December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
Clean and Green We Appreciate Our Athens Heroes... This article is a bit different than my usual sharing of environmental information. I would like to use this forum this time to honor... Page 12
Athens Rehab Spotlight Spotlight On Lora Allen... Lora Allen was born at home in Limestone County on January 11, 1943. Her auntie, who was a midwife, delivered her, and she was... Page 13
Horse Whispering Celebrating Life... My Mother hasn’t made the SMUCKERS’ celebration announcement of 100 years old; however, she has reached the delightful age of... Page 20
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
Dr. Robert Storey: Foreign Medical Missions And Sweet Home Alabama By Ali Elizabeth Turner
Dr. Storey’s staff in front of a mud cloth from Mali. From left, Dr. Robert Storey, Gretchen Wade, Courtney Hargrove, and Fran Storey
Dr. Robert Storey has been in Family Practice for 25 years, and his studies and travels have taken him to several foreign
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Southerland Boutique Athens: Creating New Wardrobes With Service And Style By Ali Elizabeth Turner When I was a kid, my grandmother, who was a beautiful woman and a classy dresser, would take us downtown to go shopping for clothes. Most often it was for back-to-school or Continued on pages 17
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The beautiful women of Southerland Boutique, Athens. From left, Sabrina Self, owner Amy Hobbs Boone, and Jeanny Miller
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
Publisher’s Point
The Slovaks In The Season Of The Savior
Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
Sales
Deborah Huff
Graphic Design
Jonathan Hamilton
Web Design Teddy Wolcott
Delivery
Hunter Williams
Contributing Writers
Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Shelley Underhill Sandra Thompson Deb Kitchenmaster Wanda Campbell Paul Foreman Wayne Kuykendall Jackie Warner Holly Hollman Thomas C. Pitman, M.D.
In November, I wrote about a wonderful and necessarily hush-hush operation simply known as the Nazarene Fund. It has many projects, including supporting our vets, helping to protect Israel, disaster response, and feeding the hungry. However, for obvious reasons the details had to be necessarily sketchy regarding the plan to rescue Iraqi Christians from extermination at the hands of ISIS. I am so pleased to report that they have gotten out, they are safe, and they are profoundly grateful. The footage I have seen of their “homecoming” has been its own Christmas gift, and my prayer is that this will be the first of many “ops.”
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 Foreman’s Forum . . . . . . . . . 8
And where did they land? Who took them in and put signs up in the airport that said, “Welcome Home?” The tiny nation of Slovakia. Now granted, the lion’s share of the 13 million dol-
lars it took to get this first wave safely out of Iraq was donated by Americans, and everyone that was part of the American team said the experience was transformational. But it was Slovakia, which has certainly seen more than its fair share of war and oppression during its history, who chose to open its doors to strangers that are brothers and sisters in Christ. One woman, whose name is Ellen, had the following to say about how she was affected by the welcoming nation and those being welcomed: “We have been rewarded beyond belief by being allowed to stay in Slovakia. Thank you for letting us be here to see the Iraqi Christian refugees come home. That is how things were greeted [sic] when they came to Slovakia, “Welcome Home.” This is one of the greatest times I have ever spent. Spiri-
tual, uplifting, crushing, expanding! To witness these refugees who are willing to give up everything in life to gain everything eternal, is a miracle. I’m awed by the grace of the Slovakian people. I am inspired by the Slovakian government and their willingness to step up to the challenge other nations are turning a blind eye to. I am humbled and reborn by the strength of my Iraqi brothers and sisters. Today we are all one family in Christ. He loves and watches over us all. And expects us to watch over each other.” I am going to resist the temptation to spend much time contrasting the response of the Slovakian government to that of our own, other than to say that several churches in America, who have the resources to sponsor families, have been turned down by our State Department. And I won’t discuss at
length the fact that ISIS has put threats in the mailboxes of Swedes that give them three choices: 1. Convert to Islam 2. Pay the “protection tax” 3. Or be beheaded in three days. This is Sweden, whose king stood firm against the Nazis during WWII, and providentially, the nation was not destroyed.
No, those rants will have to wait. For now, I am going to thank God the Iraqis are safe, and rejoice that in one tiny corner of a brave, tiny nation, there is peace on earth, and goodwill toward men. Merry Christmas, dear readers, and a Happy New Year! Keep on shining on.
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
From The Vets’ Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Shelley . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Athens Rehab Spotlight . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . . 20 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Fitness, Fiscally Speaking . . 23
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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All Things Soldier
Sgt Bowe Bergdahl To Stand Trial by Ali Elizabeth Turner I have to admit, I am shocked that Sgt Bergdahl is going to have his “day in court,” and I think it’s safe to say that this could be considered a Christmas gift to the men who spent 45 days in the desert looking for him when he went AWOL in Afghanistan. The year was 2009, and one day Bowe came up missing. It was later determined that he wandered off, and as such, the consequences of his actions include being court- martialed for desertion, with the possibility of spending the rest of his life in Leavenworth. I remember when he was “found” in 2014, or rather was part of a highly controversial prisoner
not expect him to stand trial. Literally hundreds of officers have been fired by the present administration, and when the Army made public that they are proceeding with the court martial, I wondered what will happen to the careers of the officers who pressed for it against a tide of pernicious political correctness.
exchange, and what a strange experience it was. I was standing in line in the bank as the news was being broadcast. At first I was ecstatic that he had been released, and hoped that he was okay. However, as footage began to be shown of Bowe in “captivity” during the next few days, my joy evaporated. He was just way too “comfy” with the enemy, yet I still wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to believe that he had been “flipped,” and I know that one of the things I learned while living in Iraq is that the process of psychological warfare and breaking
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someone can cause a soldier to appear to have become a sympathizer, or worse, a collaborator. This is especially true if he is alone and has no brothers with which to band. It needs to be remembered that six soldiers lost their lives while looking for their “brother,” and all the interviews I have seen have indicated that those who returned from the search and rescue detail believe Bowe is guilty of treason. For them, a desertion conviction may very well seem light weight. It is also disturbing that we gave up 5 jihadists for Bowe, and I question if that was wise. I also must admit I did
To add to the strangeness of it all are Bowe’s comments about himself. Interestingly, there are over 25 hours of interviews with him that are on film, something that would make me nervous if I were his JAG lawyer. Then there’s the blog, wherein he talks about his motives for leaving his post. “I was trying to prove to myself, I was trying to prove to the world, to anybody who used to know me ... I was capable of being what I appeared to be,” Bergdahl says. “I had this fantastic idea that I was going to prove to the world I was the real thing.” And what, pray tell would that be? I don’t claim to know what happened in the boy’s brain, but I do truly hope that he gets a fair trial, something about which his former “captors” would cringe. Why? For no other reason than to uphold the rule of law in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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Calendar of Events Science Fiction: Science Future Now - Mar 6th
U.S. Space and Rocket Center. One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL. The future is now! Move objects with your mind! Become invisible! Play games with a robot! Experience augmented reality! Science, Fiction, Science Future brings the science of the future into the present, sending visitors on a unique journey filled with science exploration, curiosity and discovery. For hours of operation, admission, and contact information: rocketcenter.com/ admission
That’s Where the Story Began Concert Dec 20th
Piney Grove Baptist Church. 28430 Pinedale Road Ardmore, AL. Join the Piney Grove Adult Choir directed by Sonia Hastings at 10:30AM for a presentation of “That’s Where The Story Began”.
