November 21, 2014

November 21 - December 4, 2014

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

Mays Computer Company:

Stellar Systems And Service

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Rainbow Omega: Assisting The Disabled With The Help Of Mike Huckabee...

This fall has been a memorable one for me, and one of those fond memories will always be the night...

Page 5

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Holidays Highlight the Character of Athens...

The loss of two friends and the sacrifices of veterans were the thoughts lingering in Mayor Ronnie Marks’ mind the week after Veterans Day...

Page 8

Athens Rehab Spotlight Spotlight On Wendy Royles...

Wendy Royles was born in Cincinnati in 1964, and graduated from Princeton High School in 1983...

Page 21

November 21 - December 4, 2014

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

The Mays Computer Crew (R-L) Steve and Regena Mays, owners and Elijah Mays

Once again the Mays men have come to my rescue as the true gentlemen they are, and I am really hoping that at some point I quit my computer version of “maiden in distress” routine for good. Sooner would be better than later,

Continued on pages 15

IT DataWise, Inc. Has A New Home In Downtown Athens

By Ali Elizabeth Turner IT DataWise,Inc./PT Technologies has recently moved from their former location on Hwy 72 near Continued on page 17

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Visit IT DataWise.com or call 256-216-8009 to receive a free initial consultation.

Page 2

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November 21 - December 4, 2014

Publisher’s Point

Ali In The Land Of Ascension

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales

Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Sandra Thompson Deb Kitchenmaster Brian Black Dr. Patrick Boyett Ruby McCartney Jackie Warner

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 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 The View From The Bridge . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . 20

My full name is Alice, and as a kid, I was often referred to as “Alice in Wonderland.” I never minded the reference, which was most always said in affection, but now I can say I have “been to Wonderland,” and its name is Israel. I was born in 1953, when what we now know as the State of Israel was only 5 years old. Its miraculous re-establishment was an undisputed and joyful part of the triumphant aftermath of WWII, and ironically, what put the United Nations on the map. At the age of 12, deeply disturbed by what was going on in my own country during the Civil Rights era, I immersed myself in the dark depths of the history of the Holocaust, the denial of which simply did not exist as it does today.

For the life of me, I could not understand how people could do anything like that, but in my own country, little girls died from the bomb of terrorists while they were at church.

I remember, even though at the time I was not a believer, the awe I felt as I read in Life magazine the news of Israel’s victory in the Six Day War. Even the secular media had to acknowledge the divine intervention that facilitated their victory. I remember when members of the Israeli Olympic team were murdered by jihadists at the 1972 Munich Games, and I felt like I was 12 again.

We indeed find ourselves in the epic battle of good vs evil.

As poignant as those memories are, being in the land

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

November 21 - December 4, 2014

where it all began, and is still going on is indescribable, as is the grief I feel at having to leave it. My faith has been strengthened as I saw the field where David fought Goliath, and I am bringing home a rock for my husband Steve, who is the warrior in and for my life.

My heart ached as I saw a picture of Whitney Houston being baptized in the River Jordan as she made a pilgrimage to this land, and my heart danced as I got to sing and play my guitar, celebrating at the Jordan the baptisms of people from all over the world. I will always feel the coolness against my head of the Wailing Wall, and without any apology I tore a tiny piece of paper from a ticket stub and wrote a five word prayer for my family. I watched as people of faith from all over the world did likewise, tucking the longings of their hearts into the wall’s cracks.

I made a deeper decision to walk in forgiveness and away from victimization as I was at the pools of Bethesda, and the music of praise and worship that emanated from several sites was utterly restorative.

My appreciation for the Israeli Defense Forces is discussed at length in this edition’s All Things Soldier. My hunger for a deeper understanding of God’s Word as it relates to Israel has been both satisfied and intensified by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, NY Times best-selling author

of The Harbinger, and The Shemita. From a completely different angle, the same thing happened as a result of listening to World Net Daily co-founder Joseph Farah, himself a Lebanese American who came out of a radical background like mine prior to becoming a Christian. From the Scriptures as well as current news he made it clear that not only is Israel’s existence being threatened, but the future survival of the entire nation of Egypt. This

Ali absorbing the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem is because of the ecological disaster of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, currently under construction.

It is no exaggeration, either from what is reported in the news, or recorded in Scripture that Egypt is about to

experience something truly apocalyptic because of human pride. God help them.

No doubt I will be writing about this trip for years, and

by God’s grace I will return many times. I hope I never come to the last story of this personal journey. I feel as though I have been here for months, and I hope that someday this will in fact be the case. What do I mean when I talk about being in “The Land of Ascension?”

It is the term for everything from “going up” to Jerusalem, to Psalm 122 when it says “let us go up to the house of the Lord,” to the name of Israel’s commercial airline, El Al. It is the passion of every Israeli I met, no matter what has gone on before, to now take a step and “go up,” even if progress is only miniscule.

What “got me at hello?” It was when we were bleary eyed, experiencing jet lag after a long flight, somewhat disoriented, and being led to our bus, where we fell into comfortable seats and pondered our next step. Our travel agency coowner, the wife of a man who fought in the Six Day War sprang up the steps and said, “Welcome Home.

Thank you for coming to Israel.” Whatever befalls me from here on out, may I live to be so gracious. Shalom to you all.

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

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Page 3

All Things Soldier

Insights On The IDF

by Ali Elizabeth Turner It is my last day in Jerusalem, and my heart longs to return here, in spite of the attack yesterday morning on American Jews worshipping in a synagogue, the all-too-familiar sound of small weapons fire occurring occasionally off in the distance, and a briefing with conservative media members last night regarding the back story of the attack. In all of it, I have felt the same divine peace I experienced in Iraq, and honestly, my greatest trials while in Israel have been getting Internet access.

Part of the reason for my peace within the City of Peace has been the experience of being quietly protected by former members of the IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, who were literally formed only a few days after Israel became a nation in 1948. All of our tour guides have been in the IDF, as is the law for all eligible Israeli men and women. However, in our case, we have lived among the

legendary. The first name of the man who heads up the tour company with whom we have travelled literally means “peace,” and he served in the Six Day War as well as the Yom Kippur War of 1973. When his name is said, people pay attention, and I have watched with deep thankfulness as he has expertly assessed threat levels, changed locations as needed, and made it possible for us to get on to an active IDF base in the Golan Heights, where we were literally staring at Syria. He also made it possible for our group of nearly 300 people to get on the Temple Mount, which is not easy ever, and especially in the last few weeks. What has been the most impressive has been how low key it has all been, and that is my first “boots on the ground” insight: When you experientially live “in the presence of your enemies,” there is a quiet understanding that freedom is more than fragile, and being willing to defend it is as non-negotiable

as breathing.

