Athens Now 9-7-18

September 7th - September 20th, 2018

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

All Things Soldier Kyle On Kaepernick...

When Master Colin first took a knee, I experienced a number of emotions. First, I was grateful that I no longer...

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Slinkard On Success What If...

Stop complaining!

How many times have you thought about saying this, have said it, or have had this said to you?....

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Tennessee Valley Pecan Company: The Secret Everybody Knows

By Ali Elizabeth Turner In 1942, a Decatur family by the name of Hawthorne started a seasonal company in their garage which was located near Delano Park. It was called Tennessee Valley Pecan Company, and their pecans Continued on page 15

Express Employment Professionals: Respecting People, Impacting Business For 35 Years

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Clean And Green Litter Prevention Begins With One...

What if every child was taught that littering is wrong?

What if every child who dropped or left his or her trash was made to...

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September 7 - September 20, 2018

Tennessee Valley Pecan Company, since 1942

Richard Shirkness and Kim Whitworth are a professional couple with five kids between them, and have longstanding North Alabama roots. For close to 25 years Madison was home, and then Kim was hired by AT&T in Atlanta to develop and manage a very specific Leadership Development (L-R) Richard Shirkness, Kim Whitworth, Kimberly Huffman and Smantha Sandlin of Express Employment Professionals

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Continued on pages 17

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September 7 - September 20, 2018

Publisher’s Point

I’m OK With The OK Sign, Are You?

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Cayce Lee Rosemary Dewar Jerry Barksdale Joel Allen Eric Betts Rachel Clark, RN BSN

There are days when media madness just gets to me, and Wednesday, September 5, was one of them. I was ahead of the game as far as putting this edition of Athens Now “to bed,” and I honestly thought I would finish early and put myself straight to bed, literally. It was not to be, and here is why: nothing “popped” as far as a topic for a Publisher’s Point. Not only that, but the hours I spent combing through my own “stack” were serving to depress and frustrate me, and that doesn’t happen

all that much. Usually I draw from any number of sources -- movies I have seen, books I am reading, conversations I have had, the news or the lack of true news these days, sermons, things both inspirational as well as infuriating, and most of the time it takes me about an hour and a half tops to find a topic and make it my own.

I started in the morning, took about an hour break in the late afternoon, and by 10:30 p.m. I was feeling fried. Then, there it was, a little gem of ut-

ter ignorance that had been waiting for me all day, and it had to do with the “OK” sign. You know what I am talking about: the time-honored gesture wherein one makes an “O” with their thumb and forefinger, and the other three fingers are straightened up.

It shows up as an emoji on one’s phone, it is the universal sign for divers that they are alright, and in America, it means not only that things are alright, but most often has at least a measure of positive energy attached to it.

My husband says, “You learn something new every day, and some days you even learn two,” and here’s what I learned -- supposedly the OK sign has become a sign of white power! Who knew? The great irony is that this came to light when a Hispanic female lawyer by the name of Zina Bash, whose grandparents on one side were not only Jewish but had survived the Holocaust, made the OK sign while sitting behind Brett Kavanaugh during the confirmation hearings, er, grillings to determine whether or not he is fit to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 7 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . 15 & 17

The tweets over the supposed “gotcha” became frantic and vicious, and the “secret handshake” of the OK sign was par-

Health and Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Med Update . . . . . . . . . 22

September 7 - September 20, 2018

layed into a symbol that, if true, would make attorney Zina Bash’s sanity come into question. Pure logic would demand the following: Why would a woman who is not white, whose relatives would have been killed by whites over the fact that they were not white, flash a symbol that supposedly represents white supremacy in a Supreme Court confirmation hearing for a former boss, as in Brett Kavanaugh? She wouldn’t.

And, in case you didn’t know it, Barack Obama uses the OK sign, too.

Turns out, the OK-signwhite-power brouhaha is a hoax. Shocker, no?

Yep, it was started on the website of an outfit called 4chan, and even Wikipedia was careful to say that it had been proven to be false. So, if nobody minds, let’s go back to a pleasant form of non-verbal communication that, at least in this culture and country has always stood for something quite wonderful and rare these days -- things being alright and unashamedly OK.

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

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All Things Soldier

Kyle On Kaepernick

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

When Master Colin first took a knee, I experienced a number of emotions. First, I was grateful that I no longer felt like he did, and was reminded that from 1963 until 1972, when I was doing hard time in “Snowflakeville,” I would have felt his actions to be appropriate. It is only by grace that I am not still in the same place.

Second, I was glad I got to spend three years in Iraq saying “Thank you” to as many soldiers as I could for protecting my right to be formerly out-loud whiney.

And third, I was frustrated about the virtual vitriol that seemed endemic; for sure I didn’t want my words to increase the volume.

So, when Nike decided to make Master Colin their “face of true sacrifice,” I spent several hours pondering what I was going to say for this edition’s Soldier, trying to find a way to talk about it without setting anyone’s shoes on fire, symbolically speaking. So it is with great joy that the rest of this article is given to a woman who knows a thing or two about sacrifice -- Taya Kyle, widow of slain warrior, Chris Kyle.

“Nike, I love your gear, but you exhaust my spirit on this one. Your new ad with Colin Kaepernick, I get the message, but that

sacrificing everything thing…. It just doesn’t play out here. Sacrificing what exactly? A career?

I’ve done that both times I chose to stay home and be with my kids instead of continuing my business climb… and it wasn’t sacrificing everything. It was sacrificing one career and some money and it was because of what I believe in and more importantly, who I believe in.

At best, that is all Colin sacrificed… some money and it’s debatable if he really lost his career over it. Maybe he sacrificed the respect of some

people while he gained the respect of others. Or maybe he used one career to springboard himself into a different career when the first was waning. I don’t know. What I do know is, he gained popularity and magazine covers he likely wouldn’t have gotten without getting on his knees or as you say, “believing in something.” I’m also thinking the irony is that while I am not privy to the numbers, it’s likely he gained a lucrative Nike contract.

So yeah… that whole “sacrificing everything” is insulting to those who really have sacrificed everything.

You want to talk about someone in the NFL sacrificing everything? Pat Tillman. NFL STARTING, not benched, player who left to join the Army and died for it. THAT is sacrificing everything for something you believe in.

How about other war-

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riors? Warriors who will not be on magazine covers, who will not get lucrative contracts and millions of followers from their actions and who have truly sacrificed everything. They did it because they believed in something. Take it from me, when I say they sacrificed everything, they also sacrificed the lives of their loved ones who will never be the same. THAT is sacrificing everything for something they believe in.

Did you get us talking?

Yeah, you did. But, your brand recognition was strong enough. Did you teach the next generation of consumers about true grit? Not that I can see.

Taking a stand, or rather a knee, against the flag which has covered the caskets of so many who actually did sacrifice everything for something they believe in, that we all believe in? Well, the

irony of your ad...it almost leaves me speechless. Were you trying to be insulting?

Maybe you are banking on the fact we won’t take the time to see your lack of judgment in using words that just don’t fit. Maybe you are also banking on us not seeing Nike as kneeling before the flag.

Or maybe you want us to see you exactly that way. I don’t know. All I know is, I was actually in the market for some new kicks and at least for now, I’ve never been more grateful for Under Armour.”

Well, Miss Taya, you nailed it, and once again I thank you for being the classy lady that you are.

You continue to do Chris and all of us proud. And Nike, as of this writing, the gamble you took has cost you 4 billion dollars and created some really unhappy stockholders. My question is, was it worth it?

September 7 - September 20, 2018

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Calendar of Events Hearts For The Homeless Yard Sale & Bake Sale Sep 8

All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti at VVA Sep 17

8am-2pm. Rain or shine. Revival Building at 303 W. Washington St. 100% of proceeds go to Hearts for Homeless. We minister and provide supplies to homeless and homeless Vets in North AL.

