Dec. 21, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013
athensnowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: 256-468-9425
Coldwell Banker Realty... See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
Special Feature
Event Rental Pros And Southern Bridal: Committed To Making Your Day Perfect... Dana Murphy and Jean Pirtle have complementary businesses, and they both “occupy the same space,”... Page 7
The Bakery At Elkmont: Cakes, Christmas, And A Championship Caren Sample, owner of the Bakery at Elkmont
Tourism Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!... Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association staff and board would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year... Page 10
Learning As A Lifestyle We’re All Shook Up... You would think the week before Christmas would be a slow time for the Center for Lifelong Learning, but you would be very wrong... Page 14
Horse Whispering Christmas Neigh... Merry Christmas ya’ll from the arena of horses!... Page 20
Caren Sample, owner of the The Bakery At Elkmont, takes her role as a bakery owner as well as “Cake Boss-ette” very seriously, and prays over every custom cake she bakes! It must be working, because business is brisk, and al.com has voted hers the “best cupcake in the Huntsville area.”
Caren has always made cakes as gifts for people. It energizes her, new ideas keep her awake at night, and as she says with passion, “I LOVE making cakes!!” Prior to opening the shop, and Continued on pages 15
Lois Shaw and The Amazing Body Wrap By Lois Shaw My name is Lois Shaw, and I would like to introduce to you The Amazing Body Wrap. Most of you ladies have heard about it, or maybe have read about it, but now you can actually try it right here in Athens, Alabama at Herbs & More. Herbs & More is located at 905 S Clinton, next to Champion ChevContinued on page 19
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
By Ali Elizabeth Turner
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December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Publisher’s Point
God’s Newest Angels
Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Jeanette Dunnavant Jones Deb Kitchenmaster Sarah Chadwell Will Anderson Jim Doyle Lois Shaw
I can only hope that this poem, inspired by the Christmas classic, “The Night Before Christmas,” and written by a resident of Pennsylvania, will bring the readers of Athens Now the same comfort it did me. May His Light shine ever brighter in your hearts, and in all the effort put in to getting your kids “just the right gifts,” please remember to give them the best gifts of all…a hug, a kiss, and a prayer. ‘T was’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38, when 20 beautiful children Stormed through heaven’s gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. “Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven.” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house.” When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their Savior, The children near.
gathered
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then
He
opened
His
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sarah’s Sagas . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Learning as a Lifestyle . . . 14
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now, My children, let Me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And as if He could read all the questions she had,
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below.
Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA
Presence land!”
Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15,19
re-enter
this
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools.”
Health and Fitness . . . . . . 18 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . 20
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my
World According to Will . . . . 21
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Those children all flew into the arms of their King.
schools!”
Then He closed His eyes, and He outstretched His hand, “Let My power and
Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12
Security Savvy . . . . . . . . . . 23
And in that moment was joy that only heaven can bring.
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 11
What Makes Ronnie Roll . . 22
arms and He called them by name.
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
athensnowal.com www.athensnowal.com
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All Things Soldier
Grinches Strike, We No Like by Ali Elizabeth Turner
It seems that the unplanned theme of the December 21, 2012 edition of Athens Now is that evil and darkness are indeed alive and well on Planet Earth, and attempting to strike with a vengeance. But the good news is that through it we have the opportunity to unleash good with a fury, shine brighter than the darkness, and we are.
I have no desire to be another bearer of more bad news, but in order to “rally the troops,” there needs
to be a “sit-rep,” or “situational report,” in order to give people the chance to do something tangible, something that makes a true difference in the lives of one of our brave ones. This not only benefits them, it strengthens us, and helps us to not become enveloped in hopelessness, helplessness, or despair. It is simply, on so many fronts, time to fight back, and to do so in, and because of, love. Any reader of this column knows
that I am a big fan of the soldier supporting organization known as Move America Forward. I know several of the management team personally, and have continued to be impressed with their tirelessness when it comes to their support of our soldiers. In the last edition, I made a request that should you feel you want to get a care package for a soldier serving in Afghanistan, Move America Forward, is one of the best ways to
do so, and they will make sure your package gets into the hands of a deserving soldier. I know this because I know that at least during Operation Iraqi Freedom, they went over to Iraq and delivered the packages themselves. Well, then what seems to be a “new low” occurred. Someone stole some of the packages intended for the troops! In a way, it reminds me of the place in the Book of Job where bad news just kept rolling in, connoted by the introductory phrase, “And while they were yet speaking…” Whenever you saw that, you knew that another unbelievable thing had just piled on top of Job. In the first place, who would steal
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care packages earmarked for those who are putting themselves in harm’s way so we can have a holiday in liberty and security? It’s not even worth spending the energy to speculate. There is, however, good news that outweighs the bad. For example, Rush Limbaugh has stepped up to help, is donating generously to purchase care packages to replace what was stolen, and
MAF is scrambling to assemble them.