Christmas is Jesus Orchestral Concert Dec 20th
Emmanuel Baptist Church. 1917 U.S. Highway 72W, Athens, AL. Join the Orchestra of Emmanuel Baptist Church at 6:00PM for a concert. www.ebcathens.com
Decorate a Gingerbread Reindeer Dec 23rd
Athens Limestone County Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street Athens, AL. Drop in between 3:00PM-4:00PM and decorate a reindeer cookie with festive frostings.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Dec 24th
First United Methodist Church. 608 West Hobbs Street Athens, AL. Join the congregation for a Candelight Service. Choose from 12:00PM in the Beasley Center, 5:00PM in the Sanctuary or 8:00PM in the Sanctuary
Audioprism Live at Mac’s Dec 26th
Mac’s Sports Bar & Steakhouse. 1733 Jefferson Street SE, Athens, AL. Audioprism - Jeremy Ezell, Chad Miller, Kirk Hannah and Joey Whitworth - debut in their hometown at Mac’s from 8:00PM1:00AM. Enjoy music from across the decades, genres and even a few surprises.
Young Writer’s Group Dec 29th
Street Athens, AL. Are you between ages 6-18 and need help with your Martin Luther King Jr Essay or other writing you are working on? Join a group of young writers and adult mentors for steps to help on writing, setting goals and get feedback on your work in a safe, community writing setting from 3:15PM-4:15PM.
Yesterday’s Boots and Denim New Year’s Eve Show Dec 31st
Yesterday’s Event Center 15631 Brownsferry Road, Athens, AL Don your favorite denim and boots and come enjoy a night of your favorite music featuring Bobby Brooks (Flashing Huntsville Lights), “The Cadillacs”, Rodeo Stitt, Lacey Snider, Wayne Abbot, and many more. Kick up your heels on the dance floor. Show admission $20.00 including party hat, favors, and non-alcoholic champagne to toast the New Year’s arrival when the balloons drop. Purchase a dinner for $9.95. RSVP required, please specify if you plan to eat. RSVP to info@yesterdaysevents.com
Martin Luther King Jr. March
TBA. Downtown Athens, AL. Sponsored by the AthensLimestone NAACP. Marchers will assemble at the Limestone County Courthouse Square to the Limestone County Event Center on Pryor Street. More details to come. For more information: Bernard Simelton 256-426-6406
Coffee Call Jan 2nd
Alabama Veterans’ Museum 100 West Pryor Street Athens, AL Join fellow Veterans and their families for breakfast 8:00AM9:30AM. Contact Director Sandy Thompson at 256-771-7578.
Sweet Home M.B. Church Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Ceremony
TBA. Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church. 803 Westmoreland Avenue, Athens, AL. Join the Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee for this annual event. More information to come.
Calhoun Community College Martin Luther King Jr. Program
TBA. Aerospace Training Center (ATC). Thomas L. Hammond Road, Tanner, AL Join the Black Student Alliance (BSA) for celebration program. More details to come. Free and open to the public. For more information, Calhoun’s Dean of Student Affairs 256-306-2614 or the Public Affairs, Community Relations and Special Events Office 256-306-5260.
Athens-Limestone County Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Page 6
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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Foreman’s Forum
Fight or Flight? by Paul Foreman
The recent terrorist attack in California has frightened many of us. For several years now, our nation has experienced mass shootings at schools, churches, shopping malls, and now mass shootings by Islamic terrorists. I have been thinking and planning what to do if I found myself in such a situation. After reading advice from the Department of Homeland Security, I have come to my own conclusions. Ronald Reagan once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” When I first read the DHS “advice”, it basically instructed us to “hide in place, barricade the doors and wait for the government to rescue you.” So much for the advice from DHS! Here is my advice, with a legal disclaimer to consult with your own attorney before taking such action. After reading advice from numerous sources, I have come up with my own more realistic steps to take. 1) Escape if you can. Go! Get out of there, even if others are frozen in place. Leave all your belongings BEHIND! Help others escape if they will cooperate. I saw a video of an active shooter in a school board meeting in Northwest Florida. When the shooter came in and an-
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nounced his intentions to open fire, people in the audience spent time gathering up their coats and purses before getting out! 2) Once you are safe, stop others from unknowingly walking into a deadly situation. 3) Call 911 as soon as possible. If the 911 operator tells
the shooter. Get mad and defend yourself! What do you have to lose? 6) In a restroom, use toilet tank lids or toilet seats, metal trash cans, or mirrors as improvised weapons. Use fire extinguishers, chairs, lamps, broken glass from a picture frame or mirror, heavy vase, broken furniture, scissors, you can escape through. You do NOT want to get caught up in a mob of dozens or even hundreds of people all trying to escape out the same door. Grab hold of small children and carry them if possible. If children are too big to carry, grab your child’s belt rather than holding onto their arm. The same applies to adults. Grab each of your family by the belt and hold on for dear life.
