The Jacksonville News - 01/07/14

COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE OPEN VETERANS THRU THE NIGHT ANYONE NEEDING A WARM PLACE KITTY STONE ELEMENTARY DAYFOR PROGRAM FRIDAY AT 1:45 P.M.

TUESDAY / JANUARY 7, 2014

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COLD WEATHER

DEEP FREEZE

BY MADASYN CZEBINIAK Consolidated News Service The freezer door has shut on northeastern Alabama.

With a record cold wave gripping much of the nation, temperatures at the Anniston Regional Airport slipped below freezing shortly after midnight Monday morning, according to National Weather Service observations, and is not expected to warm above 32 degrees until perhaps midday on Wednesday.

The coldest air has yet to arrive. Temperatures this morning were expected to be in single digits, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service’s office in Calera has issued a hard freeze warning for much of the state, indicating the threat of ruptured water pipes and potential danger to plants, animals and people.

The weather service also has issued advisories for high winds and wind chill. Sustained winds from the northwest ■ See COLD, page 7

Crowd turns out for Piedmont Polar Plunge Contributions will provide chemo bags

BY MARGARET ANDERSON NEWS CORRESPONDENT

When Jeremy Brazier of Goshen jumped off the diving board and into the water at the aquatic center in Piedmont Saturday morning at the first Piedmont Polar Plunge, he quickly exited the pool.

“It was breathtaking when I hit the water,” he said. “I was probably in there 60 seconds tops. I had a towel waiting on me when I got out.”

Brazier said he’ll do it again next year and in years to come.

“In 20 years, I’ll be 54,” he said.

“When I’m 60, if they’re still doing it, I’ll jump in.”

Mayor Bill Baker came up with the idea to benefit Venecia’s Foundation, a non-profit. Venecia Benefield Butler, who has gone through four bouts of cancer, organized the foundation to provide chemo bags to those going through cancer treatments.

True to his word, the mayor and Butler, holding hands, went in first.

According to Butler, they quickly dropped hands and each went their own way once they were in the pool.

“I just wanted out of there,” said Butler. “It definitely woke you up.

The shock of the water psyched me out. It was numbing.”

WARMING CENTER The Community Center at 501-A Alexandria Rd., S., will be open throughout the night tonight as a warming center for anyone in need of a warm place to stay during these frigid temperatures. Bring a blanket and/or sleeping bag if you have one. The center is trying to obtain cots. Call 435-8115 for more information.

JCOC

Regina and Les Honts oversee Toyland

Food and gift vouchers also given

BY MARGARET ANDERSON NEWS CORRESPONDENT

Anita Kilgore

Venecia Butler and Mayor Bill Baker lead the way at the first Piedmont Polar Plunge Saturday morning at the new aquatic center.

■ See PLUNGE, page 12

Anita Kilgore

Becca Hearn takes a bite of a sheet of ice.

When Regina Green Honts was asked if she would serve as director of Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center’s Toyland project for Christmas, she didn’t hestitate. And she didn’t bother to consult with her husband, Les, because she knew he’d work right along with her.

“I had done some things like this on a much smaller scale,” said Honts. “When they asked if I would consider taking the job, I thought about it and prayed about it and decided that I would. I knew that my ■ See TOYLAND, page 7

NEWS FEATURE

Tracy Stewart chronicles battle with cancer Book signing will be Friday at Java Jolt

BY MARGARET ANDERSON NEWS CORRESPONDENT

Anita Kilgore

Tracy Stewart with his book ‘DyingPUWas Not On My Agenda’.

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OBITUARIES See page 3.

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Tracy Stewart said he doesn’t make promises he can’t keep.

“If I say I’m going to do something, I do it,” he said.

Three promises he’s made in his life are especially important to him.

The first was to his father who was battling the late stages of cancer. He promised that he would take care of his mother. The second was to his then 10 year old son, Dane, in 2004. Stewart was battling his own cancer ■ See STEWART, page 7

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•William A. Kilgore, 83 •Gladys Orneilia Patterson, 102 •Sarah Cox Pope, 89 6

and was feeling defeated by the illness as well as life in general. He had always been an avid outdoorsman and often ran to stay in shape, but took up cycling when he was diagnosed. He let cancer take that away for a while.

Dane asked him one day when he was going to start riding his bike again. That very day, Stewart got his bike down, dusted off the cobwebs, and got ready to ride again. “I think God was at work that day telling me it was time to get back on the bike,” Stewart

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INDEX Opinion/Editorial . . . . . . . . .2 Community Notes . . . . . . . 3 Police Digest. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Church Devotional . . . . . 6 Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

PAGE 2 / TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

OPINION/EDITORIAL TOWN & GOWN

2013 - It was a very good year at JSU

By Heather Greene, a graduate assistant in the JSU Office of Public Relations The dawn of each new year at Jacksonville State University brings with it the possibilities of new memories and fresh opportunities, but also compels one to look back and see the strides JSU has made throughout the past year.

As 2013 began, so did JSU’s pursuit of implementing new methodologies and technologies in the classroom.

It became apparent that local school systems were trying to accomplish the same things, and so the CORE (Collaborative Regional Education) Initiative was born “This concept aligns with all the forward thinking in education and now positions JSU as a leader in collaborative education efforts,” says Dr. Alicia Simmons, executive director of the JSU Institute for Research and Collaboration (IRC), who works with an executive team to provide oversight and direction for the CORE Initiative.

In June 2013, JSU held the CORE Academy, a three-day conference which brought together over 270 educators and provided them with multiple instructional sessions geared towards learning how to best incorporate technology into their classroom. This successful and cutting-edge program is gearing up for another exciting year, as the 2014 Academy is already scheduled for June 3-5, 2014.

Just as the year was coming to a close, the U.S. Department of Education announced that JSU was among the 25 winning programs (from a pool of 618 applicants) that will share $134 million in funding in the prestigious Investing in Innovation (I3) competition. Much more will be shared about JSU’s innovative plans in the coming months.

On another technology note, as online education is exploding across the country, JSU is continuing to expand the university’s quality online programs and services. In addition to traditional programs, JSU currently offers 35 programs online, with more in the works. Nearly 42% of students are currently taking at

least one online course.

Ensuring job readiness for students has also been a front-burner concern, as the university seeks to prepare students to easily transition between the classroom and the work force. During the past year, JSU has hosted multiple career fairs and has worked to expand its internship initiatives with the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce.

To recruit and retain qualified undergraduate students is a goal that JSU is continually striving towards and has met with great success, as the average ACT scores for the incoming freshman class has risen to 22.5 and continues to climb. There is no doubt that awarding scholarships to those making high ACT scores is moving JSU closer to this goal. JSU is also making plans to better connect with potential students and improve upon the recruiting process by implementing a Customer Relations Management (CRM) system, which will aid the university in recruiting and retaining qualified graduate and undergraduate students.

Such summer study tours as the second annual JSU Honors students’ trip to Taizhou University in China, led by Dr. Aaron Garrett and Dr. Teresa Reed, and the history department’s trip to Rome, Italy, led by Dr. Donald Prudlo, further increase JSU’s international engagement.

However, this cultural exchange does not stop with JSU students going abroad, but is a two-way relationship, as Taizhou University sent a group of two Taizhou teachers and 15 students for their own study tour in America at JSU. In addition to the international study tours, JSU’s annual United Nations Tea serves as a way to highlight the various cultures which are merged together on JSU’s campus, exemplifying the international connections the university has forged all over the world.

In April 2013, JSU hosted its first-ever social media conference, which welcomed social media experts Mack Collier and Christina “CK” Kerley, both of

whom are published experts in the field of social media and have spoken around the U.S. and in other countries.

In May 2013, JSU hosted Gary Sinese and the Lt. Dan Band in a concert, which raised the money to build a smart house for Jacksonville’s local hero and wounded veteran, Ben Tomlinson.

The JSU Soccer Team made steady improvement in 2013 under the direction of new coach, Neil Macdonald. Rick Pietri was hired as the women’s basketball coach and JSU not only welcomed a new head football coach to our family this year, but also witnessed Bill Clark and his rookie coaching staff lead the football team to their first visit to the quarterfinals at the Division I level.

The Rifle Team won its eighth Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championship and 2nd in a row in 2013 and participated in their third consecutive NCAA Rifle Championships. JSU Softball won the OVC tournament and competed in the NCAA regional tournament at the University of Alabama. It was JSU Softball’s sixth overall NCAA Tournament appearance and its fifth in the past six seasons.

It was a big off-season for the JSU Baseball program as two former Gamecocks made their major league debut – pitcher Donovan Hand with the Milwaukee Brewers and outfielder Todd Cunningham with the Atlanta Braves. Both were recognized during Homecoming festivities as they served as Grand Marshalls at the Homecoming parade and then were recognized on the field during a pregame ceremony.

So, as we close another year of JSU memories, we look forward to what 2014 holds for the entire community. Jacksonville State University would like to wish you and yours a very happy New Year!

For more information about JSU milestones and statistics or to learn more about the cutting edge advancements happening around campus, please visit www.jsu.edu.

Start out the New Year with laughter, good wishes

I should have a happy year full of fun if the first half-hour of the 2014 is indicative of what is to come. I attended a friend’s New Year’s Eve party, which started at 6:30 p.m. and did not end until 12:30 a.m.

Six of us friends, all of whom are grandmothers, met in the hostess’s home in Hokes Bluff. We all pitched in for the evening meal – chili, a big bowl of tossed salad, chips, dips, and way too many desserts.

I was in charge of the games. For those who are party planners – such as parents wanting to entertain children or such as friends who want an evening of fun – feel free to repeat any of the following games I found that kept us well entertained until it was time to see in the New Year.

