December 21, 2018 Full Paper

December 21st, 2018 - January 4th, 2019

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Christmas In High Cotton...

Some mothers and grandmothers will receive artwork for Christmas this year...

Page 5

PlayAction Sports Milestones And Stepping Stones...

Lindsay Lane’s Tommy Murr and Audra Putman both reached milestones on the basketball court recently and were honored for...

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Herbs & More: What Can Happen When You Give The Gift Of Health

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Clean And Green Our Christmas Heroes…

All Year Around...

As I tried to decide what to write about in this last article of 2018, I decided to deviate from the normal...

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December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

It’s December 21, 2018, and in a few days we will be celebrating the greatest gift of love that has ever been given -- God’s Son, the King, born in a manger amongst barnyard animals, as well as angels, to an undeserving world. While one of the purposes of this advertorial is to let you know there are a number of last minute gifts that are unusual as well as health-building available at the new Herbs & More Continued on pages 16-17

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Josh Moudy, an Herbs & More success story

www.JuicePlus.com

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December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Publisher’s Point

The Bicentennial Of A Beautiful Carol

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Sandra Thompson Rosemary Dewar Jackie Warner Roy Williams Wanda Campbell Deb Kitchenmaster Tim Lambert Holly Hollman

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 From The Vets' Museum . . 10 PlayAction Sports . . . . . . . 11 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . 14 Health & Fitness . . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . 19

I have been thinking about the fact that this is the last edition of Athens Now for 2018, and as always I feel a bit wistful, as this has been a remarkable year on a number of fronts. The most prevalent theme for the year has been “Bicentennial” -- first of Limestone County, and more recently, of the City of Athens. But did you know that in just a few days there is one more bicentennial to celebrate? There is, and it is the 200th birthday of the classic Christmas carol, Silent Night.

It was at St. Nicholas Church, in the town of Oberndorf, near Salzburg, Austria (of Sound of Music fame) on December 24, 1818 that two men sang the song for the first time. One, Joseph Mohr, wrote the lyrics as a poem, and the other, Franz Gruber, wrote the music for guitar; and the simplicity, grace, dignity, and beauty of Stille Nacht has caused this story of the most extraordinary birth in human history to endure unabated through all of the difficult as well as delightful periods and events of the last 200 years. I think back on my grade school days (long before school administrators banned the colors of red and green from school property because they were too “Christmas-y”) when we had a school assembly where we watched a documentary on the history of the song. No one objected to reading it,

Horse Whispering . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approach . . . . 22

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

The former sight of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria

singing it, or performing it, and we even had a live Nativity scene in our public school every year.

Think of this: we have also just commemorated the 100th year anniversary of the end of WWI, and in December of that year Germans, French, Austrians, Brits and Yanks sang out “…sleep in heavenly peace,” knowing that for the first time in years there would be no bombs, no mustard gas, no quest for anything other than armistice. Almost 20 years later, in 1937, the dedication of the Silent Night Chapel took place on the site of the church where the song was first performed. The entire town, including the church, had been moved 800 meters to get out of a continuing flood path, and now a much smaller chapel stood in its place. One year later, Adolf Hitler decided to annex Austria, and once again, Germans and Austrians and the rest of the world had to dig deeper to

remember that someone had come to live among us and then die for us to make sure that we could have “heavenly peace,” too.

Have you ever taken a look at all the verses? They capture the gospel, the promise of “Peace on earth, to men of good will,” and the reminder that this time of year is about way more than ongoing Black Fridays. Here they are. Go ahead and sing all of them without fear or shame.

This is America, people celebrate Christmas, and they have been singing this for 200 years. Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to all!

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born Silent night, holy night!

Son of God love's pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face With dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace

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

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All Things Soldier

“I Have My Limbs.

I Have My Life”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner On the first of February, 2006, not very far from my camp in Iraq, a brave soldier by the name of Specialist Lee Strobino was shot 13 times in the process of apprehending an HVT (high value target) insurgent near the town of Rushdi Mulla.

Lee was hit in the femur, his lung, and one bullet was a through-andthrough wound to his neck. Strobino was part of the 101st Airborne Assault Division attached to 4th Infantry Division, and his unit was successful in “finishing it.”

When Spc. Strobino was wounded, it looked like he was “finished,” but he wasn’t. Instead, he was in the hospital and then rehab for over a year.

During that time, he had to focus on all that was

good, and the gifts in his life. About that tough time Lee says simply, “There’s no way when I can, you know, be down on myself on a situation like that when I have my limbs. I have my life.”

Becoming mobile again wasn’t the only thing Lee wanted to do. Another thing he had to “finish” was his education, and just a few days ago, he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Biology. It almost didn’t happen, however, because of some forms that were apparently filled out incorrectly and an office on campus that

SPC. Lee Strobino: Wounded warrior, Silver Star recipient, and recent MTSU grad he couldn’t find. I imagine that as frustrating as that was, it paled in comparison to being sure that your life was over. In that Iraqi desert, Strobino said to himself, “This is it,” as life was literally oozing

out of him. But it was not his time, and he knows it. After he walked the MTSU stage, he told Fox 17 in Nashville, “It's like a dream, I mean, it's not real. It doesn't feel real, it doesn't seem real in my body, in my mind."

There was one more thing that needed to be “finished,” and that was Spc. Strobino being appropriately recognized by his Commander in Chief for his valor and heroism.

And so, President Trump had the following to commend to Spc. Strobino: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Jay Christopher Strobino, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious achievement and exemplary service as a Team Leader in 3d Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion,

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502d Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), attached to the 4th Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on a mission on 1 February 2006 in Rushdi Mulla, Iraq. Specialist Strobino's exceptional dedication to mission accomplishment, tactical and technical competence, and unparalleled ability to perform under fire and while injured, contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit in Rushdi Mulla, Iraq, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the United States Army.

So, with life, limbs, a Silver Star, a degree, and the thanks of a grateful nation, we send Lee Strobino on his way, and may his story inspire and warm you in the cold of winter.

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Special Feature

Christmas In High Cotton

by Holly Hollman City of Athens Communications Specialist Some mothers and grandmothers will receive artwork for Christmas this year. Members of the Athens Mayor's Youth Commission took an art class at High Cotton Arts and created Christmas angel paintings. One class was taught by Lee Shepherd, and one class by Vickie Camp and Val Rainey.

An anonymous sponsor funded the class for the 40 students from Athens High School, Athens Bible School, Lindsay Lane Christian Academy, and a home-school program in Athens. Half of the Youth Commission took the class on Dec. 18, and the other half took the class on Dec. 19.

ane Lehr, who is also a Youth Commission mentor. "The students were so excited to see what they could create, and I know their mothers and grandmothers will cherish their paintings."

The Youth Commissioners have a different program each month from October through May to learn about city departments, non-profit agencies, and quality of life opportunities in Athens.

