April 6th - April 19th, 2018
AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425
Garnet’s On The Square: See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
Special Feature Scouting Event Was A Hike Through History In Honor Of Local Bicentennials... Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis led a bicentennial hiking trip that... Page 5
Tourism
Matching The Piece To The Person By Ali Elizabeth Turner Glenda Legg, the new owner of Garnet’s On The Square on Jefferson Street in Athens is someone who loves to “match the piece to the person.” For people who are creative re-purposers, watching someone’s face light up with delight when they have “found it” is worth all Continued on page 15
Gotcha Covered:
Saturday Historic Walking Tours Kickoff in Athens, Elkmont & Mooresville... The weather may not be very cooperative by alternating showers, blustery days, and glimpses of sunshine but.... Page 10
Way More Than T-Shirts
Clean And Green 10th Annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO – Come Celebrate With Us!... Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful is proud to be hosting our 10th annual... Page 12
April 6 - April 19, 2018
By Ali Elizabeth Turner On two separate occasions, Gotcha Covered, located near Jimmy Gill Park at 389 W Sanderfer Rd. in Athens, has made me
Continued on pages 17
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April 6 - April 19, 2018
Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
A Dream Undimmed By Death
Copy Editor
Yvonne Dempsey
Graphic Design
Jonathan Hamilton
Web Design Teddy Wolcott
Contributing Writers Janet Hunt D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Rosemary Dewar Holly Hollman Cayce Lee Sandra Thompson Jerry Barksdale Wanda Campbell Joel Allen Roy Williams Kristopher Reisz
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 From The Vets' Museum . . . 11 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approach . . . 22 Press Release . . . . . . . . . . 23
April 6 - April 19, 2018
There are certain days you just don’t forget. In my life, as far as difficult national days are concerned, they have been the days JFK, RFK, and MLK were assassinated. And, of course, the “biggy” was 9/11, but the difference was that those assassinated were not public figures. They were just Americans. As we go to print, there is the predictable retrospective media treatment of that horrible day when MLK was cut down at a Memphis motel. And while there are those who feel that so much of what he stood for has been forgotten, or that those who claim to stand for the things for which he was shot are not cut from the same cloth as was he, precious few know what he really believed. The purpose of this Point is two-fold: to teach you some things that you may not know about the man, and to remind you that I still believe in the dream, 50 years later, and why you should, too. Fact number one: Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment. When the lives of his wife and child were threatened as a result of the home where they were staying being fire-bombed, MLK applied for a gun permit in order to exercise his constitutional right
to self-defense. He was denied, but he did the next best thing for them. He made sure that there were those who did have weapons and permits and were ever at the ready. Does this contradict his belief in non-violence? No, that would be apples and oranges, in my opin-
hood, had not been made manifest yet. And I truly believe he was ignorant of it all. He thought he had bought into the concept of what is typically referred to as natural family planning. What he did believe, and after literally millions of African Americans have
ion. Non-violent protest is an expression of the 1st Amendment, selfdefense is an expression of the 2nd Amendment. Both are constitutional, and both are biblical.
been aborted, I think he would still believe, and is crystalized by the following: “The Negro cannot win if he is willing to sacrifice the futures of his children for immediate personal comfort and safety. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Did you realize that this was the context of the iconic “injustice anywhere” statement? I sure didn’t. King clearly felt that abortion-ondemand was tantamount to injustice, and I don’t
Fact number two: Martin Luther King Jr. was pro-life. While the great irony is that he was awarded the Planned Parenthood Margaret Sanger Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966, the racist, holocaustic agenda of Ms. Sanger, as it later came to be expressed through Planned Parent-
think he would have been okay with the fact that Planned Parenthood centers are purposely placed in traditionally AfricanAmerican neighborhoods in order to make it easier for black families to destroy themselves. Fact number three: King did most of his work in the pulpit, and that is why I believe the dream can make a comeback if it is reconnected to its roots. It was the pulpit that was, and still can be, a place where true change that is biblically-based is birthed, sustained, and revived when it goes awry. "The church," King wrote in Strength to Love, "must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state." If King had seen what has become of his dream today, I think he would be sad and mad. But this I know, if he were alive, he wouldn’t give up on it, and neither should we. We need to get our minds right, and our hearts right, get the dream right, and get back after it for another 50 years.
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
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All Things Soldier
Red Flag; Blue Flag; Red, White, And Blue Flag by Ali Elizabeth Turner If there is one thing that the Middle East does for us, it keeps us off-balance, and I mean that in a good way, as in keeping us sharp. And, if there is one thing that can change on a dime in the Middle East, it is alliances. When I was in Iraq, I was able to travel briefly to Jordan and spend some time with a family whose father was a consultant for King Abdullah. Prior to my going, I studied, as best as one can on the internet, the king and his family, and was fascinated at the time to discover that at least one of Abdullah’s children had done the unthinkable, which was to write an essay about the prospect of better relations between Israel and Jordan. Additionally, while I was
in Iraq I worked with a man who had flown with Abdullah back in their Jordanian Air Force days, and I used to go to church with a man here in Athens who had the same experience when he was still in. From time to time I find myself praying for Abdullah, as I sense he has an important role to play on the eschatological stage, and he functions at all times in a veritable mine field. Abdullah got our attention back in 2015 when he stated he’d be willing to fly sorties against ISIS; this after a Jordanian F-16 pilot was burned alive in a cage by ISIS in Syria, and the execution video went viral. Let’s just say the king was not pleased, and was al-
Jordan has shown up there, if only for observational purposes, both Israel and Jordan have declined to comment as to whether that’s true.
legedly willing to both quote as well as become the Jordanian version of Clint Eastwood in “The Unforgiven,” where Eastwood’s character was ready to “burn his d- - n house down!” The “his” was in reference to ISIS, wherever Abdullah found them being their dastardly selves. Interestingly, what has
Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)
$7
April 16th
11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm
Musical Entertainment • 5-7pm 17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4
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happened since 2006 between Israel and Jordan appears to be the realization of Abdullah’s daughter’s dream, and while they don’t advertise it, both nations have been involved with the U.S. in what are called Red Flag training exercises held in, wait for it… Alaska. What is significant about this shows up in the sheer logistics of getting to Seward’s Folly, as it took Israeli Air Force tankers to re-fuel both IAF and JAF fighter planes on their way from the Great Sandbox to the Great Ice Box. This is a big deal, as the level of trust as well as the technological compatibility and familiarity to re-fuel over the sea demonstrates that Jordan and Israel have entered into something far more intimate than “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” And, well they should, as they now have common enemies in the form of Syria and Iran. Israel hosts a similar war games training event which is called Blue Flag, and while it is strongly intimated that
We do know this, however. Israel has demonstrated to both Syria and Iran that its USA redwhite-and-blue-made F-35s have been able to penetrate both Iranian and Syrian airspace completely undetected and make it back to “tell the tale” in a whisper. There is great speculation as to what Israel’s plans are, but air defense magazines theorize that such moves are necessary the closer Iran gets to going nuke, and Israel and very possibly Jordan have to act defensively against Iran, Syria, or both. Iran’s covert ops in Jordan have been exposed and denounced. Iran’s threats against Israel would fill an old NYC phone book. The threat against Israel’s very existence, whether it is from ISIS or Iran, has forged a fascinating alliance, and my spideysense tells me that this is much more than the aforementioned “enemyenemy-friend” scenario. Stay tuned, my friends, as there is a new sheriff in town, and his name is John Bolton, our new National Security Advisor. He was a Churchillian crier against the Iran deal, and he just might make it easier for Israel and Jordan to be friends publically. That would surely do for the red, white and blue.
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Special Feature
Scouting Event Was A Hike Through History In Honor Of Local Bicentennials by Holly Hollman Marks said such opportunities give youth the chance to learn leadership skills, working together to accomplish a goal, and how to invest in their community.
Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis led a bicentennial hiking trip that did not require bug spray, boots, or a backpack. On Wednesday, April 4, Davis was the guest speaker at the annual Athens-Limestone Community Breakfast. She took spectators on a trek called “Hiking Through History,” as a tribute to Athens, Limestone County, and the town of Mooresville turning 200 this year. The City of Athens and Limestone County hosted the breakfast as a fundraiser for the Arrowhead District of the Boy Scouts. The Scouts presented Heart of an Eagle Awards to Limestone County, Mooresville, and Athens in honor of each entity’s bicentennial, as well as an award to the Limestone County Archives for the department’s work in preserving local history. Members of the Athens High School Choir ‘Things in Common’ and the Ardmore High School Jazz Band performed during the breakfast portion of the program.
Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough said those attributes create future leaders.
From left: Nikki Sprader (Mooresville), Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, Limestone County Commission Chair Mark Yarbrough and Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis
“I am honored to co-host this great event each year with the City of Athens,” Yarbrough said. “The life skills that are taught through Scouting are crucial for the development of our young leaders today.”
era building,” Marks said. The City of Athens is leasing what was the Scout House to Athens Arts League, which is renovating it into a music venue known at Scout Music House. Boy Scouts have unveiled the original stone fireplace, added a handicap ramp and entrance, and removed paneling to allow for insulation.
The Heart of an Eagle Awards from the Boy Scouts
The event was held at the Limestone County Event Center, with a buffet breakfast served by Endless Catering from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. The program started at 7:30 a.m. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said that Scouts have contributed to the community through numerous endeavors, including projects that preserve local history. “At Scout Music House alone, four Scouts have worked on Eagle Scout projects as part of the renovation work on that WPA-
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Scouts working on a handicap accessible ramp for Scout Music House
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Scout Austin Harm explains what he has learned through Scouting. Harm is also a member of the Athens Mayor's Youth Commission
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Calendar of Events follow, along with door prizes and giveaways. FREE. Athens. edu/EqualPayDay
Athens-Limestone Public Library Book Clubs
Enjoy reading? Like discussing books with others? The Athens-Limestone Public Library offers two book clubs each month. Join in with the Third Thursday Book Club every third Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. for coffee, baked treats, and good conversation. Various genres are read. You’re also invited to join the Mystery Book Club every 4th Thursday at 6:00 p.m. for tasty treats and an even tastier mystery! Books are available from the library. For more info, check at the Circulation Desk or call 256-2321233.
Spring Fling Car & Bike Show Apr 14th
Redstone Harley-Davidson (15100 AL-20 in Greenbrier) from 12PM-4PM with R Fathers Mad. Bring the entire family for a relaxing spring day. The favorite video game truck, inflatables, food trucks, and of course cool cars, bikes, and trucks.
Free Veterans' Breakfast Apr 14h
American Veterans Post 21 (22769 Black Road in Athens). A pancake or egg breakfast with the trimmings from 7:00AM10:00AM. Non-Veterans $6.00. All are welcome. For more information: 256-444-2793 or www.AmVetsAL21.com
Women Empower Women Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month
Prayer • Elderly Assistance • Feed The Hungry Clothes • Scholarships • Empowering Women Volunteers Wanted & Needed Call for Details -256.233.5995 Meeting Time: First Saturday of Each Month at 1:30pm Food pantry open now. wewoa.org • E-Mail: wew5995@gmail.com
Elkmont Historic Saturday Walks Apr 14th
10AM with local guides sharing tales of history and lore from the Elkmont Depot (Railroad St in downtown Elkmont). Free.
City of Athens Relay for Life Celebrity Waiters Night Apr 17th
We're Looking For a Few Good Yards for the Month of May!
If you know of a gardener whose yard is exceptional (no professional maintained yards, please) and would like to have them recognized, the Limestone County Master Gardeners would like to know, check out the website link http://mg.aces.edu/ limestone/were-looking-for-a-few-good-yards/ and/or provide the information and a picture to tlt_brown@charter.net.
Applebee's (1331 U.S. Highway 72 in Athens) from 5PM-8PM featuring local celebs: Mayor Ronnie Marks, East Limestone Band Director "Miss Sam", Athens High Football Coach Cody Gross, Athens Police Officer Michael Stainbrook and Athens Firefighter Lee Marker collecting tips to see who will be crowned the 2018 champ. Email Holly Hollman at hhollman@ athensal.us
Funky Fun Walk Apr 7th
Funky Fun Walk with the Autism Society of Alabama at the Athens High School (100 U.S. Highway 31N in Athens) with walk starting at 9:30AM. Info and Registration: RunSignup.com
Equal Work, Equal Pay: Money MATTERS Apr 10
With guest speaker Lilly Ledbetter. Ledbetter was hired by Goodyear in 1979 as a supervisor. After working there for 19 years, she received an anonymous note revealing she was making thousands less per year than men in her position. This letter led her to file a sex discrimination case, which resulted in legislation known as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. The Athens State chapter of AAUW invites you to join us at McCandless Hall at 6:00 PM. There will be a reception and book signing to Page 6
Portraits of the Beginning & Mooresville Historic Saturday Walks Apr 21st
At the Brick Church (Lauderdale Street) starting at 10:00AM with a brief 20-30 lecture followed by a 1-hour local guides sharing tales of history and lore. Free, space limited, registration required. For more information and reserve your spot: MooresvilleAL.com
Finding Your Purpose Conference for Women Apr 28
Featuring Jennifer Frith at New Oakland Baptist Church. 20959 Old Elkmont Road, Athens, AL 35614. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. All Ladies invited. Any questions contact Tina Murphy @ 256-216-6947 or Deborah Hargrove at 256-497-6100.
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April 6 - April 19, 2018
April 6 - April 19, 2018
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What Makes Ronnie Roll
Spring Is Bustin’ Out All Over by Ali Elizabeth Turner It was the day after a glorious Resurrection celebration weekend, and all of creation was tellin’ it: Spring is bustin’ out all over! There had been inspiring sermons, family gatherings, and the reminder once again that no matter how hard winter tries to hang on, new life will insist on being as triumphant as it is beautiful, perfectly manifested in strength and tender creativity. There were so many things to celebrate, so Mayor Ronnie got right to it. First off, he called Ben Wiley, Director of the City of Athens Parks and Recreation Department, to finalize plans and get the numbers for Opening Day. “We have around 1300 kids who are going to be on the teams this year,” said Ben. He continued, “There are 387 kids playing softball, 485 playing baseball, and here’s a surprise—555 kids are playing soccer.” After they got off the phone, I asked, “More kids playing soccer than ball? Wow!” The kids will get started with playing on Saturday, April 7, but on Friday night, the 6th at 6 p.m., the Opening Day ceremonies will
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talked about is really starting to take off,” he added. We shook our heads over the fact that it is only six weeks until graduation, and how fast the year has gone. The Mayor’s Youth Commission is finishing up its 5th year, which was just as hard to believe. Then it was time to pray, which we did, and it was take place. The mayor will be throwing out the first pitch on the new fields, and there will be face painting as well as other activities for the kids. That night was also going to be the kickoff for Autism Awareness in our area, and was also World Autism Awareness Day. The Limestone County Courthouse was going to be lit up in blue, and both the City and the County were issuing proclamations. In addition, there are several walks/runs for Autism Awareness in North Alabama during the month of April. The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of
America was on Wednesday, April 4, and please see Holly Hollman’s article on page 5 for more information on the successful event. Limestone County Archivist Rebecca Davis took the breakfast attendees through a brief history of our area in connection with the 200th anniversary celebration of both our city as well as our county. Mayor Ronnie and I moved on to the fact that growth in our area is just “bustin’ out.” There is going to be an Italian restaurant in the location where LuVici’s is now. There is a possibility that another restaurant will be opening in the former location of Carole Foret’s
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art studio and gallery. There is also movement toward putting in a major truck stop at I-65 and the Tanner Road. “It’s happening,” said the mayor. “The growth we have
time for Ronnie to roll, which he did, but not before he topped off his coffee in preparation for hitting the road for a day full of meetings.
