January 05, 2018

January 5th - January 18th, 2018

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

What Makes Ronnie Roll The Challenge Of Growing 30%...

Mayor Ronnie and the City Hall crew “rolled” back into the office on January 2, and the prevailing theme amongst the staff is that 2018 is going to be...

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You May Not Be Fat, You May Be Toxic

By Ali Elizabeth Turner It’s January of 2018, and if you are like many Americans, you have made resolutions once again to “lose weight and get

From The Vets' Museum Spotlight Veterans Remembered: SSgt Theo Calvin...

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, only 558,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII were still...

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Clean And Green Step Up To The Buffet Table In 2018...

I love to go to buffet restaurants!

It gives me the chance to taste new things without the commitment of...

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January 5 - January 18, 2018

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in shape.” These are worthy goals, but after 30 years of working with the natural health industry and dealing with every type of disorder you can imagine, I Continued on pages 16-17

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January 5 - January 18, 2018

Publisher’s Point

Darkest Hour Is Anything But

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt D. A. Slinkard Paul Foreman Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Rosemary Dewar Wanda Campbell Anna Hamilton Jerry Barksdale Rachel Clark, BSN RN Sandra Thompson Melinda Dunn

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . . 7 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 From The Vets' Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . . 14 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . . 19 Pet Points . . . . . . . . . . 20

We have a holiday tradition in our home, and that is to go to a movie on Christmas day. Everyone agreed that Darkest Hour, a docu-drama on Winston Churchill and the build-up to the miraculous rescue of troops on the beach of Dunkirk during WWII, was to be the winner of our vote; and I’d like to see it again.

There are a number of good reasons to go see this movie. If you are a fan at all of what I call the “craft” of movie-making, this thing is remarkable from an uncommon standpoint, and that is the use of prosthetic makeup. Actor Gary Oldman, who plays the part of Churchill, had to spend five hours a day having the make-up applied, and that was before the day’s shooting schedule began.

In addition, it took about an hour to remove the make-up, and the realism of his character is indescribable. Oldman nails his portrayal of Winston, from the walk, the talk, the hand gestures, the voice, the humor, and the benevolent irascibility, to the heavy drinking.

In addition to Oldman’s character, the attention to detail when it came to automobiles, costumes, hair styles, telephones, typewriters, radios, and more was painstaking.

In a word, it is a fantastic period piece, period.

There is a scene when

Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

January 5 - January 18, 2018

Churchill is delivering a thunderous speech to Parliament and there is a young woman up in the gallery listening to him.

The actress looked so much like my mom at the same age that it was almost eerie.

As much as the phrases “cinematic triumph” and “masterpiece” get

no one wanted Winston even though he had been warning everyone about Hitler for years. Under protest Winston was appointed, and immediately the members of his own party tried to politically hamstring him, sabotaging every attempt of Winston’s to show England forth as strong and willing to resist the Nazis.

into England’s “darkest hour,” the blitzkrieg attacks by the Luftwaffe on London, as well as the ground and air war on the continent. While his resolve to “never surrender” certainly was tested to the limit, he stood firm.

He got England through the war, and then was rather unceremoniously discarded in the 1946

Actor Gary Oldman's performance in Darkest Hour has garnered several award nominations

bandied around when it comes to movies, not only is it true in the case of Darkest Hour, it is an understatement. The film’s worth is in the history lesson and what it means to have unshakeable resolve when no one believes you are on the right path. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister who preceded Winston, had effectively sold England down the river straight into Adolph Hitler’s control. The Conservative Party knew that they needed to replace Chamberlain for his policies of appeasement, but

Winston Churchill was sworn in on May 10, 1940, and Operation Dynamo, the code name for the rescue of the British soldiers on the beach of Dunkirk, was just a few weeks later on June 4, 1940. He had less than a month to not only settle in to functioning in the underground bunkers of 10 Downing Street, but plan and execute the operation which saved close to 330,0000 British soldiers.

Then, after the miracle that was Dunkirk, Winston went straight

election.

At the end of the day, Darkest Hour is a worthwhile reminder of the kinds of prices which were paid by the Greatest Generation for our freedom, and those of one man in particular, Sir Winston Churchill. Go see it.

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

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All Things Soldier

The Battle Of The Bed Bugs

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

I grew up in the shadow of the United States Public Health Hospital system. From 1953 until 1970, my grandmother was the Executive Housekeeper at the USPH hospital in Seattle, and she ran a tight ship.

The hospital had 16 stories, and was originally built to care for Marines.

I promise you, all 16 of those stories were “spitn-shine” with Kentuckyborn-and-bred Mary McAuliffe White at the helm. When I became aware that a VA Hospital urgent care center in New Hampshire had been shut down because of a bed bug infestation, I must admit I thought of my “Grammy.” This would have never happened on her watch,

even if she had had to go after the bugs herself, bug by bug, and bed by bed.

Having lived in more than one third-world situation, I know firsthand that infestations can occur even in places where hygiene and maintenance are good. But, last I checked, New Hampshire is not a third-world or even a second-world location; it is a first-world scenario experiencing third-world problems, and our veterans are getting the really short end of the stick.

It was the New Hampshire Public Radio affiliate that announced that the clinic was closed af-

ter bed bugs were found out in the waiting room.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the little critters were also in an examin-

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

No Spaghetti Day in Nov. or Dec.

January 15th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

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

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ing room. The facility was located in the city of Manchester, N.H. In true “pass-the-buck” style, the hospital director, a man by the name of Al Montoya, said that the situation couldn’t be considered “an emergency,” and the patients were transferred to another facility to be treated. As of this writing, no comment had been made to the VA by the hospital’s pest control service.

While Mr. Montoya might have been technically correct as to what constitutes an emergency, the idea of bed bugs being anywhere near our vets makes me see red.

When I was in Iraq, we were living in tents, and let me tell you, Vector Control was completely on top of keeping us pest free in a combat zone. We weren’t even supposed to pour out old coffee on the gravel for two reasons: one was that some-

one was worried about the rocks getting stained (I kid you not), but more importantly, the sugar and creamer in old coffee could cause fly infestations. Speaking of flies in New Hampshire, back in July of 2017, the Boston Globe wrote an article alleging that the operating room at the Manchester facility was infested with flies, and that surgical instruments were used that had not been sterilized. There was another generalized accusation that patients were not being treated properly.

The Manchester clinic is the only VA facility in the entire state, and my question is, how hard can it be to keep one clinic bed bug free?

May the task force that has been assigned “to investigate and recommend changes” be with the vets. And, may my Grammy not be rolling over in her grave.

January 5 - January 18, 2018

January 5 - January 18, 2018

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Calendar of Events 1:30PM. Open to the public. More information: Janet Hunt 256-614-3530.

Athens Boys and Girls Club Celebrating 25 Years of Success Annual Banquet February 8, 2018 Beasley Center Athens Time 6:30pm Tickets $25 • 256-232-4298.

Motivational Reading Program Jan 13th

Limestone County NAACP at Round Island Creek Mission Center (13829 Lucas Ferry Road in Athens) for students aged 3-12 starting at 9:30AM. For more information, please contact NAACP President, Mr. Woodruff 256-227-8489.

Community Unity March Jan 15th

Women Empower Women Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month

Join Limestone County NAACP for a Community Unity March with the Limestone County NAACP in honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Those interested in walking in the Community Unity March should meet on the southside of the Limestone County Courthouse on Washington Street at 9:00AM. The march will then travel one loop of the Limestone County Courthouse before continuing down Marion Street to Pryor Street then ending at the Limestone County Event Center (114 West Pryor Street) for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program and the presentation of the winning essays of the Martin Luther King Jr Essay Contest beginning at approximately at 9:30AM. For more information, please contact NAACP President, Mr. Woodruff, 256-227-8489.

