February 1st - February 14th, 2019
AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425
See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
Valley Mowing: Five Years Of “Dealing Well With Growth”
Special Feature
By Ali Elizabeth Turner
The Secret Sisters recall meeting ‘these kids’ called The Shakes... After performing a Birmingham show a few years ago, The Secret Sisters met a group known as The Shakes... Page 5
The Millennial Mind Intelligent Life... The issues surrounding abortion have continued to confound the American public as they have been shrouded by euphemism, secrecy, and ... Page 14
Med Update Midwifery Milestones... For the first time since the nursemidwifery laws were enacted in 1976, Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) can legally attend... Pages 22-23
January 18 - January 31, 2019
These days in Athens-Limestone County the terms “dealing with growth” or “growing well” have each just about become a” buzz term.” For the past five years, Garth Lovvorn of Valley Mowing Company has been doing just that—dealing with the growth of grass, weeds, bushes, roots, and all manner of natural things to the point that some days he has to tell his crew, “We’re going into the jungle today!” I first had the joy of writing about Valley Mowing Garth Lovvorn of Valley Mowing
Continued on page 15
The 2019 Greater Limestone County Chamber Of Commerce Home And Garden Show By Ali Elizabeth Turner On February 22 and 23, the Greater Limestone County Chamber of ComContinued on pages 17
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February 1 - February 14, 2019
Publisher’s Point
Mohini’s Message
Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
Copy Editor
Yvonne Dempsey
Graphic Design
Jonathan Hamilton
Web Design Teddy Wolcott
Contributing Writers D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Cayce Lee Rosemary Dewar Jerry Barksdale Roy Williams Joel Allen Holly Hollman Nick Thomas Wanda Campbell Rachel Clark
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health & Fitness . . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . 20
Have you ever been “minding your own business,” not particularly in a contemplative state, and have something smack you right upside the head and profoundly change you? I am happy to say I have had several of those gloriously unsettling epiphanies in my 65 years of life, and I would like to share one with you that occurred two weeks ago when I was coming back from Florence with the latest edition of Athens Now. The wrapped pallet of newspaper bundles was in the back of my old GMC truck; it was raining bats and cats, and I needed to get gas. I make a point of flooding my being with inspirational teachings on a daily basis, and one of my rituals is to listen to what is on average a five-minute personal development/business broadcast called Darren Daily. I highly recommend it, even though sometimes I don’t agree with some of Darren Hardy’s points. As the rain came down and my tank filled up, I sat in the Sierra and listened to Darren tell the story of Mohini, a rare and wonderful white tiger whose life is a cautionary tale for any area in your life that you have allowed to be crippled. In 1960, in months of
Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Med Update . . . . . . . 22-23 Alternative Approach . . . . 24
January 18 - January 31, 2019
the last Dwight
Eisenhower’s administration, the nation of India gave him a gift in the form of one of only seven white tigers in the world, and the only one that had ever left their country. Now, you can’t exactly have a white tiger romping around the West Wing, so Mohini was donated to the Washington Zoo. While a modern enclosure that would be roomy as well as reminiscent of a tiger’s natural environs was being prepared for Mohini, she was temporarily placed in a 12x12 foot enclosure, and was well cared for. She spent her days in constant activity, pacing back and forth, back and forth. Finally, the day came when she was going to get a chance to try out her fancy new digs, and upon entering her new home, she chose to mark off a 12x12 foot space where she began to pace back and forth. The zookeepers thought that
eventually she would realize that she had plenty of room to run, play, and explore, but for the rest of her life, until 1979, that’s where she stayed. She lived there, gave birth there, and died there, having spent her life in non-stop movement, but essentially going nowhere. I was so struck by this analogy that I sat in the truck for a while and wept, both in rage as well as relief, and then finally in rejoicing. I had to come to grips with the fact that for 55 years I had allowed someone else to determine how much money it was okay for me to make, or how much “success” I could achieve (something which is different to each individual) and that someone was Karl Marx. While I had rejected Marxism once I became a believer in 1970, the nuanced guilt trip that said I somehow had to pay for things
that happened centuries ago had kept me in a subtle mindset of scarcity; and self-sabotage made sure that I never put more than one paw out of my self-imposed 144 square feet. It was brutal to face down the fact that out of guilt and fear I had indeed “buried in a napkin” talents that belong only to my Master, and the worst part was that I didn’t even know it. But, oh, the liberty of the last two weeks has been luscious! All I can say is, “Free at last!” followed by,” Karl, it’s over, and I’m taking what the Judge says is mine. See ya; wouldn’t want to be ya!”
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
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All Things Soldier
Selecting The Service Member Of The Year by Ali Elizabeth Turner
Every year, the Military Charity Organization selects a member from each of our nation’s military branches to receive the Service Member of the Year Award, and in 2018, added an additional award that singles out one overall winner. It is time to put in your nomination for a currently serving and outstanding Marine, soldier, Coastie, sailor, or airman, and the nominations close on February 28. The first award was given in 2001, and sponsored by the Army Times. Since that time, the ceremony has become a highly attended event in Washington DC, with highranking military leaders, members of Congress, fellow service members, and other distinguished guests in attendance. The purpose of the award is to recognize and thank a service member who has demonstrated achieve-
2018 award recipients ments that are exemplary and go far beyond the call of duty. According to the Service Member of the Year website, the criteria for selection are as follows: “Nominees must be U.S. residents (excluding Puerto Rico) who are U.S. active military, a member of the one of the military reserves through August
2018 and are 18 years or older at the time of entry. To be considered for this award the advisory board committee is looking for nominees with exceptional service or achievements occurring between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Nominees must demonstrate: a high level of professionalism, concern for fellow service members, [and] commitment to community service.” The Veteran of the Year Award, a new award that was added in 2018, “recognizes and honors an exceptional veteran who, through his character, spirit, and exceptional public service sets an example, and makes an extraordinary difference in their community, for their comrade veterans and for awareness of essential military and veteran issues.” With the suicide rate increasing amongst veterans, it is more important than ever for vets to watch out for each oth-
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er. The Military Charity Organization will make the selection beginning in March, and the winners will be notified on or around April 1. Winners from each branch will receive: • A VIP trip to Washington, DC for activities and a formal awards ceremony • All-expenses paid attendance for 2 (transportation to and from Washington, D.C.; lodging and meals; local transportation) • Formal awards reception and ceremony on Capitol Hill • Professional photographs and video of the awards ceremony • A feature in the Military Times websites, newspapers, and on the Service Members of the Year website. There are a host of sponsors, including Fisher House for Military Families, Delta Airlines, Star-
bucks, the VFW, Armed Services YMCA, Wounded Paw Project, Lyft, and more.
The Honorary Selection Committee is comprised of every member of the United States Senate and House of Representatives; and civilians as well as service members can take place in the nomination process. In order to nominate a service member, you must fill out the form as well as write a no more than 500 word essay as to why your nominee should win. Qualities discussed need to include ways in which they have exemplified courage, service above self, charity and volunteer work out of uniform, and stories of making a difference. They also have to be serving in their respective branch until August of 2019.
If you would like to honor someone you know to be a wonderful warrior, please go to www.servicemembersoftheyear.org before February 28, 2019. Thank you!