One of our tour guides has reminded me of comedian Martin Short. He is wiry, quick, and hilariously funny, with a humor that has been born out of the determination of his parents to build a new life here when

they immigrated in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. They were miraculously spared from Auschwitz, his father by jumping off the train

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as the older and stronger ones pried open the door, his mother by Raoul Wallenberg, the “Oskar Schindler” of Sweden who is credited with saving the lives of approximately 25,000 Jews in several countries by creat-

ing false visas. There is a tree planted in his honor at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. The tree is part of the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations, which commemorates non-Jews such as Corrie Ten Boom and countless others who risked their own lives to save Jewish lives when Europe went mad 75 years ago. It was not until he pulled it all together for us by saying through tears, “He saved my mama,” (and then let us know that he had just lost her in March) that we understood the impact of Wallenberg’s courage.

Insight number two: Live in gratitude, and give honor where honor is due.

This same tour guide had the most remarkable understanding of history, culture and archaeology at his command, (without any notes, I might add) that I have ever

encountered in one human being, ever. I am not just talking about Israeli history, ancient and modern.

I am talking about Church history, European, African, American, Middle Eastern, et al, and he deserves to be referred to as “Phenomeron,” a shameless as well as affectionate play on his name. We can throw in a fascinating understanding of botany as well as art while we’re at it, and I will be indebted to him for the rest of my life. Why? Not just because he made the tour so remarkable, but he knew history, the power of which was my third insight. He was scholastically unshakeable in the conclusions of his research, and with boundless energy was committed to seeing to it that anyone even remotely interested receive the same sense of the value and beauty of life as he possesses.

He is who he is because he knows where he has been, something I fear as college students in the States look at pictures of Adolph Hitler and wonder if he was a film actor.

I watched with a knot in my throat as a group of young soldiers went into Yad Veshem to see what their great-grandparents endured that they might be free, and I don’t think there will ever be a movement in Israel to take the Torah off the IDF bases, or out of their rucksacks because it is “offensive.” Our safari jeep driver said it best: “We are who we are, we have been where we have been, and people don’t have to like us.” May our own soldiers have their own opportunity to “live among the legendary.”

November 21 - December 4, 2014

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Special Feature

Rainbow Omega: Assisting The Disabled With The Help Of Mike Huckabee

by Ali Elizabeth Turner This fall has been a memorable one for me, and one of those fond memories will always be the night I heard Gov. Mike Huckabee speak at the Davidson Center in Huntsville. He was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for an organization called Rainbow Omega. In a word, it was a night of true hope, and I heard one of the finest speeches in my life.

Rainbow Omega, which is based in Eastaboga, was started in order to meet the needs of one developmentally disabled man born into a non-disabled family. It has been open for around 20 years, and is considered one of the top facilities of its kind anywhere. I was able to attend the event with Chip Wilson, of My 180 Health, and courtesy of Sharon Wales and Mike Carpenter, both of Rainbow Omega. Mike happens to be the brother of the disabled man, and their father, Stentson Carpenter is the founder. All of them work tirelessly to make Rainbow Omega a marvelous place to live, and their love for the disabled is powerful.

Currently Rainbow Omega serves around 80 disabled people, one of whom sat our table.

His name was Allan, he is 38 years old, and is an avid ‘Bama fan. He also works at the Honda plant located in Lincoln, AL, as do many of the residents. Sharon had made sure Allan had a spiffy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle outfit for Halloween, and Chip is going to make sure Allan gets to go to an Alabama home game.

Many of the members of the Rainbow Omega community live in group homes with house parents, and some need more individualized and intensive care, which they abundantly receive. There is also a thriving greenhouse where some of the residents work, and the place bursts with beautiful life.

It was the theme of life, and the preciousness of it about which Gov Huckabee spoke so eloquently. However, before he got into the meat of his speech, he did something I have never seen, and that was to publically thank the servers who waited upon us. It was not a “let’s hear it!” type pep rally, although in another context that certainly has its rightful place. Rather it was a quiet and deep affection for life that spoke of the

November 21 - December 4, 2014

Left: Chip Wilson Right: Gov. Mike Huckabee

Left to Right: Wayne Kuykendall, Allison Kuykendall, Gov. Mike Huckabee www.athensnowal.com

servers in terms of honor.

Governor Huckabee also reminded us, as we were feasting at the Davidson Center, of the fact that America had forgotten the technological benefits that came out of the Space Race, many of which we take for granted, and were developed in our state a half a century ago. “Davidson represents America at its best,” he said, and the audience agreed.

He then went on to remind us that being prolife is about far more than abortion, it is about “affirming the value of every person.” Certainly there have been several cultures that have snuffed out the lives of those who have been wrongfully deemed “less than perfect,” and let us remember that those cultures are no more. The

battle for our culture and our nation will at least in part be determined by whether we choose to believe and live the following statement made by Mr. Huckabee: “We can take this life and give it away, or we can take this life and throw it away.

The life that pleases God is like Jesus, who did not try to hold on to His.” If you would like to support Rainbow Omega, you can contact Mike Carpenter at 256-831-0910, or at the www.rainbowomega. org website. It is a faith based, 501-C3 organization, and is also open to youth groups coming there for mission trips. I am sure that the greatest benefit will come to those who think they need it the least. It’s just always that way.

Page 5

Calendar of Events Festival of Trees Preview Party Nov 20th

Donnell House, 601 1/2 South Clinton Street, Athens, AL. Kick off this annual event from 6:00PM-8:00PM. Cost is $25.00 per person and includes refreshments and entertainment plus a sneak peak of the decorations. To make reservations: 256-679-7660

Donnell House Festival of Trees Nov 21st - 30th

Donnell House 601 1/2 South Clinton Street, Athens, AL. Join the festivities of the season with “To Grandmother’s House We Go” decorates the historic Donnell House. Open from 5:00PM-7:00PM including Thanksgiving evening and during the Athens Christmas Open House. Admission is $5.00 per person. For more information: Lisa Gilbert, 256-679-7660.

