November 17, 2017

November 17th - November 30th, 2017

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Distinguished Israeli Leaders, Governor Ivey To Be Honored At 2017 Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala...

In 1943, both houses of the Alabama State Legislature made history by being the first to...

Page 5

Special Feature

Riff Raff Home DĂŠcor: Rustic Pine In A Reclaimed Building

By Ali Elizabeth Turner In 1928, a man by the name of L.C. Hightower purchased a piece of land on what is now the corner of Washington and Clinton in Athens. Back in the day, that was actually the intersection of Hwy 31 and Hwy 72, and the building that Continued on page 15

Grants provide funding for Athens Bicentennial Bash...

Planning a 200th birthday party takes more than a few party hats and a cake...

Page 7

Cooking with Anna Autumn Harvest Pasta Salad...

This is the time of year when everyone is looking for the perfect dish to take to all the holiday parties...

Page 13

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Traditions Senior Living: Your Values In A Beautiful Surrounding With A Dedicated Staff

By Ali Elizabeth Turner When Dana Hill was a kid in her native Russellville, Alabama, her favorite people in the world were her grandparents. Though much of their time in the summer was spent working in the garden, there was nowhere else she’d rather be than listening to her grandpa spin yarns while they

Continued on pages 17

www.athensnowal.com

Page 2

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Publisher’s Point

Nursing A Nudge

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt D. A. Slinkard Holly Hollman Paul Foreman Teresa Todd Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Jackie Warner John Buhler Deb Kitchenmaster Tim Lambert Rosemary Dewar Wanda Campbell

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . . 7 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . 10 PlayAction Sports . . . . . . . 11 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . . 19

Notice that the title of this piece is “Nursing A Nudge,” and not a grudge, and this is a story about what I have come to believe happens when we “get out of the sour and into the power.” Anyone in business knows that there are times when things just go south—deadlines don’t get met; clients cancel; team members are MIA; Charter/Spectrum gets attacked either by a solar flare, the Russians, the Norks, the Chinese, or all of them; and the “comms” are dead in the water for the day, as was the case on Tuesday. No question, Athens Now was officially behind the 8 ball.

Sometimes these kinds of circumstances converge into a perfect storm, and this publication cycle was threatening to do just that.

Now for the disclaimer: If you are a client who had to cancel this week, you have already talked to me, and I know that these were circumstances beyond your control. I am not here to “guilt” you, I am simply using this to illustrate my most recent adventure with the Lord in the Land of Athens Now. Tuesday the 14th was one of my favorite

Horse Whispering . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Medical Point . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

November 17 - November 30, 2017

events of the month, the Chamber of Commerce Coffee. Various businesses sponsor breakfasts, we meet all over town, and it is a great way to network. The energy is always good, and 99% of the time it serves to give me that nudge that inspires me to cross the finish line of a publication cycle.

However, I’ll be honest, I was just feeling sour

we went to print.

The time came in the order of Tuesday morning’s events when Chamber Director Jennifer Williamson invited people who were attending for the first time to introduce themselves, and Dana Hill, Executive Director of Traditions Senior Living, did so.

She was delightful, and I decided to take a chance and ask if she would be

sult is what you see on the front cover, and I am forever glad I didn’t buy a first class one-way ticket to “Self Pity City via Whiney Airlines.”

What was waiting for me in the course of our interview later Tuesday afternoon was a tour of a brand new facility with the chance to play a beautiful piano and the invitation to come play that same piano anytime I wanted to, meet lovely people old and young, pray with a woman whose sons had been in Iraq, meet a nurse whom I would trust caring for my own mother, make a new friend, see amazing photos of Athens, and leave with a profound sense of gratitude.

What if I had “nursed the grudge, and not the nudge?” What would I have missed out on? As we enjoy our Thanksgiving holiday in 2017, let’s choose to get better at “the nudges,” and 86 (get rid of, be out of) the grudges. God bless you all abundantly!

and sorry for myself, and I seriously thought of slippin’ out the back, Jack, and trying to figure out what I was going to do to pull together what seemed like a total tangle of loose ends before

interested in doing an article. I thought to myself, “The worst she can say is, No.” Still feeling a bit cynical, I pushed through my fears, and went over and introduced myself. The re-

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

athensnowal.com www.athensnowal.com

Page 3

All Things Soldier

The Science of Celebration And Struggle

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Hardly a day goes by without me talking, thinking, or reading about neuroscience, the relatively new and ever-burgeoning study of everything squishy residing between our ears. It has become my passion, along with helping people build every aspect of their health, and the more I learn, the more I understand myself and others, particularly soldiers. It is because of the understanding of neuroplasticity, the fact that we can literally, physically change our brains for the better, that I have more hope than ever for PTSD sufferers, particularly those who have seen combat. And, the great gift is, that if it was the battlefields of Omaha Beach, Korea, Vietnam, the

Balkans or the Middle East wars, it doesn’t matter, you can still grow a new brain and recover from whatever you have seen or done. You can also stop apologizing for missing the fellow soldiers with whom you experienced what have come to be called “high-ordeal moments.”

There has been a recent discovery that has added a positive new twist on what makes our “fearfully and wonderfully made” brains all the more so, and it is right on time for the holidays.

This understanding has explained some things to me about my own brain, and by extension I am hoping it will help those who have served as well as their families dur-

ing this holiday season.

By way of explanation, I devoted an entire chapter in my book, A Ballad For Baghdad, to a discussion on celebrating holidays in a combat zone. The chapter is called “Have Yourself A

Merry Little…” and in it I clumsily try to explain why the holidays I celebrated in Iraq between 2004-2007 are my all-time favorites. In no way do I mean that I would trade them for holidays with my family, it’s just that now I have learned that there was something extra physically going on in my brain while in-theatre, and beginning to explore it has made me much more comfortable inside my own skin…and brain.

It turns out that there are several factors that go into making memories, and it is the combination of celebration as well as struggle, and the neuro-chemicals of both when combined with the electrical system in our brains that make the most powerful memories and bonds. It is explained in more detail in a book written by Chip and Dan Heath entitled, The Power Of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact. You might want to put this on your wish or gift list.

We all remember things that are peak events, such as our wedding day or the births of our children. We also remember pushing through

Page 4

www.athensnowal.com

that last barrier, whether it was the end zone, the long bomb basket with no time on the clock, breaking the tape or hitting “send” as we uploaded our last assignment. What happens is that in a combat zone people are often times intensely experiencing both things at the same time, and the brain is treated to a double dose of chemicals that serve to create the “Band of Brothers.”

If spouses and family members can get comfortable with the fact that their loved ones’ brains were bathed in creative juices that were designed by their Maker to help and not harm, to inspire and not isolate, then the jealousy that oftentimes hits those who “weren’t there” can be redirected in to understanding as well as building a whole new and unique set of memories. Eric Barker puts it this way:

“Anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas found that groups that went through "highordeals" bonded far more than those that went through "low-ordeals." Struggling together made people closer.

This is why fraternities haze.

Why soldiers feel like they are kin.”

I used to feel a little crazy or guilty for wishing I could be teleported for a few hours each holiday back into the Great Sandbox, but not anymore. Now I know that my brain was doing exactly what it was designed to do by the One who loves me the most, and I am grateful to the Heath boys for telling me why. Happy Thanksgiving, and may your holidays and your brains be immersed in healing, gratitude, and true Light.

