Issues

April 5th - April 18th, 2019

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

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Special Feature It’s The Spring Season And Art Events Are Blossoming In Athens...

Athens Arts League is welcoming the spring season and blossoming with...

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Athens Bible School: A Different Environment

By Design

By Ali Elizabeth Turner In 1943, Bennie Lee Fudge had a dream of building a Christian school, while in a cotton field outside of Athens, and as current Athens Bible School President RanContinued on pages 16-17

Clean And Green 11th Annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO – It Won’t Disappoint...

Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful is proud to host our 11th annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO on...

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Cooking With Anna Wake Up, You Sleepy Heads...

Can you believe the first quarter of 2019 is over?

Where has the time gone? I feel like it was...

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April 5 - April 18, 2019

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April 5 - April 18, 2019

Publisher’s Point

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

“Unplanned” Is Unstoppable

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Cayce Lee Rosemary Dewar Jerry Barksdale Roy Williams Joel Allen Holly Hollman Nick Thomas Wanda Campbell

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 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . . 14 Health & Fitness . . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approach . . . . 22

April 5 - April 18, 2019

There have been a few times in my life where I have made myself go to movies that made me uncomfortable, mostly military movies which remind me of the soldiers amongst whom I lived for three years in Iraq, and whose sacrifice I never want to forget. However, this

her uterus were going to basically just “slip out,” but the truth is that she clotted for months and was in terrible discomfort.

past Sunday I saw the movie, Unplanned and though it is rough, I highly recommend it.

on her watch. It happened one day when they were shortstaffed at the clinic, and she was requested to come hold the wand that transmits the ultrasound imagery so that the surgeon could see what he was doing. It was in that moment, when she saw the unborn child do everything in its power to get away from the tube that would ultimately suck it out of the safety of its mother’s womb, that Abby’s denial was pierced, and she resigned that day.

It is the story of a young woman named Abby Johnson, who became the youngest clinic director in the Planned Parenthood franchise. Her clinic was located in Bryant, TX, and while she worked there, the clinic performed over 20,000 abortions, including one on her. She had a chemically induced/ RU486 abortion wherein she felt she was going to die, lying alone on the floor of her bathroom for 12 hours unable to move, screaming in pain. Abby had been told that the contents of

Still, in spite of Abby’s own negative experience, it took her quite a while before she could face down what she had been and what had happened

Abby has since gone on to have eight children, is a highly sought after speaker, and has founded Then There Were None, an organization which

helps people out of the abortion industry. To date she has helped over 500 people find employment elsewhere, other than in the baby-killing business. Her story of redemption is anything but tidy, and her courage makes her “unstoppable.”

The other thing that is “un-

stoppable” about the movie is the way the film itself has overcome numerous obstacles in the media world that threatened to “deep-six” Unplanned. First of all, they had to produce the film under a phony name in order to protect everyone involved in the project. Ashley Brachter, the woman who plays the part of Abby Johnson, was told that the chances were high that she would be black-balled from Hollywood and perhaps would never work again.

None of the major networks are carrying any advertising for the film, except for Fox News and EWTN, the Catholic station. In addition,

Twitter shut down the tweets of those who had seen it for several hours, and it was unnecessarily slapped with an “R” rating.

Its opening weekend, without the type of media blitz that usually accompanies a film’s release, Unplanned took in six million dollars,

and is gaining speed. You should see it, and do take your teenagers of both genders. Nothing like something such as Unplanned will speak to kids and teach the consequences of one’s actions, as well as teach the fact that there is hope, and hope is real, even when a pregnancy is Unplanned.

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

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All Things Soldier

Chayal El Chayal

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

As happens often, Israel has been under attack… again, and the Gaza border was closed. The result is that Hamas, who has in its constitution the commitment to utterly destroy Israel, has stopped the attacks; so the border is going to be opened back up in a limited fashion so that people from Gaza can come across to…wait for it… fish! And, Israel is in its election season as well, with a line-up of candidates that is as bizarre as what’s shaping up here.

As interesting as the parallels to some of our national adventures may be on the surface, there is a phenomenon in Israel that is unique to our tiny ally known as “the lone soldier.” When lone soldiers are referred to in the Israeli culture, it means that someone from another country has come to enlist in the IDF because they believe in Israel’s right to exist and want to do their part to help. The pay is not glorious, and the risks are great. Clearly there is something in the heart of these warriors that makes “mustering a must.” The purpose of this Soldier is to discuss a support system for lone soldiers

called Chayal el Chayal, which means “home away from home,” and will follow the story of a lone soldier’s remains finally being returned after falling in the Lebanese attack on Israel in 1982.

Zachary Baumel went missing in 1982, and just as we have MIAs in Korea and Vietnam whose families would like to lay them to rest, in Israel there is the same longing.

There is also a special honor given to those who come from their home, in

rabbi before he finished his enlistment process, was treated like a son while he served in the IDF, and then formed CEC with other lone soldiers after his enlistment was finished.

this case California, and give their lives to protect the freedom of the

only democracy in the Middle East. Zach’s father died broken hearted from “not knowing,” and his 90-year old mother is overwhelmed that it was Russia that finally facilitated the return of her son’s remains. One some level there is peace at last for the family.

But for the lone soldiers who are living, one of the things they can count on while in Israel and far

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away from home is an outfit known as Chayal el Chayal, or in English, “home away from home.” Its purpose is to provide a family-like atmosphere for soldiers so they don’t have to be alone on Shabbat or the holidays, and have recreational and social activities to look forward to on a regular basis. It was formed by a Canadian soldier who arrived alone, was taken in by a

Its headquarters are in Jerusalem with an office in California as well.

Please understand that lone soldiers don’t just hail from America. As of January of this year there are 3,500 lone soldiers from all over the world.

CEC is not the only civilian-based soldiersupporting outfit in Israel, and the government helps as well. But isn’t it interesting that the idea that no soldier should eat alone on Shabbat generated the creation of several organizations? Man alive, we have a tough enough time in America eating dinner together in Chick-fil-A, let alone inviting a soldier whom we do not know to eat with us! Might do us good.

April 5 - April 18, 2019

Special Feature

It’s The Spring Season And Art Events Are Blossoming In Athens

by Holly Hollman - City of Athens Communications Specialist Athens Arts League is welcoming the spring season and blossoming with creativity.

Area artists are submitting entries for the annual Alabama Spring Contest and Exhibit, which will open to the public in April. The Alabama Bicentennial Commission is endorsing the exhibit since it highlights the beauty of springtime in Alabama.

Art pieces will range from blacksmith creations to oil paintings to stained glass.

“Alabama awakens from winter with such beauty from North Alabama with its creeks, farms and wooded trails to the coast with its ocean breezes,” said Athens Arts League Vice President Diane Lehr, who oversees the contest and exhibit.

“Art is an ideal way to capture the gorgeous sites of spring in Alabama.”

The Alabama Spring Exhibit will be at High Cotton Arts in Downtown Athens from April 5 to May 1. Athens Arts League invites the public to meet the artists at a reception April 12 at 5 p.m. at High Cotton Arts.

After the artist reception, Athens Arts League will kick off its Art After Hours season.