STUFF-A-TRUCK Food Drive Nov 22nd

STUFF-A-TRUCK is coming, again! Because of the continuing need for food for the clients at LCCI Food Bank, First United Methodist Church of Athens is sponsoring this very worthy mission for the fourth consecutive year. We ask that you start filling your trunks with food for this event. The drop off on Saturday, November 22 from 9:00 to 5:00 will be the same as previous years: First National Bank (corner of Lindsay Lane and Highway 72). There will also be a drop off on Sunday, November 23, that begins at 5:15 pm at FUMC. This is being done in conjunction with the Community Thanksgiving Program, which is being held at the church. We’ll have a truck at both locations that is well marked. What a wonderful thing it would be if we could fill this truck to overflowing! If you have questions, please call Ida Terry at 256-232-6077.

Athens Christmas Open House Nov 22nd - 23rd

Downtown Athens, AL. Christmas comes early to downtown Athens with caroling, specials for shopping to help complete your Christmas list and Santa! The jolly old elf rides into downtown Athens, AL on a shiny red fire truck at 1:00PM and will be available for photos and gift wishes from 1:30PM-4:30PM at the Center for Lifelong Learning on Marion Street each day. For more information, contact the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce at 256-2322600.

Holiday Gifts Expo Nov 23rd

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 511, Post 17915. West Elm Street, Athens, AL. Enjoy this Pre-Black Friday sale with local vendors. Meet area crafters and small business owners in one convenient location for unique gifts. Logan’s Restaurant will be grilling food to keep you going for your shopping adventure from 2:00PM-6:00PM. Admission is free to the public.

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Community Singing Nov 30th

Reunion Church of Christ Reunion Road, Athens, AL Join the congregation for singing of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs at 3:00PM

Polar Express at Whistle Hollow Farms Dec 1st - 17th

Whistle Hollow Farms, 701 Lofton Hall Road, Ardmore, TN. Choose from either 9:00AM or 12:00PM, Monday-Friday for an adventure on the farm. Enjoy the Polar Express on the big screen with hot chocolates and homemade cookies. There will be a special guest and souvenir to take thome too. School groups, day cares and parents with children at home are welcome - groups of 100-125 can be accommodated. Cost is $6.00 per person. Enjoy lunch for an additional $2.00 per person. For more information or to make a reservation: 931-638-3501 or whistlehollowfarm@att.net

WinterFest 2014 Dec 2nd

Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, 1300 Lindsay Lane, Athens, AL. Lindsay Lane Christian Academy inves everyone to join them from 4:00PM-8:00PM for carnival rides, games, bake sale, food, pony rides, helicopter and police attractions and a silent auction. Free to attend, $20.00 wristband for rides and games.

Reliance Bank Christmas Parade Dec 4th

Athens, AL. Join Reliance Bank for the Athens Christmas Parade with marching bands, floats and Santa. More information to come.

To register your float, marching band, group or individual participant; please call Reliance Bank at 256-232-1944.

Elkmont Lions Club Christmas Parade Dec 6th

Elkmont, AL. Join the Elkmont Lions Club for Christmas cheer and to welcome Santa to Elkmont. More information to come. To register your float, marching band, group or individual participant, please call 256-732-4211.

Bells of Christmas Holiday Home Tour Dec 7th

The Athens Ladies Civitan Bells of Christmas Tour of Homes, Decmeber 7th from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the following locations: Crawford’s Gifts, First National Bank (Hwy 72), Haley Marie’s, KALB office, Nestle Toll House Cafe, Pablo’s On the Square, Pam’s Home Furnishings, Pimento’s, Shea Leigh’s, and Trinity of Athens. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of event. 5 of Limestone County’s exclusive homes will be open for touring.

Call 256-233-0258 for information.

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November 21 - December 4, 2014

November 21 - December 4, 2014

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Page 7

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Holidays Highlight The Character Of Athens

by Holly Hollman

The loss of two friends and the sacrifices of veterans were the thoughts lingering in Mayor Ronnie Marks’ mind the week after Veterans Day.

Elvis tribute concert done jointly by the Athens Community Chorus and Decatur Civic Chorus.”

Ronnie said all cities are not blessed with dedicated volunteers who strive to meet the community’s needs whether the need is hungry, providing Christmas, hon-

Instead of dwelling on the melancholy, he savored the response of the community much like he savors his morning coffee.

“We are coming off a week of Veterans Day celebrations, and those can be sad when you think of the ones who are no longer with us,” Ronnie said. “We also had the funerals of two close friends who were well known and loved in our community, Johnny Black and Mignon Bowers.”

Johnny was a longtime coach in Limestone County and was a past member of both the Limestone County Commission and Athens City Council. Mignon was a retired city clerk and former Athens City councilwoman who worked on various boards in the community.

“This time of year and these recent losses have reminded me that it is so good to see a community that cares so much about others,” Ronnie said.

The tagline for the City of Athens is Classic. Southern. Character.

The caring character aspect of our city is seen year round but is highlighted during the holiday stretch of Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Athens Veterans Day Parade had over 100 entries, and the Veterans Day programs at Athens State University and the VFW were

Page 8

well attended.

As Thanksgiving nears, citizens have started work on the community-wide Thanksgiving Day lunch and Christmas collections are being made for Toys for Tots, children under Limestone County DHR care, Stuff-ATruck food drive for LCCI. “On a recent Sunday, at Friendship United Methodist, we worked on 1,500 packages for the Full Tummy Project that ensures students have enough to eat over the weekends when they are out of school,” Ronnie said. “There is an outpouring of love from this community.”

Athenians don’t stop with giving money or items.

Many offer the gift of time to provide seasonal activities such as Christmas Open House, the Reliance Bank Christmas Parade and Sippin’ Cider.

early. It’s a tradition, but it’s a tradition that takes hard work to organize.”

Ronnie will serve as grand marshal for this year’s parade, which will be Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. The theme is, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.” Ronnie said seeing children get excited about the holidays and seeing citizens hav-

ing a giving spirit are what make it look like the beginning of Christmas for him.

