January 17, 2014

January 17 - February 6, 2014

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali: 256-468-9425 Deborah: 256-309-9399

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Chalk Painting Repurposing With Passion...

Pam Hertenstein and Mary Long can accurately be described as “passionate repurposers,” if I may coin a term, and are using a very... Page 5

LuLu’s Place

Randall Peek Photography: Weddings With A Touch Of Whimsy

By Ali Elizabeth Turner I first met Randall Peek at the 2013 Grease Festival, where he was chronicling the event as its official photographer. I had previously seen his work on display at the Bakery at Elkmont, instantly became

Continued on pages 15

The Legend Has Reopened...

Betty Cowley has spent her life in the restaurant business, having worked everywhere as well as owning a café in Iuka, MS...

Page 9

Athens Rehab Spotlight

Eagle Automotive: Hertz Car Rentals And Outstanding Customer Care

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Mary Johns... Mary Johns was born at her parents’ home in Elkmont, the 4th of 12 children. The year was 1934, in the darkness of the Great Depression...

Page 20

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Hertz “Rent-A-Car” came to the Huntsville area circa 1957, and has been serving the Valley since then. Here in Athens, Eagle Automotive/Hertz, located at 22980 Hwy 72 is ready to “let Continued on page 17

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The first truckload of spring flowers has arrived.

Rose Bushes, Mums, Sun Daisies, Poppy Bushes, Rose Bud Bushes!

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Page 2

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January 17 - February 6, 2014

Publisher’s Point

The Street Sweeper Speech

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales / Editing Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Teresa Todd Deb Kitchenmaster Will Anderson Jim Doyle Dr. Patrick Boyett Jackie Warner

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . . 4

As I write this, it is the actual birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Had he not been cut down by an assassin, he would have been 85 today. Here in Athens, we have events on both Saturday the 18th and Monday the 20th to commemorate and celebrate his life, as is fitting. And, as has been the case since he became a household name, both major political parties are going to try to leverage his legacy for their own furtherance while attempting to be culturally relevant. My purpose here, however, is to talk about a little known presentation given by Dr. King shortly before he died that has become known as the Street Sweeper Speech. In my view, it is as powerful a speech as any one he ever gave.

I was 9 when I watched him give the I Have A Dream speech on our old,

Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 5

Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 9 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12 Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 13 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 A View From The Bridge . . . . 16 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 18 World According To Will . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . . . . 20

member when he received the Nobel Peace prize, and fuming silently at the dinner table as my grandmother, who was raised in part by a former slave, said he should be locked up. I gave a good portion

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

boxy black and white TV. A few months later I was horrified by the 16th Street Church bombing in Birmingham when little girls my age were blown up in what is supposed to be a safe place--a church. I re-

Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.

Square and Limestone County Event Center Lineup at 9:30 a.m. Will march around The Square at 10 a.m. and go to the Limestone County Event Center for a program, music and more.

17th annual Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee’s Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Ceremony Monday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m.

Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church on Westmoreland Avenue. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Edward O. Jackson from Greater New Antioch Baptist Church in Birmingham.

Athens Rehab Spotlight . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Security Savvy . . . . . . . . . 23

January 17 - February 6, 2014

of my youth to passionate involvement in the Civil Rights movement in Seattle, had my life threatened for doing so, and remember the sadness I felt as I watched the movement fall apart, beginning, in

my opinion, with Stokely Carmichael calling for violence, and denigrating into something Dr. King would have despised, secular social engineering and a demand for dependency.

Here is what he said in part: What I am saying to you this morning my friends, even if it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, go out and sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures.

Sweep streets like Handel and Beethoven composed music. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry.

Sweep streets so well that all of heaven and earth will have to pause and say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.’

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill, be a scrub in the valley, but be the best little scrub on the side of the ridge, be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail, if you can’t be the sun, be a star. It isn’t by size that you win or you fail, be the best of whatever you are.”

Then he went on to slap the snot out of what has become our corporate obsession with our own importance that of late has spawned several industries, and has subtly invaded our pulpits.

“This onward push toward the end of self-fulfillment is the end of a person’s life….[people] try to live as though no one else lives in the world but themselves, and they use everybody as mere tools to get to where they’re going. They don’t love anybody but themselves, and the only kind of love that they have for other people is utilitarian love, you know, they love people that they can use….these people don’t work out well in life.”

That’s a true word, and as we remember him, let’s do what he said, irrespective of how much melanin is in our skin or which lever we pull in the voting booth.

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

athensnowal.com www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

The Legacy Of The Lone Survivor

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

In late June of 2005, when I was in Iraq, the tragedy that became the topic of former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s bestselling book and subsequent movie entitled Lone Survivor occurred “across the Sandbox” in Afghanistan. While my 16 months living amongst the SEALS did not begin until August of that year, I soon learned why the event transcended the unspeakable loss we always felt when someone of any branch of service fell in death.

I have been told that SEALS have the lowest

mortality rate of any group in any branch. This is due to the rigors of their training, which most could not endure, and the galvanizing of their brotherhood due to the extremity of deprivation, as well as the heat of battle. Clearly that was the case with Marcus, and I cannot begin to imagine what he went through. I also cannot get my head around someone killing the puppy he was given as part of his therapy. The pup was named DASY, which stood for Danny, Axe, Southern Boy, (Marcus’ nickname,)

Are you a woman who served in the Armed Forces in Vietnam, or during the Vietnam War era? Do you know someone who did?

If so, we want you to be a part of our annual Women’s luncheon on March 15th, 2014.

This year we are especially honoring all women who served during that time.

Please call Sandy Thompson, Director of the Alabama Veterans’ Museum, at 256-7717578 for more information.

paid dearly for it. I lived amongst members of the Iraqi Special Forces who were like that, and when some were kidnapped and one was beheaded due to an inside job, we all grieved. As Marcus has said so simply recently, “there are

and Yankee, the members of his team. Thankfully the perpetrators have been brought to justice, and not surprisingly, Marcus has refused to become a hater.

I gave my husband a copy of the book Lone Survivor, and I have not read it yet. I did, however, make a calculated decision to go see the movie with a young woman who has become like a daughter to us, and one of my reasons was to be reminded of the courage of the ones amongst whom I lived. My husband told me he had heard that it was exceptionally gory, and he was right. He also said he

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wished he could be with me.

It had enough of the F-bomb to last several life times, the requisite potty mouth talk, and I had to close my eyes through much of it due to the gore. It was impossible, however, to get away from the sounds.

