March 18, 2016

March 18 - March 31, 2016

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

Roto-Rooter Athens: Making It “Roto-Rooter Right”

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Athens City Cemetery Walking Tours...

Have you ever given a thought to the people that came here, cleared large old-growth forests and started building what later became...

Page 5

From The Vets' Museum Meet Yvonne Dempsey...

March is celebrated as National Women’s History Month in thousands of communities and military bases throughout the world...

Page 10

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Roto-Rooter is a name we all recognize, and their jingle is one that has stuck with me since I was a kid: “Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain, Roto-Rooter!”

Roto Rooter ribbon cutting, February 11th, 2016

Continued on page 15

Brandon CopSync: Protecting Our Schools For The Price Of A Bake Sale

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

What Makes Ronnie Roll The “Mayor’s Kids” And Helping All Kidz...

Another year of the highly successful Mayor’s Youth Commission is just about finished, and this spring the members have had a chance to...

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March 18 - March 31, 2016

On Wednesday, March 16, North Alabama officials from law enforcement, government, and education gathered at the Holiday Inn in Athens to hear a presentation made by a firm who has found a way to shave minutes off response times to situations such Continued on pages 17

Brandon CopSync attendees included, from left, Bill Davis of Rogersville and Past President of Alabama's Fraternal Order of Police, event organizer Jim Doyle of Madison Security Group, Athens, Tim Grover, Madison Security Group Executive Vice President, Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson, and event presenter Brandon Flanagan

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March 18 - March 31, 2016

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

The True Hope Of Spring

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Paul Foreman Shelley Underhill Rachel Clark, RN BSN Sandra Thompson Jackie Warner Deb Kitchenmaster Wayne Kuykendall Buzz Estes

I have been reflecting back on the fact that it has been five years to the day that I began the ride of my life as the publisher of Athens Now. March 18th, 2011 was the first time I stared down a Publication Week, and I was not sure I was going to get through it with my sanity intact, let alone the sanity of the precious crew that I inherited when Steve and I bought the paper.

For those of you who

I knew how to do was write, and the rest of i-the “putting the paper to bed” stuff, came by trial, error, and what can only be described as “flying by the seat of my pants, and my pants are on fire,” as my WWII pilot daddy and I used to say.

The journey, as well as the nearly vertical learning curve, have been one of the most intense I have ever encountered, as well as one of the most satisfying. I get people coming up to me all the time,

ing, Kevin Blurton of the Times Daily in Florence, and, well, just all of you.

Most of all, I could not do it without my Savior, which brings me to the real “point of the Point.”

Spring has sprung, no doubt about it, and I, for one, am ready for it. As the trees along the roads and highways of North Alabama dance in the breeze, displaying their tender blossoms, the tulips and daffodils are pushing up, demonstrating that they are once again truly un-

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 View From The Bridge . . . . 8 From The Vets' Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Shelley . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . 20 Fitness, Fiscally Speaking . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

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may be interested in what is known in the biz as the “back story,” Athens Now: Information and Inspiration was started in 2007 by Wayne and Deborah Huff. I began to write for them in 2010, doing the front cover advertorials, copy editing, and an occasional op-ed piece. In 2011, the paper came up for sale, and we just knew that this was the next step for us. All

saying, “I read your paper from cover to cover, every edition.” I am humbled by that—I am so keenly aware of the fact that I could not do it without Deborah Huff when she was handling sales, our columnists, our supernaturally patient production guy, Jon Hamilton of Curb Appeal Graphics, my adopted kiddo Rachel Clark, who writes the Med Updates and does copy edit-

stoppable, and there is no room for going back to the bleak doldrums of Winter. The weather responds to the “dance” by being wild, mild, and wonderful.

Sometimes, like life itself, it becomes unmanageable, and there are voluminous lessons in that.

However, the true hope of Spring isn’t the fleeting visual pleasure of floral triumph against all odds;

it is what happened thousands of years ago, first on Passover, and then, with the Resurrection.

Against all odds, Israel escaped, and will escape again. Against all odds, our Savior escaped, and because of that, we can escape. One of my favorite Psalms says, “Our soul is escaped, as a bird, out of the snare of the fowler. The snare is broken, and we are escaped, our help is in the name of the Lord.”

I would say that escape is one of the unalterable themes of Spring, and let us enjoy it with abandon.

We are observing political madness of historical proportions, the threat of nuclear attack, a global economic house of cards, and the strong possibility that it will get worse before it gets better, but, the true hope of Spring is that Someone thought we were dying for, and if we just cooperate with Him, live or die, we shall triumph. The Happiest of Springs and a blessed Resurrection to you all, my dear Athenians, and thank you for a fabulous five years!

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

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All Things Soldier

Alabama’s Presence In The IDF

by Ali Elizabeth Turner There is a very interesting phenomenon going on all over the globe, and that is that young men and women are choosing to enlist in the Israeli Defense Force.

There is no requirement for them to do so, but for any number of reasons, they feel that it is their duty. We are not only talking about what would be an understandable influx of recruits from Europe after WWII in connection with the birth of the State of Israel in 1948. However, these days they are coming literally from every continent, including Africa and South America, and places that traditionally are not thought of as having much to do with Israel, such as India, South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and

Southeast Asia, in addition to the USA. One such young man is Louis Miller, a native of Huntsville, and a graduate of Indiana University. He experienced a life-changing trip to Israel in 2007, and knew then that he wanted to give some of the years of his youth to help protect the future of the land that had changed him so profoundly.

Louis was able to go to Israel through a Birthright Project outreach, a program that makes it possible for young Jewish adults to make their first trip to Israel. Having made my own trip as a senior citizen, I can truly say that “once is all it took,” and I can understand why he was so deeply affected.

Louis chose to become a para-trooper, and won awards for his performance during training.

On the last night of his training, he and his fellow recruits made a 55

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

April 18th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4

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kilometer ruck march up to the location of the graduation ceremony, which is in Jerusalem proper. They have to carry their ruck sacks on their backs, as well as stretchers that they hand off so everyone gets a chance to get practice transporting wounded.

For the whole journey, they only get a chance to stop four times for a very quick meal on the run. As Louis was being interviewed during the march, he did complain that his feet were killing him, as were the feet and backs of his fellow soldiers, but other than that, the guy seems to be tough. You’d have to be, to endure jump training during an Israeli summer, and learn how to survive in the desert.

There is an interesting and touching tradition that is a part of the ruck march, and that is that after the march is nearly over, (which is when the soldiers literally march into Jerusalem),

their parents and family members are allowed out on to a steep stretch of road to hug the soldiers. It is as though the love of family is poured out on them to strengthen them when they are the most vulnerable: just before they are triumphant. Louis’ parents came from Alabama to watch him exchange his olive drab inductee beret for the red and black one worn by the graduates, and to receive his commendations. The love and pride they showed for the boy was well deserved.

