Athens Now 1-15-21

January 15th - February 4th, 2021

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

Meet Carissa Lovvorn, Author Of Seeds For Sharing

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

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Blake's Beat Chocolate Lovers Rejoice!...

The annual Athens Main Street Chocolate Walk returns to downtown Athens on February 6...

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By Ali Elizabeth Turner Editor’s note: Carissa Lovvorn’s first book, Seeds For Sharing is coming out in February, and as someone who has seen the proofs, I can unreservedly say that if there are young children in your life, this book needs to be in your library. I had been hired to pen the press release, but

From The Vets' Museum Meet Spec 5 Ronald King Webster...

Ron was born on February 9, 1948, in Lakewood, Ohio. He then moved to Michigan where he spent some time before moving on to...

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Continued on page 15

Jennifer Baxter: A New Librarian And A New Year

PlayAction Sports Despite 2020 AfterEffects, Local Athletes Have Eyes On The Future...

We start this month’s column off on a somber note: Harold Anthony Greene, better known to the local community as...

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January 15 - February 04, 2021

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Recently I had the joy of chatting at length with the newly hired Athens Limestone Public Library Director, Jennifer Baxter, and her enthusiasm for serving our community was palpable. Jennifer received a journalism degree from Ole Miss, and her Master’s in Library Sciences from the Continued on page 17

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January 15 - February 04, 2021

Publisher’s Point

Trump Vs. The Technocrats

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 Jackie Warner Nick Thomas Lana Woody Blake Williams Sandra Thompson Tim Lambert Eric Betts 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 Family First . . . . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health And Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . 20

In a few days, we are going to reach a point in our history where for the 46th time a president will be sworn in to office. And no matter your political persuasion, if anything has come to light in the last few years, it is that Big Tech has played a role in suppressing the 1st Amendment promise of freedom of speech (guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States) on a level that would make George Orwell holler, “I rest my case.” That suppression has most recently prevented the leader of the free world from communicating unabated with those who would choose to read or hear what he has to say.

As someone who grew up in the Cold War, all I can say is “Pravda” to those who feel it is reasonable to bow down to the Almighty Algorithm in the name of progress, except in Pravda’s case, the Thought Police were actually a part of the Soviet government posing as a newspaper, and not that of the private sector. Senator Josh Hawley recently referred to the tech “biggies,” i.e., Facebook, Google/Youtube, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft as being analogous to the “robber barons of the 19th century.” And, as of January 15, 2021, for the first time in American history, a President has been at least partially muzzled on a global scale. This is alarming, no matter one’s political persuasion.

The term “technocrat” was

Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approach . . . . 22 Special Feature . . . . . . . 24

January 15 - February 04, 2021

developed in the early 20th century by a man by the name of W.H. Smyth. It comes from two Greek words, τέχνη, (tekhne) meaning skill and κράτος, (kratos) meaning power, as in governance, or rule. Smyth coined the term technocracy to refer to the "management of society by technical experts." I am sure that Mr. Smyth could not have foreseen just what that would look like a century later in 2021, and I hope that we as Americans don’t choose to let this unelected cabal of power go unchallenged.

Three years ago, I was sitting in the balcony of the House Chambers in Washington DC on April 10, 2018. This was the day that Mark Zuckerberg was hauled in for the first time to face a panel that was trying to reign him in from reigning in the American people, or at the very least, try to figure out what he as the founder of Facebook believed about his company’s role and influence in the lives of Americans.

The whole experience was rather surreal—just a few feet below me was Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who was chatting with Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and a few feet away in another room, Zuckerberg was facing down the likes of Ted Cruz and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom were expos-

ing his inability to answer a yes-or-no question. More recently, in November of 2020 when Zuckerberg was being questioned by Senator Josh Hawley, it was suggested humorously that the room itself might have the ability to cause amnesia in those who were being asked simple questions.

A Facebook whistleblower had done the yeoman’s job of exposing not only the “content moderation” teams, and the “community well-being team,” but also the fact that major league tech and social media moguls get together on it in order to assert their collective community standard.

In July of 2019, Google’s Karan Bhatia did no better when it came to transparency and accountability, and couldn’t get any stronger with the heinousness of child porn than to refer to it as “minors in risky situations.”

I would like to point out the obvious fact with reference to Zuckerberg’s debut performance in DC that Cruz and AOC could not be from more polar political posi-

tions, and ironically, in that moment in 2018, they were after the same things. Clearly, things have changed greatly since then, and not in a good way. A week ago, Twitter suspended President Trump’s account for “peddling claims of election fraud.” My question is this: Doesn’t the Constitution protect the president’s right to make such a claim, true or false? If it was fraud, isn’t he allowed to say it until his dying day, and if it wasn’t fraud, isn’t he allowed to express the fact that he believes it was until his dying day? Isn’t that what America is supposed to be about, from the president to the person on the street? And, if this can be done to the president, then what is waiting in the wings for the country he leads?

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

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All Things Soldier

Space Command To Set Up Shop In Our Back Yard

by Ali Elizabeth Turner On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Governor Kay Ivey received some welcome news: after a rigorous bidding and vetting process, Huntsville has been chosen as the headquarters of the brand-new United States Space Command, which was officially “reformed” in 2019 under the Trump administration. The Space Command was conceived in the mid-eighties, died in the breach in 2002, and then revived. Space Command's mission is: "To conduct operations in, from, and through space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint/Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners.”

Several states threw in their hats to be considered for SPACECOM HQ, and there were a number of criteria that were important to the selecting committee, including: • The location must be within one of the 150 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S., based on 2019

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of living and access to military support programs, among other factors.

• Costs to the Department of the Air Force (15 points): How much will this cost to set up?

One-time infrastructure costs, how much construction will cost in the area and the rate of basic housing allowance factor in here. As with the first category, a preexisting infrastructure for space issues could be a benefit.

population estimates from the Census Bureau.

• The location must be within 25 miles or less of a military base.

• The location must have a livability index score of at least 50 points out of 100, based on statistics kept by AARP’s Public Policy Institute.

In addition, there was a scale of 1-100 in the following 4 categories: • Mission related (40

points): This assessment will look at the “available qualified workforce, proximity to mutually supporting space entities, and ability of the eligible locations to provide emergency and incident response requirements, and enable mobility,” per the release. Locations that already have a space-focused workforce would seem to have an edge here.

• Infrastructure capacity (30 points): Ev-

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erything from parking spaces and communications bandwidth to security requirements fall under this category, with a special emphasis on judging how well the closest military base will meet requirements for service members’ medical care, childcare and housing needs.

• Community support (15 points): Essentially, this is how judges will rank the local community in terms of school quality, cost

Governor Ivey was understandably “over the moon,” and said, “I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command.

Our state has long provided exceptional support for our military and their families as well as a rich and storied history when it comes to space exploration. The bottom line is simple, the Redstone region is the most natural choice to become home to such an important mission for our country.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle also said the city is honored to have been selected. SPACECOM is going to provide approximately 1,400 direct jobs, as well as surrounding support businesses. In addition, “Rocket City” will become even more so due to the fact that it should attract major players in the space industry. This is good news for us all!

January 15 - February 04, 2021

Blake's Beat

Chocolate Lovers Rejoice!

by Blake Williams nesses, and their bag to collect their chocolate goodies.

The annual Athens Main Street Chocolate Walk returns to downtown Athens on February 6 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The self-guided event will start at the Athens Main Street office, located at 107 North Jefferson Street, where walkers will pick up their pre-paid ticket(s), a map to participating busi-

Only 300 tickets will be sold for this popular event. Tickets will go on sale Monday, January 18 at noon and can ONLY be purchased online through Eventbrite. Tickets are $6 (plus processing fee). This event serves as a fundraiser for Athens Main Street. All of the chocolate on the walk has been donated by the participating downtown businesses.