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

SilverSneaker™ Stability class Every Thursday

11:30am – 12:15pm. This class will meet every Thursday at East Limestone Senior Center at 25820 Nick Davis Rd. SilverSneaker™ Stability is a group exercise class designed specifically to keep participants “safe on their feet”. This class will include standing and walking exercises that will be beneficial in decreasing the risk of falling. Chairs are encouraged for warm-up and cool-down only. Donations for the class are accepted. For additional information, call Janet at 256-614-3530 or email at jhunt9155@gmail.com.

Play Outside Day Jan 6th

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

Limestone County Master Gardeners Meeting Jan 8, 2018

With Guest Emily Clem at the Limestone County Extension Office (1109 West Market Street in Athens). Social time and snacks will begin at 12:30PM followed by Emily Clem presenting on Outdoor Classrooms at 1:00PM and business meeting at Page 6

Sophisticated Swingers Jan 18th

Yesterday's Senior Lunch Matinee Show (15631 Brownsferry Road in Athens.) Featuring your favorite oldies. All seating is reserved - $12.00 each, groups are seated together, doors open 10:30AM, event starts at 11AM. Bus parking available, e-mail reservations are required. info@yesterdaysevents.com

Financial Peace University January 18th

Financial Peace University, a nine week class, will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church (1917 U.S. Highway 72W in Athens) on Thursdays at 6:30PM beginning January 18th.

For information or to register, visit the link at ebcathens.com.

The membership kit for the class is $109.00 per household.

Questions: call (256)232-6193.

Percy Jackson Party Jan 22nd

Athens-Limestone County Public Library (603 South Jefferson Street in Athens.) 5:00PM-7:00PM. Celebrating the Percy Jackson series. Tickets are $5.00 per person, pre-sale only; age 3 and under are free but require a ticket. Children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Limit 100 slots.

Tickets available at the library. For more info: ​256-232-1233.

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January 5 - January 18, 2018

Special Feature

A Celebration of Cranes

by Melinda Dunn, President & CEO - Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc. Decatur, Ala. (January 3, 2018) – Over 14,000 Sandhill Cranes along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes spend the winter each year at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. In celebration of these long-legged and long-necked birds, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association hosts a two day event filled with nature walks, concerts and special programs for experienced birders and anyone who would like to learn more about birding and other wildlife that call the Refuge home. Set for January 13-14, 2018, Festival of the Cranes takes place at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge with the popular live raptor presentations to be held at the Princess Theater.

Now in its fifth year, Festival of the Cranes has become a popular weekend activity for families near and far. New for 2018 is a change in venue for one of the more crowd favorite activities. Due to the popularity of the raptor presentations and the limited seating and parking at the Refuge’s visitor center, the three Auburn University Southeastern Raptor Center presentations will take place at the historic Princess Theater in downtown Decatur.

The new location will ensure everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful entertaining and educational program. To make it even more convenient to enjoy all the events at Festival of the Cranes, a shuttle will be available to take festival goers to and from the Wheeler Visitor Cen-

ter to the Princess Theater and other areas of historic downtown Decatur for a nominal fee. Show times are set for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 13 and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 14 and admission is free.

Festival of the Cranes kicks off bright and early Saturday, January 13 at 6:30 a.m. with a breakfast in the Visitor Center classroom. Following breakfast, Dwight Cooley, former refuge manager, will lead an early morning birding walk to see cranes and other waterfowl arrive in the fields to begin their day of feeding and loafing.

Cost is $5 per person with proceeds benefiting future refuge programs. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and to bring binoculars and a camera.

A variety of activities and educational opportunities are lined up throughout the day at the Refuge. At 8 a.m., members of the Alabama Ornithological Society and Tennessee Valley Audubon Society will host Birding 101, a beginner course in birding. Participants are asked to meet at the Visitor Center Information Desk for a walk along the grounds of the Visitor Center.

A photography workshop with David Akoubian follows at 9 a.m. in the auditorium.

Acclaimed author, storyteller, and naturalist Brian “Fox” Ellis will present his Adventures with John James Audubon at 10:30 a.m. and will lead a nature hike at 3 p.m.

Flutist Michael Graham

January 5 - January 18, 2018

Allen will perform a free concert at 1 p.m. in the auditorium. Allen is the founder, principal flutist and composer of the band COYOTE OLDMAN. An early researcher and builder of ancient flutes of North America, he has been a professional flute maker since the mid 1970s.

Additional activities on Saturday include special activities for children to take part in from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a pizza lunch with proceeds benefitting the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association. The enclosed Wildlife Observation Building offers views of thousands of Sandhill Cranes, along with Whooping Cranes, ducks, geese, raptors, and maybe a bald eagle. There are bleachers and spotting scopes available along with volunteers and staff members on hand to answer questions.

On Sunday, January 14, members of the Alabama Ornithological Society and Tennessee Valley Audubon Society will host Birding 101, a beginner course in birding at 8 a.m. Participants are asked to meet at the Visitor Center Information Desk for a walk along the grounds of the Visitor Center.

At 9 a.m., festival goers can choose from a photography workshop hosted

by David Akoubian in the classroom or the Comic Mis-Adventures of Lewis and Clark with Brian “Fox” Ellis as Meriwether Lewis in the Auditorium.

Flutist Michael Graham Allen will perform another free concert at 11 a.m. in

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the auditorium.

fws.gov/wheeler.

At 1:30 p.m., storyteller and author Brian “Fox” Ellis steps into the shoes of Prince of Wied, Maximilian allowing the audience to step back in time. Blending history, science, art and cultural anthropology, the Prince gives us a unique view of America as he saw it in the early 1830s. Much of the text for this performance comes directly from his journals.

A variety of activities are planned in conjunction with Festival of the Cranes before, during and after the annual event. From now until January 26, 2018, the public is invited to take part in StoryWalk presented by Decatur Public Library. This is the fourth year that Wheeler Refuge and the Decatur Public Library have partnered to display the story, Because of an Acorn by Lola and Adam Schaefer, to visitors while walking along the Atkeson Cypress Trail at the Wheeler Visitor Center. The trail is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional fun on Sunday includes special activities for children in the classroom from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at 3121 Visitor Center Road in Decatur. For more information on the Festival of the Cranes, visit https://www. fws.gov/refuge/wheeler/ or call Teresa Adams, supervisory ranger for Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, at 256.350.6639 or call Decatur Morgan County Tourism at 256.350.2028 or 800.232.5449.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge was established on July 7, 1938 by Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the first National Wildlife Refuge placed on a multi-purpose reservoir to provide habitat for wintering and migrating birds. Covering 35,000 acres, it attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year and is home to Alabama’s largest wintering duck population. The Refuge also supports the state’s largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes and the endangered Whooping Crane. For more information on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, visit www.

The public is invited to attend a Raising Crane Awareness program at the Decatur Public Library.

Presented by Amber Wilson from the International Crane Foundation, Back from the Brink is the topic for Dec. 28 and Life as a Whooping Crane follows on Jan. 11. Both programs will take place in the library’s community room at 5 p.m. All ages are welcome.

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center plan to offer special hours the weekend of Festival of the Cranes. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. From January 13 through February 24, Spectrum: Diverse Creations of Alabama Artists, featuring Sculptor Mircea Lacatus from Huntsville, Painter Sarah Carlisle Towery from Lake Martin, Ala., Painter Susan Downing-White from Mobile and Sculptor Charlie Lucas, from Selma, Ala., will be on display.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

The Challenge Of Growing 30%

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Mayor Ronnie and the City Hall crew “rolled” back into the office on January 2, and the prevailing theme amongst the staff is that 2018 is going to be “an awesome year.” Holly Hollman, Communications Director and Grant Specialist for the City of Athens, sat in with us for a bit; together we took a look back at 2017 and a big look forward to the year ahead. It is the 200th birthday of Limestone County, which will be celebrated in February, as well as the City of Athens, which will be celebrated in November.

