December 2nd - December 15th, 2016
AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425
The 2016 Heritage Children’s Chorale’s Christmas Concert: “It’s Christmas Everywhere”
See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
What Makes Ronnie Roll Welcome Back Melanie!... For this edition of Athens Now, Mayor Ronnie wanted to use his space to re-introduce the people of Athens to an old friend... Page 8
By Ali Elizabeth Turner August of 2015 marked my first opportunity to tell readers of Athens Now about the Heritage Children’s Chorale, and to speak at length with their founder, Mary Stephenson. Mary
The Millennial Mind The Exploitation Of Man... The understanding that stealing is wrong doesn’t seem to make a deep enough case to hold socialism accountable for its warped ideology... Page 9
Clean And Green Tired Of Tires? Recycle Them At Your Limestone County Tool Shed... If you’ve been past Big Spring Memorial Park, or the duck pond as locals know it, you’ve probably seen... Page 12
December 2 - December 15, 2016
Continued on page 15
Athens Health And Rehabilitation Spotlight On Margie Grimes By Ali Elizabeth Turner Margie Grimes was born in Lawrence County on January 23, 1934, right in the middle of the Great Depression. She was the second of eight siblings, and her daddy was a farmer. They grew peanuts, cotton, hogs, cows, and had a huge garden. Of course all the kids worked Continued on pages 17
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December 2 - December 15, 2016
Publisher’s Point
Passion’s Role In Leadership
Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
Copy Editor
Yvonne Dempsey
Graphic Design
Jonathan Hamilton
Web Design Teddy Wolcott
Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Paul Foreman Shelley Underhill Teresa Todd Rosemary Dewar Joel Allen Wanda Campbell Dr. J. Patrick Boyett
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 The Millennial Mind . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Shelley . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . 18 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . 20
For the second time in a year, I have been mesmerized by a poster on a wall in the First United Methodist Church’s choir practice room. The first time was in December of 2015 when I wrote an article for the Heritage Children’s Chorale’s Christmas Concert. It is now December of 2016, HCC is giving
responders are among the most wonderful leaders we are blessed to have in our midst. The way communities are working once more to dig out from the rubble of yet another twister could only be fueled by passion and walked out through leadership. Learning how to be an excellent leader is daunting, but perhaps the
ments, the word passion aptly describes the divinely inspired military leadership of the Macabees, the faith of Mary and Joseph, and in a word, is the “reason for the season” and far beyond. As a side note, we need to remember that without the passion of the Macabees, we would have no Savior, nor His birth to
missed the part of the poster that says, “Passion motivates us to risk, trust, and attempt great things for the right reasons.” Putting the pinch on the First Amendment is never a good idea, nor does it make any sense to secularize Christmas on the way to eliminating it completely from our culture. At the very least, it is
another concert, and this time, I had the chance to stand in front of the poster for awhile during their practice. This time I wrote it down word for word, soaking it up and wanting to send it out. Given everything from the events of the recent Presidential election, to the selection of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet, to the death of Fidel Castro, I have been taking a hard look at leadership – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Hearing the words of the Gatlinburg Fire Chief thanking his crew for fighting the terrorism of arson unwaveringly while he lost his own home, made me remember that firefighters and first
following words from the FUMC poster will serve to inspire:
celebrate. We would have no menorah to light, no Hannukah (Feast of Dedication) to observe, as did Yeshua, and really nothing about which to be passionate.
the misuse of both passion and leadership.
Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23
December 2 - December 15, 2016
The heart of all effective leadership begins with passion. Not all passionate people are leaders, but all good leaders are passionate. In the spiritual world passion comes from God and His work in our lives. Passion motivates us to risk, trust, and attempt great things for the right reasons. Usually the word “Passion,” when it is used in a Christian context, refers to what our Savior went through on Calvary. But, given the above state-
I remember an example of cowardice in leadership, long before political correctness became pandemic. It was nearly 25 years ago, and the King County Commissioner of Washington State actually sent out a memo that told county employees that they were not allowed to wish each other “Merry Christmas” on King County property because it might be “offensive.” He might have been “passionate” about his position, but I think he
We are called to lead in some way, whether it is by being a great example to our children or the head of a great corporation. Whatever your calling, lead well, and lead with passion while you “attempt great things for the right reasons.” May God bless each of you this Hannukah and Christmas and always.