February 1 - February 14, 2019
Special Feature
The Secret Sisters Recall Meeting ‘These Kids’ Called The Shakes by Holly Hollman City of Athens Communications Specialist After performing a Birmingham show a few years ago, The Secret Sisters met a group known as The Shakes. Duo member Laura Rogers said “these kids” approached her and her sister Lydia Slagle with a burned CD with the group’s name handwritten with a green Sharpie. The group offered to open for The Secret Sisters. Rogers said because of touring, it was a month or two before they listened to The Shakes’ CD. Once they listened, The Secret Sisters knew the group had a great sound. A few months later, The Shakes morphed into The Alabama Shakes receiving worldwide acclaim. “We’re going to take them up on that offer one day,” Rogers laughingly told fans on Saturday, Jan. 26, during a concert hosted by Athens Arts League at Athens State University’s McCandless Hall. “We still want them to open for us.” The Grammy-nominated duo The Secret Sisters hail from Greenhill, Ala., where the support of a music-based
family helped propel them into their music careers. During a pre-concert interview, they talked about how they had limited access to music-related curriculum. “We were both in marching band and loved it, but you can’t take that and have an adult career with it unless you are going to teach band,” Rogers said. If a community and its schools do not have art-related opportunities for youth, and families cannot afford lessons and are not musically inclined, that limits a child’s resources, Rogers said. She said some students go outside of their community to gain access to training, lessons and other opportunities. “Any place where you can invest in the youth of the community, it’s the most important investment,” Rogers said. “(Students) are the minds of now and the minds of tomorrow,” Slagle added. Slagle and Rogers commended Athens Arts League and the community for supporting visual and musical art opportunities. For their Athens concert,
five high school students from the city and county schools and a college intern participated in stage setup, photographing the event, selling merchandise, event prep and interviewing the performers. Slagle said the popularity of this area’s music means those interested in musicrelated careers need to “strike while the iron is hot.”
The Secret Sisters sign autographs for Athens High
art teacher Beverly Bobo, who attended school with “There has been a surge them in Greenhill. (photo by Holly Hollman) of people coming out of North Alabama like Jason Isbell, Alabama Shakes and Anderson East,” she said.
Rogers said there is “something about being from here geographically that makes for a different kind of music.” “When that music gets somewhere on a national or international level, people see that all of these bands are from this one spot in the world,” Rogers said. “Kids are inspired by Jason Isbell, Anderson East and Alabama Shakes. Those kids need a place to go, a platform, encouragement, a push so the legacy of Alabama music is as
Athens Arts League Board Member Mike Johnson works with students on stage prep for The Secret Sisters concert in Athens. The students who received hands on experience are back row from left, Darius Smith, Jackson Stapleton, and Justin Wyatt; front row from left, Rachel Adornetto and Autumn MacNeill. (photo by Athens Arts League intern Hayley Malone)
special as it always has been.” Slagle said the Tennessee Valley is “right in the hub of all of it” from blues to country to Appalachian music. Her sister added, “We are the melting pot of all good things that are music.” Both said those interested in a music-related career need to build their talent but also understand the business side of the field because that is where most people fail. Giving students hands-on experience for events like their concert help cultivate that learning.
The Secret Sisters perform at McCandless Hall (photo by East Limestone student Jackson Stapleton)
January 18 - January 31, 2019
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While in Athens, The Secret Sisters visited High Cotton Arts, a downtown visual art incubator operated by Athens Arts League. They also learned about Scout Music House,
which Athens Arts League is renovating into a musical venue that offers hands-on experiences for students. “Having that kind of resource in your area as a young person is vital. There are so few places where kids can go and do something creative and meaningful in a safe and productive environment,” Rogers said. For The Secret Sisters, music is an outlet and a way to express their life experiences, something that students can learn to develop. “We don’t know how to process struggles, heartbreak and loss without writing about it,” Rogers said, adding that many of their fans have experienced similar things.
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Calendar of Events Athens Main Street’s 2019 Chocolate Walk Feb 2
1pm – 6pm. Chocolate Walk Tickets may be sold out, but everyone can enjoy the fabulous specials offered by Downtown merchants. Whether you have tickets or not... stop in, shop the store specials and sign up for the many door prizes offered. Walkers will start at the Athens Main Street office, 107 N. Jefferson Street (next to Terranova’s), and will be provided a walking map, a list of participating merchants’ Sweet Deals, and a goodie bag from Athens Main Street.
Harry Potter Book Night 2019 Feb 7
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with the AthensLimestone Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. Starting at 6:00PM to celebrate the works of J.K. Rowlings. Ticket available at the Circulation Desk.
Empty Bowls Luncheon Feb 8
At Revival. First Presybterian Church, 303 Washington Street, Athens. 11:30am – 1pm. $15/ticket. Fill Your Bowl & Fight Hunger! Restaurants in the area provide a wide array of delicious soups served in a handmade pottery bowl to remind them that someone’s bowl is empty. A silent auction will be held with items from potters and other local artists. Light musical entertainment and fellowship with friends and neighbors make a lovely way to spend your lunchtime. Proceeds from the project will go to Limestone County Churches Involved food bank and backpack projects like Full Tummy in Athens and Limestone County. Sponsors include Clem Tire, First Presbyterian Church, T&C Stamping, Steelcase, and Tripoint Solutions. Tickets are available from the offices at First Presbyterian Church and First Methodist Church as well as committee members.
designated for local animal shelters. Throughout the month of February, every Bank Independent sales office will accept donations of pet food, kitty litter, paper towels, nursing bottles, cleaning supplies, first aid items, used blankets, bedding and towels.
Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting Feb 13
With guest speaker Susan "Soos" Weber presentation on "Alabama's Invasive Plants" at Tanner Baptist Church. 11590 U.S. Highway 31S in Tanner. Starting at 9:00AM with light refreshments followed by program. For more information: AthensGardenClub@aol.com
FUMC Swamp John's Fundraiser Feb 22
Friendship United Methodist Church. 16479 Lucas Ferry Road in Athens, door #2. 4-7pm. Sponsored by FUMC Women. Choice of fish, shrimp or chicken. Only $12 (drink included). friendshipumc.org
Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville. Package special including 1 night stay in standard room, party and party favors, and breakfast for two for $99.00 (tax and fees may apply). 18 & up only. For more information or to reserve your room: 256-247-5461.
Green Book Film Showing Feb 9
With the SGA in McCandless Hall Auditorium of Athens State University. 300 North Beaty Street in Athens. 5:30PM-7:30PM featuring the tale of a working-class Italian-American bouncer who becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South. Free and open to the public courtesy of the Livingston Concert-Lecture Series.
Bank Independent Collecting Food And Supplies For Local Animal Shelters Feb 11
On February 11, Bank Independent will kick off its sixth annual Shelter Share drive to benefit local animal shelters. All locations of the Bank will serve as donation points for pet food and supplies Page 6
Annual Mardi Gras Party Feb 23
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Spaghetti Meal at the Vietnam Veterans of America Building 3rd Monday Monthly
17915 W. Elm St. in Athens. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost is $8. Eat in or carry-out. Profits fund scholarships for local students. Please call ahead for group carry-outs or more info 256-431-3213.
Athens-Limestone Trash Attack! Mar 9
Join KALB and the community to clean up the Elk River, roadsides, waterways, and public lands throughout Athens and Limestone County. Groups and individuals will meet at 8:00 a.m. at two locations: Elk River boat launch on Hatchery Lane off Hwy. 99 and Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens. All supplies will be provided. Lunch and door prizes for all who participate. This is a great community service project. Call 256-233-8000 or email KALBCares@gmail.com for information or signup. February 1 - February 14, 2019
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January 18 - January 31, 2019
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What Makes Ronnie Roll
Your Success Is Also Your Challenge by Ali Elizabeth Turner When we met, Mayor Ronnie was putting the finishing touches on the State of the City speech which was held at Athens State University on January 31, and is now “in the can.” As has been discussed throughout this edition of Athens Now, like it or not, we have got to get good at growth, and need to do it now. We talked about the successful opening of the new high school, and the challenges of having the first day occur in a physical deluge coupled with navigating new driving patterns. “People need to be patient, and more than anything they need to slow down,” said the mayor. He added, “We are working on getting the bugs out.” By Thursday and Friday things were better, and some people have chosen to go north on Jefferson, turn right on Elm, and turn right on Hwy 31 in order to get in the right hand lane to access drop-off.
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In addition, some people are getting on I- 65 and coming south to Hwy 31 to do the same thing. ALDOT has been consulted from the beginning of the entire project, and all of the traffic revisions have been done according to their requirements. But what will greatly help is when the street behind Jack’s is cleared and repaired. “We are also examining solutions that have worked in other
communities,” said Mayor Ronnie. Recently, there was a meeting at City Hall with representatives from several surrounding counties, and one of the primary concerns for all of them is traffic, particularly regarding I-565. They all asked, “How do you move traffic? Whose job is it? What part is ALDOT, local, state, federal, and where does the funding come from?”
