Athens Now 6-7-24

Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425

Our

Special Feature

Hope For The Hurting... Do you remember things you did to impress when you were dating your spouse? I do. For an art assignment in my high school days, I submitted a... Page 5

Carissa's Corner

What’s In A Name?...

A name is a title given to a person to reveal their identity and separate them from other individuals... Page 7

Clean,

Green And Beautiful

Keep On Keepin’ On... At Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful, volunteers are the ones who make us succeed in our mission... Page 12

Kimberly Schaefer Of Salon Blu: Hair Imagery At Its Finest

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Kimberly Schaefer grew up in Oregon, not far from Portland, and started helping her grandmother with her hair at the tender age of four. Mind you, this was the era when women would roll their hair using hard brush rollers and picks, and then sleep on them! We laughed as we strolled down memory lane and considered how Continued on page 15

Brad Stovall Auto Body Repair Shop: 35 Years Of Gettin’ You Fixed Up

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

In 1989, when Brad Stovall was still what he calls “just a kid,” he took a huge risk and bought a piece of land in Tanner that he describes as back in the day just being “out in the middle of a cotton field.” A banker in Ardmore by

Continued on page 17

Publisher / Editor

Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design

Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers

D. A. Slinkard

Anna Hamilton

Phil Williams

Claire Tribble

Stephanie Reynolds Eric Betts

Detri McGhee

Lisa Philippart

Sonya Fehér

Donna Clark

Nick Niedzwiecki

Publisher’s Point

Mandisa’s Message

I was in Iraq when Mandisa competed on American Idol, and while I didn’t follow her career later on, when the song “Overcomer” came out, I fell in love with her beautiful spirit. So, when she was found dead at the age of 47 from undisclosed causes, I was dismayed. The assumption was that she had taken her life, and the industry of which I am a part helped to spread that rumor. That annoys me no end, and is irresponsible, but I digress.

So, when the autopsy revealed that there was no foul play, outwardly or inwardly, I felt genuine relief, and began to learn things about Mandisa that made me glad that I get to spend forever with her; she just got Home first, that’s all.

I had heard “Overcomer” as the intro to several National Marketing Director Speeches at conferences sponsored by the Juice Plus company, and the lyrics always inspired me, especially when I heard the stories of the “overcomers” themselves. Here are the lyrics in part: Whatever it is you may be going through I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you

the final round

(you're not going under)

'Cause God is holding you right now

You might be down for a moment

Feeling like it's hopeless

That's when He reminds you

That you're an overcomer (whoa-oh)

You're an overcomer (whoa-oh)

"Overcomer" Copyright 2013. Songwriters David GarciaBen GloverChristopher Stevens

Those who knew her well described her as a cheerleader, and while she went through a dark time after the death of a friend, she came through it. She really had the heart of a lioness. Yes, she battled with her weight. Yes, she considered taking her life. But the point is that she got help and she got back on track.

One of the things I

a

learned about her was her grace, humility, and forgiveness when American Idol “meaniejudge” Simon Cowell (who is much kinder these days) mocked her for her weight. You know what? She forgave him, and did it publicly. She acknowledged that his statements had hurt her, but that she forgave him. Furthermore, she gave him the gospel. She said, “And I figured that if Jesus could die so that all my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same grace to you.” He responded with, “Mandisa, I am humbled. I am appalling, aren’t I?” Then he hugged her. She was a class act, and I appreciate her willingness to not only write and sing about her struggles, but to never give up. She won a Grammy for her song, “Overcomer,”

and in 2019, the Kendrick brothers ( Fireproof, Facing The Giants, Courageous, War Room) produced a movie of the same title. Guess what the themes are? Being accountable, forgiving, finding your identity in Christ, and never giving up.

So, as far as I am concerned, Mandisa’s message is safely intact, and I am looking forward to the day I can tell her how much her song and her life has strengthened me. In the meantime, I’ve got some overcomin’ to do.

All Things Soldier D-Day, “A Noble Undertaking”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

I was born in 1953, nine years after D-Day, and WWII still overshadowed much of our lives. Everyone knew about Pearl Harbor and the “day of infamy,” and my friend and neighbor Laurie Meacham never seemed to mind that her birthday fell on the anniversary of the most remarkable invasion that has ever occurred. Its code name was Operation Overlord, and D-Day and the ensuing Battle of Normandy lasted from June 6 until August 30, 1944. It would serve to turn the tide of the entire war, and did so at a cost that is still being counted and whose impact is still being felt 80 years later.

On the actual day of the invasion, 2500 Americans died

out of a total of about 4400 Allied troops. Many were mowed down before they even got “on the beach.” Prior to their landing, General Dwight Eisenhower said the following to the troops:

"Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely ... I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

Two sons of President Theo-

dore Roosevelt fell. There is a set of twins who did not return, and are buried side by side. Four sons, whose last name was Nyland died there, and their story inspired the remarkable film, Saving Private Ryan. Four women are buried there, and while they did not die in the invasion, it was soon after, and it was decided that they would be buried there in thanks for their dedicated and dangerous service. In the Normandy American Cemetery, there are nearly 9400 white marble stones, and there is a wall commemorating the 1600 who died and were never found. There are Jews and Gentiles, blacks and whites, Hispanics and Native Amer-

icans. There are fathers, sons, cousins, generals to privates, and the French have considered it their honor and duty to keep the graves in impeccable shape to show their gratitude for being liberated from the Occupation. That gratitude has never wavered, and families inherit the honor and duty to care for the resting place of the Americans that they have “inherited.”

Two weeks after D-day itself, the Ghost Army arrived. Known as the “Con Artists of Combat,” they set up things like inflatable tanks and fake radio traffic to deceive the enemy, and it is estimated that they saved thousands of lives by tricking the Germans. And, by

contrast to those on Utah and Omaha beaches, they never fired a shot. Their role was never made public until 1996, and it was this year, for the 80th anniversary that three of the seven surviving “Ghosts” were honored in a ceremony wherein they received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their contribution to the war effort. Most of them went to their graves never being able to regale their children or grandchildren with stories of what they “did in the war.”

Normandy was indeed a “great and noble undertaking,” and may we never forget the price that was paid there on the beaches and beyond that we might be free.

Special Feature

Hope For The Hurting

by Donna Clark

Do you remember things you did to impress when you were dating your spouse? I do. For an art assignment in my high school days, I submitted a drawing of headers. I can’t tell you what they are or what they do, but when my now husband and I were dating, I heard about these a lot. He was in the process of restoring a 1955 Chevrolet and evidently these things were necessary…so, trying to be in touch with the whole restoration process, I thought it’d be so neat to draw a picture of headers! What girl could top that! After grading, the teacher returned my drawing to me, and I proudly presented my art work to my now hubby which, maybe out of good sense or kindness, he did hang in his room. We do things that we think back on and maybe chuckle at or are embarrassed by, but the whole intent of all we did was to impress the one we loved. Fast forward from the dating days and the pursuing to a marriage that is several years old, and the passion, the fun, the excitement have disappeared. And the question “What happened?” haunts us. We got relationally lazy; we stopped pursuing. No longer do we feel we have a spouse that seems to care; in fact, the relationship feels more disconnected at times than connected. The couple now has fallen out of love and is headed for divorce. What if that couple stopped for a moment and thought of the option of pursuing once again? To stop being lazy

and put some work into a relationship that once was strong and loving.