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Special Feature

Distinguished Israeli Leaders, Governor Ivey To Be Honored At 2017 Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala

by John Buhler In 1943, both houses of the Alabama State Legislature made history by being the first to call for the formation of the State of Israel.

This was two years before the end of WWII, the liberation of the death camps, as well as the full understanding of what had happened under Adolph Hitler’s Final Solution. For reasons that many feel could only be described as biblical, our state led the charge by unanimously passing the handwritten proposal into law.

That was the beginning of a long and strong relationship with our most ardent ally, and our unique bond is something both states enjoy celebrating to this day.

and creative leadership schools, with a board of directors which includes some of Israel's most distinguished leaders across a variety of disciplines. There will also be a special commemorative presentation honoring the Consul General of Israel to Alabama, Lior Haiat.

The Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, will be honored as the recipient of the 2017 Israel Leadership Award 2017. Israeli BG Gal Hirsch ship and dedication to this historic relationship. As governor, she has carried on that legacy signing a Statement Against Anti-Israel Bias and issuing a Proclamation Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem.

The Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) will be hosting several distinguished leaders from Israel for a special Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala in North Alabama on Saturday, November 18th 2017, at 7 p.m. at the Epicenter in Tanner. Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is a leading expert in counter-terrorism and one of Israel’s most decorated heroes. Mr. Eeki Elner is the founder of the Israel Leadership Institute in Sderot-Israel.

The evening will honor leadership and celebrate friendship between Alabama and Israel during this 50th Anniversary and Jubilee of the Reunification of Jerusalem. It will include the Israel Leadership Award ceremony and presentation from the Steering Committee and Board of Directors of the Israel Leadership Institute (ILI). The ILI is one of Israel's truly advanced

The Gala is a charitable benefit for the AlabamaIsrael Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (EPDR) initiative with the Israel Leadership Institute in Sderot. Through AITF’s partnership, ILI was able to launch an 18-month leadership training earlier this year in Kiryat Shmona (Israel) at the request of their Mayor.

The 1943 bill passed unanimously by the State of Alabama calling for the formation of the State of Israel

will present the award personally. The Alabama-Israel Task Force had nominated Governor Ivey for consideration having witnessed firsthand her exceptional work and leadership on behalf of the Alabama-Israel relationship. As Lt. Governor and

November 17 - November 30, 2017

In addition to the governor, Israeli Consul General, and special guests from Israel, U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy and Kayla Moore are

joining us at the Gala, our host district U.S. Congressman Mo and Mrs. Martha Brooks (AL-05) will be attending, and we have secured personal video greetings to the Gala from the Mayor of Jerusalem. We are in the process of securing a personal video greeting from the Speaker of the Knesset (Israel’s National Parliament).

The Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) seeks to provide a bridge and catalyst for broader cooperative efforts and help cultivate an even stronger and expanding state-to-state relationship between Alabama and Israel for the mutual benefit of their people. For information on the Task Force or the Gala, visit: www.AITFWeb.org

President of the Senate, her strong keynote at a statewide gathering, her invitation to the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset to address a Joint Session of the Legislature, and her support of anti-BDS resolution and legislation, have been a testament to her leader-

www.athensnowal.com

Page 5

Calendar of Events Alabama-Israel Leadership Gala 2017 Nov 18th

Premier Women's Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month

Alabama-Israel Task Force (AITF) and the Israel Leadership Institute (ILI) cordially invite you to a special Gala event celebrating friendship and honoring leadership during the 50th anniversary and Jubilee of the reunification of Jerusalem. Tickets: $100.00 each. https://www.facebook.com/events/858935204281490

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

Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet Nov 20th

SilverSneaker™ Stability class Every Thursday

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

Christmas Open House and Merry Market Nov 17th - 19th

Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning. 121 South Marion Street in downtown Athens. Ice Skating Rink, special sales, and more. For more information and small business opportunities: info@TourAthens.com

Athens City School Foundation in the Ballroom of Sandridge Student Center at Athens State University. 300 North Beaty Street in Athens. 6:00PM-9:00PM. The banquet will honor the Teacher of the Year for each city school and the District Teacher of the Year will be announced.

Santa at Oak Grove-Thach Fire Department Nov 25th

With Southern Exposure Photography. 26850 Thach Road in Athens. 10:00AM-2:00PM. Come visit with Santa and help out your local fire department. Southern Exposure Photography will be providing professional photography with a Christmas backdrop OR with Santa in front of the fire truck! There will be a $5.00 4"x6" take home print along with professional packages available for purchase.

Town of Ardmore Lighting at the Park Nov 30th

1st Avenue and Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore, AL. 6:00PM. The switch will be flipped and the lights of the Christmas Trees in the park will twinkle.

4th Annual Rivalry Run 5K Nov 18

7th Annual Bells of Christmas Holiday Home Tour Dec 10th

Starting at 8 am. The website to sign up is rivalryrun5k.itsyourrace.com and registration is $25.

Chicken Stew Fundraiser Nov 18th

Walnut Grove Community Church at the Owens Community Center. 20011 AL-99 in Owens, northwest of Athens. 10:00AM2:00PM. Don't forget your wallet or you might miss out on the bake sale and silent auction. ​Bowl with drink and dessert $5.00; quart $6.00; gallon $20.00

Treats & Eats Craft Fair Nov 18th

Mays Memorial Baptist Church. 23636 AL-251 in Toney.

10:00AM-2:00PM. Featuring hand-made gifts and more.

Page 6

Hosted by Athens Ladies Civitan. Sunday, December 10, 1-5 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Friday, November 17 at Crawford’s Gifts, Pimentos, Pam’s Home Furnishings, Class Act Hair Salon, First National Bank (Hwy 72) and Kathleen’s Corner Hair Salon. On the tour will be homes of Mary Nelle Clem, Jim and Sherry Johnson (former home of Steve Hill), Mary Winn and Melvin and Vicki Workman. Also on the tour will be a portion of The Warten Bed and Breakfast (former home of Jimmy and Kitty Greenhaw) and Little Pink Houses (a farm house rental and Southern produce market). Caterers for the event are Food Fite, C & A Catering, Sweet Thymes, and Honeysuckle Café.

Proceeds support programs for special needs children and adult of Limestone County. Tickets $15 in advance , $20 at the door.

For information, call Carolyn Stair at 256-658-1985 or Carol Malone at 256-777-2918.

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Special Feature

Grants provide funding for Athens Bicentennial Bash

by Holly Hollman Planning a 200th birthday party takes more than a few party hats and a cake.

The City of Athens is developing plans to recreate Trade Day on The Square to celebrate its 200 years of history.

The Athens Bicentennial Bash will be Nov. 17, 2018, on The Square.

Athens turns 200 before the State of Alabama celebrates its bicentennial in 2019.

For the city’s party, Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis had the idea of recreating Trade Day, when people flocked to downtown for a drawing to win a vehicle. There is a historic photograph of the event that shows mainly men in hats filling the streets of downtown.

“The plan is to recreate the photo with men,

women and children and give away a vehicle to reenact a part of our history,” said Athens Bicentennial Bash Committee Chair Holly Hollman.

The bash will be in conjunction with Christmas Open House. The Athens High School Choir has agreed to sing “Happy Birthday” to the city, and Mayor Ronnie Marks has asked the committee to provide 200 cupcakes in lieu of one large birthday cake. The committee is working on other activities as well.