I had a flashback in the theatre, the second Iraq flashback I have had since I came home in 2007. There was a particular explosion that sounded exactly like one on RPC in which I had to hit the floor, and there in the theatre I had to keep telling myself, “This is not that.” Tears flowed silently, at times I had to clap my hand over my mouth, and for a long time after it was over, we sat there stunned.

I knew the chances of experiencing extraordinary emotional discomfort were pretty high before I went in, and I did it anyway, with my husband’s blessing, and sadly, without his hand to hold.

“Why would you do that?” you ask. “Why would you put yourself in that position?” Because I love them and miss them. But perhaps there was something else I needed to see and remember. It was the courage of the villagers who hid Marcus from the Taliban and

bad people everywhere….. there are good people everywhere.”

I was also reminded that because Marcus’ team chose to let unarmed goat herders go free based on principle, they essentially signed their own order of execution, for the Taliban returned two hours later. Death took the SEALS, but they did not stoop to the level of their enemies, and Marcus and his crew are my heroes forever. So are the villagers.

Am I saying, “Go see the flick?” Nope. Yes. Maybe.

It depends on who you are and how you are wired or feel led. But if you do, you’ll have your face rubbed in the reality that these are the guys who keep us safe, and this is what they go through for us. Maybe that would be a good thing.

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Special Feature

Chalk Painting: Repurposing With Passion

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Pam Hertenstein and Mary Long can accurately be described as “passionate re-purposers,” if I may coin a term, and are using a very special kind of paint to make their “point” with a brush.

They operate out of Cotton Warehouse Antiques, located at 111 N. Jefferson in Athens, on the Square. The paint, known as Chalk Paint ®, was developed by Annie Sloan, and here is a description of the paint and its history: Annie Sloan has long since been known as one of the world’s most respected experts in the field of decorative painting. In 1990, she took the world of interior design by storm when she developed her specially formulated decorative paint, Chalk Paint®. This unique paint was instrumental in the painted furniture revolution. Chalk Paint® comes in more than 30 European, historic and modern colors, from neutral to bright.

Paint your walls, paint your floors, paint your furniture—Chalk Paint® is even great on outdoor projects!”

Before we talk more about the impact Annie Sloan has had on the world of interior design, let me tell you a little bit about the two women who are making a thriving new career by “chalk painting.”

Pam Hertenstein was born and raised in Memphis, spent the bulk of her corporate career in the golf industry, and lived in New Jersey. She came back to the South to be with her family and opened Kindred Spirits.

During her Kindred Spir-

its and Craftsman Cottage days, she collected around 30 local artisans who produced everything from furniture to soap to quilts and fashions. She is a member of Friendship Church and has a heart for feeding the hungry here in Athens.

Mary Long is a retired principal and educator from Madison. Like Pam, she loves antiques and decorating, and has been involved with Annie Sloan paints for about three years. Pam describes her has having “fabulous people skills, a great instructor, never met a stranger, encouraging, supportive, and a fellow “re-purposer.”

Together they are offering classes for people who want to paint their own furniture, or will do it for them.

Teresa Daniel has a shop in Cullman known as Vintage West, and she is the area “stockist” for Annie Sloan, essentially functioning as the local Chalk Paint® franchisee. She supplies the paints for the store and for the classes.

The classes have taken off, the shop is busy, and Pam

January 17 - February 6, 2014

and Mary are having a blast teaching people how to paint, while empowering them to use their newly acquired skills on other projects. Pam says, “We are having the best time with our workshops. They are fun, relaxing and in-

spiring. We teach some really cool techniques using Chalk Paint ® and the soft waxes by Annie Sloan. All our students leave inspired and ready to put the techniques to use on their own projects and pieces. They leave with the confidence and skill to do so.”

So, what is it about Chalk Paint®? Why is it responsible for the “paint revolu-

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tion?” The formula is a closely guarded secret, but this paint has some features that are unheard of. For openers, it dries in 20 minutes, yet has the ability to be very forgiving. Unlike acrylics or oil based paints, there is no need to sand your piece before you paint.

As the Annie Sloan site says, “the techniques for painting and finishing do not follow the rules, but allow you to work in an independent, intuitive and creative way.”

In the course of the workshops, Mary and Pam draw forth that creativity that you don’t think you have, and help you bring color back into your environs on your terms. That is

why everyone is enjoying themselves so immensely.

Another feature of the Annie Sloan paints is that they are earth friendly. They have little to no odor, and the level of VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compound is very low. VOCs make up a large part of the contents of oil based paint, and are known to trigger asthma, respiratory problems and eye irritation.

Pam and Mary have workshops for all skill levels, and at various times throughout the week. Pam told me that she learned of a dazzling example of how knowing how to paint with Chalk Paint ® can turn a tidy and speedy profit for someone who wants to pursue furniture painting as more than a hobby.

A woman on facebook posted that she had painted, distressed and sold a piece of furniture in just two hours using Chalk Paint®.

Now me, I’ll be content to paint a cute but beat up bookcase and my dad’s wooden WWII Navy sea chest. Hope to see you at a class!

Chalk Paint ® Workshops at Cotton Warehouse Antiques on the Square 111 N. Jefferson Athens, AL 256-444-2400 (shop) and 256-998-2486 (Pam’s cell) www.anniesloan.com Page 5

Calendar of Events

Athens-Limestone Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration Saturday, Jan. 18

10:00am. Square and Limestone County Event Center Sponsored by the Limestone County branch of the NAACP, City of Athens and Limestone County. Will lineup at 9:30 a.m. on the south side of the Courthouse. Will march around the Square at 10 a.m. and go to the Limestone County Event Center for a program where students will read their winning essays, there will be music and more.

Refreshments will be served after the program.

6th Annual Jessica Elkins Memorial Pageant Feb 8th

5:00PM at the Athens Middle School Auditorium 601 South Clinton Street, Athens, Al. All proceeds will beneft the Limestone Area Community Foundation’s Jessica Elkin Live, Laugh, Love Fund for promoting menigitis awareness and a scholarship fund to benefit a graduating Athens High School Senior. Open to girls of all ages and boys/men for the “Ugly Walk”. For more information www. missmodelamerica.com. Or contact Theresa by calling 256-777-8949 or by emailing theresa@missmodelamerica.com.

