Community Focused Local business recognized with Chamber’s top honor
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TABLE OF CONTENTS GROW YOUR OWN GROCERIES
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Expert gives talk about organic gardening
RUNNING TOWARD THE GOAL
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YMCA offers training program, 5K race
BIKE BROTHERS
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Ousleys share passion for motorcycle racing
SAFETY PLEDGE
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Local coaches keep athletes’ health first
TOP BUSINESS Jemison drug store/gift shop recognized for serving the community
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DESERVED HONOR Hayes Drug named Chamber’s Business of the Year
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All natural Expert gives local presentation on organic gardening STORY AND PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS
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uring the long, cold winter months, many dream of fresh, healthy produce grown in their own vegetable gardens. Attendees of a recent class at Petals from the Past in Jemison learned how to grow even healthier vegetables. Debbie Boutelier presented
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“Organic Vegetable Gardening: Growing Your Own Groceries” on Jan. 31. “One of the things that’s near and dear to my heart is organic gardening,” Boutelier said. As an Air Force wife, Boutelier lived in several different areas of the country. She moved to Alabama in 1994 and completed
ABOVE: Debbie Boutelier gave a presentation about organic gardening at Petals from the Past in Jemison on Jan. 31. RIGHT: She brought along several items she uses in her own gardening, including compost.
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Debbie Boutelier brought examples of herbs and vegetables that can be grown organically.
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the Alabama Master Gardener course in 1995. The presenter said she remembers being told that it was impossible to grow organically in Alabama because of the multitude of pests and diseases that can afflict crops. “I said, ‘Watch me,’” she said. “It can be done. Don’t let anybody tell you that it can’t.” Her passion is shared by an ever-increasing number of gardeners, as was evident by the crowd of about 35 people in attendance for the course, which covered soil building, seeds and site selection, among other topics. Attendees were from Chilton, Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Elmore, Jefferson, Montgomery, Shelby and St. Clair counties. A significant difference with organic gardening is the omission of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Boutelier said organic growing contributes to the overall health of the planet, prevents ecological hazards and values the relationship between the health of the soil and the health of people’s bodies. Boutelier said before beginning, the gardener should consider how much space and time he or she can devote to the garden, and the purpose of the garden. The site selected Boutelier has given more than should be near the 6,000 hours of volunteer service kitchen, near a water to the Master Gardener program, source, near the comand her involvement with the post pile and receive program led her into a career as 6-8 hours of direct the County Extension Agent in sunlight per day. Autauga County for eight years Slope, drainage, wind exposure and nearby trees and shrubs are also considerations. Boutelier encouraged soil testing. “The heart of a healthy garden is the soil,” she said. An important consideration for healthy soil is composting. Composting provides a means to manage yard and kitchen waste, is a source of organic matter and nutrients, improves soil structure, improves water retention and contains micro-organisms that suppress pathogens in the soil. Another benefit of organic gardening, as opposed to purchasing produce from a market, is the ability to choose the type of vegetables you want to grow, including varieties that aren’t always readily available. “Let your taste guide you,” Boutelier said. “Don’t be afraid to try something new.” Boutelier has given more than 6,000 hours of volunteer service to the Master Gardener program, and her involvement with the program led her into a career as the County Extension Agent in Autauga County for eight years. She has given seminars nationally on organic gardening, nutrition, herbs and other garden-related topics. She completed a three-year study of the medicinal aspects of herbs at the Appalachian Center of Natural Health. Boutelier is a long-time member and past president of the Herb Society of America. ■
6,000
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On the run
Many local runners participate in 5Ks and other races.
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YMCA sponsoring training program, 5K run STORY BY STEPHEN DAWKINS PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS & FILE
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Race participants are encouraged to dress as superheroes.