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
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All Things Soldier
Why We Fight, 70+ Years Later by Ali Elizabeth Turner My mom tells me of how, when she was a teenager in 1937, she observed firsthand (while visiting in Berlin) the creepy sight of Hitler Youth “sieg-ing Heil” by the thousands in homage to Hitler and the Third Reich. She also said that America was still fairly isolationist prior to Pearl Harbor, and that there were actual antiwar demonstrations even after we had been attacked. History bears this out, and the odd mix of socialists, labor movement organizers, communists, pacifists and other “ists” that coalesced into campus demonstrators were, for awhile, a loud voice in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s. However, at the same time, another voice, that of Frank Capra (who produced It’s A Wonderful Life) joined with others at the behest of the US government, and produced a 7-hour documen-
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tary entitled Why We Fight. It was produced in conjunction with Walt Disney Studios, and took footage of battles; enemy propaganda films; speeches given by Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo; captured enemy films; and numbers of interviews to educate both the American soldier as well as the American public in regard to what we were facing. Capra had a burning mission statement and challenge: “Let the enemy prove to our soldiers the enormity of his cause-and the justness of ours.” His statement is so brilliant I can hardly take it in, and it proves that once upon a time, if only for a moment, there was a government, a military, a people and an entertainment industry that came together and that would stop at nothing to prevent fascism from becoming the global order of
the day. Would to God that were the case in 2016. Fast forward 70+ years, and we are slitting our own throats with our pens and iPads. We can’t say there is a global jihadist threat, and we are told to redefine the attack at Ft. Hood as well as the beheading of a grandmother in Oklahoma as examples of workplace violence. We both deserved as well as planned 9/11, as
insane as all that sounds. ISIS has gone so far as to tell us that the filmed beheadings of Westerners and Iraqi Christians are an act of mercy because they prove ISIS is serious, will prevail, and is kindly offering us the chance to surrender in order to decrease the shedding of blood. When there is an act of jihad perpetrated on an American college campus such as the one last week at Ohio State, broadcasters go
to great lengths to minimize the fact that the attacker was fervently serving Allah. While I was in Iraq, Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 was allowed to be viewed by our soldiers if they so desired, and most of them found it laughable. A push-back film called Fahren-hype 9/11 exposed its untruths and was far more popular. But nothing has ever been produced that begins to approximate the scope of Why We Fight, and thankfully, it can still be seen. While in Israel two years ago, I spent a good chunk of time with World Net Daily co-founder Joseph Farah, and learned of several projects that are currently being produced by WND, and about which I am excited. They have made it possible for this classic to be seen again, and I am grateful. I have no doubt it will be seven hours well spent. While I know that the vast majority of those who live in Athens need no reminder of what was accomplished for us by the Greatest Generation, we still have a responsibility to mentally arm our soldiers, our kids and ourselves with the truth of who we were and who we can become again. For under $25 you can get an education that is priceless and without peer in its forthrightness and refreshing patriotism. For more information on how to purchase the 4-DVD remastered version of Why We Fight, go to WNDsuperstore.com. In this day when revisionist history is the order of the day, it might just be one of the most important Christmas gifts you will ever give.
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December 2 - December 15, 2016
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Calendar of Events to the museum for breakfast and a time of fellowship with fellow veterans at 8:00AM. Contact 256-771-7578.
Bells Of Christmas Holiday Home Tour Dec 11th
ickets are now on sale for the Athens Ladies Civitan 6th T annual Holiday Home Tour taking place on Sunday, December 11th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. 5 very exclusive homes in the Athens area will be open for touring and enjoying the holiday decor. Sweet treats will be served at each home provided by local caterers. $15 advance tickets are available at Pimentos, Class Act Salon, Pam's Home Furnishings, Willow Tree Antiques & Decor, Crawford's Gifts, and First National Bank (Hwy. 72) in Athens. Tickets are $20 on day of event at the door of any home on the tour. This is a fundraiser to benefit the developmentally challenged of our community. For more information, call Carolyn Stair at 256-233-0258 or Carol Malone 256-232-2865.
2016 Elkmont Lions Club Annual Christmas Parade Dec 3rd
"A Patriotic Christmas” Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
Annual Christmas Dinner Dec 5th
Sponsored by The Learn to Read Council of Athens and Limestone County. Will be held at the Roger's Center of First Presbyterian Church, South Jefferson Street. 6 p.m. Dinner is $10; no charge for students and active tutors. For reservations, visit 110 Thomas St., Suite 115 S., Athens.
Historic Mooresville Holiday Home Tour and Progressive Dinner Dec 10th
The Holiday Soirèe Dec 2nd
Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 South Jefferson Street. Contact: DebbieJoyner@comcast.net or 256-655-6690.
Christmas Now & Then Dec 2nd-4th & 8th-11th
Calvary Epicenter, 4839 Calvary Blvd., Tanner, AL 35671. Come experience the magic of "Now" and the magesty of "Then!" For over 20 years people from all across North Alabama and the surrounding areas have counted Christmas Now & Then as one of their favorite family traditions. Come and experience the fun and excitement of Christmas "Now" with Santa, Frosty and all of the Christmas Toys that you have come to love. Then watch in awe and wonder as you are taken back over 2000 years to witness one of the most powerful depictions of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
JROTC Jingle Bell Jog 5K Dec 3rd
Athens High School, 100 Hwy 31 N., Athens AL. Wear your funniest, most comfortable Christmas outfit and join us on a flat, fast USATF Certified 5K Course (AL13063JD). Registration and packet pickup starts on Dec. 2nd, 3:30 - 6:00 pm and race day, 6:45 – 7:30 am. Overall Top Male/Female, Top Male/Female masters, and Top Male/Female in each age group. We will also have a Best Costume Award. Entry: $28.
Coffee Call Dec 3rd
Alabama Veterans' Museum and Archives, 100 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. All veterans and their families are invited Page 6
2 to 7 PM. The 1818 village of Mooresville offers a holiday tour of the historic buildings and four private homes decorated for the season. Homes open & shopping available 2 to 6. Salad in Brick Church. Dinner seating at 3:30 to 4:30 and at 5:00 to 6:00 in town square. Dessert and coffee in Peebles' barn. Reservations required. Click here for more and click on Holiday Dinner in the menu. Or call 256-355-2683 $70 per person
Ardmore Christmas Parade Dec. 13th
"I'll Be Home For Christmas" Parade starts at 6:00PM.
Senior Lunch Matinee Show Dec 15th
Yesterday's Event Center, 15631 Brownferry Road. Join Yesterdays for a complete lunch including drink and dessert for $11.00, and entertainment featuring a Special Christmas Show with Kevin Adams Doors open 10:30AM, Event begins 11:00AM and showtime 12:00PM with a show length 60-75 minutes. Groups of all size welcome. Bus parking available. Cancellation fee may apply.
2-S Winter Buckle Series Dec 18th
2-S Arena, 26155 Thach Road. Join 2-S Arena for barrel racing. Contestants must compete in 6 of 8 shows to be eligible for awards. Show Starts at 3:00PM. Cash Only. For more information Mindy Sanders 256-278-5758 or Wil Sanders 606-246-0628.