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Slinkard On Success
Thunderstorms Or Sunshine – Your Choice by D. A. Slinkard
D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store I think back to the year of 1997, which is a year that has significant meaning in my life and shall never lose its importance to me. This was the year I was really going to be doing some awesome things as I was finally going to be old enough to legally get behind the wheel of a car and drive. The year started out with so much anticipation, as I could hardly wait to turn 16 so I could burn up and down the highway going nowhere as fast as possible. The year 1997 also happens to be when “Tubthumping” was released by the British rock band Chumbawamba. Oh, you don’t recognize the song title of “Tubthumping”? – well, you may recognize the lyrics, “I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down. We’ll be singing, when we’re winning, we’ll be singing.” I write about this song because it was released upon the American airwaves just months after my dad had passed away at the age of 78. Honestly, I did not realize how crushing of a blow it would be for a young teenage boy to lose his best friend, to lose his dad; but I was quickly finding out the cold, hard facts of reality – that we will get knocked down, but what is important, is that we get up again.
to be the one to mentally decide which one is going to be more prevalent, the thunderstorms or the sunshine. This is life. This is reality. If the first 3 months of 2018 have not been going the way you want, so what? Who cares? What are you going to do about it?
up off the ground one more time. There is this saying, “Get knocked down 7 times, get back up 8,” and this really needs to be the mantra of your everyday living. If you have a pulse, something bad is bound to happen to you; but what makes us who we are is how we handle those situations. How are you handling 2018 thus far? Are you doing the thumping or are you being thumped? In this day of social media, we have become far greater pretenders than what we
realize. You cannot judge a person by their status updates. If Facebook was truthful with all the positive memes, updates and smiling faces, then doctors, psychologists and pharmaceutical companies would be run out of business, as we would have no need for the “happy” pills.
Don’t believe me? Let’s compare notes – since January 22, 2018, I have been in Huntsville Hospital for a total of 23 days. There were 70 days from January 22 to the date I am writing this, April 2, 2018. I write this not to become some martyr, not at all; I write this to say, “Hey, it’s alright, I’m alright, you’re going to be alright, I’m going to be alright.” I am not trying to come across in the wrong manner, but I am telling you that I can have a positive outlook on life because I choose to have a positive outlook. I have been knocked down
multiple times in 2018, but the only thing that matters is that I keep getting back up. I am telling you right now, right here, that if you have been knocked down in 2018, then now is the time to pick yourself up off the ground and go do something about it. You cannot wait for tomorrow; you cannot wait for next week; you need to act upon this now. There is no better time than now to change the way your year is going, but you must first believe you can do something about it. When you believe you will get back up from something bad happening in your life, that is when you will notice the change from within. You get knocked down, but you get up again. Nothing is going to keep you down when you have the right mindset and approach to your everyday life. Go be great!
Truth be told, there are a lot of hurt people walking around putting on a fake smile while the storm is brewing within. We all have thunderstorms, just like we all have sunshine, but sometimes we have
I believe this is the story of life; we must make sure that when we do feel the crushing blows of life, we pick ourselves
April 6 - April 19, 2018
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Tourism
Saturday Historic Walking Tours Kickoff in Athens, Elkmont & Mooresville by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association The weather may not be very cooperative by alternating showers, blustery days, and glimpses of sunshine but Athens, Elkmont, and Mooresville are marking April - and our city, county, and state bicentennials - with a month of Saturday Historic Walks highlighting our history, people, and places starting April 7. In Alabama’s oldest town, Mooresville, the citizens have prepared a special series to accompany their historic walks for April – “Portraits of the Beginning.” Each walking session will begin with a small lecture about key points in Mooresville’s history before setting out and winding through the tiny village's tree covered streets and enjoy the almost doorto-door history, heritage, and architecture. They will pause before homes with charming gardens, stand in the shadow of the Brick Church, and enjoy tales of local lore including the XYZ Preacher, visits
of U.S. Presidents and tales of yesteryear. Attendees wishing to attend Mooresville’s Saturday Historic Walks are requested to reserve their spot via the website www.MooresvilleAL.com and looking under the Bicentennial section for Portraits of the Beginning. Seating for this free series that starts at 10:00 a.m. each Saturday in April is limited. Check-in instruction for the start location will be included with your reservations. Athens will be offering up to five of its community tours each Saturday as part of the Athens-Limestone County Bicentennial Celebrations. Interested guests should check Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 100 North Beaty Street in Athens starting at 9:45 a.m. After signing in, intrigued attendees will depart at 10:00 a.m. with local guides Rebekah Davis to tour the Houston Historic District, Jerry Barksdale to tour Downtown Athens Historic District,
tion with Upper Fort Hampton Road at 10:00 a.m. for check-in.
Beth Ham portraying her ancestor Margaret Beckham Nixon during Cemetery Stroll
These Bicentennial Historic Saturday Walking Tours will continue the entire month of April. The walks are free and open to the public. The walks take between one to two hours to complete and will involve traveling on a variety of terrain. Another bicentennial event to make note of is the upcoming Athens Cemetery Stroll – Bicentennial Event which will take place on Sunday,
Anna Gibbs to tour Athens College Historic District, Billy Ward to tour the Beaty Historic District, and Teddy Dutton to tour the Alabama Veterans Museum. The walks through the historic district will wind past homes, businesses, and other historic structures while sharing tales of families, history, architecture, and occasional bits of forelorned tragedy
Frank Travis portraying Otho Frazier during Cemetery Stroll or legend with tour participants. The tour attendees of the Alabama Veterans Museum will enjoy a carefully curated collection of items from the Revolutionary War to the present, featuring items and tales from the warfront as well as the homefront.
Guide Billy Ward (top hat back row) and tour group paused for a photo before setting out to explore the Beaty Historic District Page 10
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Historic Elkmont’s tours will feature tour guides from the local historical society sharing tales of yesteryear, the Civil War, alongside other tales of Elkmont’s people, places, and lore. Attendees are asked to meet at the old L&N Train Depot on Railroad Street near the intersec-
April 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Athens City Cemetery with actors dressed in period styles offering tales of history, families, and more that celebrates the 200 years of Alabama, Limestone County, Mooresville and Athens. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on these or other upcoming events, please contact the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, by phone 256-232-5411, or visit the website www.VisitAthensAL.com.
April 6 - April 19, 2018
From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum
Seeking Information for Memorial Day Program by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum Memorial Day, formerly known as “Decoration Day” was started to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. Each year the Alabama Veterans Museum holds a ceremony to remember our fallen brothers and sisters in the year since the last Memorial Day. This year, in addition to our guest speaker and our laying of the wreaths ceremony, we would like to honor each veteran individually with a picture and information about their military service. The following is a list of heroes who have passed since last Memorial Day. While we do have information on some of the individuals, we are seeking military information such as branch of service, picture of individual in uniform, dates of service, campaign information, and any medals/awards. We are also updating our archive database, so any information will be appreciated. Also, if there is someone that you know of who has passed and they are not on this list please let me know. Anthony Lawrence Allen Dr. Larry Clinton Atha Charles Stevenson Ball Felix Edward Bates Joel Andrew Beasley Jack Blalock William Edward Blevins Jack Bowers Bernard Lynn Bridges
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Walter David Brooks Jr. Charles Randolph Chittam Christopher Wayne Cockrell Robert Collier Hubert Lee Crow Jr. Earl W. Davis Kenneth William Davis Jr. Richard "Dick" DiLulo Michael Anthony Dollar Odie Duggar George William Fetter Jim "Bo" Fletcher Larry Leo George Garland Tony Gibson Charles Edward Gilliam James D. Girdley Dr. Frank McDonald Graham Carl Edward Hall Billy Neal Hammond Jack Edward Harris Harold B. Holt Wayne Hovis James Bradley Johnson Roger Nolan Kyer Vallie F. LePre Jimmy Harold Lewis Mark Edward Litzenberg Roy Wayne Long Thomas Wilson Lovell Jack Hansen Manry Robert Joseph Mans Larry Michael McCurry William Ronald Meadows William Grady Mitchell
Gerald Lee Morris William Nance David Lee Norton Elbert Leroy Owen James Garland "Nick" Patterson
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Cecil Reese George Edward Richardson Phillip Dale Rooker Harold Lawson Ryan Edward L. Sandlin James Fennel Sandlin Jr. Gerard Joseph Sansone James Wesley Sasser Ned Ray Sloan Leonard Smith David Earl Snoddy James L. Stewart Robert Glen Strong James (J.D.) Swanner Newton "Bo" Tillen Randall Dean Tribble Lawrence McDaniel White
Clifford Wilford James Edward Wilson Robert Stewart Wilson Clifton Edward Zirbel Information can be sent by mail to The Alabama Veterans Museum, PO Box 1500, Athens, AL 35612 or emailed to sndy6732@ gmail.com or brought to the museum at 100 W. Pryor St. in Athens. Our program will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, at 11:00 a.m. at the Limestone County Event Center. Please join us in honoring our fallen heroes. Questions may be directed to Sandy Thompson at 256771-7578.