This is a free community event held from 7-9 p.m. the second Friday of each month from April through September. There will be live

April 5 - April 18, 2019

music outside in front of High Cotton Arts, weather permitting. Athens Police will block Washington Street in that area so spectators can bring chairs and safely enjoy the concerts.

In addition, the High Cotton Arts artists will have locally made art for sale, and Athens Arts League will provide refreshments as well as art activities for children.

Art After Hours is part of the Alabama Music Series where Athens Arts League supports Alabama-based musicians and provides high school and college students hands-on experience in stage setup, marketing, event planning and photography. The Alabama Music Series will include ticketed concerts for the year, such as Plato Jones’ performance on July 5.

The series received a $10,000 grant from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, $5,500 in community grants from the Limestone County Legislative Delegation and $1,500 from the City of Athens special event fund.

“Last year Athens Main Street held a visioning session to see what the public envisions for downtown, and one reoccurring comment was more entertainment downtown at night,” said Athens Arts League board member Holly Hollman. “This is our third year for Art After Hours, and each year it grows. Arts League ad-

justed the time to start and end later, 7 to 9 p.m., to address the public’s desire for night entertainment.”

Here is the list of Art After Hours musical acts and themes for the season: • April 12 – Music by Kaleidoscope and Alabama Spring Exhibit on display.

• May 10 - Music by The Redeemers (formerly Acorn Hill) and School Spirit Night so wear your favorite local team’s colors.

• June 14 - Music by Coffee Black and Red, White and Blue Night in honor of Flag Day, so wear your favorite patriotic finery.

Athens Arts League received an Art Dekko grant to provide artists and art supplies to a Limestone County classroom during the school year. The grant covers the monthly cost of the artists’ time and supplies. This school year, Leslie Pace’s first grade class at Blue Spring Elementary is taking the art classes.

“My students are enjoying this experience so much,” Pace said. “They are learning about technique and terminology.

They have truly been privileged to take part in this project.”

As part of the Art Dekko grant, the Youth Commission agreed to host a reception for the students. It will be May 4 at 10:30 a.m. at High Cotton Arts. The Blue Springs students are creating a springthemed art project to display, and the Southern Splendor Chorus will perform.

For more information about Athens Arts League and its programs, events and projects, go online at www. athensartsleague.com or follow on Facebook at “Athens Arts League.”

• July 12 - Music by Good2Go and Summer Days Celebration with kids stations for hula-hoops, sidewalk chalk and Athens ROCKS painting.

• Aug. 9 - Music by Justus Storm and the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats best dressed pet contest.

• Sept. 13 - Music by John David Crowe and sport your favorite superheroes Tshirts and costumes in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

In addition to Alabama Spring and Art After Hours, Athens Arts League is collaborating with the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission to host an art reception for first grade students.

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Calendar of Events Annual Eli's Block Party South Apr 6

Bethel Church of Christ. 26772 Capshaw Road in Athens.

9:30AM-2:00PM. Cruise-in parking or judged-show parking with trophies in 17 categories, vendors, music, bbq by the Smokin' Box. elisblockparty.org​for more information or to register

Play Outside Day Apr 6

Families everywhere are encouraged to get outside the first Saturday of every month and play in public parks, enjoy trails, hit the waterways, explore greenspaces and just play! Limestone County offers over 20 trails to explore including walking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking – perfect for all ages.

Giving Day. To expand the library’s collection, the foundation will also host the fifth annual Cooking for Books fundraiser luncheon on April 10, with proceeds going exclusively toward the purchase of books. This year, the food will be brought to donors by Wildwood Deli and the special guest speaker is Lane Tutt of Tutt & Tutt’s Gourmet Relishes. Tutt & Tutt’s is based in the Huntsville area and is sold at local farmers markets and specialty grocery stores. The Tutts make their name by crafting a special cucumber relish that’s been in the family for decades.

Tickets are now available for purchase, with seats going for $50 each or a table reservation can be made for six at $350 per table.Purchases can be made online at alcplfoundation.org/ events/2019-cooking-for-books/, or by visiting the library at 603 S. Jefferson St. in Athens.

Andy Leftwich & Friends In Concert Apr 11

Craft Show Apr 6

Athens-Limestone Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. 10:00AM-2:00PM. For more information call Mr. Kris at 256-232-1233.

McCandless Hall of Athens State University. 300 North Beaty Street in Athens. 7:00PM-9:00PM as part of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention Concert Series. Tickets are $10.00 (plus fees) at Eventbrite.

Celebrity Waiters Night Apr 9

(4) CEU Seminar Apr 19

City of Athens Relay for Life Celebrity Waiters Night at Applebee's. 1331 U.S. Highway 72E in Athens. 5:30PM8:00PM. Come dine with Applebee's and be waited on by East Limestone Band Director Jennifer "Miss Sam" Janzen; Athens High Football Coach Gross; Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks; Athens City Councilman Frank Travis; Athens Police Officer Michael Stainbrook decked out as the Black Panther; and Athens Firefighter Jordan Pugh. Cash or check tips to your Celebrity Servers will go to benefit Relay for Life.

Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting Apr 10

Club Business Meeting at Tanner Baptist Church. 11590 U.S. Highway 31S in Tanner. Starting at 9:00AM. For with more information: AthensGardenClub@aol.com

Cooking for Books 2019 Apr 10

Library to host dual fundraisers. Going to the library is easy enough for the people of Limestone County, but it takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make it run smoothly. To aid that work, the Athens-Limestone County Public Library Foundation will be hosting two fundraisers on Wednesday, April 10. First, donors can choose to simply give through Library Giving Day. All money raised will go toward the continued operations and support of ALCPL. A link has been set up on the foundation website (alcplfoundation.org/events/library-giving-day/), so donors can put their money where their books are on Library Page 6

7:30am to 12:30. Topic Generation Rx & Social/Ethical Issues of Drug Use. Registration fee, $20. Contact Tina Cook at alcfamilyrc@gmail.con or 256-230-0880.

Ladies’ Conference Apr 27

New Oakland Independent Baptist Church. 20959 Old Elkmont Road, Athens, AL 35614. 8-9am Breakfast 9-12:00 Conference. Featuring: Betty Dean Newman Ph.D., Singers: One Voice. Free. For more information call Deborah Hargrove 256-497-6100.

The Wizard of Oz May 2-4 and 9-11

Footlights Community Theater will be performing The Wizard of Oz May 2nd through 4th and May 9th through 11th at Athens Middle School auditorium. Tickets and information may be found at www.footlightstheater.com.

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Spaghetti Meal at the Vietnam Veterans of America Building 3rd Monday Monthly 17915 W. Elm St. in Athens. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost is $8. Eat in or carry-out. Profits fund scholarships for local students. Please call ahead for group carry-outs or more info 256-431-3213.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Final 4 And Final Battles

by Ali Elizabeth Turner For once I was the first one to our usual Monday morning meeting, and Mayor Ronnie came bounding in, ecstatic over the fact that the Auburn basketball team had made history, and the Tigers are going to the NCAA Final Four for the first time, ever! Now, while the fall football season is in full swing, the mayor favors Alabama, but is always ready to support the SEC at large when it comes to a championship.

the last few minutes of the championship game, and then Mayor Ronnie fast-forwarded ten years to 1993 when Jimmy Valvano, known by most as Jimmy V, was given the Arthur Ashe Award at an ESPN banquet. By that time Jimmy’s body was full of cancerous tumors, and he gave one of the most gracious and uplifting speeches regarding living life fully in the face of death that I have ever heard.