All-you-can-eat $7. Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, salad or coleslaw, dessert, and drink. Eat in or carry out. Lunch 11am-1pm. Dinner 5-7pm.

Entertainment during dinner. Call ahead for large carry-outs or for more info 256-431-3213. Proceeds fund scholarships for local students.

25th Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride Sep 15

Annual Battle for Decatur Civil War Reenactment Sept 1-2

With the AL-TN Trails of Tears Corridor Association.

AL-TN-TrailofTears.net

Point Mallard Park in Decatur. History comes to life each Labor Day weekend in the River City when more than 200 reeanactors offer mock battles, drills and demonstrations for the public to experience. The reenactment commemorates the four day battle, which took place in October 1864, telling the story of Decatur’s small, but significant role in the War Between the States.

Experience Civil War life and to learn about the Civil War’s effect on the city of Decatur. The reenactment includes mock battles, Civil War relic displays and a Civil War camp with displays of authentic equipment, dress, and drills. The annual event is hosted by the 1st Alabama Cavalry Company G “Wheeler's Escort” and admission is free. A brochure is available atdecaturcvb.org.

6th Annual Little Light of Mine Foundation Benefit Dinner Sep 7

Limestone County Visitors Center. 114 West Pryor Street in Athens. 6:00PM-9:00PM. Supporting Rory Craft and Wyatt McHand. Live music, dinner, silent and live auction. $75.00 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets and sponsorships online: http://www.bernieslight.org/benefit-dinner

Sep 8 Superhero Fun Day and Family Expo

Big Spring Memorial Park. 100 North Beaty Street in Athens.

With Eli's Block Party. Don your favorite superhero outfit, t-shirt or make-up your own for this special day to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Activities, vendors, car show, fun run, music and more are packed into the day. elisblockparty.org

Annual Fall Craft Vendor Event Sep 15

Mable Hill Baptist Church. 3775 Ready Section Road in Toney, AL. 10AM-4PM featuring a variety of items from crafters, small businesses including a bake sale benefitting the refurbishing of the Bethlehem Walk. Free admission.

Lowe's Kid's Safety Event Sep 22

In memory of Matthew and Andrew. Lowe's in Athens, AL. 11am-3pm. Emergency vehicles, finger rinting, face painting, games, 3 live bands, amazing prizes. 256-771-5600.

River Clay Fine Arts Festival Sept 22-23

Decatur City Hall, 402 Lee Street NE. 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Welcoming 75 local and national artists for a two-day celebration of the visual arts in all its forms.

In addition to the artist market, festival goers are treated to art demonstrations, student art exhibits, art activities for children, food trucks and more. Artwork from artists from twelve different states who will have on display and for sale a variety of original works of art including ceramics, drawings, glass, fiber, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculptures, and wood. Children’s Art area where there will be fun activities for children to express their own creativity. Admission is $5 per person for a weekend pass. Admission is free for children 12 years old and under (must be accompanied by an adult).

Old Fashioned Political Rally Sep 8

With Sheriff Mike Blakely at the Sheriff's Arena. AL-99 on the right past Elm Street intersection in Athens. From 5PM-8PM with opportunities to meet attending candidates, live music from Alliance Quartet and Bill and Tina Swindell Deep South Band.

Free pony rides. Hot dogs, hamburgers, goat stew.

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Convoy Of Hope Limestome County Community Event Nov 3

Swan Creek Park, 101 Hwy 31 South, Athens, AL. 10am. Rain or shine. Providing free groceries, hot lunch, health services, kids’ zone, nutrition education, family portraits, community services, veterans services, haircuts and more! While supplies last. All are welcome. No ID required.

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September 7 - September 20, 2018

Slinkard On Success

What If

by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Stop complaining! How many times have you thought about saying this, have said it, or have had this said to you? I am amazed that we live in the greatest country known to man, yet instead of being thankful for everything we have, we want to reflect upon the things we are lacking in; and we lose our focus on what our life needs to be. If we could get clarity and some meaningful purpose for our lives, just think about how different the world could be? I am a firm believer that we need to turn away from our wicked ways we

live, put our focal point on Jesus Christ, and then ask, “What if?”

What if I read my Bible?

What if I turned from my sinful nature? What if I walked in the Spirit of God and avoided the lusts of the flesh? What if I started trusting upon Jesus as my Saviour?

These are important questions that we too often fail to ask ourselves because of the direction our lives are headed in.

Too often we let the social norms dictate to us what is right and what is wrong when really we need to adjust our way of thinking. If we just start-

ed with dusting off our Bibles, our King James Bibles (KJB), our life perspectives might just change.

If we listened to the Bible and started taking the words as the final authority in our lives, we just might stop complaining!

Philippians 2:14 tells us to do just that, in which it states, “Do all things without murmurings and disputing:” Here we have God’s Word telling us what not to do; but we too often want to make it about us and do as we please. If only we could get out of our own way and allow for God to

move in our lives, how powerful would this be?

It seems as if every time we turn around there is some kind of bickering, murmuring, and violence going on around us. It may be gang versus gang, Republican versus Democrat, but no matter the people involved it seems as if life has become all about complaining. Life has become all about the sufferings of the world. We live in a world that puts our focus on keeping people from getting offended. Yet by trying not to offend people, and to be all inclusive, we find too much compromise happening in our lives. We start to lie to ourselves. We start to give just a little ground in how we live our lives.

We become pretenders in how our lives actually are versus what we want them to be like.

Look at Facebook and just know peoples’ lives are not as great as they want you to believe.

There is a country song that says, “I am so much cooler online.”

Truthful statement for many people because we live in a society built upon lies. We have not asked the what if questions and grounded ourselves in our faith. We will continue this decline in our societies as long as we make

September 7 - September 20, 2018

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reasons to keep Jesus out of our lives. I stand firmly in the belief that a life without Jesus is a life built upon the hardships, the struggles, and the pains we currently see inflicting the world around us. I am not saying that becoming a Christian will make life easy, but there is hope in the Risen One. I find my hope for life in knowing where I will spend eternity and who I put my trust in. I find my hope for my wife and my two daughters in knowing where they will spend eternity and whom they put their trust in. Where and who are you trusting in? Just maybe if we had more Christians speaking on the Great Commission, we could live in a society that would stop complaining and start focusing in on how great our lives can be with Christ as our Saviour.

Proverbs 17:22 states, “A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Yet another example of how following the Bible can make a positive impact upon our lives. That merry heart mentioned in scripture is one that does not complain, that does not murmur, and does not dispute, and we see that the merry heart does good like a medicine. This is an example of what we need in our lives to stop complaining and start living a positive life.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Improving Politics By Starting With Leaders

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Mayor Ronnie didn’t have a lot of time, as he had to get to a meeting in Florence, but there was something on his heart that has been a concern for several months: the continued decline in civility in our culture, specifically in the realm of politics. “The mood of the country….” he has said on more than one occasion, and at times it has been tough to stay positive.

To that end, the mayor made me a copy of a letter he received from the League of Municipalities that was entitled To Improve Our Politics, Start With Leaders, and which

contained an article written by National Review writer John Hood. As is always the case, Mayor Ronnie had underlined and bracketed the statements which spoke to him, and the first one was, “Bringing together leaders from different walks of life can be a valuable step in working toward solutions.”

The League is working on putting together a coalition of leaders to not only come together to solve problems, but to model for their constituents leaders wrestling with difficult situations it in a civil manner.

Greg

Cochran

of

the

League began his communiqué with the following: “We have been discussing for quite some time and would like your input on the creation of a leadership group of municipal, county, legislative, state officials, business and non-profits representatives to discuss the myriad of issues facing our communities and the challenges of our citizens to reach their goals.