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Clean and Green
10th Annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO – Come Celebrate With Us! by Lynne Hart Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is proud to be hosting our 10th annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO on April 28. It will be held at Friendship Church in Athens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free admission. Earth Day is a day worth celebrating. Here is a bit of history. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was witness to the devastating effects of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, and was inspired to organize a “teach-in” to educate the public about the environment. The first official Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. According to “History of Earth Day” by the Earth Day Network, “groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.” Earth Day continues to be an event to celebrate and reflect and raise public awareness about pollution and how we can become part of the solution. KALB staff and members of its boards hope to keep this deep concern alive by bringing attention to the issues right here at home. We want to make sure our citizens are aware of the dangers and negative effects litter has on our ecosystem and our economy, how recycling will benefit future generations, and why adding beauty to our communities can improve our health.
KALB’S CELEBRATION Since 2009, KALB has been honoring Earth Day with a celebration for all to enjoy. We have worked hard to keep the event free of charge so everyone can come to see, learn, play, and enjoy. Is this event just for kids? Absolutely NOT! While the children love the event, we have had many adults comment on how much they have learned and how much they look forward to future celebrations. Come and learn about the importance of pollinators or why rain barrels are helpful and how you can build or purchase one. Get answers to gardening ques-
tions from local Master Gardeners, find the perfect piece of jewelry or your favorite essential oils. Receive a free plant from the Athens-Limestone Beautification Board (while they last), and learn what happens to your plastics after being processed at the Recycling Center. There is so much more to this event than you can imagine!
Free gifts will be given to guests at the admission gate, compliments of WOW! Internet+tv+phone, while supplies last! KALB is proud to have WOW! as our Presenting Earth Warrior Sponsor this year! Thanks to WOW!, an Earth Day t-shirt design contest was offered to students in 5th through 12th grade. The winning design will be featured on this year’s t-shirt for sale at the
EARTH DAY & OUTDOOR EXPO Saturday, April 28 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Rd. Rain or Shine
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event. KALB has also added inflatables and will have both birds of prey and reptile programs, thanks to their generous sponsorship. There will be plenty of live animals, including raptors from Wings to Soar, reptiles from Camp McDowell, and a variety of animals to pet and feed from the Tennessee Valley Zoo. The kids will stay busy with the addition of inflatables, vehicles to explore from the Limestone County Sheriff and Athens Police Departments, as well as crafts, games, and hands-on activities. There will be complimentary hot dogs and Pepsi, treats, and door prizes thanks to our generous sponsors, which also include Custom Polymers, PET, Friendship Church, Bank Independent, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Clem Tire, Pepsi, News Courier, Athens Now, and TVA. Each guest will receive a free
door prize ticket upon admission. Exhibitors will have their door prize at their tables, so guests can enter to win the item they choose. If you’d like to win more than one, additional door prize tickets will be available for purchase. Although admission is free, there will be donation jugs at the gates. The jugs will be designated for Alabama (Roll Tide!), Auburn (War Eagle!), and Any Other Team fans. At 2:30 p.m. we will announce which team’s fans have been most generous to KALB’s mission to empower the citizens of Athens and Limestone County to take greater responsibility for enhancing their community environment. Come ready to have some fun!
Become a Fan
(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com April 6 - April 19, 2018
Cooking with Anna
Mmmmm…Pot Pie Heaven by Anna Hamilton
Everyone is gathered around the table at Granny’s house on Sunday afternoon. You all sit, laughing, enjoying each other’s conversation and waiting in anticipation of warm, comforting, delicious Chicken Pot Pie. She’s rolled out the crust, she’s boiled the chicken and cut it just so, she’s chopped and cooked all the vegetables, and made an unbelievable gravy. You hear the oven open and the smell of pot pie heaven fills the entire house. You try to play it cool, but you are sitting on go to make sure you get the perfect piece. You know the one…the perfect ratio of filling to crispy crust. Homemade chicken pot pie is delicious, we all know
that it is delicious. However, not many of us have the time to make chicken pot pie like Granny. We all want comfort food, but not many of us have time to make everything from scratch. You can still make comfort food with today’s busy schedule, you just have to take short cuts. This comfort-food short cut is a simple four ingredient dish. Who can’t make a recipe with only four ingredients! So, one evening after a long day of work and school, make these fun and oh so yummy chicken pot pie cupcakes. The smell from them baking will take you right back to Granny’s table on Sunday afternoon, without all the fuss.
Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes
What You Need:
1 (10 oz pkg) frozen mixed vegetables, cooked 1 cup diced cooked chicken 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuits (the one with the flaky layers)
Directions:
Heat oven to 375F degrees. In a medium bowl, combine vegetables, chicken, and soup; mix well. Press each biscuit into 5 1/2-inch rounds. Place 1 round in each of 8 greased regular-size muffin cups. Firmly press in bottom and up side, forming 3/4inch rim. Spoon a generous 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each. Pull edges of dough over filling toward center; pleat and pinch dough gently to hold in place. Bake at 375F degrees for 20-30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from pan.
April 6 - April 19, 2018
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The Millennial Mind
A National Security Upgrade: John Bolton by Rosemary Dewar Former Ambassador John Bolton has finally joined the Trump administration as the National Security Advisor. No one could ask for a more informed and objectively successful expert. Regardless of John Bolton’s decriers, he will become a proficient scalpel filleting the bureaucracy that has haunted our intelligence community for the last two administrations. The Left has openly expressed their displeasure with John Bolton’s appointment. There could be no better indicator of how beneficial Bolton’s leadership will be than to see those who have abused the system shudder. John Bolton’s experience includes being an attorney general in different departments during the Reagan administration, as well as his appointment as United Nations Ambassador during George W. Bush’s administration. Throughout his career he lectured and advised on the perilous relationship that was manifesting between Iran, Syria, Russia, and North Korea. Before the Middle East was eviscerated by the vacuum
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the Obama administration created, John Bolton was unapologetically inquiring as to why North Korean diplomats were visiting Assad. Bolton’s adept knowledge will be a needed change for the intelligence community. Due to General McMaster’s consistently mismatched priorities with President Trump’s agenda, including the United States’ relationship with Israel, John Bolton’s appointment becomes more understandable. President Trump had many documented meetings with John Bolton before and
after the inauguration. When President Trump was building his cabinet, everyone was waiting to see Bolton take the seat as Secretary of State. Because of the structure managed by the Chief of Staff at the time, it didn’t seem like a possibility. Now that many transitions have taken place, and Mike Pompeo is now Secretary of State, John Bolton’s position with national security is a welldeserved advancement for both President Trump’s agenda and Mr. Bolton. When it comes to John Bolton’s detractors, there
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are two perceptions that are quite unfounded. On the Left, we have those like former President Jimmy Carter who has stated that President Trump’s decision “may be one of the worst mistakes that President Trump has made since he's been in office.” What this could only mean for conservatives is that John Bolton’s appointment is one of the most exceptional executions of President Trump’s administration. Others in the Pentagon have expressed that they are “bracing themselves” for Bolton’s arrival. The
American public can look forward with assurance that John Bolton’s leadership will serve them better than the bureaucracy. Secondly, those on the right who under the misconception that John Bolton is a rabid nation-builder do not know him well enough. To label Bolton as a paleo-con or neocon would be to not truly know the meanings of those definitions. Paleocons are nation-building interventionists, and neo-cons are specifically democrats who have become conservatives. Bolton fits neither category. Regardless of Bolton being in favor of being involved in other conflicts over the past two decades, his strategy differed greatly from others who advised getting involved in civil conflicts. President Trump’s agenda to improve our foreign affairs policy now has a higher probability of success with John Bolton’s partnership in coordination with Mike Pompeo’s placement. Supporters’ reservations of the many transitions need to take into account that most of the newer appointments are improvements in comparison to those seated before. The American public can look forward to an intelligence community that will be better aligned with the President’s priorities to adequately defend the county he is relied upon to protect.