Between now and then, we will have many occasions and opportunities to “party hearty” with regard to our amazing abode here in North Alabama.

The brief look back at 2017 was about enjoying what got finished, including being in the black by a million dollars, as well as what got started. The remodeled Limestone County Courthouse held its first session of court on January 3, 2017, and the colored lighting system, as well as the carols being played on the sound system during this past holiday, made the season on the Square even more festive. The new Athens High School is coming along well, and ground has been broken on the Athens Bible School building on Hwy 31. It is the 75th year for the Bible School, and the building will be beauti-

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ful. The Scout House renovation project is moving right along, and the Chamber of Commerce is going to get new digs in their same location on Beaty Street.

Approval was also granted to build a new Parks and Recreation Center. Construction of sidewalks, repair of streets, and the razing of condemned properties “kept on rollin’.”

We also gave thanks for the guys who were out in this frigid weather climbing poles and making sure the power got back on quickly.

page…. On January 31, Mayor Ronnie gives the State of the City address.

More details on that to come.

February will be the month that Limestone County celebrates its 200th birthday as “the County that is older than the State.” Their party

the Limestone County Bicentennial page on Facebook.

Poke Sallet Follies will be in March, and the theme is “The Book of Athens.” It will be under the capable leadership of City Councilman Frank Travis, and will highlight our 200-year jour-

On a personal note, Mayor Ronnie says he feels like he is “almost 100%” recovered from his recent intestinal surgery, and is grateful that the growths in question were benign. Having lost several family members to cancer, the unveiling of this year’s Relay For Life T-shirt, which has incorporated our bicentennial into the logo, meant a great deal to him. The shirts go on sale soon, and were designed by Holly Hollman and Kelly Cain.

For the first quarter of 2018, there is a major event occurring every month. January 15 is Martin Luther King’s birthday as well as the Essay Contest, and please remember that Monday, January 8 is the deadline to get your entries in. For more information, see the flyer on

will be held at the Limestone County Event Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, you can call Michelle Williamson at 256-233-6400, or visit

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ney as Athenians. The annual Boy Scouts of America Breakfast will be in April.

We moved on to a happy subject that the mayor couldn’t really discuss,

and by that I mean the fact that there are a number of industrial and retail corporations courting us, and as always, the details must remain under wraps until the ink is dry.

If these entities decide that Athens is the “match made in Heaven,” the result could not only be a few thousand jobs but, according to the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research, could conservatively mean that by 2040, we’ll experience at least a 30% growth in our city/county population, and most likely more.

Growing pains are no laughing matter, and one of the things that Mayor Ronnie spends a lot of energy on is planning for growth.

“We need to pull smart people to plan well,” he said. Everything has to be considered: water, sanitation, power, streets, public safety, infrastructure in general, and quality of life specifically. We have seen examples in our area of what happens when there is explosive growth without a cohesive plan; so right now, this is what keeps him “up at night,” as the saying goes.

The only thing that remained for us to do was pray, mostly for wisdom and strength to meet the challenges of 2018 as well as thank God for our abundant blessings, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

January 5 - January 18, 2018

Slinkard On Success

Time To Build Momentum

by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store We are just a few days into the new year and I want to start this off with a question - How is your year going thus far? Hopefully everyone reading this is generating the kind of success imagined at the end of 2017. If you are not as successful as you hoped for or you have not even begun to concentrate on what you want to accomplish in 2018, it is time to build momentum in the early part of this year. Too many people derail their weeks, their months, their years, their lives, all because they fail to concern themselves with the right mindset.

I want you to think about everything you want to accomplish this year and make a list of these items.

I want you to list this items in the order of importance to you as a necessity for making 2018 a success for you. When you make this list, I want you to envision these items as if you will not fail in your endeavors. Too often we limit our thinking and our lives because we have the fear of failure instead of approaching it with the mindset of “What if I don’t fail?”

To build the momentum in 2018, your focus needs to be on activities that help you reach your desired results. As you look at your list and the actions needed to achieve success, if you find an item that moves you further away from your goal or is not producing positive results, then you need to purge that item now. How many times do we quash our own dreams by wasting our time and our efforts on things that bring absolutely no fruit to our lives?

Maybe that should be our goal in 2018 - not to waste our time or our efforts on meaningless things.

Seriously think about how “busy” we Americans are with our lives and the amount of distractions we

have. We wonder why we struggle to find the elusive work-life balance, but is it really any wonder with the emergence of technology?

I can remember the days when the only way to talk to someone on the phone was to call their home number, and if the person was not home, then you would not be talking to them.

Technology has made us readily available through our computers, tablets, phones, even those Dick Tracy smart watches. Although we are available for communication, is this killing our momentum for success? I am going to tell you that it is. How much more successful could we be as a society if we were able to “de-technology” ourselves

from our electronic devices? As I write this article, my phone keeps dinging, and what do I do? I stop writing to check my phone notifications; and before I realize it, I am lost ruffling through email after email, text message after text message. This is the same old story for numerous people, and what little motivation was had is lost because of the distractions we must fight against.

Thus, for 2018, with your list in hand, I urge you to make it a priority to “detechnology” yourself so you can have the success in the upcoming year that you desire, and just maybe you will be able to cut out some of life’s distractions.

This may be easier said

than done, but until you try it, you have no idea what will and will not work for you. If you are able to eliminate just a fraction of the distractions in your life, what kind of improvements could this make for you and your family?

How much more productive could you be in your entire work-life balance if you were able to focus just a little bit more attention on what is going to bring you success in 2018? This is what our resolve must be for the upcoming year; we must look at life as, “What if we cannot fail?”

The time to build momentum is now by looking at your list, knowing you will achieve success, and taking action.

This needs to be the year we no longer take the haphazard approach of the “what if.” How many times have you heard someone empathetically ask, “What else can go wrong?” and behold something else adds to the negativity. Asking questions with negative connotations adds no value to our lives or what we want to accomplish.

January 5 - January 18, 2018

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Spotlight Veterans Remembered: SSgt Theo Calvin

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, only 558,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII were still alive in 2017. As we lose them at an alarming rate, I think it is important that we do not lose their memories.

Spotlight Veterans Remembered will hopefully help keep the memory of our local heroes alive.

I would like to “remind” you of a very special man and one of my favorite veterans, SSgt Theo Calvin.

Theo was one of the last American Heroes… a man of the Greatest Generation…of which Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."

Theo came from a time when men did what had

ed; he didn’t even realize he was hit until he felt the blood run down his leg. The second time was during a firefight with the Germans. Their 57mm was no match for the frontal attack against the well-armored tank, and Theo was injured by the gun’s recoil. “But we got the tank!” he said. Theo earned the Purple Heart for both of these injuries.

to be done and never thought to say “No” to his country or even complain about going to war. Even though SSgt Calvin was only in the Army for 2 years 10 months and 26 days, he was a very busy soldier! As part of General Patton’s 1st Infantry, better known as “The Big Red One,” he was the only veteran in Limestone County who was in 3 major military campaigns.

After induction at Fort McClellan and training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, he found himself on a ship with 9000 other men bound for Africa and the invasion of Sicily. After Sicily was taken, Theo was on his way to England to become part of the Normandy invasion build up, better known as Bloody Omaha on D-day.