With the issues we are facing today; taxation of on-line sales; infrastructure, Medicaid, prisons, mental health funding; unem-

ployment; underemployment; job force readiness, etc. it’s an excellent opportunity for the League, thru the Advocacy/Communications department to lead the conversation with round tables of leaders from around our state to recognize our challenges and propose solutions. Each of these issues are bigger than any one level of government or segment of the community can achieve on their own.

Collaborative leadership will allow for the discussion and possible solutions to these challenges we are facing as citizens.”

The mayor went on to say, “We are talking at each other, not to each other. People get so convinced that they are right that they can become accusatory of someone’s character.

Polarization is a real problem.” An interesting part of the League’s plans to build a coalition will include the study of a book written

by Alabama’s own Andy Andrews, entitled The Traveler’s Summit. Andy is a New York Times Best-selling author, and has written over 20 books, the most famous being The Traveler’s Gift.

We had planned on getting started with Summit, but Mayor Ronnie soon realized that if we were going to receive the full benefit of Andy’s wisdom, we were going to have to back up and read The Traveler’s Gift first.

He read some of it to me, I agreed with the change in direction, and I am looking forward to getting started. We may be after it for a while, and I believe this stuff is going to be really helpful to our community as well as to my own journey with personal growth.

We were running out of time, and there was much to still talk about, but the most important thing left to do with the time we had was to pray.

So we did, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

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Tourism

Say Farewell To Summer And Hello Fall With A Bounty Of Events

by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Highlights from the VisitAthensAL.com events calendar…

As September gets underway, chances abound to give back to Limestone County and beyond through fundraisers, workshops, and acts of stewardship. Be sure to check VisitAthensAL. com under Events for the details to our highlighted events below and find even more events too.

September 6 sees the State of Education Address come to Athens State with a chance for citizens to hear about our school systems. The 6th Annual Little Light of Mine Foundation Dinner will brighten the Limestone County Event Center on September 7. September 8 brings a variety of activities – 9/11 Heroes Run at the Alabama Veterans Museum, Superhero Fun Day and Family Expo in Big Spring Memorial Park, Swing Thru 5K at Calhoun Community College – each gives a chance for the hero in you to step forward and have fun for a bigger cause.

terloo. Mable Hill Baptist Church is having its annual Fall Craft Fair on September 15 to raise funds for the refurbishing of their annual Christmas tradition - Bethlehem Walk.

A Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium will happen September 20 to help raise awareness to the growing plight. Things will rev up on September 22 with the 2nd Annual PTO Car Show at Athens Middle School (former high school) as well as Lowe’s Kids Safety Event at the store, For You We Ride Poker Run, and the ICMC 1st Annual Bikers Ball at Redstone HarleyDavidson. September 28 sees the 4th Annual Love for Lakely Golf Invitational come to Canebrake.

Semper Fi Riders Annual Poker Run starting at Redstone Harley-Davidson on September 29 rounds out the opportunities to give so far.

Goodbye summer…

Hello fall

As we mark Labor Day’s passing, fall is just around the corner with football, brightly colored leaves, hunting, and of course – Halloween. September 8 & 9 sees the return of the annual Elkmont Lions Club Dove Shoot to Hobbs Farm in Elkmont.

Something wicked this way comes to the woods of Dog Days in Ardmore as the seasonal haunted attraction Doomsday at Dog Days kicks off its season September 28 and 29. It’s a far friendlier day under the trees in Mooresville as the annual Fall Gathering at Mooresville Mercantile welcomes fall on September 29. Kayakers and anglers of all ages will want to head to the Riverwalk Marina for the 2018 NAKA Demo Day and Tackle Swap.

The family-friendly favorite, Haunt Walks, has begun its ticket presales at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, for $5.00 each, cash or check.

Bicentennial happenings…

Mooresville invites the public to join them for a Movie in Mooresville: Tom and Huck – which was filmed in the tiny town

by Disney in 1995 – on September 28. September 29 brings another bicentennial event to Mooresville – A Town that Grew with Change featuring walking tours conveying the history of transformation of Alabama’s oldest town.

Own a piece of history -Bicentennial-themed T-shirts are still available at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens.

Travelers in Athens may begin to notice a change in scenery as murals begin to pop up around town commemorating the City’s 200th anniversary.

Get your eat on… try somewhere new!

Looking for breakfast or a sweet treat in Ardmore? JT’s Coffee and More located at 27031 Main Street in Ardmore TN, is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. or Saturday 7:00 A.M.-2:30 P.M. with an old-fashion breakfast or lunch plus fresh made desserts to tempt you.

Just in time for football season, Winston’s Wings 29901 Jones Avenue in Ardmore AL, is open daily from 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. for finger-licking good sauced wings and the traditional sides.

The Red Caboose Café in downtown Elkmont is under new ownership and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with hometown hospitality from 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. Monday-Friday and 8:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. on Saturday.

Be part of the magic…

The Athens North Pole Stroll has begun preselling the trees for this annual Christmas tradition. The event has been awarded the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events for December 2018 and will continue the celebration of the Bicentennial with Christmas Memories as its theme. Information can be found by going to www.visitathensal.com/ north-pole-stroll.html and following the 2018 North Pole Stroll button to all the information and forms for this year’s event.

September 14-21 will be the United Way Week of Giving with area agencies and groups collecting to benefit United Way partners. September 15 will have them running, walking, or waddling for the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful annual fundraiser, Duck & Run 5K, as well as the annual commemoration of the Trail of Tears with a motorcycle ride that runs from South Pittsburg to Wa-

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This first come-first served pre-sale last until the tickets are sold and are available for purchase MondayFriday 8:00 A.M-5:00 P.M.

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Clean and Green

Litter Prevention Begins With One

by Lynne Hart Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

What if every child was taught that littering is wrong?

What if every child who dropped or left his or her trash was made to go back and pick it up?

What if every adult took responsibility for his or her own trash and was a good example to the young people around them?

What would happen if everyone in the United States picked up just one piece of litter? Over 300 million pieces of trash would be removed from our roadsides, parks, rivers, school campuses, neighborhoods, and walking trails. Right here in Limestone County we could eliminate over 94,000 unsightly pieces of trash!

How does it happen? One piece at a time. One person at a time. It starts at home and it starts with you.

One Can Make A Difference If you see litter, pick it up. Carry a plastic bag with you when you go for walks. Make an effort… don’t walk past it. Be vocal and let your city and county officials, Athens Police, and Limestone County Sheriff’s Department know that you want to see litter laws enforced. Organize a neighborhood cleanup or encourage your family, community organization, or company to get out and make a difference.

KALB is here to support any individual or group interested in doing one-time or ongoing cleanups. We will supply trash bags, litter grabbers, and safety vests.

You choose the location or

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let us help find an area in need of some attention.

Examples: A gentleman who is temporarily off work asked for supplies and has been cleaning up put-in spots along the Elk River. A local company is giving their employees time to clean up the road on which the business is located. Simple.

Easy. Impactful.

Unable To Clean Up? We understand that not everyone is physically able to participate in a cleanup; however, there is something everyone CAN do. KALB has a Litter Watch program and asks anyone who witnesses a littering incident or finds an illegal dump to contact us. It is so important that we let litterbugs know their community does not approve of this behavior.

Here are tips to participate: • Keep a pad and pen in the car so information can be written down by a passenger, or call us on a hands-free device day or night.

• Provide date, location, tag number, description of vehicle, and what you witnessed.

• Cigarette butts are litter and one of the most dangerous to the environment.

• SEVERAL WAYS TO REPORT: phone (256-233-8000), email (KALBCares@gmail.com),

or through our website (KALBCares.com – Click LITTER CONTROL tab) • Photos and videos are helpful but must NEVER be taken by the driver.

Safety first!

• Your identity will NOT be shared with the vehicle owner.

So let your voice be heard!

Our phones don’t ring nearly enough with people who want to stop littering by making a report. It is a simple act that makes a huge impact. The owner of the vehicle from which

Remember:

someone else’s mess.