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This will get hammered out; it has to if we are going to “grow well.” They also discussed regional infrastructure, the ever important topic of public safety, and workforce development. One of the things that is going to continue to strengthen workforce development is the ongoing activities of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, which has been under the excellent longterm leadership of Tom Hill, who recently retired. It took awhile to find a capable replacement, but the LCEDA recently hired Bethany Shockney to take over, and Tom will stay on for 90 days to assist Bethany in the transition. Bethany will
take the helm on March 1, and Tom will also be available for consultation later on as needed. Bethany has held a comparable position to Tom’s in Giles County, TN, and grew up surrounded by construction and agriculture. She served as Dean of Business/CIS, Technology, and Workforce Development at Calhoun Community College from 2008 to 2016. Truly, her heart beats with the desire for our area to “grow well.” “We have to face the fact that our greatest success is going to be our greatest challenge,” said the mayor, and clearly there was much to pray for and about. So we did, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.
February 1 - February 14, 2019
Slinkard On Success
Have Or Have Not by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Anything is possible. What I am finding, though, is far too many people think in a negative manner opposed to thinking with a “glass halffull” mentality. I can remember being a kid, and it was all about thinking positive. A phrase from my favorite children’s book goes something like, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Honestly, I am not for certain if they make children’s books anymore because it seems like kids are coming out of the womb with a tablet in their hands. Though the times have changed, what needs not to change is our ability to believe in ourselves. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, either way you are right.” I love this quote, and I find myself giving it quite often. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to a group in a sales training seminar and this was one of the key points I brought up. This has gotten me to think about the two different kinds of people in the world. There are the “Haves” and the “Have Nots.” The world is separated by the people who have what they want in life and the people who do not have the things they want in life. The question is: “How does one go from being a Have Not to being a Have?” For me, it is pretty simple because it is all about the thought process you use on a daily basis. I look at our mental out-
look being very similar to taking care of a garden. If you do not pay attention to your garden -- water it, pull weeds, etc. -- before long, your garden will be overrun with negativity. Our minds are the same way because if we do not nurture our thought process and pull the weeds out of our lives, we will soon be faced with a lot of negativity in our life. How often do you look at the negative instead of focusing on the positive? Vulnerable moment here, but one thing that gets me in trouble with my wife is I have a tendency to focus on what did not get done versus what was accomplished. This, my friend, is the wrong way of thinking on my part. How hard
January 18 - January 31, 2019
do you think it is to write down your own faults? I can tell you, it is challenging and very humbling to admit on this platform that sometimes I can focus on the negative. Too often we want to avoid the realities in life where we fall short, and we only want to show a positive, rosy picture. Take social media -- how many pictures are taken and deleted before someone posts the perfect selfie? Social media has taught us to lie to others to make things appear as one thing even though the reality is something else. In our minds, we seek this false perfection because the realities of life prove that everyone is going to fail. We will not be faultless in our lives, and we
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will make mistakes on a daily basis; but our lives will be determined by how we handle the difficulties and bounce back. It seems to me that many people strive to be rich and famous; yet how often do we hear about how a celebrity decided to take their own life. These celebrities have money, they have nice cars and nice homes desired by many; but there is still an emptiness or a void in their life. Here you have this person living a hidden life of torment while others are desperately seeking to get the wonderful lifestyle this person appears to already have. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. In fact, I have found many times that
the greener grass on the other side has more manure. We need to take the proper perspective with life. We need to change our mentality to thinking positive and expecting positive results to occur. We must also stay levelheaded and know our lives can change in an instant. To overcome our weaknesses in life, we must be able to identify what those weaknesses are and then take the necessary steps to achieve success. The Haves and the Have Nots truly come down to perspective of life, and it is not always about the material things. If I was to ask you, would you be a Have or a Have Not based off your attitude?
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Tourism
February Full Of Sweet Rewards And Rich History by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Sweet, Sweet Fun… Hope you weren’t waiting to purchase your tickets for the annual Athens Main Street Chocolate Walk as they sold out in record time this year. But don’t despair, you can still treat your sweetheart to a day out with several events on our calendar at VisitAthensAL.com where you’ll find all the details about times, tickets, and more. Want to escape to Hogwarts for a magical evening with your darling? Harry Potter Book Night comes to the AthensLimestone County Public Library on February 7. February 8 is the Empty Bowls Luncheon at the Revival Center where attendees can enjoy a bowl of soup and take home a beautiful hand-crafted bowl while fighting hunger in the community. Or
out one of our many music venues. You can explore these ideas at VisitAthensAL.com. Let the Good Times Roll… how being a little creative and signing yourself and your sweetie up for Cookie Decorating for Beginners with the Center for Lifelong Learning on February 9? There are still seats left for the Silvery Moon Big Band Valentine Show at Yesterday’s Event Center on February 15. Don’t forget to enjoy some chocolates from U.G. White’s in downtown Athens, Russell Stover’s Outlet at Exit 351 and U.S. Highway 72, or J.T. Coffee Shop in Ardmore. Plus there are over 100 dining options to choose from in Limestone County to treat your sweetheart to a meal. Take in a movie at Cinemagic in Athens or check
Mardi Gras is upon us and it’s a great time to have some fun. Joe Wheeler State Park is bringing the beads and party to the lodge with special room packages for two for their annual Mardi Gras Party on February 23. This 18-and-up-only party is booking fast and includes standard room, party and party favors, and breakfast for two the next morning. Book your room by calling 256-247-5461 . Black History Month… The Athens-Limestone Community Association will be hosting their annual Black History Program at 6:00 p.m. in the Beasley Center on February 2.
Athens State University Library and Archives and the Athens State University Black Student Alliance will be hosting a 6-week long art exhibit in tribute to Black History Month, the Alabama Bicentennial, and the forthcoming Athens State University Bicentennial featuring local artists’ work with an opening reception on February 26 from 4:30-5:45 p.m. followed by the screening of “Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity” in McCandless Theatre from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Nature Calls… February 2 is the statewide Alabama Special Youth Waterfowl Day when licensed adults can help youths 16 and under for a special day of waterfowl hunting. The Great Backyard Bird Count returns and asks citizenscientists to help count and identify birds in their backyards, in their parks, or along the trails from February 15 through 18. Learn more about these events on the calendar at VisitAthensAL.com Governor Houston Attraction Re-Opens
Students of the Alabama Forks School are part of the legacy featured in the Athens-Limestone County African-American Heritage Trail brochure
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The Governor George S. Houston Library and Museum (101 North Houston Street in Athens) has finished its present round of renovations and is open to the public from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Visitors to the homesite will enjoy the original architecture, history of two-time
The North Alabama Birding Trail highlights several locations in southern Limestone County (Decatur annexed) that are perfect for glimpsing migrating birds during the Great Backyard Bird Count Governor and Senator George S. Houston and his family, and a collection of family, as well as an occasional book sale to benefit the home. Coming soon… Panera Bread is coming to Athens in the 1300-block of U.S. Highway 72, adjacent to the Super 8 hotel. Panera Bread is known for its inhouse made fresh baked breads and healthy offerings. You’ll find even more events on the calendars at VisitAthensAL.com or you can stop into the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens from 8:00 a.m.-5: 00 p.m. Monday-Friday for events, brochures, and more.
February 1 - February 14, 2019
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Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC January 18 - January 31, 2019
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Clean and Green
Litter Says A Lot About A Community. We Want Our Community To Say A Lot About Litter! - Part 2 by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful
In Part 1 of this series, I shared information on the pressure points that lead to behavioral changes in people who litter.
escape the truck and again litter is created. So even those who say they would never litter do if loose garbage is in their trash can.
In this article, I am focusing on what each of us can do to help prevent litter. Even those of us who say we aren’t litterbugs may inadvertently contribute to the litter problem due to habits we may not think about. It is my hope that we can each take a good look at this list and be honest about habits that we may need to change.