By the time we go to print, it may be too late for the packages to actually arrive on Christmas Day, but miracles do happen. And even if they don’t arrive precisely on December 25th, they will still go a long way toward warming the hearts and bodies of our troops, as they endure the surprising cold of the Afghani desert in winter.
So, I am asking again, if, and only if, you feel that it is your desire and perhaps your assignment to do so, go to www.moveamericaforward. org, and do some of the most satisfying “last minute shopping” you’ll ever do!
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
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December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Special Feature
Event Rental Pros And Southern Bridal: Committed To Making Your Day Perfect by Ali Elizabeth Turner Dana Murphy and Jean Pirtle have complementary businesses, i.e., event equipment rentals and event planning, and they both “occupy the same space,” the former site of Americ Rentals, located on Hwy 72. While they are not business partners in the usual sense, they recently came together to put on a beautiful, and, for Athens, an unusual event held in the ballroom of Athens State University. It was a fundraiser for Jean’s son, Derek, who has his sights set on becoming a part of the U.S. Olympic Team in 2014. All three of these folks have an interesting tale in their own right, and I’ll start with Derek’s first.
an Olympian,” and she and her husband are doing all they can to help their son reach his goal, and she is doing so in style.
also meet with each individual vendor, if they choose, or have Jean be their representative.
When not backing her son on his Olympic journey, Jean Pirtle helps families through an event that is also beautiful, and that would be a wedding. She has assembled several quality vendors, who range from florists, photographers and bakers, to a dentist and an antique car rental service. When a prospective
Jean doesn’t only do weddings. She has coordinated birthday celebrations, various functions for companies and corporations, and in addition to planning, has an extensive background in floral design.
He is, by all accounts, defying the odds. He is in his 20s, and only became interested in his sport, the skeleton, (which is like the luge, but on a tiny, one man sled with no sides,) in 2010. Nobody decides to become an Olympic athlete in their 20s! He has been to South America on a mission trip, has a Master’s degree, a strong relationship with Christ, and has chosen a crazily dangerous sport in which to minister. He is currently in the top 10 of the skeleton racers, and while it will take a miracle to make the team, it is an undeniable miracle that he has come so far, so fast. May our city get behind this guy, and may he go on to become our first Olympian! Close to 75 people came to the December 18th fundraiser held in Derek’s honor, and it was decked out in red, white and blue for the United States, then set with rectangular clear glass plates that made the place sparkle in the candlelight. Derek’s mom, Jean, told me, “People can’t begin to imagine how expensive it is to become
Now for Dana Murphy, of Event Rental Pros. I met Dana when I first began to work for Athens Now, and her story is also quintessentially American and spunky. She learned the event rental business while under the pressure of being a single mom. Unlike Jean, she had nothing in her background from which to in order to learn her trade, it was trial and error, and a baptism by fire. client comes to Southern Bridal Parlor, there are several display tables that showcase the vendors’ services, and after clients peruse the displays at their own leisure, they can discuss the particulars in a sunny, comfortable drawing room with Miss Jean. The bride and groom can
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
She launched out into the position of being a business owner, for a number of reasons, the dearest to her heart being her desire “to be an example to my daughter.” She has beautiful equipment, and is building a reputation for having supplies that can help a bride or event
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planner put together something that is unique. She told me that recently she looked back over the last year by reviewing pictures of various events, mostly weddings, and “not one looked alike.”
Dana will go to make sure her equipment is in perfect condition each time it is rented, the wooden wedding arches are repainted after every event, just to prevent there being even the slightest mark on them.
She has every color of napkin, tablecloth and runner, a “Cinderella carriage” that is lighted and displays a wedding cake, wooden and metal wedding arches, and, something that is so charming it makes me wish I was a little girl again---a large square tea party table that is the right height for children, with beautiful linens to cover it, and wire-backed ice cream parlor chairs that surround the table. To illustrate how far
What I so appreciate about these women, besides how hard I have seen them both work, and how much they care about their clients, is that they don’t care if the event is large or small, casual or formal. They will do what it takes to make sure “your day,” whether it’s a wedding, a shower, or a fundraiser for a young man who is determined to represent the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics, is truly special.
They are located at:
119 Hwy 72 E, Athens, AL 35611 Event Rental Pros hours are Mon-Fri, 9-5, Sat 9-3 Phone: 256-233-4686 www.eventrentalpros.com Southern Bridal Salon’s hours are Mon, Wed and Fri, 9-5, Tue and Thur, 11-7, Sat 9-3 Phone: 256-233-4688 www.thesouthernbridalparlor.com Page 7
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December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Sarah’s Sagas
It’s All About Your Willingness To Change by Sarah Chadwell, Family Resource Center
I really must make a confession. It’s not easy to admit that you have learned a major life lesson that you really should have known since your 20’s. But like the sunflowers and dahlias, I am a late bloomer in so many ways. So here it is. Even when you put your heart and soul into helping someone get on their feet and offer them financial, mental, and prayer support, it won’t always create a change in their life. And here is the real sorrow – many won’t make the change because they cannot – it is because they simply don’t want to. I cannot tell you the number of times the Chadwell marital debate team has vigorously discussed the “entitlement vs. earn your way” approach when considering state and federal support to families. Included were thoughts on the life cards you were dealt--poverty/low education vs. wise parents, strong discipline and clear visions for the future. How can you expect anyone to create a good life when they have so much to overcome? I am sharing this with you as the Family Resource Center has been blessed with support from our city, county, local churches and members of the community who all know there are many families who need support and want to make a life change. These fi-
nancial contributions are backed with the understanding that we as a community must be kind and gentle to all of our neighbors and do all we can to provide them their physical needs, so they may have the time and energy to develop and change their personal and spiritual lives for their children and their future.