The mayor asked me if I was familiar with the 1983 Final Four Championship -- the one when the North Carolina State Wolfpack, a true Cinderella team, came from way behind to win it in the last second. The Wolfpack was under the legendary leadership of Coach Jimmy Valvano, and together they made history.

We watched a video of

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives.

Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day.

Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it.

If you laugh, you think,

Coach Jimmy V at the 1993 Espy Awards Banquet and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”

Jimmy V finished his

speech by saying, "Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. I thank you and God bless you all."

He received a standing ovation. He also made it clear that his goal was to live another full year, and at the next Espy Awards season, be the one to present the Arthur Ashe Award to the next recipient. However, he died two months later. In the last year of his life, Jimmy V dedicated his life to raising funds for a cure for cancer through his foundation. Their battle cry was, and is, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

Then Mayor Ronnie told me that he felt like Auburn’s win and Jimmy V’s story were a perfect way to kick off our cancer-fighting season

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through the various Relay for Life events. The first will be the annual Celebrity Waiter’s Night at Applebee’s restaurant on Hwy 72. Mayor Ronnie will be joined by Athens High Coach Cody Gross, East HS Band Director Jennifer "Miss Sam" Janzen, Athens City Councilman Frank Travis, Athens Police Officer Michael Stainbrook, and Athens Firefighter Jordan Pugh. April 9 is the night, and all tips earned by the “waiters” go to Relay for Life. There will also be a Relay fishing tournament this month as well, to be held on April 27 at Lake Guntersville. Most people know that Mayor Ronnie lost his brother to cancer when they were young men, and finding a cure is a deep desire of his heart. Bolstered by Jimmy V’s legacy, it was now time to pray. Then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

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Slinkard On Success

Not Everyone Is A Winner

by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store The other day I was with my girls at an activities event for kids their age.

There was a motivational speaker who made the comment that everyone in the room was a winner, and everyone would be getting a participation award for competing in the competition. He went on to say, “There is no such thing in life as losers” and that everyone would get an award for the day but not everyone would get a trophy. I am all for motivational speakers because I want to motivate people to think positive in order to change their life with each article I write.

I guard the amount of garbage my girls take in because we live in a wicked world. The world wants us to believe we should listen to our hearts, but the Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked....” In life there will be winners and there will be losers. Sometimes the losers will win and the winners will lose, but to think you are a winner because you say so is the wrong mentality. There will be failures in life, and if we teach kids they are always winners, they will not be able to recognize failure. What good does that do?

just showing up and getting a participation award.

This has trickled into the “real world” with people thinking that they are entitled to something for nothing. Wrong! Parents, you need to wake up and start teaching your kids; stop letting social media, YouTube and the Internet do your parenting for you.

Speaking of getting something for nothing, who would have thought socialism would be gaining steam in our country? Yet here we have this idea being touted about; but do a little research on what is happening in Venezuela to understand its effect on a country. Not good but sad we have people listening to the talking points of politicians and they fall hook, line and sinker.

The other thing we need

to do is bring back some standards for the way we live our lives. Recently there was a Notre Dame student's mother who wrote a letter urging women to dress more modestly. Seems like a plausible thing; but instead, this lady was met with backlash. Whether you read the Bible or not, I will either remind or inform you of 1Timothy 2:9, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel...” All these folks getting mad at this lady, and you may be reading this getting upset with me -- but neither she nor I wrote the Bible. God wrote it, and 2 Timothy 3:16 shows us that every scripture is inspired by God and written by God through man.

We truly live in a wicked world that is growing further away from our moral

compass.

How we fix this is to stop listening to the way of the world. We need to dust off our Bibles and read what God says about it.

The Bible needs to be our final authority in life. I sadly realize, though, that this is where the issue comes into play because we have grown accustom to living in our sinfulness and walking contrary to God's Word. We see this with the misguided ideology taking place in our society in which there is a world of confusion, a lack of honesty, and worry about who gets offended.

Worrying about offending others has led us down the rabbit hole we are in.

Some people do not know what gender they are or what bathroom to use, and they cannot fathom that abortion is murdering an innocent life. The

most important thing we could do would be to help our kids learn to think for themselves.

Next, start diving into God's Word and tune out the world. As 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Instead of worrying about being winners in life, it is time to be winners in our Holy God's eyes.

If we cannot see failure in our spiritual life, we cannot see our need for Jesus as our Savior, which is why we have the problems we have today. We live in a society that ignores the God of the Bible.

We have made the world we live in to be one in which our children are content with

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Tourism

Hop Into April And Enjoy The Fun

by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

You’re probably ready to get out and enjoy the spring weather and blooms, and Athens-Limestone Alabama has so many events to get you out and about that we hope you’ll pen us in on your calendar. The events below are just a few highlights of things going on, there are additional events on our calendar with more added each day. So, be sure to head over and check it out at visitathensal.com/events or our sharable/savable calendar at visitathensal.com/ event-calendar.

Limestone County April Saturday Walking Tours…

It’s time to get outside – enjoy the blooms, warm sun, friendly faces, and the free Saturday Walks sponsored by the State of Alabama in Athens, Elkmont, and Mooresville again this year.

With check-in at 9:45 a.m. at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center, Elkmont Depot, and Mooresville Post Office, attendees can enjoy a gentle stroll through the communities learning about the architecture, history, people, and other stories.

Athens-Limestone Tourism is continuing to offer multiple tours featuring the Beaty Historic District, Down-

town Athens Historic District, Athens City Cemetery, and Athens State University.

Additionally, attendees can receive information at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center about touring local attraction partners during the Saturday Walks -- the Donnell House, Governor George S. Houston Library and Museum, and Alabama Veterans Museum.

For more information about Limestone County’s April Saturday Walk and attraction partner tours, come by the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, MondayFriday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or call 256-232-5411 Revving it up…

It’s time to shine and show your rides…or just wander among the amazing car collection that rolls in for this event. April 6 brings the Eli’s Block Party South-Athens to its new location at Bethel Church of Christ as well as marks the first of the CruiseIns on the Square in downtown Athens. The following day sees the rides roll in to Gauge Customs for their second annual Cruise-In. The Square in Athens will be taken over with cars, trucks, and bikes on April 27.

Get outdoors – play and

Pictured in tall hat and tails, Volunteer Guide Billy Ward, pauses with Athens April Saturday Walk visitors in front of the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center

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move…

Fairies in the Park are calling all girls for a magical day of fairytale fun and learning about the Girl Scouts of American on April 6 and Chick Fight Catfish Tournament will be hitting the waters of Wheeler Lake angling for the largest fish. April 13 is packed with events, including the Heel and Crank Duathlon coming to Mooresville, Athens State University bringing the Arbor Day Festival, the Autism Society of Alabama hosting the Athens Funky Run/Walk, and Athens Police Department Motorcycle Ride with a scenic ride through north Limestone County. Associated Builders and Contractors will have a clay shoot tournament with Limestone Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clays in Ardmore on April 26. Seniors can enjoy a day at Camp Helen on April 26, as well. Make plans for family fun and conservation at Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful Earth Day and Outdoor EXPO on April 27 or hit the water with City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Tournament for the big one.

