October 3, 2014

October 3 - 16, 2014

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Tourism Festival Season In Full Swing...

Nothing says “Fall” like the Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention, and on October 3rd and 4th Athens will...

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Gotcha Covered Print Wear: 26 Years Of Screen Printing And Embroidery Excellence Gotcha

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Cyndi Buchanan honorably served our country in the Air Force for 10 years, and was in the field of

Clean and Green

Continued on pages 15

Sparky Welcomes New Student Litter Patrol Officers...

KALB’s mascot Sparky (aka Leigh Patterson) and I had the pleasure of visiting with students at Our House Day Care in Athens recently. We love to talk with the little ones because...

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Jerry’s Journal

Covered is now printing custom Spirit jerseys!

8th Annual Storytelling Festival: “Imagine A Crisp Fall Weekend…”

On the Possum’s Trail With Jimmie “Two Hills”...

The life of Jimmie Hills is the stuff of a country song...

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By Ali Elizabeth Turner

“…spent listening to stories of adventure and excitement…a place where memories and magic are captured and spun into tales Continued on page 17

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Publisher’s Point

Jihad And Justice In Oklahoma

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales

Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Teresa Todd Joel Allen Brian Black Jerry Barksdale

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12 Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . 18 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . . 20 James Curtis Turner . . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22

Oklahoma, the scene of some of the worst twisters and terror attacks in America has been hit again. This time the grisly nature of the attack so defies our sensibilities that it is difficult to justify discussing it in a paper whose subtitle is, “Information and Inspiration.” A woman was beheaded by her coworker while at their place of employment, and her husband was waiting outside, as he did every day, to take her home. Her name was Colleen Hufford, she was 54, a mom and a grandmother, and greatly loved.

Colleen Hufford

My husband called me to tell me what happened, and he understood my silence while I tried to get my head around this happening on American soil.

One of the most beloved women in Iraq was beheaded while I was there, and no one really ever found out why. I can tell you why— evil is real and irrational.

Colleen’s assailant was a man by the name of Alton Nolen, a recent convert to Islam, a supporter of ISIS and Osama bin Ladin, and someone who thought it was appropriate to post a video of a beheading for viewing on his own social media site. After he got done with Colleen, he stabbed another woman by the name of Traci Johnson several times before he was stopped by the company’s CEO, Mark Vaughan.

Mark, a retired deputy sher-

Security Savvy . . . . . . . . . 23 Jerry’s Journal . . . . . . . . 24

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ISIS, “and ISIS kills Christians. It is just what we do.” He also told her that after he did it, he was “going to post it on Facebook.”

I remember when I was in theological school and we were studying the Book of Revelation and the end times.

There was a specific reference in the 6th chapter of the book that discusses those that “were slain for the Word of God and their testimony.”

The primary defini-

An MSNBC commentator tried to spin the Oklahoma murder and stabbing as “workplace violence,” but what rational person would describe it as such when the alleged perpetrator says, “It is just what we do.” Congressman Allen West also notes that ISIS is beheading children in a park in Mosul, Iraq, and putting their heads on a stick. Why? Did the kids get their decapitators fired from their job? No, it is what they believe Allah would have them do, and it is evil. May God bless Mark Vaughan for stopping more slaughter, and may God have mercy on all of us.

ISIS is here.

iff, shot Alton, and without any hesitation I thought, “Thank God he was packing and knew how to shoot.”

Just as I began to regain my own equilibrium, I became aware that another eerily similar incident nearly happened at a nursing home in Oklahoma days earlier. A 30 year old Nigerian man came right out and told his female co-worker that he was going to cut her head off with a dull blade. What precipitated the threat is that he noticed she was wearing a Star of David necklace. At first she thought he was joking, and then realized he was completely serious. When asked why, he replied that he represents

Mark Vaughan tion of the word “slain” is to “slay, slaughter, or butcher.”

I don’t think that it is a hysterical over reaction to at least ask the question, “Is this an example of what John saw?” And, perhaps more importantly, “Now that it’s here, will we see more?”

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

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All Things Soldier

Montel Williams Pleads For Andrew Tahmooressi

by Ali Elizabeth Turner It has been six months since Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi has been held in a Mexican jail for accidentally crossing the border with weapons in his car. Six months. The man has served two tours in Afghanistan, was not in any way trying to break the law, and couldn’t get out of the lane that sent him straight into a country where you can rot in jail for having an

While I have made it clear that I wouldn’t wish a Mexican prison on anyone, the travesty is compounded by the fact that Andrew has been diagnosed with PTSD. He has been beaten while in prison, and while I know that PTSD can be effectively treated, it is a certainty that his condition has only been exacerbated and his recovery time will be longer and much more complicated.

empty .22 shell in your car. When I say rot, I do mean rot. One Christmas, when my husband and I were living in Mexico, we ministered in a Federal prison in Juarez, where if your family does not bring you food, you don’t eat. If your family does not bring you sheets, blankets and clothing, you are stuck.

If you have no family in the city where you are in-

carcerated, then you are at the mercy of the Mexican mafia. I saw all of this with my own eyes.

I also have crossed over from San Diego into Tijuana, and know from experience just how easy it would be to get into the situation in which Andrew found himself.

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

October 21st

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

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

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Andrew’s plight has been kept in the forefront by very few of the media outlets, but this week may have gotten some new coverage by virtue of Montel Williams going to the Hill to plead for him. While I was aware that Montel Williams has been an actor on television, and has had his own talk show for years, I did not know that he is a retired Naval Lt. Commander, nor that he had also been a corporal in the Marines. He is also a graduate of the US Naval Academy, and was in uniform for a total 22 years.

He has been in close contact with Andrew’s mother, Jill, and has become the celebrity face of frustration with the way the entire affair has been handled.

There have been over 100,000 petitions signed on Andrew’s behalf, a fact that Lt. Commander Williams emphasized in front of the Armed Services Committee. He pulled no punches when he said, ““To me, this is an abomination,” tearing up at a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on Wednesday. “Six months. He didn’t hesitate to say ‘aye aye, sir’ to go up and serve. How dare we.

How dare we as a nation hesitate to get that young man back.”

He then spoke a message with command authority to Commander In Chief, President Barak Hussein Obama. “Make the call.