Genesis 2:24, “A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh.” Sometimes, we look at this word -united -- and think a onetime event. But if you look closely at the original Hebrew language, the true meaning of this word is to cling or adhere to. It also means to catch with pursuit, pursuing hard with affection and devotion. There is a need to continue pursuing; there’s never a point we reach when we can stop. We can have good intentions to pursue our spouse, but so many times the intentions are never converted into actions. Let me give you three thoughts that will help close the gap between intentions and actions.

Number One: When you think something good, SAY IT. Every time you think something positive, affirmative, encouraging, SAY IT. This is not just good for your marriage, it’s good for all relationships, whether it be your children, friends, or coworkers. You can never go wrong in building up another person, the Bible speaks of it as “encouraging one another.” Don’t rob another person of a word of encouragement by keeping a thought to yourself. How different do you think your marriage relationship would be if every day you spoke words to build up your spouse? And when you tell your spouse you love

them, follow it with a reason why you love them. I love you because…and let it be sincere and do it consistently.

Number Two: When you think about something special, DO IT. James 4:17, “If anyone knows to do good and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Ouch! Guys, that means you watch that Hallmark movie that she loves and ladies, you go ride in the golf cart with him or take in that ballgame by his side. It can be a number of things, but when a thought pops into your head to do good, take it as a sign from Heaven above and act on it. It’s so important to do for your spouse what

will cause them happiness. Just DO IT.

Number Three: When you want something different, BE IT. So many times, hurting couples point a finger at the other saying, “I wish she was this” or “I wish he would do this,” “I wish she was less critical” or “I wish he was more romantic.” Unfortunately, we can focus on negative actions so much they become the only actions we do see. After a period of time, we can no longer see any good in that person. There must be a determination to look for the good and a refusal to continue searching for faults. If we wish to see a change in our spouse, it’s always

good to look in the mirror; there could possibly be changes that need to be made within us. Begin being what you’d like to see in your spouse.

In conclusion, if you don’t like what you are getting, look at what you are giving. At some time, there was something special in your marriage, a reason you bought the ring, a reason you said yes. More than likely, there was something you were doing then that you are not doing now.

To get what you once had, just do what you once did. Saving the marriage,

- Donna

Calendar of Events

Silver Sneakers

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Silver Sneaker classes at the Athens Limestone Public Library are now meeting from 1pm to 1:45pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Classes open to all. Equipment is provided. Donations accepted. More info: 256-6143530 or jhunt9155@gmail.com.

Art Walk On The Square: Love Is In The Air

June 8

10:00am - 1:00pm. High Cotton Arts, 103 W Washington St, Athens, AL. Love is here, and it's searching for art! Save these dates for the Art Walk on The Square events in May, June and July. This year's themes are "A Mother's Love," "Love is in the Air," and "For the Love of Art." Presented by Athens Arts League and High Cotton Arts with the support of several downtown businesses. Athens Main Street Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.

Tee It Up Fore Families

June 14

8am - 6pm. Southern Gayles Golf Course, 22230 Mooresville Rd, Athens. Benefitting the AthensLimestone County Family Resource Center.

Gardening For Children

June 15

Limestone County Master Gardeners presents Gardening For Children. 10am. Limestone County Extension Office, 1109 W. Market St., Athens For Children age 6 to 10. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In this class children will learn about pollinators, and what seeds and

Digital Literacy Classes

Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host a series of Digital Literacy Classes in conjunction with Calhoun Community College & Drake State Community & Technical College. Classes will boost your digital confidence & provide you with skills and training needed in today’s job market. Courses include: Computer & Internet Basics, Email, Windows OS, & Microsoft Word®. M-W 9:00 –12:00 or M-W 1:00 – 4:00. Classes start January 24th. Call us at (256) 306-2830 to learn more.

plants need to grow. This is a hands-on class – each child will plant seeds and also transplant a plant which they will take home. This workshop is free and open to the public. Class size is limited, and registration is necessary. To register call 256-714-0611 or register at the Master Gardeners Booth at Athens Farmers Market.

Summer Writing Summit

June 17 & 18

2pm. Kares Library, 427 Pryor St E, Athens, AL. The 2nd Annual Summer Writing Summit is a two-day writing conference for writers or anyone who has to write! This year we will have workshops in creative, academic and professional writing. There will also be opportunities for writers to share works in progress, meet one-on-one with writing consultants and feature their work in our open mic finale. Alabama Poet Laureate, Ashley Jones will be our keynote speaker and facilitate a poetry-writing workshop for all attendees. Sessions will begin Monday at 9am until 6:30pm. Sessions will begin Tuesday at 9am until 2:00pm. *Lunch provided by Cafe 1822 included for the first 100 participants registered for first day only. On day two Café 1822 is open and ready to serve Athens State students, faculty, staff, and public patrons at their location in Sandridge Hall. Lunch is served from 10am1pm Monday-Friday.

Patriotic Picnic

July 5

Please join Serendipity Antiques for their Patriotic Picnic. 10:00am - Sundown. Hot dogs & popsicles. Lots of summer sales. 22335 US-72 suite b, Athens, AL 35613.

Senior Lunch Matinee Series

Third Thursdays Monthly

We are back to full speed with our third Thursday Senior Lunch Matinees and first Saturday Early Dinner Shows, already scheduled through Dec 2023. Public events most often will sell out in advance, welcoming attendees from 17 adjacent counties, and 2 neighboring states. Our Senior Lunch Matinees provide guests with a complete lunch including drink and dessert, and a one hour live show featuring one of our roster of 8 of the best regional oldies groups and performers in rotation throughout the year. E-mail reservations are required in advance for all Lunch Matinees and Early Dinner Shows. web: www. yesterdaysevents.com

FB: www.facebook.com/YesterdaysEventCenter

What Makes Ronnie Roll Summer In The City

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

While summer doesn’t officially begin until later this month, the summer in the city vibe was the first thing we discussed when Mayor Ronnie arrived at his office. On Friday, May 31, Athens Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Athens, Athens State University’s Launch Box, Limestone County, merchants and attendees all came together on the east side of the Courthouse for Friday After Five. The band’s name was Juice out of Huntsville, and I must say it has been a minute since I have had so much fun.

The food trucks were out in full force, as were line dancers brave enough to go up near the courthouse steps. Every type and stripe of folk were there, and it was Athens at its beautiful, unscripted, diverse best. Kids were rolling down the courthouse lawn, and on the west side, right near the statue of Judge Horton, a spontaneous football game had started. Again, no one paid attention to color or age, the focus was fun and there was much of it to be had.

Saturday a serious event that also had a lot of humor woven in through out the day was the 6th Annual Addiction Eviction, sponsored by Ride With Me Ministries. May-

or Ronnie came at the opening ceremony to bless the organizers and attendees for their hard work in defeating drugs in Limestone County. The rain that fell all day did not have the ability to quench the spirit of the testimonies, music, food, and fellowship.

We talked about the 80th anniversary commemoration of D-Day, and one of Athens’ own, Cody Brown, was going to be part of the crew who would jump out of a plane on to “the beach” to replicate the bravery of those who made the assault by air

that was part of what helped the USA finally defeat Nazi Germany.

“What they did…” said the mayor. “There’s a reason why they are called the Greatest Generation,” I replied.

Mayor Ronnie had gone to a conference with the League of Municipalities, and once again Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of the Cities was the keynote speaker. He illustrated why fun needs to be a very high priority in building any community, and talked about the necessity of building eye-catching attrac-

tions and public art for the purpose of bringing humor, creating curiosity, and giving families opportunities to explore together, and enjoy each other.