Easter happenings…

Several churches will be hosting Easter events, including Easter Eggstravaganza with Round Island Baptist Church, Friendship Flashlight Egg Hunt with activities for the whole family, Lamb of God Lutheran Church will have Easter for Kids 2019 on April 13; and Friendship North Campus Egg Hunt will be April 14. The Arise Tour 2019 with Newsong and Chris August will be at Clements Baptist Church on April 19.

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Visitors gather for the planting of a new tree during Athens State University Arbor Day Festival Get creative or unleash your inner decorator…

Athens-Limestone County Public Library will be hosting a Spring Craft Show with over 20 vendors on April 6.

Enjoy getting dirty at the library lecture on Preserving Harvest on April 9 at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library. Meet with the Athens Garden Club at Tanner United Methodist on April 10.

Try a little cookie decorating with the Center for Lifelong Learning on April 13. Mark your calendar for the Limestone County Master Gardeners’ Spring Plant Sale at the Athens Middle School green houses on April 20. May adds a little sparkle to your windows with a Stained Glass Class at High Cotton Arts on April 20.

Community events worth adding to your calendar…

City of Athens Relay for Life Celebrity Waiters Night takes over Applebee’s on April 9.

Enjoy a meal and special guest Lane Tutt of Tutt & Tutt during Cooking for Books with Athens-Limestone County Public Library on April 10.

Looking for work? Calhoun Community College is hosting a job on April 11. The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention present

Andy Leftwich and Friends on April 11, with tickets still available for the show. For theatre fans to enjoy, James Clemens Theatre presents The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from April 11-13.

FAME Academy at Brookhill Elementary will be offering The Big Bad Musical Howling Courtroom Comedy on April 18. April 19 will be a day to enjoy a fish fry with the NAACP at Lincoln Bridgeforth Park. Elkmont will have the red carpet out for the annual beauty walk on April 19 and 20. A Confederate Memorial Day ceremony will be held April 20 at the monument in Athens City Cemetery. Cornhole for a Cure will be April 20.

Athens Post Office Re-dedication in honor of Judge James E. Horton will be April 24. April 27 sees the Unsung Hero Scholarship & Community Event taking place, the Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival offering activities and entertainment for the community, and the Athens-Limestone Hospital Gala glitzing things up at the Limestone County Event Center. For details and specifics about all of the events in this article, visit our website at VisitAthensAL.com/ events.

April 5 - April 18, 2019

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April 5 - April 18, 2019

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Clean and Green

11th Annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO – It Won’t Disappoint!

by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is proud to host our 11th annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, although we do suggest a $1 donation. The event will again be held at the Friendship United Methodist Church facility on Lucas Ferry Road in Athens.

Co. Decatur, Athens Now, and TVA.

additional door-prize tickets for $.50 each.

Camp McDowell will bring a bit of their magic with them, allowing you to give in to your own curiosity with an up-close encounter

We have selected this year’s Earth Day shirt design and will have t-shirts for sale.

with native birds of prey and reptiles. If you are brave enough, there will be reptiles to handle (you know you want to). Educators from the camp will also present a program featuring the birds of prey they bring along, allowing you to understand the role of raptors in our environment and how we can help to protect them.

there will be donation jugs at the entrance gates. You can drop your donation into the jug of your choice marked for Alabama (Roll Tide!), Auburn (War Eagle!), or Any Other Team fans. We want to see whose fans are the most generous in helping to support the work of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful. We must raise nearly $45,000 in donations, memberships, and fundraisers to meet our annual budget of just over $70,000; so any donation amount is very much appreciated.

Although admission is free,

We try very hard to make each year a bit different and exciting so children and adults can come and enjoy all we have to offer.

This year, we are excited that Mr. Bond and The Science Guys will be joining us. They will have two separate areas where children can participate in science experiments. The experiments will be different at each station and will change every hour.

Representatives from our Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority will also be sharing information on our local water supplies and our need to protect our waterways.

KALB is pleased to have American Leakless Company as our Earth Warrior premier sponsor!This sponsorship has allowed us to bring in the Science Guys and Camp McDowell, and to offer free gifts upon admission while they last! Additional sponsors include WestRock, Bank Independent, Turner Medical/Intech America, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Indorama Ventures, Clem Tire, Pepsi Cola Bottling

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The planning committee will again host a Kids Korner featuring crafts made with recycled materials that children up to 12 years old can make and take home.

Complimentary hot dogs, Pepsi, and popcorn will be available while supplies last.

Each admission comes with a free door-prize ticket. Door prizes will on display at exhibitor and vendor booths.

You decide what prize you’d like to win and drop your ticket in their jar. If there are more prizes you have your eye on, you can purchase

Free Nature Walk Before you head to the Earth Day celebration, join Mr. Damien Simbeck, TVA Natural Resources Management, as he guides you through the Marbut Bend Walking Trail in West Limestone sharing his exceptional knowledge of the area wildlife and history of the walking trail.

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Damien will meet participants at 8:00 a.m. at the Marbut Bend trail head on Saturday, April 27. The trail is considered handicapped accessible. Bring binoculars if you have them and insect repellent. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

to return to Athens for the Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO which begins at 10:00 a.m.

For more information on this event, please contact KALB at 256-233-8000 or kalbcares@gmail.com.

You will have plenty of time

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com April 5 - April 18, 2019

Cooking with Anna

Wake Up, You Sleepy Heads

by Anna Hamilton

Can you believe the first quarter of 2019 is over? Where has the time gone? I feel like it was Christmas only a few days ago. The long winter is finally coming to a close, and everything in the South is coming back to life after its long winter slumber.

For years, my health was in hibernation. Just like an animal in the wild that sleeps away the months of winter, I had “slept” away years of my life hiding behind an unhealthy body. For all of you that have been reading my column this year, you know that I have slowly been awakening from my slumber. I’m feeling much more alive and awake these last few weeks.

Since March was a five-week month, you missed my 2-month weighin at the doctor’s office. This month, I was a little leery not knowing what to expect. To my surprise, I had lost 17 pounds. That brings my grand total to 40 pounds! That amazes me. Through small changes, I’ve made a HUGE difference in my life and the life of my family. No more sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else live life. I can now play with my nieces and nephews, I can walk through a store with my husband, and I can be more active at my job. I didn’t realize how much “life” I was actually missing.

When you are in a hibernation, the world doesn’t stop. I can easily see how someone could become a recluse. I desperately wanted to

take part in the world, but I was so physically sick, my body wouldn’t let me. To some people, 40 pounds might not seem like much, but to me and my family it has meant the world.

Thank you for holding my hand through this journey to health. In a strange way, you are holding accountable. I don’t want to let down all of you reading my column. We have started this together, and feel like I owe it to you to see the journey through.

Coming out of hibernation, you need a good hearty meal and who doesn’t like pizza? Pizza is delicious, I mean, let’s just admit that as fact. However, pizza is not good for you. No matter how you try and justify having that one piece, it is still not very good for you. Great tasting, but not very nutritional.