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Cover Story
Garnet’s On The Square: Matching The Piece To The Person by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1
it takes to run a store such as Garnet’s. The shop, which also has several vendors in their custom-decorated stalls, was first started by Garnet King and her husband Mike back in March of 2014. They had a good run, and the time came, however, when they just really wanted to retire, spend time with grandkids. Glenda had been one of their original vendors, and essentially Garnet and Glenda traded places. Glenda is quick to point out that she is grateful to Garnet for making the transition to shop owner so smooth. Glenda has always been interested in decorating, and used to paint customdesigned wall murals when she was a stay-at-home mom. She has a real eye for “finds” and possesses a whimsical approach to repurposing all kinds of items for a myriad of uses. I have found over the years that certain Athens Now customer’s shops have been a welcome haven while I have out been doing deliveries, and Garnet’s has always been that – first, with Garnet herself, and now with Glenda. “We want this to be a fun place to come and shop, as well as visit,” she said. Glenda added that she gets great pleasure seeing mothers and daughters come in to shop together, or families come in, find the perfect piece, and plan their next step toward finishing their project together. When I talk about “matching the piece to the person,” what I mean is that over and over in the realm of home décor, decorating, antiques and re-purposing, those with a true passion
April 6 - April 19, 2018
for their craft will go to seemingly unreasonable ends to find just what their clients are looking for. They also love educating their clients about how life (and things) were in the “good old days.” On two occasions I have had the joy of being a participant in these impromptu “educational sessions” that are held at Garnet’s. One time was when I came into the store to deliver the paper, and saw in the win-
dow an old wire-mesh crib that had a locking lid on it. I squealed out my usual “No way!” as is my custom when something fills me with surprised joy. Then, Glenda and
I giggled about what it was like to sleep in one of those things, and I told how my experience had been limited to occasionally taking naps as a three-year-old in one that belonged to the neighbor
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across the street. The young woman who was in the store listening to us carry on was aghast at the thought of such a piece of furniture having ever been near a child, and I can’t say that I blame her. Then, there was the time a vendor learned about TVs
tique signs, tractor seats turned into bar stools, lovely pieces of traditional furniture, lamps, an antique wagon, paintings, wall words, custom T-shirts, heat vinyl transfers, embroidery and monogramming, fun lighting, antique furniture, chalk
of old, the ones that had about 3 channels, had a horizontal and vertical button to play with when the picture went sideways or was overtaken by “snow,” and had antennas, perhaps adorned with a bit of foil to increase their power. And, of course, no “session” would be complete without a detailed discussion about what it was like to travel cross-country and take a nap up under the back windshield of one’s parent’s car, obviously before the days of car seats and seat belts. As fun as the trips down memory lane are, what is far more important is how hard Glenda and her vendors work to keep their stalls stocked, make Garnet’s a wonderful place to shop, brainstorm, get help with a project, or have their name on the list in case someone in the store comes across what they are looking for. There are old tools and an-
paint, and milk paint. The chalk paint is made by General Finishes, and Garnet’s is one of the few shops in our area who carries it. Glenda loves to help people realize their decorating dreams. If people are not doit-yourselfers, for a fee she will paint and distress furniture for her clients. If people are do-it-yourselfers, Glenda will get right in there and consult with them as they plan their project. No matter which you are, come to Garnet’s and watch Glenda carry out her credo, which is, “honor the past, and give something a new life.”
Garnet’s On The Square 116 N Jefferson St, Athens, AL 35611 Hours: Tue thru Sat 10AM–5PM Closed Sun and Mon Phone: (256) 262-9077
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Health and Fitness
Sleep by Janet Hunt
Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. The Institute of Medicine reports that 50-70 million adults in this country have sleep or wakefulness disorders. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider poor sleep a “public health problem.” When our body is rested, our body performs at its best. On the flip side, when our body is poorly rested, performance plummets. When we suffer from chronic lack or poor quality of sleep, we are likely to experience decreased brain function, hormonal imbalances, increased risk of heart disease, abnormal growth and development (seen in children and teens), decreased productivity and performance, fertility issues, poor immune and insulin responses, and an increased risk of getting in a motor vehicle accident. Sleep plays a crucial role in the repair and maintenance of all systems (physical and psychological) of our body. Sleep is the time your body is working to repair, recover, build, strengthen, grow, and defend. Sleep is a productive process even if you aren’t moving. •The brain “cleans house.” Cerebral spinal fluid flushes through the brain, clean-
Behavioral tricks you can employ to improve sleep: •Develop a routine. Incorporate relaxing activities (meditate, read a book, listen to calming music, etc.). No video games or Facebook. •Try to avoid working out too late. Exercise will help you sleep, but not before bed. •Reduce caffeine intake and limit caffeine after mid-morning. Caffeine antagonizes adenosine (another ingredient to promote restful sleep).
ing out waste products from cells. •Breathing and heart rates slow and blood pressure decreases. •Hormones are released that aid in repairing tissues It makes sense that if your body is chronically underrested, your body cannot adequately repair tissues and blood vessels, produce and release hormones efficiently, or remove waste. If sleep suffers, there are other bodily effects. When your body is sleep deprived, your brain craves food (and usually not the healthiest choices). The
hormones responsible for regulating hunger and satiety become unbalanced. Ghrelin (the hunger “gremlin” hormone) increases, while leptin (the satiety hormone) decreases. Result: caloric intake increases and caloric expenditure decreases due to lack of motivation from mental and physical fatigue. This eventually leads to weight gain.
light (the type emitted from electronics). •Make the room as dark as possible. •Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature. •Evaluate the noise level or add a white noise machine or fan.
•Limit alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant that has sedative-like effects; but it also causes you to wake frequently during the night. If you feel sleep deprivation is interfering with your life, talk to your health care provider. Medication is the last resort. Perhaps your physician can recommend something short term.
Poor sleep also results in higher-than-normal bloodsugar levels because a tired body is unable to effectively respond to insulin. If poor sleep is chronic, the development of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes is possible. All of us require a slightly different environment to sleep well. However, there are some key ingredients. •Remove (or turn off) all electronics and cover the alarm clock an hour before bed. The circadian rhythm is most sensitive to blue
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April 6 - April 19, 2018
Cover Story
Gotcha Covered: Way More Than T-Shirts by Ali Elizabeth Turner let, loved it, and eventually it became a challenge to her health to be on her feet all day long. Rachel says the job came to her. She was approached about working for Gotcha at a baseball game. Dakota is kin to Michelle, and together they have built a great team. Michelle does all the art and graphics through CAD (Computer Aided Design) and makes it printable. Rachel wears several hats between helping Michelle in the office, Dakota in the “screen room” and doing outside sales. Dakota is the one who produces the shirts, and as stated before, they are all cross-trained and can assist each other when needed. It is obvious that they enjoy each other’s company, which is a plus in any small business.