Greek Informational Event Feb 9th

17th annual Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee’s Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Ceremony Monday, Jan. 20

Greek Informational Event for the High School Girls of Athens and Limestone County This is a no cost event to share information about sorority recruitment. Contact Teresa Brown tlbrown@pclnet.net

11:00am, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church on Westmoreland Avenue. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Edward O. Jackson from Greater New Antioch Baptist Church in Birmingham. The Round Island Creek Association Male Chorus will perform. The committee will present the Dr. C. Eric Lincoln Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Lunch will be provided after the program.

Hospice of Limestone County Chili Challenge Feb 22nd

10:00am to 3:00pm at Athens High School Gymnasium on US31 in Athens, AL. Fee For more information: 256-232-5017

Athens Home and Garden Show Mar 1st and 2nd

Polar Bear Tournament at Canebrake Jan 18th

12:00pm start Team play, teams will be randomly selected by handicap. This is a members-only tournament. For membership information, please contact janice@canebrakeclub.com or visit www. canebrakeclub.com

Athens Home and Garden Show presented by the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce at the Limestone County Event Center on Pryor Street in Athens, AL. If you are looking for a unique item for your home or garden or maybe garden tips this event is for you.

Activities for the kids to make and take too. For more information: 256-232-2600

Community Chorus Spring Auditions Jan 18th

Athens State University Community Chorus Spring Auditions from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Chasteen Hall at the corner of Hobbs and Clinton Streets. Call 256-233-8261 to schedule your audition time.

Polk Sallet Follies Mar 6th - 8th

This annual dinner show is a wonderful night of entertainment and delicious food. Ticket price and sale date to be announced. For more information 256-233-6412

Craft and Vendor Fair Feb 1st

9:00am to 3:00pm at American Legion 124 Cloverleaf Dr, Athens, AL. Crafters and Vednors with special deals will be under one roof to help you in your Valentine’s shopping. Door prizes at each booth. For more information call Wendy 256-698-8127.

Boys and Girls Club Annual Banquet and Fundraiser Feb 6th

This year’s banquet will be held at the FUMC Beasley Center at the intersection of Bryan and Marion Streets in Athens, AL at 6:30. Tickets are $20.00 each and can be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club 1017 West Washington Street in Athens. Contact Director Pete Miller for more information -- 256-232 4298.

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Ardmore Shamrock Shuffle Race Mar 15th

Registration at Active.com Ardmore Shamrock Shuffle is a chiptimed 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/ Walk located in Ardmore, Alabama benefitting Ardmore area charities. The event is an annual event celebrating the good times and fun of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday with Irish music and food and with a variety of vendors. The race kicks off the day wth a crowd of runners/ walkers dressed in their best St. Paddy’s Day garb hitting the streets of Ardmore. The 1 mile Fun Run /Walk follows with walkers and runners of every age heading to that Pot O’ Gold. It is a fun filled day for family and friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Good times, good friends and the luck of the Irish all in the same place!!!!

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January 17 - February 6, 2014

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Tourism

What Do You Know About Tourism?

by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association 100 Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611 Have you ever wondered what role the Tourism Office or Visitor Center has in the community of Limestone County?

The primary purpose of the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association is to solicit into Athens and Limestone County “temporary tax payers.” In other words, people who come to visit stay in our hotels, buy gas, enjoy their meals in our restaurants and attend our events and attractions. To our Limestone County tourism industry, we bring historians, naturalists, hikers, bikers, equestrians, kayak enthusiasts, fishermen, Civil War re-enactors, artisans, storytellers, artists, musicians, sporting events, horse shows, rodeos, seminars, meetings, conferences and class / family reunions, (to name a few) from all across the country.

We also develop tourism through the promotion of permanent attractions such as the Alabama Veterans’ Museum and Archives – be on the lookout for a major announcement from Museum Director Sandra Thompson and her team during the course of the New Year!

Our Historic District and Antebellum Homes offer driving tours to our visitors, and the Limestone County Archives has generations looking into their family genealogy to discover and preserve those precious times of yesteryear. Athens also boasts its very own drive-in theater positioned alongside

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taking of our tasty local fare at our unique and interesting restaurants, that run the gamut from authentic Cajun cuisine to award-winning goat cheese.

We encourage historical activities such as our free guided historical walks held each Saturday in April and educational programs like Earth Day celebration, art camps & strolls and the farmer’s markets held throughout the summer. The AthensLimestone County Tourism Association / Athens Visitors Center is located in the historic Athens Utilities building, and was built in 1906.

In later years it was often referred to as the “Domino Hall” where men played weekly dominos.

Decades later, Athens City Council agreed to renovate the building and include a beautiful wood

our walk-in theater.

This drive-in is one of only nine in the state of Alabama and though they are considered a dying breed, some things do get better with age. Athens State University Founders Hall (built in 1822) is Alabama’s oldest institution of higher education.

ASU has seen exponential growth recently including a new partner initiative with the University of North Alabama. Tourists come into our Limestone County communities for songwriters’ night and entertainment facilities. Festivals known across the country such as the Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention (soon to celebrate its 50th Anniversary) and new visions such as the Athens Grease Festival, (where we celebrate all things fried,) also bring new faces. Visitors also find themselves par-

and glass community room that looks out on the Big Spring Memorial Park’s relaxing fountains and various species of ducks. Athens-Limestone County is rich in history, culture and music, but our eye is very much fixated on the future and new growth opportunities for “Our Town.”

On April 1, 2010, the Visitors Center / Tourism Office opened at 100 N. Beaty Street. The authentic brick walls with wood ceilings and floors are reminders of the building’s original use. Currently the Visitor Center has a Delmore Brothers exhibit on display. Alton and Rabon Delmore were born in Elkmont, Limestone County, AL. In 1931, the Delmore Brothers joined WSM’s Grand Ole Opry.

They later moved to Raleigh, North Carolina then to WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they formed the Browns Ferry Four Gospel Quartet. The original members of this famous quartet were Alton, Rabon, Grandpa Jones and Merle Travis.

ALCTA is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, and in the summer on Saturdays from 8:00 AM – noon. Come by for a tour of our historic building. Look through the rack of brochures and post cards. We will be pleased to tell you more about Limestone County, “We have what you love about the South!”

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January 17 - February 6, 2014

Special Feature

LuLu’s Place: The Legend Has Reopened

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Betty Cowley has spent her life in the restaurant business, having worked everywhere as well as owning a café in Iuka, MS. In 2007, Miss Betty opened LuLu’s Place, named in honor of her mother, and the place became a local legend, something that is tough to do as a “meat and three.” Health issues forced her to retire, sell, and then the future of the building became uncertain.