So far our boy from Sweet Home Alabama has been the subject of a number of videos and pieces written in the Israeli press, and my guess is that there will be more to come. My prayer is that God will keep him safe, and may he be blessed for being willing to take such a great risk for a land that is our ally.

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Special Feature

Athens City Cemetery Walking Tours

by Buzz Estes Have you ever given a thought to the people that came here, cleared large old-growth forests and started building what later became the beautiful town of Athens? The Native Americans (A.K.A. Indians) had lived here for hundreds of years before us, and were better organized than most of us realized. They may not have been “civilized” in our way of thinking, but they had developed much more sophistication than we gave them credit for until archeologists began to learn more of their culture.

Just what were the trail marker trees? You have all seen trees that grew vertical for three or four feet, but then grew horizontal for several feet but then grew vertical again. Some of these were large old trees. Now, we are finding out that they were trained that way by the Indians as trail markers to show where trails were, direction to water or a natural shelter from a trail, and other valuable information.

Unfortunately, the code to these directions was never written down, but everyone depended upon the elders in the tribe of an area to remember these details.

As the white man took over the land, either the elders were shipped elsewhere or died without transmitting this knowledge, along with much more valuable information.

Acknowledging that “all generalizations are false – including this one,” we can approximately divide the settlers of Limestone County and Athens into three groups.

Probably the most obvious group was comprised of the developers Beaty and Mason, who came in shortly after the land became available for sale. They bought significantly large tracts of land, perhaps several, and

March 18 - March 31, 2016

started developing them for resale. In town, they laid out lots and streets for homes and businesses. They had enough foresight and capital, but were taking a rather big risk. Today, we look at Athens and assume it was so obvious that it was going to be the county seat and would have to have a courthouse on the square in the middle of things.

Did you know that Cambridge was a close contender for the County seat? What is there now?

Robert Beaty and John Carrol planned ahead and donated some the land they had just bought for things like a courthouse, a jail, a college, and several of the churches.

If Athens were not selected as county seat, this land would only have value as farm land at much less than what they had paid for it. Robert Beaty was one of the town’s founders, but is not buried here. After his wife died, he took their son and moved to Kentucky. Come see where some of the rest of his family is buried, and listen to Billy Ward tell their stories.

Limestone County could not be bought until 1818, because prior to that it was still Indian Territory. Fort Hampton was established here and garrisoned with Federal Troops to keep the white settlers out of the Indians’ land. If a settler (aka “squatter”), often floating down the Elk River on a flat boat, found a rather remote spot, landed, cleared off it enough to build a house and plant a small crop, the Indians would “rat him out” and tell the soldiers. The soldiers would arrest the man, burn the house and his crops and probably take him to jail in Huntsville or Pulaski. He would usually “winter over” in jail and try again the next spring.

When the Indians “sold” the

Shane Black

land to the U.S. Government, (which is another story entirely) the settler would buy a little and start all over again.

Glenn Hall will be portraying his ancestor that followed that pattern.

If a successful planter in Virginia or one of the Carolinas had been one of the early settlers in the 1600’s, they were now beginning to have several kinds of growing pains.

The most common and profitable crop was tobacco, which is somewhat labor intensive.

They were land locked and could not expand their acreage. If they had been treating their slaves well, they had a surplus of them also. Large successful plantations were rather self-sufficient. By the second or third generation, they had skilled slaves in most of the trades.

In 1793 the invention of the cotton gin dramatically changed the economics of cotton from a very expensive cloth to an economical one.

Now the above planter could give his second son (assuming the older son would inherit the existing plantation) some of the excess slaves, and go “out west” across the mountains and buy land to start over again. Haven’t you wondered how the virgin, old growth for-

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ests that used to cover most of Limestone County were cut and cleared? How some of these magnificent homes were built in a relative short time? The land could not be purchased until 1818 and - by definition the antebellum mansions were done by 1860. Try to imagine the amount of work it would take to clear cut some of the large fields, usually south of Highway 72. Then came the really had work: digging out and pulling the stumps with nothing but man power and mule power. Next, move onto the sawing all those trees into usable lumber. Steam power came a little later because the equipment was so expensive.

Visit with Katy and Johnny Garrett at the Cemetery Walk.

The Garretts are one of Limestone County’s oldest families, and probably fit this pattern rather closely except we do not know whether they were still growing tobacco when the young generation departed for the west.

Some time ago, we were doing some plumbing in one of the Antebellum homes when one of my men said he could tell that a wing had been added instead of being built with the rest of the home. The plaster lathing on one section was over

Jacque Reeves

split red oak whereas the “add on” section had sawn white oak under the plaster.

One family that does not perfectly fit any of the above categories, but had many similarities was the Barksdale Family. I highly recommend Jerry Barksdale’s book, “Revolutionaries to Rebels.”

It is a novel, and is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in many years. The section that amazed me is when his Revolutionary War ancestor decides to go “out west.”

He loads up his entire family, including an infant, and has to put his oldest son on a horse, scouting ahead for the trail.

There were no roads, so he had to also find them a place to camp each night that would have good grazing for the horses and mules, and good water for all.

This last summer I had an opportunity to ride through some of that area with someone else driving. It is remarkable to me that anyone had the courage to attempt that, and the determination to actually do it.

Talk to Jerry Barksdale at the cemetery walk. While you are at it, buy a copy of his book, and get him to autograph it for you. You can’t beat that deal with a stick!

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Calendar of Events Biker / Motorcycle Event @ Point Mallard Apr 23rd

Point Mallard Park (large pavilion near wave pool), Decatur, AL. Get your motor runnin’…head out on the highway … looking for adventure? If that’s you (yes, it’s you!) come out and join us for a scenic ride, food and prizes. This event is hosted by the Decatur-based chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). No fee is required but any donation would be appreciated. This is a Run for the Son (RFS) event whereby any donations collected will be 100% disbursed to CMA headquarters so it can be used to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, nationally and internationally. Event runs from 8:30am – 3 pm with group ride at 9am, then lunch at approx noon. Ride maps will be provided if you want to ride solo. More info: 256-509-2419.

Miss Annie Wheeler's Heirloom Plant Sale Mar 26

Pond Spring. The General Joe Wheeler Home in Hillsboro, AL. 9am until 2pm. Plants available for sale will include daffodils, irises, daylilies, spider lilies, spirea, forsythia, and more all harvested from our historic gardens. Proceeds from the plant sale will fund future restoration efforts on the fiftyacre historic site.

