Athens Now 2-19-21

February 19th - March 4th, 2021

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425 Degan Wilder: 256-426-2493

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

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Blake's Beat Register Now for Upcoming Rodeo Queen Clinic...

An upcoming rodeo queen clinic is hoping to bring back the basics to address all aspects of participating in a rodeo queen pageant, with a focus on...

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From The Vets' Museum

All Aarons Travel: Your Seasoned Family Travel Assistants

By Ali Elizabeth Turner James and Rita Aaron met in Tennessee when they were 15 and are now in their ‘60s, having married in 1979. James attended the Air Force Academy, works for NASA, and

Continued on page 15

Crown Service Termite And Pest Control: Personal Service, Professional Standards

The McLemore Family Story...

When I decided to write about the McLemore family and their patriotism, I did not realize that Jerry Barksdale had already started with Col Mel McLemore...

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View From The Bridge It’s Our American History!...

Oh, America.

The labor, sweat, blood, and deaths that went into the infrastructure of this country that for over 400 years has not...

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February 19 - March 04, 2021

Rita Aaron, of All Aarons Travel

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Bella LaFontaine, of Crown Service Termite and Pest Control

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Crown Service Termite and Pest Control was founded in 2018

by Wayne Hemmerly and Stephen Corbett. Since then, this Continued on page 17

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February 19 - March 04, 2021

Publisher’s Point

Why Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess Is So Important

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Sales & Distribution Degan Wilder

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Leigh Patterson Anna Hamilton Deb Kitchenmaster Nick Thomas Lana Woody Blake Williams Sandra Thompson Eric Betts Jackie Warner Tim Lambert Steve Leland Mae Lewis

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Blake's Beat . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar Of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 From The Vets' Museum . . . 10 PlayAction Sports . . . . . . . . . 11 Clean Green And Beautiful . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . . 13 Steve's Corner . . . . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health And Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . 20

When I was in Iraq, I experienced a number of events and educational exposures that radically changed the direction of my life. One of them was becoming aware of the work of Dr. Caroline Leaf, a woman of faith who also happens to be a world-renown cognitive neuroscientist. She is one of those scientists and lecturers who is just as adept at speaking to her secular peers as she is to addressing believers, and she has worked for decades with some of the most traumatized people on the planet. She and her colleagues have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, and have the brain scans to prove it, that there is nothing you have gone through that can permanently prevent you from becoming your best self. The worst event can be repurposed into the gift that serves to transform you, and the sky is the limit when it comes to recovery of all sorts, irrespective of one’s age.

advance work for one of her books, have had one of her colleagues who is a neurosurgeon on my radio show, and will tell anyone who will listen how much applying her research can make a difference in their lives.

So, it is with great pleasure that I tell you about Dr. Leaf’s soon-to-beavailable newest work, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps To Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Think-

ing. It is going to be launched on March 2, and I can hardly wait!

Here is what Dr. Leaf’s launch team has to say about her newest work: Toxic thoughts, depression, anxiety -- our mental mess is frequently aggravated by a chaotic world and sustained by an inability to manage our runaway thoughts. But we shouldn't settle into this mental mess as if it's just our new normal.

There's hope and help

Alternative Approach . . . . 22 Special Feature . . . . . . . 24

February 19 - March 04, 2021

Backed by clinical research and illustrated with compelling case studies, Dr. Caroline Leaf provides a scientifically proven fivestep plan to find and eliminate the root of anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts in your life so you can experience dramatically improved mental and physical health. In just 21 days, you can start to clean up your mental mess and be on the road to wholeness, peace, and happiness.

Is this possible, actually finding and eliminating “the root of anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts,” or is this just another self-help guru who wants to leverage your vulnerabilities in a globally trying time?

I can say categorically, this stuff works. It is scientifically sound, and it squares with scripture.

You can order yours today at www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com.

You’ll be glad forever that you did.

Dr. Leaf shook my belief system about the human soul, spirit, and mind to the core, and I had to face down the fact that I was essentially “settling” when it came to what was actually possible for people to become when they have gone through the unthinkable.

Since then, I have heard her lecture in person several times, have done

Mental Health Minute . . . 21

available to us -- and the road to healthier thoughts and peak happiness may actually be shorter than you think.

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

athensnowal.com www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

Admiral McRaven: From Osama To Skipper The SEAL

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Retired Adm. William H. McRaven, the man who supervised the raid against Osama bin Laden, has written several successful books that parlay his experiences in the field to leadership lessons, even if becoming a SEAL is not the goal of the reader. His first book, written in 2017, was a New York Times bestseller with the unlikely title of Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe The World. It talks about starting off your day by doing a crisp job of making your bed. The idea behind this discipline is that if everything goes nuts in your day, you can have the pleasure of climbing into a wellmade bed at night time and knowing that something went well. It also illustrates the fact that success builds upon itself.

Other topics include dealing with bullies, the need for teamwork, giving people hope, and never quitting. In 2014, McRaven gave a commencement speech at the University of Texas that has gone on to be one of the most popular

with failure, and persevere through tough times—just as you do in life. (And always remember to make your bed!)

“In this entertaining children's adaptation of his #1 New York Times bestseller, Admiral William H. McRaven shares life lessons from Navy SEAL training and encourages young readers to become their best selves.

of all time. Many of the principles in that speech are in Make Your Bed, and McRaven’s works have gone on to inspire millions.

In 2019, the admiral wrote a book on being a SEAL entitled, Sea Stories: My Life In Special Operations. Especially endearing is McRaven’s description of living in France after WWII while his father was an officer in NATO. Contrasted with tales of the rigors of being a part of the most famous elite force on the planet, Sea Stories also

is full of leadership lessons.

Most recently, Admiral McRaven took the Make Your Bed message and made it appropriate for kids. His newest offering is entitled, Make Your Bed With Skipper The SEAL. Yes, Skipper has becoming a SEAL as his goal, and as is always the case with children’s books, the adults have to stay engaged and get something out of it for themselves.

ming test or how to dive off a ship. To be a great SEAL, you also have to take risks, deal

Admiral McRaven made a point of reading to his kids as much as he could when they were little, and I for one am thankful not only for his service, but for overcoming all obstacles to become a world-changing author.

From what I hear about Skipper, the book is so well written that anyone can gain great insight into how to live life well, no matter their age. One reviewer said of Skipper the Seal, As Skipper the seal embarks on Navy SEAL training, he and his hardworking friends learn much more than how to pass a swim-

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February 19 - March 04, 2021

Blake's Beat

Register Now for Upcoming Rodeo Queen Clinic

by Blake Williams An upcoming rodeo queen clinic is hoping to bring back the basics to address all aspects of participating in a rodeo queen pageant, with a focus on the requirements of the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Queen Pageant.

The two-day clinic is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on March 6, 2021, at 2~S Arena located at 26155 Thach Road. Potential contestants and their support group will have the opportunity to learn the best pageant qualifications of appearance (hair, makeup, clothing), public introduction/speaking, modeling, interviews, impromptu questioning, outfit preparation, and horsemanship. The information can also be used to prepare for the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant.

The horsemanship portion of the clinic will take place on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the arena.

The cost of the clinic is $30. There is an observer fee of $15. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided to those who attend. For those who just want to attend the horsemanship portion, the cost is $30.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

The clinic will be hosted by Abigail Benz, Miss Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo 2020, and the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Pageant Committee. The clinic will also feature Dakota Missildine Johnson, Miss Rodeo USA 2010, and Kelly Payton Weathersby, Miss Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo 1992.

Kellie Barron, 2021 Limestone County Sheriff Rodeo Queen Pageant Committee member, explains why this clinic is beneficial for all potential contestants.

“Back to basics means simplifying the more expensive aspects of queening and focusing more on the foundation of it,” said Barron. “The main goal is to build strong young women through enhancing selfconfidence along with more knowledge of horses, rodeo, social and interviewing skills.”

Barron says each contestant will learn characteristics that they can carry them through the rest of their life.