• Keep securely fitting lids on trash cans to prevent wildlife from getting into garbage cans. When cans are knocked over or bags are torn open, trash becomes the neighbors’ problem, too.
• Set an example for others. Our children, neighbors, coworkers, and others are watching us. Follow the rest of these points to set the example. • Always bag your trash before putting it into your trash can. When city trucks pick up cans with loose trash, the wind catches light items and litter is created. In the county, every time a trash collector handles a can full of loose trash, some of it will
• Keep trash out of your truck bed. Never toss empty bottles and cans or other loose items into the bed of a pickup truck. The wind will catch it and whip it out onto the road. I have followed many trucks and watched it happen. • Cover your load. If you are transporting a load of anything, cover it. It’s the law. • Always carry a litter bag in your vehicle to collect trash so you can easily dispose of it at home. • Never toss cigarette butts. They are small but mighty! Filters are made of plastic
Elk River Cleanup and County-wide Trash Attack
and take years to decompose and are filled with poisons and chemicals that leach into our groundwater. With trillions being littered every year, they are an environmental nightmare. • Keep top and side doors on dumpsters closed, if your business has one. This will keep the wind from blowing items out. If you see an open dumpster, mention it to the store manager. • Empty Styrofoam out of boxes before recycling. Be sure that Styrofoam peanuts are bagged and tied. Styrofoam is very light and will blow out of dumpsters, bins, and trash cans very easily.
Premier Sponsor: Tennessee Valley Authority Date and Time: Saturday, March 9 • 8:00 am - 11:00 am | Lunch 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Locations: There will be 2 meeting locations: • Hatchery Rd. boat launch on the Elk River, off Hwy. 99 • Big Spring Memorial Park, Athens (duck pond) Who Can Help: Individuals, families, friends, neighbors, businesses, churches, clubs, and organizations Registration: Call 256-233-8000 or email KALBCares@gmail.com. Not required, but will help with planning. Supplies Provided: Trash bags, vests, litter grabbers, gloves. Volunteers may bring other tools dependent on location cleaned. Where To Clean: Volunteers may choose to clean the Elk River or any other roadside, waterway, or public lands within Limestone County or KALB can provide a location for you. If cleaning the Elk River from the water, volunteers must bring watercraft and have all required safety equipment on board. Thank You Lunch and Prizes: Lunch will be served for all volunteers at Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens (duck pond). All volunteers’ names will be entered into a drawing for cash and prizes. Winners must be present.
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• Suggest an increase in trash containers at sporting venues and other outdoor locations when needed. Don’t just grumble, speak with the people who have the authority to make a change. • REPORT what you see! Call 256-2338000 to report witnessed litter incidents or illegal dump sites. See more info below. Speak up and speak
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out! Don’t be afraid to make litter a topic of conversation and remind friends and family of the consequences of littering. Even though we may not see it, litter thrown on the ground eventually becomes the problem of another human or animal. Some people truly don’t care about the environment. In that case, let law enforcement do the talking. If you see an act of littering or illegal dumping, get the tag number and description of the vehicle and call KALB at 256-233-8000 to report the incident. KALB and law enforcement will keep your information confidential. If illegal dumping is in progress, call the authorities first in hopes the person(s) dumping can be caught in the act. Remind others that it is their tax dollars that pay
for cleaning up litter. City and county litter crews are not without cost. Even when inmates are used, there is the cost of supervision, vehicles, supplies, and more. There is so much litter out there, the litter crews just can’t keep up. Litter cleanup in the U.S. costs over $11 billion and taxpayers and business owners foot the bill. Of course, we are not suggesting that anyone confront strangers about littering. That could be unsafe. Please consider being a part of the Elk River Cleanup and CountyWide Trash Attack taking place on March 9. Call, email, or visit our Facebook page for information.
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(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com February 1 - February 14, 2019
Cooking with Anna
Egg Rolls…In Bowls by Anna Hamilton
Growing up in small town Alabama, going to the Chinese buffet was a treat. It was an adventure in textures and flavors. I grew to love all the delicious dishes. Of course, they were all Americanized to fit our Alabama taste, but we sure loved going. Egg rolls were my favorite. A perfect packaged of fried dough. Although they differ from one restaurant to another, they all have a basic mix of ingredients: cabbage, meat, garlic, ginger, onion, and soy all wrapped up in a crispy package. Aren’t you hungry just thinking about those crispy egg rolls?
Striving to live a healthier life, fried egg rolls are off the menu. You can still enjoy those same flavors, just in a different way. An egg roll in a bowl, is a great way to enjoy all of those flavors without the guilt of eating deep fried food. This particular recipe calls for using ground sausage, but I have found ground chicken to be just a delicious! Eating healthier doesn’t have to be all celery sticks and broccoli. Be brave! Try new things! I hope you are enjoying my journey this year to better health and are traveling along with me. We can do this together!
Recipe #3 - Egg Roll in a Bowl What You Need:
1 lb. ground sausage (or ground chicken, turkey, or beef) ½ tsp ginger ½ tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste) 1 green onion, chopped ½ cup low sodium soy sauce 1 bag cole slaw mix
Directions:
Brown sausage in a large, deep skillet. While sausage is browning, combine ginger, red pepper, and soy sauce in a small bowl and set aside. Once sausage is done, drain well and return to skillet. Add cabbage to sausage and stir until well combined. Pour mixture into skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until cabbage is slightly wilted. Serve warm, topped with green onions.
January 18 - January 31, 2019
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Page 13
The Millennial Mind
Intelligent Life by Rosemary Dewar The issues surrounding abortion have continued to confound the American public as they have been shrouded by euphemism, secrecy, and disinformation. Policies that have stripped communities of their freedom to abstain from the practice are a blot on the history of American culture. The “care” that could be available for traumatic situations is limited to one singular procedure. The categorization of the most vulnerable group of people, babies and infants, has been reduced to a sign of life as trivial as that of a carnivorous plant or a parasite. Ignorance has plagued those who have fallen
victim to abortion policies’ harsh and agonizing reality. Those who have advocated for the liberation from these policies have been the targets of pernicious lawsuits and vicious character indictments. Promoters of abortion procedures find every justification to further the American public’s lack of understanding through fear and lies. Abortion is an adaption of medical procedures called dilation and evacuation, and dilation and extraction. The difference between the two procedures is: the number of weeks into gestation, length of the procedure, and tools. Doctors who performed
abortions have testified to Congress that the procedures are problematic and harmful in nature. The lack of accuracy and completion are consistent hazards inherent in these procedures. Risks are not adequately communicated to those who inquire about or advocate for the procedures. Dr. Anthony Levatino, a former abortion provider, was responsible for performing over 1,500 abortions and testified to the United States Congress that, “A second trimester D&E abortion is a blind procedure. The baby can be in any orientation or position inside the uterus…the uterus is thin and soft, so be care-
ful not to perforate or puncture the walls. Once you have grasped something inside, squeeze on the clamp to set the jaws and pull hard–really hard…If you refuse to believe that this procedure inflicts severe pain on that unborn child, please think again…I personally treated hundreds of women with such conditions in my tenure there… but is abortion a viable treatment option in this setting? I maintain that it usually, if not always, is not.” In order to conceal the fatal aggressiveness of the procedure, abortion advocates have systematically denied
the in utero biological evidence of personhood. Analogies such as “teeth cleaning” or” polyp removal,” and vulgarisms such as “cluster of cells” and “just a zygote” are constant assertions as to how “innocuous” abortion may be. The false attempt to express compassion for the pre-born child by asserting that the earlier an abortion is, the safer it is, or that a young enough baby cannot feel pain is nothing short of heinous. People with a congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) or those in a stage four coma do not sense pain. They should not be considered less important than those who do feel pain. Sentience is also not a decent standard, because it would exclude toddlers, those with disabilities, and anyone momentarily sleeping. Abortion advocates are running out of scientific arguments. All they will have left are the societal constructs that they have boxed themselves into. Life is the valuable commodity society ought to strive to preserve, and humans have the singular ability to comprehend the deepest empathies. It betrays life in general, and humans specifically, to promote the quick and cold execution of innocent human life in the act of abortion.