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he Chilton County YMCA is helping residents train for a 5K run—and then offering a race for them to finish. The “Everyday Hero 5K,” which will be sponsored by the YMCA, is scheduled for 8 a.m. April 18. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes, and a costume contest will include prizes for the winners in various age groups. The entry fee for the 5K is $30, while a one-mile “fun run” will cost $15 for adults and $10 for kids. Those who register for the 5K will receive free T-shirts. The fun run will begin at 9 a.m. The course for the 5K is still being mapped. The event will also feature concessions and face painting. For more information, call the Y at (205) 755-2382. Also, vendors and sponsorships from local businesses and individuals are needed. Anyone interested should call the number above and speak with Miranda Roberts. All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, which helps chil-
dren who might not otherwise be able to participate in YMCA activities and services. “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to experience YMCA programs, regardless of financial difficulties their family might be facing,” said Angie Wright with the Chilton County YMCA. “YMCA programs such as child care, camping, swim lessons, youth sports and teen leadership programs do more than teach skills; they instill confidence, responsibility and help young people to be strong in spirit, mind and body. These experiences have a strong impact on kids, helping them grow into healthy contributing adults.” The Y publicizes levels of donations to Strong Kids: $25 gives a child the opportunity to participate in a youth sport, $50 teaches a child life-saving swim lessons, $100 provides a youth membership for a child or teen looking for a safe place to go and $500 promotes staying active and developing healthy habits by sponsoring a child for a full season of summer camp. The YMCA maintains a set of criteria for those eligible in benefitting from Strong Kids, including those with financial limitations or other hardships. Seniors are also eligible for the program.
To help runners prepare for the 5K, Samantha Sims with the local “Chilton Runners” group partnered with the YMCA to offer a training program. Participation, which cost $65, included eight weeks of training plus registration in the Everyday Hero 5K.
The training class meets at 5:30 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Y, with child care offered. Training started at 30 minutes per session and builds up to an hour. “This training program is ideal for beginners and anyone wanting to improve their pace and technique,” Roberts said. ■
ABOVE: The Chilton County YMCA is hosting a 5K on April 18 that will end at the Y, located off Ollie Avenue in Clanton.
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Distance relatives
Chilton County brothers enjoy endurance motorcycle racing STORY BY DREW GRANTHUM CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
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Chilton County residents Cliff and Neal Ousley participate in endurance motorcycle racing.
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Cliff Ousley works a turn in a race. “Some of the national races are three hours long,” he said. “It’s extremely taxing on the body.”
hen it comes to physically demanding sports, there are obvious activities that come to mind. Football, basketball, swimming and marathon running are all sports that can take a toll on the body. But one sport that takes a heightened amount of physical ability and endurance that is often overlooked is that of motorcycle racing, specifically that of the enduro variety.
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“At times, adrenaline takes over,” Neal Ousley said. “You have to control it. A lot of times, people don’t breathe right and (their) arms tighten up. A lot of times, (prevention) is as easy as staying calm.” Enduro racing is a form of motorcycle racing that takes place on 8- to-12 mile tracks across several different forms of terrain including roads and wooded areas, and lasts over a period of two to three hours, but can last longer, such as the 24-Hour Challenge at Perry Mountain. Maplesville natives Cliff Ousley, 30, and brother Neal, 19, compete frequently in the Southern Enduro Riders Association. The two said the amount of physical beating a rider takes, combined with the amount of adrenaline pumping throughout the body during a race, can make for a demanding an experience as found in sports. “Some of the national races are three hours long,” Cliff Ousley said. “It’s extremely taxing on the body.” Neal Ousley compared parts of racing to his experience running a fast-paced offense in football, and said that controlling things like heart rate and rhythm of breathing were key to winning. “At times, adrenaline takes over,” he said. “You have to control it. A lot of times, people don’t breathe right and (their) arms tighten up. A lot of times, (prevention) is as easy as staying calm.” The brothers have grown up around motorcycles, with
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ABOVE: Cliff Ousley (center) and Neal Ousley (second from right) have both won SERA championships.