"They learned how to look at images as shapes, such as using hearts to form angels," said Athens Arts League Board Vice President Di-

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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Calendar of Events Grief Support Group 1st Thursday Monthly Jan 3rd

The Rockin' New Year's Eve Eve Party Dec 30

Hosted by Amedisys Hospice at Traditions Senior Living of Athens. 22171 Traditions Way, Athens, AL. 11am to noon. Open to the public. All are welcome to meet. First Thursday of every month with the next one being the 3rd of Jan. Questions call Bereavement Coordinator Amy at 256-760-7877.

The Nutcracker - A Yuletide Ballet Dec 21-23

Celebrate your holidays with Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre and The Nutcracker – A Yuletide Ballet. Lee High School Theater, Huntsville, AL. Led by David Herriott and Keren Gibb Hilliard, the Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre dancers present the magical story of Clara and her special Christmas gift a Nutcracker; which comes to life in her dreams to defeat the Mouse King and together they travel through dancing snowflakes to the Land of the Sweets.

Our special guest artist this year is Aaron Melendez, of the Ballet Palm Beach, dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Cavalier.

Tickets are $18 for adults; $12 for children (10 & under) or $14 for Seniors/Military/Students. Discounts are available for large groups. Tickets are available online at www.alabamayouthballet. org/tickets.html; via phone at 256-881-5930; or at the door.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Dec 24

Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Road in Athens. Starting at 6:30PM with choice of glow stick or candle. Join in the singing of your favorite carols and songs. Enjoy the reading of the Christmas Story and finish with Light of the World lighting and Silent Night. friendshipumc.org

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Dec 24

Summit Crossing - Limestone. 740 Roy Long Road East in Athens. 5:00PM-6:00PM for songs and celebration of the season.

Say Goodbye to 2018 Dinner Show Dec 29

Yesterdays Event Center, 15631 Brownsferry Road in Athens.

5:00PM-8:00PM featuring a show with Replay, complete dinner, party hats and favors, door prizes and a balloon drop at 8:00PM to usher out 2018. Advanced ticket purchase required. Bus parking available, e-mail reservations are required by emailing info@yesterdaysevents.com

Spirit of Christmas Tour Dec 30

With Gold City Live at Midway Baptist Church. 26575 U.S. Highway 72 in Athens. 6-9PM. Joining Gold City, Faith Monique.

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With Into the Deep International at Hampton Inn & Suites.

1222 Kelli Drive in Athens. Starting at 6:00PM with festive food, music, games and good times.

New Year's Eve Party Dec 31

Joe Wheeler State Park, 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville.

8:00PM-12:00AM. Packages start at $215.00 which includes a room for two, prime rib buffet for two, breakfast for two, toast at midnight and party favors. Ages 21 and up.

1st Day Hike Jan 1

Joe Wheeler State Park at the Birding Trail at 1st Creek Boat Ramp starting at 10:00AM. Start 2019 off on the right foot with a one-mile round-trip hike with Ranger David. For more information: 256-247-5466.

Coffee Call Jan 5

Veterans of all wars and their families are invited for breakfast and fellowship from 8:00AM-9:30AM at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archive. 100 West Pryor Street in Athens. 256771-7578.

Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting for "Topiary Turtles" Jan 9

Tanner Baptist Church, 11590 U.S. Highway 31S in Tanner.

Starting at 9:00AM with light refreshments followed by program. For more information: AthensGardenClub@aol. com

Auditions for The Wizard of Oz Jan 10

Presented by Footlights Community Theater. First Baptist in Athens - Choir Room. 201 Hobbs St E, Athens, AL 35611.

5PM. Audition sides and forms may be found on our website: www.footlightstheater.com

3rd Annual Alabama-Kentucky Rifle Show Jan 10-12

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville, AL. Featuring a variety of long-rifles. Starts Thursday: 12:00PM; Friday 8:00AM, Saturday 8:00AM. Adults $10.00 each age 16 and under free.

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December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

The Crockpot Christmas

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Twice a year, Mayor Ronnie gets together with a group of judges, community leaders, professionals from various child welfare agencies, along with some lawyers from several states for the purpose of taking a look at some of the changes needed in the system, policies that need to be tweaked and refined, as well as those already made that have measurably improved the lives of at-risk children. In the state of Alabama, there are more than 5,000 children in the foster care system, and this group is looking out for them. Most of you know that the mayor spent decades as an advocate for kids when he worked for DHR, and that is part of the reason he has been so determined to make sure that things like the Mayor’s Youth Commission are more than just a chance to skip school without getting in trouble with the truancy officer. He is passionate about preparing youth for the best possible lives and ongoing success, and perhaps less altruistically, wants to make sure he hands Athens off in better shape than when he started! He called me from the conference, energized as usual, and ready to talk about what is going on in Athens during this, our 200th Christmas.

cluding performance of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from the Messiah was as excellent and stirring as any we have heard. The Youth Commission had a chance to try their hand at creating holiday art at High Cotton Arts. Diane Lehr led the session, which is spoken about in more detail in Holly Hollman’s Special Feature on page 5.

The mayor proceeded to tell me about some “gifts” that have come our city’s way. The first is that there are several entities interested in “redeeming” the “silent blight” which was also known as Pilgrim’s Pride. The deconstruction project has been

going well, even though right now it is not all that pleasant to observe while driving by on Pryor Street. However, when it is finished, and the site is re-purposed as an area perhaps reminiscent of Providence in Huntsville, it will be worth it.

Another gift is that there are economic development programs for places like North town which look promising. “Normally when a federal program comes across my desk, I run the other way,” said Mayor Ronnie. “But,” he added, “in this new economy, there are some possibilities that may just work.

We are looking into them.” One more gift

is that, because of the season of miraculous economic recovery in which we find ourselves and without having to do one thing, 350-thousand dollars has been knocked off our debt load. Talk about getting a Christmas wish!

Mayor Ronnie then turned to the topic of “The Crockpot Christmas.” The allegory had been brought up in a sermon the day before, and contrasted to the idea of “The Microwave Christmas.” As the mayor is one who, like the late George H.W. Bush, has only one speed -- “High” -- he said he was particularly struck by the idea of letting Christmas come together slowly,

with patience, simmering until it is just right, and served up with love.

That is a far cry from trying to “nuke Noel” by “microwaving” it. “We can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season that we forget the reason,” he said.

“You can try to force it, to hurry it, and have it blow up all over the inside of the microwave oven,” and he gave me what I have come to describe over the years as his “Knowing Look.” I smiled in response, and then we prayed. Then it was time for Ronnie to roll, but not before he wished all of you a most Merry Christmas!

First Baptist Church had given their Christmas concert over the weekend, and their con-

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December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Slinkard On Success

Own Up To It

by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Another year is in the books, and if you have not accomplished everything you had hoped for, my question is what are you waiting for? There is no magical fairy that is going to bring your dreams to you in the middle of the night. There is no easy shortcut to finding the success you desire.