Almost every good success story has a love story in there somewhere, and LuLu’s is no exception.

Before Mrs. Cowley had to sell, Elaina (then Berryhill) was part of the wait staff that loved Betty, loved LuLu’s, worked hard, and found herself falling in love with a customer named Phillip Broadway. They got married in Betty’s back yard and the reception was held at LuLu’s. When Betty had to close, everyone was heartbroken, and at the time there was no way for the employees to purchase the place.

Phillip took a huge risk and invested a good portion of his retirement in LuLu’s, and now he has two careers: hanging drywall Monday thru Friday, and learning the restaurant business Thursday thru Sunday. “I had no idea how stressful it could be,

and I am more thankful for all the people who have waited on me,” he said.

But, he added that he loves people and loves learning the business.

For her part, Elaina is a natural born restaurateur, and is thrilled to be “restoring the legend.” Like Phillip, she loves the business and the people, and is “so glad that the old customers are back.” Some of the former employees have returned, too, and after smoothing out some of the bugs that are inevitable with any start up, the Broadways, Miss Betty, and the loyal customers are all saying “Welcome Home” to each other. Miss Betty comes in to work as she can, and has been in-

January 17 - February 6, 2014

strumental in teaching the folks in the kitchen “just how it’s done.” She has been carefully walking them through the recipes, from the Betty Scrambler to LuLu’s legendary pies.

Everyone has kept a sense of humor as they have undergone the reopening, and Elaina Elaina and Phillip Broadway says with a chuckle, of LuLu’s Place “We provide free entertainment just by being that put LuLu’s on the map ourselves.” As is the case in the first place, and they with any successful diner, are all back as part of the the staff and customers daily fare. First, there is the become like family, and LuLu Burger. Elaina says I had the chance to chat it’s like a “homemade Big with Scott the cook as he Mac.” The meat is all beef, told me about his learn- and there are two patties and ing curve, and Phillip as three buns. Cheese comes he gets the hang of waiting with it, along with mayontables. Having spent years naise, mustard, ketchup, in the hospitality business lettuce, pickle, onion, and myself, I groaned and tomato. The LuLu Burger laughed with them. is served with fries.

One thing Elaina wanted The Betty’s Scrambler is readers of Athens Now delicious, I can say from to understand is that “Lu- experience, and it has hash Lu’s Place is a diner, not a browns, eggs, and a choice fast food place. The food of up to three additional is cooked with love, and items like cheese, onions, made to order.” There are etc, as well as your choice several signature pieces of biscuit or toast, and un-

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ending coffee.

“We have the best chicken and dressing anywhere,” Elaina told me, and during the winter their taco soup and chili have been in high demand. The soups come with a grilled cheese sandwich. On Thursday nights they serve spaghetti from 4-8, and the customers keep coming back for it.

While I was there, the coconut pie had just come out of the oven, and the chocolate pie was due to be made next. LuLu’s also makes homemade peach and apple fried pies. During the holidays, LuLu’s sold a lot of dessert, and is building up their event business.

“We’ll design a specific menu for parties,” Elaina said, and they will also open for special events.

They have a party room in the back, and when we chatted they had just had a birthday party there. “It was fun,” said Elaina.

The Broadways want the customers to get the best possible fresh produce, and make the drive to the Amish community in Etheridge, TN to get veggies in season. “We love the drive,” they said, and it is obvious that they love the drive, their customers, their business, and each other. Come see for yourself at LuLu’s Place, and learn a new meaning for “Welcome Home.”

LuLu’s Place

22728 Pepper Rd. Athens, AL 35613 256-444-2722 Hours: Thu-Sat, 7am-8pm, Sun 7-3 Page 9

What Makes Ronnie Roll

The Gift Of Community, Part 9, “The Visible And Invisible Effects Of Time”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Mayor Ronnie is 69 years old, and I am 60.

We often talk about how odd it is to be considered a senior citizen when, in many ways, we feel like we’re just getting started. The discussion on the effects of time, however, had nothing to do with our wrinkles or grey hair, but rather a sharp statement made in chapter 26 of Gary McCaleb’s book upon which this series is based. “No organization can maintain excellence without active renewing.

Renewal is the antidote for obsolescence, decay and apathy.” Here McCaleb is quoting Bob Waterman, and goes on to say himself that our values, whether individu-

ally or corporately, are always subject to decay. The good news is that the decay can be overcome.

The backdrop for the points made in Chapter 26 was the city of Vienna, Austria.

During the heyday of the Roman Empire, Vienna was born as a camp for its soldiers. It grew, even as the empire declined, and then in 1258 was all but destroyed by fire. Amazingly, there are still a few buildings from that time that are still standing.

The city was rebuilt, or, if you will, “renewed,” and then a more horrific blow that lasted for years was struck against the

soul of the city whose name means “from wine country.” Between the occupation of the Nazis and the bombs dropped on the city to stop them, roughly 40 % of the city was completely decimated, and the “renewal project” took decades.

When McCaleb visited Vienna, he wrote the following: “After an extensive period of rebuilding and repairing, this city has once again risen out of the ashes and ruins. The people of Vienna refuse to accept defeat; they have overcome fire, wars, and economic depression.

The majestic buildings of Vienna, old and new, stand as a monument to citizens who were determined to overcome any threats to their city and rise above them in the spirit of renewal.”

The same could be said for Athens. Much of it

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was destroyed during the Civil War, and its citizens have never stopped rebuilding.

The “old and new” will stand side by side when the Trinity Project is completed, and that endeavor, as is the case with anything important, has had its own obstacles with which to contend. Its success will ultimately depend on a community that understands Trinity’s place in our history and the need to preserve its history.

So, what is actually involved in “active renewal?” “Find the good and praise it,” said Mayor Marks. He was quoting what is written on Alex Haley’s gravestone in Henning, TN, as well in McCaleb’s book, and then launched into what was essentially a sermon while I scribbled notes. “You don’t overlook problems,” he said, “You work them AND look for the good.” Renewal work comes in all kinds of forms, whether it’s in church, building the family, volunteerism, or by doing well the job for which you are being paid. “And,” he added, “You have to love your community.” Love for Athens, that is definitely some of what makes Ronnie roll.

January 17 - February 6, 2014

January 17 - February 6, 2014

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Page 11

Clean and Green

Step Up To The Buffet Table!

by Lynne Hart

“I just want to volunteer for a few hours.”

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

Getting involved with KALB is like a volunteer opportunity buffet. There are so many ways to get involved without the scary commitment. Check us out by offering just a few hours of your time on a project you might enjoy.