Make the call today.” By this, he was referring to the need for the President to call President Enrique Pena Nieto personally and call for Andrew’s release.

It was said that at the beginning of the hearings, which occurred on October 1st, that lawmakers were confident that Andrew would be released soon.

That is our prayer, not only for Andrew, but for other wounded warriors who may have lost their way in other ways.

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Calendar of Events Colonial Dames Celebrate Colonial Heritage Month

Celebrating the 407th anniversary of the pilgrims landing in America. For more info call Carroll Strickland at 256-536-4702 or visit colonialdames17c.org

The Way We Worked Athens Thru Nov 8th

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Limestone County Event Center 114 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. “The Way We Worked” reaches into the rich holdings of the National Archives as well into the hosting community to explore how work has changed in America over the last 100 years. Hear from workers today and from the past in engaging videos and audio recordings. See how work has changed through artifacts - including many of them on loan from local organizations and individuals. Admission is free. For more information Rebekah Davis at 256-233-6404 or thewayathensworks@gmail.com.

Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby Oct 4th

Big Spring Memorial Park Athens, AL. Get your ducks in a row for this Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful fundraiser. Adopt a duck for $5.00 or a Quack-Pack of 6 ducks for $25.00 Visit keepathenslimestonebeautiful.com/wacky-quacky-derby.html for more info.

Old Lester Hospital, 30338 Lester Road, Lester, AL. Join Scare 4 Charity at the Haunted Lester Hospital for the scare of your life from 7:00PM-12:00AM. Price is $10.00 per person. Concessions availalble onsite. Proceeds benefit local charities in Limestone County. For more information visit www.thehauntedlesterhospital.com

Doomsday at Dog Days Oct 10th - 11th, 17th-18th & 24th-25th

Dog Days Grounds. 30444 Gowan Road, Ardmore, TN. ASF Haunt invites you to join them in their new location for night of screams and nightmares. Wonder the treacherous path in 6-acre Haunted Woods, as creatures stalk you and terrorize you. You may not find the exit until light of day, if you’re that lucky - Cost $13.00 for all ages. Cash and Credit Cards Accepted (surcharge may apply to credit cards). For more information: www.asfhaunt.com

Athens Swan Creek Park Pavilion. 100 U.S. Highway 31, Athens, AL. The Apple Annie 5K charity race benefiting the Full Tummy Project and the Family Resource Center of Athens/Limstone Page 6

The Pink Elephant Luncheon Oct 15th

Limestone County Event Center. 114 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. Doors open at 11:00AM for Pink Social Hour -- viewing of the Bra Art, Smithsonian Exhibit, Raffle Tickets and photo booth. Then its time for the luncheon at 12:00PM. Individual Tickets are $30.00.

To purchase tickets: mypinkelephant.org. For more information: 256-233-9236.

Pumpkin & Scarecrow Painting Party Oct 17th

Nestle Toll House Cafe. 1260 U.S. Highway 72E, Athens, AL. Join Nestle Toll House and Artistic Discovery’s Sascha from 6:45PM8:45PM for step-by-step how to project that you take home at the end of the painting party. Ages 7 years and older are welcome. 8”x10” Canvas is $25.00; 11”x14” Canvas is $35.00; 16”x20” Canvas is $45.00 and Wooden Plate is $35.

Fall Dinner on the Farm Oct 17th

The Haunted Lester Hospital Oct 10th - 11th, 17th-18th & 24th-25th

Apple Annie 5K Oct 11th

County will be held at Swan Creek Park with 8:00AM Registration and Packet pickup. The 5K will start at 9:00AM with Awards at 10:15AM. A 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 10:30AM. There will be a Family Fun Zone with games, face painting, food, music, and a hot air balloon. Individual 5K is $25.00 (plus $2.50 fee) and 1-Mile Fun Run is $10.00 (plus $2.50 fee). Register at appleannie5K. itsyourrace.com

1818 Farms 24889 Lauderdale Street, Mooresville, AL. Join Albany Bistro and 1818 Farms for this Farm to Table Dinner starting at 6:00PM. Guests will enjoy a four-course, gourmet experience in historic Mooresville, AL. Upon arrival at 1818 Farms, each guest will grab a beverage and take a short tour of the farm, where they will learn a bit about the heirloom vegetables the owner grows and harvests. Guests will then be seated at tables amid the farms lavendar fields. Albany Bistro Chef Jakob Reed and chefs will use vegetables grown on the farm and locally to produce the evening’s meals. Each course will feature Chef Jakob sharing information on how it was prepared and the product origins. Cost is $75.00 person. Reservations can be made at 1818farms.com/productspage/product-category/fall-2014-farm-to-table-dinner

2nd Annual Southern ReInvention Oct 18th

Belle Chevre Creamery. 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road, Elkmont, AL. Join artistans from around the South from 11:00AM-5:00PM celebrating and promoting their crafts - food, drink, art, fashion and literature with a clear Sourthern identity. Guest artisans include Billy Reid, High Road Craft, Cooking Light Magazine and others.

For more information 256-732-3577.

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October 3 - October 16, 2014

Visit smart.athens.edu to get started.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

It’s Another Great Day In Athens

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

ca. This goal is both lofty and smart, because the better a city is, the stronger are its boundaries. We face a perplexing situation in Alabama, and that is the State Supreme Court has ruled that cities can annex parts of neighboring counties and make them their own. Conversely, citizens can ask for their neighborhoods to be annexed by a neighboring city. Our only defense in

As we continue to work our way through Rick Baker’s book The Seamless City, I have found that one of the things that former St. Petersburg Mayor Baker shares with Mayor Ronnie is joy mixed with dogged optimism, and tempered by the “complicated-ness” of running a city in 21st century America. Mayor Baker, upon announcing the Grand Prix racing series in Florida, made the following statement: “We have a saying here that “It’s another great day in St. Pete…

It doesn’t get much better than this.” Mayor Ronnie has made that statement his own, substituting Athens for St. Pete, of course, and catches himself saying it often.