One of the other things Peter brought as part of his keynote was a slide of which Mayor Ronnie took a picture. It was pretty hard-hitting, and simply said, “No is a lazy answer.” We are not talking about a

healthy set of personal boundaries or grappling with the fear of the disapproval of others; this was the type of no that is said when one does not want to expend the energy to explore what is possible in a city. The time flew, as it always does, and there was only thing to do, and that was pray. And once again, it was time for Ronnie to roll.

A name is a title given to a person to reveal their identity and separate them from other individuals. But does a name, given at birth, determine the personality of a child? My name Carissa Renee means “Grace/ Beloved” and “Born Again.” While it is interesting that during my younger years I strayed, required grace and Jesus to be born again, I believe it is purely coincidental more than a predestination. But what about God?

Over the past several weeks, I spent time researching His various names. Our Heavenly Father’s traits are so numerous that not one name can describe Him entirely. His names are not just a title. They reflect His awesome character and abilities.

For example, Elohim is the Hebrew word for God and the first name revealed to us in Scripture. In Genesis, we see Him as the strong creator who spoke life into the heavens and the Earth. Jeremiah 23 tells us that He is a God who sees and is always ever present. In the Book of Genesis, God identified Himself as El Shaddai which translates into Almighty God. He later introduced Himself as Yahweh (YHWH) when He spoke to Moses through the burning bush. Moses asked God what name he shall give the Israelites when they ask. “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I

Carissa's Corner

What’s In A Name?

by Carissa Lovvorn

AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14 NKJV)

The English translation of Jehovah Rapha is the God who heals. In the book of Exodus, God refers to Himself by this name. Following the parting of the Red Sea, Moses led the Israelites into the Desert of Shur. They traveled for three days without wa-

ter, but eventually came to a place whose water was unfit to drink. Moses cried out to the Lord. The Lord instructed him to throw a piece of wood into the water which then made it safe for the Israelites to drink. The Lord issued an instruction and reveled to them this name, “He said, ‘If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep

all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.’”(Exodus 15:26 NKJV)

As I have mentioned in past articles, my Biblical knowledge is still in its infancy. However, when I contemplated the many names of God, it was humbling. God is not just a figure in the sky that oversees the world. He

is almighty, He creates, He sees, He heals, and He provides. I encourage everyone to learn more about the names of God and start using them during their daily prayers. I found that by calling on one of God’s specific character traits, it created a stronger intimacy with our Heavenly Father. Something that all our hearts need.

Many Blessings, Carissa

This past week saw the conclusion of the New York trial of President Donald Trump with a guilty verdict on all counts. To say that shock waves emanated from that courtroom would be an understatement.

As a Republican I'm ticked.

As an attorney I'm disgusted.

As a veteran I'm in disbelief.

As a Christian I’m in prayer.

As a voter I'm more resolved than ever.

As a citizen of the greatest nation on the face of God's green earth I'm not taking this lying down!

This verdict goes beyond any one candidate. We are a nation where the rule of law is paramount to the good order of society. But if the “rules” for application of “law” are changed in midstream, then the “good” is lost and “order” descends to chaos. So, what to do? What is the response to be? If you feel aggrieved by this, then what must be done is to resolve to stand.

In Ephesians 6 we are told to put on the full armor of God. But not just for show, or safety. We put it on as Ephesians 6:13 says, so that “you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Rightside Way When All Is Done -- Stand

by Phil Williams

Stand up under pressure. Stand up despite attack. Stand in the face of your enemies. Stand for your beliefs.

Lee Greenwood begins his epic song “Proud to be an American” with a question that you may have just glossed over. Everybody knows the chorus: “‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land – God bless the USA.” An amazing song. But Greenwood opens somberly, by singing, “If tomorrow all the things are gone I’ve worked for all my life…and I had to start again with just my children and my wife…” What if everything was stripped away? Everything you had ever fought for, stood for, or worked for was gone? Would you fold, collapse, fall apart?

Proverbs 24:10 (MSG) says, “If you fall to pieces in a crisis there wasn’t much to you in the first place.” The implication being that strength to stand must be developed well before the need.

As my team prepared to depart Ft. Bragg for remote duty Afghanistan, we knew that we faced a year fully separated from all supply lines, physical support, and relief. Before final loadout, instructors from the SERE course (survival, escape, resistance, and evasion) worked with us. In doing so, one instructor said with great sincerity: “If you don’t already have it, then you’d better find something bigger than yourself to hold onto. Because if you’re

captured… and they strip everything away... you’ve got to have something bigger than you to believe in.” Simple yet profound. Profound, and also proven by history.

During the war in Vietnam, American POWs suffered in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Alabama’s Lt. Colonel Leo Thorsness was held there for several years. Alabama U.S. Senator Jeremiah Denton, author of When Hell Was In Session, spent nearly 8 years tortured and imprisoned by the North Vietnamese. Admiral James Stockdale was among them and coined the “Stockdale Paradox,” advocating pragmatic optimism in the midst of duress. Ground yourself in faith, yet see the facts clearly and face them head on. Stockdale explained: "You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end -- which you can never afford to lose -- with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."

To continue standing, work with what you’ve got. Keep the faith, but keep busy. Hit problems head on, knowing full well that the strength you need is bigger than you; so rest in that which is bigger than you, and move forward.

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, a select group of warriors was named the Sons of Issachar -- “Men who understood the times and what Israel should do.”

There is so much in that one verse. They were warriors in a time of war and social upheaval. Men who had their eyes wide open and didn’t like what they saw; so there was work to be done. Nobody folded or set unrealistic expectations. Nobody abandoned their faith or principles. They recognized their circumstances and set about to do what was necessary within themselves.

That’s where conservatives are right now. Yes, there is social upheaval and yes, it has been a long several years. At every turn it seems that traditional values are being dealt a blow. Progressivism is wreaking havoc. Antifa/BLM were allowed to riot unabated. COVID restrictions crushed small businesses and locked down schools and churches. Inflation hit 40-year highs. Transgenders compete in women’s sports. Pro-life advocates go to jail while violent felons walk away. Hard working men and women watch college loans paid off with their tax dollars.

We watch and we get frustrated. But when history looks back on us, will it be said that those folks back in 2024 just cowered down and melted away? Or will they say that in a time of crisis, good people showed that there was really something to them in the first place? That they understood their times and what they had to do?

The Trump verdict is in,

and many of us believe it was a travesty. How we handle the moment will be telling.

So, work in the midst of it. Grab hold of those principles, faith, values -- all of those worthy things that are bigger than you -- things worth standing for. Teach them to your kids. Encourage your neighbors. Stand up at the community meeting. Point out when wrong is called right and right is called wrong. Don’t set unrealistic expectations, but work nonetheless. Keep that pragmatic optimism in place. Put on that full armor, and when all is done, stand.

Phil Williams is a former state senator, retired Army colonel and combat veteran, and a practicing attorney. He has served with the leadership of the Alabama Policy Institute and currently hosts the conservative news/talkshow Rightside Radio M-F 2-5 p.m. on multiple channels throughout north Alabama. (WVNN 92.5FM/770AM-Huntsville/ Athens; WXJC 101.FM and WYDE 850AM – Birmingham/ Cullman) His column appears every Monday in 1819 News. To contact Phil or request him for a speaking engagement go to www.rightsideradio.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.