Ticket holders visiting all the

participating businesses can be entered to win $25 'Love Bucks' redeemable at any of the participating businesses.

Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson encourages everyone, with or without a ticket, to come downtown to get their loved one something for Valentine’s Day. “In addition to delicious chocolate treats, participating businesses are planning to offer sweet deals, sure to de-

light shoppers,” said Richardson.

Businesses will be following and encouraging patrons to follow all COVID-19 guidelines including the wearing of masks and physical distancing.

Last year, tickets sold out within 48 hours of release. Be sure to get yours early! Don’t forget that tickets go on sale Monday, January 18.

Athens Main Street Announces The Merchant’s Alley Revitalization Project

by Blake Williams Placemaking projects provide interesting and inviting spaces downtown to sit, gather, and actively experience spaces. Athens Main Street is a believer in the importance of placemaking in downtown Athens. We have partnered with several organizations, including The Exchange and High Cotton Arts, in short-term projects such as the creation of popup parks and window galleries.

The next placemaking effort will be a long-term project.

Athens Main Street is embarking on the revitalization of an alley central to downtown. The vision is to create

a gathering spot for people of all ages to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi around The Square, provide more space for outdoor dining, allow impromptu music performances, and most importantly give visitors a place to engage with each other. This project will improve this alleyway in the heart of downtown Athens, between 107 N. Jefferson St. and 105 N. Jefferson St. The alley connects North Jefferson Street with public parking on Market and Madison streets.

Specifically, Athens Main Street will create a series of murals -- works of art that will engage in a multitude

of ways, tell a story, and enhance our identity. We will replace the hardscape walking surface with a vibrant pedestrian corridor linking the municipal parking lot and the core of downtown, thus encouraging visitors to spend more time walking and interacting. Our design for landscaping and furnishings will promote gathering on a small public scale.

with the team on this project.

When asked about the project, Young stated, “Bringing this alley to life and making it a place to enjoy for all our community will be a real pleasure. In naming the alley 'Merchant's Alley,' we wanted to give a nod of respect to all the hardworking business owners that came before and those who currently call The

Currently, the alley is owned by Derrick Young, owner of UG White. Young has long been a strong supporter of downtown revitalization and growth.

Young plans to work

Square home. Without them and their commitment to downtown, the heart of our community would not beat as strong.”

The project is made possible through public/private partnerships of donated funds and in-kind donations from many sources. Athens Main Street

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All my best, Blake Williams Founder & Chief Executive Officer Blake Williams Communications blake@blake williams.co (256) 529-8201 extends a special thankyou to Alabama Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys Council; Athens Rotary Club; Limestone Area Community Foundation; DEKKO Foundation; Athens-Limestone Beautification Board; the Mayor’s Youth Commission; and a number of private donors.

Planning and design began in September, and construction is scheduled to begin before the end of the year. The project is due to be completed in early summer 2021.

As the mural theme takes shape, Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson encourages artists to be on the lookout for opportunities to add their mark to Merchant's Alley.

Athens Main Street will also have naming opportunities for the public. Contact Athens Main Street for more information at tererichardson@athensmainstreet.org or (314) 651-8269.

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Calendar of Events March Cruise In on the Square March 6

In downtown Athens from 6:00PM-9:00PM. No judging, no trophies-- just show and shine; enjoy the shops and eateries around the Square. All cars, trucks, and bikes welcome.

Chicken Stew ​January 16

With Piney Chapel Fire and Rescue (22115 Piney Chapel Road in Athens) starting at 10:00AM. Pre-order to ensure your Chicken Stew through a member of the Piney Chapel Fire & Rescue or by calling Assistant Chief Chris Teeples 256-9980194. $25.00 per gallon, $15.00 per half gallon; and $8:00 per quart. Monies benefit the department.

Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area Cleanup ​January 18

With Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful at Swan Creek WMA (Intersection of Harris Station and Lucas Ferry Roads in Tanner) from 10:00AM-2:15PM. You are encouraged to bring your own supplies if you'd like; however, there will be trash bags, litter grabbers, gloves, buckets, and safety vests available.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear waterproof shoes/boots and work clothes. This event is outdoors, however, when in group settings masks and social distancing will be required.

Please email KALBCARES@GMAIL.COM to register your attendance.

Martin Luther King, Jr Day Observed January 18

Local governments, area agencies, attractions, restaurants and shops may be closed or have modified hours of operation in observance of this holiday. Please call ahead to confirm availability and hours. ​

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Unity March January 18

Limestone County Courthouse (West Washington Street) in downtown Athens to the Limestone County Event Center/ Alabama Veterans Museum. Lineup will begin at 8:45AM; procession will start at 9:00AM. Free and open to the public.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Program January 18

At the Limestone County Event Center/Alabama Veterans Museum (114 West Pryor Street in Athens) with the Limestone County NAACP featuring student essay winners, special presentations, music and presentation of awards starting at 9:30AM. Light refreshments will be served after the program.

Free and open to the public.

Chocolate Walk February 6

With Main Street Athens in downtown Athens, AL. Ticket holders enjoy a chocolate treat, sweet deals, and a chance to win a door prize from each participating merchants during this prelude to Valentine's Day. Only 300 tickets available for this chocolate affair! Early Bird Tickets: $6.00. Tickets TBA

Play Outside Day February 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

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.

With the Limestone County NAACP starting on the southside

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.

The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives will be closed on Monday, January 18, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr Day holiday.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Friday Forward And Man With A Plan

by Ali Elizabeth Turner The snow had set us back a bit, and we had to beat feet in order to get everything done.

The book Friday Forward was so good that we were having a tough time confining it to the space on this page, but we prevailed by focusing on a chapter entitled “Man With A Plan.”

However, before we got to that, Mayor Ronnie told me about a challenge that had been set forth in church the day before called “21 Days of Silence.” Its premise is that we need to be doing everything possible to quiet the chatter, distraction, etc., or perhaps better described as “listening for God in a world of noise.” It certainly is something that we could use in these times.

“We can’t afford to allow ourselves to get isolated,” said the mayor.

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“The stability of America is something that happens at the grassroots level,” he said.

He went on to explain that no matter what is going on in DC or any other place, it is the small town with all its roots and relationships that keep things stable and keeps things going.

“Where we eat together, worship together, touch each other. We have to hang on to that,” he said.

“Stay connected,” said the mayor. “And, if you feel comfortable, get the vaccine when it becomes available. If you don’t, then don’t, but take care of yourself,” said Ronnie.

We moved on to the subject of this installment of Friday Forward, the chapter entitled “Man With A Plan.”

This chapter talked about Ed Sheeran, the UK musician who has a phenom-

out plan, a long game.

Those who know him talk about his work ethic, the doggedness of his determination, and most importantly, his humility. He also said to his detractors, “Success is the best revenge for anything.”

What does success look like as it applies to us in these times?

“Pulling together,” said the mayor. “We in North Alabama have come through tough times financially along with natural disasters. We don’t know how long this will last (COVID and everything else) and we must stay connected,” he said.

enal “rag-to-riches” story. Sheeran has now sold more than 150 million records, but there was a time when he crashed on the couches of friends, and even slept in a public transport depot near a heating duct outside of Buckingham Palace.

One of the things that Ed’s dad told him was that he needed to go with “Plan A” and only “Plan

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A.” What lodged in Ed’s heart was that if he had a fallback plan, he would never really “go for it.”