• Littering is a CRIME and can mean fines up to $500.

• Littering is UGLY and reflects poorly on all who live in Athens and Limestone County.

• Littering can DECREASE PROPERTY VALUES and BUSINESS INTERESTS hurting our local economy.

• Littering is HARMFUL to humans, wildlife, and the environment. the littering occurred will receive a letter from law enforcement with details of the littering incident, a reminder of the fines connected with littering, and a brochure provided

by KALB with information about the effects of littering.

It is not always the vehicle owner that litters, and sometimes they are happy to learn what takes place when they are not present.

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• Littering is SELFISH. No one should have to clean up

• Littering CAUSES INJURY to humans and wildlife by causing motor vehicle accidents, fires, choking, strangulation, poisoning, and more.

We look forward to hearing from many of you ready and willing to improve the litter situation in Athens and Limestone County through positive examples, cleanups, and litter reports.

We are ready and waiting for your phone calls!

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com September 7 - September 20, 2018

Cooking with Anna

Saved By The Dinner Bell

by Anna Hamilton

By now, most everyone is back in school. Back to the day-to-day grind of homework, football practice, band practice, sack lunches, and PTO meetings. We all live such hectic lives that, unfortunately, everyone sharing a meal together is put on the back burner, or not even a possibility. Sharing your day with your family helps you stay connected to each other and helps you feel united as a family unit.

I remember as a child how during that hour of dinnertime, all my school problems faded away as we sat together as a family and each shared the struggles of the day. We each offered advice to one another and helped each other solve our problems.

I am the oldest of four children, and we each had a different extracurricular activity that kept us busy. My

brothers played sports, my sister had a work internship at a local business, and I had piano and voice lessons.

My mother was a teacher, still is actually, and my dad was a logger. All six of us were going in different directions, but for that one meal, we all got to join together as a family unit.

I remember all the laughs and tears we shared together.

Sitting around the dinner table is one of my favorite childhood memories. Sit down with your children, ask them about their day, nourish their bodies with healthy food, and nourish their souls with love.

A healthy, quick and easy way to put dinner on the table is this hearty Chicken Minestrone. It is packed full of veggies in a rich tomato-based soup. Your children will never know that it’s a healthy soup.

Chicken Minestrone Soup

What You Need:

1 jar pasta sauce 1 can condensed tomato soup 2 carrots, sliced 1-2 potatoes, diced 1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 zucchini, diced 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 48 oz. chicken broth 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 Tbsp minced garlic 1 cup elbow macaroni pasta 2 cups baby spinach Salt and pepper to taste Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a large soup pot, add spaghetti sauce, tomato soup, tomatoes, and chicken broth. To soup mixture, add carrots and potatoes. Cook on medium high until potatoes just begin to become tender. To soup add shredded chicken, both cans of beans, garlic, and Italian seasoning. When soup reaches a boil, add the pasta. Once pasta is cooked, stir in zucchini and baby spinach. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

September 7 - September 20, 2018

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Page 13

The Millennial Mind

They Hated Me First

by Rosemary Dewar If humanity fears and hates what they do not understand, they hate God first and foremost. The recent scandal surrounding the Catholic Church has given social-Marxists fodder to despise western civilization all the more.

Values expressed through Judeo-Christian principles are disparaged. Those that carelessly promote secularism do not want to admit that the promotion of moral relativism is responsible for the failure of religious practice.

When it is stated that it is impossible to know God’s nature, that does not mean someone will understand whether God is good or bad. More accurately, someone ought not to ask God to do something outside the goodness God ascribes. Furthermore, one should not commit evil acts and claim it was on

God’s behalf. You can see how the misuse of these statements could easily manipulate anyone.

Should Americans continue to pull away from the Judeo-Christian ethics they may take for granted, the easier it will be for social-Marxists to celebrate America’s failures. Leftists hold the idea that Judeo-Christianity is a foundation for the social ills that plague us. It is those very ethics that gave birth to the freedom of the detested social ills: racism, sexism, and bigotry. Simply because a movement happens to use a minister as a prop, it does not reflect on the entire religious community. Social expulsions are necessary in every community. Similar to how William F. Buckley Jr. did with the Republicans and what Dr. Eric Weinstein is attempting to do

with the Democrat Party, so must religious communities do the same.

Power is a force everyone foolishly thinks they can wield indefinitely. If that power and authority is wrongfully obtained, its sustainability is contingent on the lies and secrets of those already woefully vulnerable. Anyone hesitating to expose such strongholds will find themselves as coconspirators regarding the damage committed. The kingdoms built on and around humanity will die.

The Kingdom of God is eternal. Its principles are found to be so fundamental that they apply throughout time. They are the building blocks of society, and the cradle of civilization: the singular nature of God, reverence for God, respect for human life, care of living things, regard for personal property, sexual self-

control, and true justice.

Every society and community within the human record that has violated one or more of these central ethics has eventually failed and fallen. If someone can infect the source, it can question everything instead of clinging more closely to it.

In the movie, The Devil’s Advocate, the Devil states that “Vanity is my favorite sin.” The urge of self-gratification can be the easiest to feed, and the hardest to satisfy. Merge that with some religious blasphemy, and you have a spiritual tyrant. An individual’s break from elemental morality does not make the rules obsolete, it makes the individual’s actions indefensible. Professor Jordan Peterson describes the future as a “judgmental father.” It is an accurate personification. If you are failing to

succeed honorably, you can expect the structure you have created to violently collapse. Furthermore, if you refuse to learn from it, you will be doing the insane thing by repeating it.

Humanity does heinous things because it chooses to. It is always a choice.

An act done in ignorance can always be forgiven, but an act committed in full knowledge of its repercussions falls short of innocence. Judeo-Christianity talks about how the world may hate you for following basic ethics, and reminds you that the world hated those ethics before you decided to follow them. Morality keeps the world from the the vanity it craves.

American commentator Dennis Prager said,” Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.”Our society’s hesitation to affirm these standards makes it easier for any community to practice them poorly. A complicity to avoid these decencies when convenient and opportune is what damages our relationships. The lack of restitution makes the heart grow sick.

Do not let delays of due consequences persuade you to think that justice will not come. It is like gravity. There is only so high you can go before plummeting with only yourself to hold on to.

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September 7 - September 20, 2018

Cover Story

Tennessee Valley Pecan Company: The Secret Everybody Knows

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

David gets them from several growers in South Alabama, and they are just fresher, moister, and most of the time larger than anything you are going to get in a store. They are slightly more expensive, but then, you get what you pay for!

The pecan flavor choices are plentiful and whimsical. There are plain ones, honey glazed, chocolate covered, dusted in cinnamon, raw, roasted, or dusted in “key lime pie dust.”

All of them were scrumptious, and the members of what is affectionately referred to as the “Nut House” are generous when it comes to offering samples. There are small pecan pies, jellies, pickles, pralines, Tshirts, and an educational board which shows all the kinds of

continued from page 1

were known throughout the Southeast. David Armistead, who grew up in Decatur and spent most of his career as a newscast director and video producer in Anniston, as well as Atlanta, had a dream of buying the company someday. In 2011, David, his brother Steve, and a group of investors located in Nashville were able to do just that, and the result is a charming shop in historical Decatur that also has an international online following.

When you walk into the store, located at 806 Bank Street, you are immediately greeted with sentimental sights and smells from a bygone era. If you are a Baby Boomer, you are going to feel right at home, and if you are a Millennial, you will as well. If you happen to be a kid, there is a tree house which is the imaginary abode of Elliot the Squirrel, the mascot of Tennessee Valley Pecan, who has not changed a bit since he was “born” 76 years ago. You can leave a note for Elliot, and he will send you a postcard thanking you for coming and apologizing for “not being at home.” There is also a desk and play area for kids right next to Elliot’s house.