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December 2 - December 15, 2016
December 2 - December 15, 2016
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What Makes Ronnie Roll
Welcome Back Melanie! by Ali Elizabeth Turner For this edition of Athens Now, Mayor Ronnie wanted to use his space to re-introduce the people of Athens to an old friend, Melanie Barksdale Newton. Melanie hit the ground running about a month ago as the new director of Spirit of Athens, and is overflowing with experience, ideas, and a love for the job as well as our town. Melanie was born and raised here, and graduated from East Limestone High School. Her husband’s careers took their family to Orlando and Virginia, and they came back home to be near family. Her husband Tom is a technology project manager, who is also a dramatic playwright and theatre actor. Melanie is a Certified Master Gardener, and her career has included coordinating the volunteers at the Huntsville Botanical Garden and business development for a Google partner company. While at the Garden, she was also involved in the opening of the Purdy Butterfly House, as well as the Children’s Garden. The Newtons have a son, Hunter, who lives in Florence, is a chef, and also has an exotic plant and animal aquarium business. Tom and Melanie are the proud “parents” of three shelter furr babies: Max, Boo and Sallie. Melanie is no stranger to public service, as she is the daughter of Gerald Barksdale, who served as Limestone County Commissioner, and she grew up around people who were passionate about making Athens and Limestone County the absolute best.
delicious omelette at LuVici’s, but couldn’t get away; so he called in his enthusiasm and said, “We’re thrilled to have Melanie back here. She brings a lot to Athens, and we want her to know we support her. The Spirit of Athens does so much for the community, and we couldn’t be happier.” Melanie “schooled” me as to the scope and function of Spirit of Athens. “There are four points,” she said. “They are: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality.” As part of the Alabama Main Street
and Main Street USA organizations, the purpose of SOA is to preserve our historical town, while making it culturally and economically vibrant. “You can revitalize a downtown core, but you also have to find ways to make it sustainable. We can do that best by taking what’s already here, and finding ways to make it better,” Melanie told me. One of the things she would like to see is more support of the Athens Saturday Market, which would allow the market to be open more months of the year rather than just during
We talked at length about the role of gardening in the community, and what some other cities and corporations are doing to use gardens to teach entrepreneurial skills and especially reach out to kids. We agreed we would need to get together again to brainstorm. Melanie also would like to see more “lofting,” that is,
people renovating the lofts above the old commercial buildings on the Square for residential purposes. Loft living requires a sizeable investment, at least at first while getting things up to code, but people who live in a downtown core tend to make 40% of their everyday purchases locally, which is a boom to the economy of Athens. They also do a lot of walking, which is the lifeblood of any downtown core, historical or otherwise. “We also want to see every storefront filled with niche business and have Athens become a shopping and dining day trip destination for cities within about a 100 mile radius,” she said.
Melanie is currently working on the Sippin' Cider Festival to be held in Downtown Athens on December 10th from 5pm to 8pm. Visit Athens' downtown merchants and restaurants to taste and vote for your favorite cider; do a bit of shopping; and enjoy roasting marshmallows, live music and children's activities.
Our time ended all too quickly, but not without an adventure. I dragged her with me to WKAC for her first ever radio appearance on the Tennessee Valley Spotlight, and she was a natural. Both Rex Davis and I asked her a lot of questions for which she had not had the chance to prepare, and you would have thought she had been doing it for years. Rex told her to be sure to come back anytime, and then, it was time for Melanie to roll. Welcome back, girl!
Mayor Ronnie had hoped to be able to join us for the interview, which was over a
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the peak summer months. As a Master Gardener, she knows there are cold-frame veggies such as kale and beets that could be sold, and of course the wares of the various artisans are never out of season.
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The Millennial Mind
The Exploitation Of Man by Rosemary Dewar The understanding that stealing is wrong doesn’t seem to make a deep enough case to hold socialism accountable for its warped ideology. There is no doubt that most in Western civilization find slavery utterly despicable. It is puzzling why socialism is not met with the same ire. Slavery is an abusive utilization of labor, and so is socialism. This may seem like an extreme correlation, but fundamentally it is not. Whether the laborer is subjugated by either the whip or the vote does not make its implementation any less immoral. Slavery is a sinful blot on the history of the United States. It was awful, and inexcusable. The United States also did something that most of the West has not done. America allowed capital-
ism to validate the efforts of the individual in addition to ending slavery. Instead of the government determining the worth of one's labor, one has the opportunity to assess one’s own worth. Unlike socialism, true capitalism allows each individual to assert what they believe their skills and labor are worth. A free market, with little government interference or regulation, gives individuals the liberty to negotiate what they are willing to exchange for acquired skills. Socialism is the “gateway drug” for government control. To assert that socialism is any less nefarious than slavery would be a complete distortion of the nature of a socialistic system. Imagine the economic system of a local plantation which has expanded into an entire state or country. The individual is forced to contribute, but
is not rewarded for the skills they have developed. Over half of what the individual grosses is directed back to the state through taxation. The state will then provide a uniform amount of services, irrespective of one’s contribution. Neither the state nor the individual can negotiate for better quality. The state is limited by what individuals are willing to give, and individuals are unable to increase their net worth sufficiently in order to contribute more to the state. When an individual no longer has the authority to define their own worth, they inevitably become a slave to the system that governs them. Margaret Thatcher famously declared, “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” She couldn't be more correct. Socialism and communism alike always
create limitations by squashing creativity. These systems will never do good by their citizens. Socialism promises equality, and fails miserably. Governments which adopt socialistic and communistic practices produce two classes: those who rule and those who serve. Those who rule live lusciously in exchange for the lack of resistance from those who serve. It is a losing game of acquiescence. Every revolution is virtually no different than the one before. France, Russia, Germany, Argentina, Cuba, Venezuela were and still are ravaged by their adoption of socialism. How? Through a massive lie that came at the cost of poverty, torture, and war. Headlining this week’s news is the death of Cuba's dictator Fidel Castro, a truly despicable human being. Fidel
fed off the discontent of the Cuban people during Fulgencio Batista’s control, and led them into a socialistic hell hole. Fidel decided to strengthen ties with Soviet Russia, bringing communism within 90 miles of the United States’ back door. Castro promised equal wealth, security, and health. Instead, Cuba was met with a dictatorship that jailed, tortured, and murdered its citizens. Fidel Castro's leadership was so harsh that two million people fled Cuba during his rule. How could anyone admire such a man? What has been even more astonishing is the world leaders' responses to Fidel Castro's passing. It can almost be taken as a litmus test for moral reason. Leftists have praised Castro as a "fighter for social justice." Meanwhile, the conservatives refuse to ignore and omit Castro's heinous acts of repeated human rights violations. English Historian, John Emerich Edward DalbergActon (best known as Lord Acton) simply understood the subjugation that socialism brings, and expressed his disdain for it by saying, “Socialism means slavery." He continued, “...[N]ow that we have seen a new form of slavery arise before our eyes, we have so completely forgotten the warning that it scarcely occurs to us that the two are connected." Fidel’s acts of evil were inarguably gruesome, but to minimize them is to leave generations vulnerable to man’s capability to exploit one another. Be vigilant; be relentless.