If you don’t like it, there are lots of other choices.

If you do like it, you can decide if you want to walk in ankle deep water or jump in!

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KALB is always looking for volunteers to help at events such as our upcoming seedling giveaway, March Elk River Cleanup, April Earth Day Celebration, and October Clean and Green Fiddlers Convention.

Our Duck and Run 5K and Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby fundraisers could not happen without lots of short-term volunteers. We also welcome groups and individuals to do a one-time roadside cleanup using our supplies or to organize a one-time recycling event.

“Can I help plan 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.

There are many planning committees to work with including those for our Earth Day Celebration, Duck and Run 5K Race, and Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby. We also have a Brainstorming Committee that will meet and toss out ideas on how to improve fundraisers we’ve already established.

“I’m a follower, not a leader. Is there a place for me?”

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 and volunteers make them happen.

www.athensnowal.com

“When I decide I like a cause, I’m not afraid to get involved for the long haul.”

If this is you, KALB is always looking for groups and individuals to join our Adopt-A-Spot program.

We also welcome volunteers to join our KALB Commission, Recycling Board, or our Beautification Board. Board members meet monthly to discuss organization business and make decisions regarding board activities.

Outside of these board meetings, commission and board members are

expected to be involved in other organization activities as they are able.

KALB, and ultimately this community, has benefited from thousands of hours of volunteer time provided by hundreds of people just like you. If you’d like to step up to the volunteer opportunity buffet table, we’d love to talk with you about available volunteer options!

Become a Fan

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

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Cooking with Shelley

Gluten-Free Corn Bread

by Shelley Underhill

Corn bread without flour… I think so! Mrs. Margaret Miller did it best when she set out to master this cornbread recipe.

And master it she did! Margaret was the first resident of Athens that I wrote about in the Athens Now. Sadly she passed away back in October and she is greatly missed.

She was a wonderful cook and she shared her recipes with many.

I had a chance to try some of that delicious cornbread a few weeks back. My first comment was “This is worth writing about.” My second comment was “Ya got any more?”

Let me know if you try it. I always love hearing from our readers, you can email me at shelleysdesk@gmail.com.

What you will need: 1 Medium size cast iron skillet 2 cups corn meal - Alabama King (as shown in the photo) 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups buttermilk 2 teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs 3/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt (hold 1/4 to the side) Mix ½ cup oil with remaining ingredients. Heat ¼ cup oil in skillet. While the oil is hot, fold into cornbread mixture.

Mix together. Pour mixture into skillet. Place in hot oven (425 degrees). Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Flip out onto paper towel on a plate or serving dish.

January 17 - February 6, 2014

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Page 13

Learning As A Lifestyle

Local Issues And Pie

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 I have always considered myself a big-city girl. For 20 years I lived in a metropolitan area with a population of more than half a million people and tons of things to do all hours of the day and night. When Dad got sick and I lost my job, I thought about moving back to Athens.

But, I was worried about living in a small town, even though I have a great support network here. I thought there would be nothing to

do here and I would be bored living here. Of course, visiting is not the same as living here. You get a much better picture when you immerse yourself in a town.

I’ve lived here three years now and Athens is a great place to live. It has wonderful people (I seem to be related to most of them) and there are tons of things to do in the region all the time.

Athens is it is so easy to get our politicians to talk to us about just about anything.

Another thing I like is PIE. When you combine the two you get the Our Town Series being offered at the Center for Lifelong Learning.

In this series, forget the pie

One thing I like about

charts and pies-in-the-sky, get the real rundown on how City Hall works and how your officials are working for you. Join us for mouthwatering pie and stimulating conversation and get to know our city better, one piece at a time.

Tuesday, January 21, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, we will be

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discussing What You Didn’t Know About Annexation.

Mayor Ronnie Marks and Dr. Tom Butler will discuss how annexation can affect voting, taxation, and schools. Dr. Diane Sauers says “the topics are pertinent, timely and important… and the pie is delicious, flaky and filling. When you bring these two things together something good will happen, I’m sure of it.” To make your reservation, call 256-233-8262 or stop by the Center for Lifelong Learning at 121 South Marion Street in Athens. The fee is $5/per discussion which includes a slice of pie.

Other discussions include Redistricting:Gains and Losses, with Mayor Ronnie Marks and Dr. Jess Brown on Tuesday, February 18; Where Does All the Money Go? with Annette Barnes, City Clerk/Finance Director on Tuesday, March 18;

Planning the City’s Future with Mac Martin, City Planner on Tuesday, April 15; New Ways to Protect and Serve with Chief Floyd Johnson on Tuesday, May 20; Where’s the Fire? with Chief Tony Kirk on Tuesday, June 17; and A Social City with Holly Hollman, Grants and Public Relations on Tuesday, July 15.

This series will be lots of fun, and tasty, too!

If you are looking for commemorative shirts, stop by the Athens Shop for a varied selection of t-shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts starting at $11.95. You can also find greeting cards on sale at 75% off.

Learning is fun and keeps you young. Stop by the Center for Lifelong Learning for a catalog of classes and events happening this spring.

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Cover Story

Randall Peek Photography: Weddings With A Touch Of Whimsy

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

a fan, and then fell in love with the picture here on the cover that I have affectionately nicknamed “The Barefoot Bride.”

An excellent photograph, in my view, doesn’t just capture an event or memory, it tells a story. Or perhaps, it invites you to tell its story. To me, the cover article illustration of this bride on her wedding day is perfect, from the dear dirt on her little bare feet, to the laciness of the hammock, to the depth and tranquility of the pastoral scene in the background. It is one of Randall’s favorites as well.

One of the definitions of “whimsy” is “playfully quaint,” and the word also includes the idea of humor. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Randall loves to shoot outdoor weddings because he says they are “more laid back,” and, on the practical side, “the lighting is better,” he told me. The “Barefoot Bride” shot was completely unplanned. Randall and his second shooter were on site to get ideas for photo opportunities, and the “set” for the “Barefoot Bride” leaped out at them. The rest is history.

Randall got his start in photography as a kid, where he went to outdoor car shows in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. He began to learn his trade in the early days of digital photography, had an old Panasonic, (which at the time was the digital equivalent of a Brownie camera,) and began to hone his craft through other photographic

for everyone,” he said. He then added that he believes “everybody should have the chance to have nice photos.”