The world has gone nuts! Someone had to say it! Everyone has thought it! We are living in a world of debauchery and craziness that is beyond belief. We have entered into the month of June which has been hijacked as the “Pride” month, and it seems we keep heading towards a confused society of what is right and what is wrong. Who would have thought we would have people not know what gender they are? God did not design the world this way. Mark 10:6 tells us, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”

It amazes me how far we have gone in the wrong direction! We have people speaking out about gun control laws and how guns take the lives of the innocent, yet these same people show their hypocrisy when they remain silent and allow innocent babies to be murdered inside the mother’s womb. Whether a person comprehends it or not, murder is murder. Where is the outcry for the voiceless? Our society dresses it up with terms such as “prochoice” or they say, “It’s a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body.” Amazingly though, when it came to the COVID jab, it was no longer my body, my choice. America has killed far

Slinkard On Success America Needs Jesus

by D. A. Slinkard

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

more lives with abortion than Adolf Hitler ever thought about doing.

My life was changed when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. You do not know my heart, but I know it. I see the filthiness, the wickedness going on in the world; and I realize we, as a country, need Jesus Christ. We need the God of the Bible; not the god that people conjure up. I believe the Bible to be true through and through. So when I see Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” I believe it. We are reaping what we have sown in our past. We have sown bad fruit in the past, and we are getting bad results today.

We fix the issues of to-

day’s world by doing exactly what God tells us to do in His Word. I have mentioned this scripture in other articles, and I believe it is worth repeating. 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

We will continue to reap what we sow, and if we sow wickedness, we are going to reap even more wickedness than what we can comprehend today.

We find ourselves at a crossroads in life and we must decide. Are we going to turn towards God or are we going to drift further and further away from the Creator? I of-

tentimes wonder what it is going to take for Christians to stand up to the ungodliness happening in the world around us; but oddly enough, we seem to roll over and just take it because it is the “Christian” thing to do.

We demand high standards in many areas of our life. We want high standards when it comes to the hotels where we stay, the stores where we shop, the restaurants where we eat; but the one thing in which we have lowered our standards is the church house. We have whisked away Biblical standards in place of being more like the world, and in doing so we have fallen away from God.

My answer to what ails society revolves around a true revival of the church. We need to get to

the basics of Christ and our need for a Saviour. We need to understand how God looks upon sin and then make His precepts our own. If we would take the Bible and make God’s Holy Word our final authority in faith and practice, we would see the necessary changes in our society. This is Biblical advice found in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” What are you going to do to show you are not ashamed? I hope this article stirs your heart in a way to move you to want to bring honor and glory to God with your life – what will you do? How long will God allow us to try to get it right?

At Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful, volunteers are the ones who make us succeed in our mission. We are always calling on members from the Athens-Limestone community to step up and help us at cleanups and events. Even the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Board of Directors is made up of people volunteering their time for both meetings and events. The past few months, I have been working on a project that requires me to track volunteers and their hours. I was blown away when I tallied all the information.

Since January of 2024, we have had 294 different volunteers join us in 26 different cleanups and events, and many of them helped with multiple events. They volunteered a total of 674.5 hours,

Clean, Green And Beautiful Keep On Keepin’ On

by Claire Tribble - Executive Director, Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

picking up 3,440 pounds litter and working events. That’s 28.1 days’ worth of time that some amazing Limestone County residents dedicated to making a difference in our county. The national rate for volunteer work is currently valued at $33.49 per hour. That’s $22,589.01 worth of labor! That’s fantastically impressive.

As amazing as all the statistics that I just stated are, the sad part is that we could spend the same amount of time picking up litter this month in Limestone County, and we’d only be making a dent in our litter problem. Thankfully, I have seen the State of Alabama out working on our highways again. We are not able to pick up on the sides of highways because they are way too dangerous, and we do not have the manpower

or resources to set up caution areas. We are just grateful for the help again. What’s the solution? We’re not sure, but we are trying a little bit of everything at this point. We try our best to educate, young and old alike. We have put out PSAs to please bag your trash so it doesn’t fly out of the garbage truck as it travels to the transfer station. We have been handing out litter bags for your vehicles at all our events lately. We encourage you to report litter and illegal dumping if you are able to get the date, time, location, and license plate so that we can file a report with the Athens Police

Department and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department.

So for now, I guess we’ll just keep on keepin’ on. We will keep asking for more amazing volunteers to help us help Limestone. If you, your company, or any kind of group

ever want to have a cleanup, reach out to us. We will always provide you with litter grabbers, gloves, safety vests, buckets, and bags. We can also help you with planning and promotion if you want to make it a larger event.

Cooking with Anna Don’t Like Your Assignment?

by Anna Hamilton

In school, were you ever given an assignment that you absolutely did not want to do? I am sure most of us can relate to having to do things we just do not want to do. I thought after I got out of school unwanted assignments would go away. I would be able to do what I wanted to do. Boy was I wrong!

Sometimes our assignment seems like a mountain that cannot be moved. You may be facing an illness that doesn’t seem to get any better. You may facing financial hardships that you can’t see an end to. You may be

Beef and Broccoli

Stir Fry

Ingredients:

1 lb. flank steak, thinly sliced

2 cups broccoli florets

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat.

Add minced garlic and sliced flank steak to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the steak until browned, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

wavering in your faith in God. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, you’ve been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved.

Once you have decided to follow Christ, some assume that you will never face hardships again. That is far from the truth. God will use hardships to sharpen our faith and help

Add broccoli florets to the skillet and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp.

Pour soy sauce over the beef and broccoli, stirring to coat evenly.

Serve over rice, lo-mein noodles, our on by itself for a great low carb option.

Health and Fitness

The Intersection Of Diet Control And Crossfit Methodology

by Nick Niedzwiecki - Owner, CrossFit Athens

In the pursuit of a healthier, more fulfilling life, the paths of diet control and CrossFit methodology intersect to create a powerful synergy that can transform not only your physical health but also your overall wellbeing. By embracing the principles of disciplined nutrition and high-intensity functional fitness, individuals can take control of their diet and their lives, unlocking their full potential in pursuit of their goals.

Here's how the integration of diet control and CrossFit methodology can empower you to lead a more vibrant, resilient, and fulfilling life.

At the heart of both diet control and CrossFit methodology lies the concept of discipline and consistency. Whether it's adhering to a balanced macronutrient ratio or completing a challenging workout, success requires commitment, focus, and a willingness to push through obstacles. By cultivating discipline in one area of your life -- such as nutrition or fitness -- you inherently strengthen your ability to exert control over other aspects of your life, leading to a greater sense of self-mastery and empowerment.

Diet control forms the foundation of optimal health and performance, providing the essential nutrients and energy needed to fuel your body and mind. By adopting a mindful approach to eating -- choosing nutri-

ent-dense, whole foods and practicing portion control -- you can regulate blood sugar levels, optimize hormone production, and support metabolic function. Moreover, controlling your diet empowers you to make informed choices about what you put into your body, leading to improved energy levels, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

CrossFit methodology complements diet control by providing a dynamic and effective means of improving physical fitness and functional movement patterns. Through a combination of constantly varied, high-intensity workouts, CrossFit challenges individuals to push their limits, break through plateaus, and unlock their potential. By engaging in diverse movements such as weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardiovascular conditioning, CrossFit fosters strength, agility, and resilience -- qualities that carry over into every aspect of life.