December 2 - December 15, 2016
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Tourism
Santa Arrives At The Athens North Pole Stroll by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
Santa Claus will be checking with his favorite youngsters in Limestone County twice in the month of December. This free “quality-of-life” event will formally open on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Big Spring Memorial Park from 5-7pm with Santa available for photos. This family event is supported by Lowe’s of Athens, Athens Parks and Rec, Athens Mayor’s Office, Athens-Limestone County Tourism, Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and Spirit of Athens. Santa will make another appearance on Dec. 17th and read “The Night Before Christmas” for the children. The North Pole Stroll trees will be decorated with strings of solar lights and will portray various themes. The Friends of the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter are accepting donations to place your pet’s picture on one of their two trees, in “Memory” or in “Honor”. The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Office has decorated their tree with the theme, “A Look Back at 2016” using pictures of events from this past year. Your theme could be your interests or business. This project would not be possible without our Athens Parks and Recreation installing the live trees. The goal is to double the number of trees from last year and have enough trees to decorate both sides of the Duck Pond. Tree
sponsorships are available until December 10th or until all the trees are sponsored. To purchase your tree, call the Tourism Office at 256-232-5411. Tree sponsorships are available for $100. Businesses can decorate their own tree or we will contact a non-profit to decorate for them. Tree sponsors will receive signage at their tree and their logo will be placed on the North Pole Stroll Facebook and website. Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful will have their snowman family featured at a photo station. KALB Executive Coordinator Lynne Hart and their volunteers created the snowman family from recycled tires. Their theme for this year will be, “Tired of Waiting for Santa.” Decoration and sale of trees will continue till the 10th of December. Visit our Facebook page to see our clever sponsors. For more information, visit www.visitathensal.com/northpole-stroll.html Dec. 10th – Spirit of Athens’ Sippin Cider. Come downtown the second Saturday of December from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to the Sippin' Cider Festival. Voted a Top 20 event in the Southeast in 2014, it's a night of holiday festivities. Sample and vote for your favorite cider while shopping and enjoying store specials. The merchant with the most votes wins the coveted
Cider Cup and bragging rights for the next year. Other activities include in-store children's activities, train rides by the Athens Lions Club, live music, roasting marshmallows, and a visit from Santa. Dec. 10th -- Historic Mooresville Holiday Home Tour and Progressive Dinner from 2 to 7 PM. The 1818 village of Mooresville offers a holiday tour of the historic buildings and four private homes decorated for the season. Homes open and shopping available 2 to 6. Salad in Brick Church. Dinner seating at 3:30 to 4:30 and at 5:00 to 6:00 in town square. Dessert and coffee in Peebles' barn. Reservations required. For more info click on Holiday Dinner in the menu or call 256355-2683 $70 per person Dec 11th - Athens Ladies Civitan Holiday Home Tour. Prominent Athens homes will
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be dressed up for the holidays and open for touring. 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Advance tickets are $15 and available on the Square at Pimento’s and Crawford's Gifts, and First National Bank (U.S. 72) in Athens. Tickets are $20 day of event and can be purchased on-site at any home on the tour. This fundraiser benefits the developmentally challenged of the community. For more information call Carolyn Stair 256-233-0258. Dec. 13th -- Ardmore Christmas Parade "I'll Be Home For Christmas" Parade starts at 6:00PM Dec. 13th -- You are invited to watch Creekside Drama Club "Twas the Week After Christmas" at 6:00 p.m. Creekside Elementary gym...admission is FREE! Dec 15th - Senior Lunch Matinee Show at Yesterday’s Event Center 15631 Brownsferry
Road. Join Yesterday’s for a complete lunch including drink and dessert for $11.00 and entertainment featuring a Special Christmas Show with Kevin Adams. Doors open 10:30AM, Event begins 11:00AM and show-time 12:00PM with a show length 60-75 minutes. Groups of all size welcome. Bus parking available. Pre-reservation required. For more info call 256-232-2506 or email info@yesterdaysevents.com Cancellation fee may apply. Dec 18th - 2-S Winter Buckle Series at 2-S Arena 26155 Thach Road. Join 2-S Arena for barrel racing. Contestants must compete in 6 of 8 shows to be eligible for awards. Show starts at 3:00PM. Cash Only. For more information call Mindy Sanders 256-278-5758 or Wil Sanders 606-246-0628.