He got a chance to experience a “great day” this week when the ASAHI Kasei Corporation broke ground on their second American plastics plant, to be located on Wilkinson Street. He was among several who spoke

at the gathering, including Alabama Secretary of Commerce Canfield, State Senator Orr, Limestone County Commissioner Menefee, the Japanese Con-

sul General, and several officials from ASAHI Kasei. Interestingly, the stated corporate values of ASAHI Kasei are “Sincerity, Creation, and Challenge,” which applied correctly will make for many “great days” as they build the local economy and our community. They made the promise to be a “good corporate citizen.”

Mayor Baker and Mayor Marks have determined that their respective cities will be the best in Ameri-

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avoiding “becoming Huntsville” is to become the best city, with the best schools, the best roads, the best infrastructure, the best economy, the best hospitals, the best protectors and first responders, and the best quality of life within our own local borders.

“You have to have pride in

your city,” said Mayor Ronnie, and added that a healthy proof of that pride would be “that young people would want to return to Athens to visit, and hopefully to live.”

He talked about the many things that “layer in” to improve quality of life, such as walking trails, schools, parks, pavilions, and of course, festivals. “There has to be a demand from the citizens for quality, coupled with pride,” he said.

Speaking of young people, the Mayor’s Youth Commission is experiencing growing pains. The program has become so popular among our high school students that this year the number of kids interested in being a part during the 2014-2015 school year has doubled from 40 to over 80. “I don’t know what we are going to do yet, how we are going to handle the growth,” he said, but his smile told me this was a “pain” he enjoyed having.

We talked about attitude, and noted that the eternal “cup-half-empty-half-full” view of life came in on the “half-empty” side of some when it came to the recent attempt at Grease Festival to break the world record for a toga party. Rather than celebrate the attempt, and the fact that the attendees greatly enjoyed themselves, a neighboring city newspaper underscored the fact that we had “failed.” Failed? I don’t think so. “We’re just getting started” he said, and then we prayed. Togas and teenagers, that’s some of what makes Ronnie roll.

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Tourism

Festival Season In Full Swing

by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

100 Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611

Nothing says “Fall” like the Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention, and on October 3rd and 4th Athens will celebrate beautiful weather, colorful trees and great music at the ASU campus.

Beginning almost 50 years ago in 1966, the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention has become known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers’ Conventions” for its role in reviving the tradition of competition in old time music.

Approximately 15,000 people are expected to attend the convention this year.

The convention brings some 200 contestants to compete for top prize money. There are 18 different categories, including several fiddle and guitar categories, harmonica, mandolin, bluegrass as well as regular banjo, dulcimer, old time singing, and buck dancing. The Convention culminates in a “fiddle-off,” between the top two fiddlers. The winning fiddler is declared “Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddle Champion,” and takes home a trophy and $1000. A total of $11,850 will be awarded to contestants, and convention proceeds support student scholarships and University projects. To date more than $500,000 has been contributed to the University.

The Annual Tourism Haunts Walks begin in October at the Visitor Center meeting room.

These guided ‘Haunts Walks’ offer a special treat for the Halloween season.

Here is your opportunity

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to get a glimpse into the haunted history and mysterious happenings of Athens through ghost stories. This walking tour takes you from the Athens Visitors Center through the historic districts with guides Shane Black and Billy Ward recounting tales, woes, and the unexplained.

Belle Chevre owner Tasia Malakasis will be hosting the 2nd Annual Southern Reinvention celebration with food, fashion, and

Pickers, John McCutchen, Kevin Kling, Andy Ouffitt Irwin and Carmen Deedy will all be at the Downtown Square large striped Carnival Tent to entertain you with their tall tales, singing and maybe an extra special delight!

“Vietnam, More Than Just a Name,” A Jackie Greenhaw Production to benefit the Alabama Veterans Museum, and will be performed on Sunday, Oct 26th at 2 pm.

This emotional and valiant

portrayal of history will be held at the Limestone Co. Senior Center, 912 W. Pryor St. Athens, AL. Shuttle service will be available from the DHR parking lot, 1007 W. Market Street, Athens, and begins at 1pm.

Tickets are on sale now for only $10.00, and available at the Alabama Veterans Museum. Call 256-7717578 for more information; there are a limited number of tickets.

Now through November 8th the Smithsonian Museum will present “The Way We Worked,” a traveling Museum on Main Street exhibit which is open and located downtown in the Limestone County Event Center. With

their hands, their minds hard at work and sweat on their brows, American workers perform a diverse array of jobs to power our society. Whether we work for professional satisfaction and personal growth, or to ensure the well-being of ourselves and our families, work is and has been a part of nearly every American’s life. The Way We Worked – Athens embraces our agriculture roots with items such as cotton sacks & baskets n display. It has video of just how we are able to farm and harvest so quickly with today’s technology. A continuous video plays as several locals identify their favorite jobs, their worst job, and discrimination on their jobs.

The exhibition draws from the Limestone County Archives’ rich collection of implements, photographs, clothing and other items.

Local collectors’ artifacts help to tell this compelling Limestone County story from the past 150 years until the present day.

fun on October 18th from 11:AM-4:PM. This is an opportunity for the community to visit and become familiar with grass roots businesses such as Billy Reid, Jim N. Nicks, High Road Craft, Alabama Seafood and more!

Another event in October we all look forward to is the 8th Annual Athens Storytelling Festival on October 21st through the 25th.

They will be bringing back their very popular Amateur night on Oct 21st. Donald Davis, Bill Lepp, Dill

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Clean and Green

Sparky Welcomes New Student Litter Patrol Officers

by Lynne Hart KALB’s mascot Sparky (aka Leigh Patterson) and I had the pleasure of visiting with students at Our House Day Care in Athens recently. We love to talk with the little ones because they are so impressionable and take our message very seriously.

Our topic this visit was litter. Together we presented the Student Litter Patrol Officer program to the children, and were all invited to be sworn in as litter patrol officers. Sparky was so proud, and the children could not get enough of our mascot!

One little boy did not want to leave Sparky’s side. He snuck out of his classroom TWICE and tried to peek into the room where Sparky was taken after the class. That was a close call!

Sparky and Lynne teaching the children about the dangers of litter.

Sparky (aka Leigh Patterson), KALB’s Mascot, holding Landon Farmer, a 3 year old student at Our House Day Care. He is telling everyone that putting litter where it belongs deserves a “thumbs UP”!

We are already scheduled to return to Our House in the spring to present the Talking Tree program. I\t is not too early to schedule a classroom visit for later in the school year.