So, Ed became the “Man With A Plan” and bought a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, and it was there that against all odds he got his break. It needs to be understood everything that Ed did was part of a well-thought

The mayor went on to mention the upcoming State of the City address which will be on January 28. It will be a virtual online event held at 2 p.m. The cost is $10, and reservations can be made at the Chamber of Commerce by calling 256232-2600. “We are in good shape financially, want to work to improve the function of government, and most importantly, public safety and quality of life. We’ll talk about that at the address,” he said. “As far as the economy is concerned, please shop local as much as you can.

Every bit helps,” added the mayor. The time had flown by, and it was time to pray. So we did, and then Ronnie rolled.

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Slinkard On Success

What Is Holding You Back?

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

What a year 2020 was and now the opening of 2021 has not given much glimmer to a brighter future. That is one way to look at it, especially if you want to look at life with doom and gloom.

Granted, we are facing strange times that have been predicated in the Bible, and we know that for some people it will only get worse. Does it have to be like this? No, it does not but the change in the world around you begins with you.

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times, it is much easier to think negative than it is to think positive. I was greatly disappointed in the election loss of Don-

ald Trump, and I still am left scratching my head that Joe Biden was able to surpass Barack Hussein Obama in the number of votes he was able to get. Have you looked at the numbers? In 2008, Obama garnered just under 70 Million votes while in 2020, Biden secured 81 Million votes. I think I am scratching a bald spot on my head trying to figure this one out.

Regardless though, it is time to move on; and we need to readjust our thinking. If we want success in 2021, we are going to have to nail down what success looks like. We live in the unknown, especially fighting a virus we cannot see. If there was a

time in which we needed to be flexible, we need it more now than ever. Here we are into the first month of 2021, and my question for you is, “What are you doing differently this year than what you did last year?�

If you do what you have always done, then you will get the results you have always gotten. It seems like such an elementary concept, but the reality is that many people fall victim to this way of thinking. We cannot see the forest for the trees. What does it take to be able to see past previous failures to get to success? It takes slowing down and recognizing the patterns in our lives. We must slow down

and see what is bringing success and what is bringing setbacks or failures in our lives.

When was the last time you took a good look at your life to examine yourself and see how much your daily mentality is holding you back? When was the last time you took a good look to see how much your attitude is holding you back? It happens to the best of us; and if you fail to examine yourself, you will find yourself heading down a road you do not want to be stuck on in the year 2021.

If we want this year to be different than last year, we are going to have to do things differently than

what we did last year. If we get stuck doing the same ole same ole, then we are going to find that 2021 will be a more miserable year than 2020.

Is that what you want?

Do you want the same lackluster results of last year or do you want to do something about it? I have reflected upon my 2020, and I know what needs to change. I know the areas in my life I need to be more aggressive in, and I know the areas in my life where I need to turn it down a notch.

What about you? Why not take the time today to stop and see how you need to be living versus how you have been living? One of the biggest lies people tell themselves is that they do not have enough time. They do not have enough time to work on themselves.

They do not have enough time to try and better themselves. They do not have enough time to XYZ. If it is important to you, you will find a way; and if it is not, then you will find an excuse.

So how will your 2021 go? Will it be the same old thing as last year or will this be the year you stop making excuses, pick yourself up off the ground, and make something out of yourself?

The choice is yours to make. You can either run the day or the day will run you; but just know that either you are in control or out of control of your life. Which one will it be for you?

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Meet Spec 5 Ronald King Webster

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Ron was born on February 9, 1948, in Lakewood, Ohio. He then moved to Michigan where he spent some time before moving on to Florida, Georgia, and finally settling in Athens after traveling full time for three and half years.

After graduating high school, Ron was paying his way through college when he decided to take a semester off. It didn’t take the military long to find that out; and within three weeks, a letter from our good old Uncle Sam was waiting on him. At age 21, he was the oldest person in basic training besides his drill instructor. It didn’t seem like it at the time, but Ron says that “looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened to me!”

Although he was drafted by the Army, Ron almost ended up in the Marines. While he was being inducted into the Army in Detroit, the Marines came in unannounced and stated they were taking every fourth man; he narrowly escaped.

During his service from

October 1969 to July 1971, Ron was stationed at Fort Knox, KY; Fort Sam Houston, TX; Fort Polk, LA; and finally he did a hitch at An Khe, which is located right in the center of Vietnam.

One of his most memorable experiences happened at Fort Polk when he was assigned his own dispensary on the North Fort. This was a position that usually required a rank of E-6 or above; but as a fresh-faced Spec 4, he took on the responsibility. When the numbers started drawing down in Vietnam, he had the chance to get out early and he eagerly took it.

However, after returning stateside and working for Michigan Bell for about four years, he soon realized he may have made a big mistake getting out.

Ron has been the president of the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) Chapter 511, for five years, and says it took him some time to get interested in joining any veterans’ organization.

He thinks this is true with most veterans as it depends a lot on where you are living. If he had been living in Athens

all along, he thinks he would have become involved sooner. “Athens has a close-knit group of veterans who support each other in many ways.” He is also supportive of many other veterans’ activities that

go on in the area, including fundraising for our veterans and the annual Veterans Day Parade.

When asked if he thinks our community does enough to recognize our veterans, Ron says, “Ab-

solutely! I have never seen such a patriotic, veteran-loving community in all my 72 years.” He says he is looking forward to the opening of a new, bigger, and better Veterans Museum, and he is willing to give his time to the museum to help with the set up and organization of displays and artifacts.

Ron has been married to his lovely wife Cynthia for 37 years; they have two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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January 15 - February 04, 2021

PlayAction Sports

Despite 2020 After-Effects, Local Athletes Have Eyes On The Future

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

We start this month’s column off on a somber note: Harold Anthony Greene, better known to the local community as “Bama Zack” passed away last week after being hospitalized in November due to complications from COVID-19. Zack was a fixture on the sidelines of Ardmore and East Limestone football games in recent years as well as on TV’s Cooper and Company.

He was a co-host of Applebee’s “Tailgate Talk” on WKAC, as well as a frequent caller on many other sports radio shows, and performed play-byplay duties for PlayAction Sports’ coverage of local basketball and baseball games. There has been a scholarship set up to honor Zack’s legacy that will go to male and female Limestone County student athletes. You can make in-person donations to the Bama Zack Memorial Scholarship at First State Bank of the South at 1319 Highway 72 East in Athens, or mail them to Bama Zack Memorial Scholarship, C/O Garth Garris, 13833 Pinnacle Drive, Athens, Alabama 35613.

Please make checks payable to Bama Zack Memorial Scholarship.

Local athletes signed scholarships in the last month--James Clemens football players Micah Pettus, D.J. Holden, and Chance Starling made their choices for Ole Miss, Lindsay Wilson, and New Mexico Military Institute respectively. The Lady Jets’ Cadence Huntsing-

er inked with Kennesaw State’s track and field team. West Limestone's River Helms accepted a football scholarship with Western Kentucky. East Limestone's Rylie Grisham will continue her softball career at Mississippi University for Women, while teammate Mallory Jo Mitchell was also a signee with Blue Mountain College. Lindsay Lane's Ava Whitmire signed a softball scholarship with Maryville College (NOTE: we apologize for incorrect captions in last month’s article—James Clemens and Clements signees’ information were switched).

All-State football teams included some area names: James Clemens' Jamal Mayers made the Class 7A first team defense. Athens High's Jack Tregoning was 6A second team defense.

In 5A, Ardmore's Chris Allen was a first team athlete and East Limestone's Tyler Moore was second team offense. West Limestone's River Helms was tapped for the 4A first team offense with teammate Thorne Slaton as honorable mention athlete. Tanner's Michael Guster and Eric Jefferson were class 2A honorable mention.

James Clemens head football coach Wade Waldrop has accepted the same position at Florence High School. The Jets went 5435 in his eight years at the helm including six playoff appearances.