December 2 - December 15, 2016
December 2 - December 15, 2016
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Clean and Green
Tired Of Tires? Recycle Them At Your Limestone County Tool Shed by Lynne Hart If you’ve been past Big Spring Memorial Park, or the duck pond as locals know it, you’ve probably seen the Christmas trees lined up and ready for decorations. This is all in preparation for the 2nd annual North Pole Stroll that will kick off on Saturday, December 3rd and continue through the holidays. It’s not too late to adopt a tree! Just give the Tourism office a call at 256-232-5411. KALB always strives to be different, so our “tired” snowman family will once again make an appearance at this year’s North Pole Stroll. Last year, they were “tired” tourists exhausted from visiting all of the great destinations in Limestone County. This year, they will be “tired” of waiting for Santa. It just makes perfect sense that an organization such as ours that advocates recycling would reuse something for our display. We are all about
the 3 Rs! Most of us probably don’t give much thought to the fact that millions of tires are discarded each year. Tire mountains used to be a common sight, and I have personally seen one in Cleveland, Ohio that caught fire. Tire fires are difficult to put out, often take weeks or months to extinguish, and create large amounts of noxious fumes. Scrap tires can cause huge environmental problems. Over the years, changes have been made to the way tires are handled. In our state, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has taken measures to assist with proper handling of old tires. Our state generates about 5 million scrap tires annually and an additional 4 million are brought into Alabama from other states. According to the ADEM website, since the Alabama Scrap Tire Program was instituted, approximately 7,092,000
KALB’s display at the inaugural North Pole Stroll in 2015
scrap tires from all sources are beneficially reused annually. About 96.5% are utilized as fuel or substitute raw material and 3.5% are reused through engineered and other uses. Of course, the steel belts are also recycled. The Limestone County Commission has secured a grant through ADEM that allows them to accept tires for recycling from Limestone County residents through September 30, 2018. Our recycling center is NOT equipped to accept tires; however, you may take them to any of the four Limestone County District Tool Sheds where collection trailers are located. Here is where you can help. If you have old tires on your property, you have the perfect opportunity to dispose of them free of charge and ensure they are recycled. Only you have the power to gather and recycle tires located on your property. There is never an excuse for
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tossing tires in the river, over banks, or on roadsides. Disposal is FREE and the hazards of discarded tires include mosquito and rodent breeding, water pollution, and more. If you see them, consider picking them up if you are able, or at least let your commissioner know where they are located.
Big Spring Memorial Park. When Santa visits, be sure to let him know that you recycle!
It was at one of the county tool sheds that KALB found the size and number of tires needed to put our snowman family together.
District 2 Shed:
Be sure to schedule time during the holiday season to visit the North Pole Stroll and the “tired” snowman family at
Limestone County Tool Sheds District 1 Shed: 22555 Elkton Road 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 24795 Pepper Road 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. District 3 Shed: 14119 Ripley Road 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. District 4 Shed: 22155 Section Line Road 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Become a Fan
(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com December 2 - December 15, 2016
Cooking with Shelley
Rocky Road Yams by Shelley Underhill My hope is that you all had a great Thanksgiving...mine was very quiet. This gave me time to experiment with some new recipes. The first of which I will share with you today. Why I named them Rocky Road Yams; I’m not sure. But ya’ll, everyone that tasted them said, “Make some more!” I really wanted a recipe that would be quick and easy, but also really tasty. The final result was this...quick, easy and very tasty! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Need I say more?! Put this recipe on your must try list ! Then, let me know if you make these yams. I would love to hear from you. You can email me at shelleysdesk@gmail.com. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
9 x 14 baking dish 2 40oz cans of yams 2 cups brown sugar - lightly packed 1 stick (real butter) - cut in slices 1 bag mini marshmallows 1 & 1/4 cups walnuts 1 bag Heath toffee bits Baker’s Joy pan spray
December 2 - December 15, 2016
Heavily spray baking dish with Baker’s Joy, then pour drained yams into dish and lightly smash each yam until bottom of dish is covered. Evenly spread sugar, butter, walnuts and marshmallows on top of yams. Place in oven, bake on 400 until marshmallows have melted; cover yams with foil and continue cooking on 350 for one hour. Remove from oven, sprinkle bag of Heath chips over the yams. Re-cover tightly with foil and let sit for twenty minutes. Serve and enjoy!
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Health and Fitness
Holiday Stress Or Holiday Blues
by Janet Hunt
Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. Exercise may help! Research has shown that certain levels of physical activity can positively affect mental health – stress, depression, anxiety. People with higher levels of fitness are capable of handling stress more effectively than those who are less fit. Cardiovascular exercise is the activity that ben-
efits stress reduction the most. Cardiovascular exercise (often referred to as cardio) is any exercise that raises your heart rate. This usually involves using the large muscles in your body – walking, running, biking, skating, etc. The antidepressant action is one of the most commonly accepted psychological benefits
of exercise. Studies have shown that exercise can reduce stress more effectively than antidepressant drugs. Both cardiovascular and resistance exercise seem to be equally effective. Both a one-time exercise session and long term programs have positive results. However, greater improvement is seen after several weeks of regular exercise. Both men and women show the positive effect of exercise on depression.
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Research also shows a reduction of anxiety with exercise. Even short bursts (5 minutes) of cardiovascular exercise stimulate anti-anxiety effects. Again, regular training offers the greatest benefits. . So to reduce your Holi-
day Stress, reduce your Holiday Blues, and burn the extra holiday calories – exercise! If you need a little help getting started, join some activity programs that are available or consult with a personal trainer.