you to stay on the phone, cooperate with him or her. 4) If you cannot escape, try to hide out of the shooter’s view. Barricade the doors with anything heavy you can find. Get behind heavy furniture such as desks or file cabinets. If possible, keep an escape route open. Use bathrooms as a last resort because you will be pinned down. Lock the doors. 5) If none of the above will work due to time or situation, FIGHT! Attempt to disable
or a glass ash tray. Spray the bad guy with the fire extinguisher and then hit him in the face. Use hot coffee, full soda cans, hair spray, bug spray, anything heavy. Hit him and hit him hard. Your life depends on it. 7) If you have a gun, use it! If you don’t know how, get trained! Just in the last few days I have heard numerous Sheriffs and Police Chiefs advising citizens to arm themselves. GET TRAINED by me or another qualified
trainer. 8) If you are evacuating a crowed theater, church, or mall, get away from the center of the hallway. Get next to the wall. You do NOT want to get caught up in the rushing mob of terrified people who might not care if you get trampled. Being next to a wall will allow you to use the wall for support if you get shoved or knocked down. Walls have windows and doors. You might find an escape route. Malls have numerous stores, often with back doors that
During the infamous doomed flight on 9/11, the passengers banded together. Todd Beamer was on his cell phone. Over the open phone line he was heard shouting, “Everybody ready? LET’S ROLL!” Pray that you will never need emergency plans, but have a plan! As I mentioned in my last article, imagine various scenarios, and plan for various contingencies that could happen in dangerous situations. Yes, I must agree with numerous Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. If you don’t have a gun, get one and get trained. In the next issue, I hope to discuss what to do when first responders arrive at the scene. Paul Foreman Retired Deputy Sheriff & NRA Certified Firearms Instructor Paul can be reached through his website at www.PaulForeman.com
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum
Why We Are The #1 Tourist Attraction In Limestone County
by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum
unique challenge. Wayne and Sharon Gey offered to match donations received up to $100,000, and we are still working on this!
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, I would like to say “Thank You” to our wonderful community for another outstanding year! It is amazing how time just seems to fly by. It’s like it was just yesterday I was writing this column in December, highlighting our upcoming events. I would like to share a little with everyone about what makes us the #1 tourist attraction in Limestone County. In 2015, the museum hosted over 10,300 visitors. These visitors included guests from all over the world as well as right here in our own back yard. I am still amazed at the number of people I talk with who say “I didn’t even know this museum existed!” Some say it is the best kept secret in Limestone County. Well I always say…”Don’t keep it a secret, tell everyone you know!” We also provided a meeting place for over 135 get-togethers, conducted 19 guided tours, and logged over 3,000 volunteer hours. As you know, we could not make it without our volunteers! In addition to being the biggest fundraising year ever, we continued to hold our annual events. I would like to share just a few. In March we had our annual “Women’s History Program”, and this year we honored our women Veterans of Des-
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ert Storm-Desert Shield. We were happy to have Capt. Rebecca Burney as our guest of honor. In April, we had the pleasure of having our very own Jason Sanders play at Coffee Call. SFC Sanders is a member of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” We had a great turn out at our annual fish fry, also held in April. In May, we hosted the annual Memorial Day Program with guest speaker LTG Larry Wyche, Deputy Commanding General of the US AMC and Senior Commander of Redstone Arsenal making a very moving presentation. AMCs Yellahammer Brass quintet provided the music. July brought us our 4th annual Sam Gibbons Walking Horse show. Ken Wilson always does an outstanding job getting
this event together. We also had Ron Pettus and his wonderful flag display at the museum. In September we hosted the first Travis Manion Heroes Run. This was not only a first for the museum, but the first one held in Alabama with over 248 runners registering. “Thank You” goes out to Whitney Hollingsworth for organizing this event. Also in September, we held our first “Militaria
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Show” with over 50 vendors coming out to show and sell their military memorabilia, and over 200 visitors attending. In November, the “Governor’s Own, 151st Alabama National Guard Band” performed an outstanding concert at the museum, we celebrated Veterans Day, and a job fair workshop was put on by Job Core of Decatur. Also in September, we were provided a
December brought us the largest single fundraiser the museum has ever had with our unveiling of the “Threads of Honor” quilt. We cannot thank Marlene and Wes Isom enough for honoring the museum. We would also like to thank the ladies who were instrumental in putting the quilt together. The design for this quilt by Chuck and Dianne Craig was based on the original 1919 quilt per Marlene’s request. All of the names were hand written and hand embroidered by the following women: Snow Howard, Skipper Carter Breeding, Joy Bailey Brewer, Lou Ann Green Schrimsher, Sharon Swann Griffis, Yvonne Hebert Dempsey, Gertrude Young, Jean Moore, Heather Currah Miller, Patsy Abernathy, JoAnne Miller, Brenda Miller, Mary Alice Blizzard, Bailey Isom, and Marlene Isom. There are 656 names on the quilt and a total of $40,260 was raised for the museum. Also in December, we received an outstanding donation of vintage military toys for our gift shop, so if you are looking for a last minute gift for the military collector, stop by. We have everything from GI Joes to Abrams Tanks! Once again, thank you for another outstanding year!!! We could not do it without you!
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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Clean and Green
We Appreciate Our Athens Heroes by Lynne Hart
Athens Christmas Heroes this party with great anticipation. Entertainment at this year’s party included music by the Athens Dulcimer group and the reading of an original poem titled Athens Christmas Heroes. Mayor Ronnie Marks and members of our Athens Fire and Police Departments helped with the poem.
This article is a bit different than my usual sharing of environmental information. I would like to use this forum this time to honor our local heroes. As a member of the Athens Ladies Civitan, I am very proud of the work this group does within our community. The mission of Civitan worldwide is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. One of the many things the club does each year,
and my personal favorite project, is to provide a Christmas party for the clients of the Limestone County Mental Health Center. The clients are treated to a full turkey dinner, entertainment, gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus. Our guests look forward to
At the end of the story, our own Athens Police and Firefighters were brought to the front and received a standing ovation for putting their lives on the line every day for this community. It is a difficult time to be an emergency responder, and this was a great opportunity to recognize and appreciate them. Take a moment to thank our first responders during the holidays and throughout the year. Sometimes we forget about them until we have a need, and at that moment they can become our lifeline. Reading this story with your children may give you an opportunity to open a dialogue about our first responders and what they truly do for our community.
There is quite a story of a Christmas 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. It fell and it fell and piled up oh, so deep. Mayor Marks said “I know that tonight 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 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 lead 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 heroes that night! Written for Operation Santa 2015
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
Cooking with Shelley
Chick...Chick… Chicken Pot Pie by Shelley Underhill I have to give credit for this recipe to He Cooks She Cooks. They are out of Huntsville and have an awesome cook book that is sold around town. Well... Mom got hold of one! You guessed it... she made the chicken pot pie first. What a treat! We enjoyed it so much that I made it again that week and my daughter’s first words after tasting it were “When are you gonna make this again? ” I just laughed and said “That’s what I told your grandmother!”
I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2016. If you have questions or ideas please email me at shelleysdesk@gmail.com
So needless to say this ranks up there with “You gotta try this one.”
Chicken Pot Pie 2 9-inch deep dish pie crusts 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts--cooked and chopped 1 can of cream of chicken soup 1 can of Veg-all 4 oz sour cream 2 Tablespoons of mayo 1 cup of Velveeta cheese- cubed Salt and pepper Mix together all ingredients, place in unbaked pie shell. Put second crust on top of shell and mixture. Pinch the ends to seal ends. Cut slits all over top shell. Bake on a cookie sheet in case some of the mixture leaks out. Bake for one hour. I find its best if you let it rest about 20 minutes before serving.