The first game was one I had played at a staff holiday party for us teachers at Trinity Christian Academy earlier in December. Each of us placed a paper plate on our head and drew a Christmas scene at the direction of the host. I adapted that game and asked my friends to draw a New Year’s scene with a baby, the words “Happy New Year,” and fireworks – all without the participants seeing what they were doing. The results were hilarious, and the winner was determined by whose drawings were most recognizable.

The second game was one I that allowed friends to get to know each other better. The guests wrote down

one fact about their lives that no one else knew. Then, I read the facts while Sherry the guests wrote down who they Kughn thought had written the fact. We learned that someone’s parents married only Sherry-Go-Round three months after meeting, someone else had always longed to play the piano, one of us once kissed “The Fonz,” and one among us grew up near a neighbor who was a “lady of the evening.” Even longtime friends learned new facts about each other.

Third, we played the old standby – charades.

However, I tailored it for the holiday. We acted out phrases that summed up general New Year’s resolutions.

The guests easily guessed “lose weight,” and “read more,” but they struggled to guess “improve vocabulary and “volunteer more.” This game can be tailored to guessing songs related to Valentine’s Day, acting out items related to St. Patrick’s Day, or naming famous Americans for The Fourth of July.

Fourth, we each took a pink and a white slip of paper.

We asked a question about someone in the room by writing the question on the pink slip, and we answered the question on the white slip. I mixed them up and allowed each guest to read an unmatched question and answer. The results were funny.

Last, we drew pictures of scenes from movie titles. I displayed the scenes in front of the group, and we all guessed which movie each “artist” had selected.

So, after all of our convivial activities, which included taking pictures of us with each other’s cell phones, we turned on the television and watched the crystal ball drop in New York City’s Times Square. That meant it was only 11 p.m. Central Time, which gave us another hour to talk and laugh. We welcomed the New Year by toasting our hopes for prosperity and happiness during the upcoming year. Glasses full of sparkling grape juice clinked together, and sounds of firecrackers popped outside of the window. That, my dear readers, is how to make a New Year’s Eve party last for six hours and remain fun from beginning to end.

I wish I could place all of the fun that we had in a bottle and share it with my readers who have read and/or responded so kindly to my column during 2013. I wish all of you a Happy New Year and look forward to sharing more of Sherry-go-round during 2014.

Email Sherry at sherrykug@hotmail.com

Legislature could weigh in on Common Core The 2014 Legislative Session begins next week.

The session starts early in the fourth year of the quadrennium because it is an election year. Legislators want to come in and get out early so that they can go home and campaign.

Usually legislatures do not do much other than pass the budgets in a campaign year session. They especially do not try to tackle any controversial issues that could stir up any ire with voters. However, this current group of legislators will tackle anything controversial as long as it has a right wing slant to it.

It would be hard to think of any major conservative issue they have not addressed in the first three years of their super Republican majority reign. In years one

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and two they passed a stringent anti immigration bill as well as dismantled Steve AEA. Flowers theLast year, this bevy of reactionary elephants passed an anti abortion bill.

They also adhered to Inside The Statehouse the NRA demands to affirm gun rights laws in Alabama. The legislation allowed people to carry guns openly even into their parking lots at work. The Business Council of Alabama adamantly opposed this provision. However, the NRA prevailed.

They enacted a controversial private school voucher bill that allows parents of children enrolled in “failing” public schools to take a tax credit for tuition they pay to private schools.

They revamped the state’s Medicaid program from the current fee-for-service system into a managed care program.

The Governor’s prize victory came when he got his wish to construct an $85 million luxury lodge and convention center at the location of the Gulf Shores State Park. It will be a joint public/private partnership.

The state will own the property. The project will be funded with BP money from the gulf oil spill.

They also voted to allow Alabamians to make a limited amount of beer for personal consumption without a license or fee. We were the last state to allow home brewing.

One issue that has remained on the back burner is the Common Core State Education Standard. This Common Core concept spells out specific expectations of what students should know at the end of every grade. It goes from kindergarten through high school. Common Core covers the entire spectrum of learning, including reading, writing, listening, vocabulary and mathematics.

It addresses the fundamentals of these subjects. Students

are tested and asked details about what they have learned.

Conservatives around the country have come out stringently against Common Core. Some Tea Party activists have decried it as being developed by “extreme leftists.” Two extreme right-wingers, Glenn Beck and Phyllis Schafley, have attacked the effort as a dangerous threat from the Obama administration. However, other conservatives, like former Governors Jeb Bush of Florida and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, are in support of Common Core.

These new standards have the endorsement of major business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving grants to support Common Core’s implementation.

Some opponents are implying that Common Core is a Washington based idea. Beck and Schafley have stated as much. However, that is not factual. The Common Core concept grew up from the states. Government and state education people developed the standards.

State school professionals and legislators were concerned that an alarming number of students entering college were having to take remedial math and English classes before they could take classes for college credit.

The federal government was not involved. Today, 45 states have voluntarily adopted the math and English standards.

Some critics say that Common Core would nationalize education. Proponents counter that the standards are goals and not mandates. There are no set requirements made upon educators. Teachers choose their own books and suggested reading lists.

Two state led groups are preparing the annual assessments that will be matched to the Common Core Standards. They plan to have them ready for the 201415 school year. It will be interesting to see if the GOP legislature will weigh in on this issue.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us

Subscribe to The Jacksonville News, Call Mandy at 256-235-9254

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 / PAGE 3

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

Obituaries

Community Capsule

avid salt water pier fisherman in Panama City, Fla. with many long time fishing buddies. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his dog, Savannah, and bird, Chico. Mr. Kilgore will be greatly missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his son, Keith Kilgore and his stepson, Victor McCarley.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.klbrownfuneralhome.com.

• West Point Baptist Church in Jacksonville (across from Edwards Grocery on Hwy 204) will be hosting Winter Renewal on Sunday, January 12 at the 11:00 worship service. Special guest evangelist, Dr. Don Whitt will be preaching in this time of spiritual renewal. All are welcome and invited to attend by our pastor, Bro Ronny Moore & worship leader, Laney Bowman.

• The Calhoun County Community Band meets every Tuesday night at 6:30 at the Jacksonville High School band room.

• Tracy Stewart will sign his book, “Dying Was Not On My Agenda” from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Java Jolt, on the square, in Jacksonville. Books will be available for purchase. “Dying Was Not On My Agenda” is about his struggle with colon and liver cancer. Stewart, who resides in Jacksonville, is a native of Piedmont.

• An AARP safe driving class will be 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Parker Memorial Baptist Church. Upon completion of the class you may qualify for a discount, up to 10 percent, on your auto insurance. The class is held in the classroom and there is no test at the end of the class. Call 256-294-2301 to register or for more information.• Free GED classes will be held from 8 a.m.-noon and 5-8 p.m. in Room 173, Self Hall, Jacksonville State University. Call 256-782-5660 for more information.

• Bradford Health Services has free family support meetings from 5-6 Monday nights at 1701 B Pelham Rd., S., Suite D (Brookstone Building next to RMC Jacksonville). The meeting is for anyone experiencing behavioral problems with a loved one, has a family member of any age with drug or alcohol problems, needs help coping with a loved one’s drug or alcohol problems or needs help making decision on how to help a family member of any age. A counselor will facilitate the meetings.

• Venecia Benefield Butler’s book, “I Have to Get Some Things Off My Chest,” can be purchased for $15 (including tax) by mailing a check to P. O. Box 572, Piedmont 36262, or take money or check to Butler’s sister, Randa Carroll, at the office of Benjamin Ingram at 207 Rome, Ave., Piedmont. Proceeds will go to the V Foundation, founded by Butler, to purchase gift bags for patients going through chemo treatments. The bags will include items such as comedy DVDs, chap stick, gift cards, gas cards, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, search-a-word, lubricant eye drops, gum and peppermints, soft toothbrushes, queasy drops, lotion, neck wrap or hydrating socks.

• “Knit and Crochet” Night at Yarns by HPF is from 5-7 the first and third Thursday at the shop, 402 Pelham Rd., N., by Subway.

• Classes for the Jacksonville State University Adult Wellness classes at Pete Mathews Coliseum are at 8 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday for senior water aerobics and senior floor aerobic classes and 8 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday for water aerobics and senior therapeutic yoga classes. Contact Aubrey Crossen at 689-2580 or jsu9517k@jsu.edu for more information.

• The Alabama Shutterbugs, a new club for all skill level of photographers, meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Peerless Grill, 13 West 10th St., Anniston. Anyone interested in photography is welcome to attend. Call 236-8488 for more information.

• The Jacksonville Aspiring Writers Group meets from 4 to 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the public library. Anyone interested in the creative writing process is welcome. Bring samples of original writing to share. The group offers support, critique and information about writing and possible publishing venues. Call 256-499-2182 for more information.

• Alcoholics Anonymous meets at noon each Thursday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 400 Chinabee Ave., just off the square. Call 847-0909.

• A Narcotics Anonymous group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at First United Methodist Church behind McDonald’s. For more information, call Pearl Williams at 435-4881.

• A senior dance for those 55 years and older will be at the Senior Center from 6:30-9:30 p.m. the second Friday night of each month, featuring music, fun, friends and food. The Fun Tyme Band will be there to provide the music. Cost is $5 per couple; $3 for single.

• The Friday Night Opry Show is presented from 6:30-9:30 Friday nights at the Golden Saw Music Hall in the Williams community. Call 435-4696.

• Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program, meets every Friday night at First Baptist Church. Dinner is served at 5:30. Large group meetings with worship and praise bands and guest speakers begin at 6:30. Small share/support groups meet after that at 7:30 p.m., followed with cake and fellowship. Call 4357263 or 225-2492.

• Ladies, come pray on the square at 10 a.m. the first Thursday of each month to pray for the city, churches, pastors, schools, children, officials and businesses.

Call Polly Angelette at 435-7016 for more information.

• The Calhoun County Stamp Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays in Room 327 Stone Center, Jacksonville State University, corner of Church Avenue and Eleventh Street. Visitors and new members are welcome. Call 782-8044, 782-5604 or 435-7491.

• Jacksonville Fire Department is looking for information and items relating to the history of the department. If you have anything to share, call David Bell at 310-8961.

• The Public Library Board of Trustees meets at 3:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the library annex. Anyone needing accommodations is asked to contact librarian Barbara Rowell at 435-6332.

KILGORE

Jacksonville - Funeral service for William A. Kilgore, 83, were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 29, 2013, at the K. L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center Chapel in Jacksonville, with the Rev. Truman Norred officiating. Burial followed in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family received friends at the funeral home from 5 until 7 Saturday night.

Mr. Kilgore died on Thursday, December 26, 2013, at his residence.

Mr. Kilgore was survived by his wife, Jane Kilgore, of Jacksonville; a daughter, Myra Matthews and her husband Terry, of Anniston; a stepdaughter, Susan Jones and her husband Dennis, of Fayetteville, Ark.; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Kilgore, of Montgomery; a stepdaughterin-law, Judy McCarley, of Birmingham; two sons, Roger Kilgore and his wife Myra D. and Timothy Kilgore and his wife Cindy, all of Jacksonville; a stepson, Steve McCarley and his wife Debbie, of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren, David McCarley and his wife Dana, Daniel Kilgore and his wife Kim, Josh McCarley and his wife Bekky, Matthew Jones and his wife Elizabeth, Nicholaus Jones, Emily McCarley, Wendy Gaines and her husband Will, and Courtney Nelson and her husband Jake; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob McCarley, Logan McBrayer, Kaitlynne Nelson, Conner Nelson, Parker Jones, Duglen McCarley and Debra McCarley.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Jones, Nicholaus Jones, Josh McCarley, Steve McCarley, Dennis Jones and Patrick Doss.

Mr. Kilgore was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville. He owned and operated Kilgore Service Station and Kilgore Service Center from 1970 until 1996. He was an

by her husband, Opal B. Patterson, a granddaughter, Rebecca Johnson, a grandson, Sid Bowder, a son-in-law, Leon D. Staggs and a daughter in law, Martha Patterson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.klbrownfuneralhome.com.

K.L. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Center 322 Nisbet St., N.W. Jacksonville, AL 36265 256-435-7042

K.L. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Center 322 Nisbet St., N.W. Jacksonville, AL 36265 256-435-7042

POPE

PATTERSON

Jacksonville - Funeral service for Gladys Orneilia Patterson, 102, were held Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at 1 p.m. at West Side Baptist Church with the Revs. Ken Phillips, Truman Norred and Bob Staggs officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Cemetery with K. L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center directing services. The family received friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Mrs. Patterson died on Saturday, December 28, 2013, at Piedmont Healthcare Center.

She is survived by four daughters, Shirley Williams and her husband David, Helen Staggs, Dovie Borchard and her husband Roger and Sarah Kelley and her husband Larry; two sons, Flint Patterson and his wife Margaret, and Otis Patterson; 17 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 36 great-greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

A wonderful mother, Mrs. Patterson will be remembered by her six children as a mother who taught her children to love the Lord. She was a servant to many and was preceded in death

Marietta, GA - Sarah Cox Pope, 89, of Marietta, Georgia passed away Friday, December 20, 2013.

Born in Ashville, Alabama, she graduated from Jacksonville State Teachers College (now Jacksonville State University) and later moved to Marietta where she taught in the English Department at Sprayberry High School. Mrs. Pope was an active member of Roswell Street Baptist Church and the Ruth Sunday School class. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Pope was predeceased by her father and mother, Manly Cox and Pennie Dodd Cox, her husband, Hollis M. Pope; her son, Alan, daughter-in-law, Ann, and grandson, Charles.

Mrs. Pope was so proud that Alan C. Pope High School was named for Alan.

She is survived by Bob and Tina Pope, her son and daughter-in-law and granddaughters, Jessica, Amy, Jennifer, and Sarah, all of Acworth, her sister, Betty M. Fallis of Nashville, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial took place alongside her husband in Mountain View Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

Flu season in full swing in Calhoun County PATRICK McCRELESS Consolidated News Service Flu season has hit Calhoun County hard so far, with local and state health experts reporting significant infection rates among residents who haven’t been vaccinated.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Calhoun is one of 37 counties in the state reporting significant, widespread influenza virus activity. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report Alabama is one of 10 states where the flu is widespread.

Local and state health experts say the flu season got an early start and is now in full swing. However, experts add that for residents who have been vaccinated against the virus, the chances of infection this flu season appear to be low.

“The flu is definitely being seen a lot earlier and is a lot more prevalent in the general population,” said Joey Vice, nursing director of emergency services at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston. “But the general consensus among our physicians is that most of the people showing symptoms of flu have not been vaccinated.”

Vice said Stringfellow first received positive tests of the flu in patients in August. By the week of Thanksgiving, Stringfellow’s number of positive flu tests increased and during December, the hospital had 163 confirmed cases, Vice said.

Alabama’s flu season typically starts after Christmas or in early January.

“You don’t know when the flu season is going to hit, but you know when it’s here,” said Dr. Henry Lemley, emergency medical physician at Regional Medical Center in Anniston.

Lemley said RMC has seen a steady increase in patients with flu-like symptoms in the past month. Flu symptoms can include fever, coughing, sore throat, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

In the first two weeks of December, RMC averaged 10 patients per day who had the flu, Lemley said. In the last week of December, the average jumped to 16 patients per day. Lemley added that in the last four days, RMC averaged 30 patients per day exhibiting flu symptoms.

“This is a typical, average flu season for us,” Lemley said.

Lemley said that like Stringfellow, the majority of RMC’s flu patients were not vaccinated.

Donald Williamson, state health officer, said the flu season is particularly intense right now because it started earlier than usual.

“But we can’t predict whether that means we’ll have a longer or shorter flu season,” Williamson said.

Williamson said the dominant flu virus circulating this year is influenza type A, also known as H1N1, which created a flu pandemic in 2009.

This flu season’s batch of vaccine includes protection against the type A strain, Williamson said.

“It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” Williamson said. “There is still plenty of vaccine available.”

Phyllis Coughran, immunization manager for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said the Calhoun County Health Department has used 800 doses of the vaccine, the bulk of its supply.

“We have a very minimum amount left,” Coughran said.

Coughran said county health departments do not receive huge supplies of the vaccine as they have in years past because so many pharmacies now offer it.

“Drug stores and physicians still have plenty of the vaccine,” she said.

Mike Parris, pharmacist at Martin’s Pharmacy in Oxford, said demand for the flu vaccine was high in October and November, but has since dropped off. Parris said most insurers cover the cost of flu shots. A flu shot costs $30 for those without insurance, he said.

Police Report Dec. 28 • Duty upon striking an unoccupied vehicle reported in the 1600 block of Pelham Road South.

• Second degree domestic violence reported in the 200 block of Greenleaf Street.

Dec. 30 • Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle reported in the 500 block of Mountain Street Northwest.

Dec. 31 • Reckless driving reported in the 1500 block of Pelham Road South.

Jan. 1 • Third degree criminal mischief reported in the 900 block of Carson Lane Southwest.

• Theft of property and burglary reported in the 100 block of Ann Street Southwest.

• Third degree domestic violence and minor in possession/consumption of alcohol reported in the 1500 block of Davis Street Southeast.

• Theft of property reported in the first block of Marbut Drive Southwest.

• Discharging a firearm into an oc-

cupied dwelling/vehicle reported in the 300 block of Nisbet Street Northwest.

Jan. 2 • Domestic violence reported in the 6500 block of AL 204.

• Third degree burglary reported in the 6300 block of Alexandria/Jacksonville Highway.

• Third degree burglary reported in the 700 block of Nisbet Lake Road.

• Third degree burglary reported in the 100 block of Smith Circle.

Jan. 3 • Domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation and criminal use of defensive spray reported in the first block of Marbut Drive Southwest.

• Third degree domestic violence reported in the first block of Gunnells Road.

• Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle reported in the 1500 block of Church Avenue Southeast.

Jan. 5 • Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle reported in the 200 block of Mountain Street Northwest.

Arrests Dec. 29 • Andrew Christian Havens: domestic violence (2nd degree) Dec. 31 • Jacob Anthony Dacquisto: theft of services (3rd degree); criminal mischief (property damage) Jan. 2

• Andrea Lakeith Wright: probation violation (2X) Jan. 3 • Shawn Patrick Conner: domestic violence (3rd degree) • Matthew David Blair: possession of marijuana (2nd degree); possession of drug para-

phernalia • Joseph Wayne Davis: assault Jan. 4 • John Kevin Wesley: possession of marijuana (2nd degree); illegal possession of prescription pills; possession of drug paraphernalia

PAGE 4 / TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

Natalie Hicks Cantrell has styled hair for three decades Salon is located on Pelham Road MARGARET ANDERSON Journal Correspondent

W

hen Natalie Hicks Cantrell graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1983, she knew she wanted to continue her education, but she didn’t want the money for it to have to come out of her parents’ pockets. So she thought she’d work as a cosmetologist for a few years to pay her own way through college.