SSgt Theo Calvin And as if these two major campaigns weren’t enough, by Thanksgiving, Theo was defending the Elsenborn Ridge during the Battle of the Bulge. Theo often recounted memories of spending Thanksgiving Day in an abandoned German bunker. In addition to these Theo

also served in Ardennes, Rhineland, Northern France, Central Europe, Tunisia, and Algeria.

During this time, Theo was wounded twice, the first time was near Avranches during a German air raid. Even though Theo was hit, he didn’t hesitate to render aid to the other wound-

When VE Day, arrived Theo had enough “points” to be one of the first to demobilize and go home. In fact, it happened so quickly, that Theo was never awarded all of the medals he had earned; these included the Bronze Star, the fourth highest honor that can be bestowed. I will never forget the look on Theo’s face when the Army’s oversight was corrected and he was finally awarded the medal by Lt. General Richard Formica, at our Memorial Day ceremony. Theo said he “felt like a movie star!”

That day was one of such emotion that I will never forget it - personally and professionally.

So today let’s pause and think about our veterans who have gone but who are not forgotten.

Theo is certainly one of them. His medals and other memorabilia can be seen at the Alabama Veterans Museum… come by and take a look, “Lest we Forget.”

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January 5 - January 18, 2018

January 5 - January 18, 2018

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Clean and Green

Step Up To The Buffet Table In 2018

by Lynne Hart Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful for me?"

I love to go to buffet restaurants! It gives me the chance to taste new things without the commitment of an order-offthe-menu meal. If I don't like it, I can go back and get something else.

Absolutely! We have a list of people who love to volunteer at our events, but don't want to be in charge of anything. KALB has activities and programs going on year around with volunteers making them happen.

Getting involved with KALB is much like a buffet table. There are so many ways to get involved without the scary commitment. With the KALB Commission, Athens-Limestone Beautification Board, and the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center under our KALB umbrella, we have a great selection of activities and events that would benefit from your participation. Try one. If you do like it, you can decide if you want to walk in ankle-deep water or jump in! If you don’t like it, there are many other opportunities to choose from.

There are many reasons why people want to get involved. There are those who hope to learn something new, others who do it to get to know people, and some just like to help out in their community.

Whichever one of these descriptions fits you, KALB can offer what you desire.

"I just want to volunteer for a few hours."

KALB is always looking for volunteers to help at events such as the Home & Garden Show, Waterway Cleanup, Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO, Clean and Green Fiddlers Convention, our fundrais-

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"When I decide I like a cause, I'm not afraid to get involved for the long haul."

We hope you will like us enough to stick around!

ers and more. During the change of seasons, our Beautification Board appreciates help with replanting the pots around the square, cemetery landscaping, and other green spaces.

"Can I help with one event, and then end my commitment?"

It is very helpful to have

volunteers who are not already involved with KALB join our planning committees. We love fresh ideas and a new perspective. If you would prefer to volunteer for just a few hours at one event, we would be happy to have you.

"I'm a follower, not a leader. Is there a place

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If this is you, KALB welcomes volunteers to join our KALB Commission, Recycling Board, or our Beautification Board.

Board members meet monthly to discuss orga-

nization business and make decisions regarding board activities. Outside of these board meetings, commission and board members are asked to be involved in other organization activities as they are able.

KALB and all of Athens and Limestone County have benefited from thousands of hours of volunteer time provided by hundreds of people just like

you. If you would like to learn more about our organization and the volunteer opportunities available in 2018, we would love to sit a spell and chat with you!

Our door is always open.

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com January 5 - January 18, 2018

Cooking with Anna

New Door Chicken Soup

by Anna Hamilton

January, the first month of the year, is a time for new beginnings. The word “January” comes from the Latin word for door (ianua.) January is the door to the year and an opening to new beginnings. Most of us will walk through the door of the new year ready for change.

Ready to change our appearance, ready to be healthier, ready to spend more time with family, ready to be more financially responsible, ready for a renewed commitment to your faith, ready to be the best version of yourself.

Making resolutions in January have become routine. We write down a list of things we would like to see different in our lives, but usually by the end of the month we are back to our old habits. We slip back in to our sweat suits and cuddle under a blanket with a tub of Rocky Road.

We truly have never made it out “the door” of the new year.

Resolutions aren’t just for January. You can walk through the door of change anytime of the year, anytime in your life. You just have to walk through the door. This year make a commitment to cross the threshold. Take the leap of faith and make 2018 your year!

Help your family keep their commitment to better health with this delicious soup. Chicken soup in the winter not only fills your tummy but it also feeds your soul. This hearty soup is loaded with delicious vegetables: onions, celery, carrots, garlic, kale, and mushrooms. All these glorious vegetables are combined with shredded chicken in a rich broth. This soup is guaranteed to keep you cozy in the cold months without breaking the commitment you’ve made to yourself to become a better you. So, here’s to walking through all the new doors this year.

Happy New Year!

New Door Chicken Soup What You Need:

2 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 3 large celery stalks, chopped 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 10 cloves garlic, minced 8 cups chicken stock ½ tsp. turmeric ½ tsp. crushed red pepper Salt and pepper to taste 3 cups shredded chicken 2 cups baby kale leaves

Directions:

• In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and sauté onion, celery and carrots, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic, cooking another 3 minutes.

• Stir in the chicken stock, bay leaves, turmeric, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper; bringing to a boil. Mix in shredded chicken, cover and turn down heat to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Add kale, cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, serve and enjoy!

January 5 - January 18, 2018

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The Millennial Mind

The Unbridled Child

by Rosemary Dewar The state of adolescence has been agonizingly extended by our current social structure.

The Peter Pan mentality is the unavoidable outgrowth of progressivism, and the ideology of socialism has been the most difficult to disparage. However, it is becoming much clearer as to why. The idealized elements of socialism are proscribed on an extremely small scale every day when you are a child. Everyone’s priority is to make sure you survive. Additionally, if you experienced life in a religious home, mostly likely your church community is focused on making sure you survive spiritually. All resources are expected and prompted to cultivate your well-being. It becomes simple to see how socialism attempts to mimic religion and supplant family.

With the rise of the welfare state and the implementation of policies such as the Affordable Care Act, a person is made to believe that they can and will be cared for by the state in the manner their family might have. The intention may be thoughtful; however, the child that refuses to grow up will never have anything to offer. Millennials and Generation-Z are graduating and coming off their parents’ healthcare, and they are panicking. They are being forced to grow up and become independent

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for the first time in their life, and they don’t know what to do. Instead of instinctively following a biological determination to hunt, build, and protect something and someone who is undeniably theirs, they are being taught that all of it is a social construct that bears no meaning or value.

The philosophy of maturity has been choked-out of culture, almost as if it were a snake slowing tightening its grip on its prey. If you remember, in Disney’s 1967 animated movie The Jungle Book, a boy who is raised in the jungle journeys his way back into society.

The dramas are the obstacles that attempt to keep him from becoming a man that will one day dominate them all.

The panther, aware of the threat of man, knows the boy will be cared for if he rejoins mankind.

The bear wants to cultivate a friendship without the boy becoming a proactive member of mankind. The snake tempts the boy with false promises of trust and understanding in order to satisfy its own hunger. The vultures proclaim they are his friends, while crafting a plan to gratify their appetite. The ape confesses it wants to be like the boy just to use a tool to protect him from the ultimate predator.

The tiger has no pretense in its determination to make the boy a victim before he has the chance to become a man.

The tool that the ape wants and the tiger fears is fire, which is a symbol for both destruction and purification. The rubbish must burn so that which withstands it is revealed.

At the end of the film, the boy is lured into mankind’s society by a girl. The girl carries a blissful tune conveying a picture of her home with a mother and a father, as well as a hope of a husband and girl of her own. This encounter concludes the boy’s journey from the jungle into society.