Dr. Anthony Levatino testifying before the United States Congress
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February 1 - February 14, 2019
Cover Story
Valley Mowing: Five Years Of “Dealing Well With Growth” by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 1
back in 2015, when Garth was still a one-man show. The business has been blessed, and now, during the off-season, Garth’s team consists of two full-time guys in addition to himself; and between May and October, he has a total of 8. His business generally is 70% residential and 30% commercial. He has always worked in a 30-mile radius of Athens, and back when he first started, Garth said, “It used to take me 30 minutes, and there would be just one stop. Now I have many stops on the way. Business has filled out.” How did all this get started? Garth’s “roots” are literally some of the oldest in our area. As a native Athenian, Garth has had a lifelong love affair
Before
ness in lawn care. In 2014, he decided to go full time. Garth has no problem getting into the muck and guck to make a property shine, and that is what gave birth to his “goin’ into the jungle” statement with his guys. He also has always had quite a love for property maintenance, and when he was an insurance agent, he became fully acquainted with
Before with Alabama the Beautiful. This includes the lawns, shrubs, flowers, and landscapes of our area that make our town so stunning, especially in the spring. His family has been here for well over a 125 years, and Athens has always been home. During the time that he had full-time careers with Habitat for Humanity, in banking, and as an insurance agent, Garth has always maintained a side busi-
January 18 - January 31, 2019
of peoples’ property,” he said. We discussed prices, and his are both reasonable as well as competitive. “I do my best to work with people,” he said. For a while during our talk, I picked Garth’s brain about various challenges we encounter where we live, due to the fact that there are more than 60 trees on the property.
After
the requirements of insurance companies for residential properties, especially rentals. He became aware of how important it is to have someone who genuinely cares about other peoples’ properties after the legendary tornadoes of April 2011. “I’ll take care of limbs, damage, shrubbery that has gotten out of control, trees that have grown into soffits, haul away messes, and treat each house as though it is my own,” he added. “I take an active interest in the condition
I learned that part of the reason that several of my flowering shrubs either don’t flower at all, or not in what could be considered in a hearty manner, is that the root system of the deciduous trees that have been there for generations takes the lion’s share of the nutrients out of the ground—it’s not just an issue of too much shade. I was grateful to have my level of frustration diminished through learning from Garth. Soon Garth will receive his SLP, or Setting of Landscape Plants certification. He has a good eye for increasing curb appeal, and in the state of Alabama, the certification is necessary for those individuals
who will be actually installing plant materials for a fee. The certification ensures that the property owner is hiring someone who, according to the state website, “possesses adequate knowledge and ability to perform cultural, pruning, and other practices necessary to establish and maintain landscape plants.” In addition, the state website declares that SLP certified planters must know “the maintenance requirements for plant materials” as well as the “math components associated with landscape plant setting and maintenance tasks.” Having the SLP will increase Garth’s ability to meet the needs of his customers. Garth will be at the Home and Garden Show on the 22nd and 23rd of this month, and hopes you’ll stop by his booth. He’ll be ready to answer questions, and do what he loves best, which is to help property owners “deal with growth.” If you are looking for lawn and property maintenance that is provided by a company whose roots in the area literally “run deep,” then give Garth Lovvorn of Valley Mowing Company a call to schedule your appointment today.
Valley Mowing
256-874-2411 Facebook: Garth Lovvorn Email: glovvorn1@hotmail.com
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Page 15
Health and Fitness
What The Scale Is Really Telling You by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist
We all have a tendency to take what the scale says to heart, good or bad. Celebration can occur one morning and the following morning can bring total depression. This toxic relationship needs to be sorted out. If you insist on keeping the scale around, then let’s at least discuss what those numbers really mean. There are many factors which determine daily weight fluctuation, including water retention, glycogen storage, and changes in lean body mass. Therefore, the daily, and sometimes drastic, number change on the scale is completely normal, but it is not a true indicator of your success or failure. Water makes up about 60% of our total body mass, and it is completely normal for this to frequently fluctuate. There are two main factors which influence water retention -- water consumption and salt intake. Incredibly, our bodies actually retain less water the more water we drink. When the body is dehydrated, it hangs on to every ounce of water, which makes the scale creep up. So here is yet another reason to drink more water. The other factor in wa-
ter retention is excess sodium consumption. A single teaspoon of salt contains over 2,000 mg of sodium. As a general rule, we should only eat about 1,000 to 3,000 mg of sodium a day. In our society, it’s easy to totally blow this out of proportion because we have so many highlyprocessed foods. It’s an even sneakier factor because some things that do not taste salty are loaded with sodium. This is why it is vital to stick to pure, whole foods. Stay clear of packaged foods; buy fresh so you control what is added, including the salt, when you cook. Now, what is glycogen and how does it effect the scale? Glycogen is basically carbohydrates stored in the liver or in the muscles themselves. This weighs more than a pound and is combined with 3-4 pounds of water when it’s stored. The glycogen supply will shrink during the day if you do not eat enough carbohydrates, causing you to experience increase in appetite urging you to replenish and restore the reserve. It is completely normal to experience glycogen and water weight shifts up to 2 pounds a
day, even with no change in your calorie intake or activity level. These fluctuations have nothing to do with actual fat loss, yet they clearly change the number on the scale. That being said, the most deceptive part of the scale is that it weighs more than just fat. It weighs muscle, bone, water, internal organs, and everything in between. When the number goes down, it does not always mean you have lost fat. Unfortunately, the scale has no way to tell what you have lost or gained, in a technical sense. While you want to see the number
go down, it is important not to lose muscle; actually, the more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn. Muscle is a metabolically active tissue. This is why the more fit and active you are, the more food you can eat. The scale cannot differentiate between fat and muscle; so it is ultimately a very inaccurate tool to determine what is happening with your body as you strive to become fit. There are multiple tools/ instruments you can use other than that one number on the scale to distinguish your true body
make-up, such as skinfold calipers to measure lean tissue vs. fat; but since most people don’t have this laying around the house, there are simpler ways to measure this for yourself. Some of the best ways are how your clothes are fitting, if your rings are looser, and snapping some progress pictures to compare along the way. Now…are you going to keep living by your scale? For more information regarding a personalized general or sports nutrition plan, contact me at Prime Performance 423805-0870.
256-434-7532 423-805-0870 www.getprimednow.com Page 16
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February 1 - February 14, 2019
Cover Story
The 2019 Greater Limestone County Chamber Of Commerce Home And Garden Show by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1
merce will be hosting the annual Home and Garden show once again at the Limestone County Event Center on Pryor Street. This expo has grown every year, draws attendees from all over the Tennessee Valley, and is the perfect way to prepare for spring. Several sponsors come together to make the event happen, and the price for admission is two dollars. This year the Presenting Sponsor is Window World, the Gold Sponsor is Persell Lumber, and Silver Sponsors are Lowe’s, Bill Perkins of ALFA Insurance, Alabama Foundation Specialists, Redstone Federal Credit Union, and Distinctive Landscaping. The Bronze Sponsors are Inline Lighting and Holt Pest Control. I chatted with Jennifer Williamson, Director of the Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce, and there are several things about this year’s show about which she is enthusiastic. “As always, we have great exhibitors showcasing at the Home and Garden Show this year, bringing a variety of home ideas and projects to life.” “We’re pleased to once again have a live auction from one of our local auctioneers.