He does his very best to price his services reasonably and still be able to produce the highest quality wedding package. One of the ways that he keeps his rates down

venues. He became a member of the North Alabama Photography Guild, and as a result has had the opportunity to photograph such unusual sites as the old Tennessee State Prison, where the Tom Hanks film entitled The Green Mile was shot. As a Guild member, his work is routinely critiqued, and he has won some competitions.

Besides the Tennessee State prison, they have shot such places as the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, and in addition Randall’s work has appeared in magazines. The Guild also helps its members trouble shoot photos so they can be in a state of constant improvement. By the way, the days of Randall’s old Panasonic are long gone, and these days he uses a high end Nikon to make the fondest photographic dreams of a bride and groom come true.

Randall let me know that shooting weddings has be-

January 17 - February 6, 2014

come highly specialized and many photographers won’t do them because they are labor intensive, the shoot can last for hours, and weddings in general can be very stressful. Maybe so, but Randall likes doing them.

I asked him why, if I were the bride, mother of, or the grandmother who was picking up the photographic tab, should I come to him?

“I treat my customers like they are family, and try to make wedding shoots fun

is to work by the hour. That way, a bride and groom can plan with him and determine beforehand what shots are the most important to them, and they can decide what kinds of shots will fit in their budget. If the couple has a list, then Randall can move more quickly.

Most of Randall’s business comes by

word of mouth. “People contact me and ask if I do weddings,” he said, and also wants people to know that he does portraits and maternity shots. Referrals are the fastest way to build business, and as a result Randall is gearing up both for Valentine’s Day and wedding season. His Sweet Heart Session is going to be held on Saturday January 25th in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day. The session will last for 20 minutes, and for $40 you will receive 5 edited digital images. For more details or to schedule a session, go to www.

RandallPeek.com.

The sessions will begin at 10 am. He did a similar type of event for the holidays, and it was a great success.

If you are in the market for a memorable, affordable wedding photographer, portrait or Valentine’s Day photo, Randall Peek Photography is ready to help with style.

Randall Peek Photography 256-374-3737 www.RandallPeek.com www.athensnowal.com

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The View From The Bridge

Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

Looking For The Right Position?

Be Prepared For The Job Interview!

by Jackie Warner

Have you ever heard someone say, “I bombed that interview!”? Mostly likely the answer would be yes.

We have also heard others say, “I nailed it and I think I got the job!” It takes a lot of work to truly be ready and successfully complete a job interview. Being prepared for the interview requires specific actions on the part of employers and perspective candidates.

whether or not this is the right investment for their future. Employer investments include the fit with others in the organization, salary, training and other resources specific to the position, while perspective employees should determine if this is the right investment for them, taking into account key factors specific to their personal and family needs and goals.

An interview is not a one but a two-way process.

During the interview both parties are seeking to make an informed decision as to

As you are preparing for the job interview, take critical thought to ensure that you are in fact ready to successfully complete the interview and obtain a desired offer of employment.

1.Check yourself first!

What’s on your social media sites? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linked In) Employers will definitely check, so clean it up.

2.Research the company and match your skills to the open positions. Stop applying for everything.

3.Practice, practice, practice. Complete a mock interview with an objective friend for constructive feedback, and then follow it to be ready.

4.Know where you are going and arrive early.

5.Leave your cell phone in the car.

6.Be alert for the interviewGet a good night’s rest!

7.Dress professionally.

Know what you are wearing before the day of your interview.

8.Speak with confidence,

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shake hands, make eye contact, exude confidence, and engage the person(s) you are speaking with.

9.Answer the questions asked by tying them back to relevant work experience, skills and education for the position.

10.Bring a portfolio, including a copy of your resume and samples of your work.

11.Always have questions prepared to ask the interviewer about the position.

Remember this is a twoway process and you also want to make an informed decision.

12.Thank the interviewer for their time and send a thank you note via mail or email.

Jackie Warner, Career Development Facilitator The Bridge “Where Community Matters”

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Cover Story

Eagle Automotive: Hertz Car Rentals And Outstanding Customer Care

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

Hertz put you in the driver’s seat.” The Athens location opened in 2007, and was reorganized late in 2013 as Eagle Automotive, LLC. I had a chance to chat at length with Stacey Crow, the Operations Manager, and Mary Wimbs, the Director of Marketing for Eagle Automotive. Both women have a deep commitment to customer service and making the Hertz franchise the best in the Athens Limestone area. “We pride ourselves on treating our customers the way we want to be treated,” Stacey told me.

Stacey was with Decatur Transit for 8 years, and though Eagle Automotive is a young company, their crew has a combined 30 years of experience in the car rental industry. “We are here to stay,” said Stacey. Additionally, she let me know that employees are encouraged to give back to the community.

Under the Eagle Automotive umbrella, several positive changes have been made. Some have been technological, such as a more automated system, and service is more centralized.

“The fleet at this location is a sample of what is available for rent,” they told me, “and the rest is managed out of the Huntsville Airport location.”

They have a wide variety of autos from which to choose, both domestic and foreign. They are especially proud of their full size, mid size and compact fleet. They also have “gone green” and have the Prius by Toyota available for those who prefer hybrids. The Ford models have Eco-boost, which improves mileage by 20%.

Additionally, Eagle has a “fuel saver” option for cus-

tomers. Eagle is committed to renting vehicles full of gas and the customer has the opportunity to purchase the first tank at a savings of 20% or more off local pump prices also saving the customer the time and inconvenience of refueling before returning the vehicle.

What else does Eagle Automotive do for its customers? “We will come and pick

January 17 - February 6, 2014

you up and bring you here to your car,” Stacey told me, “or, we’ll bring the car to you.” That can be especially helpful if someone needs a loaner while their car is being repaired, and the replacement/insurance part of Eagle Automotive/Hertz is the lion’s share of the business.

Eagle offers direct billing for insurance companies

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and body shops and Mary told me that they have an incentive program where “They have the potential to win free rentals locally and nationally, as well as the use of a brand new Corvette for a month.” You can contact either Stacey or Mary and let them give you all the details on this.

Eagle Automotive/Hertz has a number of other services and options for their customers, such as GPS and child/ infant seats. In addition, the fact that their one way rental rates are more than 50 % less than other car rental companies really struck a chord with me. Over 20 years ago, I was a newly single mom and had been temporarily transferred from Seattle to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for my job. I needed to rent a minivan to get us there, and the additional fee for a one way rental was a hefty $300! That was a lot to contend with, and added significantly to the stress of the situation. I was glad to learn that Eagle Automotive/Hertz of Athens had taken steps to reduce that fee for local one

way users.