Running Buck Wild 5K, 10K and Fun Run Mar 19th

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL. Running Buck Wild will take you on trails, through picnic areas, through campgrounds, down paved and gravel roads over a variety of terrain that is narrow and moderately hilly. Entry fee on or before March 3rd = $30; Fun Run = $10; After March 3rd and Race Day = $40; Fun Run = $10. For more information: 256247-5466 Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM. http://www.alapark. com/running-buck-wild-extreme-10k-5k-fun-run

Capital City Wanderers: Open Walk of Athens Historic Volksmarch Mar 19th

Athens-Limestone Visitors Center. 100 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL. The Capital City Wanderers Walking Club invites you to join them at 9:00AM to enjoy Athens Historic Volksmarch with them. There is no fee to participate and this is not a competitive walking event. Athens Historic Volksmarch is at your own pace and duration. Volksmarchers and walkers will enjoy a route through all five our historic districts. The Walk Box will be at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center/Big Spring Memorial Park for this event, so Volksmarchers that need to register may do so.

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Whistle Hollow Farms & Endless Catering Grand Opening Mar 24th

Whistle Hollow Farms. 701 Lofton Hall Road, Ardmore, TN. Everyone is invited come see the Whistle Hollow venue and amenities, enjoy amazing food and entertainment from 4:00PM7:00PM. For more information 256-497-5168 or whistlehollow@ hotmail.com

Joe Wheeler State Park Easter Egg-Citement Egg Hunt Mar 26th

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4401 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL. The Egg-citement starts at 10:00am between the Lodge and Marina for ages 11 and Under. Kids will enjoy hunting over 1,000 eggs! There will be games; arts & crafts; live bunnies and chances to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny! http:// www.alapark.com/easter-egg-hunt

Cruise In Apr 2nd

Downtown Athens, AL. Bring your hot rod, motorcycle, truck or unique vehicle and park on the square to share your love of automobiles with other enthusiasts from 3:00PM to 6:00PM. Shop the boutiques and store and enjoy a meal downtown at one of the restaurants.

Elk River Canoe and Kayak Trail Cleanup Apr 9th

Elk River, AL. Groups and individuals are invited to join KALB's effort to clean up the Elk River and surrounding land areas. TVA is sponsoring this event. Trash bags, gloves, and some pick up sticks will be provided. Groups of all sizes are encouraged to enter the "Team Challenge" to compete for cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100. Total team weights will be divided by number of team members and that weight used to determine the winning team so all teams have a chanc to win. Visit kalbcares.com/elkriver-canoe-kayak-trail-cleanup for more information and links to registration forms or call 256-233-8000.

Tri-City Walk for Autism 2016 Apr 9th

James Clemens High School. 11306 County Line Road, Madison, AL. Join Athens, Decatur and Madison as they join together to walk for Austism Awareness. The walk for Autism is the single most powerful fundraising event in April that unifies thousands of participants statewide in support of the missions and projects of the Autism Society. You can join this effort at 10:00AM at James Clemens High School. For more information or to register: https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Madison/TriCityWalkForAutism

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The View From The Bridge

Are You Loving It Or Just Doing It?

by Jackie Warner Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

to adults, and this process can be very difficult when you don’t have a plan.

Becoming a mentor takes a strong commitment, but it is definitely needed to positively impact our next generation for future success.

Doing what you love, and loving what you do are not always the same. Planning for your career takes lots of work and thought.

Recently, my daughters were working on their class schedules for next year. They were trying to make the best decision and pick the most sensible courses to help with their future career options.

As I tried to assist them, I could not help thinking back to when I was in school and not really having at that time the best plan of action for the future. It became very important that I impart my lessons learned from over the years to help them not go down

As a Mentor you should:

a path that would quickly take on many detours and possible dead ends.

Although my plan was not well thought out, I am thankful that I had mentors in my life that helped me along the way. I am also thankful for receiving a college scholarship that allowed

me to attend and graduate from a 4 year university. It was definitely not by happenstance.

It was again because I had mentors and family members pushing me to pursue opportunities for my life to come.

Whether it’s your child, the kid down the street, or a relative, impart lessons learned from your own personal life to help them to be more successful. Be a mentor; it will definitely help to grow our teens, community, and our level of economic stability.

So what is real mentoring? It is a one-to-one supportive relationship

between students and adults, where the adult strives to help achieve and increase success in the life of the student mentored.

Mentoring is not easy. It takes work and dedication on both sides. True mentors do the research and really want to share what they know to help students gain an edge for the future. High school is a tough time for students, and having someone to coach and guide them during this time is often needed, (but not necessarily acknowledged) by our youth. They are in a transition period, moving from children

to

1.Know that only 1 in 3 children grow up with a mentor/ coach, leaving many with no one to turn

2.Provide teens advice, but don’t be pushy or overbearing (Bite size messages are better) 3.Be truthful and trustworthy 4.Hold each other accountable 5.Assist them with Personality and Career Assessments; Offer sound advice Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. (The Mentoring Effect) Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: http://thebridge-us.yolasite. com/

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Yvonne Dempsey

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum

March is celebrated as National Women’s History Month in thousands of communities and military bases throughout the world.

This month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate women’s historic achievements.

Meet Yvonne Dempsey. She is one of the most active individuals I have ever met, not only at the museum, but in the Athens community. From spelling bees to Vietnam Veterans, if it has to do with service, she will most likely be there.

Here in her own words is why Yvonne gives so much back!

I was blessed to grow up in Louisiana during the ’50s and 60s. It was a time when we proudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day, and we learned the words to the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.

my best helpers.

high school students.

In 1995, I decided to go to college. As Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society president at Calhoun, I loved helping fellow students and doing community activities. I continued being active on campus at Athens State and enjoyed being on the Scholar’s Bowl team.

Participating in military funerals as a member of the Limestone Veterans Burial Detail is a great honor for me.

It is another way for me to thank our heroes for their service.

I am secretary for Together We Stand, which is an organization that was formed last year to show support for our police officers and other first responders. We are working on this year’s program to honor firefighters and EMTs.

Two of my four sons were in Athens High’s JROTC and went into the military. John served in the Army during the ‘90s and Joshua is currently in his ninth year as a sergeant the Marines.

I taught high school English while taking care of my son Matthew after he got brain cancer during his first semester at college. After his death at 25, I no longer felt like teaching, but I needed to do something. That something was more volunteering…and learning to ride my Harley!

As a child, I knew that volunteering was something that everyone did.

I remember helping my daddy, a WWII Navy veteran, with Buddy Poppy fundraisers for the VFW. I later joined the VFW Auxiliary because of him.