There are many programs KALB has that are geared toward age groups from preschool to adults. Topics include recycling, litter control, beautification, plastics in our oceans, importance of forests, what’s new at KALB, and more. Here is a sample of just a few of the student programs available for the classroom: Student Litter Patrol Officers: A KALB educator will come to the classroom

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and explain to the children what littering is and why it is dangerous and harmful to the environment. After the lesson, Sparky comes in and plays the Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down game with them. Once the children understand the danger of litter and recognize it in photos, Sparky and the educator

invite them to become Official Student Litter Patrol Officers. In this role, they will help the Chief of Police and the Sheriff by reminding their families and friends that litter is against the law, dangerous, and disrespectful. The students are sworn in and receive a Litter Patrol Officer ID card. A letter is sent home to the children’s parents asking that they support their children by showing a good example.

Talking Tree: This lesson is all about the importance of trees. The presenter and the class will discuss the

Talking Tree (aka Marilyn Ford)

food trees produce, as well as the oxygen, shade, shelter and protection from soil erosion they provide. The role that animals play in spreading seeds and nuts, which create new trees, is also demonstrated. Since trees are necessary to make paper and building supplies, we also talk about recycling and conservation.

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The Dangers of Litter: Students are broken into groups and each group is given a bag of “littered” items. As a group, students are asked to rank the items from most dangerous to least dangerous, citing reasons for their decisions.

Once this process is complete, the KALB educator leads discussion about what makes each item dangerous. There are no right or wrong answers, but is an exercise in criti-

cal thinking about a subject that is usually given little thought.

We are always impressed by the number of comments we receive from parents that tell us the recycling habits in their homes or their littering habits have changed because children have pressured them to “do the right thing”.

KALB has speakers and programs available for just about any age group. If you would like to discuss bringing a program to your classroom, or if you would like a speaker for your next meeting or gathering, just call KALB. We would be happy to discuss your needs.

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

Become a Fan

October 3 - October 16, 2014

Cooking with Shelley

Yellow Summer Squash

by Shelley Underhill

Smothered with onions and lots of seasoning, if you’re like me you can make a meal out of a big bowl of squash!

This summer the yellow squash has been plentiful. It’s fresh and tender and low in calories at about eighteen

calories per cup. You will want to try it! Go on down to our local market and get you some. Give it a try and let me know what you think. You can email me at shelleysdesk@ gmail.com ENJOY!

What you will need: 6 to 8 yellow squash (ends cut off) 1 large yellow onion cut, in chunks 2 Tablespoons Badia seasoning 3 Tablespoons Maggie’s powdered chicken bouillon 2 cups water Combine all ingredients together in a soup pot, bring to a boil, cook until tender.

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Health and Fitness

Exercises To Lower Your Risk Of Knee Problems And Help You Recover After Knee Injury Or Surgery by Janet Hunt Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.

After surgery or an injury, physical therapy and exercise will help you return to the activities of daily living and to a more active lifestyle.

If you do not have knee issues, strengthening exercise can help you avoid injury or surgery. Below is a general conditioning program. If you have had an injury or surgery you should talk to your doctor or physical therapist about which exercises are best.

Before doing any resistance exercises, warm up for 5 – 10 minutes to prepare your body for strengthening exercises. After a warm-up, you can begin your resistance workout to strengthen the muscles around your knee which reduces the stress on the joint.

Strong muscles will help knee function and safeguard against injury. After strength work, you want to use stretching exercises to restore range of motion and prevent future injuries.

Gentle stretching will keep you muscles flexible.

The muscle groups associated with knees are: •Quadriceps – front of the thigh •Hamstrings – back of the thigh •Abductors – outer thigh •Adductors – inner thigh •Gluteus medium and gluteus maximum – buttocks Exercising these muscle groups help protect your knee from injury and many of these exercises are necessary to recover from knee

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all be done standing which adds the additional core work for balance and can easily be performed in a group class.

After completing strength exercises, end your workout with some good stretches.

Include the following stretches: •Calf stretch injury or surgery.

er)

Below are some suggested exercises for strengthening the muscles groups listed above.

If you feel pain during an exercise, talk to your physical therapist or doctor. If you need more detailed information about an exercise, talk to a Certified Personal Trainer or your Physical Therapist.

• To make this more difficult ankle weights can be added.

Exercises: •Squat: works quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings.

• Stand with feet shoulder distance apart.

Hands on hips or reaching in front or holding on to the back of a chair for balance • Keep your chest lifted by looking forward and slowly lower hips about 10 inches like your were sitting in a chair (Do NOT bend at the waist) • Heels are glued to the floor •Hamstring curls: the hamstrings.

works

•Hold on the back of a chair for balance • Bend your knee and raise your heel towards your buttocks (Keep your knees close togeth-

•Calf raises: muscles.

•Hamstring stretch

stronger tubing.

works calf

• Hold on to the back of a chair for balance and lift foot off the floor so all your weight is on one foot. Then switch.

•Leg extensions – works the quadriceps • Sit up straight on a chair • Slowly straighten and raise one leg as straight as possible.

I recommend 2 or 3 sets of 10 to 16 repetitions 4 to 5 times per week unless you are using heavy weights.

When using heavy weights, reduce to 3 times per week.

These muscle groups can also be worked using various weight machines found at fitness centers or performing different moves lying on a floor or table to work against gravity. I recommend the above exercises because they can almost

•Quadriceps stretch •Hip flexor stretch

Hold each stretch 20 to 30 seconds and perform 2 or 3 times. Stretches are tempting to omit, but are every bit as important strengthening exercises.

For additional information, contact Janet Hunt at 256-614-3530 or visit one of her classes at the Athens Senior Center or Round Island Baptist Church.

• To make this more difficult, ankle weights can be added.

•Abductors – works abductors and glutes • Sit up straight on a chair with elastic tubing under your feet or standing on tubing (do not bend over). Cross the tubing so you have a big X in front.

• Step to one side making sure your toes are pointed forward then step to the other side.

• To make this more difficult, use

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Cover Story

Gotcha Covered Print Wear: 26 Years Of Screen Printing And Embroidery Excellence

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

aircraft maintenance. After she left the USAF, she entered the private sector as an Associate Engineer. She had a secret clearance, lived in DC, worked in communications, and made good money.