Those who wish to attend the clinic must pre-register by March 1. To download the registration packet, you can visit the pageant tab on the rodeo’s website at https://limestonesheriffrodeo.

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Calendar of Events Growing Up Wild ​February 24

trophies-- just show and shine; enjoy the shops and eateries around the Square. All cars, trucks, and bikes welcome.

First Impressions at Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive between the Swing Set and the Marina in Rogersville from 10:00AM-11:30AM. Children combine movement and math to show how they think and feel about animals. This activity is designed for children to notice their first reactions to animals and see whether their reactions change when they learn more about them. The day will start at the picnic tables between the swing set and the Marina before heading out to the "Punisher" section of the Awesome Trail for class.

Play Outside Day March 6

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.

Chili Chili Ride February 27

Redstone Harley-Davidson. 15100 AL-20W or Exit 3 Greenbrier on I-565 in Madison from 9:00AM-6:00PM with Law Tigers.

Sign Up starting at 9:00AM; Kick Stands Up at 10:00AM. Enjoy live music with DIV/O! from 12;00PM-3:00PM and Bad Ethyl from 6:00PM-9:00PM. Food available from Comin' In Hot from 12:00PM-3:00PM. Ride and finish out at Coppertop Bar. For more information: 256-384-6868.

Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday February 26 - 28

Will be from Friday, Feb 26 at 12:01AM to Sunday, Feb 28 at 12:00AM to give shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe weather preparedness items free of state sales tax.

Reference sheet available online.

Rodeo Queen Clinic "Bringing Back the Basics" March 6

2-S Arena, 26155 Thach Road in Athens starting at 9:00AM with host Abigail Benz, Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo 2020. The clinic will provide information that addresses all aspects of a rodeo queen pageant with focus on requirements specific to Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo Queen Pageant with guest Dakota Missildine Johnson, Miss Rodeo USA 2010 and Kelly Payton Weathersby, Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo 1992. Horsemanship portion will be March 7, 2021 at 1PM at 2-S Arena ($30.00 fee if attendee not present for March 6th event). Registration deadline is March 1, 2021.

Pre-registration required.

Registrant: $30.00; Observer $15.00 includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. Forms: h​ ttps:// limestonesheriffrodeo.files.wordpress.com/2021/02/2021queen-clinic-information-packet.pdf

Chicken Stew Pickup March 6

Ask A Master Gardener March 2

Athens-Limestone Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. From 10:15AM-2:15PM with the Athens-Limestone Master Gardeners. For more information about the Master Gardeners, you can contact them at limestonemg@yahoo.com.

Swamp Johns Drive-Thru Dinner ​March 5

With City of Athens Relay for Life Team. To be picked up at the Parking Lot Behind Athens City (Corner of Bryan and North Marion Street in Athens) from 11:00AM-2:00PM. Stew will be made by Charles and Kathy Cothren. Tickets available for Gallon - $25.00 and Quart $10.00. For more information or to purchase tickets call Kim at 256-233-8730 or email hhollman@ athensal.us

Benefiting Copeland Presbyterian Church at the Tractor Supply parking lot. 601 U.S. Highway 72 in Athens. 4:00PM-7:00PM. Enjoy a choice of fish, chicken, shrimp, or combination plate including hushpuppies, french fries, slaw, and drink for $12.00.

Monies go toward a new church sign. For ticket or questions: 256-603-2899.

March Cruise In on the Square March 6

In downtown Athens from 6:00PM-9:00PM. No judging, no Page 6

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For the health and safety of our volunteers and the public, we regret that the VVA Spaghetti Day has been canceled until further notice.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

February 19 - March 04, 2021

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Mayor Ronnie, Holly Hollman, and several other public servants have been short on sleep and long on caffeine and donuts this past week due to the winter storms. We had had to delay our scheduled interview, and nearly were not able to squeeze one in between the “waves” of the storm. The mayor spent most of our time telling me about the heroic measures taken by people in our town and from outside to help us get through it in one piece.

“We need to thank so many, and I hope I don’t forget anyone,” said the mayor. “Utilities, Public Works, Police, Fire and churches worked around the clock. Dispatch answered the phones, taking customer calls. Some people have not been easy to deal with, and they just stay at it,” he said. “We have a reciprocal agreement through the League of Municipalities; so when we have a problem, workers from other cities call to see if we need them, and

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vice versa. Scottsboro called and came to our aid. It might not seem like all that much to have 6,000 people out of power when you think of Texas having 4.1 million, but when you are one of those people having to go without, it matters a lot to get help,” he said. “The Scottsboro guys have been amazing,” he added. “We have 50,000 power customers,” he said, and by Wednesday night, there were only about 30 people still out of power. Mayor Ronnie also talked about how well the sanding of the roads had gone.

The mayor talked about waking up in the middle of the night trying to figure out how to help a man without power who had a severely ill wife that could not be transported anywhere. “He texted me to let me know the power was back on,” he said, and I wondered how likely something like that would happen elsewhere. “Central Church of Christ has agreed to keep the warming station going for the next few days, and last night they had 10 people stay there.

They have kept their volunteers there to help,” he added. “We have been taxed by this, but these are the kinds of things that remind us just

how fragile we are, and how we need to come together to look after each other; and we have,” said Mayor Ronnie.

All of it converged to underscore a saying that was in the book we have been reading, Friday Forward. On

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page 28, there was a familiar statement that headed up a section: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Here’s what it says, and the application to this past week, and even what we are still going through is strong. Author Robert Glazer talked about JFK’s determination to get us to the moon, and how they did it with much less technological prowess than we have today. An IPhone “walking around” in the pocket of an average person could handle the technological demands of 120 million moon missions

simultaneously. Glazer said, “So clearly, it’s not always about having the best technology, the right tools, or the smartest people; it’s about having the individual and collective will.” We have indeed been without power and technology this week, but our people, by the grace of God, found a way to power us back up through “individual and collective will.”

The responsibilities of running the city were calling, and we needed to pray. And then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

Slinkard On Success

Make Something Out Of Each Day

by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard would love your feedback. You can contact him at da.slinkard@gmail.com

I love the book of Proverbs in my King James Bible -so much wisdom and truth packed in this book that I believe a person should read a chapter of Proverbs every day. There are 31 chapters, and the simple plan would be to read the chapter number for the day of the month it is.

Reading God’s Word is a great thing all of us could do. In fact, reading God’s Word is exactly where this article you hold in your hand came from. Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

This is one of those statements that holds so much validity in our everyday lives. Think back to 2019, people could not wait for the year of 2020 because it was going to be the year of vision. And then when it got here, we realized we did not like what we were seeing. Shortly after 2020 was here, we were quickly anticipating the end to draw near and to start fresh for 2021. How many people were saying, “I cannot wait for this year to be over?”

get so worried about what has happened or worried about what might happen that we completely forget about what IS happening.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. We need to know what we want and with our vision, we need to focus in on what we are going to accomplish.

I remember as a kid we had some mules growing up on our farm, and I remember my dad using the team of mules to plow up the ground we had. He would put blinders on these mules because he did not want them to get spooked when he would be working with them. The purpose of the blinders was to keep the mules from seeing to the rear of them and to help

eliminate distractions.

How different would our lives be if there was some way we could put blinders in our own lives?

today have a cell phone in the womb. Craziest thing, it seems they come out of the womb knowing how to text and send messages.

How many times do we look back on things and we take our focus on moving ahead? How many times do we see something out of the corner of our eyes, and we are now looking sideways instead of focusing straight ahead on what we want to achieve? It happens all the time, and we are inundated with all kinds of distractions. A big distraction for many people is their cell phone -- whether it be talking, texting, face-timing, or browsing the Internet. If I am not mistaken, there was a new study that came out suggesting most kids born

Where there is no vision, the people perish. What distractions are you allowing into your life? How many distractions are you allowing daily that prevents you from achieving everything you need to get done to be a success? Have you even thought about it? I am constantly trying to improve my productivity in my personal life; and so I am always trying new things.