You are going to need to work for everything you want to accomplish, and why not start now to achieve your success? This seems to be a valid question, yet we live in a society that supports the premise of not wanting to fail.

If you go about life trying not to fail or trying not to make a mistake, I am here to tell you that failure is imminent, and you are going to make mistakes. I compare this ideology to that of a sports team that tries playing to not lose in the final minutes of a ball game. It is inevitable in sports that when a team plays not to lose a ballgame, they are going to end up losing. Why? It comes down to them killing the momentum that they had going for them.

if we played it safe? Do you think Donald Trump would be where he is in life if he would have played it safe? Even on a local level, would Mayor Ronnie Marks be where he is if he would have played it safe and had never ran for office?

The answer is obvious, and even though we can see the big picture in other people's lives, too often we miss what is happening in our own lives.

In the year 2019, you need to promise yourself that you will not allow the same old things to happen in the new year that you did in previous years. If you think about what held you back in 2018, what would you say it was?

For me, I know that the person who typically holds me back is the one

that stares back at me in the mirror. We need to learn how to get out of our own way. We need to be prepared to take an all-out blitz on what we want to achieve in 2019.

Before we can attack 2019, we need to understand what our game plan is going to be. In talking with people, the most surprising thing I find is the number of people who are going through life just drifting about; and whatever life throws at them, they will then react to the daily struggles as they come instead of being prepared. There is a saying: “You can be the bug or you can be the windshield.” Which one are you?

Commit to being the windshield in 2019.

Commit to not being the victim. If you fail at

something, own up to it.

Stop placing blame on others. Too often in life when things do not go our way, we want to find someone else to blame.

Stop it! If your decisions in life have led you to sleeping on your parent's couch, stop blaming other people. Understand there may be a life event that causes you to temporarily retreat, but in life you must be trying to move forward and attack each day with some aggressiveness.

I recently heard a new terminology for parents these days. We are all aware of the “helicopter parents” but, apparently, the new breed of parents is what is known as “lawnmower parents.”

These are the parents who mow down any obstacles that may come in the way of their kids.

It is time we take responsibility for what we achieve. We need to be honest with ourselves about our shortcomings and our attributes.

The problem is that we are quick to highlight our attributes but dumbfounded when it comes to our shortcomings. Be honest with yourself if you want to achieve success. I am a firm believer that you must take the time over the next few weeks and focus in on what your goals for 2019 will be.

Any person that fails to plan is actually planning to fail; and no matter how great you think you are, you will not be exempt from this truth.

The year is almost over.

What are you going to do to ensure your success in 2019? No one else will do it for you.

We are guilty of killing the momentum we could potentially have in life because we want to play it safe. Just think about where we would be in society

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Flags Over Athens Program Needs Your Support!

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close; to say that 2018 went by quickly is an understatement.

As the holidays near, I would like to remind everyone of a very special program that benefits not only veterans but the entire community. If you are looking for a unique gift that keeps on giving for your special veteran, why not consider a flag in the Flags over Athens program.

“Flags over Athens” was launched in 2009 by a group of local citizens who thought it would great to honor and remember our veterans. The flags were still flying on Veterans Day thanks to our local American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 21 of Athens.

As one of America’s

the flags are being put up or taken down, please proceed with caution. We normally have a buffer, such as a police escort, but it is sometimes a dangerous task when cars are zooming by paying no attention to what is going on. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, we are also losing flags;

leading veteran’s service organizations for more than 75 years, AMVETS has a proud history of assisting veterans and sponsoring numerous programs that serve our country and its citizens.

Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who honorably served, or currently serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National

Guard and Reserves.

Lyle Sadler, Commander of Post 21, says it is an honor to be part of the “Flags over Athens” program and that the members of their post are happy to put the up and take them down; however, he would also like to ask for help from the public with a couple of issues. If you see that so, if you see a flag that has fallen from its post or pole and can get to it safely, please pick it up and return it to the AMVETS post located on Black Road or to the Alabama Veterans Museum. “We used to have enough flags to place them on US Hwy 31 and on Hobbs Street on both sides; but now we barely have enough to do half of Hobbs Street,” said Sadler. If you would like to donate a new 3x5 nylon flag to the program, we would also appreciate that.

For a fee of $75, resi-

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dents may honor a veteran or a currently serving member of the military with a flag to be displayed either on US Hwy 31 or Hobbs Street. Flags will be displayed on Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, POW-MIA Day, and Veterans Day. The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives

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will have on permanent display a plaque with the names of each person honored with a flag. To purchase a flag, or for more information, please contact Lyle Sadler at 256444-2793. We hope to grow the program next year and be able to place flags all the way up both sides of Hobbs St. There is just something about seeing all of those flags waving in the wind! On behalf of the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, we hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

L M m s b w a w 3 d m i m B G F l 3 i b

A B e n A D a s T u L i a a a a a a

J D 4 i h K W t j t T r t

M a s

PlayAction Sports

Milestones And Stepping Stones

by Tim Lambert

Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net! email: playactionsports@hotmail.com

Lindsay Lane’s Tommy Murr and Audra Putman both reached milestones on the basketball court recently and were honored for their achievements—Tommy was recognized for his 3,000 points while Audra hit the 1,000-point mark. In what we hope is a stepping stone, former Tanner star Kirsten Brown was named as Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week, leading Delta State to a 3-0 record while averaging 14.3 points, five rebounds, and two steals.

Athens High’s Kannon Biggs and James Clemens’ Daevion Davis were named to the Alabama All-Star football team.

Davis had 3 tackles in the annual game with Mississippi earlier this week.

The Alabama team came up short 24-20. The East Limestone boys’ bowling team claimed the area title, going 10-0 in area play and 14-0 overall; the Lady Indians are area co-champions with a 9-1 record, 10-3 overall.

James Clemens' Simeon Dorsey won the boys' 400 meter dash at the JV indoor meet in Birmingham. Gary Landrum, Kendall Russell, and Willie Campbell were the top three in the triple jump; Landrum came in third in the long jump.

The boys' 4x200 meter relay team also finished third.

More James Clemens athletes signed scholarships: Elizabeth Hol-

comb (South Alabama, track and cross country), Daevion Davis (Vanderbilt, football), Jamil Muhammad (Vanderbilt, football) and Zach Hopkins (Mercer, football).

The Athens youth basketball season has begun.

If you’d like to keep up with where your favorite players will be in action, go online to www.athensal.us/392/Schedulesand-Standings.

Highlights from this year’s basketball season so far: Ardmore: The Ardmore girls beat Decatur Heritage, Lindsay Lane, Huntland, West Morgan, Elkmont, and East Limestone. The Tigers defeated Huntland (TN), Lindsay Lane, and Cornersville. Both teams topped Clements and Madison County.

Athens Bible School: The Lady Trojans opened their season with a win over Heritage Christian.

The boys defeated Waterloo and Whitesburg Christian.