Why not try something that taste like pizza, but is so much healthier than pizza. Using eggplant for the base of your pizza cuts down on calories. Eating this yummy eggplant pizza won’t leave you feeling heavy and having to make sure you wear your stretchy pants. I hope this recipe is a hit with your family as much as it is with mine.

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11

Recipe #7 - Eggplant Pizza What You Need:

2 eggplants 2 garlic cloves 1 medium onion 1 lb. lean ground beef (ground turkey or ground chicken) 7 oz. tomato sauce 1 cup shredded cheese ¼ cup fresh oregano, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice the eggplants lengthwise, about 1/3 to 1/2 inches think. Coat with olive oil on both sides and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes or until slightly browned.

Fry garlic and onion in olive oil until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Add beef and cook through. Add tomato sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.

Remove the eggplant slices from the oven and spread the meat mixture on top. Sprinkle with cheese and oregano. Place in the oven for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

April 5 - April 18, 2019

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The Millennial Mind

Starve, Mute, Loathe

by Rosemary Dewar In a culture full of every manner of distraction, you can lose the ability to recognize something that can bring you life. The habit of constant consumption can be both a blessing and a curse. Everything you could possibly desire is at your fingertips, but does that make finding what you may need any easier?

Finding a quiet place to clear your head is not easy when your own mind is the loud one you can’t seem to shut off. One more aspirin, one more bite, one more video, one more scroll is what can keep you from a quiet, still, mind.

The attempt to diagnose your state of being is similar to how you attempt to diagnose another physical ailment. If you have a headache, you take an aspirin. If you have an itch, you apply a cream.

If you’re hungry, you eat something. Should anything you use have an adverse reaction that causes you discomfort, you stop using it. The same should be considered for what we chose to consume for the sake of feeling full, but not actually good.

your experience may force you abruptly, maiming you in the process, or it can eliminate you before you can eliminate it.

Over a decade ago, the memoir Eat, Pray, Love filled the ether for those who welcomed a journey to rediscover spirituality through an experience excursion. It is an experience that teaches you to feed your stomach, soul, and heart without neglecting any of the three. That can work for those who have let themselves become numb to nourishment. However, if you are experiencing gluttony and overstimulation, you may want to consider the “Starve, Mute, Loathe” approach.

Starving or muting your impulses allows you to reason clearly. Fasting and prayer is often misinterpreted as instruments for moving God’s hand toward your desires. It is the exact opposite. Prayer is not for God; prayer is for you, in order to realign you. Fasting is a practice to teach you to ignore your least important urges. Biblical accounts show that relief did come after fasting and praying; and an answer was revealed. The person was able to come to a place of stillness where he or she could reason and take direction. Some may choose to fast from food, or their iPhone, or alcohol, or whatever. If something causes you to be “life-deaf,” you

need to try limiting it until you can hear yourself reason through a situation.

Once you have isolated the offenders of your focus, they either need to be managed or rejected. Your peace depends on it. Similar to avoiding something you may be allergic to, you have to resist it as though you loathe that stimulant because of the reaction you know you’ll experience.

In Judaism, twenty-five hours are dedicated to God starting every Friday night.

You are commanded to stop working and interacting with your environment the way you do during the week. Their holiest day, Yom Kippur, is the most introspective day where you

judge yourself. Catholics observe the season of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Resurrection Sunday for forty days of fasting.

Many other religions have their observances of fasting. Our current culture has adapted this into Unplugged Weekends, digital detox months, sensory deprivation tanks. However you manage to reorient yourself, do it, and your mind will ‘thank you.’

F f t g g t r c c c a

Those who feel completely overwhelmed by their surroundings ought to prioritize a way to starve what feeds their distractions, mute what clouds their perception, and learn to loathe what will hold them hostage to a state of disorientation.

S d

L h u m r t y l w i F w a i t b v

Sometimes you need to purge specific things in order to detect what you need to let go. The point of practicing this is to fundamentally eliminate sources that directly feed the noise. There comes a point where what takes up your time becomes a net-negative investment in your life. You need to be able to detect those particular things, and plan to wean yourself off them effectively. If you don’t,

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T t g s t p y W H i y o y

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April 5 - April 18, 2019

Health and Fitness

What The Flax…

by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist

There are a few nutritional things that I suggest which get certain reactions; flaxseed is usually one of these things. When told to incorporate this into your diet, you may immediately say…

WHAT? No way! Yuck!

However, before you count it out, let’s break down why you might want to keep an open mind about adding it to your daily routine.

Flaxseed has been around for centuries and is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. This small, golden-colored seed has the potential to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. It can also improve digestion, complexion, cholesterol, and hormone levels.

of energy minus all the bad kinds of fat. This also helps in reducing inflammation allowing the body to shed excess weight and ultimately making weight loss easier.

Flaxseeds may be small in size, but they contain tons of fiber. Fiber can be either water soluble or insoluble, and it just so happens that flaxseed contains both types making it easier to be flushed from the body by simply drinking water. While flax is high in fiber, it actually contains very few carbs making it a good source of energy without the sugar. Flaxseeds also contain high levels of mucilage gum which is a gel-forming fiber that is water soluble and benefits the

intestinal tract by keeping the food from emptying into the small intestines too fast, increasing nutrient absorption. Both soluble and insoluble fiber supports body detoxification and fat loss, and reduces sugar cravings. As you can guess, this amazing fiber content also leads to being a great digestive benefit. Finally, all this fiber helps trap the fat and cholesterol during digestion preventing it from being absorbed by the body.

Adding flaxseeds to your diet will also make hair, nails, eyes, and skin healthier. Shiny hair and strong nails will not happen overnight, but by tossing a tablespoon or two of ground

So how does this tiny seed do all this?

flaxseed in your daily eggs, oatmeal, or smoothie, you will see a significant difference soon. You may even see an improvement in acne, rosacea, and eczema due to the essential fats and B-vitamins which reduce dryness and flakiness.

We know antioxidants are important for our bodies to function, and it just so happens that flaxseeds contain them as well. An antioxidant is a molecule that prevents oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation in molecules is a chemical reaction that may produce free-radicals that, in turn, may lead to chain reactions that damage cells. Flaxseeds are abundant in lig-

nans, a group of chemical compounds found in plants.

They have a higher antioxidant value compared to any other fruit or vegetable. Lignans may have the ability to support the immune system and even act as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for women.

Flaxseeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well which help lower levels of depression by boosting the effects of antidepressants and may help cure the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder. They also help reduce inflammation and contain DHA that is important for visual and neurological development, and can even reduce the mental overactivity of those with ADHD and enhance their memory.

Finally, the combination of omega-3 fat, lignans, and high dietary fiber has been shown to reduce the size of tumors and help prevent and fight cancer and heart disease.

Let’s start with the one that highly interests most all of us -- weight loss. Flaxseed makes an excellent, all natural dietary supplement when trying to lose weight. While you may want to eat less to lose weight, this is not always the healthiest option; it is more about what you eat.

Flaxseed is a very fibrous which helps you feel fuller as you try to correct your eating habits. Its high fiber content and low calorie count benefit the body by still providing the necessary source

Flaxseed may not be the most exciting addition to your diet from a taste perspective, but from a health benefit side, it is certainly worth considering.