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Cover Story
The 2016 Heritage Children’s Chorale’s Christmas Concert: “It’s Christmas Everywhere” by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 1
Kono Yoru” is Japanese for “Silent Night.” There is an Aussie version of “Jingle Bells” whose lyrics reflect the fact that Christmas “down under” comes in the hottest part of their summer. Instead of “Dashing through the snow/in a one horse open sleigh,” they will be singing, “Dashing through the sand/ in the scorching summer heat…” This is another
is also the choir director at First United Methodist Church in Athens, and she is a highly trained musician herself. I can say as well from personal observation, she is an excellent chorale director. Nearly 30 years ago, Mary became concerned with the lack of choral training available to “regular kids in the neighborhood.” Chorus was dropped from schools, singing as a community in general was waning, and she wanted to pay forward the opportunity she had been given as a child growing up in New York City. The Chorale was born, and with branches in Athens and Pulaski, her vision burns brightly to this day. One of the best parts of the Chorale is the relationship that exists between the older kids and the younger ones. The older ones actually help mentor the younger kids, and the younger ones are happy to have someone to look up to. It is not unusual for their relationships to last years after they have grown too old to be a part of the Chorale. Canna Ricketts, who has been the Chorale’s accompanist for many years, told me that “Even after all these years, they still get together.” Last Christmas I took several of my family members to hear the Chorale perform at the Christmas Concert in Pulaski, and it was one of the highlights of our holiday season. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this becomes one of our ongoing
holiday traditions because the Chorale is just that good. For this year’s Christmas Concert interview, we did something a little different, and that was to ask the kids for their take on being a part of HCC, as well as participating in this year’s Christmas Concert. Here are some of their thoughts: Q: (asked of a girl in her 7th year of singing with HCC) “What do you like best about being a part of the Chorale?” A.“We get to know more about music and how to do it, and get close to people from other schools.” The members of the Chorale are age 8-18, and come from as far away as Priceville. It is not at all uncommon for members to sing with the group for a full ten years. For the Christmas Concert, some of the alumni of the Chorale are asked to come back and sing solos, and this year is no exception. Q: (asked of a girl in her first year of singing with HCC) “What is your favorite song for the concert?” A:“Angels We Have Heard On High.” She also is
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looking forward to singing “Aussie Jingle Bells.”
of their favorites. Other songs will be from Africa, Spain, and France, and they will also be singing “Feliz Navidad.” You will have two chances to hear the Chorale during this holiday season. The first will be on Tuesday, December 6th at 7pm. The concert will be held at the Church of the Messiah Episcopal Church, located at 114 North Third Street in Pulaski, TN. The second on Monday, December 12th will also be at 7pm, and the performance will be at the Athens Church of God, 17835 Quinn Road in Athens. Admission is free, and there will be a love offering taken. Please join with the rest of the community in experiencing the fact that “It’s Christmas Everywhere.”
For the record, as I listened to them practice, I was amazed at the high quality of their version of the Christmas classic. The long chorus with the one word “Gloria” is not at all easy to do in one breath, but Mary has taught them breath support, and how to hang on with strength until the last note. This year there is another favorite with the young ones, entitled, “Kling Glöckchen Kling,” which is German for “Ring Bells Ring,” and there will be a hand bell performance as part of the vocal performance. The theme of this year’s concert is “It’s Christmas Everywhere,” and the songs will be from all over the world and sung in part in several languages. “Kiyoshi
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Cover Story
Athens Health And Rehabilitation Spotlight On Margie Grimes by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1
the farm, and up until Margie was 12, they used horses and mules for plowing. “When I was 12, my daddy got his first tractor. It was a John Deere,” she told me. I asked her, “Did you ever go for rides on the back of it?” I have to admit, I was remembering my first tractor ride on the back of my granddaddy’s tractor, and at the age of three, I wasn’t yet expected to work in the fields. She looked at me and said, evenly, “No, we didn’t
play on the tractor. It was just for work.” She chopped cotton, and when she was big enough, she was expected to do a full day’s work in the fields. At the age of 18, she married James Grimes, and they had two children. One was named Stacy, and he lived for only 4 days. She has a daughter, Judy, who has a daughter, Holly Miller, and a whole passel of grands and great-grands. James had a number of businesses, including a wrecker service, and Miss Margie says with pride and de-
votion, “I was right there beside him.” James is still alive and will be 90 on April 8th. She really misses him, after having shared the same bed for 64 years. She told me, “I’ve slept in the same bed with him all these years, sleeping alone about tore me up.” They have a plan to one day be in the same long-term facility, and finish out there days there together. Miss Margie has nothing but praise for the treatment she has received since she has been at Athens Health and Rehabilita-
tion. Because she never had much chance to play, she has enjoyed learning how to play cards and other games such as Bingo. “The food has been good; they just make their ‘taters different than I do,” she said. She has also been very grateful for the care she has been given. Miss Margie is something of a philosopher and told me, while I was singing some of her favorite songs to her, “God loves us all, red, yellow, black and white.” I asked her what she felt was the secret to a long and successful life, and she said, “You’ve got to give, and you’ve got to take. You can’t just give, and you can’t just take.” She absolutely loves gospel music, and “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Beulah Land” are on her “Top 10.” Miss Margie has spent most of her life fellowshipping in various Baptist churches, and she and James are longtime members of Valley Grove Baptist church in Danville.
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We went on to her favorites: Favorite color? “Black, because it makes me look slim.” Favorite food? “Lots of ‘em. I like pinto beans, corn bread, fried potatoes done the ‘old timey’ way. I like the peelings of sweet potatoes, as long as they were washed well.” Favorite scripture? “Psalms 23, and all I have done since I have been here has been to pray, pray, pray.” Favorite book? “The Bible.” Favorite President? “JFK.” Biggest change in her lifetime? “Losing my mama and daddy. I just can’t get over it because they were there when no one else was.” I asked her, “What words of wisdom would you have to give to young people?” and Miss Margie answers, “Teach ‘em to work and take care of themselves.” Good advice from a woman who loves God, loves her man, and loves her family.