to accept His guidance on change? Were they willing to return the investment? On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Even worse, from that time many of his dis-
But what is if someone is simply not showing the same investment level of energy and effort to change, which should match the investment level of local resources and time to that individual? Often it is best to rely on outside counsel, in this case a wise pastor, who suggested going back to the source for that answer which was the same then as it is today. Remember when He was feeding thousands of people at the lake and they were all miraculously fed from a small amount of fish and bread? After everyone was quite full, He moved across the lake. “What are you doing? Don’t you know they are staying here as they will want to be fed again?” the apostles asked. His response to the apostles rings true today for every agency that spends time and energy supporting the hope of change. After He showed an incredible investment of His time to teach and feed, He asked the crowd to make a life change. Were they willing to do it? Were they willing
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
staff members to do their work and which allow us to help individuals to pay rent, utilities, medicine or whatever is needed at that moment.
But we know we must be good stewards of this investment and focus on those who want to make change.
ciples turned back and no longer followed him. Our nonprofit agency, like
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many others in our community, takes very seriously the financial donations which support our
It’s a precious investment. It requires work from the giver and from the recipient. In the end, it’s the best gift we can offer to each other.
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Tourism
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! By Jeanette Dunnavant Jones, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association staff and board would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We are looking forward to a wonderful and busy 2013 tourism year. We have so much to offer, and I wanted to give you an overview of 2013. The Alabama Veterans’ Museum is one of the best military museums in all of Alabama. We also have the Houston Memorial Library and Museum, which contains some of the original artifacts of two-time Governor, George S. Houston, and the Donnell House Living
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Museum. We kick off our festivals and events in February with the Hospice Chili Challenge, followed by Polk Sallet Follies. and the Home and Garden Show in March. We jump into overdrive in April, with the monthly Cruise In on the Square, Athens Historic Walks each Saturday, Earth Day Celebration and Outdoor EXPO, Best Buckin’ BBQ Cook-off, monthly Singing on the Square, and finally, Cars on the Square Car Show. May madness brings Athens Bible School Homespun Arts & Craft Show, Cruise In, Singing on the
Square, Living History Festival and the Sheriff’s Rodeo. June gets us outside with National Trail Day, Ardmore Kids’ Day in the Park, Cruise In, and Singing on the Square. July blasts off with fireworks on July 4th, followed by Cruise In, Singing on the Square, CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament, and the Alabama Championship Tractor/ Truck Pull at Tanner. August’s awesome fun begins with the Ardmore Rodeo, followed by Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days, Ardmore Quarterback Car Show, Athens State Communi-
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ty Band Annual Concert on the Square, Cruise In, Singing on the Square, and the Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival.
parades and ceremonies. However, Christmas Open House in downtown Athens offers great early Christmas gifts.
September is superb, with the Cruise In, Art on the Square, Singing on the Square, Gospel Jubilee, and Athens Grease Festival.
December is demanding, with shopping and exciting parades, (Athens, Ardmore and Elkmont,) as well as two Christmas Open House Tours.
October is outstanding, with the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention, followed by the Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby, Elkmont’ s Hilltop Arts Festival, Rails to Trails Fall Walk, Cruise In and Athens Storytelling Festival.
As you can see, we have lots to do and see. For information about any of the above events or attractions, visit our website www.VisitAthensAL. com, or call us at 256232-5411. Stop by the Athens Visitors Center for brochures, maps, information on dining, shopping, events and attractions.
November is mostly dedicated to our veterans with
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Cooking with Shelley
Christmas Gumbo by Shelley Underhill
One of my fondest memories of Christmas in New Orleans, and the surrounding areas, was visiting the homes of family and friends. The night always proved to bring loud music, children tearing into Christmas gifts and lots of good gumbo. It was always the same, from house to house. A big pot of gumbo would be on the stove with a low flame keeping it at just the right temperature. Each home had a different type of gumbo--everything from
What you will need: 1/2 Cup Oil 1/2 Cup Flour 2 Med. Onions ~ diced 2 Bunches Green Onions ~ sliced thin 2 Green Peppers ~ diced 6 Ribs Celery ~ sliced thin 4 Cloves Garlic ~ minced 2 Cans of Tomatoes ~ smashed
seafood, to chicken, to sausage. The various gumbos simmered in the pots of each home we visited. I personally like the chicken and sausage gumbo and want to share that recipe with you. Maybe it will become your favorite to! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2013.