It didn’t work out like that though.

Natalie received her cosmetology degree at Anniston Academy, went to work in that field and has never looked back. For the past 30 years, Natalie has cut, colored, permed and styled hair and has loved every minute of it.

She opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday at Natalie’s Styling Studio at S. 106 Pelham Rd. in Jacksonville. She never knows when she’ll go home.

“I close when the last customer leaves,” she said. “I’m not able to say no to anyone. My clientele is so big I had to expand my hours. I have some really great clients that I’ve had for many years.”

Natalie say one reason she likes her job is because she likes knowing that she makes people happy.

“I love the way I make people feel,” she said. “It’s that little bit of happiness and confidence you can give them when you make their hair look good.”

Haley Chaney has worked with her for the past four years.

Natalie was born in Homestead, Fla., when her father, Calvin Hicks, was stationed with the Army there. After he retired at Fort McClellan, he and Natalie’s mother, Sue, wanted to remain in this area to be near their grandchildren. They’re Kentucky natives but now make Piedmont their home.

Natalie has two brothers. Lee Hicks lives in Arab, and Chad Hicks lives in Oxford.

She has two daughters.

Magan Glover and her husband, Matt, live in Piedmont where they teach. Their children are Jaycee, 7, and Nick, 5.

Natalie’s son and daughter-in-law, Brent and the former Cara Hogue, also live in Piedmont. Brent works at Honda and Cara is a nurse at Regional Medical Center.

“My world is my kids and grandchildren,” said Natalie.

Anita Kilgore

Natalie Cantrell works on co-worker Haley Chaney’s hair.

“And they know it, too. I love being a mama and a nana.

I’m so happy when I’m with them. I go to soccer games or anything else they have going on. They know Nana’s going to be there.”

Natalie attends Edgewood Methodist Church in Anniston.

She likes to make jewelry and said if there’s a piece she can’t find, she’ll make it. She likes to read and especially enjoys Deborah Macomber’s novels.

She’s an Auburn fan and was in Pasadena, Calif., for the BCS game between Auburn and Florida State.

“I was raised on Kentucky basketball,” she said. “I’ll always be a Kentucky basketball fan, but when you move to Alabama you have to make a choice of whether you want to be an Auburn or an Alabama fan. I’m the only

RECIPES

CHICKEN POT PIE 2 frozen deep dish pie crusts 2 c. boneless, chopped chicken 2 cans cream of potato soup 1 can Veg-all, drained ½ c. milk ½ t. thyme ½ t. black pepper Mix all ingredients except Vegall. After those are mixed, fold in Veg-all. Pour mixture into one crust.

Place second crust on top and seal edges. Cut slits in top and cook at 375 degrees for 45-55 minutes.

CORN DIP 2 - 8 oz. pkgs. Cream cheese, softened 2 lg. cans whole kernel corn, drained 2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese Small jar jalapeno peppers, sliced Mix cream cheese and 1 ½ c . shredded cheese. Fold in corn and as much pepper juice as desired.

(The more juice, the hotter the dip.)

Dice as many pepper slices as desired. (The more peppers, the hotter the dip.)

Pour into a casserole dish and top with the remaining ½ c. shredded cheese. Place a few sliced peppers on top and cook at 350 degrees for

20-25 minutes. Eat with corn chips or tortilla chips.

SWEET POTATO DUMPLINGS 8 sweet potato patties, halved 2 cans crescent rolls 2 c. sugar 2 c. water 1 ½ sticks butter 1 T. vanilla 1 T. corn starch Cinnamon, optional, sprinkled on top Roll each halved patty in a crescent roll. Place in a 9x13 glass dish. In another pan boil water, sugar, butter, vanilla and corn starch. Pour over crescent rolls and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

“

one in my family who’s for Auburn. When we came here in the military, we weren’t into it. But I chose Auburn because I thought they had prettier colors than Alabama and it went from there.”

Natalie said her daughter was an Auburn fan until she married her husband who attended Alabama.

Natalie said she likes to cook. When she makes deserts, she never has to use recipes, but when she makes anything else, most of the time she has a recipe.

Some of her favorite recipes include Chicken Pot Pie, Corn Dip, Sweet Potato Dumplings, and Angel Lush with Pineapple.

(Contact Margaret at pollya922@gmail.com)

I have some really great clients that I’ve had for many years” Natalie Cantrell

© 2014 Alabama Power Company

What is it that makes us different here?

ANGEL LUSH WITH PINEAPPLE 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained 1 - 4 pkg. vanilla instant pudding 1 sm. tub Cool Whip, thawed 1 prepared angel food cake Mix pineapple and pudding in bowl. Gently fold in Cool Whip.

Cut cake horizonally into thirds.

Spread 1/3 mixture over each layer.

Refrigerate at least one hour to set.

PUBLIC NOTICE The regular monthly meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall Annex #1, 300 Church Avenue, SE Jacksonville, Alabama Those persons who have business to bring before the Planning Commission should call City Hall at (256) 435-7611 to obtain the schedule of deadlines for submitting information for Planning Commission consideration.

Should any member of the public require any special accommodations in order to attend this meeting, please call (256) 435-7611 five (5) days in advance of the public meeting.

Jimmy L. Howard Chairman

Maybe it’s just knowing when to help. Here in Alabama, some people are having trouble paying their bills. You can help us help them. Just make a small donation to Project SHARE on your next Alabama Power bill. Or give online at AlabamaPower.com/ProjectSHARE. Together with the American Red Cross we can show everyone what makes us different here.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014/ PAGE 5

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

Engagement announced

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Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Griffin of Marion Junction announce the engagement of their daughter, Julia Elizabeth Griffin, to Matthew Lee Parris son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry T. Parris of Jacksonville and the late Mrs. Roberta Trathen Parris, formerly of Jacksonville.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Esther Cooper Tackett of Marion Junction and the late James Louis Tackett and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Louis Griffin.

Miss Griffin is a graduate of John T. Morgan Academy and Jacksonville State University with a degree in economics, where she was affiliated

Women’s Club holds meetings November Women’s Club Meeting The Jacksonville Women’s Club held its November meeting in the home of Adrianne Curvin. Members present were Wendy Boozer, Linda Burnett, Ranae Coheley, Debra English, Dale McCartney, Carol McGinnis, Sheila Newell, Jane Ponder, Staci Porter, Veronica Porter, Susan Quinn, Beverly Almaroad, Celia Almaroad, Rita Boozer, Patti McLeod, Margie Rhodes, and Phyllis Wright. The program for November was Education.

Pati Tiller and Raymond Ervin from The Arc presented a very informative program on bullying. The Arc is an organization to help intellectual and developmental disabilities. Trained volunteers from The Arc travel to different schools and perform informative and fun skits. Club members brought food items for a family to help with their Thanksgiving meal. The club will hold their December meeting in the home of Deb English.

December Women’s Club Meeting The Jacksonville Women’s Club held their December Christmas meeting in the home of Deb English. Members present were Wendy Boozer, Linda Burnett, Ranae Coheley, Adrianne Curvin, Rita Edwards, Joni Ginn, Gina Honts, Rita King, Dale McCartney, Carol McGinnis, Sheila Newell, Jane Ponder, Staci Porter, Veronica Porter, Susan Quinn, Peggy Turner, Beverly Almaroad, Celia Almaroad, Rita Boozer, Patti McLeod, Margie Rhodes, and Phyllis Wright. Club members brought gift items for a family to help provide their Christmas. This year the club was able to provide for two different families. Also members brought stuffed Salvation Stockings. Many members also brought donations for JCOC’s Toyland. Gina Honts will host the club’s January meeting.

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with Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She is employed as an account manager with Omega Financial Inc. in Columbus, Ga. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Trathen and the late Mr. and Mrs. Clem Parris.

Mr. Parris is a graduate of Jacksonville High School and Jacksonville State University with a degree in elementary and collaborative education, where he was affiliated with Phi Delta Kappa. He is planning to pursue his teaching career in Columbus, Ga. The wedding will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 18, 2014, at Elkdale Baptist Church.

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PAGE 6 / TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

Calhoun County

Compliments of

Devotional Guide Tommy Thomas, Manager 1575 Pelham Rd. S Jacksonville, AL 36265 calhouncoop@cableone.net 256-435-3430 Fax: 256-435-9922 Cell: 256-310-6295

FRANK MILES AUTO SALES, INC. 1510 Pelham Rd. S Jacksonville, AL 36265

Ace Hardware 1420 Pelham Rd. S Jacksonville, Al 256-435-6383 Debbie & Chuck

“SELLING QUALITY CARS SINCE 1954”

This devotional page is made possible by the listed businesses and individuals who encourage all of us to attend worship services.