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Learning As A Lifestyle
Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart Gave Us A “It’s A Wonderful Life” And So Much More by Wanda Campbell
Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 In December 1946, James “Jimmy” Stewart (1908–1997) starred in a movie titled It’s A Wonderful Life. The film was directed by Frank Capra and also starred Donna Reed, Henry Travers, Lionel Barrymore, and Thomas Mitchell. This movie did not do well at the box-office, but was praised critically and nominated for several Academy and Golden Globe Awards. Its popularity grew over the years as the movie won the favor of new generations through annual airing of the movie and the success of DVD sales.
In the movie, George Bailey (Stewart) has so many problems that he is thinking about ending it all on Christmas! The film shows his life in flashbacks as George’s situation is discussed in heaven. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence (Travers). Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. Clarence isn't it? touches er lives.
says, “Strange, Each man's life so many othWhen he isn't
around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” If you have never seen the movie, plan to watch it on NBC on December 3rd or on USA on December 10th. Keep the Kleenex handy and enjoy it with your whole family. In case you don’t know about Jimmy Stewart, he was an American actor, World War II and Vietnam War veteran, and Brigadier General in the United States Air Force Reserve who appeared in many film roles. From the beginning of his career in 1935 through his final project in 1991, Stewart
appeared in more than 92 films, television programs, and short films. In 1999, he was named the third greatest male screen legend of the Golden Age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute. Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant were number one and number two, respectively. Other family friendly films starring Stewart include Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, also directed by Frank Capra; Harvey, directed by Henry Koster; and my favorite, The Cheyenne Social Club, which also starred Henry Fonda and was directed
by Gene Kelly. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is a 1939 American political comedydrama about a newly appointed United States Senator who fights against a corrupt political system. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington was controversial when it was released, but also successful at the box office, and made Stewart a major movie star. Harvey is a 1950 comedy-drama about a man whose best friend is a “pooka” named Harvey — in the form of a sixfoot, three-and-a-halfinch tall invisible rabbit. A pooka is a creature of Celtic folklore who brings both good and bad fortune. The movie is a lot of fun for the whole family, but it is dated. The Cheyenne Social Club is a 1970 Western comedy starring James Stewart, Henry Fonda and Shirley Jones. It's the story about an aging cowboy who inherits a brothel and decides to turn it into a respectable boarding house, against the wishes of both the townspeople and the ladies working there. I have never laughed so hard during a movie. Stewart did not stop with being an actor. He also published a collection of poems and stories about his everyday life. Jimmy Stewart and His Poems is available at Amazon. com, and you can watch him reading selections on YouTube.
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Dog Barker
Easy Does It! by Joel Allen
Every now and again I see those folks that walk their dog right up to another dog they do not know and I cannot help but wonder, “Why?” I understand that we should socialize our “babies” with other dogs, but sometimes that can lead to disaster. There are proper ways of introductions and precautions should always be observed. So, let’s talk about how we should introduce our dogs to each other. I don’t know how many times I have watched people letting their dogs walk them right up to another dog they do not know. That is not only dangerous but if a fight were to happen, the dog who led their person into the situation would be at fault. This is why we trainers strive to help teach the owners and their dogs to walk with each other, and why the owner should
always remain in control of the walk. When we approach another dog while walking our own, there are signs and body language we need to observe. With the permission of the other dog owner, we proceed forward and allow our dogs to come face to face while we are observing both dogs. We should be watching their eyes, mouths, ears, backs, tails, and complete overall posture.
ing past the faces, down the sides of each other’s bodies toward the butts. Some trainers say, “Noses, tails, and butts.” While this is happening, watch their bodies for stiffness and tails going from a down position to straight out or up. Watch for them poking their chests out and hackles on their back going up. If there is no sign of this and tails are wagging, then things are going good.
First, as they approach each other, watch their eyes. If their eyes lock onto each other, watch to see if they dilate to almost black orbs. This usually will be the first sign one is about to reject the other’s advances at being friends. Keep in mind that if the handlers or trainers are nervous, then the dogs will be just as nervous; so take a deep breath.
Third, the butt smell of each other. For some reason there are dogs out there that want to smell the other’s butt and then not share theirs. This makes me laugh sometimes. It can turn ugly quickly because the one dog can sometimes change its mind and tell the other dog “No,” even after the butt smell.
Second, now we are mov-
=The whole time the introductions are happening, keep watching the face
of each dog. If, for some reason either party decides to not go through with the introduction, watch for the following: a face and jaw that seem to square up, eyes which take on a look like locking onto a target and ears going forward. Be wary! Usually there is a split second where it can be felt that there is something about to happen, and that is time enough to get them away from each other before it does. =Another type of body language I want everyone to remember is the play bow. If both dogs like each other and one spreads its paws out and puts half its body in the down position, this is called the play bow. Sometimes both dogs will do it simultaneously to each other and then, “GAME ON!” Sometimes the play bow can be onesided when only one does
it, but in most cases they always accept each other and play. There are a few times I have seen the play bow initiated and the other dog still would not play. Be mindful of this also because it could lead into trouble if the other dog does not want to play.