When David and crew moved in, they discovered an old rum-runnin’, bootleggin’ tunnel which had been used during Prohibition. It is sealed over with Plexiglas, but you can see down the ladder to the place where a brisk business was once run. There are vin-

tage signs, lights, furniture, display cases, and photos which “tell the story.” There is a framed front-cover page from the Decatur Daily dated July 26, 1942, the same year Tennessee Valley Pecan The old opened for busibroom ness. There is closet hid a history recorded Prohibitionthere, ranging era trap door from discusdown to a sions on Nazis, now-visible Russians, seg- secret tunnel to the river regation, who is ill, and who just back from vacation.

So, the ambience is attractive, but what about the pecans? Oh, my, they are truly delicious.

Tennessee Valley Pecan Company

Elliot the Squirrel's house is not just for kids

September 7 - September 20, 2018

Ethiopia Yiracheffe and Caramel Pecan Log. I spent a good while talking to David and getting a sense of what it is he wants to accomplish besides getting pecans into people. He is aware that in spite of an era where one can communicate instantly all over the globe, people are hungry for relationship. “We are building a tribe,” he said. By that he means that he wants to return to the principles that made American commerce great in the first place, the “roots of retail”: stellar customer service, developing a brand that is based in the community but has global potential, and maintaining a personal touch, whether you walk in the shop or call in from Ireland.

David also wants employees of Tennessee Valley Pecan to believe in the same mission. “During the holidays, we ship out 300-400 boxes per day, and we want our customers to know that they are important to us, no matter their address,” he said.

“We have fun,” David said, and in the hours I both interviewed them and sat happily working on the article, I can confirm that they do.

David’s desire is to become a destination place to shop, and I have confiGal Friday Pam Barksdale dence that his dream will greets everyone with come true. If you want to "Welcome to the nut house!" see and taste what I am pecans grown for consump- talking about, get on down tion. I had no idea that there to Tennessee Valley Pecan were so many!

Company as soon as you can.

Then there are the coffees. You’ll be glad you did!

The flavored ones available by the cup or bag are Bushytail Brand (in honor of Elliot the Squirrel) and include Southern Pecan, Caramel 806 Bank Street NE Pecan Roll, and Bourbon Decatur, AL 35601 Truffle. By the way, there is Monday-Saturday method in the madness of El10 a.m. – 5 p.m. liot’s name. The lion’s share 855-353-1880 of the pecans sold by Tennes256-353-7613 FAX see Valley are what is known info@tnvalleypecan.com as the Elliot variety, hence the www.tnvalleypecan.com name. Other coffees include

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Health and Fitness

How A Healthy Gut Can Be Good For Your Well-Being courtesy BrandPoint content (BPT) - Whether it's eating too many slices of pizza or constantly getting takeout, most of us have slipped on our good eating habits at one time or another. But is avoiding unhealthy foods enough to keep our bodies in top shape?

While gut health is not something many people consider, Mayo Clinic experts agree that it is important to pay attention to as it can affect your overall well-being.

Here's what you need to know about your gut and how it concerns your health.

Hundreds of different bacteria species live in your gut The lining of your gut is covered in bacteria, and these organisms create a micro-ecosystem called the microbiome.

Before you stare at your stomach in horror, know that many of these bac-

teria species are good for you and should be nurtured with specialized plant fibers called prebiotics.

Prebiotics encourage healthy bacteria growth and can be easily incorporated into your diet, as they are found in many fruits and vegetables. Look for foods containing complex carbohydrates, which can't be digested by the body and instead become food for the healthy bacteria living in your gut.

Probiotics offer another way to help maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria living in the gut. The difference with probiotics is that they actually contain live organisms. Instead of nurturing healthy bacteria, probiotics add specific strains of healthy bacteria to your microbiome. Probiotics can be found in foods

like yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. Kombucha is also a good source of probiotics.

You can also find prebiotic and probiotic supplements designed to help with specific conditions. Consult your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

A healthy gut may be connected to weight loss The benefits of a healthy gut are still being studied, and more research is needed to confirm how a healthy gut contributes to weight loss. In a preliminary study, Mayo Clinic collected and analyzed gut bacteria samples from a group of 26 participants enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Obesity Treatment Research Pro-

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gram. The research team found that those who did not lose weight had different gut bacteria than those who did. Dr. Purna Kashyap, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and co-author of the study, says that these findings "suggested to us that gut bacteria may possibly be an important determinant of weight loss in response to diet and lifestyle changes."

Poor gut health can exacerbate certain autoimmune disorders While there are species of healthy bacteria living in your gut, some species in the microbiome are not helpful.

Having an imbalance of the two can lead to poor gut health, which can

then exacerbate certain autoimmune disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Improving your diet is the best way to foster healthy gut bacteria.

Along with eating more fruits and vegetables, eliminate as much processed foods and added sugar as possible. It's also a good idea to reduce meat consumption and to incorporate alternative proteins such as legumes, tofu and nuts into your diet.

By improving your gut health, you have the potential to boost your overall well-being.

Learn more about the benefits of healthy gut bacteria by visiting us at mayoclinic.org.

September 7 - September 20, 2018

Cover Story

Express Employment Professionals: Respecting People, Impacting Business For 35 Years

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

Program. Richard has been a software engineer for several high-end tech companies, and because he can work anywhere, he geared up with Kim for the “adventure that became Atlanta,” and off they went.

Kim and Richard both understand dealing with the stress and anxiety of being unemployed, something that they both have experienced in the wild ride of downsizing that was part of the recent Great Recession. In addition, Kim and Richard both have a heart for millennials, who oftentimes emerge from high school or college poorly prepared for competing in the job market, and they wanted to sow into the next generation.

Kim told me that eventually the time came when they wanted out of Atlanta and to get back to North Alabama to be with their children and grandchildren. They also wanted to work together, make a difference, and own their own business. They knew that becoming franchise owners was the most logical step, but the question was, which franchise?

Richard and Kim set to work to find something that fit with their moral and spiritual compass, their giftings as well as experience in the market place, and a franchise opportunity which was linked to a stable and a seasoned company that was unashamedly pro-America and pro-military. They found a gem in the form of Express Employment Professionals, which was started in 1983.

The company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, and right on the front of their building are large brass letters that say, “God Bless America.” Kim told me, “We were overwhelmed with the

welcome we got. People lined up and applauded us as we entered the building, and they didn’t just say it, they meant it.

They get thousands of serious inquiries a year, and they select only about 80,” said Kim. “We felt so honored to be offered a franchise in North Alabama.”

One of the requirements for being allowed to purchase an Express Employment Professionals franchise is to give back to the community. Would-be franchise owners must select the charity or charities of their choice, and demon-

A prospective associate beginning the application process in the comfort of the brand-new Decatur facility

strate that they are partnering with them to strengthen their city or town. Another thing that is encouraged is to call up other franchise owners so they can “talk shop” and find out how things are going and what challenges have been faced and overcome. “We heard over and over again that every Express owner and employee truly cares about finding jobs for people. Our goal is to put 1 million people to work this year.” All in all, everything was a perfect fit, and they were ready to get started.

Richard and Kim opened up

September 7 - September 20, 2018

the Decatur office just a few weeks ago, and already they are busy. They want to open an office in Athens as their next step, and with how things are going, they may not have to wait long. In general, Kim is out in the field seeking out and vetting businesses that could use their services and are looking for quality candidates, while Richard interviews and screens candidates back in the office. They have already needed to hire two staff members to handle the volume of business. One of their first success stories was helping a single dad who was raising four children get

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a much-needed job that allowed him to be a hands-on dad. Others have said, “You saw in me what I didn’t see in myself.” Richard in particular enjoys the fact that most often if those seeking employment have a coach who believes in them and helps them to polish their skills, they end up being a successful employee.