But she wasn’t happy. “DC was just too big,” she said, and essentially by a fluke fell into the custom “T-shirt-Polos-Hats-Etc” screen printing and embroidery business, as her card indicates. A friend said, “Let’s do this,” they ordered the equipment, set up shop in Cyndi’s home state of Pennsylvania, and then started to learn the trade. “Screen printing is hard,” said the woman who is the engineer with the secret clearance, and her wry sense of humor made me chuckle.

They experienced their baptism of fire, (or vertical learning curve, if you will), got good at what they did, made money, and then a family move to Florida made the Sunshine State Cyndi’s new home. “Our family tends to move together,” she told me, and they were in Florida for 20 years. Cyndi has started and sold 4 or 5 screen printing/embroidery businesses, and it was her brother’s family moving to Rogersville that brought her to Alabama the Beautiful in 2013 to start this one. “I had been told that Florence would be the best place to relocate and set up shop, but I fell in love with Athens,” she said. I told her I fully understood her choice, and we talked for quite a while about why and how much we love our town.

Her chief love, as far as the trade is concerned, is designing and screen printing.

She will do 4 color process screen printing, which is unusual in this area. She has helped out other vendors prepare for our festival and holiday season, because the local demand for print wear is so high, and she is happy to help.

When I first walked into the Gotcha Covered facility, (which is located at 389 W. Sanderfer, right next to Jimmy Gill Park), I saw a sign that grabbed me. It said, “12 T-shirts for $99,”

which is a super deal.

I always put myself in the position of being a potential customer when I interview a client, and in this case I genuinely need new T-shirts for my crew, so this was not just a theoretical chat. The shirts need to be black so the ink from the newspaper bundles does not show when we are doing deliveries, and we need to look like we have on uniforms so that store owners remain comfortable when we come quickly striding into their shop to break bundles and put them in racks.

We tossed around a couple of ideas for the new shirts, and I was impressed with Cyndi’s

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her clients. “I do my best for a dozen shirts, and I do my best for a thousand shirts, there is no difference,” she told me. “I work with my client, and people feel comfortable that they will get a good product,” she said.

Our previous conversation made me a believer.

“People sense that I have a lot of experience,” she said with what struck me as true humility. “Our products are guaranteed, and we stand by them,” said Cyndi. She also added, “We are FAST! Most of the time I can turn around an order in 7 days.” Then she said something that warmed the heart of anyone who appreciates quality service, and it was this: “I see

it as a labor of love.” “Nuff said,” I thought. She then explained that it is hard to get good workers, but she has trained a young man “from scratch” who does the screening with the same love she has, “and he is doing a good job,” she said with a smile.

While I was there, a client who himself is a screen wear producer came in and needed some advice on an ink color choice for his order. With skill and speed she suggested a color, and explained why she felt it was the best choice. He agreed, and I was pleased that Gotcha Covered had, in the space of one year, developed such a cooperative working relationship with people who technically are competitors. “There’s enough to go around,” she said. “Amen!” I countered.

And, in a little over one year, she has become one of the largest screen wear producers in the region. We will be getting our new custom shirts by the time we deliver the second October edition of Athens Now, and when you see us zooming around Athens in our snappy new threads, you’ll have proof positive that Cyndi Buchanan delivers when she promises, “Gotcha Covered!”

sense of design, style, and practicality. Her prices were fair, she tossed in a “perk,” and the deal was sealed in about 10 minutes. At that point I became a “raving fan pre-satisfied customer,” and I was looking forward to learning more about how she takes care of

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Cover Story

8th Annual Storytelling Festival: “Imagine A Crisp Fall Weekend…”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

that make you laugh and cry.

Hear stories that tell of a time that used to be. Glimpse into the past and live the imaginary. Learn more about your parents, your children, yourself.” – 2014 Storytelling Festival Brochure.

It is that time again, and for the eighth year in a row, from October 21 thru October 25, “Our Town” will host an event that has quickly become a significant reason why Athens is such a wonderful place to live: the Storytelling Festival. One of the many blessings of our particular festival is that it is squeaky clean, and is accurately billed as true family fare.

Several things stand out about our festival, starting with the fact that out of 300 national events, ours is the only one that sees to it that students from our school system as well as homeschoolers get to attend free of charge. Our legislators Dan Williams, Bill Holtzclaw and Mac McCutcheon work hard to get funding to make it possible. People and businesses alike pitch in to make the event something that, according to event organizer Wayne Kuykendall, “has an 80-100K dollar financial impact on our community.”

Wayne had some additional news that will most definitely affect our school kids in a positive way. This year the National Endowment of the Arts has recognized storytelling as a sub-discipline under the theatre arts as well as folk/traditional arts, which means that

in order to satisfy federal education requirements, more kids will be coming to the festival. Funds will be released to make sure that happens, and next year the school events will be started a day early to make sure all the students get their chance to hear the ‘tellers. Andy Offutt Irwin will be

Andy Offutt “on duty” with the kids. He started out in comedy, and then added storytelling and music to his repertoire. He is an award winning storyteller, and all five of the CDs he

Donald Davis

has produced have garnered awards as well.

So, who else is in the lineup for this year’s Storytelling

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Festival? Some old favorites as well as someone we haven’t seen in awhile.

Kevin Kling, who is a veteran of National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, teaches kids about right and wrong through the use of two characters named Goofus and Gallant. Of his two imaginary chums Kevin says, “Gallant cleans his room, Goofus sees if oily rags will burn

Dill Pickers the fact that a motorcycle accident left him with no use of his right arm whatsoever.

Veteran ‘tellers such as Donald Davis, Bill Lepp, Carmen Deedy and John McCutcheon will be back again this year, and all of them rave about the Athens event because of the legendary hospitality and honor that they experience each year. This year there will be an added treat, the Dill Pickers, who were a big hit last year, and they will replicate an old time radio hour.

were delighted to hear tales of what it was like to grow up in Limestone County from several local celebrities. The event, which was held before the weekend officially kicked off, was judged by the professional tellers, and Frank Travis was declared the winner.

His prize was being invited to “run with the big dogs” and tell with the ‘tellers when the event kicked off on Thursday. This year the local contestants submitted audition tapes and DVDs, and the Kevin Kling final selection will be made after October 1. They will perform on Tuesday night.