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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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
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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
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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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
Cover Story
Dr. Robert Storey: Foreign Medical Missions And Sweet Home Alabama by Ali Elizabeth Turner we make decisions together.” • “I am easy to talk to, and am approachable. I am not just going to throw medical terminology at you. I will explain things and make sure you completely understand what I am talking about.” • “I am not going to make you wait for 2 weeks to see me. I actually don’t mind walk-ins. If you are sick that day, you get seen that day.” A General Practitioner is the only medical doctor in Alabama that must take a comprehensive re-certification exam every seven years, and Dr. Storey just completed his. “I am ready to keep doing what I love,” he said. He chuckled as he described his
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countries as a “medical missions doc.” Like so many other medical people in our area, if you want to make their eyes twinkle, get them to talk about their adventures abroad serving people and our Savior. His office is filled with mementos, pictures and reminders of his joy in practicing medicine even in rough situations. Dr. Storey is married to Fran and they have 5 kids, and, as he says, “two perfect grandchildren.” Fran is his office manager, and the practice he shares with Dr. Ernest Hendrix is located at 108 Sanders Street in Athens, just east of Athens Limestone Hospital. Fran says of their move to Athens, “He is fulfilling his life- long dream.” Dr. Storey came to this practice in November, but is no stranger to North Alabama. He spent 15 years working in Huntsville, and, as a GP, got to do everything from deliver babies to function as an ER doc. He said with a smile, “I was the last GP they let work in the ER. I loved it, too.” He estimates that he has delivered around 2,000 babies, and especially enjoyed taking care of newborns. He practiced for several years in Talladega, “loves the feel of a small town” and Athens was a perfect fit. One of the things that struck me about Dr. Storey was how much he enjoys what he does. “Every day is different. One day it seems like all we are dealing with is diabetes, and another day it will be cardio-vascular,” he said. The change up is one of the many benefits of being a General Practitioner because it keeps things fresh. More than once he said with conviction, “I love what I do. I’d do it for free if I could.” He also added, “Helping people
Medical Mission in Mali Dr. Storey is between the two gentlemen in the red hats
get well and relieving suffering, that is enjoyable.” Dr. Storey actually got his start in the study of medicine while in Grenada, and arrived there not long after the invasion was over. “There were bullet holes everywhere, and you could see places in the ceiling where ordnance had come through,” he said. He did two years of med school in Grenada, and finished up at the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham. “The people who taught us in Grenada were the same people who wrote the textbooks we used at UAB,” he said. The Storeys also have a son who is currently in the same med school in Grenada that his father attended, and, like his dad, absolutely loves what he does. Dr. Storey made several medical mission trips to Mali, and we talked awhile about how much we love Africa and how much we would love to go back. Unfortunately, because of the Ebola crisis, he hasn’t been able to go to Mali for several years because he would have to come back and
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
be quarantined for 21 days. However, he has been able to go to Costa Rica and said, jokingly, “I think THAT is the true location of the Garden of Eden!” He has also been to Guatemala. One of the advantages of having practiced tropical medicine is that it forces you to think “outside the box.” Many doctors have very little experience with parasites, for example, but they are a problem far more often than one might think, and he is on the alert for the damage they can
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do. His international experience is invaluable, and coupled with the joy of doing that to which he has been called, his relaxed enthusiasm is contagious. I asked Dr. Storey why, when I have choices, should I choose him for my primary care physician. He said, “Now that is an interesting question. I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that before.” He thought for awhile, and said the following: • “I am a safe and competent physician, and I listen to my patients” • “I take a team approach to your care. I listen to you, and
spectrum of care as “womb to tomb.” If that is the style of medical practice that makes you the most comfortable and confident, then Dr. Robert Storey is your man. You can call his office at 256-230-1116 for an appointment.
Dr G. Robert Storey, MD Family Medicine 108 Sanders Street, Athens, AL 35611 256-230-1116 Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5 Page 15
Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On Lora Allen by Ali Elizabeth Turner Lora Allen was born at home in Limestone County on January 11, 1943. Her auntie, who was a midwife, delivered her, and she was the 2nd child of 9. She had 4 brothers, 4 sisters, and the family worked hard as sharecroppers. “Most of the time I was at home taking care of my brothers and sisters,” she told me, but she picked her share of cotton, too. She went to Trinity School, and we talked about the renovation and dedication of the facility.
Lora married at the age of 15, and had 4 children. Her children were small during the Civil Rights Movement and, at great personal risk, Lora marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma. I exclaimed, “You were at Selma on Bloody Sunday?” She nodded. I continued with, “What did you do when the shooting started?” “We hit the ground,” she said, “and then I left out runnin’.” Her husband was not at all happy with her be-
ing in harm’s way, but it was something that she just felt she should do. She gave birth to 3 girls and a baby boy, (her second child), who died of “crib death” (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). I don’t think any mother ever gets over losing a baby, and Lora told me, “Knowing that I will see him again in heaven keeps me going every day.” Lora’s husband, Paul, worked as a window washer on the
Arsenal for over 40 years, and they were married 51 years. She worked at ConAgra and Steelcase. She said that she is very happy at Athens Rehab, and one of her favorite staff members is Michelle Malone, who was with us in the interview. Michelle works in activities, and Lora “loves ALL the activities, especially Bingo.” Laura has an affectionate nickname for Michelle, and it is “Trouble Trouble.” Miss Lora also mentioned that she appreciates Linda Sams, the new administrator, “who always comes and checks on us.” It took Lora awhile to accept the fact that she would be staying long term in the facility, but said, “They treats me good.” She was also thrilled with the Christmas gifts of clothing that she received as part of the Angel Tree program. She said with delight, “They fit me!!” We moved on to the topic of favorites, and, as we always do, started with her favorite color. “Blue.” We laughed over the fact that it seems like that is everyone’s fave. Food: “Turnip greens.” Food that she likes to cook: It is still what her kids liked the most—rice. “Rice?” I responded with surprise. “What
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was it your kids liked so much about your rice?” She smiled and said, “I put real butter in it, and a little bit of sugar. They all loved it.” She got saved as a teenager at the Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church, and fellowshipped most of her adult life at Saint Mark’s Primitive Baptist Church. Her favorite song? “Precious Lord.” We then “commenced to have church,” and spent some time singing. Her favorite musician? Blues legend John Lee Hooker. Her favorite book? A children’s book she read to her kids called, “Jack and Jill.” Her favorite movie? “Stir Crazy.” She said she liked it because it was funny and had whites and blacks together. Her favorite scripture? “Psalm 23.” Her favorite President? “Barack Obama.” The biggest change in her lifetime? “White folks accept us as people, just as good as anybody.” Advice to young people? “Go to church, love God, and treat your mother and father right.” Good advice from a woman who has lived some life, for sure.