1 Small can of Tomato Sauce 4 Quarts Chicken Stock or Broth 2 Bay Leaves Salt and Pepper ~ to taste 1 Large Chicken (boiled and deboned) ~ save stock Okra is optional 1 Pack Smoked Sausage - cut in circles
In a large pot heat oil and add flour, stir constantly until light brown roux is formed. Add onions, peppers, celery and garlic to roux, sautĂŠ for several minutes, then add tomatoes and sauce. Bring to a boil, then slowly add stock to mixture. Add bay leaves and bring to a boil, stirring as not to stick. Let simmer for several hours, then add chicken and sausage and serve over rice. Email your questions and recipes to shelleysdesk@gmail.com.
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
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Clean and Green
Our Christmas Gift To You by Lynne Hart
• Please help us make our communities better The staff at Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful want you to know that you are appreciated! We ask a lot of you all year long: • Please don’t litter • Please recycle • Please volunteer • Please donate • Please participate in our fundraisers
And it goes on and on. Many of you answer our call. You recycle. You volunteer. You don’t litter. You donate and support our work. You read our newsletters and articles (well, you ARE reading this one!) . You invite us into your classrooms or to speak to your groups. You tell others. So during this season of Christmas, we want to
How To Recycle At Christmas • Stuff all Christmas wrap, gift bags, and tissue paper into a larger box and toss in with cardboard at the Recycling Center (remove all styrofoam, peanuts, and non-recyclable decorations first). • Save Christmas Cards to make gift tags for next year -- or place in the box as above. • Save your cooking fats and oils for recycling. Pick up a FOG Collection Container (fats, oils & grease) from an exchange cage at the Recycling Center, KALB Office, or Utilities Customer Service building (where you pay your bill). Call for additional locations. When full, return it to any of the exchange cages.
give YOU a gift...OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION. Thank you from the bottom of our red and GREEN hearts! Without you, the work that we do would be fruitless. The
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time we spend educating would be meaningless. Wishes would never become realities. It is YOU who make our world a better place. THANK YOU!
(256) 233-8728 KeepALBeautiful@att.net
www.KeepAthensLimestoneBeautiful.com
• Styrofoam peanuts and air pillows are accepted at Pak Mail on Forrest St. across from Roselawn Cemetery. They are not accepted at the Recycling Center.
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December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
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Learning As A Lifestyle
We’re All Shook Up by Wanda Campbell You would think the week before Christmas would be a slow time for the Center for Lifelong Learning, but you would be very wrong.
Coast or West Coast Swing. The King will not leave the building until he judges the best Elvis impersonator, so put on your blue suede shoes and you may win a free dance class admission! This event is Friday, January 25th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The event is free!
This week we have Gentle Yoga classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Whether you need to start in a chair or can get on the mat, this beginning yoga class, led by certified trainer Donna Schollian, is the way to get back into an exercise program. Our students have a great time in class, and have made friendships that will last for a long time. The new class will start January 7th. Class meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8:00 – 9:00 am, January 7-February 1. The fee is only $35 for three days a week, and $29 for two days a week.
Tammie and Allison getting Winter Catalogues in the mail garding the concert later.
This week we also had the ServSafe Food Manager Certificate Program for managers and employees who work in the food handling industries. The program
ServSafe Food Protection
Manager Certificate training
class will be March 5 & 7, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
is a blend of the latest FDA Food Code and food
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safety research. It is a requirement for employees in food service. The next
Our Community Chorus held their Christmas Concert last Friday. The music was a joy to hear. Our Chorus is growing and we hope that new members will join for the spring program which starts on February 7. Chorus will meet on Thursdays, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, starting February 7- April 26. Watch for details re-
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Spring
This week is also catalog week, and we will send out our Winter catalog on December 28th. There are lots of exciting new classes and events, so check it out. The All Shook Up Kick Off Party will introduce the new Swing Dance Classes. Jump, jive and learn what dance moves would make Priscilla blush as instructor Dwain Cooper leads an “All Shook Up” dance class. Learn about the Lindy, Jive, and the East
On a day when romance is in the air, nothing will warm hearts more than love songs sung the way they were meant to be. Jack Sauers will recreate some of the best loved tunes by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Dean Martin. Bring your best friend or your best beau for a “Spoon and Croon” soup and salad luncheon in the Ballroom of the Sandridge Student Center at Athens State University’s main campus. The event will be February 14th from 11:30 am 1:00 pm. The fee is $13 for one or $25 for two.
These are just two events in our catalog. For more information you can go to our website – www.athens.edu/CLL - or call us at 256-233-8260. I know you will want to be part of our activities this winter. Merry Christmas and a Happy New to all.