The fact that this movie came out during the sexual revolution of the 1960s is evidence of entertainment’s attempt to instill classic societal rolls. It is the exact opposite of what we see in entertainment, today.

In Judaism, a boy is to begin his development into manhood at the age of thirteen. The commemoration is called a bar mitzvah, and the boy is prepared to accept the responsibilities of manhood as proscribed under Jewish law.

So, what happens when Peter Pan grows up? The 1991 movie Hook depicts an adult Peter Pan who has lost his ability to be a hero in his son’s eyes. A vindictive Captain Hook kidnaps Peter’s son and daughter.

The only way to save them is to become the hero he once was. The pivotal scene where Peter regains his power to fly is when he finds hap-

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piness in being a father.

Peter’s son is seduced by Hook’s ability to pacify his every childish whim, but it is no match for Peter’s halcyon call to come home.

Anything that attempts to take the place of family or God will fall grievously short for those who are willing to substitute them with communal policy.

The demand for mankind to become beneficial contributors to society will always look differently to being

faithful contributors to a family. The expectation to treat a stranger equally to a member of the family unit is a diminishment of value to all participants in a community.

Due to the counterproductive demolition of social foundations, mankind has largely lost its purpose and focus. By contrast, our insistence upon restoring that foundation is essential for the future we will leave behind for generations after us.

January 5 - January 18, 2018

Health and Fitness

Core Exercises For The Beginner

by Janet Hunt

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

Developing core strength is important at the beginning of any exercise program. The first step in training your core is developing stability and then progressing to mobility. Below are some starter core exercises.

Begin by performing each exercise for 20 seconds and gradually move up to 30 seconds. If the exercise includes movement, start with 8 repetitions and move up to 12.

•Core Bracing - This exercise teaches you how to stabilize your core for all the exercises that follow. Stand tall with your feet hip-distance apart and your arms by your sides with palms facing forward. Contract the abdominal muscles for 10 seconds and continue to breathe deeply. You can progress this exercise by bracing the core and slowly lifting your right knee hip high and then the same with the left. The goal is to brace the core so that you are only moving your hip joint. Do not bring your chest forward. The slower the movement, the deeper you will brace the core.

•Bird Dog – Get on your hands and knees on the floor or bench (not a bed) with your hands shoulder-width apart, directly under your shoulders; knees hip-distance

apart, directly under your hips; and head in line with your spine.

Brace your core and extend your leg behind you with your foot level with your hip. Hold and repeat on the opposite side. If you can accomplish this, add the arm opposite the leg. Extend your arm forward with your thumb facing upward. Keep your hand level with your shoulder. Repeat on the opposite side.

•Hip Bridge - Lie on your back on the floor

gles, lower one leg to tap the floor with the heel.

Return the leg and switch to the other. Do NOT let your spine pop on and off the floor.

If you cannot accomplish the above starter core ex-

or bench (not a bed) with your knees bent and feet hip-distance apart. Brace your core and lift your hips to feel the hamstring, glute, and lower muscles contract. Hold and slowly release back to the floor, one vertebrae at a time. If you want to add movement to this

January 5 - January 18, 2018

ercises before attempting crunches or other “ab work,” you are not ready and may be harming or injuring your back. For more information about core work and more, contact Janet Hunt at 256614-3530.

exercise, then hold each lift for three seconds and slowly release the spine and hips back to the floor and continue for your set.

•Supine Heel Taps - Lie on your back and bend your knees to 90 degrees with your shins parallel to the ceiling and brace your core. Keeping your knees at the 90 degree an-

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Cover Story

You May Not Be Fat, You May Be Toxic

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

am here to tell you that Americans are living with a serious level of toxic overload, and one of its most frustrating side effects is super-stubborn fat which seems nearly impossible to get off and keep off.

Part of the problem stems from the fact that the FDA has approved so many questionable chemicals which are allowed into our food, water and even in the air, and their interactions are causing all kinds of health issues.

In my opinion, the approval and use of these chemicals is immoral, but I am here with good news that can help you to genuinely have a Happy New Year, and be victorious in your personal, longstanding “Battle of the Bulge.”

cess is in the peoples’ own medical reports.

Those medical reports show everything from normal blood levels in every category to thousands of clients coming off their prescribed medications and even avoiding surgeries that their doctors told them were absolutely necessary.

Our goal for you is to educate you on how to detoxify, balance, and eliminate most of the disorders that are associated with toxicity. Your body knows how to heal. Your body knows how to balance and remain healthy once the toxins are removed.

We will show you which products support your body as the chemicals,

prescription drug toxicity, yeast, molds, fungus and even parasites that cause bloating, inflammation, pain, sluggishness, weight gain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, mental fog, cancer, heart disease and even diabetes are removed.

As your body becomes clean from the inside out, amazing things happen. These include more energy, less pain and stiffness, clearer skin, weight loss, clarity of thought, a reduced need for prescription medications, and better medical reports.

OVERCOMING TOXIC OVERLOAD According to experts, Americans are exposed to over 1000 toxins every day, and many of

those toxins can cause: Bloating: stomach swelling, gas, belching, burping.

Weight gain: craving starchy carbohydrates and sugar.

Tiredness: exhaustion, low energy, waking up tired.

Mood swings: hormone imbalance, low sexual desire, aggravation.

Mind fog: cloudy think-

ing, memory problems, lack of clarity.

Skin disorders: rashes, eczema, psoriasis, acne.

Digestive disorders: gas, bloating, ulcers, polyps, cancer.

Stress disorders: anxiety, depression, high cortisol levels, frustration.

Yeast overgrowth: weight gain, sugar or junk food cravings,

Instead of trying to change the FDA, I have dedicated my life to helping the public overcome their health issues through Godgiven foods and herbs that will help the human body to heal. My belief is that when you supply your body with the raw material that is necessary to detoxify and heal, it will do just that.

Because of the products and information that we have introduced to the public, people come to us from all over the U.S. and seven other countries to improve their health.

The proof of our suc-

Page 16

www.athensnowal.com

January 5 - January 18, 2018

may also use the foot detox and Zeolites to help remove poisonous heavy metals.

No matter what type of detoxification you may need, Herbs & More can help you live a more balanced life. Our methods are always safe, the side effects are positive (a healthier body), and they do not interfere with any prescribed medication you may be using. Removing the toxins is the first step to losing weight, improving energy, reducing inflammation, and avoiding many of the disorders that are plaguing Americans today.

Herbs & More's Roy Williams answering questions about detoxification pain, stiff joints.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR BODY Begin with Detoxification: MSM+C, 7 Day Cleanse, pH Drops.

Bloating: Probiotics, Super Enzymes, pH Drops.

Weight gain: Slender, Apple Cider Vinegar, pH Drops.

Tiredness: MSM+C, Simply Energy, Test/ Up for men & women.

Mood swings: Feminine Factors for women, Test/Up for men, Restore.

Mind fog: MSM+C, Test/Up for men & women, True Focus.

Skin disorders: MSM+C powder/capsule, MSM+C Full Body Lotion.

Digestive disorders: Probiotics, Super Enzymes, MPS-70.

Stress disorders: Slen-

der, True Calm, Whole Body Vibration, Infrared Sunna.

Yeast overgrowth: Terminator, IS-3, MSM+C. Our goal for you is to educate you on how to detoxify, balance, and eliminate most of the disorders that are associated with toxicity. Your body knows how to heal. Your body knows how to balance and remain healthy once the toxins are removed.

NEWtritional Health Care LLC has developed over 40 products of which 38 are patented and proven in their specific ability to support a healthier body. Herbs & More not only offers a great line of products, we also have one of the best massage therapists in North Alabama. LMT Jason Mitchell offers deep tissue massage, which will rid the body of toxins as well as reduce stress.