Auctions are exciting events to watch and participate in the bidding.” The live auction, back again this year by popular demand, will be conducted by veteran real estate agent and auctioneer Troy Elmore of Elmore Realty. This year there will be an auction at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday for a brand spanking new 2019 Ford Fiesta, and Troy emphasized that you MUST be present to win. This year’s show also has a number of hands-on demonstrations and information sessions for both kids and adults to participate in. Students from the Chamber’s Youth Leadership program will be on hand providing a planting activity for kids. Representatives from Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful will have the Sparky mascot at the show for a special presentation. Sparky will be providing photo ops for the kids; and KALB’s Director Lynne Hart told me, “Sparky will have goodies to give to the children.” Sparky will be appearing two times on Saturday: from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Lynne also added, “The adults love Sparky as much as the kids; so everyone can expect to see Sparky roaming through the show to spread good will. We also invite everyone to stop
Gold sponsors Pursell Lumber
by our booth to learn how to make this community better.” Budding gardeners and those hoping to learn a few tips from the experts should make plans to attend demonstrations and info sessions provided from the Limestone County Extension Service as well as the Master Gardeners. Chris Becker, Limestone County Coordinator, will present on the topic of Basics of Home Orchard Pruning. He will prune a few trees, blueberries, etc, and give them away. Taylor Reeder, Home Horticulture Agent, will do a container-gardening design basics presentation and give away a finished container. Rhonda Briton, Home Horticulture Agent, will speak on Rain Water Harvesting and give away a completed rain
Troy Elmore will auction off this 2019 Ford Fiesta at 1pm on Saturday.
January 18 - January 31, 2019
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Bronze sponsor In-Line Lighting
Master Gardeners ready to answer questions
barrel. Demo times will be posted online as well as at the show. And, if you aren’t able to attend the demonstrations, visit with Master Gardener pros at their booth to answer all your gardening and landscaping questions as you prepare for your upcoming spring projects. Representatives from every aspect of home improvement will be present, from remodeling to roofs to windows to siding to plumbing to new construction to real estate to financing to more. You will be able to explore the latest trends in kitchens, baths, paint, siding, and decorating. For your garden, there will be people from a big box store as well as a large local nursery. For your home’s interior, you can find help with custom picture framing, lighting, and furniture selection. And, if all the choices before you make you feel stressed, there will be
professional massage therapists to help with that. All in all, there is something for everyone at a price that can’t be beat, and the Annual Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show is one of my favorite ways to wait for spring to finally spring. See you there! The Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Annual Home and Garden Show Friday, February 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 23 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Limestone County Event Center, 114 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL 35611 For more information, visit www.tourathens.com, or you can find the event on Facebook at 2019 Greater Limestone Home and Garden Show. You can also call the Chamber at 256-232-2600.
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Learning As A Lifestyle
Road Trip by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 It is time to dig ourselves out of the cold and rain. It is the perfect time for a road trip! Won’t you join us at Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning as our Academic Travel program takes a day trip once a month? You can learn more about the trips planned by checking out our website – www.athens.edu/CLL, or call us at 256-233-8260. On the schedule for February is a trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on Saturday the 23rd. We will leave the Center at 8:00 a.m. and have an early lunch at the Olive Garden restaurant in Montgomery; lunch is on your own. Afterwards, we will head to the festival grounds for a Backstage Pass through the theater production areas. The featured play for our trip is Our Town by Thornton Wilder, the story of mythical Grover’s Corners. On the way home, we will share a snack basket and drinks. We should arrive home between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. The fee for this trip is $99, which includes the tickets to Our Town, the Backstage Pass, snack basket and
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drinks and transportation. In March, we will take a day trip to the world-renowned Ave Maria Grotto near Cullman on Tuesday the 19th. The Ave Maria Grotto is located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, the only Benedictine monastery in the state of Alabama. A pleasant two-block pathway winds beside these impressive miniature buildings constructed from stone, concrete, and unwanted donated materials, e.g., broken plates, costume jewelry, ceramic tile, beads, marbles, and seashells. After visiting the Grotto, we will have lunch (on your own) in Cullman and then head home. This trip will leave Athens about 9:00 a.m. and return to the Center about 3:30 p.m. The fee is $49 and includes tickets to the Grotto exhibit and transportation.
of color and horticultural diversity with eleven specialty display gardens and stunning natural landscape, with more than 50,000 tulips in the spring. After lunch (on your own) at Café 29, we will head over to Olive and Sinclair for a beanto-bar experience at the chocolate factory. Olive and Sinclair are oldschool confectionaries
who slow roast and stone grind in small batches. You can watch each step of the combination of traditional methods, modern European techniques, and classic Southern flavors that make Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Company the NEW old-fashioned chocolate. This trip is $79 which includes entrance and tour fees, snack basket and drinks, and trans-
portation. These are just a few of the scheduled trips for this spring. Coming this summer are trips to the Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia, May13; Beale Street in Memphis, June 21; and the Chattanooga Aquarium, July 19. We look forward to traveling with you.
We will be going on one of my favorite trips Saturday, April 27. It is a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, called Chocolates and Flowers. Our first stop will be Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. Cheekwood, the 55-acre estate built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune, is a spectacular showcase
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February 1 - February 14, 2019
Jerry’s Journal
Fun, Fishing And Fear In High Country by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com
Early morning coldness lingered in the high mountain valley slowly giving way to the rising sun. Pat and I had spent the night in a small log cabin on the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The welcomed sun warmed our faces while we watched the Wyoming sky gradually turn turquoise blue. The day held great promise and adventure. After breakfast and camp coffee, we saddled up. “It’s a long ride up there,” our outfitter said, gazing west at the Wind River Mountains. Leading a pack horse carrying our camping gear, we rode toward granite peaks that thrust upward over 13,000 feet. Our destination was a mountain lake not far from the Continental Divide said to be teeming with brook trout. I couldn’t wait to try out my new fly rod. Pat, an Arkansas native and former Huntsville surgical nurse, was a single mother of two daughters when I met her following my divorce in 1985. Two years later she said, “Barksdale, I’m the prettiest thing in Southeast Huntsville, maybe Southeast United States, and you need to stop looking around.” She was right, of course. A browneyed beauty with long raven hair, she was fully equipped with all the accessories that a
man likes. And she had a wicked sense of humor. I took her advice and married her in 1987. Earlier in the week we had flown to Jackson Hole, rented a car and drove near Dubois, turned onto a dirt road, and bumped across the Indian reservation to a small cabin and corral of horses on the edge of the national forest. Stuffed inside two Army duffel bags was a tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, novels, flashlights, and our kitchenware. Mama’s old No. 7 blackened cast iron skillet was just the right size for frying brook trout. We had potatoes, Wesson Oil, cornmeal, and plenty of Maxwell House. Coffee, coughing and gurgling in my dented and smoke stained camp pot would bring great joy to our cold mornings. All we needed was good weather, hungry trout, and a little luck. As we rode toward the high country, the only sound was clanging horse shoes and creaking saddles. As we climbed higher into thin air, the horses blew and caught their breath. We would be dropped off at a lake and picked up several days later. It was grizzly country. No radio, no phone, no problem, I could outrun Pat. I did have a Marine fighting knife for dressing trout and peeling potatoes. If I got in a knife fight with a grizzly, I
January 18 - January 31, 2019
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Midafternoon, we arrived at a small blue lake and set up camp. When the last clanging horseshoes died out, I realized that we were totally alone.
them into the sizzling skillet. We ate them like corn on the cob, washed down with camp coffee. Greasy and delicious. When the sun dropped behind the peaks, coldness came. We sat around the campfire watching as it turned to glowing coals. Pat zipped our sleeping bags together so we could share body heat. About the time I stopped shivering and got warm, my enlarged prostrate grew larger. I had to pee. I crawled out of the bag, unzipped the tent flap, and walked into the freezing night and peed. I was like an icicle. I scrunched close to Pat. She jumped. “Get away!” If we even went to divorce court, I’d remember that. Something was crawling on me. Was it a tick? Then I heard animal sounds nearby. My imagination ran wild. Was it a grizzly snooping around looking for dinner? I finally got warm and was almost asleep when I had to pee again. I crawled out; it was even colder. After crawling out a third time, I remembered the coffee pot. Hmm… The following day wind howled incessantly, and we remained inside the tent, read and slept.