Neal gaining his appreciation for racing after watching Cliff, who has been riding for 20 years. “He had always done it,” Neal said. “It was a family thing. He started from our uncles and cousins on my mom’s side.” Cliff said his love for motorcycles, and rac-
ing in particular, developed at at an early age. “My cousin race when I was very young,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do from an early age, like three or four. After seeing some races, I wanted to be in that spotlight, I guess you’d say.” While some mothers might be apprehensive
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“It really is a family thing for us,” Cliff said. “We have fun with it.” about letting their sons ride motorcycles, Neal said their mother actually encouraged them to ride. “She loves it as much as we do,” he said. Cliff echoed the sentiment. “My mom rode motorcycles back her day,” he said. “My dad did as well, but neither raced. It was a little nervewracking for them.” Over time, the two got into racing enduros, with Cliff taking eight SERA championships and t times, Neal taking a SERA A-Class champion- adrenaline takes ship as well. Despite the suc- over,” he said. “You cess, Cliff said even have to control it. A lot after racing for 13 years not managing of times, people don’t breathing and heart breathe right and rate can sneak up (their) arms tighten on him. “It’s a tough one,” up. A lot of times, he said. “I’ve had that problem. Your (prevention) is as easy arms get so tight, as staying calm.” you have no control over the bike. — Neal Ousley It affects a lot of riders. Usually it takes me 30-40 minutes before it fades away.” Neal said the loss of arm strength can affect a racer’s ability to have a smooth lap time. “When your arms tighten, you can’t place the bike where you want it,” he said. “You can get tired, and the
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simplest things (cause) you (to) make mistakes.” Battling fatigue is one of the key issues faced by enduro riders, and something the Ousleys say training can do a lot to help alleviate. “We ride a lot of mountain bikes,” Cliff said. “It helps with cardio and legs, and riding trails is similar with technique.” Diet and hydration are also key to how long a rider can battle weariness. “Before the race, I drink water and try to soak it in,” Neal said. “I try to eat more carbs and as little greasy food as possible.” Cliff said that at his age, he has to be more careful about his choices when preparing food-wise for a race, whereas his Neal’s metabolism allows him more freedom. “Neal can eat just about anything,” he said. “Me, it’s a lot of chicken. Not a lot of red meat. Load up on pasta and carbs. Chicken, broccoli, brown rice‚ most of my diet is trying to clean.” The brothers are similar with their preparation for races, but vary a tad on their approach once the race has started. Whereas Neal compared racing to running a no-huddle offense in football‚ fast paced and uptempo‚Cliff said he prefers a different approach. “For me, it’s kind of the opposite,” he said. “You have to be fast but calculated. Kind of like the University of Alabama offense. Slow, deliberate, but always going forward. The more mistakes you make, your probability of winning drops.” While the two vary on styles, one thing is for certain: it’s an endeavor enjoyed by both. “It really is a family thing for us,” Cliff said. “We have fun with it.” ■
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Safety First
Chilton County coaches pledge to keep athletes safe
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STORY BY DREW GRANTHUM CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
t’s no secret that coaches in Chilton County are dedicated to bringing out the best in their athletes. It’s also no secret—thanks to a pledge from the National Center for Sports Safety—that coaches have the best interest in their players’ well-being at the forefront of their minds. Several coaches in Chilton County took the Sports Safety Pledge on Jan. 5, during a teacher workshop held at Jefferson State Community College’s ChiltonClanton campus, vowing to put player safety before anything else‚ including winning.
The NCSS, which is the sponsor of the pledge, was founded in 2001 by Dr. Larry Lemak in response to a rise injuries in youth sports, according to a release by the NCSS. The release also stated the goal of the organization is to “promote the importance of injury prevention and safety on all levels of youth sports by educating volunteers and coaches through NCSS sports safety courses and other NCSS resources and by increasing sports safety awareness.” The pledge is a product of the NCSS’s drive to ensure safe-
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ty for all youth athletes, said Lauren Peeples, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for the NCSS. “We wanted to take (the pledge) to coaches to keep safety at the forefront,” she said. “Every time we’ve taken it to a coach, no matter what level, they want to make sure people know (they take the pledge).” According to the release, the goal is not just to educate coaches and parents about the danger of injuries, but also how to prevent them. “The goal of the NCSS is to standardize the level of care available to athletes on and off the field,” the release read. “By educating youth coaches in sports safety techniques and skills, they will gain the knowledge and confidence to prevent and respond to injuries and emergency situations appropriately until professional help arrives.”