continued from page 1
into a returning raving fan customer. The first time was several years ago when I had a dozen Athens Now T-shirts made for our crew. Now due to the fact that newspaper ink comes off on everything, and because we wanted to look as professional as possible in the middle of being “inky and stinky,” (which just goes with the territory when you are delivering 4,000 newspapers) we decided to go with black as the color of the shirt. We also knew that we needed to be easily identified as “Athens Now-ers” when we came striding into a business to drop off bundles. So, Gotcha Covered used a large version of the font that is the header for the paper, put the letters in white, put the website on the back of the shirt, et voilà, we were in business! We had worn the shirts out, and I had happily come back for more. Recent,ly I spoke with Michelle Hartsfield, the office manager, and Rachel Lauderdale, the office assistant, screen printer assistant, and sales manager for Gotcha Covered while they were between customers coming to place or pick up orders, and in my case, getting a “goober” taken care of completely to my satisfaction. More on the “goober” in a second, but first, a view into the world of custom-printed T-shirts and what sets Gotcha Covered apart. Michelle, Rachel, and screen printer Dakota Ball were sent by the new owner out to Vancouver, WA, for an intensive weekend workshop at Ryonet, Inc, the premier trainer and supplier of all things screen print. There they learned about inks, tempera-
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Dakota Ball screen printing at Gotcha Covered
tures, graphics, screens, fabrics, what works with what, and how to fix goobers. It was lecture as well as lab, and as part of their training and certification, over the course of the weekend they made about 20 T-shirts as well as other “screenables,” which were scrutinized by their trainers. All three are certified, and all three are able to be a part of the production process as needed; however, Dakota is the one who produces the lion’s share of the shirts. Ryo-
net also remains available to their graduates to advise and troubleshoot when problems arise. “They want us to succeed,” Rachel told me. In my case, the capital “A” on one of my new shirts had a bubble in it. It wasn’t the end of the world; I just knew that over the course of time that “A” would be the first to have its ink break up, and I was hoping there was something that could be done before that became a problem. I showed it to Rachel, and with a confident smile she went over to
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the heat press, inserted some pressing fabric between the plates, pressed the shirt for just the prescribed time, and when she was finished, the goober was gone. It was as smooth as silk. “We really try to get the ink in the shirt, not just on it,” she said and went on to tell me this was one of the things they learned at their Ryonet training. So, how was it that these three got involved in “screening” the folks of North Alabama? Michelle had worked for years at Champion Chevro-
I asked them, as I always do, why, when I have choices in this area, should I come to you? Here are their collective answers: “We offer 5 color process, which is unusual, and is not often available at a reasonable price. We are local and are very involved in our community. We treat customers like they are family, and we take every order personally, like it’s our own shirt that is being made. We are in tune with what our customer wants, and we thrive on customer service. The prices and the quality can’t be beat, and we want to be everybody’s screen printer.” I say, “Amen” to all of it, and strongly suggest that you get on down to Gotcha Covered to find out what I am talking about.
Gotcha Covered 389 W Sanderfer Rd., Athens, AL 35611 Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5 Phone: (256) 444-4500 Page 17
Learning As A Lifestyle
It’s Not Too Late – 3rd Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium by Wanda Campbell
Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning is pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Dynetics Solutions Complex in Huntsville. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Honoring Women Who Serve.” Your $85 registration fee will include your admission to the event and access to an amazing panel of speakers, as well as networking breaks, lunch, and interactive discussions. This event is an opportunity for purposeful communication and strategic leadership development. You can register online at www.athens. edu/CLL or call the Center for Lifelong Learning at 256233-8260. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Carolyn McKinstry (author and survivor of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing of 1963). McKinstry is an “Ambassador of Reconciliation” and her passion is community service. She served as Second Vice President and Program Committee Chair for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for six years. She has served as the only female Chair of the Board of Trustees for Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, past President of the Hospice Foundation of Jefferson County, and past Vice President and Director of Programs for The Academy of Fine Arts, Inc., Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama and other organizations too numerous to name. In addition to Dr. McKinstry, this year’s panel also includes Cathy Dickens, Lisa Wiliams,
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Jackie Warner, Rebekah Davis, and LTC Jenna T. Guerrero. Ms. Cathy Dickens is Senior VP of Business Management at COLSA Corporation. She serves as the Board Chair for the Athens State University Board of Trustees and is also an advisor to the National Contract Management Association local chapter and a member of the AUSA Civilian Advisory Committee. She is a member of AUSA, NCMA and the Army Aviation Association of America.
providing access to the historic record of her hometown and county as the Archivist at the Limestone County Archives, and serving with community projects that forward that mission. Lieutenant Colonel Jenna T. Guerrero is currently serving as a member of the active duty military and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Her awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, and one Army Achievement Medal. We would love for you and the members of your team to join us on Wednesday, April 11, at the Dynetics Solutions Complex on Explorer Boulevard in Huntsville. Should you
be interested in sponsoring a session or purchasing a table for your employees, please contact Kim Bell, Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning, at 256-233-8261. As a reminder, you may also register at www.athens.edu/ CLL. We look forward to seeing you at what promises to be a wonderful networking opportunity!
Lisa Williams has been named to Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs of America. Williams is active on many boards and councils, including the boards of the Tennessee Valley Corridor representing the 5th Congressional District, The Committee 100, Still Serving Veterans, the Huntsville Arts Council and is a board member of SCORE-Counselors to America’s Small Businesses. Ms. Williams was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission. She is very active in mentoring and counsels many small businesses in the state of Alabama. Jackie Warner is co-owner of “The Bridge” Community Outreach Center. Her areas of expertise are career coaching, performance consultation, curriculum design of workforce and organizational development courses, project management, and community outreach development. Preserving and sharing the stories that knit together a community is the passion that motivates Rebekah Davis to serve and to lead. Since 2010, Davis, an Athens, Alabama native, has been preserving and
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April 6 - April 19, 2018
Jerry’s Journal
He Went In Peace -- Part I by Jerry R. Barksdale
May 7, 1983. LeJeune, N.C.
Camp
His sea bags were packed. Tomorrow morning – Mother’s Day – he would depart home. Captain William E. “Bill” Winter, age 32, loved the Marine Corps, but leaving home and family was never easy. After all, he never knew if he would return. His two children, Michael, age 6, and Amanda, age 2 ½, were in bed. He reached up and pulled Melia, his wife of 7 years, onto his lap and held her. He turned serious. “If anything happens to me, I want you to remarry,” he said. She made light of it. “Nope, once is enough for me.”
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Captain Winter, the only child of Ellis and Virginia (Balch) Winter (retired Montesano scientist and school teacher respectively, of Capshaw, Alabama) was a Marine to his core. Following graduation from Auburn University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, he joined the Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. After completing Parachute and Ranger Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa. Later, he was stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina.
eyed daughter of Major H.L. Redding, a tall, poker straight retired Marine. Major Redding was managing the Navy Federal Credit Union following 23 years in the Corps. A highly decorated Marine, Redding had enlisted following high school in 1950 and sent to Korea where a war was raging. A land mine darn near killed him, sending him to a hospital for 18 months. Afterwards, he served in President Eisenhower’s Honor Guard and made trips to Camp David, the presidential retreat. Later, he served in Vietnam.
That’s where he met Melia Redding, the pretty, brown-
The youngest of his two daughters, Melia didn’t wear Marine olive green nor the ea-
“No, I’m serious. The kids need a daddy and you need a husband.”
Union, met her father and asked his permission to take her out. “Who does that?” Melia asked me as we sat in her living room not far off Menefee Road. “Nobody! He did.”
Melia met the handsome, young Lt. Captain Winter on a blind date in January, 1976. A friend who worked for her father at the Credit Union set it up. Melia, half joking said, “I want a single officer that doesn’t smoke, drink or curse…and has lots of money.” She recently told me, “I was just messing around. What are the odds of getting all that?” Prior to asking her out, Winter went to the Credit
He picked her up in a fairly new Cutlass Supreme and took her to see Three Days of the Condor. “It turns out,” says Melia, “he had gone to the movies the night before to see it and make sure it was presentable to take me to see it.” She adds, “He was a wonderful Southern gentleman.” Winter called her, but not regularly because of his job. They dated in January, went out in February, once in March and then began dating steady in April. “In May, 1976, he asked me to marry him, but he asked my dad first.”
Mother’s Day morning, Winter backed out of his driveway, paused, took a final look at his home, then drove off into a fine North Carolina spring morning.
America celebrated its 200th Birthday on July 4, 1976. Six days later, Melia and Captain Winter married at the Base Chapel on Parris Island. “It was a bicentennial wedding,” she calls it. She wore a white Southern belle gown with hoops and held a bouquet of red and white flowers that matched her husband’s dress blues and white cover. They exited the Chapel happy and in love beneath two rows of Marines holding sabers over their head.