Phone: 256-435-7800 Fax: 256-435-7838

frankmilesauto@earthlink.net

Jacksonville church of God 812 Francis Street W 256.490.6369 Rev. David Daniels Sunday School: 10:00AM Morning Worship: 10:45AM Children’s Church: 10:45AM Wednesday Worship: 6:00PM • Handicap Accessible

501 Pelham Rd., N. Jacksonville, AL 256.782.0008

Store 0300 1625 Pelham Rd. S Jacksonville, Al T 256-235-8100 F 256-435-4749

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BAPTIST

CHURCH OF GOD

ANGEL GROVE BAPTIST 4404 Alabama Hwy. 204, 435-3636

JACKSONVILLE CHURCH OF GOD 812 Francis St. W., 435-6478

ASBERRY BAPTIST 3682 Roy Webb Rd., 435-2730

EPISCOPAL

BONNY BROOK BAPTIST 2303 Pelham Rd. S., 435-0056

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL 400 Chinabee Ave. S.E., 435-9271

EASTWOOD FIRST BAPTIST 309 Vann St. S.E., 435-3380

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JACKSONVILLE 230 7th St. N.E., 435-7263

KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES 5911 AL Hwy. 204, 435-9738

HATCHER AVENUE BAPTIST 1311 Hatcher Ave., 435-1947

HOLINESS

MT. GILEAD BAPTIST 1787 Mount Gilead Rd., 435-2940

CONGREGATIONAL HOLINESS 604 Alexandria Rd. S.W., 435-5918

MT. SINAI BAPTIST 2125 Peaceburg Rd., 820-8686

OXFORD CONGREGATIONAL HOLINESS Caffey Dr., 435-3005

NANCES CREEK BAPTIST 3670 Hollingsworth Rd., 435-1411

METHODIST FIRST UNITED METHODIST 109 Gayle Ave. S.W., 435-6021

POST OAK BAPTIST 2427 Post Oak Rd., 820-3126

PRESBYTERIAN

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 200 Clinton St. S.W., 435-6340

WEST SIDE BAPTIST 713 Mountain St. N.W., 435-6111

OTHER

WILLIAMS FIRST BAPTIST 5579 Nisbet Lake Rd., 435-8313

CHURCH OF THE NINE GIFTS 101 Annie Lou Dr., 435-8282

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EAGLE POINTE 301 Henry Rd. S.W., 644-0515

ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC 308 7th St. N.E., 435-3238

5579 Nisbet Lake Road 256.435.5020 Pastor Chris Thomas Sunday School: 9:00AM Sun. Morning Worship: 10 AM Sun. Evening Worship: 6 PM Wed. Evening Bible Study: 6:30 PM • Children & Youth Activities • fbcwilliams.org

CHRISTIAN

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014/ PAGE 7

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

STEWART: ‘For a while there, it was just one shock after another’ From page 1

said.

A third promise was to a friend and author who felt that Stewart had a story to tell and that it should be shared with others. The friend encouraged him to publish a book that he had worked on years earlier.

Stewart told him he would get it published by the end of 2013.

And he did.

“Dying Was Not On My Agenda” came out in December.

Its pages are filled with Stewart’s struggle with colon and liver cancer and how he managed to get to where he is now.

“It sat on my computer for about nine or 10 years,” he said.

“It started out as a book for Dane.

My friend said it needed to be published, that people would want to read it. I committed to him to do it.”

Stewart will have a book signing from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 10, at Java Jolt on the square in Jacksonville.

“Dying Was Not On My Agenda” can be purchased at Jacksonville Book Store, or online at Books-a-Million, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Books will also be available for purchase at the book signing.

Stewart was born in Piedmont.

His parents are LaVerne Amos Stewart and the late Ray Stewart.

His brother, Scott, who is almost four years older, lives in Spring Garden.

Stewart attended Piedmont High School, Gadsden State Community College and Jacksonville State University.

He was a computer specialist at Anniston Army Depot for 13 years, before going to work

for the Department of Justice in Birmingham where he is the systems manager. He is responsible for overseeing all information technology for the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Alabama.

He likes what he does because he likes challenges, perhaps so, because that’s what his life has been for a little more than a decade.

Stewart was familiar with cancer. It ran in his family. He lost his father, his uncle Chuck Stewart, and his cousin Jan Stewart Williams, who was Chuck’s daughter, to the disease – all within two years of his own diagnosis.

“I knew I had a very strong predisposition for cancer,” said Stewart. “The cancer my dad, Uncle Chuck, and I had was hereditary. Jan’s wasn’t. It was in her cervix. She was in her early 40s and only lived a month or two. For a while there, it was just one shock after another.”

Stewart thought that since his father had colon cancer that he should be checked for it. The doctor said it wasn’t necessary because he was so young and not having any problems. Stewart was 36 at the time and had already lost his father.

A couple of years later, when he was 38, he began having problems, went back to the doctor and insisted that tests be performed.

That’s when they found the cancer in his colon. It was Stage III. The surgery was successful, but like many other cancer patients he underwent chemotherapy and radiation. He was told he’d need to pass the

five year mark to be cancer free.

He didn’t have to wait that long.

Two years later he learned that the cancer had metastasized to his liver.

He went back on chemotherapy and later into another surgery.

Doctors took out the entire left lobe of his liver. That was 10 years ago.

“I had to start the clock back over,” said Stewart. “Because when you have a recurrence, you have to start over. I really wasn’t considered cancer free until 2008.”

Stewart said life is good today.

“I feel better than I did when I was diagnosed,” he said. “I feel better physically, emotionally and mentally than I did. I’d probably had cancer for a year or two before they found it. I felt sluggish and tired, but I attributed it to how you’re supposed to feel when you’re 37 or 38.”

Stewart said having a positive attitude helps him tremendously, as does all the outdoor things he’s always enjoyed. Another thing is having Dane by his side.

“We’re very tight,” said Stewart. “I don’t know of another father/son relationship that’s as close as ours.”

Dane is a sophomore at Jacksonville State University studying business management.

He works at UPS. Dane has three step-brothers and a step-sister. Dexter Vernon is also a sophomore at JSU. He officiates at sporting events.

Tucker Vernon, 16, and Riley Vernon, 14, attend Pleasant Valley High School. Lily Grace Vernon, 11, attends Kitty Stone Elementary School.

Stewart has been married to their mother, the former Brigett

Anita Kilgore

Tracy Stewart, right, with son Dane.

Coggins, for almost two years.

Now, when he goes on his Brigett has been an elementary outdoor adventures, he’s school teacher for the past 10 accompanied by an army of six. years and is now the digital “We’re all very outdoor instructional specialist for centered,” said Stewart. “We like Jacksonville City Schools. anything outdoors like camping, Stewart said he and Brigett kayaking, hiking, and cycling. have gotten used to all the We also like to travel. We’ve commotion in their house. traveled together a lot in the short Five children and four inside time we’ve been married.” dogs don’t allow for much Stewart has taken up something quietness. he’d put aside for a long time -“There’s never a dull moment,” he said. “There’s so much drawing. As a Christmas gift to coming and going. Most of the his father-in-law, Roger Coggins, time, the kids have a friend over, he drew a picture of Paul “Bear” so there’s any number of people Bryant.

“I just felt like it was a talent in our house at one time. That’s God gave me, and I haven’t been the kind of household we want though. We want them to have using it like I should,” he said.

(Contact Margaret at their friends over and hang out at pollya922@gmail.com) our house.”

TOYLAND: ‘We’re already looking forward to doing it again next year’ From page 1

Anita Kilgore

Regina Honts

husband would come along beside me. He’s always willing to be my partner, especially for something like this.”

The couple helped gather enough toys for 231 children.

Toyland in the Mac Center at the First United Methodist Church was filled with toys, bicycles, games, balls, books, clothes and diapers.

Honts said she and her husband received a huge blessing for their efforts.

“Of course, it was a lot of work,” she said. “It took a lot of time, but it was very fulfilling. My husband and I talked about it and, basically, this was our Christmas this year.”

Honts said she’s amazed at how JCOC fulfills so many wishes at Christmastime, not just for children, but for many families as well. She said that, in her opinion, it’s remarkable how churches, businesses and individuals come through at this time of the year to help those less fortunate.

JCOC chairperson Mary Agnes Hester said the couple did an outstanding job.

“They’re amazing organizers,” said Hester. “No one can know how much work and how many long hours are involved in organizing Toyland and carrying it through. Regina thanked us for allowing them to be a part of our Christmas, but we were blessed to have them help.”

The work begins in October and lasts until every child has been taken care of and the Mac Center is turned back over to the church.

“We prayed that people would give, and they did,”

said Honts. “If they hadn’t given, it wouldn’t have happened like it did. It was through the gifts and generosity of the people that made it happen. We’re already looking forward to doing it again next year.”

Honts grew up in the Williams community. She and her husband attend Williams First Baptist Church, which is one of the churches that supports the JCOC. Hester said that Jacksonville State University employees, as they have in past years, helped as did Food Outlet employees who made deliveries of ham and turkey breasts. Schools, including White Plains, which is not in the Jacksonville district, helped. The Cowboy Church in Alexandria collected toys. This is the third year the Honda plant at Lincoln donated toys.

This year Honda employees delivered three truck loads for the children.

Hester said she and everyone associated with JCOC appreciates the churches and volunteers who participated either by delivering, helping distribute items or making contributions of items or checks. Each year, she said, the community always comes together to make this huge undertaking a reality.

“There is no way I could ever mention all who remembered our children and families,” said Hester.

“All I can say is that we have an awesome God, and we are so fortunate to be able to call Jacksonville our home.”

In addition to making Christmas more fun for children, families were given bags filled with food for their Christmas dinner. Each bag had either a turkey breast or a large ham. Seventy-one teens were given $30 vouchers for Walmart, and 25 seniors were given $30 vouchers for Food Outlet.

(Contact Margaret at pollya922@gmail.com)

COLD: Area schools have decided to delay start of classes From page 1

of about 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph could make driving difficult and will make the air feel colder, near or below zero degrees, according to the advisories.

The low wind chill values could lead to frostbite and hypothermia for those who venture outside without taking precautions such as wearing hats and gloves, according to the advisories.

Calhoun County residents may want to prepare to hibernate. The Anniston area is expected to feel record-breaking low temperatures of 6 degrees.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are not expected to rise out of the 20s until Wednesday afternoon.