Athens High: Both varsity teams beat Decatur. The boys turned back LaVergne (TN) and West Limestone, while the Lady Golden Eagles downed Buckhorn, Haleyville, and Columbia.

Clements: Varsity sweeps came against Cornersville. The Lady Colts posted a win over Tanner.

East Limestone: Victories came for varsity

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Lindsay Lane junior Audra Putman (right, with sister Alex) hits 1,000-point mark Photo credit: Dean Baucom teams against Lauderdale County, Athens, and Tanner. The boys defeated Ardmore and Madison Academy.

The Lady Indians also topped James Clemens, Haleyville, Cornersville, and Lexington.

Elkmont: Boys’ and girls’ teams won against Clements and Lexington.

The Red Devils were on the winning end of their matchup with Ardmore; the girls posted wins over Lindsay Lane, Hatton, and East Lawrence.

James Clemens: Jets teams beat Columbia, Grissom, and Decatur. The boys also defeated East Limestone, LaVergne, LAMP, and Hazel Green.

Oakwood Academy, Falkville, Colbert Heights, and Skyline.

Lindsay Lane athletic director John Wilson recognizes junior Tommy Murr for 3,000 points.

Photo credit: Anita Whitmire

Tanner: Both varsity teams topped Ardmore and Colbert County. The Rattlers got by Priceville and Tharptown; the Tanner girls beat Hamilton and Oakwood Academy.

West Limestone: Varsity teams scored victories against Clements, Priceville, Elkmont and Brooks. The boys defeated Lawrence County, Danville and Clements.

The Lady Wildcats also fended off Lexington, Fayetteville, Clements, St. John Paul II, and Athens.

Listen for our Limestone County basketball teams in action this season. Go online to www.pasnetwork.net to hear it online or download the PlayAction Sports app. You can also tell Alexa to “Open PlayAction Sports” to keep up with the action on your Amazon Echo device.

Lindsay Lane: Boys’ and girls’ teams swept ABS. The Lions bested Elkmont, Huntland,

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Clean and Green

Our Christmas Heroes…

All Year Around

by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful As I tried to decide what to write about in this last article of 2018, I decided to deviate from the normal KALB-related topics.

As I thought about story ideas, I was reminded of a poem that I wrote two years ago that was read as part of the entertainment at the annual Athens Ladies Civitan Operation Santa luncheon. This event is put on each year to bring joy to the clients of the Limestone County Mental Health Center by providing a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, music, presents, and a bit of entertainment.

Many clients anxiously await this event each year, and I have come to know several who attend annually. It is a happy occasion which I personally enjoy.

Christmas should be a time of giving, of remembering, and of being thankful, although it often becomes a time of anxiety, overspending, and exhaustion. If I had one wish for Christmas, it would be that we could

all remember, and remind our children, that Christmas is NOT our birthday.

Santa and presents and all the secular activities of Christmas are wonderful; however, there are so many other wonderful ways to celebrate and give a gift to the Savior whose birthday it is by remembering those who may be overlooked.

In that spirit, I would like to suggest that we take a moment to give back by remembering the heroes in our community…the police who put their lives on the line every day to protect us, the firefighters who go into dangerous situations when everyone else is running out, the linemen who work to bring electricity back to our homes in the midst of storms, and the medical personnel who will give up their holidays to care for those too sick to

be home for Christmas.

I would like to invite you to send a card, a plate of cookies, or even a homecooked meal to your local police station, fire station, utility department, nursing home, or hospital to say thank you and to let them know their sacrifices are appreciated.

I would like to share this whimsical poem with the community again this year for two reasons. First, because it is a fun Athens story to share with your kids, and also because I hope it will open a dialogue about our first responders and what they truly do for our community.

Now you’ll have to excuse me while I write some thank you notes and bake some cookies.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com

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A Story Of An Athens Christmas Long Past...

There is quite a story of a Christmas long past, When in Athens, Alabama Christmas was coming fast.

Everyone was rushing ‘round the Courthouse Square To buy last minute presents and wrap them with care.

The weather was changing and brought quite a surprise, As huge snowflakes came down from out of the skies.

Snow fell and it fell and piled up oh, so deep.

Mayor Marks said, “Well this night I won’t get much sleep!”

The weathermen said it would be a light snow, But it kept coming down and made quite a show!

The children were giddy as they watched it pile up.

“We’ll build snowmen, make snowballs, and have snow cream in our cups!”

Then all of a sudden the storm caused a shout.

“Oh, my goodness, it can’t be! The lights have gone out!

How will Santa find us with no lights to guide him?”

Now for sure Mayor Marks knew that sleep would not find him.

Santa’s sleigh had been loaded with presents galore, But the elves told the reindeer, “We have so much more!”

The reindeer all trying to stay out of the way, Wondered how in the world

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they could pull such a sleigh!

As they headed toward Athens it was not to be found.

They only saw darkness as they searched all around.

People all over Athens were watching the storm, But saw something else that was out of the norm.

Out of the darkness came several bright lights, Shining up through the snow clouds and into the night.

It was Athens firefighters and police all around, Using spotlights to shine to the sky from the ground.

Mayor Marks shouted, “Everyone keep those lights bright!

We must guide Santa’s sleigh to Athens this night.

Men and women of Athens, your task as it’s storming – To be sure there are presents under each tree in the morning!”

As Santa came closer to Athens that night, He saw in the distance a convergence of light.

He knew in a flash it was Athens ahead, And he hoped all the children were snug in their beds.

Santa was led to each home in the town.

He found every last chimney he had to slide down.

The children awoke with squeals of delight.

Athens’ Christmas was saved by our heroes that night!

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Cooking with Anna

Christmas Time is Here…

by Anna Hamilton

“Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer. Fun for all, the children call their favorite time of year.

Christmas time is here, we’ll be drawing near. Oh, that we could always see such Spirit through the year.”

Christmas time truly is my favorite time of the year.

Everyone is full of hope, love, and cheer. There’s a feeling of magic in the air as we hustle and bustle in the cold wintry air. With all the hustle and bustle, having a quick and easy Christmas casserole for Christmas breakfast is essential. This recipe is as delicious as it is easy.

My husband, Jon, is the true Christmas fan of my family. He begins to listen to Christmas music as early as he can on the radio (to be honest, it’s been playing on our car radio since November 1). He wants to make sure everyone has presents to open and everyone has a magical holiday. About two weeks before the big day, he plans Christmas events for every evening -- looking at holiday lights, watching Christmas movies, going

to small-town Christmas parades, baking Christmas goodies … he loves to spread holiday cheer.

Jon’s spirit is infectious. He has made my heart grow to be full of holiday love. No matter our circumstances, he is always joyous. He reminds me how important it is to cherish every minute I have to spend with my loved ones this time of the year. Jon reminds me of how loved I am and how much he loves our whole family. He reminds me to reflect on the multitude of blessings that have been bestowed on our family.