This would be his second trip to the Mediterranean, this time with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, part of a multinational peacekeeping force stationed in Beirut, Lebanon. Once known as “Paris of the Middle East” because of its cultural and intellectual life, the once beautiful city jutted out like a thumb into the blue Mediterranean Sea. Now, it was a deadly battleground between warring Christians and Muslims with bombed out buildings, shell-pocked streets and frightened citizens caught up in the violence. Iran and Syria were stirring the turmoil. The Marines would act as peacekeepers. They would go there in peace.
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gle, globe and anchor on her collar tab, but she was born and bred a Marine. In fact, she was born in 1957, in Alexandria, Virginia, not far from Marine Headquarters where her father worked.
One year and a day later, Michael was born at the Naval Hospital in Beaufort. In 1978, they went to Cornwall, England for 2 years where Bill served at a nuclear facility. Amanda was born while there.
It seemed only yesterday they exited the wedding chapel, happy and laughing with Continued on page 24
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Dog Barker
Another Way To Correct Unwanted Behavior by Joel Allen Back in the 70's, I had a dog by the name of Little Girl. Little Girl's mother was a dachshund and her father was a pitbull. LOL…you can imagine what she looked like; but I tell you, besides being a little short, she had the head and body of a pitbull. She was very protective of her family, and one day the power man came to read the meter at our home in Montgomery. We lived in the county, so our dogs ran free. Back then, pepper spray was still unheard of, but the power utility man had a can. Well, Little Girl came charging at him and the man sprayed her. That only made things worse, and he barely made it to his car while my dog was chasing him with her eyes squinted shut from the spray and her making a face between a snarl and a sneeze…LOL. She was never sprayed again after that. And she had made her point, don't come onto the property uninvited! Please, no one think I am saying pepper spray your dog. No, we are going a different route on this subject. First, I want everyone to buy an unused spray bottle or even a squirt gun, and if it is a super soaker, then so be it. Then, buy a bottle of vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar). Now, here is the formula to use – 1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water. Ensure the spray nozzle is set for stream, so distance may be covered when spraying at the dog. Now, let us wait for that unwanted behavior to start. Barking at the door: Let's say someone is at your door. The dog is barking. Reach over and get your spray bottle, aim, and shoot for the
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face. Most of the time the dog's back is to you, so spray the butt first, and when the dog turns, spray for the face hitting the eyes and nose. Do not walk up and spray the dog point blank in the face. If your visitor is deliberately antagonizing the dog, spray your visitor, but still spray the dog, too, so as to deter the barking. Jumping: A visitor arrives at
your home and the dog wants their attention and jumps up and down placing its paws all over the new person. If the person is not encouraging this behavior, spray the dog. But, if the visitor is encouraging said bad behavior, spray the person, they deserve it; and the dog sees what happens to the human for behaving badly thus discouraging more bad behavior. Grabbing what is not theirs and running: This is for the dog that grabs your shoes
or items it has no business grabbing. By now, your aim should be improving, and I suggest spraying for the eyes and nose telling the dog to drop the item it has stolen. Small dogs tend to run and get under furniture or a bed thinking they are safe from the spray. Don't allow them to get away! Reach down and spray under the furniture or bed and don't forget to aim. When they have been told to
"drop it" and they comply, then retrieve the stolen item and show your disapproval. Bad behavior during walks: The spray bottle comes in handy during walks if your dog has a hard time getting along with others. If your dog growls, spray it and show your disapproval. This can be used to counter aggression toward people and other dogs. But remember, if there becomes an aggression issue where one was not present
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before, then something may have happened to trigger this behavior. Further investigation into the matter may be needed. Beware that if young children are in the family, the spray bottle can be misused. So, keep it out of the children's reach. One morning while everyone was asleep, a little boy got up before his family did, and he decided to go get
the spray bottle and spray the family dog while it was crated. Thankfully, his mother heard the commotion of the dog growling and barking. When she found the boy and saw what he was doing, she sat him down and sprayed him to show him how it felt. LOL…he cried but when asked if he was ever going to do that again he said no! Sometimes the punishment should fit the crime. These are just some ways to use the spray bottle to correct
bad behavior. As your dog becomes a better dog, it will listen every time it sees that spray bottle being grabbed, and it may be wise to invest in a few spray bottles to place strategically around the house. Everyone should also note that lemon juice will work in the place of vinegar. If the formula is not strong enough, reverse it, and if that seems not to work, go full force or undiluted. Also, remember that some dogs are just plain immune to this correction, but in most cases this works.
Now folks, I need to make a few announcements. I am back writing. It seems I have gotten out of the rut I was in and have returned to write for the “Dog Barker.” Also, many of you know that I have been using Pet Depot as my training headquarters since 2010. That chapter is coming to a close and on good terms. My new training headquarters will be on East Limestone Road and it will be at the future site of Paws and Whiskers Boutique. April 21, 2018, will be our last day training at the Pet Depot. So, make plans to come out to East Limestone Road for all your training needs, and yes, we will still be offering private lessons, too. “Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”
Joel Allen 256-651-2211
April 6 - April 19, 2018
Mental Health Minute
Mental Health Wearables by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” - Christian Lous Lange
Wearables have made the transition from technical innovations to fitness trackers within the past few years. So it seems that the most likely next step would be wearables that address the unseen level of well-being known as mental health. Many fitness trackers already monitor blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and skin temperature. Most trackers can collect data in real time, and over a period of time, to then be used to offer behavioral interventions. For example, when you breathe in a rapid, shallow manner, that is often a sign of anxiety. As this information is collected, your wearable could offer breathing exercises, guided meditations, or even just a nudge. The very act of checking your breathing patterns can help you lower your heart rate and reduce tension. I would like to share with you some brief descriptions of a few wearables on the market that are designed specifically to help you become more mindful of your mental and emotional states. As with any product, you will need to do your research to determine which would work best for you. Spire Stone The Spire Stone continuously monitors breathing, and can remind you to relax through alerts from a
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connected app. The Spire website states that Stanford researchers who tested LinkedIn employees wearing Spire, reported 37% greater daily calm, 27% fewer anxious days, and 25% more time spent physiologically focused. The Stone clips to your clothing and measures your breath via the expansion and contraction of your torso. The
your emotions, which can lead to a deeper understanding of your internal and external triggers. The Feel app combines the information collected from the wristband with your input to provide guidance on how to better regulate and improve your emotional responses throughout the day. (Cost is about $150.)
through a vibration in the Leaf. (Cost is about $140.) WellBe WellBe proclaims to be the world’s first stress-balancing bracelet. The WellBe bracelet monitors your heart rate and uses that information to determine your stress and calmness levels, based on the time of day, your location, and
calendar and will provide guided meditations, focused breathing, and even personalized playlists to help you de-stress. The WellBe also records the changes in your stress/calmness levels while using the various stress release exercises, allowing you to see the before and after effects of each program you practice. The bracelet is made of cork, which is both a strong, durable material and feels soothing to the skin. (Cost is about $120.) These devices all have the potential to ease common mental health problems and maybe even change the stigma surrounding mental health in the process. Until next time…Lisa
information is sent to your app where it is categorized as calm, tense, or focused. A notification on your phone and to the Stone alerts you to changes, so you can be more mindful of your breathing. (Cost is about $130.) Feel Wristband The Feel Wristband has multiple bio-sensors that monitor physiological signals, such as electrical energy, skin temperature, and heart rate. This information is transmitted to an app, which assesses your mental state through recognition of emotional patterns. The app then provides real-time CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) coaching techniques. The Feel Wristband website purports to help you become more aware of
Leaf Nature Leaf Nature is a health tracker specifically designed for women, to be worn on your waist band or as a bracelet or necklace. Leaf turns breathing data into realtime advice for meditation exercises or guided breath work. The synchronized app is called Bellabeat, and it provides a simple, visual snapshot of your daily activity levels, sleep patterns, and meditative vs. stress periods. Information provided is designed to inspire and remind you of your daily goals and to motivate you to track your improvement over time. The Leaf Nature runs 24 hours a day on a battery that lasts up to six months. You can also set inactivity alerts and be notified of important events
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the people with whom you have scheduled appointments. Over time, the app recognizes stress-producing events/people in your
Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.