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Cover Story
The Bakery At Elkmont: Cakes, Christmas, And A Championship by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1
did our first Athens Now Special Feature article for The Bakery At Elkmont, some things have changed, and there is much proof of a blossoming business. When the
while still working 40 hours a week, she’d stay up til 3am to bake, and found it was both therapeutic and energizing. I met her this past spring when the shop, (which is located on Thach Road right near the I-65 overpass and the RR tracks,) had just opened. I am so pleased to report that this woman’s hard work and sweet spirit are truly paying off, new items have been added, and, as she says, “I am blessed.” The charming, intimate shop is cozy, with a small, old fashioned wire ice cream tables and chairs in the common area, and “wall words” which say, “May all who enter as guests leave as friends.” I felt that way the first time I walked in, and have continued to do so ever since. At the moment, the Bakery at Elkmont is decorated for Christmas, but not in traditional colors. I think that describes the way Caren does things: beautiful, creative work, with a strong work ethic and values, and always looking to do something “just a little bit different.”
Will Abernathy, 5, and ViVi Parker, 8, work on their edible decorations
be reasonable, and makes sure the custom cakes, large or small, are made to be affordable for everyone. “I offer quality products with my own personal touch,” she says.
“We are having great success with our new take-andbake items,” she told me recently, and they are not all sweets. She has special order sausage balls, and they come in regular flavor, as well as savory and maple. She can bake them for you, or you can finish them in your own oven. She also carries what are known as “Elvis Burgers,” li’l smokies wrapped in bacon, and is currently busy taking orders for the Alabama/Notre Dame Championship game. However, you need to order soon, because she expects to sell out of the special game day party items fairly soon.
In the months since we
Everything she does is baked fresh, never frozen, and what she calls “baked custom.” She loves “the details, and coming up with new ideas.” She added, “I want the Bakery At Elkmont to be a place where memories are baked,” she said. “A custom cake helps solidify the memory of an event, makes it go deeper.” Caren wants the prices to
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
shop first opened, the bulk of Caren’s business was custom work, and word got around quickly. For awhile she was doing 13 custom cakes a week, and has had to scale back on that a bit. Now she does no more than 5 a week, and needs a month’s notice because of the demand. She also does wonderful, reasonably priced wedding cakes, and for those she needs 3 months’ notice.
Continuing on with the “take and bake” theme, Caren’s assistant, Kristen Kress, is making a name for the shop with her yeast rolls and cinnamon rolls. Kristen will also make yeast items from whole grains, if requested. Another popular item is what Caren refers to as “old fashioned two layer cakes.” They are still made
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with the same care as the custom cakes, and can be beautifully decorated, but are lower in price due to their familiar “cake shape.” (It’s way trickier to make a cake that looks like a woman’s high heeled shoe, and I’ve seen her do it.)
Recently Caren has started a new service, and that is holding decorating parties for children. The kids get to decorate their own gingerbread man, reindeer cupcake, or waffle cone Christmas tree. The waffle cone, for example, is inverted, the kids cover it with green frosting, and “decorate the tree” with gumdrops and other items. She even teaches them to pipe with a frosting bag, and the parents don’t have to clean up!
Christmas and the New Year are almost here, and I would highly recommend you let Caren help you make your holiday truly sweet, even if you go sugar free or savory. She will show you just what it means to eat something “baked with love.”
The Bakery At Elkmont 23925 Thach Road Elkmont, AL 35620 256-497-4418 elkmontbakery@ gmail.com facebook.com/ Elkmont Bakery
www.elkmontbakery.com Hours: Tue-Wed 8-4 Thur-Fri 8-6 Sat 8-12 Closed the 1st Tue and last Sat of every month
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Jesus ReRuns Consignment Shop
630-B South Jefferson Street Athens • 256.374.2534 Hours: Mon - Fri 9-6 • Sat 10-5
701 North Jefferson Street Athens, Alabama 256-232-2302
Southern Satellites
GENERAL CONTRACTOR 2311 S. Hine Street 232-2092
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MAYS COMPUTER COMPANY, INC.
Laptop and PC Sales Service & Repairs
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204 West Market Street Athens • 256.232.5444 Wendy Couch, LMT (AL#3095)
Medical Massage Therapy
109 N. Marion St Athens, AL 256-374-4127 Page 16
Wishing you peace, love & joy this Christmas and a Happy New Year
Country Lane Discount 16800 Hwy 72 • Athens, AL 256-216-5666
Athens (256) 206-7002
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December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Mon-Fri 7am-5pm • Sat 8am-4pm
is the Reason for the Season! 14535 US Hwy 72 Athens
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1207 Eidson St. Athens 256-232-5800
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ChiroCare 15093 East Limestone Rd. Harvest, AL ----256-216-1006 Office 256-216-1008 Fax
109 S. Marion St • Athens 256-444-2160
Dr. Michael Lynn Hedgepeth Dr. Lorie McCurry Hedgepeth Chiropractic Physicians
Hours: Mon 12-5 • Tues-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-4
Athens First Baptist 201 E Hobbs St. • Athens 256-232-0602 www.fbcathens.org
Adams & Son
Tree Trimming & Removal
Lindsey Rosson at
1221 Kelli Drive, Suite C Athens, AL 35613 256.366.7709 (cell) 256.233.2226 (salon)
Kindred Spirits / Simply Yesterday
Church and Senior Discounts! 24 Hour Emergency Services (256-777-9698)
256-232-7484
16395 AL Hwy 251 • Athens, AL December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
100 N Clinton • Athens
256-998-2486
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • Sun 1pm-5pm www.athensnowal.com
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256-335-4356 Specializing in: Layout & Design Pulications Logo Design Web Graphics Menu Design Page 17
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.