Every Wednesday I volunteer at the Alabama Veterans’ Museum. I love spending time with the veterans and listening to their stories. I’m also there any time help is needed. For the museum’s Threads of Honor fundraiser, I worked with other ladies to sew names on the quilt which now hangs in the museum.

While raising my boys, I was always room mother and PTO officer. I also was a Cub Scout Den Leader and District Tiger Cub Coordinator,VFW Americanism Chairman and Community Activities Chairman, and Altar Server Coordinator.

My boys were some of

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As a member of the Associates of the Vietnam Veterans, I spend every third Monday cooking and serving for the VVA Spaghetti Day fundraiser to raise money for college scholarships for local

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Besides these organizations and activities, my church is an important part of my life. Currently, I am president of St. Paul Catholic Women, the Catholic Women of N. AL, and the Catholic Women of the Diocese of Birmingham. I also serve as a Eucharistic Minister.

I’m a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who truly believes in using my God-given talents and abilities to help others. I am thankful to be an American, and grateful for the opportunity to do all that I do.

God Bless America! As Margaret Thatcher said “If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”

Thank you, Yvonne, for all the ways you give of yourself to North Alabama, Limestone County, and Athens, and please accept our deepest appreciation in connection with Women’s History Month.

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Clean and Green

Join Us In Making A Difference

by Lynne Hart

Many of us are looking forward to spring and summer days when we can spend time fishing, hiking, boating, having picnics, and enjoying the great outdoors.

KALB works hard to make those days more enjoyable through education and volunteer opportunities focused on litter abatement and litter removal. On April 9th, KALB will offer an event in which we welcome you to participate.

Our annual Elk River Canoe & Kayak Trail Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 9th. Volunteers will gather at 8:00 a.m. at the boat ramp on Hatchery Rd. off Hwy. 99 in West Limestone. Individuals and registered teams are welcome.

Once everyone has signed in and received supplies and instructions, groups will be assigned to an area to clean up.

Damien Simbeck from TVA will join us and bring lots of supplies. He and his crew will take one group out onto

the water.

A complimentary lunch will be served to all volunteers at noon as a thank you for making a difference.

Information and registration forms can be found on the KALB website at www.

KALB.com. You will find the link to the 2016 Elk River Canoe & Kayak Trail Cleanup under the EVENTS tab. determine winners.

This will allow smaller teams to complete fairly with larger teams. Here are a few other guidelines: •Teams must consist of at least 5 members.

•Extra credit points will be given to groups that separate recyclables.

Team Challenge Thanks to TVA, we are once again able to offer cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100 to the top three groups picking up the most pounds of

trash. This year the rules have changed slightly. Each team's total trash weight will be divided by the number of members on the team, arriving at a per capita number. That will be the number that is used to

•All debris must be weighed by the noon deadline.

•All debris must come from designated areas as specified

by KALB. •Concrete and bricks will not be accepted for weighing.

These are often placed by the county or TVA to stabilize land.

•Deadline for team registration is March 30, 2016.

Registration Information Teams must register by March 30, 2016 to participate

in the Team Challenge. Contact KALB for additional information. We'd love to hear from you!

Individuals should contact KALB at 256-233-8000 or KALBCares@gmail.com to let us know you are coming so we can prepare enough food for lunch. Individuals may come even if not registered; however, registration is preferred.

Volunteers are welcome to bring boats, canoes, or kayaks to capture debris from the water. We have a huge problem with trash collecting in sloughs, which cannot be reached by land or a larger boat. Some kayaks may be available if requested IN ADVANCE. Come out and join us for a day in the outdoors doing something good for our community.

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com Page 12

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Cooking with Shelley

What's In Your Salad?

by Shelley Underhill If you enjoy fruit with your green salad and really like a variety of things in your bowl, then you will enjoy making this salad, and eating it too. The biggest of skeptics in my home had to cry “mercy” and admit that the concoction (that’s what one family

member called it) was very good after all!

Hope you will give it a try and enjoy...send your questions to shelleysdesk@gmail.com.

What's In Your Salad?

1 bag of mixed greens 1/4 cup of crumbled Blue Cheese 1 cup strawberries - washed and sliced 1 can of drained mandarin oranges 1/2 cup of crushed walnuts Combine all together and toss well...

Dressing: Top with Raspberry Vinaigrette to taste

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Health and Fitness

Move It!!!

by Janet Hunt

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

Physical activity reduces the risk of nearly three dozen harmful conditions and life-threatening diseases. Medical dictionaries, fitness and exercise data sources all indicate that the following medical conditions respond positively to physical activity:

acterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys.

1.Low cardiovascular fitness - cardiovascular fitness is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues and the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement.

34.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh.

2.Coronary heart disease – generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

3.Endothelial dysfunction – compromise of normal function of the endothelial cells (inner lining of blood vessels) leading to the inability of arteries and arterioles to dilate fully in response to appropriate stimulus.

4.Peripheral artery disease (PAD) - plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs.

Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood.

5.Hypertension

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32.Erectile dysfunction 33.Hemostasis (blocked blood flow)–an abnormal blood flow obstruction such as plaque.

6.Stroke 7.Congestive heart failure - a weakness of the heart that leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and surrounding body tissues.

8.Osteoporosis - disease of the bones. Bones become weak and may break from a minor fall or another minor accident 9.Osteoarthritis - most common form of arthritis. Chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.

10.Rheumatoid arthritis - a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet.

11.Depression

bulging sacs pushing outward from the colon wall) characterized by abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel movements.

16.Constipation 17.Gallbladder disease 18.Accelerated biological aging/premature death 19.Type 2 diabetes (including insulin resistance and prediabetes) 20.Metabolic syndrome - the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke

30.Polycystic ovary syndrome - a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. This may lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health problems.

31.Preeclampsia - pregnancy complication char-

35.Pain There is just not a simpler way to say it. “Move it, my friends, and if you need help, call me!”

For information about exercise classes in the Athens/Limestone County contact Janet Hunt, an ACE Personal Trainer and an ACE Group Fitness Instructor, at 256614-3530 or jhunt9155@ gmail.com.

21.Obesity 22.Colon cancer

12.Anxiety

23.Endometrial cancer

13.Cognitive dysfunction - mental health disorders that primarily affect learning, memory, perception, and problem solving, and include dementia.

24.Breast cancer 25.Sarcopenia loss of muscle mass and strength, which in turn affects balance, gait and overall ability to perform tasks of daily living.

14.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little alcohol

26.Balance problems

15.Diverticulitis - inflammation of one or more diverticula (small

develops during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar, causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health.