Jonathan W. Gaddy, director of the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency, said there are four things Calhoun County residents should be concerned with during the upcoming cold spell: plants, pipes, people and pets.

Gaddy said his agency does not expect any power outages and hopes the weather will have no impact on transportation.

Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson said patrol deputies will be on the lookout for stranded motorists. Amerson also said people should plan ahead for power outages.

Anniston assistant Fire Chief Joel Roberts and Gaddy both offered suggestions for those worried about heating their homes.

Roberts said when the weather gets cold people have a tendency to plug too many things into electrical outlets, put space heaters too close to bedding and use their ovens for heat.

People who have a hard time heating their homes should concentrate on heating one area and use power outlets in areas that can be monitored, Gaddy said.

Those who cannot find appropriate heating methods should go to heating stations.

Several area schools announced last week that they will delay the start of classes this week to avoid problems with early-morning cold. Gadsden State Community College announced that it would delay opening by two hours on today.

Other schools planning two-hour delays Monday through Wednesday include Anniston, Calhoun County, Cleburne County, Jacksonville, Oxford and Piedmont public schools, the Donoho School and Sacred Heart Catholic School in Anniston.

Staff Writer Madasyn Czebiniak: 256235-3562. On Twitter: @Mczebiniak_ star

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? Call Mandy at 256-235-9254 NEED AN AD? Call Shannon at 256-235-9234 Anita Kilgore

There will probably be plenty of ice for Ethan Jennings to play on.

Visit us on the webwww.jaxnews.

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

PAGE 8 / TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

FACES IN THE COMMUNITY

CPA enjoys fantasy baseball leagues Billy E. Blount Jr., has been in business since 1981

BY MARGARET ANDERSON NEWS CORRESPONDENT

B

illy E. Blount Jr., likes numbers so much that they’ve made him a living for the past 37 years.

“I’m a big baseball fan,” said Blount. “I like stats, batting averages and numbers. That’s what I’ve always been best at.”

Blount plays in fantasy baseball leagues and occasionally attends games with family.

“There’s a company, Jay Buckley Baseball Tours, that has baseball tours and I have gone on several trips with them,” he said. “They go to different cities to attend different games.”

Blount was born in Tupelo, Miss., to Billy E. and Annette Blount. In the mid ‘50s, he and his mother joined his father in Paris where he was stationed with the Army. That’s where his sister, Kelly Blount Godwin, an optometrist at Gadsden Eye Associates, was born. They moved to Calhoun County in 1959 when his father was sent to Fort McClellan. It was here that his brother, Tracy, was born.

Blount graduated from the first Weaver High School class in 1972 and earned an accounting degree from Jacksonville State University.

After attending JSU he worked for John Collins CPA. JSU accounting student, Sara

Howell of Heflin, was also working there.

An office romance developed which led to a wedding. The Blounts will celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary this year.

Sara is the chief financial officer for the Jacksonville City School System.

The Blounts have a daughter, Jessica, a pre-K teacher at Kitty Stone Elementary School.

In 1981, Blount, a certified public accountant, opened his own business, Billy E. Blount Jr., CPA, at 1200 S. Pelham Rd. Tracy began working with him as an intern in 1981. He became fulltime in 1986 after graduating from JSU with a degree in accounting and computers.

“When I was going to school, they didn’t teach anything about computers,” said Blount. “Tracy is 10 years younger than me, and by the time he came along, they had started teaching it. Tracy does payrolls, sales tax and things like that.

When people call, they usually talk to him first, or when they come in, he’s the first one they see.”

Blount said he saw the need to educate himself about computers, so he went back to school to take classes.

Sara, who is also a certified public accountant, helps during tax season.

“You work harder for yourself than you do for someone else,” said Blount.

“During tax season, we work seven days a week. When Sara gets off her job, she comes down and, she, Tracy and I work

Anita Kilgore

Billy Blount Jr., seated, and brother Tracy. until midnight a lot of nights.”

Blount said working with family works well for the three of them.

“All in all it’s great, because you can count on them to have your back and you have theirs,” he said.

Blount said the older he gets, the tougher it gets working long hours. Plus, he said, the government isn’t helping matters.

“Because of the government shutdown, the IRS won’t accept any returns this year until Jan. 31,” he said. “So, that’s the first day we can file returns. That gives us less time to get the work done” Blount said although the IRS has extended the date to accept returns, he, Tracy and Sara can get them prepared and ready go to by that date.

Blount likes his job. He’ll continue, he said, as long as his health holds up.

“Right now, my health is fine,” he said.

“The community has been good to us. I’m very grateful for our loyal clients who have become our friends.”

The Blounts are members of First Baptist Church where he is a deacon. He’s been a member of the Exchange Club since 1982.

He is currently treasurer and is a past president. He’s a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Alabama State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Blount likes to watch sports and read.

He likes John Grisham and Vince Flynn.

In the past couple of years, he’s been trying to read Lee Child’s 18 books about his main character, Jack Reacher.

(Contact Margaret at pollya922@gmail. com)

“

I’m grateful for our loyal clients who have become our friends” Billy Blount Jr.

LEFT: The Blount family; Billy, Sara and Jessica.

// Photo by Anita Kilgore

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THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014/ PAGE 9

Cheaha Challenge comes to Jacksonville

LAURA GADDY Consolidated News Service

The Cheaha Challenge bicycle ride will have a new home base in 2014.

This year, it will begin and end at Jacksonville State University, marking the first time the ride hasn’t been based in Piedmont since it was first held in 1993.

“It was a really difficult decision for us,” said Mike Poe, a long-time organizer for the Challenge. “Piedmont has been a gracious host for a lot of years.”

The Cheaha Challenge, the Sunny King Criterium and the Foothills Classic Road Race and the Woodland-Calhoun Century are four events held each spring during a weekend of cycling festivities in Calhoun County. The Challenge is a 102-mile ride that was begun by the Northeast Alabama Bicycling Association in Piedmont, where it was based at the city’s civic center.

The Challenge attracts more than 500 cyclists from across the region who ride en masse on area roads to Mount Cheaha.

Members of the association decided to move the event to Jacksonville as part of a long-term plan to attract more

cyclists to the ride, Poe said. Its members considered the move for three years before approving the change in the spring, he added.

“It wasn’t a new idea,” Poe said. “It was something we had been toying with.”

The Piedmont Civic Center isn’t large enough to accommodate the number of people organizers would like to attract to the event, Poe said. He added that organizers think the Challenge will grow now that it is moving to JSU, where organizers say cyclists will have more access to the accommodations they need -- parking, showers and a space to wind down after the ride is over.

Poe said JSU’s Pete Mathews Coliseum will most likely be the new base for the Challenge. The association will make the final decision about the new location with help from the Southern Bicycle League, a Georgia-based organization that promotes cycling. The association selected the league in the spring to help plan the 2014 Cheaha Challenge.

Until this year the association planned the event without help from an outside organization. Poe said the association selected the league, in part, because of the organization’s size.

“They have the resources to reach a broader market,” Poe said. “We’re really excited about bringing them in.”

Poe said the changing the location for the Challenge may also give another cycling event -- the Foothills Classic Road Race -- room to grow.

The race is held each year at the same time as the Challenge, and it’s based out of the Piedmont Civic Center.

Since the Challenge is moving to Jacksonville, Poe said, cyclists who participate in the race, which last year attracted roughly 300 riders, will have more room at the Piedmont facility.

Piedmont Mayor Bill Baker said some in Piedmont are disappointed that the Challenge won’t be based there this year. He added that the city will lose sales tax revenue because there will be no visitors in the city for that event.

“We’ll feel the loss,” said Baker, adding that he is happy that the Foothills race will still be based in Piedmont.

Jacksonville City officials didn’t recruit the Challenge, said Mayor Johnny Smith. Organizers of the event asked city officials in the spring whether they’d be interested in hosting the event in 2014.

Staff Writer Laura Gaddy: 256-235-3544.

Memorial will honor veterans at church in Rabbittown EDDIE BURKHALTER Consolidated News Service

The cemetery at Rabbittown Baptist Church is dotted with the headstones of at least 56 veterans buried there, and a new memorial at the church was built to honor their service.

The graves at the cemetery, which dates to the 1840s, are scattered across a patch of land behind the church on Rabbittown Road near Piedmont.

“I walked the cemetery 25 times I bet,” said Larry Moran, the church member who designed the memorial.

“I was trying to make sure we didn’t forget anybody. It’s not like going down a row of cotton. It zig zags.”

Church members believe several more graves at the cemetery mark the resting places of Confederate soldiers, but there are no names on those stones to know for certain, Moran said.

Veterans of World War II make up 23 of the 56 names Stephen Gross / Consolidated News Service on the granite memorial, which stands at the front of the Larry Moran at the Rabbittown Baptist Church Veterans Memorial. cemetery.

There are 16 veterans from the Civil War named on the Moran’s father, Oscar Moran, who served during World War II. monument, eight World War I veterans, seven from the Korean War and Moran is one of six veterans who attend the church, he said, adding four who served during the Vietnam War. that it wasn’t hard finding people to raise money for the memorial.

Among the surnames engraved on the memorial’s five granite pillars, Church members have raised nearly all of the $15,000 cost of the some can be found again and again, fathers and sons having fought in monument, which was made by Daniel Memorial in Heflin, Moran said. their own wars decades apart.

They hope to pay the balance off in January, he said.

To help design the memorial, Moran travelled throughout Calhoun Moran said the memorial honors the veterans’ service in a lasting way County looking at existing monuments. Using ideas from many different — so that no one will forget. sites, Moran sat down with pen and paper and came up with his own Engraved in the monument’s central pillar are the words “Much was design. asked. Much they gave. May we honor them by never forgetting them.”