What I found is if I do not mix things up, I eventually become stagnant. I love written to-do lists, but I must alternate how I attack these lists, otherwise, I just

start transferring things that need to get done from one day to the next.

Are you one of the people that could not wait for 2020 to be over but have done nothing different thus far in 2021? Many people are guilty, but it does not have to be like that. Think about what you want to achieve NOW, get the vision of HOW, and then focus in on doing it. Put your blinders on, limit your distractions, and make something out of 2021 each day. Do something that moves you toward your vision each day because each day will eventually become your year. What will your vision be and what will you do today to start?

It seems we are a society that lacks vision. We have become a society that likes to reflect on what was, and we are a society that likes to look ahead, but we fail to have the vision of NOW. Some people would call this living in the moment; but it seems to me too many people are caught up in their past or prematurely looking toward their future that they miss what is happening right this very instant. We

February 19 - March 04, 2021

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

The McLemore Family Story

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum

When I decided to write about the McLemore family and their patriotism, I did not realize that Jerry Barksdale had already started with Col Mel McLemore. I learned about it when I spoke to Col McLemore concerning the possibility of doing a story on him and his family. He said that Jerry had related to him that if something happened to him before he finished the story that "Sandy can finish it." So here is the first part of the story written entirely by Jerry Barksdale. In my next article, I will pick up with Col McLemore where Jerry left off and hopefully do the first part justice.

Part 1 Jerry Barksdale’s Interview Colonel Melvin “Mel” McLemore was destined to be a soldier. He was the only child of Grady and Ruby Pugh McLemore, but had many close cousins and friends to play with. The Great Depression was ravaging our nation and Hitler was overrunning Europe and Japan had invaded China.

The world teetered on a cataclysm. Mel was three years old when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor touching off the bloodiest and most distinctive war in history. At the McLemore home on the edge of Athens, the family gathered around the radio after supper and listened to Gabriel Heatter for the latest war news. “Good evening, everyone; there is great news tonight!” The spell-binding Heatter always gave a positive spin on the news. His broadcast was Mel’s introduction to what was happening in the world. Mel was proud of America and proud of his uncles who were away

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fighting. When many young boys wanted a cowboy outfit, Mel wanted a youth soldier uniform, which his parents found and gave him. Later, he honed his marksmanship skills, first with a BB rifle, then a .22, and at age 14 with a 20-gauge shotgun. He didn’t shoot animals but he did become a crack shot.

planned. While waiting to be called to active duty, Mel got a job teaching math and science at Piney Chapel School; later that year, he was hired to work as a caseworker at DHR, all a great experience.

In April 1961, Mel went on active duty at the Basic Signal School in Ft. Monmouth, NJ. He and Wanda were married in June as planned. Following their honeymoon they moved to Ft. Gordon, GA, where Mel

Mel played defensive safety and half-back at Athens Junior and High School; and during the summer and on Saturdays, he worked on a road crew for his father who was a Limestone County commissioner.

Following graduation in 1956, he went to Florence State College (now UNA) in his red and white 1958 Chevy Imsian missiles pointed pala, where ROTC was at the U.S. had been required for the first two discovered in Cuba, years. Mel was a natuonly 90 miles away ral. Being an excellent from Florida, and shooter, he made the more coming by rifle team and competships. Our nation was ed with other colleges inching toward nuin the Southeast and 1st Lieutenant Melvin J. McLemore clear war. He would Vietnam 1963-1964 earned four-year lettergive a sign of relief Captain: Vietnam 1967-1968 man. He was accepted when President Kenfor advance ROTC and went was platoon leader in a Signal nedy and Russian President for 6 weeks of basic train- unit. A fresh lieutenant lead- Khrushchev ended the crisis. ing in July and August at Ft. ing men required wisdom. The missiles were removed.

Benning, GA, where the heat He remembered the sage adThe next assignment was Holand humidity created a sauna. vice given him in ROTC that loman Air Force Base in South He graduated from Florence would guide him in the Army: New Mexico in Dec. 1962.

State in 1960 and the same “If you want to be successful, Mel and Wanda packed again; day was commissioned a 2nd you’d better get acquainted and with a new baby, Sandi, in Lieutenant in the Army. It was with the NCOs -- senior and wraps, drove west. They surea proud moment and exciting junior.” I took this to heart ly looked down at the child, time in his life. During this says Mel. later nicknamed Stormy, and period, while riding his Har- In 1962, Mel was accepted wondered what the future held ley-Davidson 165 with Wayne to Flight School and he and for her. They wouldn’t have Crow and other buddies, Mel Wanda moved to Ft Rucker, guessed in a hundred years. met Wayne’s younger sister, AL, where he flew fixed-wing At Holloman, Mel flew singleWanda, a pretty dark-eyed aircraft and learned instrubrunette. His interest in her ment flying. Three weeks be- engine aircraft, used primargrew. He proposed during fore graduation, the specter ily for aerial surveillance and Christmas 1960; she accept- of war appeared suddenly and test support for White Sands Missile range. While flying ed. Wanda graduated from unexpectedly. Mel’s class was on a project, Mel received a Athens Bible School in May alerted for deployment and call from flight operations to 1961, and a June wedding was assigned tactical gear. Rusreturn to base for a special

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message. He was curious about what could it be. He was given orders to return to Ft Rucker for special training and further deployment (classified). An Ops guy said probably Vietnam. “Where is that?” Mel asked. They got out an atlas and the guy showed him. A few thousand were there already on special missions, including the Green Berets.

Mel and Wanda packed again, and with baby Sandi, drove to Athens and found a house for Wanda. Mel reported to Ft Rucker and was assigned to the newly formed 73rd Aviation Company. The mission was to fly a singleengine aerial-surveillance aircraft in support of South Vietnam combat troops and to support the Green Berets as required. On May 28, 1963, he departed for Vietnam as part of the advanced party and two days later landed at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, just outside Saigon. A new and dangerous mission had begun.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

PlayAction Sports

Some Athletes Look To The Next Level While Others Focus On The Next Season

by Tim Lambert

Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net! email: playactionsports@hotmail.com

Local athletes took part in National Signing Day: Athens High's Jordan Scott, A'Vonte Thompson, Josiah Trotman, and Thomas Jerkins all signed football scholarships with University of the Cumberlands; Cal George went with Huntingdon College; Rush Boyett made the choice for Samford University; and A.J. Horton inked with Independence Community College. Heath Carden picked Campbellsville University for football and baseball, East Limestone's Tyler Moore signed a football scholarship with Hutchinson College while Jirah Rogers signed to play basketball with UAH. Elkmont's Hunter Broadway and Tanner’s Nick Gibson will continue at Tennessee Valley Prep. James Clemens football signees included Ryan Creehan (Robert Morris), Aaron Boone (William Penn), and Manny Sanders (Mars Hill). West Limestone’s Hagen Rouse will also continue his football career at Huntingdon.

Congratulations to James Clemens Varsity and Athens Middle School for their championships at the state cheer competition.

Ardmore The boys’ basketball team turned back Tanner 53-50 in the regular season. At the Limestone County tournament, the boys defeated Tanner again 47-36. Seasons ended in the area tournament with losses to Mae Jemison 74-55 (girls) and Lee 78-19 (boys).

Athens Bible Basketball wins came against Lindsay Lane 47-36 (boys), Whitesburg Christian 42-27 (girls), Sheffield 59-27 (girls), and Waterloo 40-29 (girls). In the area tournament, the ABS

girls hit the end of the road against Decatur Heritage 5324. COVID quarantine forced the cancellation of boys’ games.

Athens High The Lady Golden Eagles defeated Grissom 56-33, Russellville 52-36 and 49-32, and James Clemens 48-38. The boys topped Madison Academy 55-53 and Russellville 68-51. In the area tournament, both teams were eliminated

by Madison Academy, 51-40 (boys) and 55-50 (girls).