I want to share a beautiful prayer that was on a Christmas card we received years ago. My husband lives this prayer every day, every year. I hope to embody this prayer this year and hope to keep the Spirit of the season in my heart all year long. “May the harmony of Christmas stay in your heart all year round and may the Lord send his blessings. May God bless you and let this Christmas season bring comfort and joy to you and your family. Let the Lord send good tidings and the angels sing with joy! I wish you gladness and peace in the New Year!”

Cheesy Ham and Hash Brown Casserole What You Need:

1 (32 oz.) package of frozen hash browns 1 8 oz. diced ham 1 tsp onion powder 2 cans (10.75 oz.) cream of potato soup 1 (16 oz.) sour cream 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 ½ cups parmesan cheese, grated Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish

Directions:

Mix hash browns, ham, onion powder, cream of potato soup, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Spread evenly in pan and sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 1 hour until light brown and bubbly.

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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The Millennial Mind

It’s A Wonderful Christmas Carol

by Rosemary Dewar During the Christmas season, two of the most recognized stories have been Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life.

An amazing parallel was revealed to me by award-winning author Andrew Klavan. On two separate occasions he demonstrated that these two stories are perfect mirrors of one another. I became so fascinated by the observation that I think you would appreciate it as well. Ebenezer Scrooge and George Bailey could not be more diametrically opposed at the beginning of their stories. However, both characters are fated to learn the same lesson, and are both redeemed by them. Life, and the love for it, will save the most damned or heavyhearted of souls.

We are introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge, who is as an educated, elderly, wealthy bachelor.

He is fundamentally disliked by his community and family, but many show pity on him in the hopes of being benefitted by his charity; but to no avail. Ebenezer is a money-lender that is so parsimonious that his clients become destitute, and his only clerk practically suffers from hypothermia every winter under his employment.

Ebenezer is content to live and die near to where he resides, and doesn’t seem to mind what oth-

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commitment to her after he postpones their union yet again.

In the present, Ebenezer witnesses his only nephew and employee pry a blessing for Ebenezer out of their guests and family members. As Ebenezer peers into the future, he sees that he is dead, and there is not a kind word shared over his deers think of him. George Bailey, in contrast, is a young lad that hopes to travel everywhere and learn everything in order to become an architect.

George’s life quickly changes as the death of his father directs him to take over the family’s lending business. As he stays in his hometown, George gets married and has four children.

One fateful night comes to both men on the heels of Christmas. Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the tormented spirit of his old business partner, Jacob Marley. He is warned that if he continues to live out his days in the state he is in, he will end up in the same torturous peril Jacob is in now. Marley foretells the arrival of three more spirits that will visit him in order to possibly save him from the same misfortune. As for George Bailey, he is faced with the threat of losing the family business. In a moment of desperation, George meets with his dreaded competitor, Mr. Potter. Potter

is so heartless that he tells George that his life insurance policy makes him more valuable dead than alive. Depressed and raw, George goes home and projects his frustration on his family, is filled with guilt, and drives to the nearest bar. After getting thrown out, he crashes his car in to a bridge, and contemplates ending his misery right then and there. An angel, Clarence, visits him by jumping in first, and George saves him instead.

As they commiserate, George wishes he had never been born, and Clarence grants his wish.

Ebenezer and George are taken on a journey through the past, present, and future in the reality of their choices. Ebenezer sees his childhood that is lonely except for the warmth of his sister, Fannie. He then sees the time he first met his fiancée, Belle, but re-experiences her release of his

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parture. George Bailey, on the other hand, sees his childhood, but discovers that his only brother died from falling though ice, because if he was never born, he was not there to save him. George also sees his wife, but she is a dowdy librarian. If he was never born, she never gets married and has their four children. His competitor ends up owning the whole town, and the people are rather oppressed by his influence.

They are both radically redeemed by their experience. Ebenezer blesses the Christmas spirits, awakens the next morning, and rewards those closest to him. He gives his only nephew and his wife gifts, and visits his employee to deliver Christmas dinner and give him a raise and proclaims, “God bless us, everyone.” Similarly, George Bailey first demands his life back, and once he returns, he gives thanks for his wrecked car. He runs back home and gives thanks for his wife and children.

After all the kindness he and his family gave the community, the entire community and his brother Harry come to his house to financially save him.

Harry toasts George, calling him the richest man in town.

The need for one another is the same in all of us -- whether rich, poor, young, or old. In the Christmas season, it is in our need for Jesus Christ where we find that redemption which feeds us, warms us, and makes us whole. These two stories show how important it is to find comfort in the most vital experiences of living life: family, friends, community, faith, kindness, and determination. The easiest way to sum it up is to love when it is the hardest.

Yes, you have to persevere.

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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Health and Fitness

What Is Arthritis?

by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.

Arthritis is a very common joint condition that is not well understood. “Arthritis” is not a single disease, but a common way to refer to joint pain or joint disease.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions.

Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go, and they can be mild to severe. Arthritis symptoms may stay the same for years or may progress and get worse with age. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to conduct daily activities, and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. Arthritis can even cause permanent joint changes.

Listed below are arthritis classifications: Degenerative Arthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common. When the cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone causing pain, swelling and stiffness.

Over time, joints can lose strength and pain may become chronic. Risk factors include excess weight, family history, age and a previous injury.

When the joint symptoms of osteoarthritis are mild or moderate, they can often be managed by: •balancing activity with rest •using hot and cold therapy •regular physical activity •keeping a healthy weight •strengthening the muscles around the joint •using a cane or other assistive devices •taking

over-the-counter

enough. In some people, the uric acid builds up and forms needle-like crystals in the joint, resulting in sudden spikes of extreme joint pain, or a gout attack. Gout can come and go in episodes or, if uric acid levels aren’t reduced, it can become chronic, causing ongoing pain and disability.

(OTC) pain medicine or anti-inflammatory medicines

arthritis in people with certain genes.

•avoiding excessive repetitive movements

With inflammatory types of arthritis, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment is critical. Remission is the goal and may be achieved through the use of medications known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve function and prevent further joint damage.

To prevent osteoarthritis, stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid injury and repetitive movements.

Inflammatory Arthritis Sometimes our immune system can go awry and mistakenly attack the joints causing uncontrolled inflammation that potentially results in joint damage and may even damage internal organs, eyes and other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are examples of inflammatory arthritis. Researchers believe that a combination of genetics and environmental factors can trigger these autoimmunity issues.

Smoking is an example of an environmental risk factor that can trigger rheumatoid

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Uric acid is formed as the body breaks down purines, a substance found in our cells and in many foods.

Some people naturally produce more uric acid than is needed or the body can’t get rid of the uric acid quickly

Many things can be done to preserve joint function, mobility and quality of life.

Learning about arthritis and treatment options, making time for physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are essential. Arthritis is often a misunderstood disease. The Arthritis Foundation is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to serving all people with arthritis (arthritis.org). For information about physical activity, consult with your physician, then make an appointment with a personal trainer to develop a fitness program designed to address your individual needs.