“We are lucky to live in a community like this where citizens get involved,” he said.

As the holidays wind down and citizens start to think about those New Year’s resolutions, Ronnie said he will be prioritizing resolutions for the city.

One of those resolutions will be joining each council member for district meetings in late spring 2015.

“The council members have expressed an interest in doing district meetings, and I think it would be an ideal time to discuss roads, sidewalks, other infrastructure needs, abandoned buildings and issues citizens have on

oring veterans or providing family-friendly events.

“Can you imagine not having the Christmas parade in Athens?” Ronnie asked.

“We can draw 10,000 people for this one event. People have their favorite parking spots and start parking their minds,” Ronnie said.

As city leaders work to address growth and needs in 2015, one constant will follow its citizens into the new year: its philanthropic attitude.

“People support these events, which is as important as helping plan the events,” Ronnie said. “Just recently on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon, there was a packed crowd at an

“We’ve always been a caring community,” Ronnie said.

Which is why Athens is Classic. Southern. Character.

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November 21 - December 4, 2014

November 21 - December 4, 2014

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Page 9

From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Threads Of Honor

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum

There’s a new way to honor and remember the special Veteran in your life!

Threads of Honor, a fundraiser for the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, kicked off on November 11th. Wes and Marlene Isom, owners of Isom’s Orchard are continually finding ways to give back to their community, their “Dinners in the Orchard” have raised thousands of dollars for local causes. When Jerry Barksdale, one of the founding members of the museum and still a dedicated volunteer approached Marlene to ask about perhaps doing a dinner for the museum, she said “Oh, I have a better idea for the Alabama Veterans Museum, one I have

been thinking of for quite a while!” Director Sandy Thompson and other board members met with Marlene and were excited and touched by the idea… hence “Threads of Honor” was named. Veterans names and other military

information will be hand stitched by local quilters on quilting squares, these squares will then be put together to form a quilt that will hang in perpetuity in the Alabama Veterans Museum.

“Threads”

are

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able from $25.00 $500.00, dependant on the amount of information and where it is positioned on the quilt. Quilting and the military have a long history together; the Civil War marked a season of change in American quilting. In the early 1860s, men took quilts into military service as bedding.

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was used to communicate a soldier’s religious beliefs, to smuggle secret messages, and to provide supplies through enemy lines. “What a wonderful way to not only create an heirloom but to honor our veterans. We are hoping to collect at least 3,000 names, which really isn’t that many in a community with such a large military population”, said Director Thompson. The quilt will be unveiled on Veterans Day, 2015, which gives us about a year to collect the names.

For more information or to purchase a name, contact the museum at 256771-7578 or Marlene Isom at 256-497-3786 or 256-232-0808. Go by Isom’s Orchard and purchase a thread and you will receive a free bag of apples!

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Veterans Museum, I would like to thank the entire community for their continued support of our Veterans and of the Museum! This is certainly a community who cherishes their Veterans and we could not do what we do without you!!!

November 21 - December 4, 2014

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Page 11

Clean and Green

Athens-Limestone Recycling Center: Who We Are And What We Do!

by Ruby McCartney, Plant Manager, Athens-Limestone Recycling Center Did you know that the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center is the oldest non-profit recycling center in the state?

Yes, I said “non-profit”; Athens-Limestone Recycling Center is a division of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful, a 501c3 nonprofit.

Even though it began over 35 years ago, there is still the misconception that it is owned by either the City of Athens or Limestone County.

The Recycling Center does receive a lot of support from both the City of Athens and Limestone County for which we are very grateful, and we could not provide all the services that we do without their support.

It started in 1977 with the collecting of cardboard and aluminum cans as a fund raising project for the Athens High School Science Club. The project was such a success that the Science Club continued its existence for another three years. In 1981, AthensLimestone Clean Community, which would later become Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful, assumed responsibility for the program and we began operations as a fullfledged business. The facility has grown from accepting two items to a multi-material recycling/processing facility.

Athens-Limestone Recycling Center carries the name of the COMMUNITY that we are very honored and proud to serve. We are here to provide the community with the best recycling services that we can; part of those service are our 24/7 drop off bins at 15896 Lucas Ferry Rd., Athens, Alabama. At this location we are also available Monday – Friday from 7:00

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am – 3:30 pm for residents to drop off electronics, books and other items that are not intended to go in bins outside.

We also have Community Collections Centers throughout Limestone County to make recycling more convenient for our residents. The Recycling Center provides free recycling services to all 24 of our schools, both public and private. We also service our two colleges and over 300 businesses in Athens and Limestone County.

Material collected at our Community Collection Centers are container plastics, newspaper, office paper, junk mail, magazines, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars.

Within the last year we were able to add cardboard collection. Thanks to the support of the Limestone County Commission and various grants, we were able to purchase additional trailers to collect cardboard at these locations.

Material collected in our dropoff bins at our Lucas Ferry

location are container plastics, cardboard, newspaper, office paper, junk mail, magazines, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, grocery bags, cooking oil and motor oil. During office hours we also accept books, electronics, batteries, and metals.

The Recycling Center often handles materials for no profit and sometimes even at a loss… that is the nature of a community service organization. Our goal from the beginning was to divert as much material as possible from the local landfills, to work in conjunction with the City of Athens and Limestone County to increase the recycling rate in our community, and to help eliminate litter to the extent possible.

Often times material is left at the Recycling Center that is not recyclable at our facility and we then have to absorb the cost of proper disposal of these items. Examples of these are styrofoam, hard plastic toys, tarps, PVC piping, mirrors,

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window glass, ceramic dishes, windshields, fluorescent bulbs, clothes, mattresses, wood, yard waste, hazardous waste items, medical waste such as dialysis tubing and insulin needles, paint and tires.

Tires can be recycled at any of the County District Sheds.

For more information on these materials or any recycling questions, please don’t hesitate to call the Recycling Center at 256-233-8746.

The success of Athens-Limestone Recycling Center is only because of the support that we have received from the community we proudly serve.

Your support has not gone un-

noticed or unappreciated. On behalf of the Recycling Board and myself, I thank you for your support.

Because of your efforts we recycled, processed and shipped 2,155 tons of material last year. This material was not only kept out of the landfill, it also helped to support 10 jobs at the Recycling Center, ultimately adding to the economy of the City of Athens and Limestone County.