COVID is still causing constant rescheduling of local basketball games.

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ence (48-37), Wilson (5754), Clements (49-33) and West Limestone (52-35).

Both teams scorched Colbert Heights, 65-36 (boys) and 46-20 (girls).

James Clemens

The Jets beat Huntsville (73-56) and Hazel Green (59-58) with the Lady Jets turning back Fairfield (60-34) and Mae Jemison (56-55). The varsity boys defeated East Limestone 52-30 while the girls won 49-45.

Lindsay Lane

"Bama" Zack Greene Some regular season dates have started looking like mini-tournaments in that, instead of only two schools competing with their various girls’ and boys’ teams, a team from an additional school may show up to fill the slot of a cancelled game. Throw in the fact that area games still need to be played, the juggling seems to be endless. Here are highlights since our December column: Athens Bible The varsity boys beat Lindsay Lane 69-65.

Boys’ and girls’ teams got varsity wins over Woodville--68-63 and 40-34.

Athens High Varsity boys’ and girls’ teams swept Muscle Shoals and Columbia. The varsity boys defeated Ardmore (54-19) and Fairfield (65-60). The Lady Golden Eagles won 56-47 over Madison Academy.

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Clements The varsity Colts knocked off West Limestone (5242), Rogers (76-60), Tanner (52-35), and ABS (6751). Clements' girls beat Woodville (55-24) and Ardmore (52-39).

East Limestone The Indians turned back Ardmore twice (44-19 and 49-42), while the East girls ran to a single 71-27 victory. The Lady Indians also topped Mountain Brook (50-46) and Huffman (4731) in holiday tournament games.

Elkmont The Red Devils beat Lindsay Lane (73-51) and Ardmore (37-36). Elkmont's girls downed Central-Flor-

Varsity teams swept Woodville 71-43 in boys' action and 48-35 in the girls' game. The Lady Lions topped Westminster (55-50), ABS (58-54), Whitesburg Christian (7315), and Decatur Heritage (49-47).

Tanner

The Lady Rattlers breezed to a 68-29 win over Whitesburg Christian and topped Clements 67-51.

West Limestone

Varsity teams posted wins over Decatur Heritage 4340 (boys) and 49-46 (girls) as well as Ardmore—48-38 (boys) and 47-33 (girls).

The Wildcats overcame Tharptown (57-47), Mars Hill (43-39), Deshler (5958), and Elkmont (43-39).

The girls defeated West Morgan (49-31) and Clements (54-48).

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Clean, Green And Beautiful

When Life Gives You Lemons, Please Dispose of Them Properly!

by Leigh Patterson - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful It is an understatement to say that the state of our nation, and our world, is indescribably chaotic and unstable right now. Most of us feel as if we have no control over what is happening around us. It also seems as though we are frantically treading water and trying to keep our heads above the surface. Even with all the chaos surrounding us, we still have a responsibility to do our part to try and make this world a better place.

My family and I traveled between Christ-

mas and New Year’s a few weeks ago. One of the things that I noticed in most every place that we stopped, including restaurant parking lots, hotel parking lots, and in the streets and gutters, were face masks that had been littered. I found that there were both cloth and disposable masks lying around. I have to admit, this made me both sad and angry. I understand that some of these masks were dropped accidentally or unknowingly, but some were most likely not. In some places, I saw more masks littered than all other types of lit-

ter combined! Whether dropped by accident or thrown down on purpose, this is all considered litter, and this behavior has to stop.

Athens and Limestone County are not immune to this. There are masks lying around here just as they are in other cities and towns. We all need to do better! I get it, sometimes our arms are full of many things and a mask can easily be dropped out of our hands or may accidentally fall out when we open our car doors. If this happens to you, please PICK IT UP! Be responsible for your own items! Don’t just leave things on the ground where they will cause harm to our environment.

Litter of any kind if not disposed of properly can be washed into storm drains, streams, creeks, rivers, and eventually our oceans.

Wind carries litter, sometimes great distances. Litter is harmful to wildlife. It can choke or entangle animals, birds, and fish.

We are asked to be good stewards of this beautiful world that God has created for us.

Littering is one example of how people are abusing this task that we have been charged with.

I encourage you to carry a small trash bag and rubber gloves with you so that if you do happen to drop some-

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thing (or see something that needs picking up), you have a sanitary way to pick it up (gloves) and somewhere to place it until you can get to a trash receptacle. KALB has washable reusable litter bags for your car, and we would love to provide you with one! Call or drop by our office and we will be happy to give one to you.

Let’s face it, this global pandemic is a big lemon in all of our lives. Masks and other personal protective equipment are currently a part of daily life in current times. Let’s

not make things worse by improperly disposing of these items that we are all encouraged to use right now. These items are for our own personal protection, but if we toss them out carelessly, we are not protecting the world around us that we have been charged to care for.

By focusing on doing a better job caring for both our own health and the health of the environment around us, just maybe we can make a little lemonade out of this big ole lemon!

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(256) 233-8000 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com January 15 - February 04, 2021

Cooking with Anna

Does Your Name Mean Love?

by Anna Hamilton

I recently read an article that asked a group of children what love means. The article was featured on the Daily Good website in December 2010. The answers ranged from sweet, to cute, to funny, but one answer leaped off of the page to me. Billy, age 4, answered that love is, “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” What wisdom!

I immediately thought of a worship song by Kent Henry. I first heard this song in college and the lyrics have rang in my heart for years. “Turn my heart, Oh Lord, like rivers of water. Turn my heart, O Lord, by your hand. Till my whole life flows in the river of Your Spirit, and my name brings honor to the Lamb.” How powerful “and my name brings honor to the Lamb.” Can you imagine someone in passing says your name today, and just by speaking your name, honor is given to God? Can you say that you are living your life in such a way that this would be true?

There are many times in my life that I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my name would not have brought honor to the Lord. Every year I try and make a New Year’s resolution…just one. Last year, I wanted to just simply be kind. This year, I want to only speak the truth in love to everyone I encounter. I want to bring honor to the Lord by my name.

It seems 2021 is already turning out to be a year full of turmoil. What can you do to make a difference? Just love each other; love each other in the way the Jesus loved the ones around him. We don’t have to agree with each other's choices, politics, religious beliefs...but we do still have to respect and love each other. Imagine a world where we spoke to one

another in love? Imagine the honor that would be given to God. Is your name bringing honor to the Lord? Does your name evoke love or something else? Behave this year in such a way that your name is safe in others’ mouths. Let your love shine out and just imagine what 2021 can be.

After taking the December break from eating healthy, I am ready to jump back into healthy, good-for-you meals. This week’s recipe is Bacon Ranch Pork Chops, or Bacon Ranch Chicken, or Bacon Ranch Cauliflower; the beauty of this recipe is that you can customize this recipe for your family. The original recipe calls for pork chops, but we usually make it with boneless skinless chicken breast and trust me, it is just as delicious! And if you are looking for a yummy side dish even kids will eat, this is great poured over cauliflower!

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8

Bacon Ranch Pork Chops Ingredients:

6 slices of bacon, chopped 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 (1oz) envelope ranch dressing mix 1 tsp dried parsley 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 lb. boneless pork chops, or chicken breast, or cauliflower

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp, reserving drippings. Remove from heat. In a medium bowl, mix olive oil, dressing mix, parsley, and garlic. Pour in bacon and reserved drippings. Place pork chops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Top with bacon mixture.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 20-25 minutes or until pork chops are cooked through. Serve with a green salad and enjoy.

January 15 - February 04, 2021

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Family First

Can A Vacation Save Your Life? courtesy BrandPoint content (BPT) - If you've ever wondered whether there are benefits to taking a vacation or traveling, there is good news.