Pat organized the inside of our tent like it was her kitchen, got a fire going, and made coffee. By late afternoon, I had caught a mess of trout. I chopped off their heads, gutted, and cleaned them; battered them in cornmeal; and dropped
I followed a clear mountain stream that fed the lake and saw trout. I made a few casts and caught my line in a willow bush. As I worked to untangle it, I noticed large paw prints in the soft earth. Bear tracks! No doubt about it. Be-
wouldn’t hesitate to use it. If that didn’t work out, I’d put on my glasses. Down South a gentleman never assaults a man wearing glasses. Well, that’s what Mama always told me. I wasn’t sure grizzlies knew that Southern custom. “Look!” Pat pointed toward a pinkish red field. As we rode closer, I saw that it was a small glacier inhabited with algae. We began a steep climb around switchbacks. The sorrel mare I rode and the pack horse I led were blowing and snorting. The trail was narrow, a wall of granite on our left and a deep chasm on our right. One slip and airborne! At the bottom of the abyss, I noticed a line of white bones strung out in row. “What’s that?” I asked our guide. “I was hoping that you wouldn’t see that,” he said. “A cat spooked pack horses that were tied together. One slipped and pulled the others over the edge.”
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tween getting up to pee and thinking about a bear eating me, I didn’t sleep much that night. I lay awake thinking about a TV program I’d seen several years earlier where a Department of Interior employee drugged a grizzly for tagging when suddenly the bear woke and mauled him. He drew a 44 Magnum and killed the bear. When and if I ever returned to bear country, I’d be packing a .44. The following day got real spooky. Three men appeared and set up a camp nearby. They weren’t the standard skinny, pig-tailed, trail mix-eating hikers. They looked more like escaped cons. They looked at Pat with interest. I sensed danger. Thereafter, I carried my fighting knife on my belt. I lost interest in fishing. Pat and I were packed and sitting on our duffel bags when we heard horses approaching. It was the outfitter. Thank the Lord. “Did you guys have a real adventure?” he asked. “Yep, that’s an understatement.” When we returned to Huntsville, I purchased a Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum at Larry’s Pistol and Pawn. The next time I went to the mountains I’d be packing it, just in case. I’d also be carrying an empty fruit jar -- my version of a camper’s bed pan.
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Dog Barker
What It Takes To Operate And Be A Part Of The Local Animal Shelter by Joel Allen
Many years ago, a preacher and I had a very heated argument about animals and Heaven. He told me that there were no animals in Heaven and I disagreed. After a little theology spitting at one another, I agreed to disagree and stated that if my dogs are not waiting for me when I get to the other side, I do not want to be in Heaven. I thought the preacher was going to stroke out, LOL. Anyways, the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter is in need, and what I am about to share is to show everyone they need help. Remember that what I am about to share is an everyday routine and this was my visit to the shelter on 25 January 2019. It’s early in the morning and, with that, Priscilla (Athens-Limestone Shelter Director) arrives at the shelter to check that the surgical areas are ready, how the resident animals are doing and ensure there are no new turnins waiting outside in cages. “It’s all about the animals,” she says, and she is passionate about this. Every day, this is the first thing she does, and it can sometimes be very taxing. I asked her what it takes to be a volunteer, and she stated to just show up and be passionate about animals. I then asked
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Priscilla about when there is a phone call about a lost dog; what does she tell the person calling? She said, “Send a picture of the lost pet, state what area the pet was lost from and to please come to the shelter to see if their pet is there.” She emphasized the importance of coming and seeing if their pet is at the shelter and to understand that just because a pet responds when a person calls out a name, that all the animals respond because they want out of the shelter or that someone is paying them attention. As the morning progresses, volunteers begin to show up to help with what needs to be done. Beth, a volun-
teer, walked in this morning and I asked her what she does every day. She, like Priscilla, checks the area and shelter. She is in charge of the shelter’s laundry, and her work ensures that the animals have clean blankets, which cut down on disease and keeps sickness from spreading throughout the shelter. Beth is very compassionate toward all animals and feels the best thing at the shelter, are those who work together for the wellbeing of the animals in their care. She also stated that it lifts her spirit to see all animals living in better conditions than what they were previously living in. But, she also said, with sadness in her voice, that
there are some that cannot be saved for various reasons, such as poor health or abuse. Beth spoke of the worst part of being a volunteer at the shelter -- watching the animals that have to be put down. I agreed with her that it is tough. She recommended that everyone who helps should know their limitations. I later found Ginger, the vet tech who is responsible for taking care of and diagnosing the needs of all the shelter animals. She is always in the back. Every day, like Priscilla, she conducts an inspection of the animals. She tends the animals by vaccinating, checking for heart worms and other worms, and giving pre-
ventatives to those that test negative for any of the above. Ginger said that dealing with the animals and providing great care is very rewarding. Another great highlight is seeing each animal get adopted; but when it comes to the ones that cannot be saved, it’s hard to let them go (euthanization).
With all that I am sharing, a growing need is getting more and more urgent for the shelter. They are in need of donations and volunteers. The community needs to understand that they have a responsibility to assist the shelter. Those working at the shelter advise spaying and neutering to assist in the over population of animals we have here in Limestone County, Alabama. One more parting shot is the rumor that Dr. Pitman is making money hand over fist from the shelter…that is bunk! But, don’t take my word for it; check the public record.
“Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”
Joel Allen 256-651-2211
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February 1 - February 14, 2019
Mental Health Minute
Understanding Worry, Stress, And Anxiety by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor “People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them.” - George Bernard Shaw The words worry, stress, and anxiety are often used interchangeably. And while these terms are definitely related, those of us in the mental health field define them differently. In fact, the symptoms of worry, stress, and anxiety show up in different areas of the brain. Worry tends to be short-lived and related to a particular situation. Stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Anxiety is a constant feeling of unease. Let’s take a look at each of these “conditions” separately to discover how one or all three may be affecting your daily life, preventing you from being a better version of you!
to a preoccupation with “perceived” threats. Interestingly, worrying can make us miserable but has also ensured our survival. Unhealthy worry can often arise from emotional childhood baggage related to our beliefs that we can’t protect ourselves and others. These include insecurity, perfectionism, need for control, social comparison, and pessimism. In general, stress is a response to an external cause, like meeting a deadline at work or having an argument with a friend. The stress response subsides once the situation has resolved. Stress changes the brain’s chemistry to make your heart pump faster or your palms sweaty to prepare to act. Thus, not all stress is bad
and can actually have a positive effect. For example, it can “encourage” a child to study for a test. Since stress is activated by external factors, addressing the issues of chronic stress head-on can help. Coping skills can include physical activity, breathing exercises, eating and sleeping properly, and taking time to connect with others. Chronic stress can be the precursor to anxiety if not addressed. Anxiety can be defined as awareness working against you. (I love this definition because I can so relate!) It is an intense awareness of what could go wrong or what is going wrong. Anxiety is almost never founded in truth or reality; it’s a fear that sinks into you as
you become aware of all the negative possibilities of what is often beyond your control. Anxiety can literally cloud your mind to believe that everything that could go wrong, will. Unfortunately, those who struggle with anxiety realize that it doesn’t fade once a threat is eliminated. Anxiety hangs around for the long haul. I believe that anxiety is your reaction to worry and stress, so it starts internally. Many people describe anxiety as a “persistent feeling of apprehension or dread in situations that are not actually threatening.” Consequently, the feeling of anxiety persists even after the concern has passed. And in severe cases, anxiety can escalate into an anxiety disorder. These disor-
ders include: generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.) So, you can see that worry, stress, and anxiety represent levels of our responses to threats, either perceived or “real.” How can you reduce your symptoms on any and all of these levels? I’m saving that for next time... Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.