27.Bone fracture/falls 28.Dyslipidemia–high total or high LDL cholesterol level, or lowHDL cholesterol.

29.Gestational diabetes -

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March 18 - March 31, 2016

Cover Story

The Roto Rooter Plumbers' Fleet

Roto-Rooter Athens: Making It “Roto-Rooter Right”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

What set them apart was what was known as the “Roto-Rooter machine,” which went after all kinds of stuff stuck in your drain, including tree roots. During the Great Depression, the company was able to offer franchises and work for many in the Mid-west, and managed to continue to grow until it became a national corporation.

David Tierce brought the RotoRooter name to Huntsville in 1963. He expanded it to other locations in the Tennessee Valley, and the franchises have always been family owned and operated. In 1991, David and Deborra Byrd purchased Madison County, AL, and Lincoln County, TN from Mr. Tierce, keeping it in “in the family,” so to speak. In the early ‘90s, the Limestone County franchise sold locally to the George Ford family. In January this year, David and Deborra purchased the franchise in Athens-Limestone County from the Ford family, and wish to thank the previous owners who brought and maintained this service to our area over 50 years ago. The Byrds understand the value of commitment and loyalty to the community, which comes from honest relationships and hard work.

Over the years, Roto-Rooter has expanded into a full service plumbing service, and will take care of plumbing problems, sewers, drains and septic systems. They are able to give same-day service, and there is no extra charge for service calls made after hours. They are available 24/7, and with the advent of new technology, are literally now “one click away.”

I spoke with Valerie Mannarino, who is the marketing and

March 18 - March 31, 2016

The Athens Roto Rooter team IT manager for the local RotoRooter, and as a transplant from Miami, she and her family are discovering just what makes Athens so special. I could tell that she cared about the quality of the product that she represented, and so I asked her why, when I have choices, should I choose Roto-Rooter.

“First of all,” she said, “every tech is trained in house by experienced master plumbers.” The techs go through an intensive two year training program, and they are all licensed, bonded, and have had extensive background checks. In other words, they are safe folks to have in and on your property.

Valerie also said that “The customer is ALWAYS first,” and no matter what your business, overthe-top customer service is at the core of our existence. RotoRooter is legendary for how it takes care of its clients. She also mentioned that the guys make a point of keeping everything clean: their uniforms, their vans, and their tools. They wear booties when they are in your home or business, and when they leave, you can’t tell they were there, other than that the problem has been solved to your satisfaction.

Valerie also says that the local Roto-Rooter is top in the industry with regard to the utilization of technology to better serve its customers. Customer records are stored in a data base by address, and histories can be easily

accessed. Service personnel are dispatched via GPS tracking, and communication is recorded and tracked through Garmin.

All Roto-Rooter services can be accessed through the mobile app on your smart phone or tablet, and the desktop site is extensive and informative. In addition to the jingle with which I grew up, now they also say, “Eliminate your troubles today, we are only a click away.” Additionally, a part of the service package is a follow-up call within 48 hours.

Roto-Rooter takes care of residential, commercial, and industrial clients, and some of things that they promise under their “100% satisfaction guaranteed” banner are: •Quality—only quality materials are used, and only quality professionals are employed •Price- Roto-Rooter’s goal is to be the best, and wants customers to be assured that their price is competitive for the quality of work performed, and the guaranteed price will stand firm.

•Inspections- Their work is permitted and inspected by proper officials, and it’s licensed, bonded, and insured.

•Guarantee- Their guarantee or warranty is their bond. They will be here tomorrow to stand behind the work they do today, 24/7/365.

In addition, if your drain is clogged, their service is sameday, and emergencies within

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the hour. They use underground cameras and TVs to figure out what needs to be repaired. They will take care of water heaters, tankless water heaters, will jet drains and sewers, and are certified in backflow prevention testing.

One of their services which I found interesting is that as plumbers, they are food service specialists. They know what the health department expects in any restaurant, and will see to it that their work is compliant. They are skilled in leak detection, exca-

vating, re-piping, and servicing septic tanks, field lines, sump pumps, and grease traps.

The commitment of the entire staff at Roto-Rooter is to “deliver superlative service at the best value.” That’s called doing and making things “RotoRooter right.” If this is what you are looking for in a long established, all-inclusive, trusted plumbing service, then call them today at 256-232-0254, or go to www.rotorooterathens. com, and make your appointment.

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March 18 - March 31, 2016

Cover Story

Brandon CopSync: Protecting Our Schools For The Price Of A Bake Sale

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

as bomb threats, active shooter situations, fires, natural disasters and other life threatening events. These have unfortunately become a part of the American experience in the 21st century, as we well know.

UAH had a horrific deadly event six years ago, and since then there have been threats, injuries, and deaths perpetrated by adults and students alike in several Tennessee Valley educational institutions.

Those of us in the Athens Limestone area have been made uncomfortable on multiple occasions in the last two school years when we have received Nixle updates on our phones telling us that yet another school has had to be evacuated due to a bomb threat. Thankfully, each threat has proven to be false, and our first responders have done well with each incident. But what if there were a way that could significantly reduce the time it takes for our protectors to get there, accurately assess the situation, and communicate better with everyone involved in real time, all for the relative cost of the proceeds from your average school bake sale?

March 18 - March 31, 2016

There is, and it is called Brandon CopSync. Prior to the presentation, I had the chance to hear about it in the office of Jim Doyle, who runs the Madison Security Group located on Hwy 31 right next to Rooster’s. Jim boundaries, as well as the risks to officer safety and unsatisfactory response time in incidents of targeted school violence.”

hails from Boston, and has extensive law enforcement experience, most of which occurred in Massachusetts. It was through Jim’s contacts in the Northeast that he was able to bring the opportunity to learn how software can save lives of students to our local officials. In addition to Jim, I spoke with Brandon Flanagan and Joseph Cerretani from Danvers, MA. “Basically, it gets the good guys on the scene faster,” Brandon told me. It does so through software synced with a se-

cure app on a designated smart phone, and with a double click, CopSync immediately alerts law enforcement. Through the additional use of GPS, the officers who are closest to the call can arrive much more quickly, and the alert is made without tipping off the perpetrator(s). It also creates 2 way communication on the ground, “alleviates “the lack of real-time mission critical information sharing among officers and agencies at the point of incident, the inability of officers and agencies to communicate in real time across jurisdictional

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Joe told me that the “software is proprietary”, and he is “100% confident that there are no competitors.” OK, but does it work?

The answer is yes. Recently in Boston there were two bomb threats in which Brandon Cop Sync was used, and the reduction in response time was measurable in minutes. This easily translates over into the possibility of saving lives and resolving incidents satisfactorily.