Storytelling is about much more than making people laugh, or providing a safe place for families to enjoy themselves, or to put money in the coffers of local tourism. Telling stories Bill Lepp Carmen Deedy John McCutcheon preserves cultures, gives a sense of history as well They will be performing on as future, and is the basis of in a window well.” InterestThursday evening only. everything from gathering ingly, Kevin has managed to Last year was the first time around a campfire to roast be wonderfully animated in that local folks were invited marshmallows, to imparting his presentation, in spite of to “show their stuff,” and we divine truths. It is clearly a way to strengthen our city.

So, come and see what we have come to love so much, and “laugh ‘til you cry, and cry ‘til you laugh.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www. athensstorytellingfestival.com, or for more information, call Wayne Kuykendall at 256-232-0400.

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Your Box Is Full

by Wanda Campbell

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

place for a calendar and kids’ school papers. Shannon, my youngest daughter, has one right by the front door. She has a wall calendar on top. Under that is a file box with each person’s name on it. And under that is a key rack. The kids always kick off their shoes as they come in, so their shoes are always by the door too. Very handy!

On Monday, I got a message that said “Your email box is full. Please delete items.”

I got this same message about a year ago. My, how time flies. It does not seem like it has been a year. Turns out it was not a year, it is only six months. I can’t delete that email without wondering if I will need it again. It took all day to go through those emails.

I thought this bad habit was just at work, but it turns out I am a hanging onto things at home, too.

And the mess is worse.

I now have six 30-quart plastic tubs that I cannot throw away, and have no place to store.

The email prompted a spring cleaning fit at

work and at home. You know, spring cleaning - when you decide you have to clean up everything and throw out the old stuff. That is easier than it sounds.

When I started going through the boxes at home, I found “treasures.” How could I put my grandbaby’s handprint

Collins

from Kindergarten in the trash? I know that wooden rifle is broken, but Ben won that for shooting targets at Boy Scout camp.

And the corn kernels are falling off the rooster picture, but it was so cute when it was new, and it is the only art project I have from Brian.

I actually took a class

called Getting Rid of Clutter. It did not completely take, but I did learn some pretty good habits. For one, if you sort your mail over the trash can, you can throw the junk mail away right away, instead of stacking it on the tables and counters.

A second hint from that class was to design a

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When I took the class, I thought the “maybe box” was the best possible idea.

Sometimes when you’re going through a pile of stuff, you know exactly what to keep, (the stuff you love and use) and what to trash or donate. But then there’s the stuff you don’t use, but think you might want it or need it someday. You can’t bear to get rid of that stuff!

So create a “maybe box,” and put this stuff there. Then store the box somewhere hidden, out of the way. Put a note on your calendar six months from now to look in the box. Then pull it out, six months later, and see if it’s anything you really needed. Usually, you can just dump the whole box, because you never needed that stuff.

The most important thing is follow through.

If I get the clutter organized, I have got to keep it that way. Maybe if I say it fifty times, I will remember and actually follow through…

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Dog Barker

Winter Is Coming Here we are, facing another winter and many of us neglect that faithful Canine Family Member by not preparing them for the cold. When I was a boy, I remember going to see “Little Girl” in her dog house on cold winter mornings. The crisp smell of the air, sun shining down on the white frosted lawn and the sky being a bright clear blue as the sun was still rising. I remember feeling her shivering coat under my boyish hand and how I would hug her in that cold dog house.

She would be curled up in a tight ball shivering, and she smelled like

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a dog needing a bath.

That did not stop me from hugging her and just enjoying the feel of her breathing as I tried to warm her up.

My parents were good to “Little Girl,” and would see that she had a blanket, but sometimes that was not enough.

Back then, life was a bit simpler because when it was cold, it was cold everywhere.

Every room in the house was cold because we did not have central heat.

We had heat from a fireplace and the smell of wood was always evident in our clothes.

Eventually, Mom and Dad would give in and allow “Little Girl” to

by Joel Allen

sleep in my bed to stay warm.

So, we both would benefit from her sleeping under the covers. She kept the bed warm and I did not get cold feet. Anyone ever been camping and get out of bed on a cold morning and nearly freeze those toes off?

This winter may be a cold one for us all. Our Canine Family Members need shelter just like we do, and in saying that I have some small suggestions or ideas to assist everyone in staying warm. The first is simple, bring that “Baby” in. A garage or someplace like the laundry room would suffice for those cold nights

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and days. A second idea would be to put hay in their dog houses and keep it changed weekly throughout the winter. Another idea would be a heating lamp in the dog house or on the porch. Be sure the wind is blocked if the porch is an option.

Lastly, I ask that everyone pay attention to the needs of that Canine Family Member during the winter because they can get sick just like we can. One more thing, is keeping the house fur free really worth the life of a dog? If the answer is yes, then a worthy home should be found for that dog, a home

where no one expects their dog to freeze outside in the name of a clean house. Houses can always be cleaned, but a dog’s life is more precious.

“Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”

Joel and Zues Allen 256-651-2211

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James Curtis Turner For Limestone County Commission, District Three

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Note: This is the third of four pieces that will be published up until the November 2014 election, and will discuss some of the concerns and goals James Curtis Turner has for his district in Limestone County. He has made a point over the

years of making himself familiar with what goes on in the county and how to make it run smoothly.

He is a faithful attendee of County and Athens City Council meetings, asks lots of questions, is familiar with the budget, and is an excellent listener. He brings to the election season decades of experience dealing with critical functions in a nuclear plant, being responsible literally for the safety of the lives of millions.

District 3 in Limestone County is one of the most diverse, and, it is the most vulnerable to the seemingly relentless westward

expansion of Madison and Huntsville. “We need to get people with a vision to keep us from becoming Madison,” he said. I asked, “How would you do that?” He responded, “The first thing to do to protect Athens Limestone County from Huntsville is to build a school, one that has curb appeal,” he said. He then added, “You have to be more attractive than the other side.” As we talked further, I understood that his strategy was effectively two pronged: upgrade by building because it is genuinely needed in order to accommodate forecasted population growth,

and upgrade because it can function as a defensive measure. If everything is in your own back yard, the citizens in District 3 who live on County Line Road have no need to look in an easterly direction to get the best for their kids. He finished our conversation by saying (in reference

to keeping Limestone County intact), “Talk is cheap, and time is running out.”

