis, or previous surgery.

Pelvic pain can occur when adhesions are stretched. For example, if an ovary is stuck to

the intestine, ovulation may stretch these adhesions and cause pain. On the other hand, many adhesions cause no pain at all.

Unless adhesions cause the intestines to be blocked (a bowel obstruction), they usually cannot be diagnosed without doing laparos-

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copy and actually looking inside the abdomen.

Most adhesions can be freed during laparoscopy, but they can reform.

Freeing the adhesions may or may not relieve pain.

Pain from other organs The colon sits next to the uterus and ovary.

Pain from irritable bowel syndrome can seem like it is coming from the ovary. Usually this is a crampy pain. Constipation and inflammation of the intestine, such as diverticulitis can also cause pelvic pain. As endometriosis can involve the intestines, evaluation of the intestinal tract and laparoscopy may be necessary to determine whether the pain is coming from the intestines or a gynecologic problem.

Bladder. Inflammation of the bladder is felt in the lower abdomen. A bladder infection usually causes burning with urination and urinary frequency. Interstitial cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder not caused by infection, but can cause severe symptoms.

Kidney stones also can

also cause pelvic pain.

Abdominal wall pain.

Nerves in the abdominal wall can be trapped, and cause severe pain.

Often this is near a previous surgical incision.

It is important to distinguish pain from the abdominal wall from problems inside the abdomen. Often this can be done by numbing areas of the abdominal wall with local anesthetics, which will eliminate pain coming from the wall, but not from internal organs.

As noted above, many of the common causes of pelvic pain will resolve with observation or with simple medical treatment including anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, or hormonal therapy.

If the pain remains persistent or seems to be gradually worsening, many times a diagnostic laparoscopy may be necessary. This involves placement of a 10 mm camera into the abdominal cavity and inflation of the cavity with carbon dioxide. Looking into the pelvis, different causes of pelvic pain can be diagnosed and treated including endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, and ovarian cyst formation. If laparoscopy alone cannot relieve the pain, or if there are coexisting problems, hysterectomy, with or without removal of the tubes and ovaries, many times becomes the definitive management.

April 21 - May 4, 2017

Foreman’s Forum

Get A GRIP! And, Have A PLAN!

by Paul Foreman

One of the problems I see most often in my firearms training classes is the student not using the proper grip on his or her handgun. Gripping improperly can cause missed targets, malfunctions and even injuries. The grip must be firm, but not so tight that your hand is trembling. A two handed grip on guns is a “love-hate” or push-pull arrangement. Actually the same applies also to rifles and shotguns.

Years ago when I was working in a “big box” sporting goods store, a father with his 10 year old son came in. The father told me his son already had his own 22 rifle. Now dad wanted his son to have

as sold to adults; they just make the stock shorter. An adult sized stock can be installed in just a few more years.

to tell me about shooting some doves the day before and now the young man was no longer fearful of the shotgun!

Even more important is the “grip” the young man was using. I pulled a youth model down off the rack, opened the action, showed them it was empty and with dad’s permission, handed the young man the gun. Kneeling down next to him, I explained how to push forward with the hand holding the forearm, while pulling back on the grip with his other hand.

I also instructed him to ALWAYS keep his finger OFF the trigger until ready to shoot. Pushing forward with the front will

Gripping a handgun should be the same, only you have both hands wrapped around the grip and trigger

absorb all the recoil. We cover proper handgun grip in my classes, along with tons of other information so my students can safely and properly use a firearm.

Have a plan. In my Home Defense Class, I teach you how to have a plan,

in case of a home invasion. What would you do?

Imagine awakening during the night to discover some demented, drug-crazed thug has broken into your home. Do you have a gun?

Is it loaded? Is it locked up somewhere? Can you get to it in time? Do you know how to use it safely and properly? Yes, you need to call 911, but after all, when seconds count, the cops are only minutes away. a shotgun, but the slightly built boy had become fearful of the recoil from his dad’s 12 gauge pump. Dad asked me about getting a 20 gauge or 410 gauge in a “youth model.” I did recommend the youth model as the stock is shorter to fit the shorter arms. Popular gun manufacturers often have the exact same model

April 21 - May 4, 2017

absorb a lot of the recoil.

I also showed him how to hold the stock firmly against his shoulder, so the gun would not punch him when it fired. Dad bought the youth sized 12 gauge, and the boy’s smile lit up the store as they left. The next day, the father and son came back in. They were anxious and excited

guard. Especially on semi auto pistols, the grip must be high on the back strap but not so high that the slide comes back and hits your hand (I can demonstrate this much better in class!). Gripping your gun too low can cause all kinds of problems. Again, the grip is a push pull affair so that one hand does not

www.athensnowal.com

Recently in North Carolina, an eleven year old girl retreated into an upstairs closet when she heard two men breaking into her home. She dialed 911, but when the two bad guys forced open the closet door, they found themselves staring down the bad end of a 12 gauge shotgun! The brave crimi-

nals fled the home and were arrested a short time later.

Out west, a 14 year old young man followed the plan his parents had taught him. When two thugs broke in the front door in broad daylight, the 14 year old

took his 6 year old brother and retreated to a closet. In the closet were a 22 caliber rifle and a cell phone.

Same as above, when the thugs opened the closet door and saw the rifle, they fled like scared rabbits.

These stories never seem to get published in the mainstream media. I find them at www.Gunsamerica.com.

Paul Foreman 256-431-6702 NRA Recruiter NRA protects your 2nd Amendment Rights! membership.nrahq. org/forms/signup. asp?campaignid= XI029922 Check out my Web page www.PaulForeman.com and Facebook! @ www.facebook.com/PaulForeman-NRACertified-Instructor822151851204560

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