One of the things that can be daunting in a bomb threat is all that goes on in what is known as the egress process. As Mayor Ronnie and Chief Johnson noted after the Athens Middle School bomb threat, “Egress was a nightmare.” This was true for a number of reasons, including the location and the design of the school, the surrounding buildings, and traffic patterns.

In a more normal situation, there is a fairly standard sequence of events. First, students and faculty have to get to a safe place out of harm’s way. Then, every square inch of a school has to be checked for the presence of perpetrators, kids, and/or teachers who are holed up in hiding, bombs in back packs, possible IEDs, injuries, subsequent or follow on incidents, and finally, deaths. On average, it takes six hours from the time the threat emerges to the “all clear” status. “CopSync shortens the window of the aftermath,” they told me.

Joe said further, “It helps to reach back into a school during an incident by giving law enforcement officers better options.” And, if there were any chance that there were several planned events occurring in more than one place, other jurisdictions would also be immediately notified.

“If something happens in Athens, Decatur would know it and be able to respond better,” Jim said. He added, “It makes for much more fluent communication.” Another thing that all three of them wanted to make sure people understand is that Brandon CopSync “is not taking over the job of law enforcement officers. It enhances their ability to do their job.” It is their understandable hope that we as a community will see CopSync added to our first responders’ IT arsenal, and successfully layer in an extra level of protection for our most precious resource, our kids.

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Bucket List

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262

What is on your bucket list? A bucket list is a list of things you want to get done or to see before you die.

common: a need to come to terms with who they are and what they have done with their lives, and a desire to complete a list of things they want to see and do before they die.

Against their doctor's advice, the men leave the hospital and set out on the adventure of a lifetime.”

For a long time, my big bucket list wish was to graduate from college. You know how it is, life gets in the way. First, there were kids, then money issues, then we moved and so much more. Life happens.

But after nearly 20 years and four colleges, I finally got my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, in 1996. There was not anyone prouder that day on that stage.

If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it. It reminded me that there are things to see and things to do before you die that have nothing to do with success.

Check that one off, and now what?

As soon as I got my Bachelor’s, I wanted a Master’s degree. I was nearly 50, and not sure I could work and go to school. It was hard to do, but I really wanted to do this.

Back on my bucket list it went graduate with a Master’s degree. It took nearly four years, and I was not sure a couple of times I could finish what I started. But I got to cross that one off, too!

Now what?

I really thought I was finished with my bucket list. I felt very successful. Then in 2007, a movie came out that changed everything.

The

movie

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was

The

At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we host Academic Traveler journeys on a regular basis.

This year we are going to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to see the museum, and watch A Comedy of Errors on April 30. In

October, we will be going to Gettysburg, with stops in Hershey, and Washington DC. But the real trip of a lifetime is the trip to Israel in November.

Israel: The Holy Land is a guided tour of Tele Aviv, Jerusalem, and surrounding areas. Of course, I am a little afraid of the unrest in the region.

And, of course, I am worried about the flight. For me, this is a spiritual pilgrimage. And probably it will be my last trip overseas.

There is lots of information on our website about this trip.

Check out Academic Travel under current courses for trip information. The website is www.athens.edu/ CLL. I hope you will consider going with me on this special journey.

Call me at 256-23382692 if you have questions or concerns.

With this trip, we can pack a lifetime of learning in just 10 days.

Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The jacket on the movie box said, “Billionaire Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and car mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) are complete strangers, until fate lands them in the same hospital room. The men find they have two things in

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March 18 - March 31, 2016

What Makes Ronnie Roll

The “Mayor’s Kids” And Helping All Kids

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Another year of the highly successful Mayor’s Youth Commission is just about finished, and this spring the members have had a chance to learn to deal with money in a way that truly benefits worthy causes, as well as navigate the process of project selection, execution, and accountability. “In a way,” said Mayor Marks, “they are learning what it is like to be on City Council.” The kids “came into” a sum of $3500, which was sent Some of the Youth Commissioners who decided how to spend the grant money to the Commission by the Dekko Foundaproof of an organization’s watch MES (Municipal tion as part of their Emergency Services) ex35th anniversary celebra- non-profit status. tion. Dekko’s mission is Some of the contenders trication training at Leak to “foster economic free- were Relay for Life, Keep City on Sanderfer Road. dom through education,” Athens Limestone Beau- The training is for fireand is highly vested in tiful, the Animal Shelter, fighters from Athens Fire preparing students for the Camp Hope, the Boys’ and Rescue, and Clemfuture. and Girls’ Club, the Girl ents Volunteer Fire Dept.

In addition, 72 AutomoThe kids decided to give Scouts, Hospice of Limetive donated vehicles for away $3,000 and keep stone County, the Athens the exercise. They even $500 for the Commis- Art League, and others. got to handle the extracsion. They came up with The students met at Leak tion equipment, and a protocol for which kind City on March 16th for everyone received of entities would receive their final meeting with an “up close and perthe designated grants, and regard to the Dekko sonal” reason to quit two of the requirements grant, and the awardees texting and driving, were that they were a gen- were: Camp Hope, Keep which is one of the uine non-profit, and that Athens Limestone Beaubiggest causes of it could be demonstra- tiful, Athens Arts League, death amongst teens. bly shown that the grant Boys and Girls Club, would be a benefit to MTM Corporation, and We talked about what Athens. They advertised, Girl Scouts Service Unit it was like to consider that another graduatand received a number of 210. ing class was nearly responses. The grant apAfter they concluded upon us, and that it plications were graded on their business, (which al- was basically only 60 how well the desired projmost always occurs over days until these guys ect was planned, and how pizza), they were on to were cut loose to be well the grant application their next learning expe- on their own and was worded. In addition, rience. Athens Fire and find their way. I for the kids did the leg work Rescue invited them to one am glad that the with regard to securing

March 18 - March 31, 2016

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heading toward their Eagle Scout badge, and for at least one of their projects, they saw to it that all the current playground equipment at the Sportsplex was pressure washed. In addition, they are helping to get the “All Kids” equipment ready to rock and roll.

The All Kids playground equipment is especially designed for disabled children, and can even make a way for kids in wheelchairs to be able to swing on swings in the park.

Mayor, Holly Hollman, and others have taken the time to train the next generation. Someday, they’ll be making all the decisions, and we are going to need every bit of wisdom that has been put in them.

He told me that there are a couple of students in the Commission that are

There is a certain look of joy that the Mayor gets on his face when he talks about “his kids,” and I could tell that all of the “blood, sweat, and tears” from this year had paid off as he told me their stories. He had to get to another meeting, so we prayed, and then, it was time once again for Ronnie to roll.