If James Curtis Turner sounds like someone you would like to have as part of the Limestone County Commission, then he would appreciate your vote in November.

VOTE

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

JAMES CURTIS

TURNER “MOVING THE DISTRICT FORWARD”

DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER PAID FOR BY FRIENDS TO ELECT JAMES CURTIS TURNER, P.O. BOX 1604, ATHENS, ALABAMA 35611

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Medical Update

Preparing To Survive: Considerations For Life After Cancer courtesy Brandpoint Content

(BPT) - Today in the U.S., there are nearly 14 million individuals who have overcome cancer. Although more than 70,000 young adult Americans ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year, the number of survivors is expected to increase by 30 percent in the next decade. This means there is a real need for patients to consider life after treatment and how to make survivorship as meaningful as possible.

The art of survivorship An important first step in creating meaningful survivorship after cancer is talking to your health care team about the future. Many cancer survivors will tell you that with proper planning and a strong support system, life after cancer can be full of possibilities.

Before starting treatment, patients should have an honest conversation about their expectations. It can be overwhelming for patients to stop and think about the future when they are faced with cancer treatment decisions that will need to be made rapidly. However, simple questions such as “How will my cancer treatment affect my health in the future?” can have a big impact on future quality of life.

sibility of bearing children in the future. However, according to cancer survivors of childbearing age, fewer than half of patients recalled discussing fertility or the effects of their treatment on their future fertility upon being diagnosed with cancer.

In considering a cancer treatment plan, it is imperative to discuss fertility preservation options with your reproductive endocrinologist and oncologist prior to treatment. This is important because fertility can be impacted even after the first course of therapy.

Fortunately, there are a variety of fertility preservation options available including egg freezing and embryo cryopreservation using in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“After a cancer diagnosis, patients can be uncertain about what the future will hold,” says Dr. Jane Ru-

man, Director of Medical Affairs and Reproductive Health at Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. “For many young adults, having or expanding their family is a lifelong dream. Talking with your doctor prior to cancer treatment is one of the best ways to increase your chances of making the dream of parenthood a reality.”

When having a conversation with your doctors, some questions you might ask, include: • How will the treatment plan impact my fertility?

• Are there alternative treatments that could be less toxic to my reproductive health?

• What fertility preservation options are available to me?

Patient support resources Navigating the dialogue around fertility preserva-

tion can be quite overwhelming. Given the changing landscape, it is important for individuals who are considering fertility preservation to be aware of the many different resources available to them: • The Alliance for Fertility Preservation is an organization made up of cancer and reproductive professionals. Its mission is to promote dialogue

Fertility preservation One of the most important topics of discussion for those diagnosed with cancer is the pos-

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Veteran actor Hugh Jackman and others showing support for testicular cancer. www.athensnowal.com

between oncologists, reproductive medicine specialists, and patients in order to optimize cancer patients’ reproductive health expectations and quality of life related to fertility. More information about fertility preservation and options for both men and women can be found at www.allianceforfertilitypreservation.org.

• There are also financial support programs, such as Ferring’s Heart Beat program, that can help ease some of the financial burden associated with fertility preservation for eligible patients prior to cancer treatment.

Lastly, advocacy groups provide a great source of information and support for those considering fertility preservation. Organizations such as Fertile Action, LIVESTRONG Fertility and The Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative, and more, have detailed information about fertility preservation on their websites.

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Security Savvy

Halloween Safety

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

It’s sad to say, but Halloween is no longer the fun kid time of my youth.

I remember dressing up as a ghost; you know, you would take an old bed sheet, throw it over your head, cut out two holes for eyes, and hope no one poked your eyes out. Or, if you were lucky, you went to the Big K and bought a costume--mine was C3PO from Star Wars. If you lived in the city, your parents would let you walk around the neighborhood with your friends, or maybe a parent walked with you, but more often, the group just walked together and no one bothered them.

Afterwards, your parents would take you to family and friend’s houses to trick or treat. You would get all kinds of goodies in your brown paper bag. Remember the one you spent drawing the jack-o-lantern or bats on, during art class at school? My favorite goody was the popcorn balls and caramel covered apples made by hand. You would go home and pour out your haul on the kitchen table and start to devour it. Now, those were the good old days.

take your children out for a night of trick or treating.

When you are purchasing your child’s costume, remember to pick up some reflective tape to put on the costume or get a reflector bag for the candy; this will make your children more easily seen.

Plan your route; only go to areas that you are familiar with. If possible, let your family and friends know when you are coming by.

If you want to go walking in your neighborhood, take a flashlight and walk in well-lit areas. Never go to a house where you are not acquainted with the residents. Unlike the good old days, you can’t let your children go out by themselves. There are older kids that may want

to play pranks on them, or worse yet, there could be adults that would do harm to your child. Even though you know the people you are going to visit, be careful of unwrapped treats.

If you are new to the area, you might need an alternative solution to the trick or treating activity.

Let me make a suggestion; some churches and civic groups in the area will have a night of activities for the kids. This would be a good way to meet other parents with children of similar ages, and will most likely be in a safe environment for the children. In addition, these parties don’t “play up” the ghoulish, so your kids won’t get scared.

Regardless of which method you wish to use,

please do not advertise that you are not at home on the social media, and be sure to leave some

lights on.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Those days are long gone. Now you have to worry about every little thing, because if you don’t Halloween could be a disaster that will haunt you the rest of your life. Hopefully, these suggestions will limit the problems you may encounter as you

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Jerry’s Journal

On the Possum’s Trail With Jimmie “Two Hills” Part One

by Jerry Barksdale

The life of Jimmie Hills is the stuff of a country song.

If I wrote it, I’d call it “A Southern Boy Gone Good.”

I picked up Jimmie at his house in Athens on a hot July afternoon, and we headed toward Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. We were searching for the grave of outlaw Frank James. Never mind that the bank robber is buried in Independence, Missouri. That didn’t faze us one bit. “I saw his tombstone,” said Jimmie. That was good enough for me. Never let facts get in the way of a great adventure.