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
Cover Story
Southerland Boutique Athens: Creating New Wardrobes With Service And Style by Ali Elizabeth Turner
brick, repurposed furniture, and old-style metal pipes being used as the clothing racks. As important as ambience is, what I experienced when my youngest went there to get some new clothes was virtually miraculous. She was heading off to school to get her Master’s degree as a Certified Nurse Midwife, needed a new “business casual” look, and found it in abundance! The whole staff got involved in making selections, bringing
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Easter Sunday, and this was back in the day when it was considered inappropriate to be seen in a dress shop in slacks. Another thing about that era, (the ‘50s and ‘60s, for those of you who are curious,) is that it was expected that any member of a clothing store staff would help you make your selections. They were trained to be helpful, respectful, observant, and fashion savvy. That style of customer care went the way of filling stations, but is thankfully alive and well at the Southerland Boutiques in Athens and Ardmore. Amy Hobbs Boone, the owner of both boutiques, told me that she feels the thing that sets Southerland Boutiques apart is that her people are well trained and ready to serve. This is true whether one is “just looking,” or, as I observed, a customer is building a whole new wardrobe, and desires a lot of input and assistance. Amy essentially grew up being in business, and the Hobbs family is well known in our area as entrepreneurs and business owners. Amy spent 14 years of her career working as a multi-million dollar producing real estate agent. Her husband, Daniel, owns a contracting company. She has always enjoyed fashion, but it was the challenge of finding age appropriate clothing at a reasonable price for her daughter Taylor that moved her toward her latest venture. In 2012, she converted a spare room in her home into a boutique, largely purchased her inventory online, advertised it on Facebook, and she told me, “I would even deliver the orders to people in my car.” She did so well that in 2014 she opened the first Southerland Boutique in Ardmore, and named it after her mother’s maiden name. It is located at 29976 1st Ave East, across from the
Methodist Church. Dining room chairs have been painted and hung on the walls, with the bottom rungs functioning as clothing display racks, and the seats are used for all kinds of displays. The clothing is soft, flowing, sharp looking, and reasonably priced. The accessories, including candles, earrings, necklaces, scarves and purses have that definite “unique boutique” feel, and the boot socks and fingerless gloves are hand crocheted. The
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
were pretty bags which had been carefully packed with her new purchases. She looked stunning, and more importantly, she had been supported in the way my grandmother would have expected. That extra touch of customer service was truly powerful, and the womenfolk of our tribe no doubt will be long term raving fans of Southerland Boutiques. Sabrina Self, one of the sales staff who helped in the “metamorphosis” said, (in reference to the shopping spree), “She just made my day.” Jeanny Miller, another member of the team present in the shop that day, told me that this is the first job she has ever had that she “loves to get up and go to every day.” Some of the features that set Southerland Boutiques apart include: a huge selection from which to choose, new items arriving each week, the people are friendly, down to earth and personable, and they are all fashion smart. The Athens shop is going to have its Grand Opening on Saturday, December 19th, from 10-5. There will be drawings for door prizes, and for every $100 you spend, you get $20 off. Come and experience a level of service from a bygone era, and fashion and accessories that are right up to the minute, or, as they say in Paris, “a la mode.”
Southerland Boutique
Ardmore store also carries OTBT shoes. Earlier this month, a boutique became available in the recently renovated shops that are just north of the Limestone County Courthouse Annex building, and Southerland Boutiques Athens opened for business. This shop is charming as well, with the original exposed
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them to her, giving their opinion, and then having her come out of the dressing room to the “oohs” and “ahhs” of all. We all watched her bloom in that moment, and there were some happy misty eyes as we saw this beautiful Carolina Butterfly emerge from her “fashion cocoon,” spread her wings, and then “fly” out of the boutique. Lining her arms
-Ardmore 29976 1st Ave East Ardmore, AL 35739 256-423-4444 Hours: M-F 10-6, Sat 10-2 -Athens 105 East Market Street Athens, AL 35611 256-262-4755 Hours: M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5 Facebook: Southerland Boutique Instagram: southerlandboutique Page 17
Learning As A Lifestyle
A Very Merry Christmas To Everyone by Wanda Campbell
Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 On December 12th, the Center for Lifelong Learning took a group to Franklin, Tennessee for the Dickens Festival. We arrived early – thank goodness – and were able to see most of the exhibits before the crowds arrived. There were characters from Dickens’ novels dressed in costume everywhere. Constable Bob, Fagan and the Artful Dodger, Santa, Ebenezer Scrooge in his nightgown, Tiny Tim, and Mrs. Cratchit walked the streets and posed for pictures with visitors. More than 100 exhibits were filled with books, gift ideas, decorations, candies, pastries, and other treasures.
Some are local like the Dickens trip, which was only a day. In March 2016, we will be returning to Franklin for a Glass Blowing Class. Participants will attend the Glassblowing Studio and learn how to blow ornaments, paper weights, or cups. We will have lunch in Franklin before
heading home. This trip is scheduled for March 22nd. We will leave at 8:00am and return about 4:00pm. The fee is only $99, which includes your class fee, transportation, and materials for the glass project. You can make your reservation by calling 256-2338260 or register on our
I spent a little time in the gift shops, a lot of time in the book stores, and enough time in the candy shops. There were peanut butter truffles, lots of fudges, fresh squeezed lemonade, and my favorite – old fashioned donuts, fried and dipped while you wait. MMMM good!
Some are overnight – like the Savannah trip we took in March. In 2016, we will be going to the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia in April and we will go to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in Octo-
ber. Watch for details on the website, or call us at 256-233-8260. Some are international trips. We will be going to Israel in November 2016. If you have ever thought about going to Israel, now is the time to do it. Our group will be traveling with a local guide to keep us out of trouble. It is the opportunity of a lifetime if you can go. The tour is reasonably priced with round-trip air from Metro Airport in Nashville, Tennessee. The fee includes airfare, fee and surcharges, hotels, and 15 meals – 7 breakfast, 1 lunch, and 7 dinners. If you think you might be interested, even if you are not sure – come to the Israel Presentation on Tuesday, January 12 at 5:30pm. Lots of your questions will be answered and you will get more information about the trip. Call Wanda Campbell at 256-2338262 for more information about this trip. On Thursday, December 17, the offices of the Center will close for the holidays. We will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2016 for regular office hours. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
My traveling companions bought books signed by their authors, salsas, and yard decorations. All of us had a great time and thought the trip was well worth the effort. If you get a chance, you should go next year.