“I hate to brag on myself, but I think it’s a nice one,” Moran said. “Put Moran gave a special thanks to the people who gave extra donations, a lot of thought in it.” and to those who gave their time and labor. Moran also thanked the Moran is a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army until 1969. original veteran’s memorial committee members, Allen Hyatt, Lelus Moran’s great-grandfather, Robert Augusta Murray, served in the ConHall and Robert Stephens. Moran and Stephens lead the push to erect the federate Army during the Civil War, and is buried at the cemetery, as was memorial.

Larry Moran says there are at least 56 veterans buried at Rabbittown Baptist Church’s cemetery.

Subscribe to The Jacksonville News Call Mandy at 256-235-9254

Stephen Gross / Consolidated News Service

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THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

PAGE 10 / TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

SPORTS Jax State lands in 10th, 12th places in polls

Jacksonville State finished ranked No. 10 in the final The Sports Network FCS Top 25 football poll and No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Poll after the Gamecocks enjoyed their most successful season in the school’s Division I history.

The Top 10 ranking in The Sports Network marks the highest ranking for the Gamecocks in the final poll in the school’s Division I history, and the No. 12 final ranking in the Coaches Poll ties the 2010 team for the highest final poll ranking.

The Gamecocks advanced to the NCAA Quarter-finals and posted an 11-4 overall record under first-year head coach Bill Clark, which set the Ohio Valley Conference record for most wins by a first-year head coach and tied the school record. The Gamecocks also set 49 school records, 13 OVC records and three NCAA records during the 2013 season.

Jacksonville State earned the school’s 14th NCAA Playoff Appearance with an at-large berth and defeated Samford 55-14 to earn the school’s first-ever Division I playoff win. The Gamecocks then defeated No. 6 McNeese State 35-10 in the second round to advance to play No. 2 Eastern Washington in the quarter-final round.

Senior Griffin Thomas and junior DaMarcus James both earned AllAmerican honors, while Max Holcombe, Pierre Warren, Max Shortell, Caleb Lawrence, Chris Landrum and Josh Barge joined Thomas and James on the All-OVC football teams.

Thomas finished as one of the top kickers in the country after setting the OVC record for most field goals made (24), attempted (32) and most points scored by kicking in a season with 134. He also was a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, given to the top kicker in the FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA. James had a record-breaking season, where he has rushed for 1,477 yards on 292 carries to set the school’s single-season rushing record. The junior running back also set the OVC record with 29 rushing touchdowns to finish second in the nation, and he scored a rushing touchdown in the final 12 games of the season to extend his school record.

Jacksonville State’s 2013 senior class finished as the winningest class in the school’s Division I history with a 33-16 record to lead the Gamecocks to their 11th straight winning season, which is the third longest active streak in the country.

The Gamecocks will begin spring football practice in March and will hold their annual J-Day Spring Game on Friday, April 18.

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and Testament of GABRIELE E. TORONY, Deceased.

Alice K. Martin Judge of Probate The Jacksonville News Calhoun Co., AL December 31, 2013 and January 7, 14, 2014

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SUSAN MARIE MCCALLISTER DIBIASE, Personal Representative of the Last Will and Testament of JAMES ELLIS MCCALLISTER, Deceased.

Alice K. Martin Judge of Probate The Jacksonville News Calhoun Co., AL December 24, & 31, 2013 and January 7, 2014

cember 13, 2013, by the Honorable Alice K. Martin, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

NIKI WHALEY, Personal Representative of the Last Will and Testament of ROBERT GREEN BAKER, Deceased.

Alice K. Martin Judge of Probate

Edward James Mickens, Jr., whose whereabouts are unNotice is hereby given that the known, must answer Plaintiff’s NOTICE TO City Council of the City of Jack- Petition for Contempt and other sonville, Alabama, will conduct relief by 2/6/14, or, thereafter, CREDITORS a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. a Judgment by default may be STATE OF ALABAMA The Jacksonville News February 10, 2014 at City Hall, rendered against him in Case CALHOUN COUNTY Calhoun Co., AL 300 Church Avenue, SE, for Number CS-1996-275.01, Cir- PROBATE COURT January 7, 14, 21, 2014 the purpose of considering cuit Court of Calhoun County, CASE NO. 31852 Thomas E. Griffin and Ger- Alabama.

IN THE MATTER OF THE NOTICE TO trude L Griffin’s petition to va- Done this 6th day of Decem- ESTATE OF HOWARD LYNN cate a portion of a 10’ alley in ber, 2013.

SINGLETON, DECEASED CREDITORS Block 81 of Jacksonville Mining Eli Henderson Letters of Administration on the STATE OF ALABAMA and Manufacturing Map re- Clerk of the Circuit Court estate of HOWARD LYNN SIN- CALHOUN COUNTY corded in Plat Book 1, Page Attorney for Plaintiff GLETON, deceased, having PROBATE COURT 64, Running 187.30 feet west Laura Ghee Alexander been granted to the under- CASE NO. 31849 from the west right of way of PO Box 848 signed on December 10, 2013, IN THE MATTER OF THE Goodlett Avenue, SW, north of Anniston, AL 36202 by the Honorable Alice K. Mar- ESTATE OF PATSY A. RIVLot 25 and south of Lots 4 5, 6 tin, Judge of Probate of said ERA ROSARIO, DECEASED and 7, Block 81 JM&M. All in- The Jacksonville News County, notice is hereby given Letters Testamentary on the terested parties are hereby in- Calhoun Co., AL that all persons having claims estate of PATSY A. RIVERA vited to attend the hearing. Any December 17, 24, 31, & against said estate, are hereby ROSARIO, deceased, having citizen alleging to be affected January 7, 2014 required to present the same been granted to ANGELA M. by the proposed vacation may within the time allowed by law, NICHOLS, the undersigned on submit a written objection to or the same will be barred.

December 6, 2013, by the NOTICE TO the governing body or may reBRANDON SINGLETON, Per- Honorable Alice K. Martin, quest an opportunity to be sonal Representative of the Judge of Probate of said CREDITORS heard at the public hearing. STATE OF ALABAMA Estate of HOWARD LYNN County, notice is hereby given Should any member of the CALHOUN COUNTY SINGLETON, Deceased. that all persons having claims public require any special ac- PROBATE COURT Alice K. Martin against said estate, are hereby commodations in order to at- CASE NO. 31848 Judge of Probate required to present the same tend this meeting, please call IN THE MATTER OF THE within the time allowed by law, 435-7611 five (5) days in ad- ESTATE OF HOWARD A. The Jacksonville News or the same will be barred. vance of the public meeting. To WELCH, DECEASED Calhoun Co., AL ANGELA M. NICHOLS, Perbe published in The Jackson- Letters Testamentary on the January 7, 14, & 21, 2014 sonal Representative of the ville News January 7, 14, 21 estate Last Will and Testament of of HOWARD A. and 28, 2014 in the classified WELCH, deceased, having PATSY A. RIVERA ROSARIO, NOTICE TO section.

Deceased. been granted to FREDA W. Alice K. Martin CREDITORS DUNNAM the undersigned on The Jacksonville News Judge of Probate December 6, 2013, by the STATE OF ALABAMA Calhoun Co., AL Honorable Alice K. Martin, CALHOUN COUNTY January 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2014 The Jacksonville News Judge of Probate of said PROBATE COURT Calhoun Co., AL County, notice is hereby given CASE NO. 31791 December 24, 31, 2013, JanuNOTICE OF HEAR- that all persons having claims IN THE MATTER OF THE against said estate, are hereby ESTATE OF FRANCES JOAN ary 7, 2014 ING FOR PETITION required to present the same HERRING, DECEASED the time allowed by law, Letters Testamentary on the NOTICE TO TO PROBATE WILL within estate of FRANCES JOAN or the same will be barred.

PROBATE COURT OF CREDITORS FREDA W. DUNNAM, Person- HERRING, deceased, having CALHOUN COUNTY al Representative of the Last been granted to DWAIN NOR- STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO. 31856 RIS HARRING, the under- CALHOUN COUNTY TO: JAMES CHRISTOPHER Will and Testament of HO- signed on December 12, 2013, PROBATE COURT ROBERTS, and any and all un- WARD A. WELCH, Deceased. by the Honorable Alice K. Mar- CASE NO. 31863 known heirs, whose identities Alice K. Martin tin, Judge of Probate of said IN THE MATTER OF THE and whereabouts are unknown Judge of Probate County, notice is hereby given ESTATE OF FRANCES JANE to the Petitioner. that all persons having claims ELLIOTT, A/K/A FRANCES Please take notice that a Peti- The Jacksonville News against said estate, are hereby BLAIR ELLIOTT, A/K/A tion for the Probate of the Will Calhoun Co., AL required to present the same FRANCES B. ELLIOTT, DEof Rilla Jo Patterson, de- December 24, & 31, 2013 and within the time allowed by law, CEASED ceased, has been filed in said January 7, 2014 or the same will be barred.

Letters Testamentary on the Court by Jeffrey Keith Roberts, DWAIN NORRIS HERRING, estate of FRANCES JANE ELNOTICE TO Personal Representative of Personal Representative of the LIOTT, A/K/A FRANCES said Estate, and that a hearing Last Will and Testament of BLAIR ELLIOTT, A/K/A CREDITORS on said Petition has been set FRANCES JOAN HERRING, FRANCES B. ELLIOTT, defor the 4th day of February, STATE OF ALABAMA Deceased. ceased, having been granted 2014, at 9:30 a.m. before the CALHOUN COUNTY Alice K. Martin to GARY BRIAN ELLIOTT, the Probate Court of Calhoun PROBATE COURT Judge of Probate undersigned on December 17, County, 1702 Noble Street, CASE NO. 31854 2013, by the Honorable Alice Suite 102, Anniston, Alabama, IN THE MATTER OF THE K. Martin, Judge of Probate of ESTATE OF BETTY JEAN The Jacksonville News 36201.