Tori Jean puts on turnout gear and learns how to cut a victim out of a car Page 19

Horse Whispering

Don’t Fence Me In

by Deb Kitchenmaster Do you remember the songwriter Cole Porter? Or perhaps, the song, Don’t Fence Me In, sung by artists such as Frankie Laine, Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, Willie Nelson, and Leon Russell? The lyrics in each recording pretty much remained the same, even though there was some occasional artistic tweaking, depending on the vocalist or group. What was consistent in each version were the words, “Don’t fence me in.”

The song expresses an interest in land; lots of land, under the starry skies above. A longing to ride through the greatly loved, wide open country, as well, and all of it is heralded by the rhythm of music.

The songwriter is comfortable with “being by myself” in the evening breeze, listening to the murmur of the cottonwood trees. Plus, this rider’s “saddle that is straddled” makes for a moment that is refreshing and invigorating in this completely open space. “Don’t fence me in” is what is consistent.

wake up.

I had the blessing of being an eye-witness of two teenage friends as they found the beauty, courage, and awareness “to wake up” while being on the back of their horses.

These teens had progressed from riding in a round pen, to a corral, to the moment of a true trail ride.

We had our lunches packed in our saddle “top ten” list of developing a safe, fun, and growing partnership with your horse. Each of these singers had their own voice and personal style. That is how it is with horse people. This is one of the many beauties of being with horses: an awakening to “one’s true self.” My grandson, Evan, made a comment that I will never forget.

He had awakened before bags, and off we went into 200 acres of trails that were perfect for the girls’ first trail ride. We came into the coolness provided by a knoll of

Consistency is on the

his mom on a particular day, and he came into his mom’s bedroom and said, “Mom. It’s a beautiful day to wake up!” When you combine the beauty of spring with the freedom of riding in spaces without fences, truly every day is a beautiful day to

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trees, listening as the wind blew through the leaves. As we sat on our horses facing each other, we became engulfed in

a cloud of butterflies!

They swarmed around our faces and encircled

the three of us and our horses. It was as though God Himself brought to each of us the beauty of transformation in that “wake up” moment” while we were outside the fence. I must say, for these young gals, that day, and the unforgettable experience with the butterflies has not left their memory, nor mine. Just as important for them and for me was the sense of direction it brought into our lives.

As spring opens gates from the round pen and corrals to wide open land beyond the fences, relax, enjoy, listen, and breathe deeply as your horse carries you to both discovery and awe.

“Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle underneath the southern skies.”

Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections www.corralconnections.com ‘A church of great heart’ 256-426-7947 Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

March 18 - March 31, 2016

Fitness, Fiscally Speaking

Five Money Management Tips Your Momma Would Love

By Wayne Kuykendall, Financial Services Representative with Strategic Financial Partners, an office of MetLife.

When you’re in your twenties, probably at your first job, stuggling to make ends meet, saving for your future may be the least of your concerns.Even with decades of work ahead of you, however, in these uncertain times, saving for your futureisn’t something you can afford to put off.

Wondering where to start? Here are five financial tips every young adult should consider to help manage money and better prepare for the future: 1)Invest in your future.

These days, technology changes in the blink of an eye. To make certain you’re not blindsided, make it a point to make ongoing career education a priority. Doing so will not only enhance your skills, but increase

your professional potential. The more varied and flexible your skills, the more attractive you may be to prospective employers.

2)Start saving now for later. The uncertainty of today’s workplace may mean that your professional life may be interrupted by short or long periods of change. Therefore,you may face periods of unstable income, so creating an emergency fund to cover several months’ worth of living expenses can help you manage these transitions. You may also use these savings for other opportunities, such as starting your own business or continuing your education.

3)Save early and often for retirement. Retirement may seem very far off right now. But today, saving for your retirement

is your responsibility, and it will take discipline, diligence and lots of time to make it happen. With employer-sponsored retirement plans,the responsibility of saving rests on your shoulders, so maketime and compound interestyour allies.

4)Let retirement funds accumulate.

If you change jobs often in your working years, consider rolling over your account into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)or new company retirement plan. Although it may be tempting to cash in the account, especially if you have accumulated only a small amount, be careful: doing so makes it immediately taxable and you may also incur an early withdrawal penalty. A greater concernis that you may be unable to make up for time already spent to

About the MetLife Premier Client Group The MetLife Premier Client Group (MPCG) provides consumers and small businesses with access to local financial professionals across the United States who can provide advice and guidance tailored to their financial needs. MPCG financial professionals stand out in the market for their holistic financial strategies, their team-oriented approach to client service and their adherence to a core financial planning philosophy that helps clients both grow and safeguard their assets. MPCG’s highly trained and credentialed representatives provide their clients with a wide range of services, including wealth management, retirement planning, estate planning and small business planning. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com/premier.

About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and

March 18 - March 31, 2016

accrue these savings.

5)Use credit wisely.

Credit card companies frequently target young adults with the lure of “easy money.” While credit cards offer convenience (it’s virtually impossible to conduct some transactions, such as reserving airline tickets, without one), they also have the potential to create debt problems.

Because payments can be stretched far into the future, overspending on credit can create an illusion of wealth. Paying off the balance each month is the best way to control credit.

Plan Now for the Future Remember, the funds you accumulate during your working years will likely be your primary source of retirement income.

Although no one knows

what the future will bring, a little discipline and common sense over time can help you better manage your current and future financial affairs.

Prepared by MetLife Delivered courtesy of Wayne Kuykendall, Financial Services Representative Strategic Financial Partners, an office of MetLife For more information on the financial, risk and wealth management strategies that Wayne Kuykendall provides, please contact him at 256-777-4524, wayne.d.kuykendall@ strategicfinancialpartners.com, or 105 South Marion Street, Suite 202, Athens, AL 35611.

holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

The MetLife Premier Client Group is a distribution channel of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), New York, NY 10166. Securities and investment advisory services offered through MetLife Securities, Inc. (MSI) (member FINRA/ SIPC) and a registered investment adviser, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. MLIC and MSI are MetLife companies.

Pursuant to IRS Circular 230, MetLife is providing you with the following notification: The information contained in this brochure is not intended to (and cannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties.You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and not intended as specific advice. Neither MetLife nor its representatives are engaged in rendering tax, accounting or legal advice. A qualified professional should be consulted regarding the effect of such considerations on the matters covered in this publication.

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Medical Update

Lyme Disease

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN

It’s that time of year again: Spring! The trees are budding, the flowers blooming, and the warm sunshine beckons us out of our homes. Though we did have some bitterly cold days this winter, it was relatively mild, all things considered. Many people count that a blessing; however it does pose a potential problem. Usually, winter is a time when pests and bugs are killed off. With the warmer temperatures we enjoyed may come the unintended consequences of having to deal with more mosquitos, ticks and other such pests.