There are special rates for weekends and holidays, and if I were to rent a car, there would be no charge to add my husband as a driver.

During my time with Stacey and Mary, I learned that it is not at all uncommon amongst the competition to be promised a make or model of a car, and when you go to pick up your rental, it’s not available.

“We are going to give you the car you want, in the class you want,” Stacey said firmly. They understand that the competition is interested in your business, and she continued, “I want people to know that I will do whatever it takes to make sure their car rental needs are met,” Stacey said, and of that I have no doubt. Come to Eagle Automotive/Hertz and let them prove it.

Eagle Automotive, LLC / Hertz Car Rental

Stacey Crow, Operations Manager, Mary Wimbs, Director of Marketing, and Katie Defoe, Administrative Supervisor 22980 Hwy 72, Ste A Athens, AL 35613 Phone: 256-262-1840 FAX: 256-262-1845 scrow@ eagleautollc.com Page 17

Health and Fitness

Does Muscle Burn Fat?

by Janet Hunt

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

Our bodies naturally burn more calories each day to maintain a pound of muscle than it does to maintain a pound of fat.

Therefore, the more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body will naturally burn while resting. This means by building muscle, you will increase your metabolism and turn your body into a better calorie burning machine. Below are

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some facts:

with more reasons to exercise regularly (resistance work and cardiovascular work) and eat a healthy, low calorie diet.

•FACT: Your body burns more calories maintaining muscle than it does maintaining fat. One pound of muscle burns approximately 5-6 calories per day at rest whereas 1 pound of fat burns about 2 calories at rest.

•FACT: The more muscle you have the more

calories your body will naturally burn each day on its own. For example, five pounds of muscle will burn about 25 calories at rest whereas five pounds of fat will burn about 10 calories.

www.athensnowal.com

•FACT: Building muscle does increase your metabolism.

•FACT: Building muscle definitely has the potential to help you lose fat.

All this just provides you

To find out information regarding a good resistance workout routine, contact Janet Hunt an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

A Certified Trainer can measure your percent body fat and follow your progress to lower your body fat with regular measurements throughout the year.

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Like me on

The World According To Will

The Will Anderson Show on Talk Radio For Real Life M-F 4pm-6pm on WTKI and WTKE, 94.7FM and 92.9FM, and 1450 and 1490AM

Obama And...Christie?

Recently, senior White House advisor Dan Pfeiffer said about the President that he “will use his executive authority, both his pen and his phone, to work with anyone to get things done — whether they be leaders in business, education, Congress, states, or local communities.” Zeus, in other words, dwells in The White House.

It will be curious to see how Obama handles himself during the upcoming State of the Union address. It was four years ago (time gets away, doesn’t it?) that the president lectured The Supreme Court during his yearly address to the nation. The subject was the Court’s recent ruling on campaign fi-

nance reform, with the President saying, “I’m urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong.”

Pressuring one branch of government to undermine another will likely not result in success.

But in Barack Obama’s world, he is in charge at the end of the day, other branches of government notwithstanding.

The good news is that the likely outcome of his overreach is that the Executive Branch will be beaten back to its proper place in our world.

Meanwhile, on the Republican side, there’s Chris Christie, not the star that polls seem to make him out to be.

What, I asked my audi-

January 17 - February 6, 2014

ence, has he done that constitutes his being the next Reagan?

The answer seems to be that he’s not a wimp.

He won’t back down when the press presses him.

Never mind that he raised property taxes in New Jersey. And never mind that two scandals make a pattern.

He stands to be at the center of others.

Why do Republicans want him over, say, Rand Paul?

The answer is, like Obama on the Left, Christie, because he can out-chat the press, is a hero to some.

Is he Republican toxin, though?

No, is the long and

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short answer. Christie will end up disappointing his base the way Obama has.

We have an election this year in Congress, and our goal should be get-

by Will Anderson

ting conservatives elected to the Senate. We’ll worry about 2016 next year. By then, we can only hope, the irrational fixation with Christie will have gone away.

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Horse Whispering

The Choice Of Connecting In The Corral Of Life

by Deb Kitchenmaster

Last month’s Horse Whispering trivia question really generated quite a response! Thank you to all who participated, and the winner will be announced in the February column.

other’s company.

As the campers came week after week, the dogs and the cats would be right in the midst of what we were doing. At times we had a blue bar-

ers”, so they showed up, too. What a classroom!

The cats became a part of the eye/hand/ focus/ balance round pen sessions. They were NOT objects, but rather LIV-

Eye/hand coordination is important when one is upon the back of a horse.

Some ways to improve this skill while increasing your riding skills are: opening and closing gates, getting mail from the mailbox, or finding an object that has been hidden while playing games on horseback.

One particular summer during horse camps, we had two cats on our ranch; an all white cat with blue eyes by the name of Gideon Charles, and a black cat with green eyes by the name of McFly! When Gideon came to us he was a tiny, six week old kitten, and was as wild as wild can be. He arrived on the back of the topper on our pick up, and bounced from one corner of the truck box to the other. We put him safely in the tack room with all his necessities.

Daily I would go out and sit on a hay bale and sing to him. In time, he and I, along with McFly and two German shepherd dogs would go for walks.

We simply enjoyed each

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ING animals.

They chose to come. They chose to jump upon the barrel. They chose to be touched.

They positioned themselves willingly. Relationships between cat and horse and between rider and cat and horse unfolded in this circle called a round pen.

While there existed a place to develop, even master a skill, this paled in the face of connecting relationships.

In connecting relationships there is a willingness

to be present, to touch and be touched, i.e. to connect, something for which all creation was designed.

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now,” quotes the book of Romans, chapter eight. What is the whole creation groaning and travailing about?

Two things: for the manifestation of the sons of God, and for the glorious liberty of the children of God. I’ve seen it in the eyes of dogs, cats and horses, and I’ve heard it in the song of a bird, a

loon on a lake, or a trumpeter swan flying over… …......“Sons of God, children of God, awake to righteousness!”

rel in the center of the round pen, and we would put objects on it. This served a two-fold purpose: developing better eye/hand coordination, and teaching equine terminology.

Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections: Connecting with LIFE through a horse Animal B.E.S.T practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

The cats and the dogs wanted to be included along with the horses as “teach-

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January 17 - February 6, 2014

Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On Mary Johns

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Mary Johns was born at her parents’ home in Elkmont, the 4th of 12 children. The year was 1934, in the darkness of the Great Depression, and as is the case with so many Americans, what didn’t kill them just made them stronger. One of the things they did to get through it was hold dances in their home. “We had a big house, and people would come to our home to dance, and we would go to

theirs,” she told me.