Worry refers to negative thoughts and feelings that cycle in a repetitive and uncontrollable manner. Worrying is actually an essential, normal, and instinctive reaction to help us survive. We tend to worry about something because we perceive it as a threat, which causes us to focus on that danger and then shield ourselves. Unfortunately, worry can morph from a healthy, practical concern and vigilance,
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Medical Update
Midwifery Milestones by Rachel Clark, MSN
For the first time since the nurse-midwifery laws were enacted in 1976, Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) can legally attend births in Alabama. In the past, midwives like Karen Brock and Toni Kimpel were charged with practicing nurse-midwifery without a license for attending homebirths in Alabama. Both moved their practices out of the state. Toni moved to Texas. Karen had 27
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women counting on her as their care provider at the time she was arrested and charged. She moved her practice over the state line to Tennessee where CPMs were legal and licensed. Over the last 17 years, she and the families she serves have made the trek from their homes in Alabama to birth, what is known in the Alabama birth world, as “border babies.� Anyone who has followed my columns over the last several years has
been well educated on what a midwife is and the war that was waged by midwives, consumers, and legislators alike to reinstate the practice of midwifery by CPMs. Over the years, midwives, mamas, doulas, and supporters drove to Montgomery to continue fighting the good fight. Many of these, Karen included, made the journey multiple times and helped craft legislation that was presented year after year to the state
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legislature. Their efforts were always met with resistance, and 2017 was no different. What WAS different was the tactic used. The 2017 bill started out as a simple decriminalization bill, the basis of which was drafted after much prayer and thought by a Madison County mama. She had a hospital birth with an epidural, a natural hospital birth, a birth center birth, a miscarriage at home, and finally a home birth. The
language went to Representative Ken Johnson from Moulton, who took it and ran with it in the form of HB315. There seemed to be hope that the simple decriminalization would pass. Every step of the way, things went differently than they had before. Rather than going to the House Health Committee, which had stalled the bill every time in years past, the bill went to the House
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Medical Update
(continued)
Judiciary Committee. Not surprisingly, it was hotly contested by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA) as it had always been in years past. Unlike the Health Committee, the Judiciary Committee saw it as it was: an issue of decriminalization. Surprising supporters and opponents alike, the bill made it out of committee, through the House of Representatives, and to the State Senate. It was in the Senate that not only was CPM practice decriminalized, but a licensure bill was added to the decriminalization language. A meeting between several supporters, opponents, and legislators kept the Senate in session while final bill language was negotiated for 3 hours on the last day of the legislative session. This was voted on in both the House and the Senate, passing both. From there it went to Governor Kay Ivey, who signed the bill into law on May 19, 2017. Though the bill is a step forward, there were some areas that leave many midwives and consumers feeling bittersweet. There are several prohibitions in the law itself, which is harder to amend than rules and regulations. Among the prohibitions are vaginal births after cesarean sections (VBACs), breech births, and multiples. Cesareans account for about 35% of Alabama births, leaving many women with a scarred uterus, and thus ineligible for CPM care. In Tennessee, all of these
are legal for a CPM to perform. Also in the law is the prohibition of “prescriptive authority.” That shouldn’t be a big deal, right? WRONG. The small formulary that CPMs are trained to use are all designated as “legend drugs.” In Alabama, legend drugs may only be dispensed from a pharmacy based on a prescription from a licensed medical provider. Although the midwifery rules specifically state that midwives may administer local anesthetic, anti-hemorrhage medications, and oxygen, how may midwives access legend drugs legally since they are not given the legal ability to prescribe them themselves? Midwives must also carry Professional Liability Insurance, which
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is expensive to maintain. This cost will be passed on to consumers, making access to care difficult, especially for those in lower socioeconomic brackets. As of now, most insurance companies are not yet covering CPMs. Some families may be able to get some reimbursement from their insurance carriers; however, most choose to pay out of pocket to obtain the care they desire. There is yet much work to be done. It will be another fight for another day to free the remaining mamas and midwives. Below is a quote on the subject from a dear friend of mine and fellow midwife, who for the time being will not be practicing in Alabama: “Romans 12:15 says, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those
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who weep.’ Today I have done both. Today as the Alabama State Board of Midwifery approved the first five licenses for Alabama midwives to serve families at their home births, I truly rejoiced with the midwives who have obtained licenses and the families that they will be able to serve. I rejoiced that Alabama is one baby step closer to integrating community midwives into our health care system. But I also weep. I weep that I am not among those midwives. I weep because this law is such a far cry from the bills that I helped craft and lobby for many years. I weep for the damage that was done to relationships when people who were supposed to respect each other and work to-
gether refused to do so. I weep that the costs associated with mandatory malpractice insurance will be a barrier to more midwives licensing in our state. I weep that licensed midwives will not be able to practice their full scope, or fully instruct their students. I weep that competing special interest groups were allowed to dictate the practice of a profession other than their own. I weep for the mothers of twins and VBAC mothers who must continue to work hard and travel far to obtain midwifery care. I weep that I as a mother with a breech baby could not have been served under this law. Not all of the midwives were freed, and neither were all of the mothers.”
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The Alternative Approach
Osteoporosis - What I Would Do by Roy Williams Osteoporosis or bone loss is affecting more people today than ever before in history. Not because the ability to diagnose is better, but because the Standard American Diet (SAD) is lacking the minerals necessary to maintain healthy bones. When diagnosis of bone loss began years ago, predominately women over the age of 70 had any bone loss. Today the average woman will have the beginning stages of bone loss by age 36 and full-blown osteoporosis by 48. Men now diagnosed with osteoporosis is at an all -time high. What has changed over the last few decades? In 1931, the U.S. Senate had the farm lands tested and proved that the soils were over 80% depleted of the minerals that were necessary to maintain good health. The scientists warned us then that if we didn’t figure out a way to replenish the soils, we would see degenerative disease increase to epidemic proportions. We did not replenish the soils; instead, we began using fertilizer, which is only 3 of the 79 minerals needed. The results are degenerative diseases, such as
heart disease, type II diabetes, cancer, stroke, arthritis, bone loss and many more that are all tied directly to mineral deficiencies. Over time, your body becomes more and more acidic. Acid is the enemy of your bones, teeth, and most major organs of the human body. Americans drink too little water and too many liquids that are acidic. We drink coffee, which has up to 208 forms of acid in the coffee bean itself; tea, especially black tea which is acidic; and alcohol, which turns to acid in the body. But the worst of all liquids Americans consume are soft drinks. Most soft drinks fall in a range of 2.3 to 2.4 on the pH scale. When you understand that 7.00, on the pH scale, is neutral and everything below that number becomes more acidic, you begin to understand just how dangerous soft drinks can be to your bones and overall health. It is estimated that it would take 32 eight-ounce glasses of water with 12 pH alkalizing drops in each glass to overcome the acid in just one 10-ounce soft drink. Remember, cancer loves acid. Your blood must maintain a pH of 7.3 or you will
die very quickly. In order to maintain a blood pH of 7.3, your body will pull alkalizing minerals from your bones and use them to maintain 7.3. Over time, your bones and other organs become weak. Osteoporosis is simply weak bones which are lacking minerals. Remember, most diseases are deficiency disorders. What I Would Do Now that you know what causes osteoporosis, let’s cover what I would do if I were diagnosed with it. The first thing that I would do is stop consuming coffee, black tea, alcohol, and most important of all, stop all soft drinks. I would also take the following products: Ultra Bone Health: To balance my pH I would replenish the minerals that make up bone density with Ultra Bone Health. As the name implies Ultra Bone Health contains all the most impor-
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tant minerals that your body needs to grow strong bones. Humic Minerals: To make sure my body has every mineral I may choose to take Hu-Minerals, either in liquid form or capsule. This will assure me that I am getting all 79 minerals and trace elements that are necessary for overall health. It will also help me maintain alkalinity and at the same time support my organs, hair, skin and nails. HGH Liquid Spray or Cream: For those who wish to go the extra mile, research has shown that the human body will build stronger bones and reverse many symptoms of aging when you increase your human growth hormone levels. Here are just a few of the benefits of using this incredible product: an 8.8% increase in muscle, after six months, without exercise;
14.4% loss of fat without dieting; higher energy level; enhanced sexual performance; greater cardiac output; improved immune function; stronger bones; and mood elevation. Remember, it takes 2 years to grow healthy bones. Be patient and follow these instructions for best results. God designed your body to maintain strong bones throughout your life provided it has the raw materials that are necessary to do so. These products will most-definitely support bone health and help maintain a healthier pH. For more information go by Herbs & More in Athens or call 800-745-4408 or go to www.newtritionalhc.com. Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams
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