Clements Varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams turned back Colbert Heights 49-46 and 41-17. The boys posted wins over East Lawrence 76-46 and Lindsay Lane 57-26. The Lady Colts defeated Randolph 47-16 and Westminster 55-29.

East Limestone's Tyler Moore signs with Hutchinson College (courtesy photos)

East Limestone The varsity boys beat Clements 64-37 in regular season play; the girls squashed Ardmore 6119. In the county tournament, the Indians overcame Ardmore 51-42 and the girls knocked off West Limestone 74-51. The Indians were taken out of the area tournament by Mae Jemison 63-43. The girls topped Lee 54-42 in the first round before falling to Mae Jemison 65-47 in the finals. The boys' bowling team went through the

February 19 - March 04, 2021

state tournament undefeated, turning back Marbury, Elberta, and Beauregard along the way.

The Lady Indians beat UMSWright in their quarterfinal matchup, but lost to Corner in the semi-finals.

Elkmont Varsity basketball victories came against Clements 51-41 (boys) and 61-38 (girls), Wilson 64-50 (boys) and 52-33 (girls), Rogers 72-46 (boys), Colbert Heights 53-34 (girls), Randolph 69-22 (girls) and East Lawrence 59-37 (girls).

The Lady Red Devils turned back Clements 59-48 in the county tournament. Both teams defeated Clements again in the area tournament before falling in the finals to Lauderdale County.

Elkmont's Hunter Broadway signs with Tennessee Valley Prep Sports Academy

Tanner's Nick Gibson signs with Tennessee Valley Prep Sports Academy

James Clemens The Jets defeated Florence 7366 while the girls got two regular season victories over the Lady Falcons 55-41 and 58-35.

The boys also topped Austin 74-60. In the area tournament, the Lady Jets won against Bob Jones 59-45 but lost to Austin in the finals 33-30. The boys outlasted the Black Bears 7168 and claimed the area title against Florence 80-71. Tennis teams shut out Austin. At the state indoor track meet, Cadence Huntsinger finished third in the Class 7A 60-meter hurdles while the Jets’ 4X200 meter relay team placed second.

The boys’ soccer team blanked Buckhorn 2-0; the girls beat Hoover 1-0 and Decatur 6-1.

Lindsay Lane The Lady Lions downed Sheffield 70-24 and ABS 45-39.

The boys were eliminated by Decatur Heritage 59-35 in the area tournament. The girls were defeated by the Lady Eagles in the finals 64-55.

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West Limestone's Hagen Rouse signs with Huntingdon College

Tanner

10-0.

The girls beat Whitesburg Christian 73- 27, Ardmore 57-38, and Tharptown 58-36.

At the county tournament, the girls edged Elkmont 49-47 and East Limestone 60-59 in overtime to win the championship.

Tanner's girls also moved past Tharptown 62-46 in the area tournament, but fell to Hatton in the finals 90-50. Tanner's boys were taken out by Whitesburg Christian 63-37 in the first round. The boys shut out West Limestone on the soccer field

West Limestone

Regular season wins came against St. John Paul II 3731 (boys) and Brooks 53-49 (girls). The boys won the county tournament, eliminating Elkmont 48-28 and East Limestone in the finals 35-25. Area basketball scores saw the West Limestone girls defeating West Morgan 51-37 and Brooks 5248 to win the area title. West Limestone's boys’ season came to a halt against West Morgan 51-47 in overtime.

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Clean, Green And Beautiful

Let’s Talk Trash (And Our Upcoming Trash Attack!)

by Leigh Patterson - Executive Director - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Litter. It seems as though it is everywhere right now, and it seems worse than it has been in quite some time. Why is it this way? There are a few answers, such as people tossing trash out of their car windows, litter blowing out of uncovered trucks and trailers, loose garbage in trash cans that has not been bagged properly, and other reasons.

Also, due to COVID-19, the state inmates have not been allowed to work with litter crews and the roadways have not gotten as much attention over the last 11 months (though some programs have started back, and the amount of litter and debris picked up has been staggering!). The fact is that each one of us has to take responsibility for our own garbage and for making sure that it is disposed of properly. Athens and Limestone County, we are better than this!

thank both organizations for their support that day!

participate; however, is helpful to organizers.

Our second cleanup was held on Buzzard Roost Road in West Limestone on Saturday, February 6.

There is no way that this event could have taken place on such a large scale without the partnerships and community involvement that were present. Nearly 120 people

HOLD HARMLESS: All adult participants must sign a Hold Harmless Agreement which will be available on the day of the event. All participants under the age of 18 must have a Consent Form and Hold Harmless Agreement for Minors signed by a parent or legal guardian.

All minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. morial Park (the duck pond) • Ardmore – Corner of Main Street and Ardmore Ave. (partnering with United Turf and Pest Control) • West Limestone – Hatchery Road Boat Launch off Hwy. 99 in West Limestone

Here at KALB, we are working to help with the litter issue, but we cannot do this alone. We have hosted two cleanups over the last month, and thanks to all of our wonderful partnerships and volunteers, these cleanups have been quite successful.

volunteered in many different capacities that day. By working together, everyone made a huge impact on this area that has needed attention for quite some time. The total amount of trash and debris removed was 29.9 TONS (59,800 pounds)!

The first was our cleanup at Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area on Monday, January 18. We are grateful for the 36 people that volunteered their time to help as an act of service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We removed 3,780 pounds of trash from the area. We partnered with Tennessee Riverkeeper for this event, and the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center provided a truck and trailer for us to use to haul away the trash and debris. We would like to

KALB would like to thank LaDon Townsend, District 4 Commissioner, who was so helpful in planning and implementing this cleanup. We would also like to thank the following for their support of this event: Limestone County Commission, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Keep Alabama Beautiful, West Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, Glenn Tarpley, Cody Gibson, Christo’s DariDelite, and Athens-Limestone Recycling Center. Thank you to the volunteers from the

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community who brought their own large equipment to this event and worked so hard!

We are so grateful for all of our wonderful volunteers who took time out of their Saturday to help with this event.

This event truly showed just how much a community can accomplish by working together!

If you missed out on the opportunity to help at our last two cleanup events, our Trash Attack and Waterway Cleanup is coming up on March 6. We hope you will consider joining us.

KALB’S THIRD ANNUAL TRASH ATTACK AND WATERWAY CLEANUP DATE AND TIME: Saturday, March 6 from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

LOCATIONS: • Athens – Big Spring Me-

www.athensnowal.com

SPONSORS: Thank you to our sponsors Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Keep Alabama Beautiful in partnership with the Alabama Department of Transportation BREAKFAST: Donuts and coffee provided to volunteers at 8:00 a.m. at each location.

REGISTRATION: Please email KALB at KALBCares@gmail.com or call 256-233-8000 to let us know you will be participating. This information is helpful to ensure we have enough supplies and provisions for breakfast.

Registration is not required to

SUPPLIES: Trash bags, gloves, vests, and litter grabbers will be provided by TVA, KALB, and KAB. Gloves will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Participants may bring rakes, shovels, chains, waders, and other equipment, if desired, to help remove difficult debris.

PROPER DRESS: Participants should wear long pants and footwear appropriate for the work to be done. No sandals.

Boats, WATERCRAFT: canoes, and kayaks are welcomed to help remove litter from the Elk River and other waterways as appropriate. All required safety equipment must be on board.

Contact KALB with questions by calling 256-233-8000 or email KALBcares@gmail. com.

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(256) 233-8000 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com February 19 - March 04, 2021

Cooking with Anna

H.O.P.E.

by Anna Hamilton

One of the most beautiful words in the English language is hope.

Webster’s Dictionary defines hope as “A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.” The word hope seems to bring a wave of peace over you when someone says the word. I saw a beautiful anacronym for the word hope this week: Hold On Pain Ends. What a marvelous way to explain the beauty of this word.

The knowing that if you can hold on for a moment longer the pain will end. This doesn’t mean that you will always be pain free, but it does give you the comfort of knowing that it will end.