Infectious Arthritis A bacterium, virus or fungus can enter the joint and trigger inflammation. Examples of organisms that can infect joints are salmonella and shigella (food poisoning or contamination), chlamydia and gonorrhea (sexually transmitted diseases) and hepatitis C (a blood-to-blood infection). In many cases, treatment with antibiotics may clear the joint infection.

Metabolic Arthritis

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Cover Story

Herbs & More: What Can Happen When You Give The Gift Of Health

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

location, its deeper intent is to celebrate what can happen when a mom and dad with an autistic son are on a mission to do all they can, so that he can be all he can.

Josh Moudy is 25, and until last spring when this story began, rarely had conversations of any length while looking you in the eye, and spent every waking minute playing video games. He engaged in numerous repetitive behaviors, had little interest in maintaining engaging friendships, and dealing with it all was a challenge for Josh, as

well as his family. That began to change through the introduction of three services which are available at Herbs & More: use of the Bio-ElectroMagnetic-Energy-Regulation mat, the Whole Body Vibration (WBV) machine, and the infrared sauna. Mind you, it is necessary at this point to insert the usual disclaimers as to guaranteed outcomes, but what cannot be argued against is that a young man, for whom everything under the sun had been done when it comes to standard medical care and modalities, is measurably improved on a number of fronts.

Josh relaxing on the Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation mat The only thing that is different is that his parents exposed him to the three above-mentioned types of technologies which wonderfully converged to make a radical improvement in his physical health as well as his social well-being and functioning.

We are going to talk about the three services, and finish with Josh’s triumphs, which in this season of miracles can only be considered to be miraculous.

The Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation Mat

The Whole Body Vibration (WBV) machine Page 16

Don’t be put off by something that perhaps sounds “out there.” The technology was developed in Germany in 1998, is used through-

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out Europe by numbers of doctors of various specialties, as well as by the Swiss Olympic team.

NASA is currently working on putting energyfield capabilities in the next generation of space suits for astronauts. The body is wonderfully designed to emit and receive low-level electromagnetic energy (as does the earth) and humans need exposure to the right kind of that energy in order to help cells with circulation, absorption of nutrients, regeneration, and waste disposal.

The mat helps with the production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. ATP is a highly complex compound that provides energy for everything from muscle contraction to chemical synthesis.

We mess up our levels of ATP through our diets, lifestyles, and overexposure to electronic devices.

The Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation mat is used once or twice a day for only 8 minutes. You lay on it, and I can say from experience that I have become so quickly relaxed that I fell asleep for a re-invigorating minipower nap. That was the first thing Josh tried, and he did a treatment once a day for eight minutes each time. The result that first caught his mom’s attention was how much calmer Josh was. He was also sleeping better. One time when they were caught in traffic, Josh was getting agitated and started

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

complaining, getting angrier as they went on.

Josh stopped, looked at his Mom, and said, “Listen to me and all this negativity. I need to be more positive.” Gwen told me that this was BIG because he had recognized and controlled the anxiety.

Incidentally, this magnetic-energy field technology is cleared for use by the FDA, and one of the things it is also used for is grief. People who have lost loved ones or have experienced trauma report feeling less “trashed” after a series of treatments.

Whole Body Vibration Machines (WBV) The WBV machines were developed for the purpose of restoring lost bone and muscle mass for cosmonauts and astronauts after long stints in space. They are also approved for use by the FDA. As is the case with the energy-field technology, the WBV devices first gained extensive exposure, refinement, and acceptance in Europe and then made their way here. Herbs & More has two machines, and I use them often. I always make sure I have a session after I finish a 5K race because the difference in post-race stiffness and soreness is huge. I also find that if I hop on the WBV for about 10 minutes in the late afternoon, I experience an energy boost.

Josh, in the years that he spent in front of a video game screen, got virtually no exercise of any kind. The use of the WBV machines was the second step in his transformation. One of the surprising benefits was that he found he was much less interested in playing video games by the hour, and began on

his own to get more exercise naturally. Kaitlon, an Herbs & More employee who began working at the shop earlier this year, is a strong young woman who does discus, shot put, and javelin. She has made a significant step in building her health by giving up drinking sodas.

She loves the WBV machine, and told me that her clothes are looser.

Infrared Sauna This was the last service Josh added to his routine, and it is one I have used for a long time in my own battle with Lyme’s disease. When Gwen Williams, co-owner of Herbs & More, told me that Josh was using the sauna, I was surprised.

Sitting still, as well as getting hot and sweating, is not something that someone struggling with autism is going to readily do. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Several studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headache, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and found some evidence of benefit.” Understandably cautious, the Mayo Clinic also said that more and larger population studies on infrared saunas need to be conducted, and that there have been no adverse effects reported.

tions, and the only thing that he requested was that they not sing Happy Birthday. (Often people who battle autism are super sensitive to elevated levels of sound.) He has also helped film a video ad for the store, recorded a radio intro for the new Herbs & More show, and greets people when they come in the store. Recently, he went into the kitchen at the shop and made popcorn, something which 9 months ago would have been unthinkable. Their words were: “Josh never wanted to leave the house; he loved his safe space.

Now, he has become very

So, what kinds of things has Josh started to do after having been given new ways to build his health? He got in the pool and spent time for three hours with people who had come over to see his family, rather than scoot away to his video games.

He successfully planned his own birthday party, figured out the guest list as well as the decora-

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

social, he goes to Herbs & More every day. Everyone there is open to Josh.

Many days he actually wants to go somewhere else after his time on the magnetic field pad, Vibe machine and infrared sauna. Prior to these activities he wanted to stay home.”

Josh’s parents want other parents that have children with autism to know what a positive experience this could be for their child.

"We don’t want our children to only reach a certain level, we want them to soar like eagles,” they said. As parents that have been willing to move

mountains and search the world for anything to help Josh progress, they didn’t know that one of the answers would be found right here in Athens.

Gwen told me that Josh’s parents call the changes in him “miraculous,” and as she told me their story, her misty eyes said it all. Consider giving the gift of health to someone you love this Christmas. Your story will be different, but you will have one to tell! Merry Christmas from everyone at Herbs & More!

Infra-red sauna

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Learning is a Lifestyle

by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 It is hard to imagine that it is only 4 more days until Christmas and 11 days until the new year.

They say the older you get the quicker time flies. Truth is, the busier you are, the more time flies.

At Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning, we have been very busy preparing classes for the Winter/Spring Semester. We will have classes for all ages. Watch the website -- www.athens.edu/CLL -- and our Facebook page for updates and more information.

The Center will be closed from December 14 through January 1, but we will start back right away with classes and events. Our first class is Painting for Beginners which starts January 7, at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur.

This class will guide the student step-bystep to complete three paintings using acrylic paints. Students will learn about strokes, mixing paints, balance, and more. If there is time, a fourth painting will be a free-style painting of the student’s choice.