Research shows that vacations can help you live longer and improve your mental and physical health.

According to a 2016 Harvard study, when travelers planned out their vacations at least a month in advance, traveled far from work and met new people, there was a 94% improvement in energy and outlook when they returned to work.

Conversely, the study also found that poorly planned and stressful vacations have the opposite effect. They will eliminate the benefits of a vacation.

Beyond the mental health benefits of travel and vacations, another study found clear health benefits to taking a vacation. In fact, men who took less than three weeks of vacation time annually had a 37% greater chance of dy-

ing than those who took more than three weeks.

But not all vacations are created equal. The vacation experts at Hilton Grand Vacations, a vacation ownership company, offer these six smart ways to maximize your time away.

1. Go with people you love.

Numerous studies point to the health benefits of having a strong social support network, and a vacation can be a great way to nurture and strengthen those relationships. According to the Mayo Clinic, social support can improve the ability to cope with stressful situations, alleviate emotional distress, enhance self-esteem and lower heart attack risk factors such as high blood pressure.

"To give yourself the flexibility to expand your social circle, stay somewhere with enough space to accommodate extra people so you can invite friends or family to

join you," recommends Kian Conley, with Hilton Grand Vacations. "With vacation ownership, also known as timeshare, you can swap the confinement of traditional hotel rooms and the uncertainty of private home rental for spacious multi-bedroom suites with full kitchens, living and dining areas, and laundry facilities. That gives you and your guests plenty of space to spread out and enjoy each other's company."

2. Eat well-balanced meals.

One of the great pleasures of going on vacation can be trying new and exotic foods, but remember the basics of good nutrition.

Consider staying somewhere with a kitchen, because while you may enjoy eating out at restaurants some of the time, eating out for every single meal every single day can become tiresome. Plus, having a kitchen gives you more control over what you eat because you know the ingredi-

ents. Not to mention, cooking with family and friends can be a fun and relaxing bonding experience.

3. Exercise.

There's no question that exercise reduces stress and improves health. According to Harvard Health Publishing, exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body, including cortisol and adrenaline. Additionally, it stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers and mood lifters.

So, whether it's walking on the beach, working out at the fitness center or attending a yoga class, a vacation - especially one in a resort setting with workout amenities - gives you a great opportunity to take care of yourself.

You can also take advantage of being away from your normal routine to start a new exercise habit that you can continue long after the vacation is over.

4. Explore new places.

According to research reported by the American Psychological Association, vacations can improve mood and reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with stress and anxiety.

Getting away and exploring new places stimulates your mind and may also give you an attitude boost. The APA says that even a short vacation can reduce stress, citing a small Japanese study that found just a three-day trip lowered perceived stress levels and lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

5. Catch up on Zzzs.

Many people pack daily life with non-stop activity from sunup to sundown, which can lead to a constant state of stress, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

According to the American Institute of Stress, being overworked and overstimulated without enough time to wind down can confuse the body about when it's time for action and when it's time to rest. Use your vacation to reset your body clock and get the rest you need. You may even want to sneak in a nap or two.

6. Plan ahead but be flexible.

"Find ways to vacation that give you options about who to bring with you, where to go and what to do," recommends Conley. "As an example, timeshare from Hilton Grand Vacations offers flexibility by letting you choose bigger accommodations with home-away-from-home conveniences. We also offer flexibility around where to stay and time of year to travel, so that you can go back to your favorite tried-and-true destination again and again, or branch out and explore the world."

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January 15 - February 04, 2021

Cover Story

Meet Carissa Lovvorn, Author Of Seeds For Sharing

- by Ali Elizabeth Turner d continued from page 1 g a relative surprised her with d the following tribute to the woman as well as her work, . and asked to write the article g remain anonymous. Enjoy, r and lend your support to this u talented new author.

A As a young lady of unique determination, Carissa Lovvorn t was greatly influenced by the p authors that she read and the - characters in their respected books. In particular, the independent tomboy Jo March in the Louisa Mae Alcott novel, Little Women affected Cae rissa. In the same spirit of Jo, m Carissa lives her life to create h and inspire those around her. e The grandaughter of Christ tian missionaries who worked tirelessly to establish a church n in poverty-stricken Eastern g Kentucky, Carissa also grew to appreciate the compassiono filled lifestyle of people who e live selflessly to help others. e Combining the imagination e and fierce passion of Alcott’s o Jo, and the real-life lessons t learned through her family’s y mission of continually giving p back, there is little surprise that Lovvorn’s first work as a published author would be a charming children’s book t that will launch on February 23. Seeds For Sharing is a beautifully presented message of moving forward with the purpose of helping those n around you. e Lovvorn, who was born and h raised as Carissa Behel, grew - up in the small farming com- munity of Harvest, Alabama.

Along with her younger siso ter and two brothers, the r Behel children shared many - adventures in their rural setr ting. Their days were spent e playing in creeks, climbing trees, fishing, and any num-

ber of youthful activities that one may expect in this pastoral setting. Carissa and her siblings were raised to understand the value of hard work, honesty, and determination.

They were also taught to believe in themselves and to never give up on their dreams.

Now, with a wonderful purpose in mind and a multitude of creative opportunities in her midst, Carissa Lovvorn is inviting everyone to share in her Godly gratitude and the belief in the ability to change things right where you are.

Along with writing children’s literature, Lovvorn is also a gifted singer who regularly performs the National Anthem and the Alma Mater for graduation ceremonies at Athens State University.

Carissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from ASU and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has been involved in non-profit organizations, such as United Way

January 15 - February 04, 2021

where she was the president of the ASU student chapter.

She was involved with Habitat for Humanity in Athens, Alabama, first as a volunteer and then later as the affiliate’s first ReStore manager. Carissa decided to capitalize on her nonprofit experience and attended the University of Western Kentucky, where she received her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management. She was also a member of the WKU campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Mrs. Lovvorn, who is married to husband Garth Lovvorn, also enjoys playing piano and writing music. She is a mother of two daughters, and works miracles in their lives daily as most supermoms do.

She enjoys painting, reading, hiking in the woods near her house, and gardening. Carissa has been inducted as a member into the Psi Chi Honor

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Society for Psychology Majors, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and also the Golden Key Honor Society. She is active in her church by teaching Sunday School to four and five year olds, and has worked on church plays using her creative spark to design sets and costumes. Carissa is an active member of the Athena League. She is a dear friend and counselor to all who know her, and truly devotes herself to making things around her genuinely better for everyone.

The book, entitled Seeds for Sharing is based on Lovvorn’s experiences during the current COVID-19 pandemic. When the local school that her daughters Isabelle (7) and Ella (4) attended had to close due to the need to socially distance and remain at home, a new adventure was awaiting the three as the spring season moved in and it was time to plant! Initially the backyard garden was cre-

ated as a means to grow food for the family and minimize trips to the grocery store.

What followed was an education in using the seeds that God provides, along with soil, water, and a little patience.

Soon there was an overflow of fresh vegetables coupled with an overflow of love and blessings to neighbors, relatives, and many throughout the community.

Seeds For Sharing is the first in a series of many books to come, and Carissa intends to use these literary works to inspire people to start where they are and to do something to make a difference in the lives of others. Seeds For Sharing can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Barnesandnoble.com.

Please visit www.carissalovvorn.com to view her website, the inspiration behind the story, and her new blog Simply Growing in Grace.

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Health and Fitness

Back To Basics – The Sweet Potato

by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist

I want to go back to basics to kick off the year. There seems to be no better time than the present for a fresh start in life. Nutrition in general determines SO much about how we feel and perform in daily life, from big tasks to small. Therefore, I can think of no better way to positively change life than to incorporate the right combination of all-natural, whole food daily.