Sen. Arthur Orr with the Alabama Bicentennial Commission recently presented the City of Athens with a $2,500 grant to fund marketing and celebrating the Athens Bicentennial Bash.

Rep. Danny Crawford added a $1,000 community grant toward the event.

November 17 - November 30, 2017

City of Athens Communication Specialist Holly Hollman and Senator Arthur Orr

“The City of Athens appreciates the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, Sen. Orr, and Rep. Crawford recognizing that by celebrating the history of Athens, we are also celebrating the

www.athensnowal.com

state’s history and our city’s role in that history,” Hollman said.

In addition to Davis, Hollman has asked the Limestone County Bicentennial Committee Chairs, Tourism Director Teresa Todd, and Limestone County Communications Coordinator Michelle Williamson, to assist in the planning process. She has also asked Trisha Black, who volunteers on the Athens Arts League Board, and

Leah Beth McNutt, who works with the AthensLimestone Hospital Foundation, to assist.

The Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission will participate, and their input helps to encourage youth to engage in learning about their city’s history. Some Youth Commissioners have already created videos highlighting aspects of the city as part of the bicentennial celebration.

Page 7

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Gittin’ ‘Er Dun

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted a few days before Mayor Ronnie had surgery, and he is recovering well.

“Well,” said Mayor Ronnie, “In a few days I am finally going to have a battle scar.” It’s typical for him to look for the humor in most things, so we exchanged chuckles with quips such as “spilling your guts” or “You’re getting drawn and quartered.”

But when it comes to dealing with unwelcome growths, it’s just best to “git ‘er dun.” A while back he had gone in for a routine exam, and the doc said that the next step was going to have to be a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy showed a 3”-4” tumor that needed to come out immediately, and the surgery was scheduled to be done at Athens-Limestone Hospital. “Thank God they

to let the mayor fully rest while he recovers.

From Mayor Ronnie Marks and the City of Athens found this, and thank God I am going to be good as new. The doctors say that I am going to need about 2-3 weeks recovery time, and my 1944 Chevy body is going to be back on the road.” The mayor said that there was no indication beforehand that the tumor was cancerous, and mentioned again the

importance of self-care, a topic that understandably was on his mind on a number of fronts. “Us guys are just the worst in the world about this kind of stuff,” he said.

Continuing on the subject of care, Mayor Ronnie said, “The City of Athens is in good hands, and so am I.” He explained that the depart-

ment heads will continue to be in charge of their respective teams, and that Annette Barnes Threet will be fielding messages. Mayor Ronnie smiled and said, “I only live 5 blocks away.

They know where to find me if they need me.” City Council will continue to function as usual, and everyone is determined

Mayor Ronnie had just been at a strategic planning conference for North Alabama which had been held at Redstone Arsenal. “Our area has grown 15.9%.

There are new industries courting us, and new retail projects to be located out by the interstate,” he said. Mayor Ronnie had also just attended a waste water conference and said, “You’ll get stopped up if you don’t take care of yourself, and that goes for the city.”

The mayor also mentioned that it had just been decided to have City Councilman Frank Travis be the director for the 2018 Poke Sallet Follies, which will coincide with our bi-centennial celebration. “It’s a huge job, and we are glad he is willing and able to take it on.” For several years, Poke Sallet was directed by the late Jackie Greenhaw, who passed away in June, and those are some tough shoes to fill.

Frank certainly has the experience and will do a beautiful job.

It was time to pray, and pray we did. I was struck with just how dependent we all are upon the grace of God for everything, and how fragile life is.

But, the mayor was confident, as was I, that all would be well, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll before he got rolled on in to the operating room to “git ‘er dun.”

Page 8

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Slinkard On Success

Stop With Meaningless Participation Awards... Seriously

by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store When I was a kid if you were a loser you knew it. If it was sports and the other team won, you watched in agony as the team received their trophy for being the best of the best! You were envious with the hardware they would be taking home as you left empty-handed.

In school when it came to the art contests, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I had no ribbon indicating a first, second or third place. In fact, my artwork was not deemed worthy of any kind of ribbon.

Yet, we live in a society today that is quick to hand out participation awards.

That’s right; we have taught our kids today that just showing up and not being the best is worthy enough to receive a piece of paper telling how great you were because you participated. I cannot help but chuckle when I think about the future generations of weak sissies we are raising up. Recently my girls were in a birdhouse making contest, and keep in mind they are ten and twelve years old. Now their birdhouses looked like they were made by a ten-year-old and a twelveyear-old, and they did not place in the contest. What excites me though is how disturbed they were when they each received a participation award for entering the contest.

need to be taught to be selfmotivating, goal-oriented individuals who are able to self-sustain for their own good. Parents, please allow your children to learn from youthful mistakes; you do not always have to swoop in to save the day for them.

Believe me, if you keep doing it, then your children are going to continue to rely on you well past the age you intended.

raising up a generation of people who feel entitled to everything in life. To reach success in life, every child on the face of the planet needs to be taught that they will need to work hard for the success they want. No one is going to just give them their dream home, their dream car, etc.; yet, too many parents are teaching their kids not to worry about the messes they (the kids) make because their parents will clean it up for them.

What are we teaching our children? We are teaching them that no matter the outcome, they are winners in life, when in reality they are far from winning at times. I am all about positive thinking, but we have many people who are beyond positive, and they have become delusional by making everyone feel more like winners and less like losers. These children who go about life thinking they are winners, are faced with the harsh reality that they need to produce more effort if they are going to achieve success.

Instead of increasing their actions, they buckle because they do not know how to handle the pressures of life. Their entire

life they have been lied to because people told them they were winners when in fact they were losers. How do we overcome this? We must first start being honest with ourselves and our children. We can no longer lie to our loved ones and pretend they are doing a good job when in actuality they are not measuring up. We are too worried about hurting their feelings, when all we are doing is prolonging the hurt until they are older and life smacks them right in the face.

teen to twenty years when these participation award recipients find out that life does not give out imaginary awards for lackluster results? We have to instill a competitiveness in our children, our grandchildren, now. We cannot wait. They

I write this article because we need to work on the mindset of tomorrow’s leaders. A failure to do so not only hinders ourselves but more importantly limits the ability of our children to become great leaders. People complain about the direction we are headed, but who is to blame?

We enable this destructive behavior when we should be teaching our youth that participating does not make you worthy of a trophy, no matter how special you think you should feel.

What is the world going to be like in the next fif-

It gets me excited because if more adults thought the same way my two children do, then we might be able to raise up a society of doit-yourselfers instead of

November 17 - November 30, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 9

Tourism

Holiday Happenings

by Cayce Lee Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association ‘Tis the season to be jolly…well, first because Thanksgiving is almost here, but also because we have several Christmas season events on the calendar.

bring family and friends to visit the park and stroll through the beautifully decorated trees and Christmas scenes from December 1-30. For more info call 256-232-5411

On December 1, the Athens-Limestone Public Library Foundation will be hosting a Christmas Soiree at the home of Monya and Mitch Claborn (1808 Lindsay Lane South in Athens) starting at 6:00 p.m.

Admission is $75.00 for this exclusive event.