tidepressant drugs. Both cardiovascular and resistance exercise seem to be equally effective. Both a one-time exercise session and long term programs
positive effect of exercise on depression.
have positive results. However, greater improvement is seen after several weeks of regular exercise. Both men and women show the
cular exercise stimulate anti-anxiety effects. Again, regular training offers the greatest benefits. .
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 benefits 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 an-
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Research also shows a reduction of anxiety with exercise. Even short bursts (5 minutes) of cardiovas-
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So to reduce your Holiday 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.
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Cover Story
Lois Shaw and The Amazing Body Wrap by Lois Shaw continued from page 1
rolet. The Body Wrap has been around for many, many years, but because of cost it was the secret of the rich and famous. Now their secret can be your secret! I welcome you ladies to allow me to guide you to a new, slim future. It gives me great pleasure to give a helping hand to so many ladies, and to know that when they see themselves in the mirror, they know they look good, and may even start loving themselves again.
ING BODY WRAP, because I have seen such amazing results! For five years, I ran the Diet Center which I had opened in Atlanta, closed it up, and then moved to Chicago. In 1985, I opened up a women’s health club called Slender MS. The Club had 12,000 square feet, and I offered toning tables, body wraps, diet counseling, a salad bar, praise aerobics,
I have been doing Body Wraps for over 30 years. My background is in fashion merchandising. After finishing school, I started out in 1976 managing ladies’ clothing stores. This is where I saw so many ladies come in to the store, my heart went out to them as I watched them trying on clothing that was just too small. Literally, they were busting out seams and breaking zippers. This made me want to get into a business that could genuinely help these ladies. I moved to Atlanta, GA and went searching for some work in weight loss, and landed a job managing a Weight Reduction Center. I worked with this Weight Loss Center for 9 months, they then closed down, and in 1979 I opened up my own Diet Center in Atlanta, GA. About one year into the Diet Center opening, I was introduced to the Body Wrap. I went away to Florida for a week to get trained and certified and this was the happy start of a new career. I was then able to offer the Body Wrap to my clients and saw such amazing results. WOW! I must tell you that this is how I got the name THE AMAZ-
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
steam room, sauna room, hair salon, nail salon, facials, and a clothing boutique. Slender MS offered a full service club for women between 21 and 80 years old. It was a place to come and learn to love oneself. I closed Slender MS in 2008 because my Mom got sick. She lived here in Athens, and I moved here to help take care of her. Since I moved here, I have just worked with private clients out of Curves for Women, and am now working here at Herbs & More. I just want to say to you ladies in AthensLimestone County that
I see myself as a “Bad, Bad Lady.” (“Bad” in the good meaning of the word!) I love to dress, look good and feel great. I carry with me over 30 years of experience and as we start a new year, I reach my hand out to you to let me guide you to a New
Slim Future. I love what I do, and I give 100% to all of my clients. So please, give me a call at 256-206-5540, or come by Herbs & More. Let me help you stop dreaming and start the New Year off right. I’ll be ready and waiting to help you!