I encourage you to “Recycle It, Don’t Trash It!” and remember your 3 R’s: REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE.

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

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November 21 - December 4, 2014

Cooking with Shelley

Greens, Greens And More Greens...

by Shelley Underhill

This recipe can be used with any type of Greens...you can use greens straight from the garden or bought at your local supermarket. This is one recipe you will want to try.

Drop me an email and let me know what you think. Send your questions and emails to shelleysdesk@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

What you will need: 6 lbs. greens -- cut and stemmed 1 lb apple wood bacon 3 small onions 1/4 cup chicken bullion powder 1 tbs red pepper flakes 1 gallon water In a huge pot, combine all ingredients together. Bring to a raging boil, then continue to cook at a low bowl for several hours until greens are tender. Add extra water if needed.

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Health and Fitness

Eating Like An Athlete Does Not Make You An Athlete

by Janet Hunt

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

Advertisements claim that sports drinks, sugary gels, and the growing market of energy bars and protein shakes can increase your athletic performance, help build muscle, etc. Because of this marketing, many people are mixing up or shaking up drinks, and consuming these glorified candy bars. Really? If you are going to the gym to burn calories, why consume more than you are burning?

Many of these sport foods and drinks are high in calories and just end up as extra “wiggle in the middle�.

The same with the after exercise protein shakes. You are increasing your calories even more if you drink that shake and then go home to

your regular meal.

What to do? Determine the length and intensity of your exercise.

Be honest.

Many people over estimate the amount of calories they burn during an exercise workout.

There are lots of calorie burn calculators online.

To be accurate, you will need to enter age, gender, weight, speed, length of workout time, etc. For typical exercise sessions that last an hour or less, water for hydration is the best choice, followed by a whole food snack or meal. Only when you are active for an hour or more at a HIGH intensity can an energy bar or energy drink be appropri-

ate. If you want something

more palatable than water, add a sugar free flavoring to your water.

Athletes that participate in daily, HIGH-intensity workouts can use those energy bars and protein drinks for extra calories and nutrients they need, but

if you are the typical gym goer who works up a sweat a couple of times a week, you should stick with water and a regular healthy diet.

If you need more information about your diet and required nutrients, talk to a registered dietician.

Visit smart.athens.edu to get started.

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November 21 - December 4, 2014

Cover Story

Mays Computer Company: Stellar Systems And Service

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

my husband is rightfully thinking. Back in July, for the first and last time, I tried to cook with my laptop being present in the kitchen. I had found a recipe online for a delicious, healthy, glutenfree chocolate zucchini bread. I was about to mix in the wet ingredients, and yes, haste did indeed make waste.

I neglected to put the lid on our Vitamix, hit the “high” button, and our kitchen and I became something that could have been on the set of a sit-com. There was green “zuke juice” mixed with maple syrup dripping from the ceiling, and I succeeded in baptizing my laptop (and my iPhone) in it. Needless to say, my computer died, and I cried.

Still sniffling, I called Mays Computer Company, explained what happened, and asked if they had a Dell that was similar to the one I had purchased from them a few years back for my job as the publisher of Athens Now. Over the phone, and in the background, I heard owner Steve Mays call out to his son, Elijah, saying, “Eli, get that Dell ready and take it to Miss Ali.” In under 30 minutes, I had a fully loaded laptop delivered to our door, and off we went on vacation. That’s my story of stellar customer service, and I’m stickin’ to it! Not only that, but as a “raving fan customer,” I send everyone I know who is in need of anything related to computers to Mays, and have never had a worry in doing so.

Let’s take a look at the Mays Computer Company’s journey over the last five years and see what is new. Steve Mays originally became

interested in computers many years ago, and found he had a knack for repairing them, getting good deals on all kinds of models, and became the “go to” computer guy for his friends, family and colleagues. That morphed into a successful store located at the intersection of East Limestone Road and Nick Davis Road that was severely damaged in the 2011 tornadoes. They made a comeback in 2012, and are now located at the truckload after the standard 18 month business lease is up. Often they are still in the manufacturer’s packaging, and these are not off-brands, either. They include Dell, HP, Sony, IBM , Microsoft brands and other PC products, as well as Apple. They also have other accessories of all kinds, and are real pros at

corner of East Limestone Road and Capshaw Road in the Chevron station complex.

The official address is 27490 Capshaw Rd, Suite B, Athens, AL 35613 Steve has made sure that he and everyone working in the store has continued their computer education, and is fully familiar with the quirks of several systems and products. “We have changed as the needs of the customers have changed,” he said. Then he added, “Think about it. Five years ago when we started, there was no such thing as an iPad, a Surface, or Windows 7. Now we offer televisions, iPads, and iPhones, and we’ll still be right here as things continue to change.”

The reason Mays Computers can give such great deals on high end commercial grade computers of all types (that

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If you have been “phished,” or have downloaded nasty viruses, (as I have,) for around 100 bucks they can get you completely cleaned up and fixed up, usually in the same day.

Another place where Mays Computer Company “shines” is in the realm of gaming systems. They have Alienware for the serious gamer. “That is the Rolls Royce of gaming systems,” Steve said.

As the years have gone by, they have found great success in specializing in business systems and networking.

However, because there is an increasing number of people who have computer crises and disasters as I have described above, they have adapted into offering what is known as “third shift work.” They will take special appointments at special times, and while there is a charge for it, I can speak from experience that these guys will do whatever it takes to get you and your computer “humming” again, and pronto.

If you are looking for a gift or need to give yourself the gift of an excellent product and legendary service, come to Mays Computer Company and let them turn you into a satisfied customer for life.

Mays Computer Company

are perfect holiday gifts) is that Steve Mays drives mega miles to get them. He has found nearly new or unused computers by the

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helping people get the system they truly need at a fraction of retail. They are also able to repair all of them, and quickly.

Steve and Regena Mays, Owners 27490 Capshaw Rd Suite B Athens, AL 35613 Phone: 256-444-4040 Hours: 9:30-6 Mon-Fri, 10-2 on Sat Facebook: Mays Computer Inc. Look there for weekly specials and updates.