Furthermore, CrossFit methodology emphasizes community, camaraderie, and accountability, creating a supportive environment in which individuals can thrive and grow. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner, the CrossFit community offers encouragement, motivation, and a sense

of belonging that can inspire you to reach new heights. By surrounding yourself with likeminded individuals who share your commitment to excellence, you gain a powerful support system that empowers you to overcome obstacles, stay focused on your goals, and persevere in the face of adversity.

The integration of diet control and CrossFit methodology extends beyond physical health to encompass mental and emotional well-being as well. Regular exer-

cise and balanced nutrition have been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function, helping you to better cope with the demands of everyday life. By prioritizing self-care and holistic wellness, you can cultivate resilience, self-confidence, and a positive outlook that permeates every aspect of your life.

In conclusion, the combination of diet control and CrossFit methodology offers a holistic approach to health and wellness that empowers

individuals to take control of their lives and unlock their full potential. By embracing discipline, consistency, and a commitment to excellence, you can cultivate a lifestyle that nourishes your body, strengthens your mind, and enriches your spirit. Whether you're striving for physical fitness, mental clarity, or personal growth, the integration of diet control and CrossFit methodology provides a roadmap for achieving your goals and living life to the fullest.

Kimberly Schaefer Of Salon Blu: Hair Imagery At Its Finest

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

times have changed when it comes to the pursuit of beauty.

I first met Kimberly when we did a front cover article for Staton House, a women’s boutique that is right next door to Salon Blu on Jefferson Street in Athens, and both places are owned by Kristen Beucher. I learned something that is still hard for me to grasp, and it is that Kimberly and her husband Neil actually finally decided to make Athens their new home because they picked up a copy of Athens Now after having toured the town. They knew they were planning on leaving Oregon, and checked out several cities and towns: Florence, Cullman, and Huntsville. As Kimberly said, “We loved the paper, and loved the town.” That was in May of 2022, and by October of the same year, they had become Athenians. They took a copy of the paper home to their Oregon family who certainly understood why our town had captured Neil’s and

Kimberly’s hearts. Then they sold most of their stuff, and arrived in Alabama via travel trailer. They lived in their trailer while they looked for a house, and settled on a small farm in West Limestone. They now have goats; even one that actually faints! Neil has kin in Franklin, and Kimberly describes their decision to move here in this way: “We wanted to live near our kind of people and to be within a few hours of Neil’s brother, sister-in-law, kids, and grandkids.” Neil does Customer Service and Logistics for OCI in Decatur and is greatly enjoying being a “goat parent.”

Moving on from Kimberly at the age of four; one of the first things she taught herself was how to braid. She bought a book that showed her how, and seeing as this was the era when French braids first became the rage, she got lots of practice and became very good at it. Kimberly not only did her own hair, she was good enough to do highlights for her mom at the age of 13. As time went on, Kimberly did both the hair and make up for her friends when they got

ready for special occasions such as proms. After getting her education and her license, she went straight to what she will never consider work: hairdressing in a salon. “It was the best decision I ever made, and I have never looked back. They say that if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life, and I believe that,” she said.

Kimberly went on to tell me some of the things that she enjoys and at which she excels. “My favorite thing to do is create something new,” she said. She went on to explain that much of being a great hairdresser is not only knowing the art and science of the craft, but to really listen to your client so that you can draw out of them the thing they want to create. “It’s about relationship building, and most often if things go wrong, the problem is due to communication,” she said. Kimberly also added that she is confident that she can achieve what is wanted if there is a good consultation conversation ahead of time. If things don’t go exactly as expected, almost anything can be repaired or remedied, and

Kimberly makes sure that her clients leave the shop highly satisfied with the results. Her approach is clearly working; Kimberly has been at it for over 17 years and has owned her own salon. She also is in such demand here in Athens that occasionally she finds herself working some long hours just to meet the needs of her clients.

Kimberly especially enjoys being a color specialist, and mentioned that she considers herself to be a life-long learner that has done a ton of continuing education. “I am fascinated with it, and want to stay on top of things,” she said. She taught me about “balayage,” which is pronounced “bah-lee-ahge,” and is described in trade terms as follows: It involves hand painting color onto the hair using a sweeping motion. The colorist strategically selects sections of the hair that would naturally catch the light, focusing on areas around the face, ends, and other desired placements.

Traditional balayage creates soft transitions and delivers a sun-kissed effect.

Even though Kimberly’s own hair is straight, she especially enjoys working with very curly hair, and has several curly-headed clients who come and “cut her loose” to make their tresses look terrific.

If you are looking for a hairdresser who listens, asks great questions, and then applies her artistry to create just the look you want, look no further than Salon Blu’s Kimberly Schaefer, an expert in “hair imagery.”

805 S. Jefferson St. Athens, AL 35611

Hours: Mon 10-5, Tue 10-7 Thu 2-7 Fri 9-2 Website: kimberlyschaefer hair.glossgenius.com

Salon Blu

Kimberly Schaefer Hair

Kimberly Schaefer

Hello, my fabulous folk!

It’s Friday, my article is due, and I’m in a quandary.

I am thinking of each of you. I want to reach out to the moms to help them plan a fun summer for the kids and a relaxing summer for themselves.

I want to reach out to those who are going to have guests -- how to let people into your home without stress.

I want to reach out to those who will be houseguests, so they can be the best houseguests ever, the kind that are eagerly invited back. And I want to address all of those TODAY because summer is short and I don’t want to be in August and then say, “Okay, moms! Here’s how to keep your summer calm!” I’d then be hunted down like a big dawg because I'm 6 weeks too late (I'd deserve it!). But staying sane when people come visit you is also huge! (Y'all are really

News From The Tourism Office

My Due Article, Take 3...

by Stephanie Reynolds, Athens-Limestone Tourism Association

fabulous and very genteel and well-mannered so I bet you don't need my tips for being a good house guest, so that's one we can scratch off the list for today.)

Okay, I think I'll start with the moms. Here are a few ideas to keep your summer not just endured but FUN!

1. Let you and the kids rest and decompress the first week. Let them know clearly they are free for one week, and then you have a great plan for the rest of the summer. They (and you!) have worked hard for 10 months. All y'all take a week off. You earned it. Sleep in, watch TV, hang out in PJs all day, easy food, etc. It's your staycation!

2. Make a schedule. Kids go from having to ask to use the bathroom for 10 months to suddenly having to develop the work ethic and time management skills of a Fortune 500 CEO. Make it a fun schedule! But make it stick.

3. Set wake times and sleep times, not even giving in on the weekends. A messed up sleep schedule makes meltdowns. A hint for getting them in bed that also makes them feel like they are getting a win is tell them they have to go to bed BUT they can stay up a WHOLE HOUR to read a book (not screen)…IF they get in bed on time.

4. Start the day together with no phones (even yours!) Enjoy the breakfast together. Have a breakfast picnic on the porch, sprinkles on everything, and serve their milk with curly straws or out of pretty tea cups. Make it fun!

5. Help kids by liming choices, especially when they need to do chores. Give them a choice of 2 things. For example “Do you want to draw with sidewalk chalk or do you want to run in the sprinkler?” “Do you want to do your math worksheet or do you want to read a chapter?” “Do you want to

learn to crochet or do you want to learn how to code?”

“Do you want to clean the bathroom for your chore or the living room?” Giving them choices helps them feel in control.

6. Provide a theme for the summer. It could be sports, McGyver skills, arts, music, etc. Everything doesn’t have to be only that theme, but it helps you and them have a roadmap. You can make it something you love too!