Let’s start with potatoes. As a rule they do not usually come to mind when thinking of eating a highly nutritional diet, however the sweet potato defies this. The sweet potato is a complex carbohydrate which, unlike the white potato, has a great deal of nutritional value and deserves to be part of our regular diet. A complex carbohydrate is slow acting with minimal sugar, while a simple carbohydrate is fast acting with a higher sugar content. This means that for most adults, including this daily will work well, but as in all things, everyone is different and has different goals; so these things need to be considered. For example, a weight-loss or maintenance nutrition plan for someone doing basic regular exercise would need a high amount of complex carbohydrates early in the day and taper off in the evening. On the flip side, a

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highly active athlete would need an increased amount of simple carbohydrates because of the fast-acting rush of sugar to the muscle, which will aide in the athlete’s performance.

Just one sweet potato contains 400% of the vitamin A recommended to keep our eyes, skin, and organ function healthy, not to mention it helps keep illness away, which is especially important at this time in our world. The sweet potato also contains almost half of our daily vitamin C intake.

Both of these vitamins hold the antioxidants which also protect against aging and disease.

For those who struggle with blood sugar issues and are worried about the starchy side of this super food, rest easy knowing that the high fiber content makes the sweet potato a slow-burning starch which means it will not cause a spike in blood sugar or insulin levels. One serving of sweet potato is about 6 grams of fiber, which is more than a quarter of the recommended daily amount our bodies need.

Here are a couple of simple ways to make the sweet

potato taste great. Keep in mind, cooking it in the skin does provide another element of nutrients. Take a washed sweet potato still in the skin, place it on a baking sheet, and put it in a 400-degree oven for roughly 45 minutes or until fork tender. Boiling or grilling the potatoes will also work.

When it is cool to the touch, cut it open, and add a small amount of olive oil-based butter, pinch of sea salt, and cinnamon. Another option when the craving for fries

hits is to peel a few sweet potatoes, cut them in 1-inch cubes or slices, place them on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, and give them a generous sprinkle of sea salt. Bake them at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes until crisp and tender.

For more information regarding a personalized general or sports nutrition plan, contact me at Prime Performance. My personal contact is 423-805-0870.

Research has proven that a unique protein called protease inhibitor, which slows cancer growth, can be gained by eating the sweet potato. One serving of sweet potato also holds a third of our needed daily manganese intake, a mineral that helps our bodies produce collagen and promotes skin and bone health. Finally, several energy-supporting B vitamins and minerals can be found in the sweet potato, including potassium which is responsible for releasing excess sodium from the body and lowering blood pressure, causing the heart to have a more regular rhythm.

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January 15 - February 04, 2021

Cover Story

Jennifer Baxter: A New Librarian And A New Year

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

University of Southern Mississippi. Years ago, she started off as a volunteer at her local library, never expecting it to become her career that she dearly loves. As she clearly states, “Libraries are more important than ever.”

Here are some of the things Jennifer says about herself: “As you know, I started in December, so currently we’re all focused on a smooth transition of operations under new management. I have spent time getting to know staff and have started learning the local community. I have met with the Athens mayor, and I’ve attended a City Council meeting as well as a Limestone County meeting. I’ve attended a few Chamber events, and I’m trying to build my professional network of other leaders and organizations within the community. I want to know and understand Li-

mestone County and the City of Athens so that I can begin to understand the best ways the library can serve our communities.”

These days there are certain challenges faced by libraries everywhere. Of course, funding for any institution is an ongoing issue. In addition, Jennifer told me that she is “trying to find a way to take the library of old and turning it into a library that serves everyone.”

That is easier said than done, and following are some of the ideas upon which she is working.

Public Podcasts - The kinds

of telecommunication changes that have been made even in the past five years have created a demand for people to have a working knowledge of computers, social media, and podcasts. The day we spoke, the brand-new equipment had just arrived, and there will be podcast classes for people of all ages and skill levels. The hope is that the rollout of the podcast production services will be in the spring, and it was easy to tell that Jennifer was looking forward to providing this new service.

Virtual Programming - COVID has put everyone in a po-

Ask A Master Gardener - North Alabama is one of the reasons our state motto is “Alabama the Beautiful,” and the Master Gardeners come to the library each Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to answer questions. If you are a beginner or an expert, they are ready to help and educate.

Book Signings - Local authors abound in our area, and the library loves to support them through book signings. Coming up in February, Carissa Lovvorn’s first work for children, Seeds For Sharing will be featured.

sition of having to get creative in order to keep going, and the library is no exception. Yesterday they held their children’s writing group, and on January 25, the teen writing program will be held online. All program information can be found at www.alcpl.org or on the library’s Facebook page.

Used Book Sale - If you are looking for a great buy on a gently used hard or softback book, make sure you come to the Library on Feb 6 and shop

January 15 - February 04, 2021

at leisure. The book sale is a win-win for all, as the Friends of the Library organization earns money to support the library, and you are able to get books at a relative pittance. The sale also features used DVDs, CDs, audio books, and more.

The used book sale is the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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Food For Fines - It is not at all uncommon for libraries to have various types of amnesty programs to encourage the return of books and resources checked out long ago. For the next two weeks through the end of January, the Athens Limestone County Public Library will be doing ‘food for fines,’ where patrons can donate one food item for $1 off their overdue fines. The collected food items will go to Limestone County Churches Involved (LCCI).

Jennifer continued to unfold her vision by saying, “ALCPL staff is aiming to find the best

ways to serve our community during these times, and that’s why we’re working diligently on our podcast – to offer our voices, our knowledge, and our resources to patrons in the comfort of their own homes. We’re also offering virtual options for programming as well as our digital library resources, including e-books and audiobooks.” She finished our time together with one of her favorite quotes from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Come and let the resourceful staff at the Athens Limestone Public Library help you do just that.

Athens Limestone Public Library

603 S Jefferson St Athens, AL 35611 (256) 232-1233 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Closed Sunday www.alcpl.org Facebook: Athens-Limestone Public Library Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

Out With The Old And In With The New

by Eric Betts Assistant Director, Curtis Coleman Center for Religious Studies and Ethics at Athens State University The year of 2020 has been an extremely difficult year. We have seen a worldwide pandemic that has killed nearly 400,000 Americans. We have seen political and social strife. We have seen economic hardship. We have seen middle class families waiting in long lines to receive food donations. Millions have lost loved ones in 2020. We have had to endure lockdowns, quarantines, and mask mandates. Hospitals have been stretched to their limits, and many of the sick were turned away. Our society has been kept away from the things that are customarily enjoyed, such as movie theaters, churches, amusement parks, football games, and basketball games. High school and college graduations were conducted virtually. Many graduation ceremonies only allowed a few family members.

Marriage ceremonies where postponed. Some marriage ceremonies were held, but only a limited few were allowed to attend. Many of our elementary and high schools were forced to hold their classes virtually. This was difficult for many because some were not able to afford internet service in their home. Many preschoolers and kindergarteners have fallen behind with learning how to read and do math. The workplace has been very difficult.

Thousands have been let go due to the economic damage inflicted by the

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pandemic and lockdowns.

Communities have been devastated because many businesses have had to close for good. Many small business owners have suffered because of the loss of their customers and profits. Restaurants in many communities have also been shuttered. They were not considered to be essential and never recovered upon reopening.

The entire world has been looking forward to the year 2021 because 2020 was so disastrous.