Their family attended the Church of Christ in Elkmont, and Mary went to Elkmont High. It wasn’t too long before she was swept off her feet by a handsome sailor.

“He was so good looking,” she said with a sigh. As far as being a good husband, not so much. His handsomeness turned out to be his weakness.

She did remarry, had a son,

a daughter, grandkids and great grandkids, and they are all the joy of her life. For 15 years she worked at L & S on Jefferson. “What did you do there?” I asked her. “Everything,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. As it soon became apparent by our conversation, Miss Mary is what my father would have called a “pistol,” and I needed no further clarification as to how hard she worked at L

& S or at being a mom.

She came to Athens Rehab and Senior Care four months ago, and as is almost always the case, had a tough time leaving her home and surrendering some of her independence. However, now she says she “likes everything about it.”

“Why?” “It’s a party every day.”

Her favorite activity at the Center? Dancing. “I love to draw crowds,” she added.

Her favorite game? “Rook.”

Apparently, according to Activities Director Keisha Coleman, (who is also Miss Mary’s favorite employee,) Ms. Johns is no slouch at it, either.

Mary’s favorite food? “Fried chicken.” Her least favorite food? “Oysters.” Keisha and I gave a hearty amen to that, went “Ewwww,” at their sliminess, and I added that I didn’t think they were originally designed to be eaten.

Her favorite colors? “Red and black.” Hence, they were

January 17 - February 6, 2014

www.athensnowal.com

the colors she wore for the interview. Favorite movie?

“Gone With The Wind,” although she added that as a kid growing up she rarely saw any films.

Then we hit the subject of music, and her lively eyes became more so. She “danced” while resting in her bed and said that she loved “anything Elvis.” Her all time favorite Elvis song is “Return to Sender.” She loves country music as well, with George Jones and Loretta Lynn at the top of the list. I think it’s safe to say “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is just about Mary’s personal anthem.

Biggest change or event in her lifetime? “Going to the moon. We should be proud of Rocket City,” she said.

Advice to young people?

“Always let the Lord come first. He is always right there beside you.”

Good words from a woman who has worked hard, lights up the room, and is loving life at Athens Rehabilitation and Senior Care.

Page 21

Medical Update

Knee Cap Pain A very common complaint during the adolescent years is anterior knee pain. Especially common in girls, this pain is often attributed to knee cap pain. The condition is called patella femoral syndrome.

This name describes the knee cap (patella) and its relationship to the leg bone (femur).

It is a disorder where the knee cap does not move, or track, correctly in its groove on the femur bone. If you feel your knee cap when you move your knee through range of motion, you will feel your knee cap move up and down as your knee moves. To make this happen, there is a joint in the front of the knee called the patellofemoral joint. When the knee

cap tracks improperly it produces pain.

It has to do with the attachment of the quadriceps muscle to the knee cap. As the quad contracts, it moves the knee cap up and down within the knee joint. The problem arises when the knee cap pulls too hard toward the lateral side of the knee. In the short term this causes pain and in the long term it causes abnormal wear underneath the knee cap.

Earlier we said that females experience this problem more than males.

This is because God created the fe-

Citgo Touchless Car Wash

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By Dr. Patrick Boyett, OrthoSports

male pelvis in a different shape in preparation for childbirth. Because the quad muscle is anchored from the pelvis, it creates a more lateral pull on the knee cap and thus more knee cap pain.

Treatment for Patellofemoral Syndrome is physical therapy, brac-

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ing, and avoiding deep knee bend exercises. In difficult cases, sometimes arthroscopic surgery is performed to release the lateral knee structures to assist in improved tracking. Left untreated, it will develop into arthritis often times as early as the mid-40’s.

Injections can be used to treat symptoms, but they do not correct the underlying mechanics, so therefore are often not used. Bracing can be very effective when performing certain activities that are known to aggravate symptoms.

January 17 - February 6, 2014

Security Savvy

Bullying

by Jim Doyle, owner of Madison Security Group

203 Us Highway 31 S, Athens, AL 35611 Bullying seems like such a simple word save for the havoc it wreaks.

In today’s world of technology it is easier than ever to be the subject of a bully.

Adults are at risk as much as children now.

Unfortunately it can be particularly devastating for children and young adults. In addition to bullying in school, now you have the added anguish of cyberbullying.

With all the websites and accounts that you can have out there in cyberspace, anything can be posted for anyone to see. It’s not a crime unless it crosses the line to become assault or harassment, but it should be. It is not considered abuse but again it should be. When tragedy strikes and a person takes their own life because they just can’t take any more of the bullying, it is still very rare for anyone to be held responsible.

Usually I write about how to protect you from danger. When it comes to bullying, all I can do is offer some things to look for if you suspect someone you care about is being bullied.

Types of bullying: • Verbal – name calling or teasing • Social – spreading rumors or intentionally leaving someone out of activities • Physical – pushing, shoving and other acts of physical harm • Cyberbullying – using

controlling

• Is quick to blame others

• Does not accept responsibility for their own actions

• Needs to be the best at everything

Understanding the warning signs of a child that is bullying or is a victim of bullying can help you get the help you need.

Counseling can also be an option to help understand the underlying emotional issues of inadequacy. People, especially children, that are confident and have higher self-esteem are less likely to fall victim to bullying.

the internet, texting, e-mail and other digital technology It is particularly important for parents to discuss the facts of bullying with their children. Teach them how to watch for bullying and to avoid being bullied themselves. Teach them the coping and social skills they will need to not become a bully.

Often children will fall in with a crowd just so they aren’t different. There are several signs a parent can watch for if they suspect bullying is a problem.

• Comes home with unexplained injuries or missing clothing or other belongings • Has a change in eating habits

Every human being is unique in their own way. No one has the right to bully you because you don’t have the same clothes, or house or even hair color.

• Acts out of character (suddenly picking on a sibling or friend)

violent

• Avoids certain places or playing outside alone

• Is manipulative and

• Has trouble sleeping • Blames themselves for their problems

• Feels helpless • Talks about suicide

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As always, be safe.

• Feels like they are not good enough

Some signs to look for if you think your child may be bullying.

• Has fewer friends

• Has trouble controlling anger

Stand tall, be confident and self-assured.

Never let anyone take your confidence or selfesteem.

Becomes

frequently

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