I have heard my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles...everyone say, “There is light at the end of the tunnel.” That is hope. After the darkness, light comes.

In knowing all this, how do you hold on to hope? You do this by never giving up. Even when it seems that life is impossible, you can pull through! There is someone that is depending on you to come through your storm to the other side. They will use your story, your struggle will become their hope.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Most of North Alabama is trying to defrost from the deep freeze we received earlier in the week. We are all hoping for spring, for sure! But, until the warmer weather comes, snuggle under a blanket and enjoy this comforting and healthy soup. It is sure to warm your soul as well as your tummy!

White Chicken Chili Ingredients: 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 onion, diced 2 celery sticks, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and membranes removed, diced (optional) 1½ lbs. skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts 1 Tbsp ground cumin 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp coriander 1 tsp dried oregano Salt and pepper to taste 4 cups chicken broth One 4 oz can diced green chili One 14 oz can of full fat coconut milk

Directions:

Heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, celery, garlic, and jalapeños and cook, stirring for 5 minutes.

Push the veggies to the side then add the chicken with cumin, chili powder, coriander, oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

Cook the chicken for 5 minutes until the chicken is browned on all sides.

Add the broth and diced green chili, and let the soup come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium low, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a bowl and use 2 forks to shred it completely. Add the chicken back to the soup, then add in coconut milk. Turn up the heat to medium high, then let the mixture come back to a boil.

Let it boil for 10 minutes until the soup is slightly reduced and thickened. Take off heat and serve topped with your favorite garnish, such as sour cream, sliced avocado, or fresh cilantro.

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Steve’s Corner

“Don’t Get Treed By A Chihuahua”

by Steve Leland

The title phrase was a statement made in an excellent book about leadership: The Mission, The Men, And Me, by Peter Blaber. This guy is a former Delta Force commander, and this principle was his conclusion after a series of experiences he had while taking the final test for joining that elite group.

I won’t lay out all of the details, but it involved finding a way through the Appalachian Mountains for a ridiculous number of miles in an equally ridiculously short amount of time, all while carrying a rucksack that was required to exceed 70 pounds. The rumor was that it would be 40-50 miles in 17 hours, but we

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never got the final tally.

The salient part of the story occurred 15 hours into his ordeal when he broke a branch and fell out of the tree that he had been scouting from, landed on an animal that made terrible noises, and heard what was presumably its mother making worse noises as it was charging through the brush in his direction.

Insert mental picture of an angry mother black bear here.

Of course, Blaber beat feet in the opposite direction and soon came to the edge of a cliff that was high enough to discourage the bear from coming over. He jumped, tumbled and rolled into

the river at the bottom. Looking up, he discovered that he had been chased by a pair of pigs. Not even wild hogs, just a couple of pigs that belonged to a local farmer.

After making his way out of the ravine, he discovered that he had lost his map in the fiasco. Presumably it had gone downriver.

Searching for it at this point would cost him too much time and guarantee his failure, so he oriented himself by memory and proceeded to the final checkpoint.

Appropriately enough, the name of this last test was the Stress Test.

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achieve.

The parallel that I have discovered is what I have described as “being stampeded.” It’s allowing people or circumstances to convince us to react in haste, when in reality we are being treed, or chased over a cliff, by what turns out to be a Chihuahua of a problem.

So, his point is that he had overreacted to a perceived danger that almost cost him his one shot at something that he had sacrificed greatly to

“Act in haste, repent at leisure” is another of my favorites. Often it involves the words that come out of my mouth. Having to eat your words takes a lot longer than it does to say them. Worse, some bad decisions cause us years of stress to overcome.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

Cover Story

All Aarons Travel: Your Seasoned Family Travel Assistants

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

fied Travel Expert with Holland American and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and is a member of the Cruise Line International Association. She is also certified with Marriott International, and All Aarons Travel is ready to help you plan your next vacation.

has a patented invention that is used on the Space Station.

Rita is a registered nurse, and they have 12 children.

Their youngest son, Jacob, has Downs Syndrome, and one thing with which they have a great deal of experience (besides parenting) is travel. When they were just The Aarons know firsthand starting out and had to do what it is like to have a dream vacations on a shoestring, they went camping. They also went to the mountains and the beach. They went skiing at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in North Carolina, as well as in West Virginia. In 2010, James was transferred for six months to Cocoa Beach, and that is when the Aaron tribe had the opportunity to become wellacquainted with Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens, and various water parks in Florida.

James and Rita have been to Maine, Niagara Falls, Jacob enjoying time with his dad, Alaska, and elsewhere; James and a cruise ship staff member and as Rita says, “Traveling is the most fun thing I’ve trip be disrupted, as a European cruise which was planned done with my family.” for June of 2020 had to be put In December of 2019, they on hold due to COVID-19. every trip as a family reunion! gave all 12 kids, five of their However, they are going to “We can help you,” said Rita. sons-in-law, as well as three go on a ski trip to Utah come In addition, when you have a of their eight grandchildren spring break, and prior to that special needs child, making a a Christmas cruise to the vacation they will be making trip that is memorable as well Caribbean. James and Rita a trip to Utah to see brand as a pleasure for everyone is have also been on several new grandbabies. They have no small feat. Cruises have vacations and cruises as a stayed abreast of all the con- been an ideal solution, and couple, including to Alaska, tinually changing travel re- as the illustration shows, Rita and planning trips together strictions and updates as they happily reported that “Jacob is something they have en- pertain to COVID-19, and are LOVES being on a boat for joyed for decades. ready to help you prepare for days. Whenever he sees someThey decided that they your dream cruise vacation at one with a suitcase, whether he knows them or not, he’ll say, might as well turn a hobby the best possible price. that they love into some- One of the things that All Aar- ‘Let’s go to MY boat!’” Jacob thing potentially lucrative, ons Travel brings to the table has never met a stranger, and especially because they en- is extensive experience with one of the things that has been joy helping families build the sheer logistical challenge a great blessing for James and memories, and Rita became of traveling with a tribe. It is Rita is how the cruise ship a travel agent. She is a Certi- something akin to booking crews have responded to and

February 19 - March 04, 2021

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The 2019 Aaron Christmas Cruise

cared for Jacob. “We have experience with traveling with a large family, and we can help you,” said Rita.

One of the things a Certified Travel Expert can provide is access to what are known as specialty amenities that are not often made public. For example, did you know that it is not at all uncommon to get to dine at some of the high-end restaurants on a cruise without having to pay extra? If it can be done, Rita will do her best to make it happen, and both she and James enjoy the hunt. She is also experienced in negotiating group rates and getting extra perks as a result.

I want to make not just a vacation, but a memory.” If personalized service backed by years of travel experience is what you need, then contact All Aarons Travel today and let them help you make memories that will last a lifetime.

All Aarons Travel 931-309-6167 AllAaronsTravel.com allaaronstravel@ gmail.com

These days, many people have gotten used to booking their own trips online and hoping for the best, and to some, the idea of having an actual travel agent is something from a bygone, pre-internet era. I asked Rita why I should come to her for help in planning a trip, whether for a small group or a large one, and she said, “I am going to put myself in your shoes, and

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Health and Fitness

Back To Basics – Keep The Carbs

by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist There is a very popular opinion right now that carbohydrates are bad, and should be very limited if not cut from daily consumption. While this may achieve a quick weight loss, it is NOT sustainable or a truly healthy choice. Don’t believe the “no carb hype”! The body craves and needs carbs to function properly. The ultimate goal is to lead a healthy life, not just crash diet. When weight is lost, it is usually desired that it STAY gone!

If this is to be achieved, a total lifestyle change must be made, not just a temporary diet change.

fits to keeping complex carbs in a daily diet. Not only does the body more slowly break down and make use of the complex carbs, which is one of the top benefits, but research has also shown that these carbs promote the production of serotonin, a chemical in the brain which makes you feel good. When serotonin is produced, it helps prevent feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger.