He tells them, “We are here to move forward together,” and that expression of support can be a game changer.

There is help available for polishing a résumé, mock interviews, a “pocket résumé” that reminds interviewees how to answer interview questions well, winning tips on appearance, crafting a positive email address, and more. All associates have a background check, drug testing, e-verify as to citizenship, and some testing prior to their first day on the job, just to make sure this is a good situation for everyone.

If you are a business owner, you sign an agreement where expectations for both sides are clearly laid out, and there is not a continuing obligation for either side. If the employee is not a good fit, the owner

is not contractually bound to continue. If the employee is not comfortable, they are not required to keep working there. “We have zero tolerance for any kind of discrimination,” said Kim. In addition, she goes out and views places of potential employment. “I want to make sure I have a clear understanding of the work environment, so we can effectively communicate back to the prospective employee.”

Work spaces need to be safe - and if I am not comfortable or it feels too risky, I am not going to put anyone in that situation,” she added.

It was personally gratifying to me that Kim and Richard are keenly interested in helping troops returning from deployment to find work, and are planning on increasing that outreach.

They closed our time together by saying, “We want to be the obvious choice because of quality, culture, and support.” If you are teachable and willing to work, or if you are looking for someone with those same qualities, then give Express Employment Professionals of Decatur a call today for an appointment. This is a place that is skilled at both respecting people and impacting business, and they are ready to serve the people of North Alabama.

Express Employment

607 Church St NE Suite #C, Decatur, AL 35601 Hours: Mon-Fri, 8-5 Phone: (256) 822-1000 Appointments: expresspros.com/ DecaturAL Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

Mandela’s Keys To Accomplishment Through Successful Relationship Building

by Eric Betts Assistant Director, Curtis Coleman Center for Religious Studies and Ethics at Athens State University One of the great leaders of the latter part of the twentieth century was Nelson Mandela.

He was one of the great freedom fighters and prodemocracy advocates during the time of the South African Apartheid government. As a result of his bravery, humility, ambition, and leadership, the walls of apartheid were demolished, and freedom came to all the citizens of South Africa. He went on to become a successful president of South Africa, and one of the great world leaders of the times. He had the ability to bring opposing factions and former enemies together for the good of all of his country’s citizens. There are many leadership and success principles that can be learned from his life story. Before becoming an attorney in Johannesburg, the seeds of his success were sown in him while growing up in his tribal area. Mandela was born in a rural village in South Africa and was later sent by his mother to live with an African chieftain who was a family relative and ruled a vast area in that part of South Africa.

While there, Mandela learned the keys to being a successful leader and how to build relationships in the process.

The keys to this success are outlined in his autobiography entitled, The Long Road to Freedom.

Guard The Dignity Of Others One of the great needs of any human being is to be respected by his or her peers. Generally speaking, human beings are afraid of being embarrassed, humiliated, publicly insulted, or shamed. A great leader does whatever needs to be done to avoid this. This is true in any time period in history and within any tribe, nation, race, or language group. The key to being a successful

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partner and relationship builder is recognizing that every human being has value and worth. The greatest mark of emotional maturity is the ability to respect the dignity of an enemy or one who holds a different view of the world.

The path to success is the ability to build relationships, even with those with whom one may disagree. In order to build those relationships, one must respect and guard the dignity of others. Even when made aware of another’s weaknesses, mistake, or ignorance, this should never be used to one’s advantage. A secure individual does not need to expose those weaknesses in others in order to succeed. His success is based strictly on his own values, abilities, and experience. The stronger and more powerful person among a set of leaders is the one who is willing to refrain from exposing even his enemies to unnecessary humiliation and shame, but seeks to build a relationship to accomplish something greater than us all. In cases where crimes are committed, this may be necessary for the good of society, but not as a stepping stone to success. Mandela learned this early in life as he says, I learned my lesson one day from an unruly donkey. I jumped on and the donkey bolted into a nearby thorn bush. It bent its head, trying to unseat me, which it did, but not before the thorns had pricked and scratched my face, embarrassing me in front of my friends. Like the people of the East, Africans have a highly developed sense of dignity, or what the Chinese call “face.”

I had lost face among my friends. Even though it was a donkey that unseated me, I learned that to humiliate another person is to make him suffer an unnecessarily cruel fate. Even as a boy, I defeated my opponents without

dishonoring them.

Value All Opinions Equally In order to build relationships and consensus among diverse parties, Mandela taught that everyone’s opinion should be respected. Regardless of educational background, economic status, family background, or position in society, all men are created equal. No voice should be disregarded because of the lack of economic power, political influence, or academic achievement. Every voice that can be heard should be heard. In some cases, one may disagree with the manner in which a party may express their opinion, it should still be valued. No one should feel intimidated, unimportant, or inadequate when it is time to voice one’s point of view within any setting. The leader should go out of his or her way to make sure that every voice is heard and considered, and that those voices are comfortable with speaking up.

On this point, Mandela stated the following: My later notions of leadership were profoundly influenced by observing the regent and his court. I watched and learned from the tribal meetings that were regularly held at the Great Place… All Thembus were free to come and a great many did, on horseback or by foot…

Everyone who wanted to speak did so. It was democracy in its purest form. There may have been a hierarchy of importance among the speakers, but everyone was heard, chief and subject, warrior and medicine man, shopkeeper and farmer, landowner and laborer.

The foundation of selfgovernment was that all men were free to voice their opinions and equal in their value as citizens…I noticed how some speakers rambled and never seemed to get to the point. I grasped how others

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came to the matter at hand directly, and who made a set of arguments succinctly and cogently. I observed how some speakers used emotion and dramatic language, and tried to move the audience with such techniques, while other speakers were sober and even, and shunned emotion.

Handle Criticism Gracefully One of the traits of immature leadership is the inability to handle criticism. Mandela welcomed criticism and learned from it. This is what made him the great leader that he was.

He was not quick to oppose or deal severely with those who accused him wrongfully. He understood the right time to respond or whether to respond at all. Those who become great will recognize that no leader is above making mistakes, or taking on criticism for those mistakes. A great leader can hear criticism and not be easily angered or annoyed. They remain calm under criticism.

At first, I was astonished by the vehemence—candor— with which people criticized the regent. He was not above criticism—in fact, he was often the principal target of it. But no matter how flagrant the charge, the regent simply listened, not defending himself, showing no emotion at all.

Be A Consensus Builder Rather Than A MajorityRules Seeker A great leader and relationship builder understands that majority rule may get the job done, but building consensus among parties is the key to greater progress and advancement toward a goal.

Everyone will feel included and understand that they have an important part to play.

Majority rule excludes the small portion who disagreed, but consensus shows respect to all viewpoints and brings diverse people together.

Consensus building is harder and takes more time, but pays off in the long run. Mandela learned the following from the conferences led by “the Regent:” The meetings would continue until some kind of consensus was reached. They ended in unanimity or not at all.

Unanimity, however, might be an agreement to disagree, to wait for a more propitious time to propose a solution.

Learn To Be An Active Listener A great leader recognizes that he or she may have builtin biases, and assumptions that may not be correct.

They are not “know-italls.” They understand the value of listening without immediately responding.

They value what they can learn in a discussion versus winning a debate. Mandela understood that by being a good listener, he was able learn a few things he had not previously considered.

He saw that by being a good listener, who genuinely seeks to understand, one can more easily reach a consensus point of view. He wrote about how he reached decisions and built consensus. Mandela stated, As a leader, I have always followed the principles I first saw demonstrated by the regent at the Great Place. I have always endeavored to listen to what each and every person in a discussion had to say before venturing my own opinion. Oftentimes my opinion will simply represent a consensus of what I heard in the discussion.

Adopt these principles for life and you will become an exceptional relationship builder. You will succeed in your vision as well as help others succeed, prosper, and live out their dreams.