They have been hoping that 2021 would usher in a new and better period

without all the problems of 2020. However, it is suggested that what will make 2021 a better year is not the calendar itself, but it is by becoming a better version of yourself. This is what will make 2021 a better year. What will make it a better year is not by waiting for the changes that 2021 may bring, but by initiating changes in one's own life that will be helpful in handling problems and situations in a new way. Sometimes life doesn’t bring the desired change. Leaders have to be able to grow and help people to grow in difficult seasons. So if one really

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desires a change in 2021, one should not wait for things to get better but find ways to become a better person. One must first look in the mirror and commit to letting go of the old and embracing the new in their own lives.

There are 25 suggestions of old things for leaders to leave behind in 2020, and not to be carried into 2021. These suggestions will ensure a prosperous 2021. What are those old things to leave in 2020?

Old resentments, old jealousies, old tit-for-tat pettiness, old defense mechanisms, old grudges, old

comparisons, old ways of reacting, old definitions of success, old hurts, the old way of not connecting with others, old prejudices, old ways of managing time, old ways of prioritizing, old animosities, old insecurities, old excuses, old hatreds, old discouraging language, the old blame game, old shortcuts for success, old worries, the old way of defining and evaluating yourself, old fears of risk taking, the old way of fighting, or the old way of handling difficulties and trials.

We should be grateful for 2021, not because of what it may bring, but because of what the new you will bring to 2021.

It is time to take on new habits, new aspirations, new commitments, new vision, a new outlook, a new drive, a new determination, new levels of excellence, new courses to chart, new motivations, a new way of speaking, a new way of seizing opportunities, and a new level of gratitude. The year of 2021 will be much better, not because of an absence of problems, but because of a new attitude toward your co-workers, subordinates, and other relationships. The year of 2020 was tough, to say the least, but many valuable lessons were learned. Take advantage of the new lessons, new skills, and new discoveries from 2020 and put them to use in 2021. A better year will be yours for the taking.

January 15 - February 04, 2021

The View From The Bridge

Make Sure You Have The Truth!

by Jackie Warner Career Development Facilitator

Mark 3: 25-26 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not live out the truth.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Whole Armor Of God Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the

armor of light.

When we read about the armor of God, it’s an opportunity to provide encouragement to believers with means to stop feeling helpless in the midst of our adversaries and to be fully present and equipped to contend with them. Let us make no mistake, it is not with our own power, but God's power working through us. It is God who arms me with strength.

(Psalm 18:32) Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rul-

January 15 - February 04, 2021

“Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

ers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salva-

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tion and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

1. Take a stand against what is not right. Stand your ground and continue to stand firm.

2. We have to seek and obey the real and whole truth. And Jesus said God’s Word is true (John 17:17).

3. Remove fear and worry, or we lose our peace.

The gospel of peace keeps our feet fixed, standing firm. The enemy wants to destroy us, but we have the greatest

weapon – our faith.

4. Keep your eyes focused on God. Satan does not surrender without a fight. He comes seeking to defeat.

5. The Bible tells us, “Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion…”

We must pray without ceasing and stand for what is right!

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

Warrior Stance

by Deb Kitchenmaster In working with horses, there are times when taking a horse stance or a warrior stance is required. Let me explain.

Let’s say the horse is not used to yielding to pressure in the poll area, the place behind the horse’s ears where the top of the halter or bridle rests. The horse’s head goes up, nose in the air to pull away or resist. Now you are dealing with horse power, strength of the horse. In order to stay connected with the horse, to train to give in to pressure rather than react to pressure, a warrior stance can help you accomplish effective communication between the two of you.

When you position your legs further out than the walking position stance, you are spreading your weight out evenly over both legs. You are bringing stability to your spine, core, hips, and shoulders.

When a horse is unconscious of jerking your arm out of its shoulder socket, this warrior stance becomes an anchor in the storm.

When your feet have less movement in this moment than the horse, the horse is signaled to calm, slow down, or even stop. Now whether or not the horse adheres to the signal is determined in that moment.

It’s important to move through stances, not to stances. This is the ‘PERFECT’ classroom of being in the moment, and is one of the many gifts or graces with which horses bless us!

When I went through my training as an Animal B.E.S.T. (Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique) practitioner, I was taught another form of warrior stance that I do before showing up for a scheduled appointment. This stance has to do with positioning my arms, legs, stretch, and breath. This is what is

referred to as ‘clearing.’ I am clearing expectations, agendas, and intentions that I might have so I can simply be ‘present’ with the animal, connect, and move through blockages. When health is being challenged (structural, cellular, synchronization of bodily systems) there is a blockage of

energy flow.

Early one morning (within the past 3 weeks), I woke up to the word STAND. An acronym came to my inside TV screen -- Stay Together And NO Doubting. The following morning, I woke to the same word STAND but the acronym had changed to Stay Together And Notice Deliverer. Honestly, this is the basis of January’s article.

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. Ephesians 6:13

your soul? WARRIOR STANCE! What if your church leader (pastor) is more about being ‘right’ rather than being ‘righteous’ and you feel sad, heavy, weepy inside? After all, being right is about me, myself and I; being L righteous is about Jesus! i His obedience, His sacri- i fice, He becoming my sin f on the cross that I might l become His righteousness c (right STANDING with t God) on this earth for such n a time as this. Jeremiah b 3:15 says, “Then I will o give you shepherds after e my own heart, who will n lead you with knowledge o and understanding.” Your f warrior stance can shield n you from being jerked s around by leaders who are S more parasitical (being i right and bent to perform- p ing rather than enjoying a relationship with God) and connect you with shepherds after God’s own heart (being righteous… right standing with God), where you will experience less lack, less fear, and less instability.

I want to thank Mo Brooks and Tommy Tuberville for their WARRIOR STANCE representing “MY” voice.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I am grateful for you and your stance for TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and LIFE.

What if in your ordinary days conflicting voices are bringing mental and emoYour NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster tional instability -- warrior stance. What if the Corral Connections media continues to hurl 256-426-7947 double standards through Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner the microphone that brings conflicting confusion to horsinaround188@gmail.com

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Mental Health Minute

Chronic Loneliness

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.”

- Mark Twain Loneliness is characterized by a state of enduring sadness that results from being alone. While loneliness is often associated with social isolation, an individual does not necessarily have to be socially isolated from others to feel alone. (For example, we can be connected with colleagues on a Zoom call and still feel lonely.) Loneliness is viewed as either situational or chronic.

Situational loneliness is temporary and likely passes after a short pe-

riod of time. This might include sadness that is a result of a loved one leaving home for a trip.

The person left behind experiences melancholy that may linger for hours or days. Chronic loneliness (CL) is a persistent state of sadness that may last many weeks to months to indefinitely.

The heartache one feels from the permanent loss of a loved one, including by death, is an example. The longer chronic loneliness persists, the more vulnerable one is to negative health effects. Common causes of CL include poor social connections and limited social support systems (think pandemic), decreased economic resources (ability

to join clubs or organization), and changes in family systems (death of a loved one.)

While there is no formal DSM-5 diagnosis of chronic loneliness, this condition may be generally associated with depression. Symptoms of depression and chronic loneliness similarly include: little interest in doing things, feeling down, hopelessness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, poor appetite, low selfesteem, and even suicidal thoughts. Obviously, higher levels of loneliness are associated with increased depressive symptoms. The DSM-5 characterizes depression by the presence of a sad, empty, or irritable mood accompanied by chang-

es in both physical and cognitive abilities. Similar to the impact of depression, loneliness can affect overall cognitive and emotional functioning. The impact of CL on cognitive functioning includes impairment in attention, concentration, and memory abilities.

When people experience significant depression or loneliness, they are likely to have difficulties paying attention to certain details, are prone to making errors or mistakes at work, and may have trouble recalling specific events or conversations. Emotionally, individuals who are chronically lonely may report feeling more moody, irritable, angry, impatient, and tearful.