Tickets are limited and will be on sale at the Library (603 South Jefferson Street in Athens) or online at ALCPLFoundation.org

Christmas Then and Now at Calvary Epicenter (4839 Calvary Boulevard in Tanner) will be December 1-3. Come experience the magic of "Now" and the majesty of "Then!" For over 20 years people from all across North Alabama and the surrounding areas have counted Christmas Now & Then as one of their

T e F c s l w d c f t t y

F

favorite family traditions.

For tickets and info look for the link on our website events page at visitathensal.com.

A popular event is the Athens North Pole Stroll, which is a display of live cut Christmas Trees located in the Big Spring Memorial Park (AKA ‘the Duck Pond’ at 100 North Beaty Street). Make plans to

ing the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, please visit our website at visitathensal.com or our Facebook page.

Christmas parades are as

follows: Elkmont, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m.; Ardmore, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.; Athens, Dec.7 at 6:30 For info on these and many other events dur-

Page 10

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017

I s t t w a L s s h G w h 1 C G o C a a D i i E b C s o t a c d 1 ( ( 2 w a w r

PlayAction Sports

Fall Door Closes, Winter Window Opens for Local Competitors

by Tim Lambert

Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net!

email: playactionsports@hotmail.com The fall season has all but ended for our local sports.

Football, volleyball, and cross country are over and swimming is entering its last laps. But, as the saying goes, where a door closes, a window opens and such is the case with the transition from fall to winter sports. Before that door closes entirely, though, here’s a recap of what you might have missed:

with a 41-6 loss. East Limestone’s close losses to Russellville (17-13) and Brooks (21-14) denied the Indians a playoff spot. West Limestone was another 1-2 team down the stretch, with a 26-6 win over Central-Florence, a 2014 loss at Deshler and the defeat at Ardmore. The Wildcats set a school record for consecutive playoff appear-

out by Cold Springs, Elkmont was topped by Holly Pond, and Ardmore had a seasonending meeting with Mortimer Jordan. East Limestone got past Hayden before losing to Arab, and James Clemens was knocked off by Hoover.

Athens Bible School made it as far as the state semi-finals, defeating Isabella in the quarterfinals and falling to even-

Athens boys finished fourth.

In 7A, the James Clemens girls came in third while the Jets were fifth. Elkmont's Chase Prater finished third in 3A boys at the state meet, West Limestone's Cassidy Winter placed fourth in 4A girls; the Lady Wildcats came in fifth as a team. The James Clemens girls were tenth in 7A.

fifth and ninth at Bob Jones, third and sixth at Cullman, and both were seventh at the second Jets Invitational.

Odds and Ends

The North Alabama Flames basketball team is trying to raise money to help with their expenses as they compete in the National Powerade Platform Circuit. The goal is to raise $10,000 by March 2018.

Football In their last games of the season, Ardmore fell 55-14 to Mae Jemison and 44-6 to Russellville. The Tigers wrapped up their season on a high note, stunning West Limestone 34-14. Athens started their last three regular season games with a 29-12 home victory against Hazel Green, then followed that up with a 69-28 defeat at the hands of Austin and a 2315 loss to Huntsville. ClayChalkville put a stop to the Golden Eagles’ year in round one of the 6A playoffs, 28-0.

Clements had two shutouts against East Lawrence (17-0) and Elkmont (7-0, in the Red Devils’ last game) before being edged by St. John Paul II in their season finale, 16-13.

Elkmont was also defeated

by West Morgan 46-9. James Clemens wrapped up their season with a 33-7 victory over Buckhorn and two losses to Hewitt-Trussville (44-13) and Austin (28-14). Tanner closed out their regular slate defeating Cold Springs (2814) and falling to Falkville (20-16) and East Limestone (49-6), but sneaked into the 2A playoffs thanks to early wins against West Limestone and West End. The Rattlers went to Lanett for playoff round one and returned home

Mario Turner and Austin Harvell of the North Alabama Flames ances (three), but couldn’t make it past the first round after stumbling at Fayette County, 21-12.

Volleyball Athens Bible School, Elkmont, Ardmore, East Limestone, and James Clemens all made it through their area tournaments and advanced to super regional action. There, the Lady Trojans turned away Coosa Christian and punched their ticket to the state tournament with a win over Faith Christian. A loss to Meek put them in the third-place game where they eliminated Decatur Heritage. Tanner was shut

November 17 - November 30, 2017

tual state champ Addison.

In sectional cross-country meets, the ABS girls were first in 1A-2A; the Trojans came in second. Tanner's boys were fifth. East Limestone and Ardmore came in sixth and eighth in 5A boys with the Lady Tigers posting a sixth place. The Elkmont and Clements boys finished second and seventh at their 3A meet; the Lady Red Devils and Lady Colts were fifth and sixth respectively. West Limestone's girls led the pack in 4A while the Wildcats placed fifth. The Athens High girls were third in 6A; the

www.athensnowal.com

Swimming James Clemens’ girls won the Bob Jones Invitational while the boys’ team came in second. Both teams also took first places at the Cullman Bearcat Invitational, at two of their own invitationals and at the SportsMed North Alabama Championships.

Athens girls and boys placed

Donations may be made by going to www.YouCaring. com/NorthAlabamaFlames.

Listen to play-by-play of Limestone County basketball this season online at www. pasnetwork.net or download the PlayAction Sports app.

Android and iOS links are on the website. A schedule of games is there, too.

Page 11

Clean and Green

Help KALB Keep Community Recycling Collection Centers Available to Everyone

by Lynne Hart Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful For many years our recycling center has worked with the Limestone County Commission to place large green recycling trailers in strategic locations throughout Limestone County. We are happy to report that cardboard collection trailers have been added to most locations.

Ruby McCartney, Plant Manager of our Recycling Center, and center staff work hard to ensure that these collection centers are serviced week-

•Do not dump materials the center does not accept. When time has to be taken to clean up roofing shingles, mattresses, and other household junk, time and funds are wasted.

The recycling center must haul these items back and place them in their dumpster, which is not free. The center must pay every time their dumpster is emptied.

The county does not pick up the trash left at the trailers, so it becomes the task of our employees.

and are serviced by the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center on a continual basis.

•Athens Bible School •East Limestone High School •Cedar Hill Elementary •East Limestone High School •Owens Elementary •West Limestone High School •Elkmont High School

Illegal dumping of shingles and other trash found at a Community Collection Center recently. This is costly to the Recycling Center and may cause removal of recycling trailers from locations where this is a continuing problem Books

rials on a DAILY BASIS:

•Cardboard (please flatten to save space)

•Electronics (during business hours – TVs $10 each))

Books/Phone (shredded OK)

Limestone County Community Collection Centers are available throughout Limestone County ly. When staff have to take the time to clean up dumped materials or rush out to service a trailer that has been reported as overflowing when it’s not, time is wasted and precious funds spent. Here are just a few things the center staff would like you to know: •If one section of the trailer is full, check the other side. Often staff come to service a trailer and find one side overfilled with bags left on the ground, only to find that the section for this material on the opposite side of the trailer is nearly empty.

Page 12

Please know that the schools can tell us at any time they no longer wish to have our trailers on their property.

If the dumping continues (as seen in photos), then some of the county community recycling centers may have to be removed. Please don’t dump, and if you see it happening, report it. Please help us keep these community collection centers open for you.