Those who deprive their bodies of carbs tend to have more struggles with these emotions.

Another major benefit which is found in these complex carbs is increased fiber intake which actually helps weight loss over time.

The soluble-fiber found in carb rich foods also has been found to lower the bad (LDL) cholesterol while providing good

(HDL) cholesterol. This all adds up to some major heart benefits.

It is important to choose the complex carbs over the simple ones on a daily basis. Enjoy some simple ones from time to time, but focus on a sweet potato with a touch of sea salt and olive oil, some brown rice or quinoa cooked in chicken broth for extra flavor, and steel cut oats in the

mornings. Fueling the body with these complex carbs throughout each day will provide mental clarity and energy to sustain peak functionality, especially during physical activity and/or working out.

For more information regarding a personalized general or sports nutrition plan contact Prime Performance at 423-8050870.

This does mean that correct carbohydrate choices have to be made. Yes, there is such a thing as the right carbs. Complex carbs are what is needed for daily consumption.

They will give the body the right type of fuel without causing the undesirable effects of simple carbs, such as weight gain. Eating a balance of complex carbs, such as sweet potatoes and whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa, allows the body to stay fueled without retaining fat.

There are many bene-

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February 19 - March 04, 2021

Cover Story

Crown Service Termite And Pest Control: Personal Service, Professional Standards

by Cheree Vasquez

continued from page 1

local company that emphasizes personal service and the highest professional standards has grown, and like any successful business, has had growing pains.

Enter Isabella LaFontaine, Wayne’s daughter, who is described by the “Crown Crew” as being a life-saver.

At the ripe old age of 22, Bella is a force to be reckoned with—started work at 15, managed a restaurant at 17, and is a smart, funny, curious, visionary, and hard-working millennial who has radically re-invented herself. She is transparent about “going sideways” for a while, and it took the birth of her precious toddler, Willow, and the prayers of her family to make her realize that her life needed to change, and quickly.

I will tell you more about Bella in a bit, but first you need to know Wayne and Stephen better. Wayne is from Nashville, has had extensive experience in construction through his late father’s business, and along the way worked at a funeral home as well as manufactured products for movie theatres. Stephen was raised on a farm in the Carolinas, worked in the restaurant product and supply industry, and the two became best friends through working for big box

pest control companies. They did well there, and worked together for 9 years, but both of them wanted to do it “better, cheaper, build relationships and give excellent customer service.” Together they formed Crown Service Termite and Pest Control.

with her in her cell phone.

“You are not just a number to us, and you will never receive a robo-call from us.

We want to actually talk to you and make sure you are being treated professionally, just like we would treat our own family. When a customer calls my cell phone, I know that it’s them, and I greet them by name,” Bella told me.

Willow, the Crown Service mascot, cofounders Stephen Corbett (l) and Wayne Hemmerly, and Bella LaFontaine, Admin

Crown Service is unique in that it was born out of a need for realtors to comply with state regulations and provide what is known as a “termite letter” before a house can sell. A selling agent has to provide documentation that a termite inspection has been made by a company certified to do so. Recommendation for treatment is offered, but what Wayne likes to tell people is that Crown Service “is an inspection company, not a sales company.” When they first

they would be in a world of hurt without her. Scott Romines and Todd Donovan are the inspectors, and Peter Hodge handles pest control.

Rounding out the crew are Samuel Hodge and Harrison Hemmerly.

started out, they worked almost exclusively with realtors, but then word got around that they could provide outstanding and affordable treatment options for termite and pest control, as well as eradicating fungus. Since their inception, they have made thousands of calls, have built a base of repeat customers, and found they needed a bigger team to keep everything “flowing and going.”

Other members of the Crown Service family are Beverly Simmons, who is affectionately referred to as “the office mama.” Wayne told me, “Beverly keeps us all in line,” and

February 19 - March 04, 2021

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Bella joined the Crown Service team in February of 2020, and Willow is getting to grow up as the mascot of the business. She is getting spoiled by everyone, especially her grandfather, much like children of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Since Bella came on board as admin, she has streamlined service routes, increased communications between clients and technicians, updated their website and Facebook page, created new marketing strategies, and organized accounts.

But what has set Bella apart in the realm of customer care is the use of some tried and proven “old school” systems to meet client needs. These include sending out handwritten postcards, calling or texting clients to let them know their service provider is on the way, and she “carries” clients

While Crown Service concentrates on termite letters and termite treatment, they also go after fungus and take care of crawl spaces.

Under the category of pests, they will eliminate ants, cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, rats, mice, wasps, fleas, crickets, brown recluse spiders, bed bugs, and earwigs.

Those “varmints” don’t stand a chance. But snakes? “Nope.

We don’t do snakes,” says Wayne. He will, however, put you in touch with someone who does.

Crown Service Termite and Pest Control will get under your house, and deal with rot and damage, install appropriate vapor barriers, and provide you as a homeowner with that most important thing: peace of mind. Call them today for a no-obligation estimate, and let them care for your home. They are here to help!

Crown Service of Alabama, LLC 3413 6th Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805 Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM–4PM Phone: (256) 701-7095 www.crownserviceal.com Facebook: Crown Service of AL, LLC Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

The Success Bubble

by Eric Betts Assistant Director, Curtis Coleman Center for Religious Studies and Ethics at Athens State University Your company, institution, non-profit, or religious organization has achieved incredible success in recent years. On a personal level, you are (metaphorically speaking) at the “head of the class.” In your field of service, it appears that you have struck gold.

Your popularity among those you serve is phenomenal. Your brand is easily recognizable, and you are indeed the talk of the town.

How do you explain your success when asked? Some successful leaders would answer the question from the perspective of their own skills and abilities. One may answer the question by focusing on many different variables. The variables that are so often given attention are: education, expertise, hard work, dedication, knowledge, and skills.

However, there is one particular variable that goes unnoticed on many occasions. That variable

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is luck. Sometimes success may depend, to a degree, on being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes luck is more of a contributing factor than is realized. A leader who expects to expand upon prior success, must evaluate how much time and chance has contributed to one’s success.

This requires great humility on the part of the leader. It is natural for a leader to be so impressed with themselves, that they would assume that all of their success flows out of their own knowledge and hard work.

Any organization or institution has an unavoidable tendency to decline when insulated within the bubble of success.

Jim Collins, a leadership expert, writes about this success bubble. He calls it the “hubris born of success.” This success bubble can be characterized as being unaware and undisciplined.

Collins says, “Great enterprises can become insulated

by success; accumulated momentum can carry an enterprise forward for a while, even if its leaders make poor decisions or lose discipline. [Organizational decline] kicks in when people become arrogant, regarding success virtually as an entitlement, and they lose sight of the true underlying factors that created success in the first place.”

Collins ranks successful leadership on a pyramid of five levels, with the highest level being that of level 5. According to Collins, level 5 leaders worry just as much about their success and not understanding all the variables that caused it, as unsuccessful leaders worry about the possibility of total failure.

Many success stories become short-lived and temporary because the leaders of the organization failed to understand their own limits and how much luck was involved.

Collins recalls a conversation with a company

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leader on a particular occasion and draws many valuable lessons. Leadership expert Bill Hybels goes on to suggest that being the best in the class, so to speak, indicates that the downfall has already begun. This decline is born out of the fact that one assumes that their success will continue simply because of hard work and intelligence. At any point that this misunderstanding is embraced, decline has already begun. Hybels warns, “When you are at the top of the world, the most powerful nation on Earth, the most successful company in your industry, the best player in your game, your very power and success might cover up the fact that you’re already on the path of decline.”

Many great nations and empires have succumbed to failure due to this success bubble. The Babylonian, Greek, Roman, and British empires are prime examples of those

who became so arrogant that they assumed that their success was limited to their superior culture and military greatness. They failed to recognize how much the times, external factors, and mere luck played in their rise to supremacy.

Because they failed to seek where luck factored into the equation, they didn’t evaluate how they should compensate if they are not so lucky in the future.