While we are gone, Square Clock Coffee will be open for coffee and lunches. Be sure to stop by for a great cup of coffee or a soup and sandwich.
As you probably know if you read this column, the Center goes on four or five trips a year.
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website – www.athens. edu/CLL.
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
The View From The Bridge
Thinking Back But Moving Forward… Accomplishments This 2015 Jackie Warner
Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters
by Jackie Warner
Merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season to you and your families. As we are busy selecting gifts for our loved ones, remember the real reason for the season- Jesus Christ our Savior– The Perfect Gift! I encourage us all to take a look back at our accomplishments for this year, starting with a revisit of those big resolutions we made in January 2015. Let’s honestly ask ourselves: were we successful? In some instances, yes, of course we were, but in others, not even close. I started looking back at all I had “planned” to do this year and regrettably, several are still on “the list”. They did not get the attention deserved for real success. Each year we come up with these wonderful New Year resolutions, but many are just that…. resolutions. As you look back over your life for this year, ask yourself, “Am I better now than when I started, or was I aimless in my journey, with no true strategies and preparation to meet my desired goals?” Reflection and self-observation are critical and essential; during the hustle and bustle of the season, stop and take time for yourself to truly decide what is needed in your life to move you forward. Set realistic personal commitments that have genuine purpose for your
life’s journey. We can say what we want to do all day long. We can write it down and keep it with us; however, the real work begins when we decide to take personal action and do it for ourselves with or without the help of others. The excuses we make get the best of us and prevent us from executing the steps it takes to accomplish success in life. Although I did not meet
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
all my goals for this 2015 year, I am reflecting and looking back at what I did right and what I definitely can do better for myself, family, and my circle of influence. What promises did I make to myself and others? What were my obstacles, and who and what were my supporting anchors? If it is the Lord’s will for us to be present in 2016, then the time is now to determine and prepare for those realistic com-
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mitments that will make us better for ourselves and world around us. Again, I wish you all a wonderful and blessed season and Happy New Year. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established - Proverbs 16:3 Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community
Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: Website: http://thebridge-us. yolasite.com/
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Horse Whispering
Celebrating Life “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln ~ My Mother hasn’t made the SMUCKERS’ celebration announcement of 100 years old; however, she has reached the delightful age of 85. December 3rd, I traveled to Albia, Iowa to celebrate her birthday. We sang, we danced, we laughed, and we ate cake. What a fun time! My sister, two brothers, and I worked together to host Mother’s party at the Methodist church where she is a member. I was reminded of my Shetland pony days! Actually, I was on the back of a horse before I could walk. Grandpa Kaster, who lived across from my birthplace, had Shetland ponies. There were Giggles, Twinkle Toes, and Patches. My Mother’s youngest brother was a cowboy, who eventually became a jockey, riding race horses on the east coast for a season in his life. It was this Uncle that got me involved in barrel racing, pole bending and cowboy rescue, all through our local county fairs. During the years we lived in Melrose, Iowa, there was a moment we didn’t have horses. We lived on a dairy farm, milking Holstein cows twice a day, slopping hogs, gathering eggs from the hen house,
and playing with the kittens in the hay loft. One hot Sunday afternoon when the folks were taking a nap, my sister and I decided we would go out and ride the hogs! We got a whipping for that one. For some odd reason, Dad was concerned we were going to kill those sows, riding them like we were on such a hot day. Imagine that. Dad became aware of a farmer in our area who had gotten a couple of horses for his sons. In time, the horses outwitted the lads. Having some unpleas-
by Deb Kitchenmaster
ant encounters with the horses, they refused to get back up on a horse. Dad invited this man to bring out one of the horses and let his girls get the horse back into being ridden. Because horses are herd animals, we asked Grandpa if he would bring one of the Shetland ponies out so we could each have a horse to ride, and Gramps did. I will forever remember the day the “new” pony came. His name was Spotty. Our daily ritual was to ride, ride, ride; day after day; Spotty and Patches.
When the farmer returned to pick up Spotty, he came with another pony, Buddy. Buddy was more spirited than Spotty, but that didn’t hinder sister and me from completing our daily ritual. All too soon, it was time for Buddy to go home. Early one September morning, the horse trailer pulled into the farm. To our GREAT surprise, Spotty was in the trailer! We were given our very first own pony! However, this particular Sunday was the annual Williams Reunion. Mother had
while I straddled his head. He would lift his head and put me on his back. I turned around, took hold of the reins, and off we would go. In my Junior High years, my Dad took my sister and me to an auction at the sales barn in Albia, Iowa. He bought two yearlings that day; a filly and a colt. My sister claimed the bay mare, and named her Baby Doll. I claimed the ugly, all legs, Appaloosa colt who I named Watoosee. You’ve heard of the ugly duckling story? That would describe my beloved Watoosee. In Albia, Huber Saddle Shop, (owned by Bill & Opal Huber), made the best saddles around. Mother bought my sister and me each a saddle. I still have that saddle. When I celebrated Mother’s 85th, a girlfriend (Vera) and I drove out to the saddle shop. Their son, Billy Huber, won the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo Championship on March 16th, 2015, after tying his calf in a record breaking 7.4 seconds. Way to go, Billy! Celebrating Mother’s birthday this December has brought me into an awareness of celebrating my life, which is filled with horses and horse people. May we be truly “CELEBRATING LIFE” as we remember the birth of Christ in a manger. He is the source of life and more abundant life! Merry Christmas, Athens Now “Neigh”bor, Merry Christmas.