TRAILER LOCATIONS Recycling trailers located at the following locations are for community use

•Johnson Elementary •Clements High School •Ardmore High School •Ardmore Police Station (no cardboard trailer) •Piney Chapel Elementary ITEMS ACCEPTED AT TRAILERS •Aluminum Cans

Smaller Trailers are located at: •Bay Hill Marina (no cardboard) •Little Elk Missionary Baptist Church (no cardboard) Our Athens-Limestone Recycling Center located at 15896 Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens, accepts all of the above-mentioned items as well as the following mate-

•Used motor oil •Used cooking oil It is our mission to provide convenient places for every resident in Limestone County to recycle. We are here to serve the Limestone County community, and with your help we will do just that for many years to come.

•Metal Cans •Plastic Bottles/Containers #1 and #2 only •Glass Jars/Bottles - all colors •Newspaper •Office OK) •Junk

Paper Mail,

(shredded Magazines,

www.athensnowal.com

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com November 17 - November 30, 2017

Cooking with Anna

Autumn Harvest Pasta Salad

by Anna Hamilton

This is the time of year when everyone is looking for the perfect dish to take to all the holiday parties. We all have been guilty of bringing the same old boring dish for every party. How many times can you actually bring a can of cranberry sauce before you stop being invited to dinner? This year be the star of the party, with this fresh and delish pasta salad.

This pasta salad is the perfect mix of sweet and savory for my family, but don’t be afraid to change up the ingredients to make it your own. Feel free to mix and match different ingredients to make the perfect pasta salad.

Try different shapes of pasta, different nuts, or different cheeses. For all you meat lovers, try adding some smoky bacon or diced turkey.

I hope you enjoy this pasta salad and it makes its debut on your holiday buffet. Happy Thanksgiving!

Autumn Harvest Pasta Salad

What You Need:

1 12 oz box pasta ½ cup red onion, diced ½ cup celery, diced 1 cup apple, diced ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled ½ cup walnuts, chopped ¼ cup to 1 cup poppy seed dressing November 17 - November 30, 2017

Directions: Combine all ingredients, except dressing, and toss to combine. Slowly add dressing until all ingredients are coated and the pasta salad is as “dressed” as you like. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

www.athensnowal.com

Page 13

The Millennial Mind

An Existential Surrender

by Rosemary Dewar Agreeing to a plan or arrangement with no consideration for the outcome is without a doubt unwise.

Our culture has adopted this post-modern habit of acquiescing to fatalistic ideas without calculating the cost of its affect on society. The religious community is just as responsible for perpetuating this frailty, as is the secular community.

Historically, an army would surrender on the grounds of mutual standards of engagement. The aim of surrendering without the hope of outliving the conflict while in the custody of your enemy is counterproductive. If there were no hope of survival, one would more likely choose to die fighting.

Therefore, the term “unconditional surrender,” as was used at the end of WWII, was agreed to with the hope that the conquered would be treated mercifully by the conqueror(s). Such was the

case with Germany and Japan, who are now thriving.

By contrast, the word “unconditional” is used rather flippantly in conjunction with the word “love.” Both the religious and secular communities are culpable for the irresponsible use of this concept. The Judeo-Christian model of God is that He simply does not change. Although God is not affected by the lack of adherence to His precepts by those who claim to follow Him, this does not correlate with the idea that what He offers is unconditional. God promises He will not change, and a follower agrees to obey based on this promise. I couldn’t conjure a more conditional relationship if I tried. When Evangelical Christians reduce the consciousness of redemption to “just a relationship,” they seem to ignore that relationships are also built on rules.

That is what a covenant is. If you are going to equate the

religious experience with a marriage covenant, you better be prepared to sacrifice much of yourself. It is anything but unconditional.

Once the weightiness of the religious experience is understood, it becomes easier to understand why intellectual secularists hesitate to entertain anything resembling a religious practice. Consciousness, whether one is a believer or a secularist must inevitably be sacrificed. In addition, true redemption can only occur when something dies in order for something untainted to take its place.

Can you imagine surrendering the very idea that defines you? It is a scary experience that can and will shake you to your core. Christian ideologues present it as a request when in reality, it is a command.

Once you give up a behavior that hurts you, it is imperative to adopt an ideology that will support and

reward the positive change.

The Judeo-Christian life unapologetically acknowledges that there are rules and even commands. They should not be seen as limitations of rewards, but support systems that make that reward easier to obtain.

Evangelical Christians assert that “the Law” is obsolete after salvation. I can’t think of a time you need elevated standards more than when you realize you either have low standards or you had no standards at all. What you do and how you act matters.

Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky presented in his The Brothers Karamazov that how you choose to live your life while interacting with society is more important than one’s ability to say

Page 14

www.athensnowal.com

they simply believe something on a spiritual or metaphysical plane. What one believes should and will have influence on the behavior that is exercised.

Reason ought to never be divorced from religious expression. Whenever it is, there is no active structure that produces valuable incentives. A relationship with a divine being is as conditional as a relationship would be with a friend, a brother, or a lover. Violation of that dependability has consequences. Be ready to reconcile those occurrences, because they are inevitable.

The law always kills something. It can either kill what harms you, or it will kill that which can save you.

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Cover Story

Riff Raff Home Décor: Rustic Pine In A Reclaimed Building

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

stands there is most definitely a part of our town’s “tale.” It has been the Wilson-White Chrysler Dealership; the Greyhound bus station, which offered food for travelers cooked in the Rebel Café; a print shop; and now is the new home of Riff Raff Furniture.

Riff Raff is owned by Joel Hamm, and started out in 2015 at one of the recently renovated shops on Market Street just east of the railroad tracks and north of the courthouse annex.

“We outgrew the building and needed parking,” Joel said as he discussed the details of the move to the “new old place.”

The new digs opened their doors in September, and the new location has turned out to

be conveniently accessible for people in Athens-Limestone, as well as folks from other areas.

The growing pains have been a blessing, and a building that stood empty for several years has been lovingly restored.

There are a number of features in the new location that go back to its roots and have been preserved, such as the place that served as the old ticket window. Speaking of roots, Joel spent 25 years in the family business at Champion Chevrolet, and his life-

long love affair with Chevy is manifested throughout the store with large, excellent, sepia-toned “old-timey” photos of Chevys of yore. In addition, Joel parks his Chevy truck outside to let people know that it’s okay to park there and come on in. “We are the only place in town that has covered parking,” Joel said, and that feature has certainly paid off when it’s stormy outside.

Riff Raff made its mark by offering solid mahogany and rustic pine furniture at a price that is affordable. “The majority of pieces are unique to North Alabama,” said Joel. The brand name is Bramble, and Riff Raff is one of a select few dealers of Bramble furniture in our area. While

I was in the shop, a woman from Florida came in and raved about seeing the Bramble line being carried here. The mahogany pieces come from Indonesia, and the rustic pine from Mexico. They also have custom wall art, old hymns preserved on genuine barn wood, “barrel bars,” and the largest maker of bar stools in America.

In the spring Riff Raff will be able to offer outdoor furniture and display it out in the covered area.

The barn look continues to be hot in the furniture world, and

November 17 - November 30, 2017

takes up the majority of the interior display space due to its popularity. “The custom dining sets are big sellers,” Joel said.