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LOCATED IN HERBS & MORE 905 SOUTH CLINTON STREET ATHENS, AL CALL LOIS SHAW • 256-206-5540 www.athensnowal.com
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Horse Whispering
Christmas Neigh by Deb Kitchenmaster Merry Christmas ya’ll from the arena of horses! From the stable many years ago where a young woman gave birth to a little boy whom she called Jesus; to the equine that was ridden for the first time as this grown little one, now known as the Son of man, mounted upon its back and rode into the city of Jerusalem, to once and for all exchange works for grace (for by grace are you saved, through faith, not by works least anyone should boast,) choosing to give His life, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life; to the white mount that scriptures depict Him coming back on; Merry Christmas! Animals carry with them a form of unconditional love. Love heals. There is healing power in pets. Recently the news reported the presence of therapy dogs for the people mourning in Newtown, CT. Standing in the midst of five felines who had been rescued from an animal shelter, I experienced the love of God one more time. The caregiver of these beauties is healing from the same hatred that nailed the Son of God to a cross. You will not see her in church, or on a hillside tending sheep, but you will find her in the activities of
a nursing home loving on the elderly as a care provider, loving her family or
at home with her beloved husband and their five cats; each bringing a healing balm to her soul. I stand in awe of the LOVE OF GOD! He has no limits in touching our hearts with perfect, unfailing love! My Christmas gift to you this year is to share a couple of stories about the horses here at Corral Connections, and the healing they purely give. A home health care person was at our house because we had applied for an insurance policy, and this was part of the procedure. The horses were grazing out in the pasture east of
the house at the far southeast corner. We had just walked out to the porch
when her teenage daughter pulled onto our lengthy drive. The horses’ heads came up, from grazing, and in one accord they ran with full force to the northwest corner of the pasture by the entrance to the yard. I observed the horses move at a trot in single file as they formed a perfect figure eight pattern. She asked what they were doing. Enjoying the moment, I smiled and said, “I don’t have a clue! Someone in that car must need this.” Upon hearing these words, she shared a story about abandonment, neglect, trauma and abuse that had occurred in the two young children’s lives years ago. She adopted them. They were in the car with their older sister! The figure eight pattern represents what is referred to as cross/crawl. As an Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner, I use this pattern more than once while working
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with a horse. This movement is used to reset the internal thermostat at a cellular level. When this event happened at my home on an ordinary day in my presence, Animal B.E.S.T. was unknown to me. Years later I would connect the dots through Corral Connections! The horses knew that an “internal reset” was something these children would benefit from. What a gift.
What a blessing. What a Christmas NEIGH! Once I was grooming a horse when a man pulled up on a motorcycle. As I stepped outside the barn and was surrounded by horses on all sides, he pointed to a small herd, and asked me if I knew whose horses these were. I knew, because they were ours. This man’s brother had told him about these horses he would pass as he went to and from work. One day, out of curiosity, he rode out with his brother to see these “wonder horses!” He then told me, “Sometimes my brother would pull off the road and sit on his bike on the side
road, and just watch them. At times they would come up to the fence. There was something about these horses that touched something inside of him. They were special to him.” He then said, “My brother died a few days ago, and I was wondering if we
could spread his ashes near your horses.” What a request! What a Christmas NEIGH!
The next time you hear someone call a horse stupid, just smile! Then whisper…“God, bless them with an awakening!” Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy NEIGH Year!
Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections: Connecting with LIFE through a horse Animal B.E.S.T practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Like me on
The World According To Will
The Will Anderson Show M-F 6pm-8pm on 800 and 1230AM and 106.5FM WBHP
Avoiding The Next Connecticut by Will Anderson It didn’t take long for the tragedy in Connecticut to be turned into a vulgar devolution into the politics of gun control. The President has commanded Congress to aggressively sign gun control legislation immediately if not sooner. The AP writes, “The President tasked Vice President Joe Biden with leading the administration-wide effort to create new gun control policies. Obama also wants his team to consider ways to improve mental health resources and address ways to create a culture that doesn’t promote violence.” Problem solved. Just as the President decreed an end to violence in Iraq and bequeathed to every American free health care in his first term, he’s going to ban guns, perfect the practice of mental health, and make ours a violencefree culture next month. There are things that could be done immediately to minimize the likelihood of future mass shootings— acting early when we see signs of mental irregularities, for example—but at the end of the day, we can’t eradicate evil. Others are going to plot mass shootings in the future, and they will acquire their weapon of choice irrespective if
it’s legal. So how do we stop them? The pragmatically realistic answer is: with guns. The President isn’t averse to using guns to advance a particular policy-initiative (think Fast and Furious), so he ought to be open, at least, to the idea of doing away with gun-free zones. When James Holmes set out to open fire in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, he had a choice of seven theaters within twenty minutes from his home. Six of the seven allowed those with carry permits to bring a firearm into the theater; the seventh had a prominently displayed sign forbidding weapons inside. That theater wasn’t the closest to
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Holmes’ house, but it was the one he chose. Coincidence? The last time we had an assault weapons ban in place, the massacre in Columbine occurred. That alone makes the case that
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gun controls laws don’t work. The question is, do they make the good guys amongst us more vulnerable? The answer should be a matter of common sense. In Connecticut, the principal and a teacher lost their lives trying to jump the shooter. It’s reasonable to say that had they been armed, they might have been able to fire first. Some will question the wisdom of teachers being armed, but what about a plain-clothed policeman? Speaking about allowing guns in schools to avoid a tragedy like the one in Connecticut, Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Casey Wardynski said, “I don’t have a problem adding mystery to the
equation.” That’s the major rationale behind doing away with gun-free zones. It’s psychological. If I’m doing business in a place where guns are allowed, I’m safer than I would be in a gun free zone whether or not I’m armed. The bad guy who wants to open fire in public is going to have my place of work low on his list of targets. Theoretically, when he passes by my establishment because he knows I might be armed, lives have been saved. It would be an unquantifiable number of lives, of course, which can make the case harder to make. But it can be made. And if Connecticut tragedies are to be averted in the future, it must be made.