September 7 - September 20, 2018

Jerry’s Journal

Another Man Trip

by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com

We were off on another “man trip,” this time to the Hall of Heroes Museum in Talladega, Alabama. As usual, women weren’t allowed.

No ma’am! This was a serious trip. They would have hampered important discussions about—well, women – juicy gossip about women and male health problems.

Anyway, we didn’t have time to stop for pedicures, shoe shopping, and other such foolishness.

Mike Criscillas, a/k/a “Big Mike,” Army Command Sergeant Major, Ret., was at the wheel of his wife Shirley’s luxurious Infiniti SUV. It’s loaded with high-tech gadgets ranging from butt warmer to navigation apps. It could use a simple Boy Scout compass mounted on the dash since Mike tends to get lost. On a previous man trip, he got lost before we left the Veterans Museum parking lot.

Ewell Smith, retired ASU Business Manager, served as our official reporter on Alabama politicians that have recently been indicted. Bill Ward, retired mathematician and college professor, was self-appointed “joke cracker.” Retired Athens cop and president of the Alabama Veterans Museum, Jerry Crabtree, was back seat driver and color commentator.

I rode shotgun. All

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of us are volunteers at the Alabama Veterans Museum.

I pray we will survive Madonna leaving our fruited plains.

sign. Admission is free.

The museum is neat and clean.

Earlier, Jimmy Williams and Joe Powers with the recently organized Hall of Heroes visited us in Athens seeking advice.

We accommodated them.

They reciprocated and invited us to visit them.

It was an entertaining 2 ½-hour trip on back roads through historic Somerville, along low mountains, past green pastures, corn fields and lovely chicken houses.

We drove to Attala, then south on Alabama 77 to Talladega.

Finally, good news.

“Talladega is just ahead,” someone said.

Ms. Aimee Gable, friendly Museum Manager, along with Ms. Keela Brown, Museum President, greeted us; they treated us like we were somebody. I love Southern hospitality.

Photos of local heroes line both walls and mannequins displayed a variety of uniforms.

My attention was drawn to a display of U.S.S. Talladega, a naval transport named for Talladega County.

It landed Marines on Iwo Jima during WWII, included four of the Mt. Suribachi flag raisers.

Crabtree, a retired National Guard Sergeant, who made many convoy trips from Athens to Ft. McClellan, almost grew misty eyed with nostalgia when he pointed and said, “This is where our convoy always stopped, and we got out and peed.” Very touching.

“In somebody’s yard?” asked Ward.

Phew wee! They must have contaminated every well within a half mile.

A historical marker – or warning sign – might be appropriate.

Someone mentioned that Madonna had finally carried out her threat and departed America. She moved to Portugal. How much more bad news can we endure? We are already in a trade war, opioids are killing our citizens, and Russians are telling us how to vote. I still have hope.

We’re a resilient people.

We survived Pearl Harbor and 9/11, and

September 7 - September 20, 2018

Talladega (pop.

15, 451) sits on the edge of 392,000 acres of Talladega National Forest. Looming in the distance was Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama.

The city is known today for Talladega Superspeedway and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).

Athens history buffs may be interested to know that Rep. Thomas H. Hobbs introduced the first legislation in 1858 to establish a school for the blind. Hobbs’ Co. F, 9th Ala., was the first to depart Athens to fight in the Civil War. He died following the Battle of Gaines Mill, June, 1862.

His parents who lived on N. Marion Street (it still stands in front of present City Hall) fled to Talladega for safety when Yankees occupied Athens in 1862.

We arrived at Hall of Heroes on the east side of the courthouse square. Jimmy Williams, wearing short pants and a wide smile, greeted us.

The museum is housed in the Wood-Weaver Building (c.

1870, listed on the National Registry of Historical Places) where shoes were sold for nearly 150 years. Uniforms of local servicemen are displayed in the windows, along with a Red Goose shoe

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The Weaver family donated the building to the museum; a city councilman did the plumbing and the Mayor did the flooring -- all for free. The backroom, dedicated to policeman, firemen, first responders, and scouting, is filled with artifacts and uniforms.

Following lunch at Tina’s Home Cookin’, a block off the square, we toured the “Silk Stocking” historical district, 113 acres of stately old homes listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Located nearby is the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. I was told they manufacture all of the neck ties for our military.

On the return trip home, while Crabtree was yacking on the phone doing a car trade and

performing his not backseat driving duties, Big Mike shot past the turnoff. “Hey Mike, you lost again?” asked Ward.

I began feeling warm, then perspiring for no apparent reason.

Heart attack! Oh, no!

Worse still, I may have contracted a case of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrone) from association with my liberal friends.

Big Mike was smiling. He had dialed up my seat warmer to broil. Scared me half to death!

It was a fun trip, and I heard a lot of half-truths and gossip which I can’t report. I can say that there is no sin in Athens -- until after the sun goes down. Seriously, it was a great man trip.

There is a lot to see in Talladega. Drive down, visit the Hall of Heroes, hike the endless trails in the Talladega National Forest, and visit the nearby International Motor Sport Hall of Fame. Take your camera and stop at the historic intersection of U.S. 431 and Ala. 278 and see where the Athens National Guardsmen peed. One day you can tell your children that you saw it -- and have a photo to prove it. And be sure to tell the folks at the Hall of Heroes that you are from Athens. Remind them about our man trip. They may tell you to get out of town. But, I bet they’ll treat you like you’re somebody.

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Dog Barker

What Is The Best Way To Choose A Groomer?

by Joel Allen I get asked all the time, “Where can I find a good groomer?” I know a few that I will put the word out for depending on what the person asking the question is looking for when grooming their dog. Keep in mind that what I am about to say is my opinion.

If I were looking for a groomer, I would seek out someone that the community really speaks well of. I would also see if my dog likes or loves them. I know one that lets your dog watch cartoons while they wait to be groomed! When I was in the Army we had a saying, “Where there is smoke, there is fire!” Living by that credo has kept me from making the mistake of trusting the wrong people. Do I believe all rumors? No, but when it comes to our “babies,” if I hear that a groomer has a temper or something worse, I advise that we go elsewhere. Believe me when I say that any abuse or negligence done by someone trusted with our “babies” can have lasting negative effects. Some examples of this are: your dog suddenly goes from being loving and tolerant to refusing to trust people and biting someone; they decide not to walk properly on a leash; they become nervous around other people, or they become aggressive toward other dogs. These are some things I have witnessed.

Let me say this for the record, not all groomers are bad. I would say that

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we have a 98 percent rating of good groomers in the county. What I really want to get people to do is be cautious with whom they trust.

Now let’s prepare our dogs for grooming. The best advice is to start them out early as puppies.

If they are already adults, be patient and work with them slowly until they become accustomed to what we are trying to teach them. A common thing we all want is well-groomed dog nails. As puppies they learn that this process is harmless, but as adults they can be very stressed because their toenails are sensitive. If their nails are clipped too close to the quick, it can be most painful thereby causing them not to want or allow anyone to touch their paws. Ever have to wrestle a large breed dog to get their “Freddie Kruger” nails trimmed? I have and boy, is it work!

when the dog hears the word “bath” and it quickly leave the room and tries to hide…LOL! Now, what I like to do when I am teaching mine that bathing is good for them is that I like to massage the shampoo into their bodies, rub their muscles, and talk to them. Sometimes the best medicine for this is the dog hearing your voice. When Alexander was alive, he loved baths.

This Great Dane would deliberately go muddy himself up, track through the house, get in the tub, and wait for me to holler at him…LOL! I couldn’t stay mad at him. At least he wanted to be clean.

Oh, but the huge muddy

Bathing is another big deal for our dogs. If they are raised to know that getting in the tub is a wonderfully fun event, they will always want to take a bath. But, if they have never had a bath or have had a negative experience associated with a bath, life is going to become difficult for everyone. I have watched America’s Funniest Videos

paw prints he left!