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November 21 - December 4, 2014

Cover Story

IT DataWise, Inc. Has A New Home In Downtown Athens

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

about: if your business unexpectedly lost all access to its data and IT systems, would you be prepared and able to operate? IT DataWise offers a solution to this scary (but very real) possibility - complete disaster recovery and business continuity services for small and mid-size businesses in the Valley. They

continued from page 1

Hine Street to downtown Athens. “Business has been good,” said company President Phillip Templeton, “and we have been able to move to the former office of Pepper and Johnstone Insurance.”

The new IT DataWise office address is 120 N. Marion St. in Athens, and Pepper and Johnstone’s new location is at the corner of Marion and Market Street. Recently Mayor Marks told me that there is an interesting phenomenon occurring in the IT business world as it relates to our city.

Several small, well established IT/Systems businesses have moved to offices on or near the Square, and IT Data Wise/ PT Technologies is the latest to make such a move.

Phillip told me that because each IT related business has such a specific market niche, they aren’t really competitors, and IT DataWise has been warmly welcomed to its new location.

I asked him what the change in location has meant to him and his crew, and he said, “The best thing is that, seeing as many of our customers are located right here, we can literally walk over there in 5 minutes to do on-site work.”

He very much enjoys being able to give immediate assistance to his customers inperson or remotely whenever possible. The actual layout of the new location is also helpful, as his tech team each has their own office and can focus completely on taking care of the customer.

Much of what Phillip’s company does, however, is accomplished right from their offices, and they make a point of being available 24/7 for any and all systems needs and emergencies, whether

the problems are around the corner or in far flung places. Phillip has always had a heart for being able to be of help to small and mid-size businesses, and many of his clients are just that. Most of his larger accounts are part of the medical industry. Here is some of what IT DataWise, Inc. can provide for companies of all sizes: •Assistance with hardware installation •Servers/Workstations and other hardware •Design and configuration of computer networks •Software training and support •Tech support for a variety of systems •An all-inclusive rate for IT services or hourly billing •Help with compliance issues •Project consulting and implementation •Hosting for applications, servers and entire infrastructures •Business continuity/Disaster recovery services •They still accept walk-in customers for computer repair •They specialize in medical IT systems/support Technology is constantly changing – and so are your business requirements. It’s nearly impossible for just one person to handle all the IT management and tech support

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needs of a small business, but hiring a full team of on staff technology professionals is cost prohibitive. So why not have the IT DataWise team of IT skill sets at your disposal without the payroll expense?

In addition, IT DataWise support services deliver the tech support and experience you need to keep your business operating. In some cases, their skilled professionals can work with you over the phone and Internet to answer questions, assess problems, and remotely access your system to tackle any technical difficulties. If not, they will send their technicians to your location right away to get your business running smoothly again. “We are based in downtown Athens, and radiate out,” said Phillip.

Then he added, “If you’re in North Alabama or Southern Tennessee, we can make it happen.”

Here’s something to think

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provide a secure way to safeguard your important business data from loss due to hackers, natural disasters, system errors, and more with their specially-designed data backup and recovery solutions, hosted solutions, and hybrid solutions that utilize both. It’s not enough to have backup data at your location - if your office was ruined or destroyed, your backup would almost certainly be gone as well.

With a backup copy located safely off-site, your business could still access data even if your physical location was totally lost. While this predicament might not seem likely, there are a lot of other threats to your data, such as hackers and network crashes, which might bring production to a halt. IT DataWise is skilled in both protecting you, and getting your system restored and back online quickly. They are also focused on helping to

avoid “IT disasters” altogether whenever possible through routine maintenance and proper planning. Great care is given to resolving your situation whether you are a small business or a larger one.

Finally, in order to compete in today’s business world, it’s vital for companies in the Valley to have access to the latest technology and support - but it’s increasingly challenging to monitor and manage. If you’re attempting to maintain your IT infrastructure inhouse, they offer a solution: a complete managed IT services program which will supply you and your staff with the technology and assistance you need for one, low monthly fee. Alternatively, they can host and manage all or part of your infrastructure in your own private cloud.

Using the latest in managed services, on-premise, and cloud-based technologies, they’ll provide you with the hardware, service, and help you need at a price you can afford. If you don’t have to keep up with and manage IT needs in-house, you and your staff will be more productive and able to focus on activities that grow your business and keep you ahead of the competition. They offer network management, web hosting, hybrid services, and more.

That is why IT DataWise, Inc. is such a good fit for our community. They care, and they are far more than just competent. This is what they do, and who they are.

IT DataWise, Inc. 120 N. Marion Street, Athens, AL, 35611 256-216-8009 www.itdatawise.com sales@itdatawise.com Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

How Did It Get To Be Thanksgiving So Fast?

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 It seems like just a minute ago it was summer.

The weather was hot, the sun was shining, the day was long and we got lots of work done. Today it is cold, the days are short and it is cold. Did I say it was cold? Brrrrrrr!

I actually like the cold. I really like all of the seasons. When it gets cold we will have Thanksgiving and Christmas and birthdays. What could be more fun than that?

I don’t like the short days.

It feels like I need to go to bed at 6:00pm now. It is not only dark already by then – it is really dark – like 9:00pm dark. Then I wake up feeling like I did not get everything done.

Usually by Thanksgiving I have my Christmas cards ready to mail. This year I have not even bought them. I think I had some left over from last year but I could not begin to tell

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you where they might be.

Usually by Thanksgiving I have all my shopping done.

This year I have not even started. How did it get to be Thanksgiving so fast? It was summer a minute ago.

It feels like we have been running since the first day of autumn at the Center for Lifelong Learning. October had us working Storytelling, putting out a new catalog, taking trips, and organizing a cookbook club.

November has us going

through renovations to the Coffee Shop, Christmas Open House, the Community Chorus Concert, and lots of classes that made.

The Coffee Shop at the Center for Lifelong Learning is under new management.

They are expanding the services provided at the Coffee Shop and they have changed the name from UnderGrounds to Square Clock Coffee House.

Square Clock Coffee House – (l-r) Lucas Parker, Daniel Hubbard, Tracy Waldrep, Meagan Sutton By the time you read this Square Clock Coffee House will be open for business.

The crew is learning how to make all the frothy coffees and slushes. They are also providing great lunches, pastries, and muffins. You will need to stop by and try out the place.