For more information regarding a personalized general or sports nutrition plan contact me at Prime Performance 423-805-0870.

256-434-7532 423-805-0870 www.getprimednow.com April 5 - April 18, 2019

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Page 15

Cover Story

Athens Bible School: A Different Environment By Design

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

dall Adams puts it, the ultimate goal then and now was to “help kids reach heaven.” The school is currently located on the old Ryan family homestead and school was first held in the Ryan farmhouse; and in just a few weeks, the brand new Athens Bible School will open its doors in time to have the class of 2019 graduate in an air-conditioned gymnasium.

The City of Athens has been blessed in 2019 with the building of both a beautiful public high school as well as the nearly-completed ABS facility; and they are located right across from each other on Highway 31 near the Sportsplex. Completing both building proj-

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ects has been a lesson in patience for all involved, especially due to the record level of rainfall we have had.

The Athens Bible School building project has been under the careful and loving supervision of local builder Lynn Persell, who himself attended elementary at Athens Bible School. I spoke with Gayle Hagewood, who is the Assistant Director of Development, and with Randall Adams, who attended ABS in the first through fourth grades. It’s easy to discern their love for kids, God, and making an excellent education possible for children in Athens-Limestone County.

Gayle went to ABS from grades 1-12, and her four children graduated from ABS as well.

Randall’s daughters attended ABS, as did his wife, Jill. These families are “all in,” and are moved by the blessing that has been unfolding all around them.

There are detailed plans already in place for the actual move, and as soon as the Certificate of Occupancy is in their hands, they will “move on down the road,” room by room. If all goes as planned, the move will be smooth and the transition will be orderly. The students will have had a hand in the process, and have already helped with the landscaping at the new location.

Before Randall Adams became the president, he was a school counselor as well as a

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Athens Bible School, 1949 history teacher. One of the features of the new school that is important to him will be the three historical displays which will have a new home. One has several historical documents, including a copy of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender that Japan signed when they surrendered at the end of WWII. The second display will commemorate the ABS founders: Bennie Lee Fudge, Jack

Rollings, and Irven Lee. The Eisenhower Gallery includes items donated by Lucy Dawson Eisenhower, Ike’s sister-in-law and great aunt of former ABS Board Member Ross Melvin. The new school will display all three themes, and each will have a place of honor. Gayle said that “tying the old with the new” was one of their goals, and they are pleased with how it’s

April 5 - April 18, 2019

all coming together.

The new facility will have 42 acres, and the 13-acre present location is for sale with several entities indicating an interest in it.

On the day they move from the old location to the new one, everyone is going to make the one-mile walk up Hwy 31, which Randall Adams says will be a “symbolic migration.” And, the march will be supervised by the Athens Police Department.

Speaking of law enforcement, a father and son team will be serving as the school’s security force. Retired Limestone County Sheriff’s Captain Stanley McNatt and his son, Athens Police Department Sergeant Daniel McNatt, will be watching

April 5 - April 18, 2019

out for students and staff.

As grand as all this is -- the new school building, the history, the community support, the vision -- what is it that sets Athens Bible School apart and makes it a good choice for your children? It is the commitment to develop your child’s spiritual life, instill Biblical principles, complete a rigorous course of academic study, and have the opportunity to be part of an awardwinning Class 1A athletic program, while surrounded by great peers and staff.

said Gayle. “We provide a foundation for life,” said Randall. Athens Bible School participates in the Mayor’s Youth Commission, and ABS is part of the Dual Enrollment program in cooperation with Calhoun Community College. Graduating seniors have the opportunity to finish high school with an associate degree, and Mr. Adams esti-

“We teach leadership in addition to everything else,”

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mates that the potential combination of frontand back-end educational savings is somewhere near $150K; so the investment in a private Christian education is a solid one on every level. Proverbs 22:6 sums it all up: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The staff at the “comingsoon” Athens Bible School is waiting to help you do just that!

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Conferences, Classes and Camps

by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 It is not too late to register for the 4th Annual Women’s Symposium on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Dynetics Solutions Complex, in Huntsville. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Glass Ceiling: No More Limits.”

We are pleased to welcome speakers Dr. Ruth D. Jones, Branch Chief for Industrial Safety Branch at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville; Dr. Anne Marie Reidy, founder of Women4Women OBGYN; Ms. Julie Schumacher, President and CEO of KODA Technologies; Ms. Mary (Cathy) Dickens, who retired after a 37-year career as a civilian manager with the U.S. Army and joined COLSA in July 2015; and Ms. Jackie Warner, a Strategic HR Leader with over 20 years of experience in industry and human resources. She is the United States Division Senior Advisor of Talent Acquisition with Saputo Dairy Foods.

Your $59 registration fee will include 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

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Learning 8260.

at

256-233-

Back by popular demand, we are offering another Basic Blacksmith class on Saturday, May 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A blacksmith is a metalsmith who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal and using tools to hammer, bend, and cut. Whether you take the course for artistic reasons or for practical tool making, this class will teach you all the basics you will need for other projects.

The class is taught

by Travis Fleming and Al Stephens, local blacksmith artists and business owners. You can register on our website or you can call 256-233-8260.

craft projects and painting, pottery, and cooking.

And we can’t forget the sports camps. This year archery will be back for beginners and advanced learners. We will also

have soccer and golf.

With so much variety, there will surely be something for everyone.

You can watch for information on our website – www.athens.edu/CLL

- or call us at 256-2338260. Our website is updated regularly; so you will want to visit often to learn about new classes, concerts, camps, and trips.

I know that it seems impossible, but time is flying and it is only a couple of months until summer. Are you ready for kids to be out of school?

At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we are preparing several Summer Camp opportunities. There will be science camps featuring STEM projects, slime, Legos and film animation.

There will be language arts camps that feature creative writing and American Sign Language.

There will be art camps that feature

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April 5 - April 18, 2019

Jerry’s Journal

Twelve Lives of “Crash Baker” Part II

by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com

December 14, 1970, began like most days for chopper pilot, Warrant Officer Hal Baker stationed at Can Tho, South Vietnam. He would fly another dangerous mission, something he’d become accustomed to over the past ten months.

Christmas was approaching and with a little luck he would spend the New Year holiday in Sydney, Australia, for much needed R & R. His first R & R was to have been in Bangkok, but a gunshot had put him on crutches and he didn’t want to go there hobbling around. Good luck didn’t always favor Baker.

A chopper pilot’s average life expectancy in Vietnam was 19 minutes. If Baker survived another two months, he’d be leaving this green hell hole for sweet home Indianapolis.

Today would be different.

As a member of C Troop, 16th Cavalry, Baker flew one of two Loach (OH58) choppers at near ground level -- one of the most dangerous helicopter assignments in Vietnam.

The Loaches were scouts and marked the targets. A Huey flew at 1,000 feet as command, control, and rescue. Two Cobra gunships were at 1,500 feet providing covering fire. They were a hunter-killer team.

They hunted the enemy and killed them. C Troop averaged over 120 kills a month. It was dangerous work. Life expectancy dropped to only 11 seconds once contact with the enemy was made.

It was a nice day in the Mekong Delta. Baker was

April 5 - April 18, 2019

flying 10 feet above ground when the Cobras spotted two enemy soldiers running through tall elephant grass.