The farm tables can be ordered as small as 4’ in length on up to 8’, and they also have trestle tables. Bedroom suites continue to move quickly, and Joel keeps an extensive collection of catalogues for ordering “all things Bramble” in case what you are looking for is not out on the showroom floor.

Riff Raff will assist with interior design, and offers free delivery as well as help with assembly. They will custom distress your piece for you, and there are over 50 paint colors from which to choose. One of

the things that is very important to Joel and is virtually unheard of in the furniture business is “service after sale.” It makes good sense to check on your customers to make sure they are thrilled with their purchase, and as someone who has decorated his own home with his wares, Joel and his wife Sharma understand and respect the process of finding just the right piece.

If you look behind the counter to the left of Riff Raff’s entrance, you’ll see Joel’s electric guitar and speaker, which gets played when no one is in the shop, or perhaps by request.

www.athensnowal.com

Music is actually the inspiration for the title of the store.

When I interviewed Joel at the former location, I asked him about how he came up with the name “Riff-Raff” for a furniture store. He grinned and said, “I’ve played guitar all my life, and I named it after the AC/DC song from the ‘70s. It makes people curious.” If you are “curious” (and then some) about a trendy, beautifully-built line of furniture for which Riff Raff is the exclusive distributor in our area, you need to come see it in

the wonderfully re-purposed building located at 110 E Washington Street in Athens.

Riff Raff Home Décor

110 E Washington Street, Athens, AL 35611 Phone: 256-278-1977 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-4 www.riffraffhome decor.com Facebook: Riff Raff Home Décor Page 15

Health and Fitness

Misleading Labels On Foods

by Janet Hunt

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

The other day, I pulled out some small center cut pork chops for dinner. As I was cutting open the package, I started reading the nutrition label. The first thing I read was each serving was 140 calories. Since I am a calorie counter, I thought “wow – not bad.” Then I put my “let’s be real” hat on and took another look. The label said there were 8 servings in the container, but I saw only four small pork chops. This is a great example of misleading the consumer.

If the producer thought there was 8 servings, then each pork chop should be cut in half!

As an ACE Certified Health Coach, I teach Weight Management classes. One of the favorite class topics is on food labels. I am always amazed at how produc-

How about sea salt? I was recently at someone’s house and they were bragging that they only purchased sea salt. Why? It's a complete myth that sea salt is healthier than table salt. Both have the same amount sodium. Plus, table salt supplies iodine, a nutrient that's necessary for thyroid health—and sea salt does not. Choose sea salt if you like the coarse texture, not because it's "healthier" or more "natural."

ers and manufacturers mislead consumers and how many consumers do not read the labels thoroughly. Besides the pork chop package, let’s look a few other misleading labels.

Another good example related to serving size is pork and beans. On a regular 16 oz. can, the manufacturer claims the number of servings in the can is 3 ½. That is pretty darn small when you compare it to a serving size of beans at a typical BBQ restaurant. Be wary! You might need to do some math to get the real number of calories for what you are eating.

bel says whole wheat.

Heck! Old fashioned white bread is made with wheat flour. If the first, second or even third ingredient says “enriched” wheat flour, then you are getting duped if you are trying to eat healthy.

As I have said before: READ THE LABEL and DO YOUR RESEARCH! Manufacturers are in the business to sell you their products!

For more information on nutrition labels, contact Janet Hunt, ACE certified Health Coach at jhunt9155@gmail.com or a dietician.

How about “multigrain”? It means nothing!

You could stuff every grain in the world into a single loaf of bread—but if they're not whole grain, they're not worth your time. Dense multigrain breads are often packed with sugar.

Check the ingredients list for only whole grain flours and make sure there's less than 2 grams of sugar per slice.

Another is “wheat” bread. Again it means nothing unless the la-

Page 16

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Cover Story

Traditions Senior Living: Your Values In A Beautiful Surrounding With A Dedicated Staff

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

all shelled beans sitting in the swing under the old oak tree.

As her grandparents aged and needed help navigating life, Dana became their advocate.

She also became their caregiver, and told me that her grandparents’ journey is what caused her to realize her true calling. Being able to care for them was her joy and purpose, and it also made her wonder what life was like for seniors who had no one to look out for them.

Dana has spent several years in the senior care and assisted living field, and when the Executive Director Position at the lovely new Traditions L Senior Living facility on Hwy 72 near Lindsey Lane became available, she knew she was “home.” Traditions Senior Living, according to their COO Wes Bartlett, “was born out of a desire to create a truly unique living experience, shared equally by residents, families and employees. We chose the name Traditions purposefully as it creates a responsibility on our behalf to honor the values, culture and distinct characteristics of the local communities we serve. Our philosophy is simple--treat others with respect, know our residents and employees as individuals, and create unique living and working experiences that draw us closer and keep people coming back. Our goals are to have fulfilled and extremely happy residents, 100% satisfied families, longtenured staff, and a lot of fun along the way.” I know that the idea of “family” is bandied about a lot these days, but I knew that when Dana described the residents and staff as being family, she meant it.

I was taken on a tour, and one of the first things that “grabbed” me was the display

•Social, recreational, and educational programs •Dining hours meant to be conducive to resident’s schedules Breakfast is available 7 a.m.1 p.m., lunch is available 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and dinner is served between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., at the resident’s leisure •Transportation to local ap-

on the wall of some of the best historical pictures of life in old Athens that I have ever seen.

There is a gorgeous, sweeping staircase to the second floor, an elegant dining room, and a bistro with a fireplace where residents love to play cards, work puzzles or just visit. There are a number of comfortable common areas, as well as a private dining room, where families can celebrate a special occasion; a marvelous grand piano (which I had the pleasure to play); and a movie room decorated with old movie posters such as Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Gentleman’s Agreement. Movies are shown several times a week and church services are streamed on Sundays.

The apartments are beautiful and comfy, and are configured to be studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. There are also 12 independent-living patio homes, which are currently under construction.

These are expected to be ready

November 17 - November 30, 2017

for occupancy in February 2018. There is no longterm contract, and Tradition’s all-inclusive pricing takes the worry out of budgeting as care needs increase. With regard to the financial structure, there are no buy-in fees, longterm leases, or hidden costs. The monthly rental is based on the size of apartment selected and includes all utilities (except phone and cable), personal care and nursing services, activity programs, housekeeping, and maintenance. Here is a further description of some of the amenities offered by Traditions: •Private or semi-private rooms or suites •24-hour personal care available •Medication assistance is available •Assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, and personal hygiene

www.athensnowal.com

pointments, social events, and shopping •Laundry, linen, and light housekeeping services •Kitchen pantry, dining room, and lounge on each wing •Beauty salon and barber shop •Activity room, fitness room, and outdoor courtyards •On-site physical, occupational and speech therapy •Safety-monitoring systems in every room •24-hour nursing personnel on duty

One of the services that I found so comforting is the “philosophy,” if you will, toward doing laundry for the residents. Michelle, my tour guide told me that Traditions purposely chose not to get commercial washing machines and dryers so that doing laundry is done for each individual resident, in the manner that laundry is done in every home. “Every load is done separately, and clothing is never mixed. We also use Tide Pods because we want them to have the best,” she said. Interestingly, this is one of the things the residents appreciate the most.