7. Don’t pack their days. Let them have time to play. Also be ready for hearing, “I’m bored!” Counter with, “If I have to choose something for you to do, it’s probably going to be a chore. Do you want that or do you want to try again to find something to do?”

8. Have a box or jar of “Things To Do.” Make them fun. Maybe even throw in “1 hour of screen time” or whatever they like. Even if you have a chore,

make it a treat with: “Clean your room by doing these steps <list them>. THEN have ice cream (or get a prize).” Be sure to include thinking activities like: "Make something out of 2 cardboard tubes, a bag of cotton balls, and a shoelace" or "Using only things in this drawer, make a way for this ping-pong ball to travel across the room without you touching it." These will help with creativity and problem-solving skills, which is HUGELY necessary. There are indications that gen alphas will be great with tech but lack creativity.

9. Any chores that you want them to do, make the steps SPECIFIC, set a time limit, and make the time short enough that they feel like it's a race -- "Ok, you have 10 minutes to pick up all the clothes from the floor and put all the books in the shelves. Ready? GO!" Even we adults get overwhelmed looking at a room we have to clean. Make it EASY for your children to do what you need them to do.

10. Make the summer a place for you and your children to thrive together. Your family is more important than any outside work or charity. It is okay for you to tell everyone outside your household, "This is the summer of us!" Limit your outside engagements or make them ones the kids can do with you. Let them learn you as a person, not just mom. Learn them as people not just "the kids." It is a good thing to give you and them space to have a beautiful, relaxing summer together.

Love y'all! Have fun!

Brad Stovall Auto Body Repair Shop: 35 Years Of Gettin’ You Fixed Up

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

the name of Mr. Whitford was the one who loaned Brad the money, and recently Brad came across the paperwork from that original loan, which he is thinking of having framed as a way of remembering his journey as well as his blessings. Since he was young, Brad’s burning desire was always to be his own boss. He set out to do just that, and he is “still after it.” No plans to retire; “I’d just get bored,” he said with a grin. However, Brad is not an “all-work-and-no-play” kind of guy. He loves classic cars and has restored many. He also is an experienced helicopter pilot and has a particular love for Hueys, which were made famous during the Vietnam War and are featured in Mel Gibson’s excellent and stirring film, We Were Soldiers, as well as others.

We sat down recently in Brad’s office in “the new building” to reflect on all that has happened in the last 35 years, and no

treatment of recent history would be complete without a discussion of how Stovall’s did during COVID. “We kept going, and we got through it. We had no lack of business, but the hard part was getting supplies, so things took longer. People needed their cars, and we got that. Places were shut down all over, and people weren’t working, and there was nothing we could do about it. Everybody was going through the same thing, and now things are almost completely back to normal,” he said. One of the good things that came out of COVID was that during that time Stovall’s was able to give back to the community by donating and restoring an old Crown Vic, painting it pink for Breast Cancer awareness month each year in October. The Crown Vic “lives” at the Athens Police Department. It gets parked on the Hobbs Street side of Police Headquarters, and during that month is also seen around town, in 5Ks as well as in parades. It is always a crowd pleaser, and a reminder of what a wonderful place Athens is to live.

As of this year, Stovall’s has three buildings on the property which is located down the street from the post office in Tanner, and each building has a different function in the restoration process. The auto body industry has gone through huge changes, especially in the last decade, and as

technology has changed, they have adapted. There has been an ongoing war between steel and aluminum when it comes to deciding which is better to use for repair, and that involved Stovall’s having to get a whole new set of tools. In addition, there is a much greater use of plastic, and beginning in 2017, this required new tools and training because some of the plastic actually gets welded as part of the restoration process. Who knew that plastic could be welded?

Brad has always kept up with the technology of the trade, but he is choosing not to have the shop re-tool and retrain when it comes to all-electric cars. “We can do hybrids; that

is no problem, but all-electric cars are just not something we are going to get into,” he said. I then asked, “Who does do auto body repair for all-electric vehicles?” “There’s one place, and it’s in Atlanta,” he said. I can understand why, at this stage of the game, he is not planning on getting into that market.

Over the years, Brad Stovall Auto Body has fixed a number of our family’s auto body boo-boos, including a deer strike, some fender benders, my backing “oh-so-slowly-and-carefully” into a car that had just gotten out of the body shop that was slated to be sold, as well as the upcoming repair in July of what was

a poor-quality paint job done by the manufacturer. Always we have been treated with kindness, professionalism, and old-fashioned service. As Brad has said for decades, “We’ll make it right,” and surely they will. Call them today, and discover it for yourself!

Brad Stovall’s Auto Body Shop

11848 Escue Drive (behind the Tanner Post Office) Tanner, AL

Body Shop: 256-233-5140

Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Facebook: Brad Stovall’s Body Shop

The concept of leadership has been studied from various perspectives, bringing forth multiple theories and definitions. According to BMC Public Health, leadership can be defined as influencing employees to achieve work-related goals, with a significant emphasis on the health and wellbeing of employees. The importance of well-being, which encompasses various dimensions such as self-perceived health, the absence of stress, and context-specific well-being like workrelated well-being, cannot be overstated. Recognizing this, effective leaders must ensure that they not only meet organizational objectives but also foster an en-

Learning As A Lifestyle

The Integral Role Of Leadership In Enhancing Well-Being And Productivity

by Eric Betts, Assistant Professor | Course Developer, Hampton University School of Religion

vironment conducive to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their team.

Several studies highlight the profound impact a leader has on employee well-being, underscoring the importance of leadership styles that prioritize the health and happiness of employees. Leadership styles such as supportive leadership, relationshiporiented leadership, and transformational leadership have been consistently associated with higher job satisfaction and improved employee well-being. These leadership approaches, though rooted in different theories, share a common thread of showing concern, support, and empathy towards employees. By adopting these styles,

managers can create a work environment that promotes well-being, leading to more satisfied and productive employees. Even in challenging times, the principles of supportive leadership are vital to maintaining the health and well-being of employees, which in turn positively impacts overall workplace productivity. In faith-based spaces, the principles of supportive leadership are equally essential for fostering a nurturing and thriving community. Faith-based professionals within these environments play a pivotal role in guiding and supporting their congregations not only spiritually but also emotionally and mentally. By adopting leadership styles that prioritize empathy, un-

derstanding, and genuine concern for the well-being of their members, religious leaders can create a more cohesive and supportive community. This, in turn, helps individuals feel more connected, valued, and cared for, which is especially important during times of crisis or personal struggle. Moreover, when faith leaders model supportive behaviors, they set a powerful example for congregants to emulate, thereby cultivating a culture of mutual support and compassion within the faith-based group. This holistic approach to leadership ensures that the spiritual journey is complemented by a robust support system, enhancing both individual and communal well-being.

In the context of supportive leadership within faith-based communities, scriptural references can serve as powerful reminders of the principles that underpin these practices. One such text is found in Galatians 6:2, which states, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This scripture underscores the importance of mutual support and empathy in building a strong, caring community. By carrying each other’s burdens, faith leaders and their congregations embody the essence of supportive leadership, ensuring that no member feels isolated or overwhelmed. This approach not only fosters emotional and mental well-being but also strengthens the spiritual bonds within the community. In conclusion, effective leadership is not merely about guiding employees towards achieving work-related goals but also about ensuring their well-being. Leaders who exhibit empathy, concern, and support significantly contribute to their employees' satisfaction and wellbeing, which is crucial for a healthy, productive work environment. Leadership styles that prioritize well-being foster not only better individual performance but also create a positive workplace culture that benefits the organization as a whole.

spaceWise

Say Goodbye To Paper Clutter

by Sonya Fehér

When it’s hot outside, it’s the perfect time to tackle an organizing project that allows you to sit and sort. Organizing paper doesn’t require much physical exertion unless you have boxes full of papers to lift. Even then, one box will contain enough paper that you can space out how frequently you need to move or lift anything.