fried chicken, coleslaw, potato salad and cake for our gathering. Darn it! I wanted to stay home! I remember looking out the back window of the car as we pulled out of the drive. Spotty stood at the gate. I think he was as sad as I was. We liked being together. Then a horse that was being reYour NEIGHbor, tired from working in the coal Deb Kitchenmaster mines came to our farm. Ole Corral Connections Bill. Bill was too big for me to www.corralconnections.com jump on his back, so we had an ‘A church of great heart’ agreement. He would put his head down so I could put the 256-426-7947 bridle on him. Then he would Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner nibble on a few blades of grass dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
What Makes Ronnie Roll
Year In Review by Holly Hollman, City of Athens Communications Specialist The City of Athens greeted 2015 with winter weather events that demonstrated the kindness of our employees and community. A three-day cold snap from Jan. 7-9 resulted in TVA seeing peak demands across the area as temperatures dropped to the single digits. Old Man Winter hit again on Feb. 19 when TVA reported the third highest all time energy day in TVA history with 694 GWh used. This also set a new February usage record as temps hovered around seven degrees. On Feb. 20, a winter storm brought .2 inches of ice and ½ inches of snow to Athens, according to WAFF’s Brad Travis. Interstate 65 shut down with more than 150 motorists abandoning their vehicles. Athens Police, the Mayor’s Office and Central Church of Christ volunteers worked to get stranded motorists to the church for food and shelter after hotels and restaurants at the Interstate-65/U.S.72 exit became full. APD rescued a basketball team from Middle Georgia State University when the team bus became stranded. Players were walking along the interstate toward Athens in the middle of the night, which led to a story on Good Morning America. The team sent APD gifts of appreciation such as autographed basketballs and footballs. “We were caught a little off guard, not realizing how much ice we would get and that it was going to paralyze the city, but it ended up bringing out
the best in our department and community,” Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said. “Through the duration of the event and subsequent events, we had people volunteering to help from our business community to our church community. We had officers who didn’t want to go home when their shift ended because they were enjoying helping others. This was a communitywide response that highlighted how special the city is, and how giving our citizens and employees are to others.” After recovering from that weekend storm, seven inches of snow hit Athens on Feb. 25, according to WAFF. The snow level throughout Limestone County ranged from 4.5 to 10 inches. City Public
Works crews plowed roads and used sand on bridges throughout the night to help clear paths for traffic. Central Church of Christ again opened its doors to stranded motorists. Before spring could arrive, March brought another winter event on March 5-6 when freezing rain and sleet hit on a Thursday night and left slick spots for motorists Friday morning. There were five wrecks in the city, some with injuries. Winter weather wasn’t the only item making headlines. January 2015 brought the announcement of new jobs in the area. Polaris announced it was building a new manufacturing facility in the Greenbrier area in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County. Athens Utilities is supplying electricity for the project, and the city committed $200,000 to help lure the company and its 2,000 jobs and
potential for suppliers. A member of the management team has already purchased a home in Athens. In October, two more industrial announcements made headlines. Michigan-based Shape Corp. announced it is building a $24 million plant in Athens and creating 170 jobs. The plant will locate on a 34-acres site at Breeding Industrial Park.GE Aviation also announced it will locate a $200 million complex in Greenbrier in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County and create 300 jobs. Athens Utilities will provide electricity. “We talk to industrial prospects on a regular basis now, and that shows how hot this area is and how lucky we are to be in the North Alabama area,” Mayor Ronnie Marks said.
Those outside the City of Athens have noticed the attractiveness of our city. Here are some of the Athens Police with items of accolades from 2015: appreciation sent to them by the basketball team stranded in the ice. ● NerdWallet ranked Athens the 18th best
Athens Fire and Rescue working a wreck during one of the winter storms.
December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
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place in Alabama homeownership
for
●Movoto blog named Athens the 7th safest city in Alabama based on the FBI’s 2013 uniform crime report ●NerdWallet ranked Athens No. 2 among 100 cities in the U.S. with a rising middle class.
●Niche.com listed Athens as No. 11 for Best Towns to Live In in Alabama, scoring the city high in housing, education, safety and overall community. ●NerdWallet named Athens 20th best city in Alabama for first-time homebuyers.
●USA News and World Report gave Athens High School a Bronze national ranking.
●SACS said Athens City Schools surpassed every national average of their ratings. With 400 being the best possible score, Athens scored 317.07. The national average is 282.45.
●Newsweek magazine released its rankings of U.S. high schools that provide the best chances for post-graduation success for students living below the poverty line. Athens High was one of two Alabama schools to make the list of 500. Athens ranked No. 361. Athens also received a Gold Star Equity rating, meaning students classified as disadvantaged performed at or above state averages in standardized reading and math tests.
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Medical Update
Take Back Control of Your Life! By Thomas C. Pitman, M.D., FPMRS, FACOG Do you get up more than three times at night to empty your bladder? Do you leak unexpectedly when you get the sudden urge to urinate and can’t make it to the bathroom? Do you get the sudden urge to urinate when you hear water running, wash the dishes, or are exposed to changes in your environment? Do you have to urinate more than eight times during the day? If so, you most likely have a condition called Overactive Bladder (OAB). OAB and urinary incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine) affects 1 in 3 women over age 45 and 1 in 2 women over age 65. It significantly impacts your quality of life by preventing a good night’s sleep, requiring you to wear protection (pads or adult diapers), and causes anxiety in social situations due to concerns about odor and embarrassment.
when the bladder is not completely full, and the brain sends messages to the bladder to empty that you cannot control. You do not have to live with this condition, and many options are available. Changes in your diet, like avoiding caffeine, nicotine and acidic foods, and performing pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can improve your symptoms. There are many medications on the market that can reduce or control your symptoms. If you are having this problem, talk to a doctor trained to deal with this condition, and get a full workup to clarify the diag-
nosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment options will be discussed, but unfortunately this is not an easy problem to fix. Often medications do not work or are not tolerated, and then other treatments must be discussed. An exciting option that many are not aware of is called InterStim or neuromodulation therapy. InterStim involves placing a small electrode near the nerves going to the bladder, and then by a series of small electrical pulses, blocking the feedback loop to and from the bladder. This allows the bladder to fill more easily to a normal
Your bladder has receptors that send messages to your brain indicating the bladder needs to empty, and your brain likewise sends messages back to the bladder, causing the bladder walls to contract, the bladder outlet to relax, and the bladder to empty. This feedback loop is what controls your bladder.
An outpatient test is done first, and after 5 to 7 days of the temporary test, you will know if it works. You should see a greater than 50% improvement in all symptoms, and if you do, then you are a candidate for a full implant. The full implant is like a bladder pacemaker. The permanent electrode is placed and then a small battery is placed under the skin of the upper buttock. The battery then needs to be replaced every 5 years, but the electrode stays in place.
InterStim not only treats OAB and urinary incontinence, it also treats urinary retention (inability to empty completely) and fecal incontinence (uncontrolled loss of stool). Patients who have to self catheterize to empty their bladder could benefit from InterStim. The same nerves that go to the bladder also go to the muscles that control bowel movements. By stimulating these nerves, the muscles have a stronger tone and allow better bowel control. Studies have shown that InterStim is superior to medications (due to monthly medication costs, side effects and having to remember your medication) and provide a better quality of life compared to medications. Approximately 80% of OAB patients achieved success (>50% improvement) and 45% were completely dry after one year, 70% and 35% respectively after five years. Urinary Retention patients had a 77% success rate with 61% of patients completely eliminating the need for catheters, and this benefit persisted at the same rate after 5 years. If you would like more information, check out Medtronic.com, or call to schedule a consultation with a specialist in your area. Not all offer InterStim as an option, so do your research. Medtronic provides a physician locator on their website.