Traditions has an activity schedule that is full and well-rounded. There are brain games, exercise classes, trips to the library, store, church, Wii games, a Book Club, crafts, movies, and the ever-popular bingo. All in all, it is a place that is an asset to our community and our families. Call today for a tour or to speak to a staff member to see if Traditions is right for you or your loved ones.

Traditions of Athens

22171 Traditions Way Athens, AL 35613 (256)444-3255 www.traditionsof athens.com Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

Travel Club

by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 The Center for Lifelong Learning is starting a Travel Club. To be a member you are required to attend at least two meetings a year and to keep your contact information up-to-date as long as you are a member. There is no fee for membership.

The Travel Club will meet three times a year to plan trips. You do not have to go on a trip; we will have a slide show of the tours at the next meeting. Travel Club members will get $10 off every local trip scheduled.

The first meeting of the Travel Club will be Monday, December 4, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at

the Center for Lifelong Learning. The meeting will be in the mezzanine upstairs.

Refreshments are available.

Travel Club membership is from January-December 2018. Plan to attend and bring your friend.

Don’t forget the deadline for going to the Gaylord’s Opryland Resort Trip on Friday, December 1 is November 20.

You still have time to sign up; there are four spaces left. The fee ($75/person) includes transportation, lunch and a ride through the 12 days of Christmas.

If you like to travel overseas, I hope you will join me for a trip to Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights, October 13-

19, 2018. The “land of fire and ice” is a place of many wonders, including the rare opportunity to see the spectacular aurora borealis – or northern lights. Travel to the “Golden Circle,” home to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. We will spend time seeing glaciers, volcanoes, Folk Art Museum, turf built homes, and floating icebergs. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Call Trish DiLullo at 256-233-8184 for more information.

The Center for Lifelong Learning is also looking for volunteers who might be interested in developing a Lifelong Learning Institute. The institute would include members,

ages 50 and up, who are interested in continuing their learning and perhaps teaching a course based on their hobby or special interest. Those who might be interested should call me at 256-233-8262. If we can get enough volunteers, we can get the institute started.

We will have many new classes for 2018 that you

might consider. If you are interested in what is happening in the world, you will enjoy Dessert and Discussion - Great Decisions. The discussion group will talk about several different topics – The Future of Europe; Trades, Jobs, and Politics; Conflict in the South China Sea; and Nuclear Security: The Enduring Challenge of Nuclear Weapons.

Watch for more about that in our catalog.

We will also be bringing back a favorite – Caring for Older Adults Series.

This time the classes will focus on Dementia/Alzheimer’s; Social Security, Estate Planning, and Medicare Rules. Watch for more about Caring for Older Adults in our catalog.

If you are not on our catalog list, you can always LIKE us on Facebook – Center for Lifelong Learning at Athens State University. We announce all our courses on this platform regularly. We are also on Instagram and Twitter and you can follow us at #CLL@ASU. Our winter/spring courses will start showing up on our website – www.athens. edu/cll - by December 1. You can check out the courses and register at the same time.

Page 18

www.athensnowal.com

R b o n f s T p t a a o v i d e a a

T a i F

A e s t k h w g r a h

If you don’t like doing web registration, you can always call us. Call us at 256-233-8260, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

T o m a t t t a b n n t a t b h

Never Stop Learning.

W

November 17 - November 30, 2017

The View From The Bridge

Listen To Your Body!

by Jackie Warner Jackie Warner

Career Development Facilitator “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

state ▪Meditate

Recently, I attended a brunch on breast and ovarian cancer awareness. It was an invitation from a friend who is a survivor of breast cancer.

The event was thought provoking and very intentional about women and their health. As I sat and listened to women on their journey battling various diseases sharing their most intimate details, and watched the expressions of others around me, it was truly an eye and mind opener.

▪Be still ▪Observe – Look at yourself without the clothes, makeup…

▪When eating, ask yourself, “Will this food sustain me or exhaust me?” Eat clean and local.

▪Think about what you need, not what you want ▪Trust your gut and intuition Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional

The speakers spoke about healthcare, screenings, diet, exercise... and FAITH. As each speaker presented and shared, I listened so intently on each word that was spoken, for I knew it was all from the heart - Women from all walks of life and backgrounds sitting in the room sharing what we all have in common - our health!

ies have a way of telling us what we need more or less of: ▪Start with faith and prayer for life’s jour-

ney

out the warning signs

▪Keep a Journal/ Write it down – date… what…when…how…

▪Exercise your body and your mind. Move from your current physical and mental

▪Don’t avoid or tune

Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: http://thebridgeus.yolasite.com/

The event was almost over and then came one more presenter. She was a nurse, and she gave us the simplest but most vital advice. She said “Listen to your body.” Stop and just listen to your body. It tells us what we need to hear, but we are not listening. We go to the doctor and expect a miracle, but we have to start listening to our bodies. No one else can hear or feel what you do.

When we listen, our bod-

November 17 - November 30, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 19

Horse Whispering

Wings And Roots

by Deb Kitchenmaster “We cannot solve the problems that we have created with the same thinking that created them.” Albert Einstein The year 2017 has been an unusual, out of the ordinary year for us here at Corral Connections. It’s not good or bad, simply different. People have cleared their calendars and made appointments to come from their home to ours, connect with a horse that brings them “home on the inside,” and return to their physical homes. What a blessed happening to eye witness!

One of my favorite photos is the picture of mare, Arianna, standing by a bridge with our home in the backdrop.

The caption I created depicting this picture is, “A horse can be a bridge that leads us home.”

Horses can only teach those who acknowledge the fact that they have something

worth teaching, and those who are willing to learn. Even taking a tiny step forward will bring a reward.

What supports the idea that a horse can bring us home on the inside? What does “home” refer too? I call this “wings” and “roots.” Horses carry us places (wings). This can be literally or spiritually. The literal is to a specific location/place/ site. Spiritually, the horse transports us to a place of sanctuary, an inner harmony for the soul (core/roots/home).

The valuable lessons taught by horses help us discover the meaning of life and our place in the world.

•“Wings” – My horse taught me to be patient and calm.

•“Roots” – I discovered inner beauty, courage and strength.

Most of all, not to lose sight of myself.

•“Wings” – My horse taught me about freedom. I can’t explain it…it’s simply a wellbeing sensation of freedom.

“Roots” - and freedom is about knowing who I am!

• “Wings” - My horse mirrored my life of fear and how fear/intimidation was controlling my life.

•“Roots” – Experiencing showing up without being harmed, caused me to return to being present, by connecting inside (core, soul, and home). OH! Such respect the horse gave me. Not chaos.

Not confusion. Respect. I

Because horses are nonjudgmental, this allows us to receive feedback from them about our shortcomings, or need to change an unhealthy mind-set willingly.

handler had a halter and a lead rope on their horse. I was in the ‘round pen’ with them. I would point out their body language. I would shine a ‘spotlight’ on what their horse was mirroring.

One of my most celebrated moments is when a handler does NOT blame or shame themselves by voicing the question, “What am I doing wrong? But rather, “Hum, isn’t this interesting? What am I to learn?” Because when a moment with your horse is interesting to you, you enter resting! I’ve seen it again and again. Such JOY! Horses teach us about their skill of ‘being in the moment’ and ‘having presence of mind.’ Engage. Engage.

Engage. Show up. Show up.

Show up. Stay focused and calm.

Taken from individuals who have given me permission to share, here are their “wings” and “roots” encounters:

will NEVER be the same!