Types of Paper to Pare Down

All paper is not created equal. Some of it can go straight to recycling. Other paper has information on it that could put you at risk of identity theft. Then there’s the stuff you need now but won’t need later, and the paper that you might need to refer to in the future.

Let’s consider the type of paper you likely have hanging around.

• Tax paperwork: Besides W-2s and 1099s, your tax filing might require copies of receipts, bank statements, utility bills, medical expenses, and more.

• Mail: The paper that most regularly enters your home is probably your mail including bills, catalogs, pre-approved credit card and insurance offers, magazines, sales mailers, and maybe you even get letters or cards from people you love.

• Kids’ school and artwork: If your kids are beyond school age, you may have a backlog of their childhood papers stored in the attic, garage, or closet somewhere. You also may have boxes of your childhood artwork, spelling

tests, and report cards that you haven’t managed to go through yet.

• Files: You’ve also probably got files -- in file cabinets, banker’s boxes, desktop file boxes, or plastic file carriers, most of them filled with information you’ll never need again.

• Memorabilia: Paper memorabilia might include ticket stubs, letters and greeting cards, boarding passes, and more.

• Piles: Paper piles have a combination of all the categories mentioned above plus random notes, lists, and action items.

Organizing paper is your time to look at it all again and decide what to recycle, shred, trash, file, or act upon.

What to Recycle, Shred, Trash, or File

One of the biggest obstacles to organizing paper is not knowing what you need to keep and how to get rid of what you don’t need.

• Trash: Paper to trash includes anything that’s coated in wax, plastic, or foil. You also need to trash napkins, tissues, paper towels, receipts, shredded paper, and wrapping paper if it has bows, ribbons, sticky tape, foil, or

glitter.

• Shred: The reason to shred paper is to protect yourself from financial or medical identity theft. Shred paper that includes your social security number, birthday, and account numbers for financial accounts including credit cards and bank, investment, or retirement accounts. Shred pay stubs, checks, W-2s and 1099s, credit card and insurance offers, and old IDs. To protect yourself from medical identity theft, shred medical prescription labels and related paperwork including explanations of benefits and insurance paperwork with identifying information.

• Keep: You’ll keep paper you need to refer to in future including medical records, any account data you can’t access online or that you want in print form like your latest insurance policies, and proof of ownership including titles, deeds, and receipts for high ticket items. You’ll also keep important documents, including certificates of birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, and death; identifying documents like your social security card and passport; and records of achievement, including

transcripts, degrees and diplomas, plus military and work records. Also keep paper you need to act upon, whether it’s a to-do list, a bill to pay, or a form to return.

• Recycle: Recycle anything that doesn’t fit into the above categories.

Set Yourself Up to Sort

When picking a place to sort, consider whether you’d like to dedicate the same spot to organizing paper for days or weeks, or whether you’ll set up each time you’re going through papers.

Get bins or bags to separate the paper into trash, shred, recycle, and keep.

Pick a pile and start sorting. Get rid of all the paper you don’t need so that you have space and time to focus on the paper you’re keeping.

I’ll give specific tips about what to do with the paper you’re keeping in upcoming articles. If you need advice about a particular kind of paper or find yourself stuck, send your questions to sonya@spacewiseorganizing.com.

Sonya

Fehér Organizer, Coach, Author, & Speaker

https://spacewise organizing.com

3 Expert Tips To Manage Your Puppy's Dental Health

courtesy Brandpoint content

(BPT) - Every new puppy owner has a camera roll full of pictures, but don't let that sweet puppy smile fool you - good dental health requires a plan.

By the age of three years, most dogs will have some sort of periodontal disease, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. When left untreated, periodontal disease can cause pain, infection, inflammation and other health problems for your best friend.

It's important to ensure you have the necessary tools to keep your puppy happy and healthy. Don't know where to start?

Check out these three expert tips from veterinarian and puppy expert Dr. Callie Harris.

1. Establish a brushing schedule early on

Just like you, your dog needs their teeth brushed. Since they can't do it on their own, it's up to you to brush for them.

"Brushing your puppy's teeth early on not only keeps them healthy but also supports a strong bond between pet and pet parent," says Harris.

It's important to establish teeth brushing as part of your puppy's routine early on. Using flavored dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste!) and a softbristled toothbrush or a finger brush can help ease the process.

You may not be able to do a full toothbrushing session at first, but

you can start by brushing your puppy's teeth for a few seconds every day and work them up to a full session. Beginning a toothbrushing routine may also help reduce stress for potential future teeth cleanings at the vet. Remember to praise and reward them during and after brushing.

2. Offer chew toys or tasty dental chews

Around the time you take your puppy home - usually 12-16 weeks - they'll be teething. As they lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth come in, they'll follow their instincts to chew. While this instinct keeps their teeth clean, it could lead to your dog chewing on household items.

You can get ahead of negative chewing behavior by offering your puppy chew toys that are appropriate in size and don't pose a choking hazard. Rubber dog toys with ridges or nubs are a great option for your pup, as they help remove plaque during chewing.

Dental chews are another great way to invest in your puppy's oral health while providing a tasty treat. When choosing a chew for your fourlegged friend, consider an option like Purina DentaLife Puppy Teething Chews.

"DentaLife Puppy Teething Chews can help establish a healthy dental routine by supporting a puppy's natural drive to

chew and their mental engagement," said Harris. "The chews safely redirect chewing behavior during peak teething age, around 3+ months old, when puppies' adult teeth emerge."

DentaLife Puppy Teething Chews are a great tool for puppy parents to support their new pet through the teething stage and build up healthy dental habits. Designed and formulated by Purina animal care experts, they also contain DHA, EPA and calcium to support your puppy's developing brain, teeth and bones.

3. Schedule professional dental cleaning

As your puppy grows and develops, it's important to explore when your pup

should get their first professional dental cleaning, as recommendations vary across breeds. During a cleaning, your vet can examine your pup's teeth and gums for disease and remove hardened tartar. They'll also be able to help you address any issues they find so you can keep your best friend happy and healthy for years to come.

Remember, establishing good dental habits as a puppy can set them up for dental success down the road. Using these three expert tips, you'll be well on your way to keeping your puppy's smile healthy and bright.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has become a huge buzzword among those seeking to help us all live better, more well-rounded, contented lives. EI is, simply put, the ability to both mange your own emotions for your best life results, and to understand the emotions of people around you, so you and they both attain your highest life-experiences.

If you are not familiar with EI and its application to people of all ages and stations in life, I hope you will take a moment to familiarize yourself with this exciting concept. Just google it and you will find more information you want, but much you will benefit from absorbing.

Criticism Management, my area of expertise, is a fundamental component of this skill.

In case you missed the first three articles, we previously walked through some ways “doses” of criticism are like “doses” of medicine. To re-cap, here are a few:

1. Proper administration is important: Dosage & method. (Remember Phenergan?)

2. Either can be meant to save or take lives; to heal or harm.

3. They can be delivered by friend or foe, or even uninvolved stranger.

4. The wrong dosage can be destructive, no matter how well intended.

5. Just because it worked for others, doesn’t mean it is right for you.

6. No matter who pre-

McGhee On Management

How Do You Handle Criticism: IGNORE IT Or BECOME PARALYZED?

by Detri McGhee - Certified Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Counselor

scribes it for you, you are not required to take it.