January 18, the Curtis Coleman Center for Religious Studies and Ethics and the Center for Lifelong Learning will sponsor a “commUNITY Breakfast”.

The event is free and everyone is welcome.

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Dr. Carolyn McKinstry, from Birmingham, will be the featured speaker.

For the professionals in the community, there will be several courses to help you get ahead.

Watch for information about the Time Management class that will come late January, or perhaps, you need an update on the Microsoft Business applications.

There will be classes in Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Word, and Publisher. If you are in the food service industry,

Smartphone Savvy class for people who need to know how to work their Smartphones.

If you are looking for a fun class, remember, we don’t require an application and you don’t have to take tests or write reports. We also have Pottery classes at the Alabama Center for the Arts. The Handbuilding Class is on Monday, starting February 11 at 5:30 p.m. The Wheel Throwing Class is also on Monday, starting April 1, at 5:30 p.m. And

we will have a 3-D Art Class later in the year.

Don’t forget there is a free Yoga class in Carter Gym on the Athens State University Campus.

Class is held Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Classes will begin on January 7.

We also have classes for children and teens. For infants and toddlers, and 3-5 year olds, we have Musikgarten starting in February. Musikgarten is a weekly class where you can bond with your child through music and watch them grow into a confident young person.

For teens, we have ACT Test Strategies and Tutoring to help prepare for the exam.

Learn effective strategies that will help you understand the questions and choose

the correct responses.

Learn your strengths and weaknesses in specific ACT subject areas.

Learn how to take advantage of the knowledge you have already gained and how to apply it to the ACT to achieve your highest possible test scores. The course includes ACT Test strategies, pre-test in subject area(s), tutoring in subject area concentrations, post-test in subject area(s), and a copy of ACT Prep Plus 2019.

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A I b i c m c h h b o a a

Save the date for the 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium on April 10. Remember to register early. We keep our class sizes small to ensure quality instruction. Have a Merry Christmas and a won- L derful New Year from all of us at the Center for Lifelong Learning.

we offer Servsafe Food Protection Manager Certification Courses and Exam on the second Monday of the month in Athens and on the fourth Monday of the month in Decatur.

For the computer novice, we offer Computers for Beginners as a group class or a one-on-one class. This course is available for the students who wants to know how to work with computers or for students who have specific applications. This year we will offer a

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H t I w s n t l

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

The View From The Bridge

Calling All Bag Ladies!!!

And Men, Too

Jackie Warner

by Jackie Warner

Career Development Facilitator “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

Hello and Merry Christmas to you this holiday season.

I am sending you all well wishes and blessings for this season and the upcoming new year! So, as we close this year out, I would like to leave you with two thoughts: #1 As we go into 2019, don’t and I repeat, don’t take all those bags you’ve got because if you do, you are going to continue hurting yourself and missing opportunities. Stop carrying all the people, the hurt, drama, and life events -- pack light. If you have not heard the song “Bag Lady”

by Erykah Badu, then find it online and listen to the lyrics and you will know where I am speaking from.

Lyrics Excerpt: Bag Lady-

Erykah Badu Bag lady you gone hurt your back, Dragging all them bags like that I guess nobody ever told you, All you must hold onto, is you, is you, is you “One day all them bags gon' get in your way, so pack light, pack light, mm, pack light, pack light, oh ooh Bag lady you gon' miss your bus, You can't hurry up, 'cause you got too much stuff” - Let it go, Let it go, Let it go… #2 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. Matt 6:22-23

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

How fast we get caught up in looking at things we love, or may think we need to see.

So, watch where we lay our eyes. Be careful in this life to not find yourself trying to get a glimpse of all the evil. The purpose of our lamp has not changed; it provides light to dispel the darkness. Shine brightly and don’t let your lamp be dimmed.

Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: http://thebridgeus.yolasite.com/

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Horse Whispering

Stable

by Deb Kitchenmaster I have a pillow on my couch that says “Horse Lovers are STABLE people.” Let’s look into the word STABLE and see what we find.

In the form of a structure, what is a stable? A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals. According to the size of the horse, research recommends a minimum stable size of 12ft x 12ft for horses, and preferably 12ft x 14ft for larger breeds. For ponies, the recommended minimum dimensions should be 10ft x 10ft and 10ft x 12ft for larger ponies.

Not all horses will need stabling/housing.

Some

breeds with thick coats are capable of living outdoors throughout the year, provided they can obtain shelter from the prevailing winds, summer sun, and flies. As donkeys do not have waterproof coats, they will always need shelter from the rain.

The minimum height of the stall walls should be eight to nine feet. Minimum ceiling height should be nine feet, but most recommendations, if there is a ceiling, is to go higher, 10 to 12 feet for ventilation purposes. Most recommendations are not to have a ceiling.

Is there a difference between a stable and a barn? A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. There are different types of stables in use today;

the American-style barn, for instance, is a large barn with a door at each end and individual stalls inside or freestanding stables with topand bottom-opening doors.

What does it mean to be a stable person? The definition of stable is something steady that is not prone to change, someone who is level-headed and who isn't subject to wild swings of emotion.

An example of stable is a person who has a good handle on her life and her emotions.

What is a stable life? Personal stability is a lifestyle characterized by appropriate and well-thought-out decisions, consistent behavior, and moderate mood swings.

It's often overlooked. Yet it's

a key component in professional and emotional success and well-being. Stable people tend to have long, satisfying relationships.

What is emotional stability? Emotional stability is a direct contributor to happiness and living the good life. Without it, you risk falling into a pattern of jealousy, stress, heartache, and depression.

You can change the way you think and alter your daily habits to make yourself more emotionally successful and enhance your quality of life.

Yes! Horse people are stable people. Why? For one thing, mucking stalls builds character. Working with a foster child who would get off

the bus at my place once a week, I asked her to muck a stall ONE time. When foster mom came to pick up her foster daughter, I told her that one of things her daughter did was to muck a stall. I told her that I wanted the youth to experience mucking a stall in case she someday had her own horse or pony, but most importantly, ‘it builds character.’ The following day at school, our young girl told her teacher she HAD to muck a stall.

The foster mom received a telephone call from a concerned teacher. Foster mom told her “no worries…it builds character!”

“Horses bring me peace,” said a young woman during one of our sessions. Peace is a sense of well-being and well-being emanates stability. A stable person is one who tends to be (more often than not) a secure, established, sure, constant, and steady human being.

In the midst of changes, seasons, classrooms, LIFE, you may find yourself desiring to go out to a stable, connect with a horse, and enjoy a measurement of stability.

The Prince of Peace was born in a stable to bring stability to your LIFE. Merry Christmas dear NEIGHbor! Happy New Year, y’all!

Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections 256-426-7947 Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner horsinaround188@gmail.com

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December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Mental Health Minute

Making New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mental Health

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.”