According to Yale educated midwife-turned-doctor Aviva Romm, “Lyme disease is no longer a rare condition affecting people who live out in rural Conneticut (Lyme disease originated in Lyme, CT); it’s something we all need to think about if we spend any time outdoors, have pets, or even if you or your kids just play in your suburban front yard.”

The Center for Disease Control statistics indicate that reported and con-

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firmed cases of Lyme’s are increasing rather than decreasing, to the tune of 320%, mostly in the Northeast. But, there are also increases in numbers in other geographic regions.

In the last few years, at least two people that I care deeply about have been diagnosed with Lyme’s, one in Florida, and the other right here in Alabama.

The best treatment for any disease is prevention, and Lyme’s is no different.

Tips For Prevention: •Keep grass cut around your home

short

•Treat pets for ticks •Tuck pant legs into socks when hiking •Wear long sleeves •Do thorough tick checks on a daily basis if you are outside •The use of essential oils like peppermint may help deter ticks

them) •If the tick has latched, remove it by grabbing with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up with firm but gentle pressure.

Twisting can leave fragments under the skin, setting you up for infection. Likewise, squeezing, puncturing, or crushing the tick can allow potentially infected fluids into the skin or bloodstream. Afterward, disinfect the skin with either rubbing alcohol and/or soapy water.

•If you have to remove a tick, observe the area around the bite for at least 30 days for the classic bulls eye rash that most often accompanies Lyme’s.

What To Do If You Find A Tick:

•Removing the tick before the first 48 hours after a bite may be key in preventing the transmission of Lyme’s.

•If you find it crawling before it has bitten, flush it down the toilet or destroy it by some other means (as a child, my grandmother preferred burning

As many as 50% of people never develop the rash, and some don’t even realize that they’ve been bitten. Other symptoms of Lyme’s include fever,

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headaches, body aches, and increased aching in the joints. Traditional Western medicine prefers to treat tick bites of potentially infected persons with a course of Doxycycline, an antibiotic. Some people respond well, while others do not. Talk with your healthcare professional to determine what will work best for you.

A percentage of the population may also struggle with what’s known as Chronic Lyme’s, which occurs when it is not promptly diagnosed and treated.

It is difficult to diagnose at this point because it manifests in so many different ways, effectively sending the clinician on a “wild goose chase” to expose the true problem. The spirochetes can “go into hiding” in various parts

of the body, lingering for weeks, months, or even years. These patients may experience a wide range of symptoms including numbness in the fingers or toes, problems with digestion, circulation, the reproductive system, the central nervous system (brain, nerves, and spinal cord) and the skin.

A few alternatives to antibiotic therapy for Lyme’s Disease include herbal therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, nutrition therapy, infrared sauna, and the “Rife machine” which uses frequencies matched to those of the microbe that vibrate it until it falls apart.

Enjoy your time outside, but remember to keep an eye out for ticks, preventing this potentially devastating disease.

March 18 - March 31, 2016

Foreman’s Forum

Are You Safe In Church?

by Paul Foreman

As any good preacher knows, sometimes you got to step on peoples’ toes.

No offense is meant, and I hope none is taken. I have been told, “Paul, you are an EXHORTER.” I looked that up. Dictionary.com says exhort means “to urge, give advice, or caution earnestly, admonish urgently.”

I exhort you who attend church, and especially Pastors, Priests, Rabbis and church administrators to take note: crimes can and do occur in churches. You can take actions to make your church safer.

Right here in Alabama, there have been crimes, even murders, committed in church on Sunday mornings. Some might say, “Paul, you are going to make people afraid to go to church!” I drove past the bank today, you know, the one which got robbed a couple of weeks ago. There were plenty of cars in the parking lot, people coming and going in and out of the bank. There sure did not seem to be any shortage of customers, even after the robbery.

I called it “The Prime Directive: Observe, Deter and Report.” I assigned men to watch over the children’s areas, entrances, and parking lots. They were instructed to keep a low profile. The security team was to look and act like a welcome team of greeters, not guards. Procedures were set in place to especially safeguard the nursery and pre-school age kids. There is not room here to cover the dozens of abduction cases I read about occurring across the country. I told the volunteer security team, “You might never know what dangerous event you prevented just by being there, standing by the entrance of the nursery area.”

In another state, a woman with obvious mental issues went into a church nursery saying she was there to pick up little Johnny.

The staff refused to give up the child, and escorted

the lady from the building.

Local police were given a description of her, as well as her car’s tag number. A few minutes later, she tried at another church, but got the same reaction. At the third nursery, she walked right in, picked up a little one year old, and left. Minutes later, the real mother arrived, and they realized the horror of what had just happened. But, due to the well trained security teams at the two previous churches, the child was rescued fifteen minutes after the abduction occurred.

There was some opposition from a few church members. “Don’t you believe God will protect us?”

There is a very “real to life” cautionary tale of a flood victim. Rescue personnel were sent to evacuate people as the flood waters rose. One man refused to leave his home, saying, “God will take care of me.”

As the waters rose, he re-

treated to the roof. Rescue personnel came by in a boat trying to rescue him.

Then a helicopter was sent.

Each time he refused rescue, saying, “God will take care of me.” Well, the man drowned and went to Heaven. St Peter met him at the pearly gates. The man asked St Peter, “What happened? I thought God would save me from the flood!” St. Peter answered saying, “We did try to save you. We sent an evacuation team. We sent a boat and a helicopter. You refused our help each time!”

Just this month in Idaho, a pastor was shot. Pastors have been killed by exhusbands and jealous boyfriends. Members of the choir have returned to the practice room to discover all the women’s purses missing. Deacons have been accosted as they took up the offering. Cars have been burglarized during church services. How long do we wait before some terrorist

walks into a church service, here in America?

Should churches have an armed volunteer security team? If you do consider arming your security team, PLEASE, get them trained properly. I am a Certified Firearms Instructor.

I exhort you, Pastors and church administrators, lease take steps to make your members safe and secure.

Isaiah 62:6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves

Paul Foreman Retired Deputy Sheriff, Lee County Florida NRA Certified Pistol Instructor.

Paul can be reached through e-Mail at Captureman@ PaulForeman.com or his website www.PaulForeman.com

I have had a number of experiences setting up church security ministries. Two different church administrations asked me to take on the task, and I commend them for their foresight and desire to maintain a safe church. We set schedules so that the volunteers would only need to serve once every 4- 5 weeks.

We were given radios, and I held training classes so the volunteers would know what was expected of them, and especially what their limitations were.

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