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Lemak stated in the release the organization aims to bring the same excellence to sports safety standards that coaches bring to teams. “There is not one parent that would drop their child off at a local community pool if there was not a certified lifeguard on duty,” he said. “That same standard of care should be observed on the playing field.” The pledge states that coaches will keep athletes’ health and safety a top priority, and will instruct athletes to use proper technique and skills in order to maintain a healthy playing career, with a place for signatures at the bottom of each sheet. Peeples said that response from the coaches in Chilton County was impressive. “Chilton County has been a huge participant,” she said. “As a county, Chilton has been very open to it.” ■
The NCSS, which is the sponsor of the pledge, was founded in 2001 by Dr. Larry Lemak in response to a rise injuries in youth sports, according to a release by the NCSS.
Isabella head football coach Scott Booth signs the pledge
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Inside the business of the year Local pharmacy credits success to community STORY BY EMILY REED PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS AND CONTRIBUTED
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ftentimes, the success of a business can be measured by the ABOVE: Hayes amount of money brought in each Drug and Gift was year, but for Hayes Drug and Gift named the Chilton in Jemison, success can be credited to the County Chamber community. of Commerce’s “The people are what make our business sucBusiness of the Year cessful,” owner Danny Hayes said. “The support we receive from the community means a for 2014.
lot. There is nothing fantastic about what we do. We do a service, and we hope it meets the needs of people. Sometimes we meet those needs in a good way and sometimes we don’t do as good as we could, but we try.” Hayes Drug and Gift was named the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year for 2014. Chamber Executive Assistant Brittani
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ABOVE: Employees at Hayes Drug were honored at the banquet hosted by the Chamber in January. Those pictured include, Bill Chism, Alesha Gray, Danny and Lisa Hayes, Amanda Argo, JoAnn Avery and Christy Chapman (back row) and Alan Wellbaum (front row). LEFT: Hayes Drug and Gift has been in business for 37 years providing prescription and non prescription drugs to those in the community. Ellison said the business has earned a high level of respect within the business community. “They have continuously supported the community and the Chamber,” Ellison said. “Danny and Lisa Hayes have a successful business record with responsibility toward employees, customers and the community.” Hayes Drug and Gift has been in business for 37 years providing prescription and non-prescription drugs to those in the community. Danny Hayes was born and
raised in Thorsby and graduated from Thorsby High School in 1969 with a dream of becoming a pharmacist. He fulfilled those dreams when he graduated from Samford University in 1973 with a pharmacy degree. Hayes returned to Thorsby and took a job with Richard Wood at Wood Drug in Thorsby. Hayes helped Wood open a location in Jemison and worked there a short time. A new opportunity gave Hayes the chance to work for Beal Gary
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ABOVE: Kendall Hayes Jackson and Erin Hayes Ward pictured with Danny and Lisa Hayes worked at Hayes Drug during high school and worked their way through college. at Gary Rexall Drugs, where he met his wife, Lisa. In the summer of 1977, Danny and Lisa started making plans to open a pharmacy of their own, and in November 1977, Hayes Drug opened its doors. On Nov. 17, 1977 Danny he Chamber and Lisa were married at Canterbury felt like recognizing Methodist Church. us and we appreciate When Hayes Drug opened, there were it, but our business is only three employ- no different than any ees, including Danny and Lisa Hayes. Since other business. We opening, the business are here just trying has grown to have a staff of 15 employees. to do our job.” The business was — Danny Hayes recognized at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet Jan. 23. Dr. Lisa Green presented Danny and Lisa with the award for Business of the Year, saying Hayes Drug has
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Danny and Lisa Hayes been a great Chamber member and is “always very generous to nonprofit organizations in the Chamber.” “The Chamber felt like recognizing us and we appreciate it, but our business is no different than any other business,” Danny Hayes said. “We are here just trying to do our job.” ■
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