Epiphany Boutique – Diana Mannique

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Epiphany Boutique has also joined the Center for Lifelong Learning on the Square. The Boutique is run by Off-Campus Books (the same company that runs the Square Clock Coffee House). They started at the Center in August. The Boutiques has clothes, jewelry, and accessories. All the items are super cute and

very attractive.

We hope you will stop the Center for Lifelong Learning for a cup of coffee, a new dress, and the class you have been wanting.

We look forward to telling you all about what is happening every day at the Center. Like us on Facebook at Center for Lifelong Learning at Athens State or follow us on Twitter at #CLLatASU for up-to-date information about our programs. You can always call us 256233-8260 or email CLL@ athens.edu.

Check out our web pages too – www.athens.edu/ CLL.

November 21 - December 4, 2014

The View From The Bridge

Bent, But Definitely Not BrokenLife In The Vine!

by Jackie Warner

Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

We all go through trials in our life, and have often heard that life is our best experience teacher.

I would totally agree. If you live this life long enough, you will truly be taught some hard, and many times tough, lessons. Some, because we choose not to heed others who have been down the same path. Then there are those lessons we just have to learn because it is what God intended to make us stronger. James 1:2-3 says this: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

A number of the tribulations we must bear makes us feel as if we will never recover. We are broken and have no way of regaining or knowing the life we once knew. It is hard to accept it, but thus the intent of the lesson!

What we take from these lessons is how we learn to move forward and allow what has happen to us to help others as they endure similar hardships in life.

Make no mistake, I know this is difficult to do and to even think about when we are going through devastation in our lives. We say “I can’t think about others right now, I need to take care of me;” and yes of course we do at that very moment in our lives. One must first start

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with self and realize that you are not “broken”- far from it but only “bent.”

Being in a state of “bentness” requires you to be flexible and move beyond your comfort zone, it requires you to endure and withstand your condition for longer than one feels they are capable of doing.

It takes great strength and longsuffering to realize when we are bent, twisted, turned around, up-rooted from the foundations in life, that HEALING IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. You may be asking “How does one move from being bent?” Just remember as you are going through your trials to read 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 : We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are

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perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. It is ultimately what we choose to do next that will help us to move forward. I truly believe that during the times we feel broken, we have lost sight of who has really been keeping us connected the whole time while in these states of depression, bleakness, and emptiness.

In order to get back, there is some work to be done.

That work involves drawing closer to the True Vine. In John 15:5 we read “I (Christ) am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye

can do nothing.”

We will see ourselves become straighter and our actions much clearer when we realize, believe and trust in the one who is really sustaining us in this life.

Weathering life’s storms are more physically and mentally possible when we are bendable and willing to humble ourselves to allow Christ to be our true guide.

Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@ gmail.com Check out upcoming events: Website: http:// thebridge-us.yolasite.com/

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Horse Whispering

Thanks In The Giving

by Deb Kitchenmaster Thank You! Sometimes these two words may seem insufficient in expressing or showing someone gratitude and appreciation. Needless to say, I want to thank each of you for reading the HORSE WHISPERING column. Thank you for the emails you have sent to me, your statements, questions and requests. I enjoy hearing from each of you.

to build confidence and compassion. With the completion of the ‘mentoring program,’ my focus has been redirected to horses.

Three new horses and three new friendships have trotted into my life! We are scheduled to attend a horse conference to further

A BIG ‘thank you’ to our wonderful horses that have been bridges connecting me with friends, new faces, teachers, students and horse lovers!

In the summer of 2013, I made a decision to take applications for a mentoring program where I would select one person with the objective of laying a foundation of basic horsemanship that included grooming, ground work, and riding. In the spring of 2014, this individual was selected to represent Alabama in Washington, D.C., through 4-H. Working with horses is a great venue to empower young people to be the best they can be while developing leadership skills. Being with horses is a great arena

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necting them with our hands-on program. One of the beauties of this goal is we humans will be entering a classroom of awareness to our emotional fitness!

Being in the presence of

the horse as their teacher.

Thank you for the tears you let flow when the horse was touching every raw emotion you didn’t know you had. How you got a taste of what it was like, not to necessarily be in control of your emotions, but to

Thank you to each of you who experienced a ‘pause’ moment while in the presence of a horse.

During the pause, you made a decision on how best to respond to the situation rather than react. Awesome life lesson!

horses to train mentally and physically requires emotional fitness on the human’s behalf. Each of us will notice how easily or how often we may get angry, afraid, or frustrated. Then, we each decide if we want to change. I am grateful to have these new connections. This is a beautiful opportunity to increase emotional fitness during this training time. our education and understanding and plan on working together in getting these horses ‘safe’ for young people. We will be preparing these horses mentally and physically before con-

As 2014 is nearing the end, I am remembering what I am grateful for and expressing my thankfulness!

Thank you to each of you within the state and out of state that stopped in and spent some time with the horses and with me. Self-awareness was awakened in some, and they left the horse arena to be an excellent leader in the corporate arena.

Thank you to the person who was challenged by their horse to stop being so rigid and be willing to be flexible. Thank you to the youths where ‘trust’ was the classroom with

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with this horse?” The answer: “OH! I need to be present and engaging!” MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL; AM I CONNECTING AT ALL?

make a decision that you simply don’t let your emotions be in control of you. Thank you to each of you that a horse mirrored the importance of setting boundaries, and to some of you, not only setting the boundaries, but enforcing them!

Thank you to each of you when the horse invited you to speak and think positive about yourself rather than blaming yourself or asking, “What am I doing wrong?,” or getting frustrated with yourself because of a communication gap.

How you chose to reposition yourself inside and be creative instead of blaming; connecting instead of condemning!

Thank you for each card, call, note, hug, mug, and gift; expressing meaningful time spent.

“Happy Thanksgiving”! And remember the thanks are in the giving.