Unfortunately, CL can co-occur with, as well as exacerbate, other pre-existing mental conditions.

Depression is a significant risk factor for suicidal behaviors. As such, socially disconnected and lonely individuals are at an increased risk of suicide.

Studies have suggested that both situational and chronic loneliness may be risk factors for mortality or death, although chronic loneliness presents a much higher risk. As mentioned above, CL is a risk factor for poor mental, emotional, and physical health. Depression and cardiovascular disease are the most studied health

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outcomes of CL. There has been some interesting research conducted on the gender-based impact of loneliness. Various studies indicate that men and women respond differently to social isolation and loneliness. For example, a study conducted by Dr. Anna Zebhauser entitled, “How Much Does It Hurt to Be Lonely?” identified that while loneliness affects both men and women, loneliness has a more harmful impact on men.

Additionally, it was noted that loneliness affects the physical health of women more than men.

Some people suffer periodic episodes of loneliness that may be triggered by recent events, while others struggle with constant, unexplained loneliness. Chronic loneliness not only diminishes your sense of self-worth and self-confidence, but may also pave the way for heart problems and depression. Please do not dismiss your emotional health as unimportant, as it can significantly hamper your physical and mental health in the long run. In my next article, we will look at ways to prevent and treat chronic loneliness.

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.

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The Alternative Approach

I Work Out…

by Lana E. Woody There is something to be said about physical activity. This subject is very near and dear to me.

Over the years I have done many different types of exercise. From yoga, walking, running, exercise videos, swimming, hiking, climbing mountains, karate, and kung fu, I have tried a little bit of it all. I’ve climbed a mountain in Alaska, a volcano in Maui, and the Stations Of The Cross in Italy. I used to push myself to be able to go up a hill on my bike or run up a hill without stopping.

Determination to do it always allowed me to reach my goal, eventually. Some took longer than others. One in particular took me 20 years to achieve, but, hey, I can cross it off my list.

At one time I was so addicted to exercise that I can honestly say I exercised too much; I was too hard on myself. When I saw just a little bit of fat, I thought it was the end of the world. I mean it’s kind of funny looking back on how we can make such a big deal out of silly things. Yet I have studied a lot of differ-

ent forms of exercise and can tell you it is good for you to exercise at least a little every day, or as often as you can.

People have said to me, “Well, I can’t exercise; I have chronic pain…or this or that.” Well, I do too; in fact, exercise is one of the ways I keep myself from being so stiff and in so much pain.

There are times I wake up hurting and not wanting to do anything; then I work out for 15-20 minutes and I feel so much better. When the kids where younger, I would hit the road walking as soon as they where on the bus, if I had to go to work that day. The walk would get me motivated and my heart pumping.

Being in the service industry because I needed to work, there where times I would be so tired and think, “Oh, my God, I don’t want to do this.”

But I’d get to work, and just force myself to start working. An hour later, in the middle of a rush, I would realize I didn’t feel bad anymore. My

endorphins would be flowing; it is just magical and highly addictive when everything flows just right. Hard to do, and hard to walk away from. I call it being addicted to the rush; however, I learned how healthy putting ourselves in that state can be. It forces our bodies out of its sedentary state, and makes it function the way it was designed to.

Of course, not everyone should try to be a server, but there are other ways to get that reaction in our bodies that is beneficial. Interval training and cardio are awesome for eliciting a response in our bodies that helps it forget that it hurts and feels bad. It’s great for our heart and our brains too because we increase blood flow, heart rate, and oxygen intake all at the same time.

There are so many health benefits to exercise, stretching, and yoga.

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Yoga is one of my favorites. It helps me calm my mind, eases my pain, and I like to push myself to see what I can do.

Something I’ve found is that you should really be careful how much you work out without stretching. Lactic acid will really kick your butt. Ask us about supplements like L-Glutamine and MSM+C that help with lactic acid. We have this revolutionary technology called the vibe machine that you can get a one-hour workout in as little as 10 minutes a day.

The vibe machine allows you to engage 95 percent of your muscle fibers as opposed to 20% you get from lifting weights.

You should also try to eat healthy and take vitamins because it can catch up to you as soon as you stop working out.

Proper nutrition and vitamins go hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle. We have MSM+C to help with rebuilding

our bodies and muscles at a cellular level, some great protein building products, and weightloss supplements that will go great with any exercise routine you pick out. Working out is just part of the equation. We have to keep moving, and put good things into our bodies for it to work right.

We are here to help with your New Year’s resolutions, and wishing you a happy new year from Herbs and More.

Simply go by Herbs & More in Athens or NHC Herb Shop in Killen or call 800-745-4408.

To learn even more go http://www.nhcherbs. com and listen to Roy’s radio programs or listen live Monday – Friday at 9:00 a.m. on WBTG in Sheffield and at noon on WKAC in Athens.

Your Friend in Health, Lana E. Woody

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Special Feature

Modern Slavery

by Mae Lewis

January has been deemed Human Trafficking Awareness Month, so this column space is going to be dedicated to just that. Human trafficking is a broad topic. It essentially means the trade of humans for anything from sex slavery to the sale of human organs and tissues. But the broad definition of this term should not lessen the horror of what it truly is -the commercial exploitation of human beings.

According to the International Labor Organization (an agency of the UN), forced labor alone (which is only one component of trafficking) was a $150 billion industry in 2014. Trafficking was discussed very little in mainstream culture in 2014, but the industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Human trafficking is the second largest crime industry in the world, just behind drug dealing. According to a 2020 report, over 25 million people worldwide are in slavery.

For context, this is equal to

the population of the continent of Australia.

Traffickers prey on vulnerable populations; homeless youth are particularly vulnerable due to their lack of community, their naïveté, and lack of access to services. A lack of access to critical services or basic unmet needs is the number one cause of exploitation. People without food, a place to sleep, income, or a feeling of stability will be the first to be preyed upon.

It is estimated that more than 1/5 of the homeless youth population in America has been trafficked. To bring that into focus, there are over 2 million homeless youth every year. That means over 400,000 children are trafficked every year in the United States. In the state of Alabama alone, 6000 victims pass through the state daily.

But trafficking isn’t as straightforward as children being smuggled up and down the I-20. To compound

the issue, rural areas have the problem of “familial trafficking”- which is essentially when a parent or guardian is allowing their dependent or child to be trafficked. Many parents are given no option but to allow their children to be trafficked, in their home, through threats of bodily harm or other horrific scare tactics. This cultural “norm” is just as much a problem in the rural United States as it is in faraway places like Cambodia or Thailand.

The reality is that the horrors of trafficking are not something that happen in other places, they are happening here and now, on our soil. A sobering fact is that in 2021, the human trafficking trade will gain further inroads into the American culture. The implications of the pandemic and the destabilization of our government will mean that the number of people who are vulnerable to exploitation will increase.

What can be done? We must demand that prosecution

for traffickers be increased, and also expand our effort to identify and care for victims of trafficking. Writing to our government leaders is an actionable step that anyone can take. Additionally, it is important to recognize the signs of trafficking and how to help someone who is a victim.

Here are the indicators of human trafficking as given by the Department of Homeland Security (“Not all indicators listed are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking”): * Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship? * Has a child stopped attending school? * Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior? * Is a juvenile engaged in

commercial sex acts?

* Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse? * Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing? * Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive? * Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?

* Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?

* Does the person appear to be coached on what to say? * Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?

* Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?

* Does the person have freedom of movement?

Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

Above all, if you suspect human trafficking, do not attempt to confront or interfere. Always let law enforcement investigate. Doing otherwise could endanger yourself or the victim.

To report suspected human trafficking to Federal Law Enforcement: 1-866-347-2423 To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)

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