- T.S. Eliot I know what you’re thinking. New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time. Most of us have either come up with one or two changes that we want to make in the new year, or we’ve written down a whole list of things. We know that one or two months in, we are back to our old habits. This past year I tried something different. I had attended a leadership conference where the suggestion was made to pick a word that represented the transformation we wanted to see during the year. This was to be our guiding, overall goal of what we wanted to see different/better by the end of the year. I really liked this idea, so I chose the word CLARITY. There was no specific list of actions to have completed…just a reminding principle for my actions. This worked really well for me, and I plan on doing it again for 2019.

even for just part of the day. This is called making time for yourself. And it’s okay to do this. Second, Make a Commitment to Stay Informed. Knowing what’s going on in the world of research can help you find out whether there are new ideas out there that might improve your quality of life. For example, research shows that getting outside every day, even in the winter, is important to getting enough vitamin D, which is essential to improving your mood and overall well-being. Third, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has been promoting a stigmafree movement to Reduce the Stigma of Mental Illness. I believe that we all struggle with our mental health. But, some research shows that the stigma is worse than the mental illness itself. You can help to change society’s way of

thinking by letting people know when they use language that is offensive or improper. The way to do this is to encourage everyone to see the person, not the illness. A simple change in sentence structure can go a long way. For example, People First Language refers to the individual first and the “challenge” second, such as saying, “a child with autism” instead of “the autistic child.”

Our fourth resolution to benefit your mental health is Take Care of Your Physical Health, Too. We’ve all heard this over and over again, and there are plenty of studies showing how proper exercise, sleep, and diet can reduce mental illness symptoms and improve overall health. But how do we find the motivation, time, and effort to do these things?

I encourage establishing a

routine and sticking with it.

For example, have set days and times during the week for working out. Make a grocery shopping list of healthy food options and then prepare meals ahead of time. These tasks are difficult starting out, but we like patterns and schedules, so stick to them. And finally, Share Your Story.

You can express yourself by opening up about your experiences, which will help others relate to you.

Do you struggle with anxiety? If you feel comfortable, you can explain about the physical symptoms you experience when you are nervous or panicking. And then explain what coping skills have worked for you.

If community speaking is not your thing, write an article or start a blog. Even journaling can help you to feel more confident in understanding and presenting what you are experiencing.

Are you ready for a healthier and happier 2019? Take a few moments to reflect on where you are right now in mind, body, and spirit.

What will be your motivating word? Once you have decided on a word, write down some of the ways you will know you have achieved your goal. And then remind yourself of your word often…daily, weekly, or monthly. I’ll check back with you next year to let you know what word I have chosen to work on for 2019. Resolve to be a better you in the coming year!

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.

So let’s look at a few things that we can do on a regular basis to benefit our mental health. First, I encourage you to Do Something That You Love Every Day. Even if it’s just for 10, 20, or 30 minutes… read, go for a walk, talk to someone you love, or listen to your favorite music. These activities can bring you a sense of peace, helping you to feel relaxed

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The Alternative Approach

Never Cure

by Roy Williams As most of you know, our new president wants to repeal and replace Obama Care.

Most of us would agree that that is not only a good idea, it is absolutely necessary if America is going to continue to lead the world.

My problem with repeal and replace is that you will never fix our broken health care system unless you get to the heart of the problems. I’ve been telling you for years that you cannot cure heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or any other disorder unless you identify and stop what is causing them in the first place.

The main problem with our modern day, so called, healthcare system is that it is no longer a part of the free enterprise system.

The system we have today is totally regulated by a government agency called the Food and Drug Administration, which is totally controlled by the pharmaceutical industry.

In other words, it is a socialist program and no social program has ever been successful in

the long run. The FDA is so corrupt, at its core, that I often refer to them as the False Data Administration.

Almost 100 percent of the FDA is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and scientists that are loyal only to the pharmaceutical industry. It is so biased, in favor of the drug industry, that nothing will ever be tested much less approved by this government agency unless it can be patented by the pharmaceutical cartel, and I don’t use that term lightly.

For years now, people have identified actual cures for many diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, only to be turned away and, in many cases, charged as criminals by the FDA. Dr. Rath, who wrote the book Why Animals Don’t Get Heart Attacks But People Do, using the most expensive medical equipment, proved that a group of specific nutrients would not only prevent heart disease but, in most cases, could even reverse it.

You would think that

his discovery would qualify him for the Nobel Prize in Medicine after having patient after patient with all types of heart disease receive huge benefits, including reversal of blockages and restoration of normal heartbeat. And in his book, one of his patients overcame cardiomyopathy using his formula. But instead of the Nobel Prize, he was demonized and kicked out of the medical profession.

Another example is the book Politics and Healing, which covers six all-natural cures for cancer. The doctors who used specific supplements to cure cancer were taken to court. The court dockets showed that in every case where supplements were used, within a few months those supplements were banned from use in the USA. Remember Laetrile or more commonly called vitamin B-17?

Of course, most people will never hear about Laetrile because it was banned from use as a cancer treatment in the U.S. after Dr. Krebs proved it would cure many types of cancer including, in some cases, stage 4 cancers.

My point is clear. If we are ever going to lower the cost of healthcare, one of the things we must do is take the power from the FDA and place the testing of all possible medical

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treatments in the hands of people who have no financial or personal interest in big pharma.

It is, in my opinion, a conflict of interest to have people who are involved with and have a financial interest in the pharmaceutical industry to have the final say in what is going to be approved.

The next thing is to stop treating only the symptoms of disease and focus on prevention and actual cures. Over the last 60 years, our medical profession and the drug industry have developed a secrete moto, which is to “Never Cure.” They are always advertising and begging for money to help them find cures but I challenge you to name one disease they have cured in 60 years. The reason there are no new cures is because there is no money in actually curing disease.

The next thing we must be willing to do to lower healthcare costs in America is to cut the cost of treatments, drugs, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, and insurance. That can never be done unless we are willing to move away from the “third-partypayer” program we are presently using where insurance and the government pays healthcare cost.

Anytime you take “payas-you-go” out of a free enterprise society, the cost will always skyrocket. If American’s

had to pay for their hospital stays, drugs, therapy, surgeries, and doctors directly out of their pocket, you would see the prices drop by as much as 75 percent in just one year.

We must as a society go back to the original principle that Hippocrates stated, “Let thy food be thy medicine.” God intended for us to get the vitamins, minerals, herbs, and proteins from our food; that would allow the body to heal. Cells are manufactured from those nutrients, and when you provide your body with them, it will heal. To learn more go to www.newtritionalhc.com or visit us at Herbs & More in Athens or NHC Herb Shop in Killen.

And the last way to make healthcare affordable is to stop using the modern-day healthcare system except when absolutely necessary.

My family and I have not been to a medical doctor in almost 30 years for anything other than injuries. We do not get physicals, mammograms, rectal exams, prostate exams, or any other so called medical exams.

Only the truth will set you free. Share this information with everyone you care about and go our website at www. newtritionalhc.com.

Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC December 21, 2018 - January 4, 2019

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