January 5 - January 18, 2018

You say you can’t exercise? Discover the Whole-Body Vibration system which reduces cellulite by increasing blood flow, improving circulation, and helping to build stronger bones.

For those who either don’t have time to exercise, or simply can’t because of health issues such as a knee or hip replacement, our Infrared Sauna reduces inflammation and eliminates toxins, and our Ionic Foot De-tox removes toxins from every organ in your body.

The right regimen of supplements and the devices at Herbs & More is changing peoples’ lives.

Part of the detoxification is done through the use of the Whole-Body Vibration machines which help clean the lymphatic system, develop coordination, improve circulation, burn body fat and strengthen bones, ligaments, and tendons. We

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With over 50 years of combined knowledge in natural health, we are here to help you reach all of your health goals.

Remember, the chances are great that YOU ARE NOT FAT … YOU ARE TOXIC. Let us guide you in learning more about natural health, how to safely come off

some of your unnecessary prescription drugs, feel better, and live to your genetic potential.

Come see us soon and let’s get 2018 started with building your health. Can’t make it to Athens? Then come see us at NHC HERB SHOP in Killen, AL, or we will ship the product to you.

Herbs & More carries most of the best known and most used supplements from all over the world, and we never charge you for the personal time or advice we provide. We also ship all over the world!

Visit our website www. newtritionalhc.com.

Like us on Facebook at herbs&more.athens. Roy is LIVE every Monday at 7 PM on our Facebook page.

Our goal has always been to, “Make America Healthy One Person At A Time.” The only question left is, “Will you be next?”

20% OFF ALL De-tox

and weight loss products with this coupon

Herbs & More One Per Customer Offer good through February 14, 2018 Offer not valid with other discounts

Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

Never Stop Learning

by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 The motto of Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning is Never Stop Learning. There is a Jewish Proverb that says, “An educated man can never be poor.” Lots of commentary, reports, and articles have said that continuing your education enhances your self-image, improves your marketability, increases your job skills, and furthers your career. The great thing about our classes at the Center for Lifelong Learning is you don’t have to take tests (unless you want to) and don’t have homework.

You can start right out of high school or after you retire, and anywhere in between.

We offer Certificate courses and Certification courses and personal interest courses to spark you interest or continue your interest in a particular subject.

You can find a listing of all of our courses at www.athens.edu/cll.

What is the difference between Certificate courses and Certifi-

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cation courses? Most classes for career development will provide a certificate at the end of the class. This is your verification that you attended the program.

Sometimes a job will require a certain number of certificates to renew a license or earn a promotion.

Some classes are skill driven and require testing to prove you have mastered the skill.

These courses are Certification courses. Sometimes you are required to earn a certification before you can get a job, and sometimes you have to have a certification for promotion to the next level.

agers in restaurants, nursing homes, and daycares. This class is at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur, located at 133 Second Ave, NE. Class is from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and includes the test for your certification. The fee is $175/person.

January 29, we will be-

gin the Freezer Meals Cooking Class at Food Fite on the main Athens State Campus. Classes are in the Sandridge Student Union Building from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The cost is $155 and includes all supplies.

The month of February

will bring Sign Language classes, Dance classes, Photography classes, Communication classes, and so much more.

Details about all of our classes are available on our website – www.athens. edu/cll. To request a catalog, give us a call at 256-233-8260.

On January 9, we will begin the Yoga classes.

Classes are Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. You can attend one day a week, two days a week, or attend all week.

Classes are $5 each and you can pay at the door, or get a punch card and attend when you can.

January 22, we will provide ServSafe Training for food service man-

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January 5 - January 18, 2018

Jerry’s Journal

Cotton Bowl Bound In Nana Sue’s Land Yacht

by Jerry Barksdale

www.jerrybarksdale.com The girls were excited. We were going to the 1989 Cotton Bowl in Dallas where the Arkansas Razorbacks would rub the noses of the UCLA Bruins in a mud hole. I’d never attended an out-of-state football game.

And I’d never been trapped in a car for 667 miles with three women who were rabid Razorback fans. The bloom of my 15-month marriage to “Arkansas Pat” (not to be confused with my good friend and sometime redhead, “Tanner Pat”) was still on the rose. Pat’s two daughters, Audra, 21 and Leesa, 17, were two of the finest and prettiest little hellions I ever met.

Both had been born in Auburn to parents from Marked Tree, Arkansas, the center of the universe and the largest and most cultured wide speck in the road.

In other words, the Paris of Arkansas. They loved Auburn and they loved Arkansas.

My point in this: Crossing a rabid Auburn fan with a rabid Arkansas fan is like mating a wild hog with a feral tomcat.

Nature never meant it to be.

My experience with girls was limited to my sweet little Shannon who use to climb onto my lap and says things like: “My Daddy is my hero.” I didn’t know that little girls grew up, drank beer, smoked cigarettes and wrecked

cars. Audra and Leesa are the reason Pat developed her immutable law, “Never give a teenager an equal break.” They are always up to something, you bet.

It was decided that we would travel to Dallas in my modest little Ford Escort, a runt of a car I drove from Huntsville to my law office in Athens. “It’s gas efficient,” I said.

The plan was to drive from Huntsville to Memphis, spend the night with “Nana Sue,” the girls’ grandmother, then proceed to Dallas. We hadn’t gone a block before Audra began slandering my car. “I don’t want to ride in a ‘box on wheels.’” That’s what she called my little car!

The girls hatched a plan to borrow Nana Sue’s big land yacht Lincoln Town Car so we could ride to Dallas in style. I smelled trouble. Nana Sue wasn’t the grandmotherly type who wore her hair in a bun and baked cookies for neighborhood kids. In earlier years she had partied at Elvis’ mansion, operated a liquor store, and had firm opinions about every subject and wasn’t hesitant to express them.

I was afraid of Nana Sue and answered yes’um and no’mam. She was very particular about her Town Car. When a kitten crawled beneath the hood and took a nap on the fan blade, Nana Sue complained loudly about the blood and cat hair

January 5 - January 18, 2018

fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 slung on her car.

We departed for Dallas in Nana Sue’s 18-foot, two-ton, 8-cylinder behemoth, blowing out gas, the stereo surround sound blasting, and the girls calling their hogs.

“Wooooeee pig! ey!

Sooo-

Wooooeee pig! Soooey!

Razorbacks backs

–

Razor-

Soooey!”

In Dallas, we stayed at Loews Anatole, the same hotel where the Razorback team and fans were lodged. An atrium ran from the ground floor to the top. When someone tooted in the lobby, we could hear it on the 15th floor. We all piled into one room. Our single bathroom quickly looked like a Bed, Bath & Beyond. It was crammed with oils, lotions, ointments, sprays, cosmetics, powders, perfume, emollients, rubs, combs, brushes, dryer, tweezers, curlers – a veritable nightmarish hell for a man. I couldn’t find space for a toothbrush!

And another thing, I discovered women don’t use three towels when six are available. They use every one of them and right away.

Leesa saw a candy bar inside a drawer that was fastened with a plastic tie. She threaded her hand inside and pulled out a chocolate bar.

“Look what I found,” she said and reached for another one.

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“I wouldn’t do that,” Audra said.

“It’s complimentary,” Leesa said. Then she pulled out cheese. We ate all of the candy and cheese. It sure was delicious. The hotel even provided complimentary wine. We helped ourselves to that, too.

Nothing like staying in a classy hotel.

The girls wanted to attend a big New Year’s Eve party at the hotel.

Leesa was underage, but determined to attend. Pat hatched a plan. I would pretend to be an old, oilrich Texan escorting his young wife. “Rich Texans have young wives,” Pat said. “They won’t even notice.”