Another thing I do to get them ready is I mess with their ears and feet. Doing this on a regular basis teaches them that it is okay for someone to look at their feet and ears. It prepares them for the day a groomer will clean their ears and do their nails.

Every groomer I have met has their own style.

When looking for that specific groomer, and finding them, they should be informed as to what is desired for your dog.

Be specific and detailed because this is the part that is very important in ensuring what the outcome will be for your dog. Also, inform your

groomer of any behaviors or issues that may impact the dog’s grooming session.

When dropping off your dog at the groomer’s, be on time. If running late, call and let your groomer know. When picking up your dog, try to apply the same rules. Listen to your groomer if they are trying to tell you something they found on your dog, too. We have another pearl of wisdom I use from the Army, “If you are not early, you are late!” Because I lived by that, I never had to wear a watch.

Lastly, when I say I have witnessed some things, I have seen where a groomer made people wait to trim their dog’s nails for up to 45 minutes.

Now, I understand when a groomer is busy, but would it not be fair for them to tell the customer it is going to be a while?

I have seen groomers be rough with a client’s dog.

They were corrected for this but it does happen.

Again, in parting I say this, not all groomers are bad. Just remember to listen to your dog and your gut. “Where there is smoke, there is fire!”

“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 Allen 256-651-2211

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September 7 - September 20, 2018

Mental Health Minute

What to Expect from Mental Health Counseling - Part 2

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.”

- Anonymous

In my last article, we decided that you were going to seek help by making an appointment to see a mental health professional.

I shared how to search for a therapist, and also looked at resources to find the right fit for you. Once you have chosen a therapist, it’s time to schedule that first appointment. I have had so many first-time clients voice such thoughts as, “I was so nervous…I just didn’t know what to expect,” or “Wow. This wasn’t at all what I thought it would be,” or “I wish I would have come sooner.” Whatever is going through your head, I can help you to be a little bit better prepared, which may serve to allay some of your fears or concerns.

extremely personal and even hurtful. The important piece to remember is be honest. I can’t help you if the person on the paper doesn’t match the person in front of me. If you don’t feel comfortable answering a particular question, then don’t. That’s right, don’t. Intakes can be invasive and triggering. So maybe you just aren’t ready to “share” before you have even met your therapist. I understand. Either leave the answer blank or write “not ready to go there.” At my client’s first session, I ask if she would like to take some time to review her information, or do we need to go right to what brought her in to my office.

Remember this is your time.

The counseling session is about you.

Informed consent is letting

you, the client, know that you have the legal and ethical right to understand and agree to the proposed “relationship” to which you are entering. The consent contains information about practices, procedures, and methods. There are usually sections about cancellations, risks and benefits, termination, social media restrictions, financial arrangements, arbitration, communication techniques, and patient’s rights. Your most important right is found in the confidentiality statement, which lets you know that what is discussed in session remains private, except for certain safety issues, which include harm to self or others, and elder or child abuse. Your privacy is critical because you need to know that you can

be free to express yourself without fear of judgment.

The authorization to release information form is used only if you are willing to allow others to have access to the information in your file.

The first session is usually spent informationgathering, and the therapist may need to ask LOTS of questions.

During that initial session most therapists alternate between directive and non-directive therapy. For example, if you have a hard time opening up and/ or getting started, I may need to take the lead and explore through my inquiries. I have had other clients walk into that first session and they don’t stop talking until the hour is up!

These clients are often the ones who have waited way

too long to come see me and can’t wait to just “spew.”

After your session, take some time to reflect. Ask yourself: Is this someone who can help me? Do I feel comfortable sharing the most intimate parts of my life with this person?

Did they seem genuine and caring?

I will come full circle in my next article and address how a counselor could help you to change unhealthy relational patterns.

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

Many therapists now have websites, which not only provide a wealth of information about who they are, but also contain the forms that they use for their practice. If these forms are available on the website, the therapist will most likely ask you to print out and complete this paperwork.

The forms are usually an intake questionnaire, informed consent, and an authorization to release information. The intake can be overwhelming because we want and need to know about your past and current situation. Some of the questions may seem

September 7 - September 20, 2018

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Medical Update

September Is World Alzheimer’s Month

By Rachel Clark, RN, BSN, MSN, and Board Certified Midwife Rachel just graduated magna cum laude from Frontier University.

Congratulations, and may God bless all your new adventures!

World Alzheimer’s Month was launched in September 2012. September was chosen to encompass the already existing World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, enabling local, national, and international awareness programs to extend their reach. World Alzheimer’s Month is an initiative of Alzheimer’s Disease International. It is a time to raise awareness and funding for research.

According to www.alz. org, Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia that causes issues with memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms develop slowly and get worse with time, eventually interfering with everyday tasks. It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of all dementia cases. It is NOT a normal part of the aging process, though one of the biggest risk factors for it

includes increasing age (in most cases, individuals are over 65 years of age when diagnosed). Alzheimer’s is more severe than “simple” dementia in that it gets progressively worse over a shorter amount of time.

Dementia worsens more gradually over a period of many years, while those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease typically live only 8-10 years after diagnosis, depending on other health conditions.

There are typically 10 signs/ symptoms specifically associated with Alzheimer’s (according to www.alz.org): 1.Memory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting recently learned information, important dates and/or events, asking the same question over and over again, increasing need for memory aids/family for things they were once able to do without assistance •Normal

age-related

change: forgetting names/ appointments but remembering them later

2.Challenges in planning or problem solving: difficulty working with numbers and following budgets or familiar recipes, difficulty concentrating and taking much longer to perform routine tasks •Normal age-related change: occasional errors in balancing a checkbook 3.Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or leisure: issues driving to a familiar place, managing budgets at work, or remembering rules to a favorite game •Normal age-related change: occasionally needing help programming a microwave or television 4.Confusion with time or place: losing track of dates, seasons, or passage of time; may have trouble under-

standing future-based appointments; they may forget where they are or how they got there •Normal age-related change: confusion about the day of the week but later remembering 5.Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: may have visual changes, difficulty reading, judging distance, determination of color or contrast; may cause issues with driving.

•Normal age-related change: vision change related to cataracts 6.New problems with speaking or writing words: may have issues starting or joining conversations, stop in the middle of conversations, repetitive conversation, struggles with vocabulary, have problems with finding the right word or calling things by the wrong name •Normal age-related change: sometimes having trouble finding the right word 7.Misplacing things and losing ability to retrace steps: putting things in unusual places, losing things and not being able to go back over steps to find them, accusing others of stealing; may increase over time •Normal age-related change: misplacing things from time to time but retaining ability to retrace steps to find them 8.Decreased or poor judgment: poor judgment with money, paying less and less attention to grooming and personal hygiene

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•Normal age-related change: making bad decisions every now and then 9.Withdrawal from work or social activities: may start to remove self from work, hobbies, sports, or social activities; may have trouble following favorite sports teams or completing favorite hobbies such as knitting or reading a book; avoidance of social activities so that behavior changes aren’t as marked •Normal age-related change: sometimes feeling weary with work, family, and social activities/obligations 10.Changes in mood or personality: becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious; easily upset at home, work, with friends, and in unfamiliar circumstances •Normal age-related change: development of specific ways of doing things and being irritable when routines are interrupted If you think you or a loved one may be beginning to develop signs or symptoms of Alzheimer’s, see your primary care provider.

There are specialists who can present various options for dealing with the effects of this debilitating disease.

Just like with the Autism walk in April and various Relay for Life events in May, September hosts walks for raising awareness of Alzheimer’s. Huntsville held their walk September 13, 2014. Decatur will host a similar event the first weekend of October.

For more information, visit www.alz.org.

September 7 - September 20, 2018

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Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC September 7 - September 20, 2018

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