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What Makes Ronnie Roll
The Worst Of Times, The Best Of Times
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
When the Connecticut massacre hit a week ago, one of the first people I spoke to was Mayor Ronnie. We didn’t even exchange pleasantries, but went straight to the heart of what we have so often discussed, and about which we have regularly prayed: public safety and quality of life in Athens, AL. The recent national “heart attack,” that is, the attack upon the heart and soul of Newtown, as well as the rest of our nation, would try to crush us, and, as he then said later, “We are vulnerable, all cities are, but we must work together to do all that we can to prevent something like that from happening here.” It is true, we must, time is of the es-
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sence, and while this might in some ways feel like “the worst of times,” thankfully action is being taken on the part of the Mayor’s Office, the school system, and law enforcement to see where we are weak, and how to effectively shore up our city. One of the things he is planning on discussing with the Mayor’s Youth Commission after they get back from Christmas break is the need, as well as the responsibility for them as leaders to be on the lookout in their own schools for anything that “doesn’t seem right,” to reach out to those who may be cut off from their own value. “There are video games where you get to
be the school shooter, or the shooter in the mall,” he told me. I had no idea. God help us. How are we able to claim, during this 2012 holiday season, that these are the “best of times?” He told me, “Every day I get up and thank God that I live in America, and with everything that is wrong with it, it is the best place in the world to live.” We need to remember that. Athens is in the black financially, and as a result, will be able to move toward getting 2-3 much needed new garbage trucks. “We are selfinsured,” he added, “and that is one of the reasons we are in the black.” We also have wonderful agencies
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that are dedicated to providing services to our community in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. “People need to know that we believe that the best agencies have been targeted as being the best choice for appropriated funds.” Another thing about which we can rejoice is that we, as citizens, have a City Hall and government that has all expenditures available as a part of public record, and can be viewed by all. No “cooked books.” “We closed out the fiscal year 2012, and passed a conservative budget. We have 1.4 million dollars, and that will be carefully used both
for planning for the future, and to take care of some things that were let go.”
Most blessedly, though, these are “the best of times” because we have Athens, each other, and God, we therefore have true hope. And finally, the Mayor would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and, “if you are going to make New Year’s resolutions, make sure they are ones you can actually keep!”
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
Security Savvy
Holiday Season Safety by Jim Doyle, owner of Madison Security Group
Well, it’s been 2 years now since my wife and I moved to the great state of Alabama, and we have found the people of Alabama to be warm and welcoming. We have met a lot of people that have become close, and hopefully lifelong friends. We look forward to a long and happy life here in Alabama with my adult children, and my adult and young grandchildren who reside here now too. The holiday season is a time to reflect and be thankful for the people you have in your life. Being here in Athens for the holidays makes it that much sweeter.
Have a happy and safe holiday!
Here are some suggestions to keep your family safe during this holiday season.
The winter holidays are a time for celebration, which means decorations and more cooking.
•Use caution with all holiday decorations. Whenever possible, choose flameresistant, flame-retardant, non-combustible materials.
•Inspect all previously used light strings; replace damaged items before plugging in the lights. Do not overload outlets or strips.
•Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
•Before decorating outdoors, make sure all electrical decorations and lights are designed for outdoor use.
and leave the parking lot. Take care of the receipts when you get home. Sitting in a car sorting out receipts and your checkbook is a prime opportunity for a thief to strike or someone to stage a carjacking. •Turn off all lights before bed. •In homes with small children, be aware of the decorations that you use. Be cautious with sharp or breakable items.
choking and poisoning. •Use caution while shopping. Unfortunately, the holidays are prime time for people to steal.
•If you plan to travel during the holidays, make sure you tell only the people that have to know that you’ll be away from your house.
•Have someone check on your house, put timers on your lights, have the post office hold your mail, and temporarily stop newspaper delivery.
I wish one and all a joyous Holiday Season, and a Happy and Healthy New Year. As always be safe, and have fun!
•Be careful with food items on your tree. Children may not realize that they are not edible and several things could be dangerous to pets. •Be careful with candles, and if possible, use warmers instead. Never leave anything with an open flame that can be tipped over or that is too close to the tree or other flammable materials. •Poinsettias are beautiful but they are poisonous to humans and animals. Use care when decorating with real ones. •Cooking is one of the things that can be most enjoyable during the holiday season. If you are cooking and entertaining with children in the house, be sure that someone can keep an eye on them at all times. Burns are especially common around the holidays. •Be careful with spices and flavorings that you have out while cooking. Several smell really good, but taste awful and have a high alcohol content which can put children at risk of
December 21, 2012 - January 3, 2013
•For men, transfer your wallet to your front pocket. It is almost impossible for a pickpocket to get at it. •Ladies, keep your purses closed while shopping. Try to keep at least the straps wrapped around your wrist while your purse is in a buggy. •Don’t lay your wallet out on a counter while you are checking out. •Avoid carrying too much cash. If you are carrying a lot of cash, separate it into small bundles. •When you get to your car, load your purchases, get in the car, lock the doors
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