•“Wings” – My horse taught me that ‘resistance’ is not always a negative thing in my life.

All cells “listen” to whispers in their environment, including heart vibrations. I am currently studying some research on this. I will share more about this later. Each of us has around two trillion cells in our bodies. Cells carry frequencies. These frequencies will affect others that we come into contact with, especially horses.

•“Roots” – Since I have returned to my career, my moments with my horse keep on showing up for me at my workplace. ‘Not responding, Let the horse be your wings but simply to stand, is a beau- to carry you into places where tiful quality to have in my you become rooted in your life at this time.’ This single soul and ENJOY the fruit that lesson from my horse has will grow on your branches. caused me to enter into rest for my soul that usually held Your NEIGHbor, the pressure of ‘demands.’

Deb Kitchenmaster From rest I respond, not deCorral Connections mands. www.corralconnections.com These ‘corral connections’ 256-426-7947 (most of them) happened in a Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner sixty-foot ‘round pen.’ Each dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

Page 20

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017

Mental Health Minute

Alzheimer’s

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“Things seem familiar, but really don’t make sense.”

Does that word frighten you? Chances are, you or someone you know has or has had some form of dementia. I provided counseling services in nursing homes for many years, and have painfully watched as residents and their families struggled daily with this disease. November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some facts first, and then next time, my own personal thoughts on this difficult subject.

Let’s start with the statistics: 1.Alzheimer’s currently affects more than 5 mil-

lion Americans and that number is likely to triple by 2050.

2.Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is climbing steadily.

3.Every 66 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s.

4.One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia.

5.Alabama ranks 17th in number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease as of 2014.

I know these numbers are sobering, but here are some facts you need to know: 1.Alzheimer’s is often not detected until the end-stage of the disease. Alzheimer’s generally follows a 14 YEAR course! This means that from the onset of the first symptoms until death, it is

typically about 14 years, with the diagnosis being made in the 8-10 year time frame. So the symptoms go untreated and undiagnosed for 7 years, while the lesions spread throughout the brain.

2.Memory loss is not a normal part of aging. Unfortunately, many people resist medical attention because they fear being labeled or are misinformed to believe that Alzheimer’s can’t be treated. Regardless of the cause of the memory loss, addressing the problem early can improve the effects of treatments currently available.

3.Many Alzheimer’s drugs are more effective than you might think.

Unfortunately, late detection has negative consequences. With early intervention, treatment can be provided for those with

healthier brains, which will respond more vigorously. Obviously, those with an end stage diagnosis already have massive brain damage.

4.Alzheimer’s disease can be treated. And while there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are plenty of treatment options. What this means is that preventing or slowing further brain damage is desirable to letting the damage spread without restriction. A good diet, exercise, socialization, and certain drugs can also help to preserve quality of life.

5.Better treatments for Alzheimer’s are on the way! The good news is that because of intense research over the past twenty years, insights about Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms and factors that increase risk

are being discovered every day. Much has been learned and promising drugs are in clinical trials right now.

6.Taking care of your heart will help your brain stay healthy. The health of your brain is directly related to the health of your heart. This means that high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity all contribute to a greater risk of cognitive decline. Again, this can’t be stressed enough… good vascular health will help to improve cognitive vitality.

7.Managing risk factors can delay and even prevent cognitive problems later in life. Risk factors that can be controlled include diabetes, head injuries, poor diet, inactivity, and isolation.

So, why bother with Alzheimer’s awareness? Because it is a terrible disease that will destroy our aging society. Through education and stigma reduction, maybe more people will be willing to take a more proactive approach to early intervention. Please share this information with a friend and take care of yourself now.

Until next time…Lisa Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.

November 17 - November 30, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 21

Medical Point

Don't let asthma ruin the holidays courtesy BrandPoint content (BPT) - With colder months arriving, there are a few things on everybody's minds: festive treats, gift shopping and of course, time spent with family and friends. As many people look forward to the holiday season, asthma sufferers need to be aware and prepared for all the triggers this time of the year can bring.

The change in weather, traveling or being in a relative's home with new allergens can all trigger an asthma attack.

Charmayne Anderson has been living with asthma for as long as she can remember. Now, as Director of Advocacy at the Allergy and Asthma

Network, she educates others on how to prepare for an asthma attack and enjoy life - and the holidays - unencumbered by their condition. After living with asthma through childhood, adolescence and now adulthood, she has witnessed an evolution of asthma medications and respiratory treatments firsthand.

"When I was diagnosed with asthma as a child, there were no inhalers or similar treatments for us to take home," Anderson said. "My parents would have to take me for afterhours emergency care visits for an injection to help get my breathing under control."

Anderson, along with the approximately 25

million asthma patients in the U.S., has more advanced and effective treatment options today to help manage symptoms and asthma attacks.

For most people with asthma, having a rescue inhaler on-hand at all times is crucial, whether at home or on the go.

Since asthma triggers may change frequently, it's difficult to predict when an attack could strike. Particularly at this time of year, walking in the chilly winter air could be enough to cause wheezing and shortness of breath.

"For someone who has asthma, it can be a lifeor-death situation. When you're experiencing an attack, even if it's mi-

nor, if you can't get relief immediately it just escalates and becomes even greater," said Anderson.

"Having my rescue inhaler with me at all times and being able to check the dose counter is critical."

One modern feature of asthma inhalers that has been especially helpful for Anderson and others areis dose counters integrated into rescue inhalers. For Anderson, dose counters serve as a forewarning that her inhaler is running low.

Such a seemingly small reminder has certainly made a big difference; Anderson believes dose counters have helped her be more proactive in filling her prescription and being aware how much medication is left.

Every year, asthma accounts for 10.5 million doctor visits and 1.6 million emergency room visits in the United States. By utilizing dose counters and maintaining an asthma treatment plan, asthma sufferers like Anderson can help avoid emergency situations like these and travel with some confidence knowing they're prepared.

Anderson said, "Prior to using a rescue inhaler with a dose counter built in, there were many

Page 22

www.athensnowal.com

times when I was away, out or not necessarily paying attention to how much medicine was in my inhaler. I'd get to a point when I would need it and I realized there was nothing in it, and I'd scramble to refill it."

Now, when it comes time to travel for the holidays, the number one thing on Anderson's to-do list is to make sure her and her children's inhalers are filled.

"Before heading out of town I check everyone's dose counter to make sure there is enough medication," said Anderson. "Reaching out to a pharmacy while you're traveling for the holidays is hard, especially when you're experiencing an asthma attack and in an emergency situation."

For additional information on the importance of dose counters, visit KnowYourCount.com.

Ms. Anderson has been compensated for her time in contributing to this program.

November 17 - November 30, 2017

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.

even after the robbery.

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,

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

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.

November 17 - November 30, 2017

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

www.athensnowal.com

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 retreated 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. Pas-

tors have been killed by ex-husbands 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 256-431-6702 NRA Recruiter. Click here to join or renew: NRA protects your 2nd Amendment Rights! https://membership. nrahq.org/forms/signup. asp?campaignid=XI029922 Check out my Web page www.PaulForeman.com and Facebook! @ https:// www.facebook.com/ Paul-Foreman-NRACertified-Instructor822151851204560/

Page 23

Page 24

www.athensnowal.com

November 17 - November 30, 2017