Normally your bladder fills without difficulty, sends the message to the brain, and the brain tells your bladder to empty, but then you can hold off emptying voluntarily until you make it to the bathroom. With OAB, the bladder will send the messages to the brain
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volume and then prevents uncontrolled bladder contractions, giving you back control of your bladder.
Take back control of your life today! God bless! Thomas C. Pitman, M.D., FPMRS, FACOG
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December 18, 2015 - January 7, 2016
Fitness, Fiscally Speaking
Insuring For The Long Term by Wayne Kuykendall, content courtesy of AXA Advisors
Every one of us hopes to live to a ripe old age, enjoying good health, family and friends along the way. The luckiest of us will. But those of us who are less lucky may have to deal with serious and often ongoing health challenges that come with longevity. It’s unsettling to consider the possibility of needing daily assistance with the most basic activities such as eating or bathing. Yet, statistics indicate that more than half of all people reaching age 85 need some sort of help. Planning for those potential needs now may save a lot of money and heartache later. Long Term Care By definition, long term care (LTC) describes the various services provided to help meet the ongoing needs of people who cannot care for themselves independently. People of any age may need LTC, but in this article we will discuss the assistance that may be needed by chronically ill or disabled seniors to help them perform the activities of daily living, which include eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting. LTC can be provided at home or in assisted living or nursing home facilities. Care providers may be paid professionals or unpaid family members or friends. Medicare, the country’s largest senior health insurance plan, generally does not pay for it, which often comes as a surprise to people who assumed their care would be covered. The Cost Of Care Long term care can be extremely expensive. Though rates vary according to geography and the type of care needed, the cost of long term care- which is associated with the activities of
daily living such as eating, bathing, and dressing, or the supervision of someone with Alzheimer’s- can easily climb over $70,000 per year. These numbers will mostly likely rise as life expectancies extend and the demand of care continues to increase. Unless you are part of the wealthy minority and are unconcerned with leaving an inheritance behind, paying for LTC out of pocket is nearly impossible. Relying On Medicaid All too often one spouse or both wind up requiring care and a significant amount of their savings may be spent paying for it. It is important to note that, in order to be eligible for Medicaid, individuals must meet strict income eligibility requirements. Also remember that most of us are used to having choices when it comes to our medical care. When you enter the Medicaid system, you are required to see Medicaid doctors and use Medicaid facilities. In some circumstances, these may not be the service providers you would choose if you had other options. Beginning in 2006, the largest generation in this country’s history-the Baby Boomers- began to turn 60. Many of them have amassed substantial wealth; however, their savings could quickly be reduced if they must pay for long term care expenses out of their own pockets. Confronting The Costs One strategy to prepare for the looming costs of LTC is with Long Term Care insurance (LTCi). Interestingly, though many pre-retirees seem to know that LTCi is available, they still do not own any. The reasons are diverse: some people do not want to think about becoming disabled; others wrongly assume Medicare will cover the cost of care; and still others are averse to the cost of LTCi policy premiums.
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In truth, you may buy LTCi and never use it. In this case, you will have paid premiums for years, maybe even decades, and all that money will be lost the same way your car insurance and homeowner’s insurance premiums are lost if you never file a claim. However, if you should someday need long term care, just one year of coverage will more than make up for all the premiums you ever paid. Considering the average stay in a nursing home is 870 days- a little more than two years- chances are, if you ever require that type of LTC, the coverage afforded by your LTCi will give you more than your money’s worth. Things To Consider When Buying LTCi If you decide that long term care insurance is an important asset protection tool in your overall financial plan, the next step is to determine which type of policy best suits your needs and budget. As you evaluate the diverse and often complicated options, enlisting the help of a qualified financial professional is strongly recommended. Depending on your geography and the insurer, you may be able to take out an individual policy or one that allows spouses to share benefits. You will need to decide how many years’ worth of coverage you want, how much of a daily benefit amount you think you will need, and whether that benefit amount will be adjusted for inflation. Additionally, you should consider the following when choosing an insurer and a policy type. Choice Of Caregivers And Location Of Care You may want the option of choosing private caregivers or even non-professional caregivers such as family members or friends. For some people, home care is most desirable. Be sure to
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examine whether your policy allows for care in a variety of locations, including home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Exclusions Pay close attention to whether the policy excludes any illnesses, diseases, or preexisting conditions. Since Alzheimer’s disease is a leading cause of dementia, and thus the need for around-the-clock care, make sure your LTCi policy covers it. Cost Of Premiums Of course you need to evaluate how the cost of policy premiums fit into your budget, but you should also be aware of whether the insurer reserves the right to raise rates. Waiting Periods Many policies insist on a predetermined waiting period before full benefits kick in. Often, you can choose the length of the waiting period of your policy; typically, the longer the waiting period, the lower the policy premiums. Know All Your Options- An Alternative To Traditional Long Term Care Insurance To meet the growing need to finance long term care, some life insurance companies offer living care riders which can be attached to certain life insurance policies. In most cases, these riders can help policyholders offset the high cost of long term care by accelerating the death benefit of their life insurance policy. The payments toward LTC costs generally act as a lien
against the policy’s death benefit by providing the funds, if needed, to pay for long term care, and thereby reducing the final payment to beneficiaries in the event of the policyholder’s death. But if long term care is never needed, the full death benefit is paid to the beneficiaries as long as premiums are paid according to the policy’s terms. Each company’s life insurance policies and riders are different, and it is best to speak to a financial professional about the details. Though a long term care rider may not pay all the costs associated with long term care, they can help defray the sometimes overwhelming financial burden. Growing old is part of life. Considering the alternative, it’s not so bad. Of course, no one wants to become a burden to their loved ones. Proper planning now can help you maintain your financial independence and freedom of choice later. Insurance of any kind offers financial protection for whatever the future may hold. No one has a crystal ball: we don’t know what the future holds. But you can prepare for whatever tomorrow brings through smart planning today. This article is provided courtesy of: Wayne D. Kuykendall 105 South Marion Street, Suite 102, Athens, AL 35611 Tel: (256) 777-2524
AXA Advisors, LLC 105 S. Marion St., Suite 202 | Athens, AL 35611 Office: (256) 262-1980 Cell: (256) 777-4524 wayne.kuykendall@axa-advisors.com Page 23
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