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The Alternative Approach
Sleeping Like A Baby Again by Roy Williams
It seems like more people than I can remember are complaining about their inability to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is just as necessary to good health as is taking proper nutrition.
improvements in their patients who are taking CBD along with their medications. There are several brands that are now legal in all 50 states. From my research, the ones that are available and show positive benefits for all age groups, I recommend Charlotte’s Web, Regal Labs or my personal favorite is a capsule or Gummies called Hemp Bombs.
When we fail to go into a deep level of sleep, we also obstruct the healing process. For maximum energy, efficiency, and healing, the human body needs at least seven hours of sleep, and at least one of those hours should be before midnight. Due to the American lifestyle, which is stressful to say the least, most people are not reaching and staying in the deep level of sleep that is necessary for the body to heal. Sleep deprivation is at an all time high. More Americans than ever before are becoming dependent on drugs, which can, over time cause other health issues. And up until now, there were very few natural supplements that could help. The reason I said “up until now” is that a new superstar is now available to the public that is not only safe but also so effective that it is literally blowing people’s minds. Before I start talking about how it works for better more complete
sleep, let’s go over some of the other known benefits. Scientists are rapidly discovering more and more benefits of this most unusual plant oil that is literally changing people’s lives for the better. Here are just a few of the proven benefits: 1) Epilepsy (Demonstrated to reduce number and severity of seizures) 2) Neuroprotective (Protects neurons in the brain) 3) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD 4) Tumors and Cancers 5) Pain Relief (May reduce inflammation) 6) Combats Anxiety (Cre-
ates a calming effect) 7) Promotes Natural Sleep (Sleep like a baby again) 8) Natural Stress Reducer (Helps relax the central nervous system) 9) Lowers Cortisol (The stress hormone) Cannabinoids have proven therapeutic benefits and CBD oil is no exception. It is non-psychotropic, so it does not create the euphoric feelings associated with THC, the active ingredient that makes people feel high. However, it is psychoactive, which means it will pass the blood-brain barrier. CBD oil does have some very interesting desirable effects. It can reduce anxiety and paranoia. It is a well-known anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-nauseate, anti-depressant, and anti-proliferative. It also acts as a sleep aid, muscle relaxant, and stress-reducing sedative. According to the British Journal of Clinical Pharma-
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cology, CBD may be useful in reducing inflammation (pain relief), may work as an anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antiemetic, anxiolytic and antipsychotic agent, and is therefore a potential medicine for the treatment of neuroinflammation, epilepsy, oxidative injury, vomiting and nausea, anxiety, and schizophrenia. CBD is different from other well-studied cannabinoids. It has the ability to dock onto the binding site of a protein and can modulate a receptor’s behavior. This can have positive effects in the brain, including movement, coordination, pain and sensory perception, emotion, memory, cognition, autonomic and endocrine functions. At this point there is no evidence that CBD interferes with any medication. Many people on heart, diabetic, arthritic, and even cancer medications are using CBD with amazing results. Even the doctors are noticing
Over a month ago, my wife and I started taking one Hemp Bomb, a capsule, at bedtime. From the very first night, we have been sleeping like we are teenagers again. This oil seems to put us in that deep sleep that is what I call healing sleep. Both of us have noticed that we are more relaxed, have more feelings of well-being, and things that would normally stress us out are easier to deal with. Many others we have told about the Hemp Bombs are reporting the same or even greater results. One gentleman told me that his wife could no longer make him mad, and as a result, she has also started taking them. We are convinced that CBD oil is the answer for sleep and stress reduction. Over time scientists are convinced that even more benefits will surface. It only makes sense that when you can lower stress levels many other health issues will also be resolved. Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams
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Press Release
Catfish Literary Festival Returns To Athens-Limestone Public Library by Kristopher Reisz The fourth annual Catfish Literary Festival is headed to the AthensLimestone County Public Library on Saturday, April 28. This one-day festival will feature 20 writers, including Limestone County writer Jerry R. Barksdale, author of Cornbread Chronicles, and David Howard, author of non-fiction crime saga Chasing Phil. The festival offers book-lovers a unique opportunity to connect with authors. They can chat with them, get autographed books, and sit in on writing panels and book readings throughout the day.
Khristina Chess, author of several books for teens, will be returning to the festival for a third time. She feels that literary festivals provide a unique chance for interaction between authors and readers. “As an author, having a chance to meet and talk with my readers in a comfortable setting like the library and during the panel discussion is so valuable. It's a wonderful experience.�
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The Catfish Literary Festival will be Saturday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. The festival is free to the public. For more information, visit http://www.alcpl.org/ catfish-literary-festival
Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC April 6 - April 19, 2018
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Jerry’s Journal (continued)
He Went In Peace -- Part I by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com continued from page 19
no worries. Now Bill was 6,000 miles away in Beirut. Melia wouldn’t see him again until Thanksgiving. She missed him terribly. And she worried. But she had two young children to raise and that filled a big void in her soul. She drove down to Beaufort, South Carolina, and visited her parents and that was good. Not only could she assist them, they could help her with the children. Bill wrote regularly, sometimes daily, always addressing his letter to “Melia Michael, and Mandy” and never failing to ask about the children. It was hot in Beirut, and he didn’t sleep well on his narrow cot with no mattress. He was lonely and counting the days. “I wish time would go faster… I miss you terribly…….142 days to go. I love you with all my heart,” he wrote. When off duty he built model military vehicles and read. He’d just finished Follow the River and was starting another book. Then bad luck came calling on the morning of July 22. Eight, 120mm mortar rounds slammed into the Marine compound. One Marine caught shrapnel. “Glad you’re not here,” he wrote. “But sure wish I was there.” Bad luck travels in pairs. On the same day in Beaufort, South Carolina, at around 9:30 p.m., lightning struck the Redding residence and it burned to the ground. Melia, the children, her parents and 3 dogs barely escaped with their lives. Everything was destroyed, including Melia’s wedding ring. Aside from
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his own safety, Bill now had something else to worry about – his family back home. Her father rented a beach house on nearby Fripp Island and Melia and the children stayed with them. “I did a lot of walking on the beach,” she says. “I would look across the Atlantic Ocean and think, he’s straight across there somewhere.” And Winter was missing her and the children, and counting the days until he could go home. If everything went well, he’d be home for Thanksgiving. He had recently sent roses to Melia.
fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 to fall apart…we took incoming for several hours…Monday it got much worse,” he wrote. “One round hit outside the mess tent and one hit the tent of Lt. Losey and S/Sgt. Ortega, the former killed instantly. Ortega died in route to the ship. We ended with 14 WIA and 2 KIA.” Winter’s letters told of more attacks, shelling, wounded and dead Marines. His Auburn friends hadn’t forgotten
him. Becky Arrington, one of Bill’s former classmates and President of the Houston Area Auburn Club, sent him an American flag. He hoisted it atop the Lebanese University Library where a company of Marines were stationed. On September 7, Winter wrote, “2 more Marines killed in Company A…round blew them to pieces...we are getting hit every day and night. We keep hearing that the ma-
jority of folks in the U.S. want us to pull out. Wrong answer. We can’t quit and go home because of a bunch of terrorists. We have to stand up and be counted sooner or later. Better here than at home 20 years from now.” His prophesy was off by only two years. Terrorists brought down the Twin Towers 18 years later, almost to the day. To Be Continued...
“If I could afford it,” he wrote her, “I’d send roses everyday of our life because you are the rose of my life. He promised her they would go shopping for a wedding ring when he got home. The nearby Beirut Airport came under attack and Pan Am stopped flying. Mail slowed to a trickle. On July 23, he wrote Melia that he had finished reading Centennial and had started Hawaii… “lot of shooting up in the hills… 137 days left.” To add more misery to his life, Winter got “really sick” with food poisoning. “Beirut Boogie,” he called it, “stomach cramps and diarrhea 12-13 times a day.” “I need you to hold on to,” he wrote. Attending church was helpful. “The mosquitoes eating me up tonight… It won’t be long until we’re together again.” Winter always asked about his children. “Tell Michael, he’s doing real well with his writing. I’m proud of him and of you teaching him. I know Mandy will do as well when she gets older.” Islamic terrorists turned up the heat on Sunday, August 31, at 3 p.m. “Things started
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