Calhoun Co., AL said County, notice is hereby JONES, DECEASED Wesley M. Frye given that all persons having Letters Testamentary on the January 7, 14, & 21, 2014 Attorney for the Estate of claims against said estate, are estate of BETTY JEAN Rilla Jo Patterson, deceased hereby required to present the JONES, deceased, having NOTICE TO same within the time allowed been granted to PAM PHILThe Jacksonville News by law, or the same will be CREDITORS LIPS A/K/A PAMELIA JEAN Calhoun Co., AL barred.

December 24, 31, 2013, Janu- PHILLIPS, the undersigned on STATE OF ALABAMA GARY BRIAN ELLIOTT, PerDecember 11, 2013, by the CALHOUN COUNTY ary 7, 2014 sonal Representative of the Honorable Alice K. Martin, PROBATE COURT Last Will and Testament of Judge of Probate of said CASE NO. 31805 NOTICE TO FRANCES JANE ELLIOTT, County, notice is hereby given IN THE MATTER OF THE OF LIESELOTT A/K/A FRANCES BLAIR ELLIthat all persons having claims ESTATE CREDITORS OTT, A/K/A FRANCES B. ELagainst said estate, are hereby PRUETT, DECEASED STATE OF ALABAMA required to present the same Letters Testamentary on the LIOTT, Deceased.

CALHOUN COUNTY of LIESELOTT Alice K. Martin within the time allowed by law, estate PROBATE COURT PRUETT, deceased, having Judge of Probate or the same will be barred.

CASE NO. 31788 PAM PHILLIPS A/K/A PAME- been granted to DORIS R. IN THE MATTER OF THE The Jacksonville News ESTATE OF ELIZABETH K. LIA JEAN PHILLIPS, Personal LANDRETH, the undersigned Calhoun Co., AL Representative of the Last Will on December 17, 2013, by the PATZSCHKE, DECEASED January 7, 14, 21, 2014 Letters Testamentary on the and Testament of BETTY Honorable Alice K. Martin, Judge of Probate of said estate of ELIZABETH K. JEAN JONES, Deceased.

County, notice is hereby given NOTICE TO PATZSCHKE, deceased, hav- Alice K. Martin that all persons having claims ing been granted to TERESA Judge of Probate against said estate, are hereby CREDITORS FAY TURNER, the underrequired to present the same STATE OF ALABAMA signed on December 12, 2013, The Jacksonville News within the time allowed by law, CALHOUN COUNTY by the Honorable Alice K. Mar- Calhoun Co., AL or the same will be barred.

PROBATE COURT tin, Judge of Probate of said December 24, & 31, 2013 and DORIS R. LANDRETH, Per- CASE NO. 31853 County, notice is hereby given January 7, 2014 sonal Representative of the IN THE MATTER OF THE that all persons having claims Last Will and Testament of ESTATE OF ANNIE RUTH NOTICE TO against said estate, are hereby LIESELOTT PRUETT, De- HASE, DECEASED required to present the same ceased.

Letters of Administration on the CREDITORS within the time allowed by law, Alice K. Martin estate of ANNIE RUTH HASE, STATE OF ALABAMA or the same will be barred.

Judge of Probate deceased, having been grantTERESA FAY TURNER, Per- CALHOUN COUNTY ed to the undersigned on Desonal Representative of the PROBATE COURT The Jacksonville News cember 11, 2013, by the HonLast Will and Testament of CASE NO. 31851 Calhoun Co., AL orable Alice K. Martin, Judge of ELIZABETH K. PATZSCHKE, IN THE MATTER OF THE Probate of said County, notice ESTATE OF JAMES ELLIS January 7, 14, & 21, 2014 Deceased. is hereby given that all persons MCCALLISTER, DECEASED Alice K. Martin having claims against said esLetters Testamentary on the NOTICE TO Judge of Probate tate, are hereby required to estate of JAMES ELLIS CREDITORS present the same within the MCCALLISTER, deceased, The Jacksonville News time allowed by law, or the having been granted to SU- STATE OF ALABAMA Calhoun Co., AL same will be barred.

SAN MARIE MCCALLISTER CALHOUN COUNTY December 24, 31, 2013, JanuMICHAEL LYNN HASE, PerDIBIASE, the undersigned on PROBATE COURT ary 7, 2014 sonal Representative of the December 10, 2013, by the CASE NO. 31859 Estate of ANNIE RUTH HASE, Honorable Alice K. Martin, IN THE MATTER OF THE NOTICE TO Judge of Probate of said ESTATE OF ROBERT GREEN Deceased.

Alice K. Martin County, notice is hereby given BAKER, DECEASED CREDITORS that all persons having claims Letters Testamentary on the Judge of Probate STATE OF ALABAMA against said estate, are hereby estate of ROBERT GREEN CALHOUN COUNTY required to present the same BAKER, deceased, having The Jacksonville News PROBATE COURT within the time allowed by law, been granted to NIKI WHAL- Calhoun Co., AL CASE NO. 31817 EY, the undersigned on De- January 7, 14, 21, 2014 or the same will be barred.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GABRIELE E. TORONY, DECEASED Letters Testamentary on the estate of GABRIELE E. TORONY, deceased, having been granted to JOAN MCKINNEY, the undersigned on December 17, 2013, by the Honorable Reaching 285,000 Households Per Week Alice K. Martin, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is 256-241-1900 256-299-2153 205-884-3400 hereby given that all persons Toll Free having claims against said esThe Daily Home Anniston Star tate, are hereby required to The St. Clair Times Calhoun Marketplace Coosa Valley Advantage present the same within the Jacksonville News Hometown Marketplace Piedmont Journal time allowed by law, or the Coosa Marketplace Cleburne News / Cleburne Marketplace Lakeside Marketplace same will be barred.

Ginger Staude JOAN MCKINNEY, Personal Representative of the Last Will 256-299-2152

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PAGE 12/ TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

THE JACKSONVILLE NEWS

PLUNGE: ‘ . . . we’re always having to pack more bags’ From page 1

Butler said she spent three weeks in the Philippines, taking cold showers the entire time.

“I tried to remember how awful that was,” she said. “But I was also thinking about all the people that I sat in chemo with who couldn’t be there. It just shows you how cancer brings people together.

It’s an awful disease. I appreciate everyone who came and supported our foundation.”

Linda Hearn and her 13-year-old daughter, Becca, 13, who attends Jacksonville High School, didn’t dive in. They waded in.

“It was a chilling experience,” said Hearn. “It took your breath away for a few seconds. Time was frozen, it was so cold. I was looking around for Becca. When I saw her, she was running toward the blankets and the towels.”

Hearn said she enjoyed the exhilarating experience and thinks it’s wonderful that Piedmont did this to help those with cancer.

Becca said hitting the water was a big shock.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be that cold,” she said. “It was so cold I ran in and then I had to run back out.”

Becca said she’d like do it again and try to stay in longer next time.

Bobby Steed of Piedmont said he was expecting it to be worse than what it was. He’d said he’d be up to doing it again.

“I’m a firm supporter in what they’re doing with Venecia’s Foundation,” said Steed. “I took part in the race a few months ago where they painted everyone as they ran. If they ever do anything else, I’ll be there to help support her.”

Steed said his mother, Margie Steed, had cancer twice before she died.

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,”

he said. “It’s most definitely a good thing. If there’s anybody who has not had cancer in their family, it’s a matter of time before they will, and then they’ll realize that what she’s doing is a good thing.”

Keith Word, master of ceremonies, announced that the water temperature was 44-46 degrees, about 10 degrees warmer than out of the water.

Word kept the crowd informed about where patches of ice could be found around the pool and urged everyone to walk carefully around those patches. He welcomed everyone and expressed appreciation for their attendance.

Baker said the temperature to him felt like it was 20 degrees below 0.

“Somebody said we needed to throw some ice cubes in there and make it a real polar plunge,” he said. “I told them we didn’t have to do that. It was cold enough.”

Baker said he’s happy with the turnout.

“I had no idea many people would come,” he said. “You really don’t know until you get there. But it couldn’t have been better.”

About 64 took the plunge.

A total of $3,400 was raised.

Baker said contributions are still coming in, and the total is expected to rise to about $4,000.

“I’m so thankful everyone came and contributed to our foundation because we’re continually having to fill bags for those going through chemo,” said Butler. “We never get caught up because there’s a new cancer diagnosis every week for someone, and we’re having to always pack more bags. We were running low on funds because we’ve done so many bags, but the time of this was perfect as far as helping us out through January.”

(Contact Margaret at pollya922@ gmail.com)

Anita Kilgore

ABOVE: Caridean Bakes, Katelyn Magda, Erin Cadigan and Tabitha Waters take a plunge Saturday morning at the first Piedmont Polar Plunge at the aquatic center.

Erin took the plunge for a friend who had cancer, and Katelyn took the plunge for her father who had liver cancer. Proceeds benefited Venecia Butler’s Venecia’s Foundation to help cancer patients. BELOW: Some chose the slide for their plunge.

// PHOTOS BY ANITA KILGORE SEE SLIDESHOW AT ANNISTONSTAR.COM

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