“They guided us to their position after we agreed to give them any war trophies we found,” says Baker.

“They would trade them to the Air Force for a box of steaks.”

Baker zeroed in on the targets and immediately began receiving return fire. “The elephant grass was about 8 feet tall. I couldn’t see them but could see their path by the waving grass.” Baker rolled in and squeezed the trigger on his mini-gun that spit out 2,000 rounds per minute. Both men dropped, one on top of the other.

They were NVA (North Vietnamese Army) and one carried a leather pouch over his shoulder. “We wanted the pouch. It could contain intelligence or at the least, it could be traded for steaks.”

He slowly descended over the tall elephant grass and landed his right skid on the bodies. The left skid remained suspended a few feet over the ground.

The door gunner stepped out on the skid and grabbed the leather pouch. Then, the nose of the chopper slowly turned to the right. Baker thought the tail rotor was tangled in the grass. He saw blood and small pieces of flesh in the cockpit and on the left side of his face and helmet. Someone had been shot! He looked down at his left thigh and saw a hole the size of a silver dollar. “I’ve been shot!” He exclaimed.

He was bleeding out. “I knew I had to get my gunner out before I passed out.” He lifted off and landed in the

fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 middle of a rice paddy and a hornet’s nest of enemy coming at him. They were at point blank range and firing.

For gallantry in action, Baker was awarded a Silver Star, our nation’s third highest decoration for bravery.

Unable to walk, Baker hung onto his gunner with one arm and fired his .45 pistol at the charging enemy. He kept firing as he struggled aboard a rescue chopper. They lifted off and headed to the hospital. A South Vietnam medic aboard attempted to administer morphine and treat his wound, but Baker refused.

He was concerned about infection. “I didn’t want his dirty hands on me.” So, he treated himself.

Baker missed R & R in Sydney, instead he was going home.

Later in the hospital, a bullet form a WWII Mauser was found lodged in Baker’s body armor. That’s when he learned that the enemy who shot him was in a spider hole just a few feet beneath him. If he had been firing an AK-47, like they usually did, the outcome would have been different. Again, Baker’s luck had held. That was the ninth time he’d been shot down. The other three crashes were mechanical.

He was confined to a stretcher on the flight from Tokyo to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. “They told us if we could walk into the hospital, we could go home,” said Baker. He was flown to Ft. Knox, got off at the hospital, but didn’t have any clothes. His nurse whose husband was a pilot, brought Baker clothes and drove him to the airport in Louisville. “My twin brother, Carold, picked me up at the Indianapolis airport, and I arrived home on Christmas Eve.” Baker’s departure to Vietnam was far more pleasant than returning home. He was on crutches and a young lady asked him, “Why are you limping?”

“Got shot in Vietnam,” he replied.

Baker’s commander of Delta Aviation, a colonel, came to visit him in the hospital and asked if he was going home. “No sir, I’ll be back in 2 to 3 weeks,” replied Baker.

“Baby killer!”

“We’ll see about that Thirteen. I don’t have time to keep coming here and checking on you,” the colonel said.

Baker moved to Huntsville in 1972, and still pushing his luck, worked for Huntsville Police Department for about a year as an undercover drug cop. His long black hair was matched by a bushy mustache. He hung around bars and became acquainted with drug dealers -- and even bought them drinks with his expense account. Baker worked about

A few minutes later, the doctor came in. “You’re ordered home,” he said.

“They either don’t want me on their conscience or else I’m costing them too much money,” Baker quipped.

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Says Baker, “The next girl that asked me what happened I told her I was shot by the police. She was sympathetic and thought that was cool.”

30 cases during this time.

Before making a buy, dealers always asked him if he was an undercover NARC. “I always told them I was,” says Baker, “but they never believed me.”

During this period, Baker met Karan Thornton, daughter of former Athens Dodge dealer, Franklin Thornton. Her grandmother was Birdie Thornton.

They have been married 44 years and have one child, Jeff, a Vanderbilt Law graduate and Associate Law Professor at Pepperdine University, Malibu, California.

Baker spent 32 years crop dusting and 10 years flying a med flight chopper -- you’ve probably heard him fly over Athens many times.

In addition to a Silver Star for bravery, Baker holds 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during aerial flights, 3 air medals for acts of heroism while in aerial flights, 2 air medals for meritorious achievement during flights, 2 Purple Hearts for combat wounds, and several lesser decorations.

“I’m proud of all the awards, but being a flyer, I’m prouder of the five Distinguished Flying Crosses,’ says Baker.

Nowadays, about the most dangerous activity that “Crash Baker” does is climb a ladder. He and Karan will occasionally purchase a house in the Athens Historic District which they upgrade and re-sell. They live on East Street.

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Dog Barker

Want A Good Trained Dog?

by Joel Allen

So do I. There is nothing better than a well-behaved dog who becomes that next family member. Just a quick note to all my readers, there are many dogs waiting at the shelters and pounds who are already well behaved. Most are there by circumstance.

Believe me when I tell everyone a dog that enters your life will always act differently. Many will be grateful and some, sadly, will not be so quick to trust.

Those that seem this way have been through a trauma we can only imagine, and when they are mistreated, that is evil.

Case in point: Many years ago my Aunt Angie witnessed some kids beating a puppy in the head with

a brick. She immediately took the dog away. They threatened to call the law, and she told them to go ahead. I won’t elaborate too much, just leave it at no one messed with Angie. So, she treated this puppy and, of course, the dog was never right in the head after that.

His name was Bowser.

He was a German shepherd mix and huge like a Great Dane. He was goofy and very loving all the time. Thanks to Angie and Uncle Herman, Bowser lived a full life and was happy.

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his animal; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Now, let us talk about

finding a trainer. What I recommend is to shop around. Don’t just look at how much it will cost but the quality of training that is offered. Does the possible future trainer seem knowledgeable and confident? Do they seem patient and willing to answer your questions fully? What training do they offer? Then find out how much the cost will be if the training desired is being offered.

Some trainers will offer the chance for visiting and observing the training being given to other clients in a group setting.

If this opportunity is offered, I recommend that you take it.

There is another question to consider. What

kind of training is being sought? Will it be private, or is group training what is needed? Prices are always different between private and group training. Private training is usually more because it is “pay as you go,” whereas, group training is a bundle package price for a set time. Private training is customized to what everyone would prefer their dog to learn at home; whereas, group training is offered in a structured order and taught once a week at a location agreed upon, depending on the trainer’s discretion. Private lessons are, most of the time, only done with one dog; group training incorporates more than one dog, thus giving a social setting for your canine family member to learn to get along with other dogs and be less distracted or fearful.

Age can be a key factor in finding a trainer. Some trainers, like myself, do not normally train puppies younger than 6 months. If we do train any puppy younger than 6 months, there are special circumstances involved.

In most cases it will be because the puppy is being groomed for service dog work. But our main reason for not training so young is the need for full vaccinations against diseases. This protects your canine family member(s) and ours.

Now a lot will also depend on your dog’s behavior too. As trainers it is our duty to protect

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the safety of your dog and the others we train with. If we have any aggression issues, they are addressed and resolved.

In some cases we have made accommodations for fearful dogs in our classes. Remember one thing I cannot stress enough to all our clients, if the client is nervous the dog will sense it and be nervous too. So, take a massage, hot bath, or meditate, but try and come to class relaxed.