Lastly, I want everyone to realize when there are service dogs working (vest on means they are working) do not allow your dog to approach the service dog unless cleared with the handler. It is not that something might happen, but we must remember that dogs will be dogs. What would happen if your dog did not take a liking to the working dog and picked a fight? No matter how well trained that service dog is, they might decide to defend themselves if attacked. That could ruin their training. The reason I address this concern is because of the following: While Zues, my service dog, and I have been out walking in Athens, we’ve been approached by some people walking their dogs. Thankfully, I have trained Zues not to respond, but he is still a dog. Please keep this in mind next time you introduce your dogs to another. “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 and Zues Allen 256-651-2211
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Medical Update
Osteoarthritis and Joint Replacement Surgery? by Dr. J. Patrick Boyett, Orthopedic Surgeon
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects the vast majority of patients with arthritis pain. Some refer to osteoarthritis as “wear and tear� arthritis. Another term is degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint but most commonly affects the weight bearing joints, specifically the knees and hips. Basically, the padding between the joint deteriorates and, as the joint nears bone touching bone without padding, the joint hurts.
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Treatment varies from activity modification to joint replacement. Conservative treatment includes avoiding impact exercises, such as running and jumping. As a general rule, exercises that are better for arthritis are as follows: swimming is better than biking, biking is better than elliptical, elliptical is better than walking, and walking is better than running. Weight loss is another method to lessen the impact across the joint. Medications are frequently used but are often limited by side effects. Typical medications include anti-
inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or Aleve. These medications have to be used with caution due to gastrointestinal side effects and kidney side effects. Other medications include glucosamine, which has very few side effects. Injections are an alternative for certain joints such as the knees. There are two types of injections. First, steroid shots have been the standard for many years. Although generally well tolerated, they have some limitations. A more recent advancement includes injection of a rooster car-
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tilage derivative into the knee commonly referred to as rooster comb shots. These shots help to pad and lubricate the diseased joint. Occasionally, certain types of braces can help arthritis pain. These are called offloader braces and work to take weight off of the arthritic area. When other treatment has failed, surgery may be the best option for osteoarthritis. We are often asked about arthroscopy for arthritis. The short answer is that scope surgery will not fix arthritis. Joint replace-
ment is the only good option for stopping arthritis pain. It involves replacing the bone on bone joint that no longer has a pad with an artificial joint that is separated by a plastic cushion. We will be covering the specifics of these topics of surgeries in future publications of Athens Now. Look for us in future editions. OrthoSports Athens is your hometown connection to cutting edge orthopedics and we are happy to evaluate and discuss specifics with you.
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Foreman’s Forum
You Can Refuse to be a Victim by Paul Foreman
Being a victim is real easy. All you have to do is look like a victim. Walk down almost any street after midnight and if you wait around long enough, you will be a victim! The NRA has a program titled “Refuse To Be a Victim.” I have a program which I have developed that I believe is even better.
Mine is not so politically correct and is not lawyer proof. Let's use your favorite movie or TV hero and try to imagine him or her being a victim. First and foremost, the most important element that keeps heroes from becoming victims is the way they look. There is not one single high-energy action hero that looks like Pee Wee Herman. Now that guy is a victim in waiting! You can pick from any long list of heroes you may want to imitate. If you are over for-
ty, you can probably name a dozen or so cowboy heroes. Can you try to imagine John Wayne, as Rooster Cogburn, getting mugged as he walks down the street? How about Crocodile Dundee? Now that's a knife! How about the Lone Ranger or Tom Selleck or Sam Elliott? OK, in a politically correct
article, I should mention, some heroines such as Roy Roger's wife, Dale Evans, or Lara Croft played by Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raiders. You see, none of these heroes and heroines looked like victims. Dale Evans could shoot the gun right out of the bad guy's hand. All of these stood tall and looked like they could whoop some serious backside, if the need presented itself. You never saw any of these guys or gals walking quietly along with their
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head bent down, hugging themselves. Heroes don't put up a flashing neon sign that says, “I am weak and I want to be a victim.” This is the way for you, man or woman, to at least look like you could whoop the backside of any miscreant who stumbled into your
path. 1)Stand tall with shoulders back and your head held high. 2)Be alert to your surroundings. (more on this later) 3)Walk like you are going somewhere, even if you aren't! 4)Men, lose the skinny jeans and the polka dot bow tie! Try not to look wimpy! 5)Ladies, don't dress like you want to be a victim! If you're walking down
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the street, don't dress like a street walker! (I warned you this would not be politically correct!) Now, find an instructor and learn how to defend yourself. Getting properly trained will keep you from “looking like a victim.” If you own a handgun, learn
how to use it safely and properly. Learn how and when it is legal to use deadly force to defend yourself and your loved ones. I hear so many people tell me, “Oh, I know how to shoot. I went hunting once with my grandfather.” Now that kind of remark is what I call the stuff that comes out of the south end of a north bound mule! Find an NRA Certified Firearms instructor and do it yesterday! I am offering Basic Pistol with Self Defense classes. I keep the class size small so I can provide individual
attention if needed. I am also offering an Advanced Self Defense Shooting class. This is for those who have already taken my basic class, or those who can show me they have already mastered the basic stuff.
I mentioned above the need to “be aware of your surroundings.” While walking on a path or sidewalk, do you notice some guys that just seem to be hanging out? Everybody else on the jogging or walking path seem to be there for a reason. (Exercise!) How about the city sidewalk which leads you past some dark alleys? How about walking past that parked car that has several men sitting in it? One night you head to the nearest “Stop & Rob,” sorry, I mean convenience store, to get some milk. Do you really need to go by yourself? When you get there, do you see the two or three characters hanging out right next to the front door? Oh sure, it’s the Christmas season and they are collecting for the Salvation Army, right?
The best fight you will ever be in is the fight you avoided. Stay away from trouble. If you are heading somewhere and have to stop and think, “Maybe I should take my gun,” then don't go there! Paul Foreman: Is a retired Deputy Sheriff, from Lee County Florida. Paul is a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor For further information about Firearm's Training, Paul can be reached through e-Mail at Captureman@PaulForeman.com or his web site, www.PaulForeman.com or by Phone at 256-431-6702
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