7. Even if everyone else participates, even raves about it, it is important that you consider how it affects YOU. (I can relate this to statin drugs!)

Hopefully, as we expounded on those analogies in the earlier three articles, you got the picture on how they reflect each other’s characteristics. Each “dose” will be expounded upon in my up-coming book. I am constantly amazed at how other people, as well as I myself, are coming up with more similarities at every workshop. If you want an expanded explanation of any point, please contact me at detrimcghee@gmail.com or check out www.criticismmanagement.com. I’ll be happy to share.

What I would like to focus on for the remainder of this article are the two basic categories of Criticism Managers: #1 - Those who ignore criticism and #2 - Those who let criticism control them.

Manager #1: The Ignorer -- This type of personality simply doesn’t SEE well with their emotional eyes. They will not really listen to criticism, no matter who, what, when, how, why, or where it is sourced. By merely ignoring it, or dismissing it as “not my problem,” they miss the exquisite joy of maturing into a balanced human being who brings blessings to everyone around them. These Ignorers also miss the greatest

blessings of all…because they not only have missed their own blessings, but cannot experience the joy of everyone else’s blessings. They miss the magnificent blessings of Vicarious Joy! These people are usually also very self-centered, lack a balance of being able to admit a mistake, they blame everything on everyone and everything else (but themselves), and tend to explode and fight back unfairly when confronted with any kind of message even slightly perceived as criticism. They also tend to be very negative, complaining, fault-finding, and surprisingly thinskinned themselves.

As Grandpappy might have said: “Them what’s can dish it out, jus’ can’t take it!” These folks often are the first and loudest to complain about everyone else when everyone else is simply acting just like

THEY act. All the while they excuse themselves as they condemn everyone else.

Manager #2: The Incapacitated -- These people are so sensitive to each and every real or perceived criticism that they over-analyze, exaggerate, tend to crawl in a shell and “never try again,” and become consumed with nursing wounds over the “wrong” done to them. These temperaments will let simple negative remarks stop them from following their heart’s dreams. The stronger these reactions are, the easier these people are to be manipulated, and controlled by others. They tend to avoid confrontation no matter what, and often realize too late that they didn’t stand up for others or themselves as they should have.

The GOOD NEWS? Most of us are a little of both, depending on the person,

relationship, and importance of the situation (or criticism). I had a boss once who was a real jerk to most of the people in his office, but he treated his wife like a queen, and was an attentive and kind father. Having different temperaments with different situations is more typical than not. We are many people, not just one. We act and react differently with our parents than with our boss; differently with our spouse than with our doctor; differently with the janitor than with the governor. When you reach a point where you are as kind and gracious to the janitor as you are to the person you are trying to impress, you will realize that you are making great strides toward becoming an Emotional Intelligence GENIUS. Be blessed!!!

www.criticism management.com

Cooking with Anna (continued from

page 13)

Don’t Like Your Assignment?

by Anna Hamilton

bring others to know his love and grace. When facing assignments, challenges, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward. For Christians, the Bible offers a wealth of wisdom and guidance to help us know how to make sure we complete our assignments.

Trusting that God will see you through is at the center of importance. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Putting your trust in God will make sure you have a sure footing to climb your mountain. He will show you the straight path away from your adversity.

Understanding that God already knows the plans he has for your life is very comforting. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 There has been a divine purpose aimed at our well being and hope. God will guide our footsteps along each path and we will prosper.

Strength and courage come from knowing that God will help us move our mountain. One of the most well-known verses that give Christians strength is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This verse is a powerful declaration of faith. This verse teaches that our ability to move the mountains before us

comes from the reliance we have on Christ’s strength.

Peace and comfort come from knowing that God will fight your battles and help you move any mountain that is placed before you. Jesus invited us to come to him when we are burdened by life’s hardships to find rest in Him. Matthew 11:28-30, tells us to “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

So when you face an assignment to move a mountain in your life, know that you are not alone. God will provide you with trust, understanding, strength and courage, and peace and comfort. All the tools needed to complete your assignment.

This week’s recipe is a fast, easy, and delicious version of your favorite Chinese takeout. It is loaded in protein and for sure a crowd pleaser. It reheats perfectly and will be sure to please even the pickiest eater.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

“You can’t get right answers if you’re asking the wrong questions.”

Mental Health Minute

What Are The Questions?

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

- Mark Victor Hansen in life, and start following a new path of growth and change. I believe that the principles of questioning can and should be applied to the bigger picture, specifically, our culture and society.

The foundation of exceptional counseling, in my opinion, is being able to know the client well enough to ask the “right” questions. I have witnessed that a question posed at the precise moment in time, when a client is open to examining change, creates that “aha” moment. And that client is never the same. There is an organization that specifically addresses the skill of questioning called the Inquiry Institute. The Institute teaches everyone, not just therapists, that “great results begin with great questions.” One can learn how to question the thinking process to break those unhealthy patterns

Let’s look at the world of mental health and mental illness. I have been practicing counseling for over ten years. I consider one of my best attributes to be the ability to read and assess non-verbals in my clients. This also carries over to my interactions with friends, family, and even those I have just met. (You have now been advised!) This skill is important because many people have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. What is going on in their brains may be challenging to put into words. This is why the field of mental health is so unpredictable. No one can read another person’s mind. The only way

I can understand someone is through their words and their actions. And, often times those with a mental illness are unable to express those ideas in their heads. For example, I have had several experiences involving clients with suicidal thoughts. I can tell they are depressed by their body language and how they tell me they are feeling. But the critical piece to moving forward with the client is to ask specifically, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Has the depression crossed over into possible self-harm? Every client to whom I have asked this question, displays a sense of relief. Finally, someone asked.

Those with mental health concerns benefit from having a therapist who asks the questions that they themselves cannot seem to communicate vocally. Words matter. One

client might be searching for how to share her feelings of anxiety. I can help translate what is going on in her mind. One client may hear voices, and be unable to tell the difference between the voices internally versus the voices externally. How can she express that? What are the questions that need to be asked in order to help her verbalize her confusion?

Recently, tragic events have led to a review of the mental health care system. Questions are correctly being asked about how these tragedies could have been avoided. The topic of mental health care deficiencies always comes up. I am here to tell you that the best therapist in the world cannot read anyone’s mind. And while I may be familiar with my clients’ previous words and behaviors, I cannot completely predict their future actions. I can only help or take action with my clients based on what they tell me and their observable behaviors. For example, school shootings have raised many questions, but so far, few answers. Most of the questions and outrage revolve around gun control, school se-

curity, mental health care, and violent video games. But my question is this, “Why are students killing their own classmates?”

As a counselor, my concern for the future of mental health involves the minds of our collective society, especially our young people. Because of my profession, I am able to experience more deeply the possible root causes of cultural problems. And I am seeing a disturbing trend in our society, which is seeping into my offices. People are becoming disconnected to the world and to others. I’m getting less and less eye contact, both in and out of my offices. Clients want an “app” to fix their problems. Clients think it’s my job is to fix the world, so they don’t have to change. Clients acknowledge spending more time in the “pretend” worlds of their phone and games than in the “real” world. The questions need to be raised now, for the future of our brains, our minds, and most importantly, for humanity.

Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor whose practice is in Madison, Alabama