Leesa wore a black velvet dress and Pat’s mink, and we were ushered in like celebrities. No I.D. check. Even though it has been 28 years, I hope that information never becomes public.

A 48-year-old man with a 17-year-old on his arm! Gloria Allred will sue my socks off. I’ll be kicked out of the Senior Center.

It was past midnight when we finally got to bed. Then the Razorback fans in the lobby began calling the hogs.

“Wooooeee pig! Soooey!” It sounded like they were in bed with us. I finally dozed off around 5 a.m.

The Razorbacks got their noses rubbed in a mud hole, a 17-3 loss.

I figured they didn’t sleep any better than I did. We checked out and

that’s when I learned the candy, cheese, and wine weren’t complimentary. About $175, as I remember.

I learned that you pay to stay in a classy hotel.

We departed for Memphis in Nana Sue’s land yacht; a quiet bunch we were, no blasting stereo and no calling the hogs. I pulled in for gas.

“Look! We get a free car wash,” Pat said.

“Something tells me we shouldn’t do that,” Audra said.

“Why not?

Pat said.

“I wouldn’t Mama.”

It’s free,” do

it,

The car came out of the wash tunnel, and we tore out for Memphis.

“Oh my God!” Audra exclaimed.

The antenna had been pulled out by the roots and it was dragging behind the car and sparking on the pavement.

“Nana Sue isn’t going to like this,” Leesa said.

And she didn’t, she really didn’t. I bought a new antenna and had it installed. All in all, including “free” chocolate bars, cheese, wine, and a new antenna, the 1989 Cotton Bowl trip was expensive. We should have gone in my box on wheels. I never borrowed Nana Sue’s land yacht again. Years later, when they invited me to accompany them to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, I declined.

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Pet Points

5 Tips To Eliminate Pet Hair In Your Home courtesy Brandpoint content (BPT) - From their loyal ways to their silly antics, pets bring so much joy to homes.

While you wouldn't trade any of the cuddles and welcome-home slobbers, one thing most pet owners don't find quite as lovable is all the pet hair!When you live with a furry friend, it's inevitable that there will be pet hair everywhere-hiding under tables, collecting in corners and clinging to clothes and furniture.

Cleaning up after it all can be hard work-but the good news is that there are some ways to

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keep it under control.

With a few simple steps, you can keep your home clean and free from pet hair (at least until that next shake).1) Embrace your inner groomer. The best way to deal with pet hair in your home is to stop it even before it starts. Regularly grooming your pet will help control pet hair and shedding. Get into the habit of brushing your pet each day.Chances are, they'll enjoy the extra attention, and you'll be able to collect and dispose of their hair before it gets everywhere else. If your pet needs

extra care, take them to a groomer every couple of months to really control the undercoat or longer hair.2) Use a vacuum designed to pick up pet hair. After you've used a conventional vacuum that fails to pick up your dog or cat's hair a couple of times, it's probably safe to say that you've had enough. Get your hands on a vacuum built for the job, like the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser® Lift-Off® Upright Pet Vacuum, which is engineered specifically for homes with pets. It combines the power of an upright vac-

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uum with the cleaning convenience of a lightweight, portable canister, so you can clean tight corners, stairs and furniture easily. It also has a tangle-free brush roll, so you don't have to worry about hair wrapping around it. When you're done, you can empty the canister without touching the hair inside.3) Strategically place throw rugs around the house.

Carpet and rugs are a magnetfor pet hair-so use them to your advantage! Place throw rugs in areas your cat or dog frequents and they can collect the lion's share

of the shedding before the hair infiltrates every nook and cranny in the rest of your home. Then you can easily vacuum those rugs!4) Give your pet a designated hangout spot. While your favorite four-legged companion is hanging out around the house, offer them an extra comfy spot or twoon the floor with large throw pillows or a pet bed so they have their own space.They'll end up spending much of their time in these cozy spots and it will help you out by making the area you need to clean smaller.5) Washable slipcover.

There's no reason to cut out couch cuddles with your fluffy friend. A washable slipcover for your furniture can work wonders to protect furniture from hair and messes. And, it doesn't have to be the unsightlyplastic covers people used to have -contemporary slipcovers are made of soft cloth, are easy to remove and look great. Most you can even throw in your washing machine to easily to remove the hair. In between washings, using vacuum attachments will help keep your couch hair free.After trying out these tricks, the only evidence that there's a pet in your homewill be from the lovable, furry greeting they give you when you walk in the door!

January 5 - January 18, 2018

Mental Health Minute

The ABC’s of Mental Health

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“I am working on learning how to be whole and free within myself, to acknowledge my brokenness, manifest my own happiness, and succeed and fail gracefully.”

- Beau Taplin

Welcome to 2018! I am excited about a brand new year full of possiblities, challenges, and successes. (I am a realistic optimist.) Even if you are a spontaneous-type person, I hope you are thinking about what you want for yourself, your family, and your community this year.

I’m not talking about New Year’s resolutions that you will forget about by February 1. I’m talking about life goals. If you don’t have a destination, how will you know when you get there?

So, here is my plan for us for this year: every two weeks, we will be exploring the ABC’s of mental health. With 26 letters in the alphabet, and 26 issues published a year, you can see how perfectly this will work. Today we will take a look at ANXIETY, but from my perspective as a holistic therapist and human being.

(I will not be going in alphabetical order…that’s too predictable!)

itive self-talk, affirmations, reframing, and grounding.

I even decided to become a mental health counselor mid-life because I felt like I was an expert at managing my own stress, so why not share what has worked for me with others? About 5 years ago, I was under a lot of stress. I remember thinking my anxiety level was constantly riding around a 9-10, with 10 being unbearable. I noticed I was periodically short of breath and constantly battling fatigue. One night I came home and just felt “off.” I went to bed and woke up at about 5 in the morning with my head spinning. I felt my eyes moving back and forth as I stuggled to focus and stand up. I thought I was having a stroke. At the hospital, the doctors ran every kind of test from an MRI to CT scan to blood work.

The good news, everything came back normal. The bad news, the doctors believed I had stress-induced vertigo.

I tell you this story because as a holistic healer, I believe that our bodies, minds, and spirits form interconnected circles. What affects one area affects all areas. The stress of my mental health finally spilled over in to my physical health. So after this vertigo event, I made some changes. If you suffer from anxiety that is becoming harder and harder to manage, this is what I recommend. Physically, listen to your body. Ignoring pains or body changes is not helpful. Can you make one small dietary modification…cut out diet Coke? How about walking 20 minutes a day?

Maybe take a supplement?

Get more sleep? Pick one thing and do it. Mentally, are you your own worst critic?

Do you wake up every day worrying about everything?

See a therapist for some effective coping skills. Find work that challenges your mind. Read. Listen to selfhelp podcasts. Volunteer.

And finally, spiritually… what is your source of strength? Most of my clients believe in a higher power, but have forgotten that this belief allows for them to have a purpose.

Your spiritual side can be nourished through gratitude, prayer, worship, and meditation. We all need a direction, guided by our morals and values and faith, which brings me back to: Where are you going this year? Write it down. And don’t allow anxiety to interfere with discovering the best you that you can be.

In conclusion, I want to share with you a book I am reading by Andrea Petersen

called, On Edge A Journey Through Anxiety. My number one take-away from this book was her definition of anxiety. According to Andrea, anxiety is the anticipation of pain - emotional pain, mental pain, physical pain, and spiritual pain which is why anxiety can affect more than one area of the self. So, as you prepare your course for the year, include specific plans for growth of the mind, body, and spirit.

Until next time…Lisa 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.