Thank you that some of you realized it was time Your NEIGHbor, to take your life force up Deb Kitchenmaster a notch and make a deciCorral Connections sion to take steps away www.corralconnections.com from apathy and passiv‘A church of great heart’ ity to engaging and ask256-426-7947 ing questions. Some of this came from “UFF- Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner DA! What’s wrong dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

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Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On Wendy Royles

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Wendy Royles was born in Cincinnati in 1964, and graduated from Princeton High School in 1983. After high school, she received training in clothing and fabric specialties, and spent 28 years working for Downlight Coats. She married a man whose family was from Athens, and they had a son, Jerald. She turned down supervisory positions and promotions when they became available because she wanted

to raise her child, and the management positions would have made doing that well a whole lot tougher. Although her marriage to Jerald’s father did not last, her love for Athens did, and Jerald graduated from Athens High School.

Wendy became quite ill in 2009, and moved in with her former in-laws, with whom she is close. Her first experience with Athens Rehab was when she came to visit some-

one. Then she found herself in the position of being a resident after she had hip replacement surgery, and she will tell you she was “scared at first,” but that didn’t last long. She loved everything about the facility, especially how she was treated. She says with enthusiasm, “This place is great!”

More recently, she suffered a stroke, and is “back on the rehab track.” She expects to be living on her own again even-

tually.

We talked about changes and favorites, and spent a good deal of time talking about various Tyler Perry movies.

Without a doubt, Tyler Perry is her favorite actor, and “Diary Of A Mad Black Woman” is her favorite Perry movie.

We laughed hard about several “mad Madea” scenes from the film, and moved on to the subject of favorite actress, which is Halle Barry. A particular scene from “Losing Isaiah” made us all tear up, just to talk about it.

Her favorite color? Purple.

Her favorite songs? August, and Stevie Wonder’s Ribbons In The Sky. Her favorite food? Mac and cheese. I asked her, “Do you make the best mac and cheese there is?” The twinkle in her eye said it all.

She attends Antioch Church, and her favorite bible verse is Psalms 91, which was one I leaned upon when I was in Iraq. I must admit, it means even more to me as I write this from Jerusalem. She used to quote it to herself when she was having to deal with coworkers who were acting like enemies, and who were actively trying to betray her. “I will

November 21 - December 4, 2014

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say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in whom I shall trust.” Good words, especially these days.

Her favorite President? Barack Obama, and she says the biggest change is having “the first African American President.”

She added that she also “really liked Bill Clinton. He was a good president.”

Another big change? “The economy.”

Her advice to young people?

With all her strength she said, “STAY IN SCHOOL! Stay in school as long as you can, and go to college if you can.”

I already knew she was very happy about the care she was receiving at Athens Rehab and Senior Care, and was enthusiastic about everything from the staff, to nurses, and the Activities Team. Words like “excellent”, and “friendly” came forth unbidden. But then I took a risk and asked a tougher question, seeing as she is planning on living on her own after she is finished with her rehab regimen. “OK, this is your second time here, and what I want to know is, if you had to come to come back as a permanent resident, would you be ok with that?” Her answer was swift and her smile was big.

“Oh, yes!” Then we prayed.

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Medical Update

What Is A Growth Plate Fracture?

By Dr. Patrick Boyett, OrthoSports Athens If you have children then chances are you have heard of the term growth plate fracture.

So, what is a growth plate fracture?

Growth plate fractures occur only in children.

As the skeleton grows, this growth occurs from a site within each bone called a growth plate or physis. This is an area of bone that is different than other parts of the bone. It has different characteristics which make it susceptible to certain injury patterns.

classification that helps your doctor predict outcomes and determine treatment.

One very confusing and frustrating aspect of growth plate fractures is that often they may not show on x-ray.

This is because growth plates look like fracture lines on x-rays to the untrained eye. Therefore fractures often hide in growth plates.

In these cases your doctor makes the diagnosis based on clinical exam

The growth plate is softer and has more cartilage type make up and therefore is weaker with the stress that injury may exert on bone. This is why fractures are more likely to occur around growth plates. We call these fractures Salter Harris type fractures in the orthopedic world. This is a injury pattern and knowledge of these fracture patterns.

Growth plate fractures generally do well in the long run but can result in early growth shut down

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of the broken bone. This is minimized by proper treatment. Typical treatment for growth plate fractures involves casting but occasionally does require surgery.

November 21 - December 4, 2014

Security Savvy

Thanksgiving Safety

by Brian Black, Operations Manager of Madison Security Group 203 Us Highway 31 S, Athens, AL 35611

It’s that time of year when we start planning for the Thanksgiving travels. Last year AAA estimated that over 3 million people would travel over 50 miles for Thanksgiving celebrations, just imagine how many will be traveling across town to Grandma’s house for lunch.

The best way to stay safe is planning.

You should plan to leave your house a little earlier than normal, in anticipation of others on the road that decided to wait until the last minute to leave and are now in a hurry to get to their destination before the Turkey gets cold. And make sure you are not feeling the effects of the Tryptophan before you drive home. That is if you go home.

A “tradition” that some people have is to stay up after the Thanksgiving meal and go to the midnight openings of retail stores. These people are easy to spot, they will start gathering at 9:00 or 10:00 pm and stand in line outside these retail stores even if it is cold and raining. This is a time when you need be observant of all things and people around you.

You probably will not have any problems until those doors are opened.

When they are that’s when friendly easy going people turn into creatures

won’t know about it until January.

So just be vigilant this Thanksgiving -have fun, be safe and be aware.

you normally see on Halloween. Be careful of the stampede going in to the stores, there are always reports of people getting injured during these times. I would advise not taking small children with you; but if you must take small children with you, hold on to them, it would be real easy to have children injured or get away from you and ruin the whole “fun” experience.

While shopping on Black Friday, be aware of all kinds of crimes that can take place. Credit card number theft is one of the more popular crimes.

November 21 - December 4, 2014

Individuals working in teams can steal your credit card number before you realize what is happening. There are a couple of things you can do to eliminate this threat. Try to use checkouts that allow you to swipe your card. If you must hand your card to the cashier try to maintain visual contact with your card at all times. Don’t be distracted by someone behind you or another cashier, they could be working as a team to steal your credit card number. The theft works this way. The person to whom you have given

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the card has a card capture device hidden; while the other person distracts you, they capture your card number and the deal is done. You probably

One final thought on Thanksgiving.

As you gather with your family remember the reason why we celebrate. We are fortunate to live in the greatest country in the history of the world, we have been blessed with resources and talents beyond all others.

Happy Thanksgiving and remember to always remove the bag from the turkey before you cook it.

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