Certainly, hard work, consistency, dedication, morale, education, and culture have a great deal to do with success.

While acknowledging that these characteristics play an extraordinary role in success, failing to acknowledge those occasions where you or your organization were simply “blessed” with good fortune may very well be the cause of a future downfall. Acknowledge the role that hard work and knowledge play in success, but do not underestimate how streaks of luck can factor into the equation. Level 5 leaders, as Jim Collins identifies them, never overestimate skills and abilities. They understand that they need to evaluate their success and recalibrate for the future because they may not be as fortunate in the days to come. They never rest on their laurels, they never become complacent, and they never overestimate how great they are.

February 19 - March 04, 2021

The View From The Bridge

It’s Our American History!

by Jackie Warner Career Development Facilitator

Oh, America. The labor, sweat, blood, and deaths that went into the infrastructure of this country that for over 400 years has not been presented as transparent and real truth.

The efforts, excellence, and memory can’t be crammed into our shortest month in the year– nor can it be recounted forgotten. “Unity and healing must begin with understanding and truth, not ignorance and lies.” -President Joe Biden As we celebrate what is known as Black History Month in February, let us not forget that EVERY DAY is American History. For too long the whole unfor-

tunate, unfolding of events has not been fully shared owned…not in our history books, educational system, communities, homes, and most importantly not in our walk to unify America together as one. It was not until 1976 that Black History Month was nationally recognized.

The 2021 theme for Black History Month is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” It is all about the Black family and how it has been “stereotyped and vilified from the days of slavery to our own time.” The month’s focus is on ways in which Black families were sepa-

February 19 - March 04, 2021

“Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

rated from their birthplaces through the atrocities of slavery, and the effects this has had and continues to have within the lives of all African Americans.

Not only this month, but each day I urge us as Americans to understand where we have been and where we can go united -- yes, we must acknowledge the past and what impacts it has cost us and continues to cost.

This month we see movies and educational documentaries about Black history in the United States; and as I have gotten older, I look back at what I did not know about my ancestors and what they endured and died

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for so that we ALL may be the change - a light that shines so bright that there is no room to continue in darkness and hatred.

I am pleased and encouraged to see that on his first day in office, our president put in place an Executive Order for all United States’ citizens on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. “I made it very clear that the moment had arrived as a nation where we face deep racial inequities in America and systemic racism that has plagued our nation for far, far too long," Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

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

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Horse Whispering

BREAKING NEWS!!! Horse Carries Betrayed, Wounded Soul Safely Home

by Deb Kitchenmaster Horse’s hoof prints were followed through the rain, sleet, ice, snow, and in frigid temps to discover the news regarding how a horse carried a reported missing person safely back home.

We have understood to some degree the healing power of horses on a human’s soul in previous writings. How horses bring healing to those precious souls who have suffered PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape, or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury. We have discovered horse programs in our prisons where horses successfully teach inmates respect, submission, and partnering in place of mob/ gang mentality -- working together rather than fighting to ‘take.’

We have put physical limitations under the microscope to witness firsthand how safely riding a horse can achieve a chiropractic alignment for the spinal column and hips. Testimonies of those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy herald their testimonies of help, restoration, and freedom from

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these doors and gates.

This is healthy because in Genesis 2:7, scripture tells us, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul” (speaking spirit), and depending on translation, a living being, a living person, a living creature.

The blood of Jesus, speaking the “open” “lift” words allow dunamis power/ resurrection LIFE flow to heal sin wounds and bring forth a miracle working power INSIDE; bringing about an excellence of soul.

depression. These have occurred as the horse carries them away from focusing on limitations while physically aligning the spinal columns and strengthening muscles.

In our physical body, we house a human spirit (rivers of living water) that flows through gates and doors of our human souls. These are located at five different entrances (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and touch) into our temple (physical body).

Remember when Jesus proclaimed, “It is FINISHED!” gave up His Spirit on the cross, and the curtain in the temple ripped from top to bottom? When you come to the finished work on the cross by Christ Himself, for you personally, the curtain between your spirit and soul rips from top to bottom and there is no barrier anymore.

You are ALIVE inside; no longer dead. You become ALIVE unto righteousness! You become ALIVE unto the King-

dom of God (righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit) INSIDE you. However, there are times we become wounded in our souls by our sin, (unforgiving, bitterness, offense; judgmental/critical/gossiping words) someone else sinning against us (betrayal, abuses, lies, deception), and trauma (a deeply distressing or disturbing experience), closing doors and lowering gates that block LIFE’s flow.

What to do? It is by faith we apply the blood of Jesus to each door and each gate and speak to the doors and speak to the

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gates and say, “Open, you doors and be lifted up you gates!” Psalm 24 declares, “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?

The LORD Almighty -he is the King of glory.

Selah.”

Notice you may need to speak more than once to

W h p p fi m i p b s e s ( o m Horses have the in- s nate ability to be in t oneness with 3 John I 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray s that you may prosper c in all things and be Y in health, just as your m soul prospers.” Horses a are able instinctively e to bring healing(s) to i our soul. Whether you a have a horse, simply r like horses, read about p horses, are fascinated g with Jesus’ white horse, a or anything else con- a nected to horses, the n healing of your soul fi is connected to your i health and prosperity. a Next writing we will e break down betrayal. i c Your NEIGHbor, t Deb Kitchenmaster t Corral Connections t 256-426-7947 n t Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner E horsinaround188@gmail.com b

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Mental Health Minute

ASMR

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“The Devil whispered, ‘You can’t withstand the storm.’

The Warrior replied, ‘I am the storm.’”

- Unknown What do these things have in common: whispered affirmations, page-turning, tapping fingernails, slow hand movements, soap being gently cut into pieces, and hair being brushed? If you are someone who experiences autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) you may recognize these seemingly mundane sounds and sights as “triggers” for the ASMR experience.

If you are sitting there scratching your head in confusion, don’t worry.

You are actually in the majority. Most people are not affected by these events…but what does it mean for those who are? The ASMR experience is described as a pleasant, warm, and tingling sensation that usually starts on the scalp and moves down the neck and spine. ASMR first became big on the internet in 2007, when a woman described her experience of ASMR in an online health discussion forum. At that time, there was no name to describe the sensation, but by 2010, Jennifer Allen had named the experience ASMR. Ever since, there has been some controversy

surrounding whether ASMR is “real” or just imagined sensations.

In fact, some have ascribed the phenomenon to a symptom of loneliness among the Gen Zs because of their attachment to virtual reality!

So is ASMR real? One study from 2018 recorded participants’ physiological responses while watching ASMR videos. There was an obvious difference in responses between those who self-identified as experiencing ASMR and those who did not. The AMSR group had lower heart rates and a tiny increase in the sweat response.

What this shows is that the AMSR experience was both calming (decreased heart rate) and arousing (sweating.)

This makes AMSR a different experience from simple relaxation, but also distinct from

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the chills that happen when you hear your favorite band playing live.

Scientists also looked at how the brain functions during ASMR. Using functional MRI, they found that those watching ASMR videos had activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is the advanced part of the brain associated with self-awareness and social information processing and behaviors.

There was also activation in the brain areas associated with reward and emotional arousal.

Researchers speculated that this pattern reflected how ASMR resembles the pleasures of social engagement and bonding. (The problem with the brain imaging study was that there was no non-ASMR comparison group.)

While there have been limited studies on the subject, attempts have

also been made to establish a direct correlation between the ASMR and specific personality traits. One small sample study showed that ASMR experiencers scored high in the Openness-to-Experience and Neuroticism categories.

Openness to Experience reveals intellectual curiosity, creativity, and inventiveness, while the Neuroticism category suggests vulnerability to stress and emotional reactiveness.

ASMR experiencers scored low in Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion categories.

This implies that people who are capable of experiencing ASMR tend to be more flexible and spontaneous and don’t strive to be highly efficient or organized. Additionally, low scores in Extraversion indicate that solitary, reflective, and reserved people ex-

perience ASMR more often than those who are talkative and outgoing.