We didn’t find the road to the cemetery, much less the cemetery, but we did eat a fine lunch at the Mustang Café in Loretta, Tennessee, once an old country store with the walls decorated with memorabilia. After spending an afternoon wandering through the rolling hills of Lawrence County with Jimmie, I know why country music legend, George Jones, enjoyed his companionship. He’s just plain fun. We drove past a field of rolled bales of hay.

“You know the government has outlawed rolled bales,” Jimmie said.

“I don’t believe it!”

“Yeah, they don’t give a cow a square meal,” he deadpanned.

I met Jimmie last year when he volunteered at the Alabama Veterans’ Museum. He and his second wife, Barbara, had recently moved from Florence to Athens to be near her work as a lab tech with Dr. Quereshi. Jimmie, a Navy Veteran, poked out his hand. “I’m Jimmie Hills.”

“Hill or Hills?” I asked.

“Hills with an s.”

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I dubbed him Jimmie “Two” Hills. We’ve been friends ever since. Jimmie, an award winning barber, created George Jones’ famous hairdo – the possum cut – and was his good friend, barber and frequent traveling buddy for 22 years.

Jimmie was delivered at home in Killen, Alabama, in August of 1938 by his grandmother, while his father, Willie Hills was walking nine miles to Florence to fetch a doctor. His father loved his liquor - and once fell into the well while tipsy – but never missed a day’s work at Reynolds Metals in 27 years. With one of his first paychecks, he walked from Killen to Florence and purchased a radio, which brought them the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights. Jimmie’s mother, Ethel Loveless Hills, owned the only piano in the community, and played banjo and several other instruments. On Saturday nights during the 1940s, neighbors showed up at their house to jam. Some would become famous. Jimmie’s first cousin, Kenneth Loveless, played guitar with Jerry Lee Lewis for 33 years. Buddy Killen played bass and ended up at the Grand Ol’ Opry. He also became a record producer, music publisher and owner of Trinity Broadcasting Network, as well as Tree International. Autry Inman, Wesley Stephens and Charles Haggard would go on to play at the Opry. Jimmie attended Green Hill School with Melba Montgomery, a singer and recording artist with the Opry, who also sang duets with George Jones. Melba’s brother, Peanutt Montgomery, one of the most prolific and famous song writers in America, is also a friend of Jimmie’s. Jimmie grew up across the street from

legendary musician, Spooner Oldham. Spooner would go on to write songs, play at Fame Studio at Tuscumbia, back up Neil Young, and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, as well as the Alabama Hall of Fame in 2014. Being surrounded by such talent, one might think some of it rubbed off on Jimmie. His talent lay elsewhere.

While we bumped down country roads, Jimmie reminisced about growing up in Killen. I love a good story. “Preacher Tommy Davis could preach the Holy Ghost right down on you,” says Jimmie. “He had liked his liquor and good times before he started living for the Lord. After a bad car wreck and broke neck, he was hunched over.

Sometimes he’d get to preach’n and stand up straight. He preached on the courthouse square in Florence on Saturday mornings, and would preach so hard he would lose his breath and have to start over.” Preacher Davis made a brush arbor and called a meeting where he preached, played guitar and sang old timey gospel songs. “The women would get so happy and get to shout’n and testify’n and bobby pins would start fly’n,” says Jimmie. “The men would shake and some people would speak in tongues. It scared us kids to death. “Walking home in the darkness, Jimmie and his sister, Mildred, clung to their grandmother’s skirt, afraid that the Devil was going to jump out of the bushes and get them. “When we got home, they put me and Mildred in the back bedroom, and we crouched all the way under the cover and tried to hide,” says Jimmie. “We could hear the old Devil at the foot of the bed.”

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Jimmie rebelled in the 8th grade at St. Florian. His parents were fussing and not getting along, and he began playing hooky from school, often leaving and hitchhiking to Florence. If he had a dime, he went and saw a movie. “I didn’t care if I flunked or passed. The more Mama whipped me, the more I didn’t care,” says Jimmie. They sent him to Detroit one summer to stay with his sister Mildred, who was living there with an older sister, Opal and her husband, Coon Thompson. “Mildred got me aside one night,” says Jimmie, “and told me to go back home, because no one up there wanted me; that I was in the way. That really hurt my feelings.” His mother wired him money by Western Union the following day, and he caught a bus back to Florence. “I went back to school in the fall, but I just couldn’t handle it.” He ran away from home when he was 14 years old, caught a ride to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and was given a ride by a guy driving an 18-wheeler who took him to Michigan, where Jimmie’s brother lived. His brother called their father, and then put him on a Trailway back to Florence. His father met him at the station and asked, “Are you okay?”

Says Jimmie, “He never said another word until we got home, and then said, ‘Go to the back room.’ I knew what was coming. He pulled out the longest belt I’d ever seen, and whipped me as I lay across the bed. I thought my name was ‘Dammit, Boy’ until I went in the Navy.”

Jimmie ran away again, but remembering the belt, decided to return home before nightfall. In 1953, his father bought

their first TV. “It would be so snowy, we couldn’t see anything,” says Jimmie.

“There was wrestling every Saturday night, and we always watched it. Uncle Clyde Thomas and his family came over. He’d get so mad when the bad guy got the best of the good guy, he’d get down and pound the floor with his fists and cuss the referee. ‘Why does he turn his back and let the SOB do that?’” It was a harbinger of things to come.

When Jimmie was 17 years old and running with the wrong crowd, he got in “a little trouble,” as he called it. “We borrowed a car and wrecked it.” The Judge gave him a choice of jail or military service. “I enlisted in the Navy in 1955, but they sent me back home to fatten up.” He was four pounds underweight. “I ate bananas until they came out of my ears, but I gained the four pounds.”

His first Navy haircut was unforgettable. He sat down in the chair and pointed to a mole on the back of his neck.

“That was the first place he put the clippers. He cut that mole half off and you talk about bleeding,” says Jimmie. “The company commander came up to me and said ‘Boy, if you bleed on that shirt, I’ll kill you.’”

“I wanna go home,” said Jimmie.

The commander laughed and sent him to sick bay.

While serving on the U.S.S. Epping Forest, Jimmie learned to barber. It was a skill that would open many doors for him in the future.

-- to be continued --

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