Your dog will thank you for it.

Note to all: I recently had foot surgery; so I will not be available to assist anyone training their dog for many months. I can advise but as for any physical activity, the doctor says, “NO!” Fortunately for me, I have successfully prepared Frank and Zoey, my two service dogs for this. They walk well with power chairs and my knee scooter. For now, unless something happens, Andrea PerlceNavarre will be covering any training anyone needs. Her number is 256-724-2142. She is as knowledgeable as myself and we are fellow alumni.

“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 5 - April 18, 2019

g n

Mental Health Minute

A “Secondhand” Emotion

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“Where there is anger, there is always pain underneath.”

e . e s - Eckhart Tolle r e I am admitting that I s have struggled with rec, ognizing my own ans ger. I often don’t underd stand it when I feel it, e and I sometimes don’t r know what to do with d it when it happens. So, .

I have become a master at talking myself out of whatever this feeling of danger is. But the more I counsel others, the more I discover the chalrlenges of this emotion.

The anger isn’t usually the problem, it’s often rwhat is buried underyneath and/or the action taken. Anger is a natural dand mostly automatic eresponse to pain, either physical or emotional. sThe dictionary definirtion is “a strong feeling gof annoyance, displea-sure, or hostility.” Anger tends to occur when we edon’t feel well, we feel srejected, we feel threatsened, or we experience fa loss. The type of pain we feel is unpleasant, and because anger does not occur in isolation, it is often characterized as a “secondhand” emotion. The pain alone is not enough to cause the anger. Anger develops when pain and an angertriggering thought combine.

and ourselves control our moods and our behaviors. Therefore, the thoughts that can trigger anger include our own personal assumptions and interpretations of situations that makes us think that pain will follow. Anger is definitely a complex social emotion.

It seems that we always have a target for our anger, including ourselves.

When something “bad” happens, we feel pain, combined with those anger-triggering thoughts, which then motivates us to take action. Anger is also second-handed in

that it can be a substitute emotion. Have you ever changed your feelings of pain into anger?

For some of us, it feels better to be angry than it does to be hurting. This changing of emotions from hurting into anger may be done consciously or unconsciously. The advantage of this substitution is primarily for distraction. If you are in pain, you generally think about the pain. But if you are angry, you tend to think about hurting whomever or whatever has caused the pain. The shift of your attention

The feeling of anger does have its advantages. Anger temporarily protects us from having to recognize and deal with painful real feelings. Instead of focusing on the hurting, you get to think about getting back at the people or situations that created the discomfort. Or maybe your anger helps to hide a frightening situation and/or your vulnerability. Sometimes, becoming angry creates a

feeling of righteousness and justice. You may be telling yourself that the people who hurt you are wrong and should be corrected or even punished. You train yourself to become angry with cause. If you can believe that your anger is justified and therefore so are your actions, you can better explain why you felt, thought, and acted a certain way. The problem becomes that the social judgment of our actions of anger creates real consequences for the angry person. You may believe that your anger “justifies” retaliation. The false feeling of righteousness, whether acceptable or not, offers a fleeting boost to self-esteem. I can attest to the fact that I find it more satisfying to acknowledge painful feelings through anger than to accept feelings of vulnerability. The bottom line here is that anger generally does not resolve or address the problems that make you feel afraid or exposed or hurting in the first place.

Next time, we will take a look at the ways anger may be harming your overall health.

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.

As a cognitive-behavior therapist, I believe that our patterns of thought about the world

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goes from focusing on yourself to focusing on someone or something else.

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The Alternative Approach

Stop Poisoning Yourself

by Roy Williams

Americans have been deceived into poisoning themselves for many years now, and what is really unfortunate is that it has all been approved by the FDA. You read it right; you are being poisoned by the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the cosmetics you use, the materials used in building your home.

Unfortunately, the government agency that is supposed to protect you has approved them in spite of the fact that they know they are toxic.

Please allow me to make another bold statement.

These FDA approved chemicals are the main reasons cancer is epidemic in America. I am convinced that, if you have enough money, you can get any chemical approved for human consumption, even those that are known carcinogens.

Ever get into a new car and think to yourself, “Boy, that smells good!�? Many people love that new car smell.

Truth be told, what you are breathing is toxic.

Most building materials used to build your home are toxic. Have the pest

control people come out and spray your home, and you are being poisoned. What is really disturbing is that you can make your home almost totally pest resistant with an essential oil called peppermint oil.

Our water supply is so inundated with industrial hormones that our children’s estrogen levels are high enough to cause girls to develop breast and begin menstrual cycles almost 5 years sooner than they did just 50 years ago. Take in to account the chlorine and fluoride that is added to our water supply, and you begin to understand what I am talking about.

Drugs, such as those used to treat depression, menopause, and birth control, are now being found in our water supply. Those estrogenmimicking drugs have been linked to higher instances of breast, uterine, and cervical cancers.

The food industry adds preservatives to make the food last longer without even thinking about the long-term effect it has on our health.

To keep plants from be-

ing destroyed by bugs and animals, farmers use pesticides and herbicides which can end up in our food and water supply, as well. Many of these chemicals are called industrial hormones. The dyes used to make our food more visually appealing have been proven repeatedly to cause allergic reactions and other physical illnesses.

Even lotions, shampoos, hair sprays, hair dyes, antiperspirants, lipsticks, and toothpastes can all be toxic. Your skin is like a sponge, soaking up the toxins, which may be cancercausing chemicals, used to give them color, make them smell good, and make them lather and clean better. Many toxic chemicals that are added may be absorbed into your blood stream upon contact with your skin.

As you can see, we are being poisoned by almost everything we take into our bodies. It is becoming harder and harder to make good choices concerning the air we breathe; the water we drink; the food we eat; the drugs we are prescribed; and the lotions, soaps and cosmetics we use.

So, allow me to give you some commonsense advice about how to reduce your exposure and how to clean up the pollution that may already be in your body. Yes, it is possible to avoid some of the toxins and even, in

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many cases, purge many of the pollutions from your body.

1) Up to 5 pounds of weight loss without exercise.

Many of the toxins we breathe may come from the carpeting in our homes and businesses. Using air purification systems has helped many people. Learning to avoid the chemicals that serve no purpose other than making something smell good, look good, or taste good is helpful. Even though it is practically impossible to avoid the industrial hormones that are in the air, food, and water, we can use some wellknown supplements to help move them out of out of your body.

2) More energy and stamina.

At Herbs & More, we suggest everyone do a full-body detox every year. It is just a matter of following some basic instructions which we will give you.

Benefits people shared with us:

have

3) Better concentration and clearer thinking.

4) Less pain, especially in the back and joints.

5) Better medical reports, including lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, less inflammation and pain, improved cardiac output, improved kidney function, improved liver enzyme profiles, fewer sweet cravings, fewer headaches, reduced heavy metals, fewer mood swings, and lower cholesterol profiles.

Go by Herbs & More in Athens or NHC Herbs Shop in Killen with this article and receive a full 30% off the Full Body Detoxification program.

Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

April 5 - April 18, 2019

www.JuicePlus.com

Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC April 5 - April 18, 2019

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