ASMR is an involuntary physiological response. Those who have it have said that they’ve noticed it since childhood, when they didn’t even know what to call the experience. Interestingly, ASMR has similarities to another form of perpetual phenomena known as synesthesia.

Synesthesia is an experience where a person’s senses crossover, so that getting stimulation in one sense triggers experiences in another sense.

For example, those with synesthesia experience specific colors when reading letters or certain tastes when touching textures. In fact, some researchers have suggested that ASMR is actually a form of synesthesia or at least related. If you aren’t sure if you’ve experienced ASMR before, go to YouTube, where there are literally thousands of ASMR videos with a huge variety of triggers.

Start with the most popular ones for the highest chance of finding the right triggers that set off sparks for you.

Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.

www.athensnowal.com

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The Alternative Approach

Total Body Health

by Lana E. Woody Choosing to improve your health is a journey that may lead you to surprising new horizons. Getting started is half done. Once you start on your own personal path you will not want to quit. If you do you will eventually get back on track because you desire that good feeling that good health brings. I’m talking about true health from taking supplements, exercising, diet, spiritual health, or other natural healing modalities.

There is always something you can do for your health.

We can find time to treat ourselves and our bodies right. We need and deserve excellent personal care, as in setting aside time to heal ourselves and staying physically active. There is nothing selfish about taking care of yourself. It is something you can choose and determine how deep you want to delve into alternative health and exercise plans. We owe it to ourselves to look and feel our best.

This is the reason I walked into Herbs and More in the first place. Having always been drawn to natural health, Herbs & More was a natural fit; so now I work there and get to help people too! Loving what you do and having passion to help people on their own personal journey

is so important. Every day I learn something new, and I’ve learned some of the most interesting information about health from Roy, Gwen, Abbie, Seth, and the whole family. They have sort of become my second family as well.

They also have some totally awesome equipment that I get to utilize and help other people use. Like the whole-body vibration machine that helps me get a 45-minute workout in 10 minutes. It engages 95% of your muscle fibers without the hassle or sweat. It also jumpstarts your lymphatic system and helps with circulation and nerve problems. It is low impact yet still gets your blood moving. While standing on it, I work out or use weights to increase calorie burn.

We have a unique sauna that uses infrared technology to penetrate deeper into the skin while providing help sweating out toxins. It uses full-spectrum technology to penetrate deep into the third layer of the skin and helps rejuvenate and heal the body. Our sauna can help you relax, lose weight, get relief from sore muscles, improve circulation, detoxify, alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, arthritis, and it can even help you sleep better after you detox.

One of our favorite pieces of equipment is our BEMER that uses state-of-the-art NASA

technology through magnetic resonance to help with injury, stress, and anxiety while oxygenating the blood and reducing inflammation. It helps with oxygenation at a cellular level by increasing microcirculation, which brings balance back to the cells. In the BEMER room, we have another form of red-light therapy where you can enjoy the bioresonance mat and the infrared light at the same time. This light helps reduce sun damage, diminishes fine lines, shrinks pores, brightens skin tone, and reduces age spots. I have personally seen this red light improve people’s skin in minutes.

Next, we have the bio mat that helps improve circulation, car-

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tary Sheila (256)206-6909 because he is available by appointment only.

The BEMER room is also where Jason Mitchell offers massage therapy once a week (Wednesdays only). He uses a technique, which is a combo of chiropractic and massage where he massages and aligns you to help get you back into total body alignment. This helps relax and release unnecessary inflammation. Massage has many health benefits, such as relaxing sore muscles and reducing stress. He works on my shoulders and neck, and I can tell a difference. Call ahead and schedule an appointment with him through his secre-

Finally, we have the foot detox which is one of my favorites. Relax your feet for 25 minutes and get all those icky toxins out of your body. Reflexology and foot detox can reveal issues in your body and help you alleviate them.

Reflexology is a subject I’m very interested in; and when I can, I try to massage people’s feet with MSM+C lotion and look for knots that correspond to certain areas of the body. It is very interesting how they correlate.

Take your health and energy back! For a limited time, with this article, you can use the BEMER, Vibe, and Sauna as much as you wish for a whole month, for only $75.00 (normally $150). Come by Herbs and More on 622 S. Jefferson Street, Athens or visit us online at www.nhcherbs.com.

Your Friend in Health,

(Normally $150)

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diovascular function, improve immune function, and reduces stress and inflammation.

Lana E. Woody

www.athensnowal.com

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Special Feature

Lessons From “The Man Who Saved The World”

by Mae Lewis On October 27, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the world came dangerously close to World War III.

vince the captain and the other officer that this was not an attack, and that they should surface and not release the weapon.

A Russian submarine had become cornered near Cuba by the American naval blockade. For days, the submarine had been submerged, and the crew was being subjected to low oxygen, increasing temperatures, and electrical malfunctions. They had been unable to communicate with Moscow due to their location, and the strain of their situation was taking a toll.

It took about four hours of convincing, but eventually Arkhipov’s cool temperament won the day. The sub surfaced, was peacefully greeted by the Americans, and then returned to Moscow, where Arkhipov was named a hero. Over the years, he has been named a hero many times over. It has been said that “no other person has ever made a more valuable contribution

to humanity than he did.”

(Max Tegmark of the Future of Life Institute).

Some have said it was Arkhipov’s luck that avoided a nuclear catastrophe that day, but character is a guiding force for “luck.”

There are two qualities that Arkhipov possessed that made him a hero: First, he didn’t lose sight of the big picture (vision).

Yes, it was a hot (122 degrees F), stressful, uncomfortable situation. The crew was tense and anxious.

His ability to see beyond his present discomfort and

The Americans knew the Soviet sub was beneath them, and had been dropping depth charges around the sub trying to get them to surface, not realizing that they were contributing to an already overheated situation.

The Americans had been in communication with Moscow, but they were unaware that the sub was outfitted with a nuclear weapon AND the pre-authorization to launch the weapon at their discretion.

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Secondly, he wasn’t afraid to say no (courage). The captain believed that the Soviet Navy was being disgraced, and that the launching of the nuclear weapon would not only bring them victory, but honor. Arkhi-

pov was not only risking his military career (what if he was wrong?), but the honor of his country, and the respect of his commanding officers. In the pressure of the moment, it would not have been an easy thing to be the one person who was standing against the captain, yet you and I are here today because he did.

I have most certainly never been faced with a “nuclear level” decision, thank God! But I have had many times in my life where I have wished that I had said no and not given in to peer pressure –the times where I wish I had considered the consequences both to myself and to those around me. I have not always managed to keep my cool when circumstances are against me, and my imagination has gotten the better of me and led me to make a panicked decision. Being a hero requires making the right decisions, even in the smallest of moments.

Vasili Arkhiipov had vision and courage, both of which combined into “a lucky moment” in human history.

In this very heated political climate, I hope we will all take a lesson from him and consider the consequences of our actions, not just what will relieve the pain at the present moment. Firing a weapon is easy. Don’t take the easy way out. Let’s have the hard conversations, not just jump at the chance to press a button and eliminate the problem.

As we navigate the nervous energy of our peers and politicians, don’t respond with anger and “fuel for the fire!” Keep the big picture in mind and keep a clear head. You may be the next hero for future generations.

Inside the metal tube of the submarine, the depth charges made it feel as though they were being attacked.

The Captain, wrongfully believing that the war had already begun, panicked, and made the decision to launch the weapon. The decision required the approval of two other officers.

One of the men said yes.

The other – a man named Vasili Arkhipov – said no.

Arkhipov’s experience told him that the Americans were only dropping depth charges. In a very calm way, he was able to con-

to consider future consequences should not be taken lightly. His decisions indicate that he considered the ramifications on a global scale. He displayed qualities of someone who is inherently unselfish and willing to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of humanity.

Vasili Arkhiipov of the Russian Navy www.athensnowal.com

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