I have always had anxioustendencies. But for most of my life, I was able to manage my anxiety through a variety of coping skills: pos-

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Medical Update

What You Can Do To Fight The Flu

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN It’s that time of year again: the dreaded flu season. We’ve all heard the stories on the news of the numbers of cases of the flu skyrocketing this year. We’ve heard that this year’s flu vaccine is already ineffective in preventing it, so much sooner than flu vaccines in years previous. The strain has mutated, according to researchers, and even if you received the flu shot this year, it may not be protecting you against the mutated strain.

This is not the first year that I have seen this as a nurse. It seems that it has been going on for at least the last 3 years. Each year, our hospitals have been full of patients diagnosed with the flu. Last year was one of the most concerning to me personally, as those who were coming down with the flu and being hit the hardest were people in my age group: their 20s and 30s. Young people across the country last year ended up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and some even died as a result of getting the flu.

Many of them had also been vaccinated against it.

This year seems to be no different, except that the virus is less discriminate in who is being hit hard.

immune system at home.

Below you’ll find a few simple tips to help you this season as you make your health and your family’s health a top priority.

1. Get enough sleep.

Sleep is very important to the healing process of the body. Though there is no “magic number” as far as sleep is concerned, researchers have long said that 8 hours is a good target to shoot for. That may not be the best number for each individual, so listen to your body. You may need more or less. When you are sick, your need for sleep increases, as sleep is the time when your body repairs and rejuvenates itself. As a protective measure, go to bed a little earlier than you normally would in order to give yourself a bit more time to sleep than usual.

2. Drink plenty of water.

Yes, WATER! You can add things like lemon, lime, or other fresh fruit juices to it if you can’t stand the taste of plain water, but water is one of your body’s best defenses against getting sick.

The average adult body is made up of 50-65% water.

That of an infant is much higher, 75-78%. This is why children dehydrate much faster than adults.

Women need about 9 cups of water (2.2Liters) and men need 13 cups (3Liters) of total water intake per day. This increases if you are sick, so stay on top of it before getting sick, to make sure dehydration isn’t as severe as it could be.

3. Eat your fruits and vegetables. I know this may sound simple, but it is some of the best advice out there. The US government now recommends that fully

4. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Yes, another simple way to increase your im-

munity this flu season.

Alcohol based hand rubs can be very drying to the skin and cause cracks.

Any area of breakdown on your skin is a portal through which bacteria and viruses can enter and attack. Use these products sparingly. Whenever possible, use soap and warm water to wash your hands.

Fully dry them to prevent cracking and drying of tissue.

5. Cover your cough/ sneeze. If you or your family is sick, cover your cough/sneeze. Use tissues whenever possible and dispose of them into the garbage as quickly as possible to prevent the spread of bacteria from the tissue to other surfaces and people. If you don’t have a tissue available, use your elbow rather than your hands. Wash your hands immediately after coughing/sneezing to prevent spread of infection.

6. STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK! If you or your family is sick, especially if running a fever, stay home. Exposing others to the bacteria can be life threatening, especially in the very old or very young since their immune systems aren’t as responsive as that of a healthy adult. If you go to the doctor’s office, stay away from others even if they also appear sick, as you could cross infect each other.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family if the flu shot you received this year is already ineffective, and may not prevent you from contracting this potentially life-threatening illness?

There are many ways that you can help boost your

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HALF your plate at EACH meal should be made up of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Most people are lucky if they eat one fruit or vegetable a day, let alone half their plate 3 times a day. Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, phytonutrients, and other components that are essential to building a healthy body. It’s true what Grandma used to say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” That’s because of all the necessary things your body gets when it eats that apple, or other piece of fruit or vegetable. Your body can’t use fractionated vitamin supplements nearly as well as it can use whole food nutrition found in fruits and vegetables.

These six simple steps, if heeded, may help keep you and your family a little healthier during this flu season.

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Foreman’s Forum

New Year’s Resolution: “Don’t Be A Plinker”

by Paul Foreman Many of us make New Year’s resolutions about now. Some of us want to lose weight, some of us want to quit smoking. I want to be a better shooter. I hate to admit it, but I have NOT done much shooting this past year.

Those of you who know me, know that I have had a heck of a battle with this horrible and evil cancer. Now, if you are going to make a New Year’s resolution to be a better shooter, make it good selfdefense shooting. Do NOT practice being a “plinker.” I define “plinking” as walking around the woods, picking out a stump, and using an old tin can, anything, and then taking a few shots just to see if you can hit it. Plinking may be kinda fun. BUT: it doesn’t do much if anything to improve your self-defense abilities.

I am assuming you already have the basic fundamentals of gun safety totally ingrained into your mind. If you do not, then and I repeat, DO NOT go to the range until you have taken a “Basic Handgun Class” by a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor.

from a holster at home. Dry fire is of course done with an EMPTY gun. TRIPLE CHECK to make absolutely sure your gun is empty. If somebody is with you, have them also check to make sure it is empty. First, just draw from your holster, slowly at first then picking up a little speed after a dozen or more times. Then, practice with your gun concealed, pulling your “cover” garment out of the way before drawing your gun several dozen times. If this is your first time practicing this way, do it with an UNLOADED gun, until you have mastered the skill of drawing your gun safely.

Now we get to finally do some shooting! Get some target ammo, at least one box of fifty. Every round fired should have a “training value” attached. So, forget about shooting nice, tight, three-, five-, and seven-yard groups. Let’s do some serious training. You’ve got 50

rounds; here is a great way to use them so you get training value from each round you fire.

Suggested one-box training protocol: Two handed grip, from the holster, at 5 yards: Draw and fire one round as quickly as you can; safely and accurately hit the target.

Repeat 10 times. Remember to establish the proper twohanded grip, acquiring the target and firing the shot. Get your finger off the trigger, re-engage the safety if your gun has one, re-holster. Total shots fired: 10 One-handed grip, from the holster, at 5 yards: Just like above, but fire with one hand, keeping your OFF hand away from your gun.

Repeat 10 times. Total shots fired: 20 Transition to one-handed grip, other strong hand: Draw from the holster with your strong hand. Transition

to your other hand and fire two rounds as quickly as you can; safely and accurately hit the target. Return the gun to your holster; repeat, drawing and firing three rounds. Do this twice. Total shots fired: 30 Drive the gun, fire from “low ready” position: Your instructor should have taught you high and low ready. I like low ready the best. Hold the gun in a two-handed grip with your elbows against your ribs. Make sure of your target, and fire at the target as fast as you can; safely and accurately hit the target. Fire two rounds. Then fire three rounds. Repeat four times.

Total shots now fired: 50 There you have it. You have fired a box of ammo, 50 rounds, with four easy drills that will build your selfdefense shooting skills. As always, observe all firearms safety rules; never let your gun point at anything you

are not willing to destroy, and keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and have made a conscious decision to shoot.

Paul Foreman is a retired deputy sheriff from Lee County Florida, now living in Athens. Paul is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor. “As many of you may already know, due to my current battle with cancer, I am NOT doing firearms classes. Prayers are welcome. As for the classes, I have a gentleman whom I am referring people to, who is also an NRA certified Firearms Instructor.” E-Mail me at: Captureman@ PaulForeman.com Join the NRA, they protect your 2nd amendment rights.

To join, go to [http://www. paulforeman.com%2C/] www.PaulForeman.com, Click on the NRA Eagle!

To be proficient, we all should shoot at least once a month. Practice drawing and shooting until you have locked in what I like to call “Muscle Memory.” Your hands will do exactly what they have done hundreds, or even thousands, of times before.

Most indoor gun ranges will NOT allow drawing and shooting from a holster.

They believe it to be far safer to lay your gun on the table then pick it up to shoot.

You can always practice “dry fire” drawing and shooting

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